The main religion in India is Hinduism. It is not founded by anybody. Nobody can really say how old it is. It is the Vedic culture formed from time immemorial. It got the name Hinduism in the modern era only. It is a complex mixture of various rituals, customs, traditions, etc. Many have no clear idea why a particular custom or ritual is done. Here is an attempt to explain some of them.
One of the modern reformists in Hinduism, Swami Vivekananda said "Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life"
Hindu Rituals and Routines. Why do we follow them?
1.Why do we light a lamp?
2.Why do we have a prayer room?
3.Why do we do Namaste?
4.Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?
5.Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on the forehead?
6.Why do we not touch papers, books and people with the feet?
7.To touch another with the feet is considered an act of misdemeanor. Why is this so?
8.Why do we apply the holy ash?
9.Why do offer food to the Lord before eating it?
10. Why do we fast?
11. Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?
12. Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise manner?
13. Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?
14. Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
15. Why do we worship the kalasha?
16. Why do we consider the lotus as special?
17. Why do we worship tulasi?
18. Why do we blow the conch?
19. Why do we say shaanti thrice?
20. Why do we offer a coconut?
21. Why do we chant Om?
22. Why do we do aarati?
**Introduction **
Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life. Unlike other religions, Hindu dharma has many specialties. This is not known as a religion, it is known as the dharma;Sanaathana Dharma. Sanaathana means, according to Bhagavath Geetha, which cannot be destroyed by fire,weapons, water, air, and which is present in all living and non living being. Dharma means, the way of life which is the 'total of all *aachaaraas *or customs and rituals'. *Sanaathana Dharma *has its foundation on scientific spirituality. In the entire ancient Hindu literature we can see that science and spirituality are integrated. It is mentioned in the 40th chapter of the *Yajurveda *known as *Eesaavaasya Upanishad *that use scientific knowledge for solving problems in our life and use the spiritual knowledge for attaining immortality through philosophical outlook. Remember that in each and every *aachaaraa *there will be a component of spirituality in it. Without spirituality, nothing exists in Sanaathana dharma. Generallyeveryone bear a wrong impression that this spirituality is religion. Spirituality is different in Hindu dharma. Here the question of religion does not exist at all, because Hindu dharma was not created by an individual, prophet or an incarnation. Spirituality is a part of every Hindu custom in the normal life of a Hindu. *Aachaaraas *are to be followed based on their merits available from the self experience; you need not blindly follow a teacher or someone who gives advice without reasoning. All these aachaaraas are mentioned for the prosperity of the human beings and it should be the prime focus for practicing the Hindu aachaaraas. *Achaaryaath paadam aadatthe **paadam sishya swamedhayaa **paadam sa brahmachaaribhya **sesham kaala kramena cha * This is an important advice given in *smruthies*. It means a person can get only one quarter of knowledge from *Achaarya *- the teacher, another quarter by analyzing self, one quarter by discussing with others and the last quarter during the process of living by method addition, deletion, correction, and modification of already known aachaaraas or new aachaaraas. *Aachaaraath labhathe hi ayu: **aachaaraath dhanamakshayam**aachaaraath labhathe suprajaa: **aachaaro ahanthya lakshanam* Aachaaraas are followed for the psychological and physiological health and long life; Aachaaraas are followed for prosperity and wealth; Aachaaraas are followed for strong family and social bondage and following the Aachaaraas give a fine personality, dharmic outlook and vision, says our dharmasaastra. In India everyone followed Aachaaraas for the above mentioned psychological, physiological,family relation, social benefits and national integration based benefits. It is your right and duty to understand scientifically, rationally and logically the meaning of each and every Aachaaraas and follow the same in your life systematically.
Hindu Rituals and Routines. Why do we follow them? Answers
1. Why do we light a lamp?
In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of theLord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day – at dawn and dusk – and in a few it is maintained continuously - Akhanda Deepa. All auspicious functions commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion. Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. The Lord is the"Knowledge Principle" Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Why not light a bulb or tube light? That too would remove darkness. But the traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our *vaasanas* or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals. Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray: *Deepajyothi parabrahma **Deepa sarva tamopahaha **Deepena saadhyate saram **Sandhyaa deepo namostute * I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp; whose light is the Knowledge Principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life.
2. Why do we have a prayer room?
Most Indian homes have a prayer room or altar. A lamp is lit and the Lord worshipped each day. Other spiritual practices like *japa *- repetition of the Lord's name, meditation, *paaraayana *- reading of the scriptures, prayers, and devotional singing, etc. are also done here. Special worship is done on auspicious occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and the like. Each member of the family - young or old - communes with and worships the Divine here. The Lord is the entire creation. He is therefore the true owner of the house we live in too. The prayer room is the Master room of the house. We are the earthly occupants of His property. This notion rids us of false pride and possessiveness. The ideal attitude to take is to regard the Lord as the true owner of our homes and us as caretakers of His home. But if that is rather difficult, we could at least think of Him as a very welcome guest. Just as we would house an important guest in the best comfort, so too we felicitate the Lord's presence in our homes by having a prayer room or altar, which is, at all times, kept clean and well-decorated. Also the Lord is all pervading. To remind us that He resides in our homes with us, we have prayer rooms. Without the grace of the Lord, no task can be successfully or easily accomplished. We invoke His grace by communing with Him in the prayer room each day and on special occasions. Each room in a house is dedicated to a specific function like the Bedroom for resting, the drawing room to receive guests, the kitchen for cooking etc. The furniture,decor and the atmosphere of each room are made conducive to the purpose it serves. So too for the purpose of meditation, worship and prayer, we should have a conducive atmosphere – hence the need for a prayer room. Sacred thoughts and sound vibrations pervade the place and influence the minds of those who spend time there. Spiritual thoughts and vibrations accumulated through regular meditation, worship and chanting done there pervade the prayer room. Even when we are tired or agitated, by just sitting in the prayer room for a while, we feel calm, rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted.
3. Why do we do Namaste?
Indians greet each other with *namaste*. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word *namaste*. This greeting is for all – people younger than us, of our own age, those older than friends, even strangers and us. There are five forms of formal traditional greeting enjoined in the *shaastras of which namaskaram *is one. This is understood as prostration but it actually refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a *namaste*. Namaste *could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit *namah + te = namaste*. It means - I bow to you - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. *Namaha* can also be literally interpreted as "*na ma*" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of another. The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet another, we do so with *namaste*, which means, "may our minds meet," indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the divinity, the Self or the Lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we salute withhead bowed the Divinity in the person we meet. That is why sometimes, we close our eyes as we do *namaste *to a revered person or the Lord – as if to look within. The gesture is often accompanied by words like "Ram Ram," "Jai Shri Krishna", "Namo Narayana", "Jai Siya Ram", "Om Shanti" etc - indicating the recognition of this divinity. When we know this significance, our greeting does not remain just asuperficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper communion with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.
4. Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?
Indians prostrate before their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elder in turn blesses us by placing his or her hand on or over our heads.Prostration is done daily, when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals etc. In certain traditional circles,prostration is accompanied by *abhivaadana, which *serves to introduce one-self, announce one's family and social stature. Man stands on his feet. Touching the feet in prostration is a sign ofrespect for the age,maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders personify. It symbolizes our recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices they have done for our welfare. It is a way of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another. This tradition reflects thestrong family ties, which has been one of India's enduring strengths.The good wishes (*Sankalpa*) and blessings (*aashirvaada*) of elders Are highly valued in India. We prostrate to seek them. Good thoughts create positive vibrations. Good wishes springing from a heart full of love, divinity and nobility have a tremendous strength.When we prostrate with humility and respect, we invoke the good wishes and blessings of elders, which flow in the form of positive energy to envelop us. This is why the posture assumed whether it is in the standing or prone position, enables the entire body to receive the energy thus received. The different forms of showing respect are :*Pratuthana*: Rising to welcome a person.*Namaskaara: *Paying homage in the form of *namaste**Upasangrahan: *Touching the feet of elders or teachers.*Shaashtaanga: *Prostrating fully with the feet, knees, stomach, chest,forehead and arms touching the ground in front of the elder.*Pratyabivaadana: *Returning a greeting. Rules are prescribed in our scriptures as to who should prostrate to whom. Wealth, family name, age, moral strength and spiritual knowledge in ascending order of importance qualified men to receive respect. This is why a king though the ruler of the land, would prostrate before a spiritual master. Epics like the *Ramayana *and *Mahabharata* have many stories highlighting this aspect.
5. Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on the forehead?
The *tilak or pottu *invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord worshipped. In earlier times, the four castes (based on varna or colour) - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The brahmin applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior races. The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of the other three divisions. Also Vishnu worshippers apply a chandan tilak of the shape of "U," Shiva worshippers a tripundra of bhasma, Devi worshippers a red dot of kumkum and so on). The tilak cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna Chakra in the language of Yoga. The tilak is applied with the prayer - "May I remember the Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my activities. May I be righteous in my deeds." Even when we temporarily forget this prayerful attitude the markon another reminds us of our resolve. The tilak is thus a blessing of the Lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves – the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and causes a headache. The tilak and pottu cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes the entire forehead is covered with chandan or bhasma. Using plastic reusable "stick bindis" is not very beneficial, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.
6. Why do we not touch papers, books and people with the feet?
To Indians, knowledge is sacred and divine. So it must be given respect at all times. Nowadays we separate subjects as sacred and secular. But in ancient India every subject - academic or spiritual - was considered divine and taught by the guru in the *gurukula.* The custom of not stepping on educational tools is a frequent reminder of the high position accorded to knowledge in Indian culture. From an early age, this wisdom fosters in us a deep reverence for books and education. This is also the reason why we worship books, vehicles and instruments once a year on Saraswathi Pooja or Ayudha Pooja day, dedicated to the Goddess of Learning. In fact, each day before starting our studies, we pray: *Saraswati namasthubhyam **Varade kaama roopini **Vidyaarambham karishyaami **Sidhirbhavatu me sadaa * O Goddess Saraswati, the giver of Boons and fulfiller of wishes, I prostrate to You before starting my studies. May you always fulfill me?
7. To touch another with the feet is considered an act of misdemeanor**Why is this so?
Man is regarded as the most beautiful, living breathing temple of the Lord! Therefore touching another with the feet is akin to disrespecting the divinity within him or her. This calls for an immediate apology, which is offered with reverence and humility.
8. Why do we apply the holy ash?
The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. *Bhasma *(the Holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshipped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma. Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it.The word bhasma means, "that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord isremembered." *Bha *implied *bhartsanam *("to destroy") and *sma *implies *smaranam *("to remember"). The application of bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called *vibhuti *(which means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her. Homa (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred chants) signifies the offering or surrender of the ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity of the mind, which results from such actions. Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying Ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide wait for none. Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all over His body. Shiva devotes apply bhasma as a tripundra. When applied with a red spot at the center, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe). *Tryambakam yajaamahe **Sugandhim pushtivardhanam **Urvaa rukamiva bhandhanaan **Mrytyor muksheeyamaa amrutaat *"We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes and spread fragrance in our lives. May He free us from the shackles of sorrow, change and death – effortlessly, like the fall of a rip brinjal from its stem."
9. Why do offer food to the Lord before eating it?
Indians make an offering of food to the Lord and later partake of it as *prasaada*- a holy gift from the Lord. In our daily ritualistic worship (pooja) too we offer *naivedyam*(food) to the Lord. The Lord is omnipotent and omniscient. Man is a part, while the Lord is the totality. All thatwe do is by His strength and knowledge alone. Hence what we receive in life as a result of our actions is really His alone. We acknowledge this through the act of offering food to Him. This is exemplified by the Hindi words *"tera tujko arpan"*– I offer what is Yours to You. Thereafter it is akin to His gift to us, graced by His divine touch. Knowing this, our entire attitude to food and the act of eating changes. The food offered will naturally be pure and the best. We share what we get with others before consuming it. We do not demand, complain or criticise the quality of the food we get. We eat it with cheerful acceptance (*prasaada buddhi*). Before we partake of our daily meals we first sprinkle water around theplate as an act of purification. Five morsels of food are placed on the side of the plate acknowledging the debt owed by us to the Divine forces (*devta runa*) for their benign grace and protection, our ancestors (*pitru runa*) for giving us their lineage and a family culture, the sages (*rishi runa*)as our religion and culture have been "realised", aintained and handed down to us by them, our fellow beings (*manushya runa*) who constitute society without the support of which we could not live as we do and other living beings (*bhuta runa*) for serving us selflessly. Thereafter the Lord, the life force, who is also within us as the fivelife-giving physiological functions, is offered the food. This is done with the chant *praanaaya swaahaa,**apaanaaya swaahaa, **vyaanaaya swaahaa, **udaanaaya swaahaa, **samaanaaya swaahaa,**brahmane swaahaa*After offering the food thus, it is eaten as prasaada - blessed food.
10.*Why do we fast?
Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food. Fasting in Sanskrit is called *upavaasa*. *Upa *means "near" + *vaasa *means "to stay". *Upavaasa * therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental proximity with the Lord. Then what has *upavaasa *to do with food? A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, preparing, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain food types make our minds dull and agitated. Hence on certain days man decides to save time and conserve his energy by eating either simple, light food or totally abstaining from eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise pre-occupied by the thought of food, now entertains noble thoughts and stays with the Lord. Since it is a self-imposed form of discipline it is usually adhered to with joy Also every system needs a break and an overhaul to work at its best. Rest and a change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestive system and the entire body. The more you indulge the senses, the more they make their demands. Fasting helps us to cultivate control over our senses, sublimate our desires and guide our minds to be poised and at peace. Fasting should not make us weak, irritable or create an urge to indulge later. This happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting. The Bhagavad-Gita urges us to eat appropriately - neither too less nor too much - *yukta-* *aahaara *and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (a *saatvik *diet) even when not fasting.
11.Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?
We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center,source and essence of our lives. Recognizing Him as the focal point in our lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the significance of *pradakshina*. Also every point on the circumference of a circle is equidistant from the center. This means that wherever or whoever we may be, we are equally close to the Lord. His grace flows towards us without partiality.
12.Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise manner?
The reason is not, as a person said, to avoid a traffic jam! As we do *pradakshina*, the Lord is always on our right. In India the right side symbolizes auspiciousness. So as we circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum we remind ourselves to lead an auspicious life of righteousness, with the Lord who is the indispensable source of help and strength, as our guide - the "right hand".
*Indian scriptures enjoin - *matrudevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava, Acharyadevo bhava*. May you consider your parents and teachers as you would the Lord. With this in mind we also do pradakshina around our parents and divine personages. After the completion of traditional worship (pooja), we customarily dopradakshina around ourselves. In this way we recognize and remember the supreme divinity within us, which alone is idolized in the form of the Lord that we worship outside.
13.Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?
The Lord, the life in us, pervades all living beings, be they plants oranimals. Hence, they are all regarded as sacred. Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us the vital factors that make life possible on earth: food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc. Hence, in India, we are taught to regard trees and plants as sacred. Indians scriptures tell us to plant ten trees if, for any reason, we have to cut one. We are advised to use parts of trees and plants only as much as is needed for food, fuel, shelter etc. we are also urged to apologies to a plant or tree before cutting it to avoid incurring a specific sin named soona. Certain trees and plants like tulasi, peepal etc., which have tremendous beneficial qualities,are worshipped till today. It is believed that divine beings manifest astrees and plants, and many people worship them to fulfill their desires or to please the Lord.
14.Why do we ring the bell in a temple? Is it to wake up the Lord?
But the Lord never sleeps. Is it to let the Lord know we have come? He does not need to be told, as He is all knowing. Is it a form of seeking permission to enter His precinct? It is a homecoming and therefore entry needs no permission. The Lord welcomes us at all times. Then why do we ring the bell?The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. Itproduces the sound *Om*, the universal name of the Lord. There should be auspiciousness within and without, to gain the vision of the Lord who is all-auspiciousness. Even while doing the ritualistic *aarati*, we ring the bell. It is sometimes accompanied by the auspicious sounds of the conch and other musical instruments. An added significance of ringing the bell, conch and other instruments is that they help drowned any inauspicious orirrelevant noises and comments that might disturb or distract theworshippers in their devotional ardour, concentration and inner peace.As we start the daily ritualistic worship (*pooja*) we ring the bell, chanting: *Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam **gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam**Kurve ghantaaravam tatra **devataahvaahna lakshanam *I ring this bell indicating the invocation of divinity, So that virtuous and noble forces enter (my home and heart); and the demonic and evil forces from within and without, depart.
15.**Why do we worship the kalasha?
First of all what is a *kalasha*? A brass, mud or copper pot is filled with water. Mango leaves are placed in the mouth of the pot and a coconut is placed over it. A red or white thread is tied around its neck or sometimes all around it in a intricate diamond-shaped pattern. The pot may be decorated wit designs. Such a pot is known as a *kalasha*. When the pot is filled with water or rice, it is known as *purnakumbha*representing the inert body which when filled with the divine life force gains the power to do all the wonderful things that makes life what it is.A *kalasha *is placed with due rituals on all-important occasions like the traditional house warming (*grihapravesa*), wedding, daily worship etc. It is placed near the entrance as a sign of welcome. It is also used in a traditional manner while receiving holy personages. Why do we worship the *kalasha*? Before the creation came into being, Lord Vishnu was reclining onHis snake-bed in the milky ocean. From His navel emerged a lotus from which appeared Lord Brahma, the creator, who thereafter created this world. The water in the *kalasha *symbolizes the primordial water from which theentire creation emerged. It is the giver of life to all and has the potential of creating innumerable names and forms, the inert objects and the sentient beings and all that is auspicious in the world from the energy behind the universe. The leaves and coconut represent creation. The thread represents the love that "binds" all in creation. The *kalasha *is thereforeconsidered auspicious and worshipped. The waters from all the holy rivers,the knowledge of all the Vedas and the blessings of all the deities are invoked in the *kalasha*and its water is thereafter used for all the rituals, including the abhisheka. The consecration (*kumbhaabhisheka*) of a temple is done in a grand manner with elaborate rituals including the pouring of one or more *kalashas *of holy water on the top of the temple. When the asuras and devas churned the milky ocean, the Lord appeared bearing the pot of nectar, which blessed one with everlasting life. Thus the kalasha also symbolizes immortality. Men of wisdom are full and complete as they identify with the infinite Truth (poornatvam). They brim with joy and love and respect all that is auspicious. We greet them with a purnakumbha ("full pot") acknowledging their greatness and as a sign of respectful and reverential welcome, with a "full heart".
16.Why do we consider the lotus as special?
The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty (*satyam, shivam, sundaram*). The Lord is also that nature and therefore, His various aspects are compared to a lotus (i.e.lotus-eyes, lotus feet, lotus hands, the lotus of the heart etc.). The lotus blooms with the rising sun and close at night. Similarly, our minds open up and expand with the light of knowledge. The lotus grows even in slushy areas. It remains beautiful and untainted despite its surroundings, reminding us that we too can and shouldstrive to remain pure and beautiful within, under all circumstances. The lotus leaf never gets wet even though it is always in water. It symbolizes the man of wisdom (*gyaani*) who remains ever joyous, unaffected by the world of sorrow and change. This is revealed in a shloka from the Bhagwad-Geeta: **Brahmanyaadhaaya karmaani**Sangam tyaktvaa karoti yaha**Lipyate na sa paapena **Padma patram ivaambhasaa *He who does actions, offering them to Brahman (the Supreme), abandoningattachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf remains unaffected by the water on it. From this, we learn that what is natural to the man of wisdom becomes adiscipline to be practiced by all *saadhakas *or spiritual seekers and devotees. Our bodies have certain energy centers described in the Yoga Shaastras as chakras. Each one is associated with lotus that has a certain number of petals. For example, a lotus with a thousand petals represents the Sahasra chakra at the top of the head, which opens when the yogi attains Godhood or Realisation. Also, the lotus posture (*padmaasana*) isrecommended when one sits for meditation. A lotus emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma originated from it to create the world. Hence, the lotussymbolizes the link between the creator and the supreme Cause. It also symbolizes Brahmaloka, the abode of Lord Brahma. The auspicious sign of the swastika is said to have evolved from the lotus.
17.Why do we worship tulasi?
In Sanskrit,*tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi* - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the *tulasi* For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known to be the only thing used in worship, which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying. As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (*shaaligraama*). Seeing her devotion and adhered to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn His head. Also that all offerings would be incomplete without the *tulasi *leaf -hence the worship of *tulasi*. She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the *tulasi*. *Tulasi *is married to the Lord with all pomp and show as in any wedding. This is because according to another legend, the Lord blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all her legendary wealth. The scales did not balance till a single *tulasi *leaf was placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion. Thus the *tulasi *played the vital role of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world. The *tulasi *leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure variousailments, including the common cold.*Yanmule sarvatirhaani**Yannagre sarvadevataa **Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha**Tulasi taam namaamyaham * I bow down to the tulasi, At whose base are all the holy places, At Whose top reside all the deities and In whose middle are all the Vedas. 18.*Why do we blow the conch?
When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of *Om *emanates. *Om *is an auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the world and the Truth behind it. As the story goes, the demon Shankhaasura defeated devas, the Vedas and went to the bottom of the ocean. The devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as *Matsya * *Avataara *- the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The *Om *sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas. All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of *Om*. The conch therefore is known as *shankha *after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called *Paanchajanya*. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands. It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (*purushaarthas*) of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil.Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, Known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers. Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary temple and several small ones. During the *aarati *performed after all-important poojas and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small, the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it to the temple werereminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds, and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine. The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a symbol of *Naada Brahma *(Truth), the Vedas, *Om*, dharma, victory and auspiciousness. It is often used to offer devotees *thirtha *(sanctified water) to raise their minds to the highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.*Twam puraa saagarot pannaha**Vishnunaa vidhrutahakare **Devaischa poojitha sarvahi **Panchjanya namostu te *Salutations to Panchajanya the conch born of the ocean Held in the hand of Lord Vishnu and worshipped by all *devaas*
19.**Why do we say shaanti thrice?
**Shaanti*, meaning "peace", is a natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by others or us. For example, peace already exists in a place until someone makes noise. Therefore, peace underlies all our agitations. When agitations end, peace is naturally experienced since it was already there. Where there is peace, there is happiness. Therefore, every one without exception desires peace in his/her life. However, peace within or without seems very hard to attain because it is covered by our own agitations. A rare few manage to remain peaceful within even in the midst of external agitation and troubles. To invoke peace, we chant prayers. By chanting prayers, troubles end and peace is experienced internally, irrespective of the external disturbances. All such prayers end by chanting *shaanti *thrice. It is believed that *trivaram satyam *- that which is said thrice comes true. For emphasizing a point we repeat a thing thrice. In the court of law also, one who takes the witness stands says, "I shall speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth". We chant *shaanti *thrice to emphasise our intense desire for peace. All obstacles, problems and sorrows originate from three sources. *Aadhidaivika *: The unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc. *Aadhibhautika*: The known factors around us like accidents, human contacts, pollution, crime etc.*Aadhyaatmika *: We sincerely pray to the Lord that at least while weundertake special tasks or even in our daily lives, there are no problems or that, problems are minimised from the three sources written about above.May peace alone prevail. Hence *shaanti *is chanted thrice. It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unseen forces. It ischanted softer the second time, directed to our immediate surroundings and those around, and softest the last time as it is addressed to oneself.
20.*Why do we offer a coconut?
In India one of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, the use of a new vehicle, bridge, house etc. It is offered in the sacrificial fire whilst performing *homa*. The coconut is broken and placed before the Lord. It is later distributed as *prasaada*. The fibre covering of the dried coconut is removed except for a tuft on the top. The marks on the coconut make it look like the head of a human being. The coconut is broken, symbolising the breaking of the ego. The juice within, representing the inner tendencies(*vaasanas*) is offered along with the white kernel - the mind, to the Lord. A mind thus purified by the touch of the Lord is used as *prasaada *(a holy gift). In the traditional *abhishekha *ritual done in all temples and many homes, several materials are poured over the deity like milk, curd, honey, tender coconut water, sandal paste, holy ash etc. Each material has a specific significance of bestowing certain benefits on worshippers. Tender coconut water is used in *abhisheka *rituals since it is believed tobestow spiritual growth on the seeker. The coconut also symbolises selfless service. Every part of the tree –the trunk, leaves, fruit, coir etc. Is used in innumerable ways like thatches, mats, tasty dishes, oil, soap etc. It takes in even salty water from the earth and converts it into sweet nutritive water that is especially beneficial to sick people. It is used in the preparation of many ayurvedic medicines and in other alternative medicinal systems. The marks on the coconut are even thought to represent the three-eyed Lord Shiva and therefore it is considered to be a means to fulfill our desires.
21.*Why do we chant Om?
Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. It has a profoundeffect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and vedic prayers start with Om. All auspicious actions begin with Om. It is even used as a greeting - Om,Hari Om etc. It is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign. Om is the universal name of the Lord. It is made up of the letters A (phonetically as in "around"), U (phonetically as in "put") and M (phonetically as in "mum"). The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as "A". With the coming together of the lips, "U" is formed and when the lips are closed, all sounds end in "M". The three letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep), the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc. The Lord is all these and beyond.The formless, attributeless Lord (Brahman) is represented by the silence between two Om Chants. Om is also called *pranava *that means, "that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Om. It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and *atha*. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake. The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (*aaooommm*). Om is written in different ways in different places. The most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha's. The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand. Thus Om symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form and the Formless.
22.*Why do we do aarati?
Towards the end of every ritualistic worship (pooja or bhajan) of the Lord or to welcome an honored guest or saint, we perform the aarati. This is always accompanied by the ringing of the bell and sometimes by singing, playing of musical instruments and clapping. It is one of the sixteen steps (*shodasha upachaara*) of the pooja ritual. It is referred to as the lighted lamp in the right hand, which we wave in a clockwise circling movement to light the entire form of the Lord. Each part is revealed individually and also the entire form of the Lord. As the light is waved we either do mental or loud chanting of prayers or simply behold the beautiful form of the Lord, illumined by the lamp. At the end of the aarati we place our hands over the flame and then gently touch our eyes and the top of the head. We have seen and participated in this ritual from our childhood. Let us find out why we do the aarati? Having worshipped the Lord of love - performing abhisheka, decorating the image and offering fruits and delicacies, we see the beauty of the Lord in all His glory. Our minds arefocused on each limb of the Lord as the lamp lights it up. It is akin to silent open-eyed meditation on His beauty. The singing, clapping, ringing of the bell etc. denote the joy and auspiciousness, which accompanies the vision of the Lord.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Astronomy and Mathematics at Vedic era in Ancient India
'Vedic practices provided the inspiration for advances in astronomy and mathematics'
(Excerpted from an article by B.V.Subbarayyappa in the book India 1000 to 2000, Editor : T.J.S.George, published in December 1999 by Express Publications (Madurai) Ltd, Express Estates, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. The excerpt was also published in The New Indian Express on Sunday in the FYI column on April 8, 2001.)
Jyothisha (astronomy) was one of the six auxiliaries of the Vedas and the earliest Indian astronomical text goes by the name of Vedanga Jyotisha. Year-long sacrifices commenced from the day following the winter solstice and Vedic knowledge of both winter and summer solstices was fairly accurate. The Vedanga Jyotisha had developed a concept of a cycle of 5 years (one Yuga) for luni-solar and other time adjustments with intercalation at regular intervals.
Indian mathematics too owes its primary inspiration to Vedic practices. The Shulba sutras, part of another Vedic auxiliary called the Kalpa sutras, deal with the construction of several types of brick altars and in that context with certain geometrical problems including the Pythagorean theorem, squaring a circle, irrational numbers and the like. Yet another Vedic auxiliary, Metrics (chandah), postulated a triangular array for determining the type of combinations of 'n' syllables of long and short sounds for metrical chanting. This was mathematically developed by Halayudha who lived in Karnataka (10th Century) into a pyramidal expansion of numbers. Such an exercise appeared six centuries later in Europe, known as Pascal's triangle. Vedic mathematics and astronomy were pragmatic and integrated with Vedic religio-philosophical life.
But such an approach was not to last long. During the three centuries before and after the Christian era, there were new impulses. Astronomy became mathematics-based. In the succeeding centuries, while astronomy assimilated Hellenic ideas to some extent mathematics was really innovative. Indian astronomers were able mathematicians too. The doyen among them, Aryabhatta I (b.476 A.D.) gave the value of pi (3.1416 approx., a value used even today) worked out trigonometrical tables, areas of triangles and other plane figures, arithmetical progression, summation of series, indeterminate equations of the first order and the like. He expounded that the earth rotates about its own axis and the period of one sidereal rotation given by him is equivalent to 23h 56m 4s.1, while the modern value is 23h 56m 4s.091. He discarded the mythical Rahu-Ketu postulate concerning eclipses in favour of a scientific explanation.
Aryabhatta's junior contemporary Varahamihira, was well known for his compendium, the Panchasiddhantika, a compilation of the then extant five astronomical works called the Siddhantha- Surya, Paulisha, Romaka, Vasishta, and Paitamaha. Of them, the Suryasiddhanta, which he regarded as the most accurate, underwent revisions from time to time and continues to be an important text for computing pancangas.
Brahmagupta was a noted astronomer mathematician of the 7th Century. His remarkable contribution was his equation for solving indeterminate equations of the second order - an equation that appeared in Europe a thousand years later known as Pell's equation. His lemmas in this connection were rediscovered by Euler (1764) and Lagrange (1768). Brahmagupta was also the first to enunciate a formula for the area of a rational cyclic quadrilateral. In the latter half of the first millenium A.D. there were other noted astronomers and mathematicians like Bhaskara I, Lalla, Pruthudakasvamin, Vateshvara, Munjala, Mahavira (Jaina mathematician), Shripati, Shridhara, Aryabhatta II , and Vijayanandin. The tradition of astronomy and mathematics continued unabated - determination of procession of equinoxes, parallax, mean and true motions of planet, permutations and combinations, solving quadratic equations, square root of a negative number and the like.
Using nine digits and zero, the decimal place value system had established itself by about the 4th century A.D. Says historian of science, George Sarton, "Our numbers and the use of zero were invented by the Hindus and transmitted by Arabs, hence the name Arabic numerals which we often give them.' Brahmagupta's Brahmasphuta Siddhanta and Khandakhadyaka were also rendered into Arabic in the 9th-10th century. The Brahmi numerical forms with some modifications along with the decimal place-value system developed in India have since become universal.
The beginning of the second millenium A.D. witnessed the emergence of the notable astronomer-mathematician, Bhaskaracharya II (b.1114). His cyclic (cakravala) method for solving indeterminate equations of the second order has been hailed by the German mathematician 'Henkel', as the finest thing achieved in the theory of numbers before Lagrange. Bhaskaracharya II had also developed basic Calculus. Between the 14th and 18th Centuries, there were schools of astronomers-mathematicians in Kerala and Maharashtra, Ganesha Daivajna simplified methods of computation for almanac makers. The Kerala school was well known for its keen observations of eclipses over 55 years. Parameshwara (1360-1455) was the first in the history of mathematics to have given the exact formula for the circumradius of a cyclic quadrilateral; this was rediscovered in Europe by L'Huiler nearly 300 years later.
Adhering to the Aryabhatta tradition, other Kerala savants like Govinda Bhatta, Damodara, Nilakantha Somayaji, Jyesthadeva, Acyuta Pisharati and Putumana Somayaji added to both astronomy and mathematics. The leader of this intellectual lineage was Madhava (14th century), who formulated the approximations for pi, trigonometrical sine, cosine, arc tan power series (now known as Gregory series) that were rediscovered in Europe three centuries later. Nilakantha Somayaji provided a convergent infinite geometric progression. In north India, Narayana Pandita worked out a rule for finding out factors of divisors of a number, much before such an attempt was made in Europe. He was well known for his analysis of sets of numbers, magic squares and the like. As for astronomy, the astrolabe began to be used during the Muslim rule. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh erected five observatories in Benares, Mathura, Ujjain, Delhi and Jaipur (early 18th Century). Though Jai Singh knew the use of telescope and European heliocentric astronomy, he clung to the traditional geo-centric calculations of Indian astronomy, but raised the level of observational mathematics.
- India 1000 to 2000
(Excerpted from an article by B.V.Subbarayyappa in the book India 1000 to 2000, Editor : T.J.S.George, published in December 1999 by Express Publications (Madurai) Ltd, Express Estates, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. The excerpt was also published in The New Indian Express on Sunday in the FYI column on April 8, 2001.)
Jyothisha (astronomy) was one of the six auxiliaries of the Vedas and the earliest Indian astronomical text goes by the name of Vedanga Jyotisha. Year-long sacrifices commenced from the day following the winter solstice and Vedic knowledge of both winter and summer solstices was fairly accurate. The Vedanga Jyotisha had developed a concept of a cycle of 5 years (one Yuga) for luni-solar and other time adjustments with intercalation at regular intervals.
Indian mathematics too owes its primary inspiration to Vedic practices. The Shulba sutras, part of another Vedic auxiliary called the Kalpa sutras, deal with the construction of several types of brick altars and in that context with certain geometrical problems including the Pythagorean theorem, squaring a circle, irrational numbers and the like. Yet another Vedic auxiliary, Metrics (chandah), postulated a triangular array for determining the type of combinations of 'n' syllables of long and short sounds for metrical chanting. This was mathematically developed by Halayudha who lived in Karnataka (10th Century) into a pyramidal expansion of numbers. Such an exercise appeared six centuries later in Europe, known as Pascal's triangle. Vedic mathematics and astronomy were pragmatic and integrated with Vedic religio-philosophical life.
But such an approach was not to last long. During the three centuries before and after the Christian era, there were new impulses. Astronomy became mathematics-based. In the succeeding centuries, while astronomy assimilated Hellenic ideas to some extent mathematics was really innovative. Indian astronomers were able mathematicians too. The doyen among them, Aryabhatta I (b.476 A.D.) gave the value of pi (3.1416 approx., a value used even today) worked out trigonometrical tables, areas of triangles and other plane figures, arithmetical progression, summation of series, indeterminate equations of the first order and the like. He expounded that the earth rotates about its own axis and the period of one sidereal rotation given by him is equivalent to 23h 56m 4s.1, while the modern value is 23h 56m 4s.091. He discarded the mythical Rahu-Ketu postulate concerning eclipses in favour of a scientific explanation.
Aryabhatta's junior contemporary Varahamihira, was well known for his compendium, the Panchasiddhantika, a compilation of the then extant five astronomical works called the Siddhantha- Surya, Paulisha, Romaka, Vasishta, and Paitamaha. Of them, the Suryasiddhanta, which he regarded as the most accurate, underwent revisions from time to time and continues to be an important text for computing pancangas.
Brahmagupta was a noted astronomer mathematician of the 7th Century. His remarkable contribution was his equation for solving indeterminate equations of the second order - an equation that appeared in Europe a thousand years later known as Pell's equation. His lemmas in this connection were rediscovered by Euler (1764) and Lagrange (1768). Brahmagupta was also the first to enunciate a formula for the area of a rational cyclic quadrilateral. In the latter half of the first millenium A.D. there were other noted astronomers and mathematicians like Bhaskara I, Lalla, Pruthudakasvamin, Vateshvara, Munjala, Mahavira (Jaina mathematician), Shripati, Shridhara, Aryabhatta II , and Vijayanandin. The tradition of astronomy and mathematics continued unabated - determination of procession of equinoxes, parallax, mean and true motions of planet, permutations and combinations, solving quadratic equations, square root of a negative number and the like.
Using nine digits and zero, the decimal place value system had established itself by about the 4th century A.D. Says historian of science, George Sarton, "Our numbers and the use of zero were invented by the Hindus and transmitted by Arabs, hence the name Arabic numerals which we often give them.' Brahmagupta's Brahmasphuta Siddhanta and Khandakhadyaka were also rendered into Arabic in the 9th-10th century. The Brahmi numerical forms with some modifications along with the decimal place-value system developed in India have since become universal.
The beginning of the second millenium A.D. witnessed the emergence of the notable astronomer-mathematician, Bhaskaracharya II (b.1114). His cyclic (cakravala) method for solving indeterminate equations of the second order has been hailed by the German mathematician 'Henkel', as the finest thing achieved in the theory of numbers before Lagrange. Bhaskaracharya II had also developed basic Calculus. Between the 14th and 18th Centuries, there were schools of astronomers-mathematicians in Kerala and Maharashtra, Ganesha Daivajna simplified methods of computation for almanac makers. The Kerala school was well known for its keen observations of eclipses over 55 years. Parameshwara (1360-1455) was the first in the history of mathematics to have given the exact formula for the circumradius of a cyclic quadrilateral; this was rediscovered in Europe by L'Huiler nearly 300 years later.
Adhering to the Aryabhatta tradition, other Kerala savants like Govinda Bhatta, Damodara, Nilakantha Somayaji, Jyesthadeva, Acyuta Pisharati and Putumana Somayaji added to both astronomy and mathematics. The leader of this intellectual lineage was Madhava (14th century), who formulated the approximations for pi, trigonometrical sine, cosine, arc tan power series (now known as Gregory series) that were rediscovered in Europe three centuries later. Nilakantha Somayaji provided a convergent infinite geometric progression. In north India, Narayana Pandita worked out a rule for finding out factors of divisors of a number, much before such an attempt was made in Europe. He was well known for his analysis of sets of numbers, magic squares and the like. As for astronomy, the astrolabe began to be used during the Muslim rule. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh erected five observatories in Benares, Mathura, Ujjain, Delhi and Jaipur (early 18th Century). Though Jai Singh knew the use of telescope and European heliocentric astronomy, he clung to the traditional geo-centric calculations of Indian astronomy, but raised the level of observational mathematics.
- India 1000 to 2000
Monday, August 28, 2006
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component. Moreover, success is a journey, not a destination. Material abundance, in all its expressions, happens to be one of those things that makes the journey more enjoyable. But success also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being and peace of mind. Even with the experience of all these things, we will remain unfulfilled unless we nurture the seeds of divinity inside us. In reality, we are divinity in disguise, and the gods and goddesses in embryo that are contained within us seek to be fully materialized. Although I call the laws I'm about to discuss The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, they could easily be called The Seven Spiritual Laws of Life. This is because they are the same principles that nature uses to create everything in material existence--everything we can see, hear, smell, taste or touch.
Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease. And yet success, including the creation of wealth, has always been considered a process that requires hard work, and it is often considered to be at the expense of others. We need a more spiritual approach to success and to affluence, which is the abundant flow of all good things to you. With the knowledge and practice of spiritual law, we put ourselves in harmony with nature and create with carefreeness, joy and love. True success is the experience of the miraculous. It is the unfolding of the divinity within us. It is the perception of divinity wherever we go, in whatever we perceive--in the eyes of a child, in the beauty of a flower, in the flight of a bird. When we begin to experience our life as the miraculous expression of divinity--not occasionally, but all the time--then we will know the true meaning of success.
Now let's go over The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and see how we can apply them in our lives.
1) The Law of Pure Potentiality
This law is based on the fact that we are, in our essential state, pure consciousness. Pure consciousness is pure potentiality; it is the field of all possibilities and infinite creativity. When you discover your essential nature and know who you really are, in that knowing itself is the ability to fulfill any dream you have, because you are the eternal possibility, the immeasurable potential of all that was, is and will be. This law could also be called the Law of Unity, because underlying the infinite diversity of life is the unity of one all-pervasive spirit. There is no separation between you and this field of energy. One way to access the field is through the daily practice of silence, meditation and non-judgment. Spending time in nature will also give you access to the qualities inherent in the field: infinite creativity, freedom and bliss.
2) The Law of Giving
This law could also be called the Law of Giving and Receiving, because the universe operates through dynamic exchange. The flow of life is nothing other than the harmonious interaction of all the elements and forces that structure the field of existence. Because your body and your mind and the universe are in constant and dynamic change, stopping the circulation of energy is like stopping the flow of blood. Whenever blood stops flowing, it begins to clot, to stagnate. That is why you must give and receive in order to keep wealth and affluence--or anything you want--circulating in your life. If our only intention is to hold on to our money and hoard it--since it's life energy, we will stop its circulation back into our lives as well. In order to keep that energy coming to us, we have to keep the energy circulating. Thus, the more you give, the more you will receive. The best way to put The Law of Giving into operation is to make a decision that any time you come into contact with anyone, you will give them something. It doesn't have to be in the form of material things; it could be a flower, a compliment or a prayer. In fact, the most powerful forms of giving are non-material. The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give, and they don't cost you anything.
3) The Law of Karma (or Cause and Effect)
"Karma" is both action and the consequence of that action; it is cause and effect simultaneously, because every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in kind. There is nothing unfamiliar about the Law of Karma. Everyone had heard the expression, "What you sow is what you reap." Obviously, if we want to create happiness in our lives, we must learn to sow the seeds of happiness. Therefore, karma implies the action of conscious choice-making. Whether you like it or not, everything that is happening at this moment is a result of the choices you've made in the past. Unfortunately, a lot of us make choices unconsciously, and therefore we don't think they are choices--and yet, they are. If you step back for a moment and witness the choices you are making as you make those choices, then in just this act of witnessing, you take the whole process from the unconscious realm into the conscious realm. This procedure of conscious choice-making and witnessing is very empowering.You can use the Law of Karma to create money and affluence, and the flow of all good things to you, any time you want. But first, you must become consciously aware that your future is generated by the choices you are making in every moment of your life. If you do this on a regular basis, then you are making full use of this law. The more you bring your choices into the level of your conscious awareness, the more you will make those choices which are spontaneously correct--both for you and those around you.
4) The Law of Least Effort
This law is based on the fact that nature's intelligence functions with effortless ease and abandoned carefreeness. This is the principle of least action, of no resistance. This is, therefore, the principle of harmony and love. When we learn this lesson from nature, we easily fulfill our desires. In Vedic Science, the age-old philosophy of India, this principle is known as the principle of economy of effort, or "do less and accomplish more." Ultimately, you come to the state where you do nothing and accomplish everything. This means that there is just a faint idea, and then the manifestation of the idea comes about effortlessly. What is commonly called a "miracle" is actually an expression of the Law of Least Effort. Least effort is expended when your actions are motivated by love, because nature is held together by the energy of love. When you seek power and control over other people, you waste energy. When you seek money or power for the sake of the ego, you spend energy chasing the illusion of happiness instead of enjoying happiness in the moment. When your actions are motivated by love, your energy multiplies and accumulates--and the surplus energy you gather and enjoy can be channeled to create anything that you want, including unlimited wealth. There are three components to the Law of Least Effort--three things you can do to put this principle of "do less and accomplish more" into action. The first component is acceptance. Acceptance simply means that you make a commitment: "Today I will accept people, situations, circumstances and events as they occur." This means I will know that this moment is as it should be, because the whole universe is as it should be. The second component is responsibility. This means not blaming anyone or anything for your situation, including yourself. This allows you the ability to have a creative response to the situation as it is now. All problems contain the seeds of opportunity, and this awareness allows you to take the moment and transform it to a better situation or thing. The third component to the Law of Least Effort is defenselessness. This means that you have relinquished the need to convince or persuade others of your point of view. If you relinquish this need you will in that relinquishment gain access to enormous amounts of energy that have been previously wasted.5) The Law of Intention and Desire
This law is based on the fact that energy and information exist everywhere in nature. A flower, a rainbow, a tree, a human body, when broken down to their essential components are energy and information. The whole universe, in its essential nature, is the movement of energy and information. The only difference between you and a tree is the informational and energy content of your respective bodies. You can consciously change the energy and informational content of your own quantum mechanical body, and therefore influence the energy and informational content of your extended body--your environment, your world--and cause things to manifest in it. The quality of intention on the object of attention will orchestrate an infinity of space-time events to bring about the outcome intended, provided one follows the other spiritual laws of success. Intention lays the groundwork for the effortless, spontaneous, frictionless flow of pure potentiality. The only caution is that you use your intent for the benefit of mankind.
6) The Law of Detachment
This law says that in order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it. This doesn't mean you give up the intention to create your desire. You give up your attachment to the result. This is a very powerful thing to do. The moment you relinquish your attachment to the result, combining one-pointed intention with detachment at the same time, you will have that which you desire. Anything you want can be acquired through detachment, because detachment is based on the unquestioning belief in the power of your true Self. Attachment comes from poverty consciousness, because attachment is always to symbols. Detachment is synonymous with wealth consciousness, because with detachment there is freedom to create. True wealth consciousness is the ability to have anything you want, anytime you want, and with least effort. To be grounded in this experience you have to be grounded in the wisdom of uncertainty. In this uncertainty you will find the freedom to create anything you want.
7) The Law of "Dharma" or Purpose in Life
The seventh spiritual law of success is the Law of Dharma. (Dharma is a Sanskrit word that means "purpose in life.") This law says that we have taken manifestation in physical form to fulfill a purpose. You have a unique talent and a unique way of expressing it. There is something that you can do better than anyone else in the whole world--and for every unique talent and unique expression of that talent, there are also unique needs. When these needs are matched with the creative expression of your talent, that is the spark that creates affluence. Expressing your talents to fulfill needs creates unlimited wealth and abundance. There are three components to the Law of Dharma. The first says that each of us is here to discover our true Self. The second component is to express our unique talents; the expression of that talent takes you into timeless awareness. The third component is service to humanity. When you combine the ability to express your unique talent with service to humanity, then you make full use of the Law of Dharma. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success are powerful principles that will enable you to attain self-mastery. If you put your attention on these laws and practice the steps outlined above, you will see that you can manifest anything you want--all the affluence, money and success you desire. You will also see that your life becomes more joyful and abundant in every way, for these laws are also the spiritual laws of life that make living worthwhile.
Adapted with permission from The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, copyright 1994 by Deepak Chopra, co-published by Amber-Allen Publishing and New World Library. Available at bookstores or visit www.amberallen.com or www.nwlib.com.
The Chopra Center for Well-Being offers workshops on the Seven Spiritual Laws for the Workplace. For information visit www.chopra.com.
Balance the Spiritual And the Material
Balance the Spiritual And the Material
Dr. Pranav Pandya
There are two aspects to human life: One that relates to the physical body, the material, and the other that relates to the inner self or the soul, the spiritual. Materialism is a tendency to lead a life of worldly pleasures.
Spirituality means to keep in mind the awakening of the soul even while remaining active. Material characteristics in-clude greed, attachment towards worldly objects and people, and egoism.
We generally engage our time and effort in satisfying our material requirements. The mind is different from the rest of the senses in that it is always dissatisfied. New hopes and ambitions arise once the old ones are fulfilled.
The worth and importance of a well-mannered, disciplined person is obviously more than that of an egoistic person. No circumstances or individuals can challenge a person who is dominated by ego, whereas examples of egoistic people suffering and coming to ruin can be seen all around us.
The ego-less person is respected while an egoistic person is not. The inner self or the soul is called antaratma. Looking after the soul results in eternal peace, satisfaction, bliss and the acquisition of both material and spiritual benefits.
Here, priority is given to the soul compared to the body. Bodily requirements are kept to a minimum and the principle of "simple living and high thinking" is adopted.
This means a person who takes care of his soul has to practise restraint over the senses and remain satisfied with minimum resources. If, for example, food intake is kept low, it has the double benefit of enabling longevity and protection from diseases.
The consumption of too much sugar, salt and fat can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis respectively. An excess usage of other senses also causes problems.
For example, watching too much television or too much exposure to computers damages eyesight. Listening to loud music affects hearing. Overindulgence in sexual activities is unhealthy.
People who practise res-traint never experience financial crisis. nor do they remain in debt. They maintain a healthy body and healthy mind. They are called people of character; they are respected.
We should consider the whole world as family, by adopting the principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam. Why spend valuable time and effort for the sake of a few family members only? When the feeling of vasu-dhaiva kutumbakam develops, a person exhibits love and compassion towards everyone and offers his services for the welfare of humanity. On the other hand, if one person or a group of persons is showered with excessive love and caring, it becomes a cause of suffering for every-one concerned. Thinking about the welfare of the soul prevents wastage. Those who remain satisfied achieve peace. Everyone around them become their friends, admirers or supporters. They always remain blissful. Nothing remains to be achieved by a person who follows the path of the welfare of the soul.
(The writer is chancellor, Devasans-kriti Vishwa Vidyalaya, Hardwar.)
There are two aspects to human life: One that relates to the physical body, the material, and the other that relates to the inner self or the soul, the spiritual. Materialism is a tendency to lead a life of worldly pleasures.
Spirituality means to keep in mind the awakening of the soul even while remaining active. Material characteristics in-clude greed, attachment towards worldly objects and people, and egoism.
We generally engage our time and effort in satisfying our material requirements. The mind is different from the rest of the senses in that it is always dissatisfied. New hopes and ambitions arise once the old ones are fulfilled.
The worth and importance of a well-mannered, disciplined person is obviously more than that of an egoistic person. No circumstances or individuals can challenge a person who is dominated by ego, whereas examples of egoistic people suffering and coming to ruin can be seen all around us.
The ego-less person is respected while an egoistic person is not. The inner self or the soul is called antaratma. Looking after the soul results in eternal peace, satisfaction, bliss and the acquisition of both material and spiritual benefits.
Here, priority is given to the soul compared to the body. Bodily requirements are kept to a minimum and the principle of "simple living and high thinking" is adopted.
This means a person who takes care of his soul has to practise restraint over the senses and remain satisfied with minimum resources. If, for example, food intake is kept low, it has the double benefit of enabling longevity and protection from diseases.
The consumption of too much sugar, salt and fat can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis respectively. An excess usage of other senses also causes problems.
For example, watching too much television or too much exposure to computers damages eyesight. Listening to loud music affects hearing. Overindulgence in sexual activities is unhealthy.
People who practise res-traint never experience financial crisis. nor do they remain in debt. They maintain a healthy body and healthy mind. They are called people of character; they are respected.
We should consider the whole world as family, by adopting the principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam. Why spend valuable time and effort for the sake of a few family members only? When the feeling of vasu-dhaiva kutumbakam develops, a person exhibits love and compassion towards everyone and offers his services for the welfare of humanity. On the other hand, if one person or a group of persons is showered with excessive love and caring, it becomes a cause of suffering for every-one concerned. Thinking about the welfare of the soul prevents wastage. Those who remain satisfied achieve peace. Everyone around them become their friends, admirers or supporters. They always remain blissful. Nothing remains to be achieved by a person who follows the path of the welfare of the soul.
An analogy of Hinduism for Kids
An analogy of Hinduism for Kids
This is a fairly old story, but I thought kids who have not read this, would probably enjoy this:
"Hinduism and Video Games" by Namdev Nirakar
Hinduism is so complex. I do not understand it most of the time", said Eesha, a young girl to Uncle Ashok. Ashok had come over half an hour ago and Eesha was so engrossed in her video game then that she mechanically said "Hi" to Ashok, and continued with her game.Ashok watched Eesha play Super Mario Brothers (*). He watched her move Mario to the right, hit and get hidden mushrooms and get bigger, or get a fire flower or a cape, collect coins, punch his way thru obstacles, climb ladders and occasionally get chomped by turtles.
After the end of a life Mario would start his next life, from where he left off. Now that Eesha had finished one level she noticed that uncle Ashok, whom she met every week when her parents took her to the temple, was still there.
"Eesha, you are really good at this video game!” said Ashok. She nodded and added "Yep! and I can even beat my brother at it".
"You know you can learn many ideas of Hinduism from the video games", said Ashok."How ? uncle Ashok", Eesha asked.
Let us say if you got a video game and it gave you only one chance to beat it, will that be fair ?", Ashok asked.
"No, that is why they give you multiple lives. Actually, with a new game it is very difficult to advance much further. It takes practice. When we had just bought this game, I used to 'die' in just ten seconds, every time", said Eesha.
"Hinduism is similar too. Most people do not lead a perfect life. So according to Hinduism, you get many chances to improve your self. You get many lives. This is called reincarnation". He continued," and just as in a video game, if one life ends, you start over in the next life where you left off".
"Now what will happen if you do not go towards the right in your video game?” asked uncle Ashok.
"You will not move to the next level. You will not make any progress and time will run out", Eesha said
"Exactly! If you do not move in the 'right' direction, you will not make progress. Thus YOU determine the right direction and how far progress you can make. 'What you do, determines the result' this is called the law of Karma. Your actions bear fruit accordingly. Now what happens in a video game if you keep making same mistakes?” Ashok asked."You go back to the start of that level" Eesha replied.
"Law of Karma similarly tells you that if you keep making same mistakes over and over again, you will move backwards. Now in a video game you get rewards and receive set backs. In this video game a mushroom will make you grow bigger or an attack of a turtle will make you smaller, in real life too you may become rich or poor, but that depends where you start at and what actions you take. Yet getting big or small in itself does not mean progress. Does it ?", asked Uncle Ashok.
"You are right, being big or small does not necessarily mean you will move forward in the game or even to the next level", Eesha replied.
"Now tell me what happens when you go to the next level?" Ashok asked.
"It gets tougher at the next level" Eesha said.
"Same is true in spiritual practice as per Hinduism", Ashok added. "Now tell me what happens if you get stuck at a level, what do you do? And why?” he asked.
"I ask my cousin Ojas. He knows what I should do. He knows where to the keys are hidden, where secret passages are. He has beaten the game already, Some times he even takes the controller to help me", Eesha said.
"In Hinduism, similarly a Guru helps you move to next level. A Guru or a master has already 'beaten the game'. She or He knows where the key is hidden that will unlock the door. She or He knows what where the secret passages are. She or He can even show you a 'warp' zone, to go to the next level. But unlike a video game, in real life a Guru cannotplay for you. You have to play it yourself", said Ashok."You keep referring to Guru as She or He, why?” Eesha asked.
"Good question! Hinduism considers man and woman as having equal potential to become a master, a Guru. Just as you are better than your brother at video games, a woman can reach the highest state also. In fact there were many women who contributed to the Vedas, the Hindu holy books. There were many women Hindu saints in the past, and there are many women saints even now" said uncle Ashok. He continued, " alsothere are many ways you can go to next level, so some Guru will show an easier way and some a harder way, all depending on your capability.
Buddhists have Buddha as a Guru; Jains have twenty four Tirthankars as Gurus while Sikhs have ten Gurus whose guidance they follow".
"Now tell me what happens when you beat the last level?” Ashok asked.
"I have not beaten the game yet, but my cousin Ojas says that you see fire works, music plays for long time, and then you see the name of the programmer", Eesha said.
"Interestingly, that is what Hinduism says also, when you go beyond the last hurdle you hear the music and you see THE PROGRAMMER – that is God and then you do not need to play the game again, except to help others" Ashok said.
"Let me ask you one more question. You get so absorbed playing a video game that you feel that you are being Mario or Luigi on the screen. But are you really Mario or Luigi ? Who are You?", He asked
"I am Eesha, of course. But while playing the game I forget that I am Eesha and am only concerned about Mario or Luigi on the screen", she replied.
"Exactly, Hinduism believes that we go thru different lives believing we are the body or the name in that life. But we are not that body nor its name. We are the Atman or soul, which plays as a character of Mario or Luigi (or whatever). That is something we must never forget. We are not this body, but we are the Soul, or Atman". Ashok continued."Eesha have you noticed, that from video games you just learnt Hindu concepts of reincarnation, Karma, Guru and Atman." He asked, "Was that complex ? ".
"Not complex at all!" Eesha smiled, Her face was glowing by the realization of Hindu concepts, a knowledge she already had in the form of video games.
This is a fairly old story, but I thought kids who have not read this, would probably enjoy this:
"Hinduism and Video Games" by Namdev Nirakar
Hinduism is so complex. I do not understand it most of the time", said Eesha, a young girl to Uncle Ashok. Ashok had come over half an hour ago and Eesha was so engrossed in her video game then that she mechanically said "Hi" to Ashok, and continued with her game.Ashok watched Eesha play Super Mario Brothers (*). He watched her move Mario to the right, hit and get hidden mushrooms and get bigger, or get a fire flower or a cape, collect coins, punch his way thru obstacles, climb ladders and occasionally get chomped by turtles.
After the end of a life Mario would start his next life, from where he left off. Now that Eesha had finished one level she noticed that uncle Ashok, whom she met every week when her parents took her to the temple, was still there.
"Eesha, you are really good at this video game!” said Ashok. She nodded and added "Yep! and I can even beat my brother at it".
"You know you can learn many ideas of Hinduism from the video games", said Ashok."How ? uncle Ashok", Eesha asked.
Let us say if you got a video game and it gave you only one chance to beat it, will that be fair ?", Ashok asked.
"No, that is why they give you multiple lives. Actually, with a new game it is very difficult to advance much further. It takes practice. When we had just bought this game, I used to 'die' in just ten seconds, every time", said Eesha.
"Hinduism is similar too. Most people do not lead a perfect life. So according to Hinduism, you get many chances to improve your self. You get many lives. This is called reincarnation". He continued," and just as in a video game, if one life ends, you start over in the next life where you left off".
"Now what will happen if you do not go towards the right in your video game?” asked uncle Ashok.
"You will not move to the next level. You will not make any progress and time will run out", Eesha said
"Exactly! If you do not move in the 'right' direction, you will not make progress. Thus YOU determine the right direction and how far progress you can make. 'What you do, determines the result' this is called the law of Karma. Your actions bear fruit accordingly. Now what happens in a video game if you keep making same mistakes?” Ashok asked."You go back to the start of that level" Eesha replied.
"Law of Karma similarly tells you that if you keep making same mistakes over and over again, you will move backwards. Now in a video game you get rewards and receive set backs. In this video game a mushroom will make you grow bigger or an attack of a turtle will make you smaller, in real life too you may become rich or poor, but that depends where you start at and what actions you take. Yet getting big or small in itself does not mean progress. Does it ?", asked Uncle Ashok.
"You are right, being big or small does not necessarily mean you will move forward in the game or even to the next level", Eesha replied.
"Now tell me what happens when you go to the next level?" Ashok asked.
"It gets tougher at the next level" Eesha said.
"Same is true in spiritual practice as per Hinduism", Ashok added. "Now tell me what happens if you get stuck at a level, what do you do? And why?” he asked.
"I ask my cousin Ojas. He knows what I should do. He knows where to the keys are hidden, where secret passages are. He has beaten the game already, Some times he even takes the controller to help me", Eesha said.
"In Hinduism, similarly a Guru helps you move to next level. A Guru or a master has already 'beaten the game'. She or He knows where the key is hidden that will unlock the door. She or He knows what where the secret passages are. She or He can even show you a 'warp' zone, to go to the next level. But unlike a video game, in real life a Guru cannotplay for you. You have to play it yourself", said Ashok."You keep referring to Guru as She or He, why?” Eesha asked.
"Good question! Hinduism considers man and woman as having equal potential to become a master, a Guru. Just as you are better than your brother at video games, a woman can reach the highest state also. In fact there were many women who contributed to the Vedas, the Hindu holy books. There were many women Hindu saints in the past, and there are many women saints even now" said uncle Ashok. He continued, " alsothere are many ways you can go to next level, so some Guru will show an easier way and some a harder way, all depending on your capability.
Buddhists have Buddha as a Guru; Jains have twenty four Tirthankars as Gurus while Sikhs have ten Gurus whose guidance they follow".
"Now tell me what happens when you beat the last level?” Ashok asked.
"I have not beaten the game yet, but my cousin Ojas says that you see fire works, music plays for long time, and then you see the name of the programmer", Eesha said.
"Interestingly, that is what Hinduism says also, when you go beyond the last hurdle you hear the music and you see THE PROGRAMMER – that is God and then you do not need to play the game again, except to help others" Ashok said.
"Let me ask you one more question. You get so absorbed playing a video game that you feel that you are being Mario or Luigi on the screen. But are you really Mario or Luigi ? Who are You?", He asked
"I am Eesha, of course. But while playing the game I forget that I am Eesha and am only concerned about Mario or Luigi on the screen", she replied.
"Exactly, Hinduism believes that we go thru different lives believing we are the body or the name in that life. But we are not that body nor its name. We are the Atman or soul, which plays as a character of Mario or Luigi (or whatever). That is something we must never forget. We are not this body, but we are the Soul, or Atman". Ashok continued."Eesha have you noticed, that from video games you just learnt Hindu concepts of reincarnation, Karma, Guru and Atman." He asked, "Was that complex ? ".
"Not complex at all!" Eesha smiled, Her face was glowing by the realization of Hindu concepts, a knowledge she already had in the form of video games.
Vegitarianism - a scientific approach
VEGETARIANISM AND ITS BENEFITS
By Stayapal Khera, Rockville, MD
”Ahinsa Parmo Dharma", says a saint when he was asked "What is religion?" Hippocrates, the philosopher, said”Soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.” "You shall love each other. Thou shall not kill”, says one of the Ten Commandments that Christians believe in. Mahatma Gandhi said, "To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being. I should be unwilling to take the life of a lamb for the sake of the human body." He also said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Albert Einstein, the well known physicist, had the view that nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. He opined that the vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind. Sri Aurobindo, poet laureate and a philosopher, said,”Life is life whether in a cat, dog or man. There is no difference between a cat and a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man’s own ad-vantage...” George Bernard Shaw, a playwright, declared, "Animals are my friends...and I don’t eat friends." What are all these people saying?
Food has great impact on your mental health. The proverb "Thoughts arend in its original condition is the best for your mental health. Dr. Gabe Mirkin of Silver Spring, Maryland, a specialist in allergy and sports medicine, says that a diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and beans is the best diet for any body and every body. "If you do want to take dairy products”, says he,”limit your self to the ones with the least amount of fat". He advises that we should not eat products made from refined wheat, like pasta, and white rice. Instead eat the wild or brown rice and products made from wheat berries. Both have large amounts of fiber. ”Fiber and photochemical are needed for cancer prevention”, he adds,”and they are available only in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, not in meat or poultry." Be a vegetarian.
The question is "Who is vegetarian or what is vegetarianism"? Vegetarian foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and dairy products. Those who eat only plant-foods and dairy products are called lacto-vegetarians. Some vegetarians don’t consume even the dairy products and are called vegans, while others also consume eggs and are called ova-lacto-vegetarians. But do we need eggs? Advertising by the egg producers have labeled the eggs as a vegetarian food containing protein but lentils have more protein than eggs and have no cholesterol which is present in the egg yokes. In addition the legumes contain carbohydrates which the eggs are devoid of. If you read about the way hens are raised and treated in the chicken coupes and what happens to them once they stop laying eggs, you will never eat eggs again.
Scientific research has shown that ova-lacto-vegetarians are healthier than meat eaters, lacto-vegetarians are healthier than ova-lacto-vegetarians and vegans are healthier than lacto-vegetarians. Numerous studies have shown that vegetarian diets help prevent cancer. Vegetarians are nearly fifty per-cents less likely to die from cancer than non-vegetarians. Similarly breast cancers are much lower in nations that follow plant based diets. A recent study showed that Japanese women who followed western style meat based diet were eight times more likely to develop breast cancer than the women who followed a more traditional plant-based diet.
Animal products are usually high in fat and are always devoid of fiber. Colon cancer has been directly linked to meat consumption. Vegetarians avoid animal fat that is linked to cancer and get abundant fiber and vitamins that help to prevent cancer. The blood analysis of vegetarians reveals that they have higher level of specialized white cells that attack and kill the cancer cells. Vegetarian diet also helps prevent heart disease. Animal products are the only source of cholesterol and the chief source of saturated fat which are the main causes of heart diseases. Our liver produces enough cholesterol for the need of our body. The fiber in the vegetarian diets not only removes the unneeded cholesterol and other cancer causing agents from our body but also helps in reversing the atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries. Thus mortality from coronary artery disease is lower in vegetarians than in non-vegetarians. A 1990 study demonstrated reversal of even severe coronary artery disease without the use of lipid lowering drugs by using a combination of vegetarian diet deriving less than 10% of its energy from fat, stress management, moderate exercise and cessation of smoking.
Vegetarian diet helps in reducing the blood pressure and control or even eliminates the non-insulin dependent diabetes when such diets are combined with regular exercise and reduced fat in-take. Diets that are high in proteins, especially animal proteins tend to cause the body to excrete more calcium, oxalate and uric acids which form kidney and gallbladder stones. Vegetarian diets have been shown to reduce chances of forming these stones. Because the vegetarian diets do not force calcium out of the body like the meat does, the vegetarians are at a lower risk for osteoporosis, the weakening of the bones. A one year long study conducted in Sweden in 1985 demonstrated that asthma sufferers who practiced vegetarian diet for one full year decreased their need for medications and also de-creased the frequency and severity of the asthma attacks.
Some people tartan diet can provide all the nutrients needed by the body. It is very easy to have a well-balanced diet with vegetarian foods. It used to be believed that various plant foods had to be eaten together to get their full protein value. Now many nutrition authorities and American Dietetic Association have determined that intentional combination of foods is not necessary. Our body builds the proteins for its needs from amino acids, which come from the proteins we eat. Any normal variety of plant foods such as grain, beans, and vegetables, provides enough amino ac-ids. It was thought that athletes needed much more protein than other people, but the truth is that they need only slightly more protein which is easily obtained in larger servings athletes require for their higher caloric intake. Dark green leafy vegetables and beans are loaded with calcium. Iron is plentiful in whole grains, beans and fruits. There is some concern about non availability of vitamin B12 for vegans. Although cases of B12 deficiency are not very common, this vitamin can be provided by taking multiple vitamins or cereals fortified with vitamins. Dairy products and exposure to sun light provide enough vita-min D. But those, who cannot have either one, should supplement their diet with this vitamin.
The high nutritional needs of children can easily be met within vegetarian diet which is "life-extending". Vegetarian children may grow more gradually, reach puberty somewhat later but they live substantially longer and healthier than do meat-eaters.
There is no wonder why so many people, perceiving plant foods as beneficial because they are high in dietary fiber and, generally, lower in saturated fats than animal foods, are turning to vegetarian diets. Certain people, such as Asian Indians and Seventh-day Adventists, choose a vegetarian diet be-cause of religious beliefs. Others give up meat because they feel that eating animals is unkind. Best of all it is the most healthful diet, less expensive than the animal foods and promotes peace through non violence. A Sanskrit prayer says "Serve bhavantu sukhinah ...” meaning May all living beings be happy, in comfort, in good health, and blissfully free from anxiety, want and suffering.
By Stayapal Khera, Rockville, MD
”Ahinsa Parmo Dharma", says a saint when he was asked "What is religion?" Hippocrates, the philosopher, said”Soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.” "You shall love each other. Thou shall not kill”, says one of the Ten Commandments that Christians believe in. Mahatma Gandhi said, "To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being. I should be unwilling to take the life of a lamb for the sake of the human body." He also said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Albert Einstein, the well known physicist, had the view that nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. He opined that the vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind. Sri Aurobindo, poet laureate and a philosopher, said,”Life is life whether in a cat, dog or man. There is no difference between a cat and a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man’s own ad-vantage...” George Bernard Shaw, a playwright, declared, "Animals are my friends...and I don’t eat friends." What are all these people saying?
Food has great impact on your mental health. The proverb "Thoughts arend in its original condition is the best for your mental health. Dr. Gabe Mirkin of Silver Spring, Maryland, a specialist in allergy and sports medicine, says that a diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and beans is the best diet for any body and every body. "If you do want to take dairy products”, says he,”limit your self to the ones with the least amount of fat". He advises that we should not eat products made from refined wheat, like pasta, and white rice. Instead eat the wild or brown rice and products made from wheat berries. Both have large amounts of fiber. ”Fiber and photochemical are needed for cancer prevention”, he adds,”and they are available only in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, not in meat or poultry." Be a vegetarian.
The question is "Who is vegetarian or what is vegetarianism"? Vegetarian foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and dairy products. Those who eat only plant-foods and dairy products are called lacto-vegetarians. Some vegetarians don’t consume even the dairy products and are called vegans, while others also consume eggs and are called ova-lacto-vegetarians. But do we need eggs? Advertising by the egg producers have labeled the eggs as a vegetarian food containing protein but lentils have more protein than eggs and have no cholesterol which is present in the egg yokes. In addition the legumes contain carbohydrates which the eggs are devoid of. If you read about the way hens are raised and treated in the chicken coupes and what happens to them once they stop laying eggs, you will never eat eggs again.
Scientific research has shown that ova-lacto-vegetarians are healthier than meat eaters, lacto-vegetarians are healthier than ova-lacto-vegetarians and vegans are healthier than lacto-vegetarians. Numerous studies have shown that vegetarian diets help prevent cancer. Vegetarians are nearly fifty per-cents less likely to die from cancer than non-vegetarians. Similarly breast cancers are much lower in nations that follow plant based diets. A recent study showed that Japanese women who followed western style meat based diet were eight times more likely to develop breast cancer than the women who followed a more traditional plant-based diet.
Animal products are usually high in fat and are always devoid of fiber. Colon cancer has been directly linked to meat consumption. Vegetarians avoid animal fat that is linked to cancer and get abundant fiber and vitamins that help to prevent cancer. The blood analysis of vegetarians reveals that they have higher level of specialized white cells that attack and kill the cancer cells. Vegetarian diet also helps prevent heart disease. Animal products are the only source of cholesterol and the chief source of saturated fat which are the main causes of heart diseases. Our liver produces enough cholesterol for the need of our body. The fiber in the vegetarian diets not only removes the unneeded cholesterol and other cancer causing agents from our body but also helps in reversing the atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries. Thus mortality from coronary artery disease is lower in vegetarians than in non-vegetarians. A 1990 study demonstrated reversal of even severe coronary artery disease without the use of lipid lowering drugs by using a combination of vegetarian diet deriving less than 10% of its energy from fat, stress management, moderate exercise and cessation of smoking.
Vegetarian diet helps in reducing the blood pressure and control or even eliminates the non-insulin dependent diabetes when such diets are combined with regular exercise and reduced fat in-take. Diets that are high in proteins, especially animal proteins tend to cause the body to excrete more calcium, oxalate and uric acids which form kidney and gallbladder stones. Vegetarian diets have been shown to reduce chances of forming these stones. Because the vegetarian diets do not force calcium out of the body like the meat does, the vegetarians are at a lower risk for osteoporosis, the weakening of the bones. A one year long study conducted in Sweden in 1985 demonstrated that asthma sufferers who practiced vegetarian diet for one full year decreased their need for medications and also de-creased the frequency and severity of the asthma attacks.
Some people tartan diet can provide all the nutrients needed by the body. It is very easy to have a well-balanced diet with vegetarian foods. It used to be believed that various plant foods had to be eaten together to get their full protein value. Now many nutrition authorities and American Dietetic Association have determined that intentional combination of foods is not necessary. Our body builds the proteins for its needs from amino acids, which come from the proteins we eat. Any normal variety of plant foods such as grain, beans, and vegetables, provides enough amino ac-ids. It was thought that athletes needed much more protein than other people, but the truth is that they need only slightly more protein which is easily obtained in larger servings athletes require for their higher caloric intake. Dark green leafy vegetables and beans are loaded with calcium. Iron is plentiful in whole grains, beans and fruits. There is some concern about non availability of vitamin B12 for vegans. Although cases of B12 deficiency are not very common, this vitamin can be provided by taking multiple vitamins or cereals fortified with vitamins. Dairy products and exposure to sun light provide enough vita-min D. But those, who cannot have either one, should supplement their diet with this vitamin.
The high nutritional needs of children can easily be met within vegetarian diet which is "life-extending". Vegetarian children may grow more gradually, reach puberty somewhat later but they live substantially longer and healthier than do meat-eaters.
There is no wonder why so many people, perceiving plant foods as beneficial because they are high in dietary fiber and, generally, lower in saturated fats than animal foods, are turning to vegetarian diets. Certain people, such as Asian Indians and Seventh-day Adventists, choose a vegetarian diet be-cause of religious beliefs. Others give up meat because they feel that eating animals is unkind. Best of all it is the most healthful diet, less expensive than the animal foods and promotes peace through non violence. A Sanskrit prayer says "Serve bhavantu sukhinah ...” meaning May all living beings be happy, in comfort, in good health, and blissfully free from anxiety, want and suffering.
VEGETARIANISM
VEGETARIANISM
By Master Sivananda
Sage Uddalka instructs his son Svetaketu: "Food when consumed becomes threefold. The gross particles become that excrement, the middling ones flesh, and the fine ones the mind. My child, when curd is churned, its fine particles which rise upwards form butter. Thus, my child, when food is consumed the fine particles which rise upwards form the mind. Hence, verily, the mind is food."
The mind is formed of the subtlest portion of food. If the food is impure, the mind also becomes impure in its workings. This is the dictum, of both the ancient of India and of the modern psychologists.
That food does wield a tremendous influence on the mind can be seen in everyday life around us. After a heavy sumptuous, indigestible meal, it is very difficult to control the mind; it runs, wanders, and jumps like an ape, all the time. Alcohol, similarly, causes great excitement in the mind.
THREE KINDS OF DIET
Diet is of three kinds, viz., Sattvic diet, Rajasic diet and Tamasic diet. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: "The food which is dear to each is threefold. The foods which increase vitality, energy, vigor, health, and joy and which are delicious, bland, substantial, and agreeable are dear to the pure. The passionate persons desire foods that are bitter, sour, saline, excessively hot, pungent, dry and burning, and which produce pain, grief and disease. The food which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten and impure, is dear to the Tamasic."
Milk, barley, wheat, cereals, butter, cheese, tomatoes, honey, dates, fruits, almonds, and sugar candy are all Sattvic food-stuffs. They render the mind pure and calm and play a very important part in the practices of spiritual aspirants, in the mental development of the student, and in the personality-power of the leaders of mankind. Fish, eggs, meat, salt, chilies and asafetida are Rajasic food-stuffs; they excite passion and make the mind restless, unsteady and uncontrollable. Beef, wine, garlic, onions and tobacco are Tamasic food-stuffs. They exercise a very unwholesome influence on the human mind and fill it with emotions of anger, darkness and inertia.
By Master Sivananda
Sage Uddalka instructs his son Svetaketu: "Food when consumed becomes threefold. The gross particles become that excrement, the middling ones flesh, and the fine ones the mind. My child, when curd is churned, its fine particles which rise upwards form butter. Thus, my child, when food is consumed the fine particles which rise upwards form the mind. Hence, verily, the mind is food."
The mind is formed of the subtlest portion of food. If the food is impure, the mind also becomes impure in its workings. This is the dictum, of both the ancient of India and of the modern psychologists.
That food does wield a tremendous influence on the mind can be seen in everyday life around us. After a heavy sumptuous, indigestible meal, it is very difficult to control the mind; it runs, wanders, and jumps like an ape, all the time. Alcohol, similarly, causes great excitement in the mind.
THREE KINDS OF DIET
Diet is of three kinds, viz., Sattvic diet, Rajasic diet and Tamasic diet. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: "The food which is dear to each is threefold. The foods which increase vitality, energy, vigor, health, and joy and which are delicious, bland, substantial, and agreeable are dear to the pure. The passionate persons desire foods that are bitter, sour, saline, excessively hot, pungent, dry and burning, and which produce pain, grief and disease. The food which is stale, tasteless, putrid, rotten and impure, is dear to the Tamasic."
Milk, barley, wheat, cereals, butter, cheese, tomatoes, honey, dates, fruits, almonds, and sugar candy are all Sattvic food-stuffs. They render the mind pure and calm and play a very important part in the practices of spiritual aspirants, in the mental development of the student, and in the personality-power of the leaders of mankind. Fish, eggs, meat, salt, chilies and asafetida are Rajasic food-stuffs; they excite passion and make the mind restless, unsteady and uncontrollable. Beef, wine, garlic, onions and tobacco are Tamasic food-stuffs. They exercise a very unwholesome influence on the human mind and fill it with emotions of anger, darkness and inertia.
STRESS ON MORAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES
No doubt, animal diet may produce a strong Sandow, or a dauntless soldier, or a keen, brainy scientist. But, in the Hindu view of life, the real value is placed upon the moral and spiritual worth of the man. Man is more than just body and mind; he is essentially an ever-perfect, ever-pure, and ever-free spirit in his true inner nature. Human birth is given as an opportunity and a means to attain this sublime knowledge of his inner spiritual nature and to regain his divinity. In this process, all grossness and animalistic tendencies have to be totally eliminated from the human personality. Non-vegetarian diet, which is gross and animal by its very nature, is a great hindrance to this process. Whereas, pure Sattvic diet is a great help to the refinement of the human nature.
The chemical components of different foods vibrate at varying rates. Each particle of food is a mass of energy. The intake of certain food-stuffs sets up discordant vibrations in the physical body which throw the mind into a state of oscillation and disequilibrium. Concentration of mind is rendered difficult and high thinking is disturbed; elevating thoughts lack because of missing fine vibrations.
MEAT DIET GENERATES DISEASE
Meat generates diseases, excites passions, and produces restlessness of mind. Scientists we coming to the conclusion that in meat there are certain things which are absolutely poisonous. A very large number of medical professionals who have studied the subject of diet in relation to health are forbidding their patients to eat animal flesh, not only as a means Of cure for such diseases as gout, rheumatism etc., but also as a preventive measure against uric-acid ailments, cancer and appendicitis.
Meat is not at all necessary for the keeping up of perfect health, vigor and vitality. On the contrary, it is highly deleterious to health; it brings in its train a host of ailments such as tapeworm, albuminuria, and other diseases of the kidneys. In large meat-eating countries, cancer mortality is admittedly very high.
FLESH EATING INVOLVES CRUELTY
Moreover, flesh-eating involves the exercise of cruelty which is not an elevating virtue. It is a bestial quality which degrades us all. Cruelty has been condemned by all, for example, Pythagoras condemned meat diet as sinful food The cruel slaughter of animals and the taking of innocent lives, which flesh- eating, makes it an abhorrent act.
Butchery and bloodshed is a great disgrace to civilization and culture. Killing of animals for food is a great blunder. And the mentality it engenders is fraught with potential danger for the life of humanity, a recognition which made George Bernard Shaw say, "As long as men torture and slay animals and eat their flesh, we shall have war."
GIVE UP ANIMAL FLESH AS FOOD
If you want to stop taking mutton, five, etc., just see with your own eyes the pitiable, struggling condition of the animals at the time of killing. Now mercy and sympathy will arise in your heart. You will determine to give up flesh things. If you fail in this attempt, just change your environment and live in a vegetarian hotel where you cannot get mutton and fish, and move in that society where there is only vegetable diet. Always think of the evils of flesh-eating and the benefits of a vegetable diet. If this also cannot give you sufficient strength to stop eating meat, go to the slaughter house and the butcher's shop and personally see the disgusting, rotten muscles, intestines, kidneys and other nasty parts of the animals which emit bad smell. This will induce Vairagya (detachment) in you and a strong disgust and hatred for meat-eating. The use of animal flesh as food should be absolutely given up. Flesh-eating is unnecessary, unnatural, and unwholesome. The countless instances of reputed philosophers, authors, scholars, athletes, saints, yogis and rishis who have lived on vegetable diet conclusively prove that vegetarian diet produces supreme powers both of the mind and the body.
VEDAS for all
VEDAS FOR ALL
Vedas are for one and all. At the beginning of the creation, God transmitted divine knowledge to mankind for a style of life generating health and happiness. God revealed VEDAS or Divine Knowledge to the Rishis or the sages and they passed it on without in any way discriminating between man and woman or between man and man on grounds of caste, creed or color, The entire human race is entitled to read the Ved mantras, meditate on them and improve the quality of life.
One has just to make an effort to read and meditate on the mantra and the happy results would not be far to find. One may read the original mantra compilation called samhita or go to the translation of the text and explanation or exposition in English or Hindi language. Treatises explaining meaning of the Ved mantras may be available in other languages too. Meditation on mantras leads to bliss.
``Vedo Akhilo Dharm Moolam'' - Vedas are the roots of righteousness. When one walks on the path of righteousness one is doing
One’s Dharma as a good man ought to. Who is a good man? One who is socially efficient is a good man or a woman. He or she is an
Achiever of right goals through right means. This Mister Right cares as much for the society as for himself. Should there be a conflict of interests between the self and the society; self must be made subservient to the society. This is what the Vedic way of life is all about. This path of social efficiency is paved with and illuminated by the Ved Mantras. The Ved Mantras always show light at the end of the tunnel and bring in optimism and become a source of inspiration to lift a man or a woman when he or she is d own in the dumps. It may also be understood that the Vedas, being divine knowledge, are considered to be infallible. Other branches of knowledge originate from this pristine source. Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati, founder of the Arya Samaj, has opined that the non-Vedic works conforming to the Vedic Dharm are acceptable but the ones in conflict with the Vedic precepts are not acceptable. Ved mantras are the touchstone to decide either way. Ved mantras are cornerstones of the edifice of the Vedic Dharma.
The Vedas are four in number: Rig-Veda, Yajurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda. At the beginning of the creation, the Rishis in whose hearts the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva were revealed are Agni, Vayu, Aditya and Angira respectively. Now let us take a close look at them and meditate on Ved mantras relevant to the human scenario today.
The Rig-Veda is the Ved of Sciences. There are ten thousand five hundred eighty nine mantras spread over ten mandals or ten major cantos. With a view to understanding the spiritual import of Ved Mantras, quite a few Vedic scholars of yore like Sayan and Mahidhar wrote Ved Bhashya or Vedic commentaries in simple Sanskrit. In the 19th century India a Vedic renaissance took place. Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati had the distinction of being the first Rishi to write commentaries on the divine Vedas both in Sanskrit and Hindi. The Vedic wisdom was unlocked and the biggest beneficiary was the common man on the street. It was a religious revolution. Unlocking the Vedic knowledge and letting the deprived segments of society reap the harvest definitely enriched quality of life of an average man.
The Yajurveda comprises one thousand nine hundred seventy five mantras. Its basic emphasis is on Karmakand, correlating mantras and Yajna. The mantras inspired men and women to realize God in their inner self. Mantras motivated men and women to banish the evil and imbibe the noble. Making donations for charities is one of the ways to attain nobility on the path to attain Moksha that is liberation of soul from the bondage of repeated cycles of births and deaths.
The Samaveda comprises one thousand eight hundred seventy five mantras. This is known as Upasanakand or the prayer sung for realization of the Supreme Being in one's inner self. The word SA-AM, inter-alia, means a communion of soul with God. SA means the Almighty and AM is soul or Jeeva and SAAM is a synthesis of the two.
The Atharvaveda comprises five thousand nine hundred and seventy seven mantras. It is known as the Jynankand. The mantras of Atharvaved enlighten men and women in their quest of God and help them seek Him in ``Matter or objects of this mundane world''. The Vedas propound the philosophy of Trinity, i.e. existence of God, soul and matter before the Creation, during the Creation and after the Creation is over. The
Three exist as independent entities with myriad opportunities to interact. God, of course, is Supreme Being always and every time.
Correlating the Vedic knowledge with the mundane matters of today, one may like to take a look at the scenario of terrorism and what the Vedas have to say on the subject. Does a Vedic sanction exist against wanton?
Killings of human beings and destruction of
Property with a view to terrorizing human beings? Of course it does.
The Rig-Veda gives a definite direction to punish the killers and eulogize the warrior who wields Vajra. Punishment of the criminal killer is a must. The Rig-Veda defines a warrior as one who wields the invincible weapon of war, Vajra, for the common good of the society. He fights the battle with self-confidence, high morale and valor against terrorists.
A Vedic warrior against terrorist has to keep himself cool, calm and collected. Let the like-minded men and women consolidate the forces of good people against the evil terrorists and eliminate them once for all. It is high time the saints wielded the Vedic Vajra and killed the sinner-killers.
According to the Vedic philosophy God is one. He is without a form or shape. He is never born in this world and, therefore, the question of His death or disappearance does not arise. In other words, Vedas do not subscribe to the theory of AVATAR or God coming to this world in a human form to help man. God is omnipresent, omniscient and all powerful to run this universe as per the divine laws which He too does not break
Or infringe.
The Vedic Dharm does not subscribe to the theory of God deputing prophets to run His errands. There is a direct communication between God and man and there is no place for a middleman. That is why the treasure of Vedic knowledge made available to man through mantras does not envisage a god man who is different from a common man. It is indeed the divine right of men and women to delve deep into the Vedic realm and live a life of righteousness.
Vedas lay an emphasis on the Truth. "Satyam Vad, Dharmam Char" is the epitome of the path of righteousness. It means: tell the truth and go by the principles of Dharma or the code of conduct aiming at purity in life. One may wonder if that is a pragmatic philosophy of life. Of course, it is. A path strewn with untruth and dishonesty may pay seemingly rich dividends but in actual fact these dividends are ephemeral.
A short -term gain may eventually lead one into a dark abyss where one is condemned to live in pain and misery for ever. The Vedic way of life takes care of life after death which is followed by a rebirth. What Samskar a soul acquires when it is embodied has its effects in the birth after death too. Vedas prescribe a clean life which pays dividends many times over.
The Vedas prescribe a four-fold path to Moksha or liberation of soul from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. .It is DHARMA, ARTHA, KAMA and MOKSHA. As we proceed further in subsequent chapters, we shall dwell on the salient aspects of this four-fold path. For the time being one may understand that Dharma takes one on the right course of life, Artha enables one to earn wealth by the sweat of
brow, kama enables one to have a high ideal to be achieved through hard work’s Should a man or a woman follow this Vedic path, Moksha or liberation from birth, death and rebirth will not be far to seek.
Vedas are for one and all. At the beginning of the creation, God transmitted divine knowledge to mankind for a style of life generating health and happiness. God revealed VEDAS or Divine Knowledge to the Rishis or the sages and they passed it on without in any way discriminating between man and woman or between man and man on grounds of caste, creed or color, The entire human race is entitled to read the Ved mantras, meditate on them and improve the quality of life.
One has just to make an effort to read and meditate on the mantra and the happy results would not be far to find. One may read the original mantra compilation called samhita or go to the translation of the text and explanation or exposition in English or Hindi language. Treatises explaining meaning of the Ved mantras may be available in other languages too. Meditation on mantras leads to bliss.
``Vedo Akhilo Dharm Moolam'' - Vedas are the roots of righteousness. When one walks on the path of righteousness one is doing
One’s Dharma as a good man ought to. Who is a good man? One who is socially efficient is a good man or a woman. He or she is an
Achiever of right goals through right means. This Mister Right cares as much for the society as for himself. Should there be a conflict of interests between the self and the society; self must be made subservient to the society. This is what the Vedic way of life is all about. This path of social efficiency is paved with and illuminated by the Ved Mantras. The Ved Mantras always show light at the end of the tunnel and bring in optimism and become a source of inspiration to lift a man or a woman when he or she is d own in the dumps. It may also be understood that the Vedas, being divine knowledge, are considered to be infallible. Other branches of knowledge originate from this pristine source. Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati, founder of the Arya Samaj, has opined that the non-Vedic works conforming to the Vedic Dharm are acceptable but the ones in conflict with the Vedic precepts are not acceptable. Ved mantras are the touchstone to decide either way. Ved mantras are cornerstones of the edifice of the Vedic Dharma.
The Vedas are four in number: Rig-Veda, Yajurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda. At the beginning of the creation, the Rishis in whose hearts the four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva were revealed are Agni, Vayu, Aditya and Angira respectively. Now let us take a close look at them and meditate on Ved mantras relevant to the human scenario today.
The Rig-Veda is the Ved of Sciences. There are ten thousand five hundred eighty nine mantras spread over ten mandals or ten major cantos. With a view to understanding the spiritual import of Ved Mantras, quite a few Vedic scholars of yore like Sayan and Mahidhar wrote Ved Bhashya or Vedic commentaries in simple Sanskrit. In the 19th century India a Vedic renaissance took place. Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati had the distinction of being the first Rishi to write commentaries on the divine Vedas both in Sanskrit and Hindi. The Vedic wisdom was unlocked and the biggest beneficiary was the common man on the street. It was a religious revolution. Unlocking the Vedic knowledge and letting the deprived segments of society reap the harvest definitely enriched quality of life of an average man.
The Yajurveda comprises one thousand nine hundred seventy five mantras. Its basic emphasis is on Karmakand, correlating mantras and Yajna. The mantras inspired men and women to realize God in their inner self. Mantras motivated men and women to banish the evil and imbibe the noble. Making donations for charities is one of the ways to attain nobility on the path to attain Moksha that is liberation of soul from the bondage of repeated cycles of births and deaths.
The Samaveda comprises one thousand eight hundred seventy five mantras. This is known as Upasanakand or the prayer sung for realization of the Supreme Being in one's inner self. The word SA-AM, inter-alia, means a communion of soul with God. SA means the Almighty and AM is soul or Jeeva and SAAM is a synthesis of the two.
The Atharvaveda comprises five thousand nine hundred and seventy seven mantras. It is known as the Jynankand. The mantras of Atharvaved enlighten men and women in their quest of God and help them seek Him in ``Matter or objects of this mundane world''. The Vedas propound the philosophy of Trinity, i.e. existence of God, soul and matter before the Creation, during the Creation and after the Creation is over. The
Three exist as independent entities with myriad opportunities to interact. God, of course, is Supreme Being always and every time.
Correlating the Vedic knowledge with the mundane matters of today, one may like to take a look at the scenario of terrorism and what the Vedas have to say on the subject. Does a Vedic sanction exist against wanton?
Killings of human beings and destruction of
Property with a view to terrorizing human beings? Of course it does.
The Rig-Veda gives a definite direction to punish the killers and eulogize the warrior who wields Vajra. Punishment of the criminal killer is a must. The Rig-Veda defines a warrior as one who wields the invincible weapon of war, Vajra, for the common good of the society. He fights the battle with self-confidence, high morale and valor against terrorists.
A Vedic warrior against terrorist has to keep himself cool, calm and collected. Let the like-minded men and women consolidate the forces of good people against the evil terrorists and eliminate them once for all. It is high time the saints wielded the Vedic Vajra and killed the sinner-killers.
According to the Vedic philosophy God is one. He is without a form or shape. He is never born in this world and, therefore, the question of His death or disappearance does not arise. In other words, Vedas do not subscribe to the theory of AVATAR or God coming to this world in a human form to help man. God is omnipresent, omniscient and all powerful to run this universe as per the divine laws which He too does not break
Or infringe.
The Vedic Dharm does not subscribe to the theory of God deputing prophets to run His errands. There is a direct communication between God and man and there is no place for a middleman. That is why the treasure of Vedic knowledge made available to man through mantras does not envisage a god man who is different from a common man. It is indeed the divine right of men and women to delve deep into the Vedic realm and live a life of righteousness.
Vedas lay an emphasis on the Truth. "Satyam Vad, Dharmam Char" is the epitome of the path of righteousness. It means: tell the truth and go by the principles of Dharma or the code of conduct aiming at purity in life. One may wonder if that is a pragmatic philosophy of life. Of course, it is. A path strewn with untruth and dishonesty may pay seemingly rich dividends but in actual fact these dividends are ephemeral.
A short -term gain may eventually lead one into a dark abyss where one is condemned to live in pain and misery for ever. The Vedic way of life takes care of life after death which is followed by a rebirth. What Samskar a soul acquires when it is embodied has its effects in the birth after death too. Vedas prescribe a clean life which pays dividends many times over.
The Vedas prescribe a four-fold path to Moksha or liberation of soul from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. .It is DHARMA, ARTHA, KAMA and MOKSHA. As we proceed further in subsequent chapters, we shall dwell on the salient aspects of this four-fold path. For the time being one may understand that Dharma takes one on the right course of life, Artha enables one to earn wealth by the sweat of
brow, kama enables one to have a high ideal to be achieved through hard work’s Should a man or a woman follow this Vedic path, Moksha or liberation from birth, death and rebirth will not be far to seek.
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