Ganapathi: The Most worshipped, most questioned.!!!!

One of the beautiful story from the puranas is Ganapathi-Paarvathi-Shiva story where ganapathi gets a replacement for his head. Ganapathi is most worshiped god among Hindus but unfortunately most questioned too..:-(

I was stunned to see a comment from other religion guy in Facebook, calling the above mentioned story as "Family drama" and had a daunting question "how you accept such a cruel Shiva as your god???". Further he dared to use vulgar/slang words to describe the story.

This Post of mine is not only the answer to such rubbish comments, but also enable the knowledge and essence behind story into your mind so that you can give slapping answer to that rather being in doubt.

Firstly,

There are 24 qualities (tatvas) that make up this wonderful universe. For those 24, there are Controllers/Deity for each. Likewise,

Ganapathi --- Deity of Ether ( Akasha tatva )
Paartvathi -- Deity of Speech ( Maathu )
Shiva --- Deity for controlling Mind ( Manassu )

Very briefly, Story goes like this.

1. Paarvathi wanted a guard when she was going for bath.
2. Using her powers, Out of dust on her outer body she made an idol & filled it with life.
3. She instructed not to allow anybody to pass him.
4. Ganapathi encounters Shiva, Ganapathi denied Shiva to pass him as per the strict command from his mother.
5. Shiva gets angry, fights with Ganapathi. Ganapathi looses his Head.

There is a speciality of every Puranic Scripts . That the reader can understand only as per his grasping quality. If he/she is poor in grasping, then result of it will make them to say it a Family drama....:-) Remember its not acts of humans, these are dealings of gods, it will be something unusual and interesting. Yes, in one viewpoint it is a drama to teach us the lesson of life.

But, Let's analyze. I am taking above steps and try to extract real logical sense out of it.

1. When you want to speak out, U need a medium/guard who can take care of your words and take it to destination. (Paartvathi -- Deity of Speech)

2. The medium is nothing but Space (Expression of words) which carries the your spoken words. Or It might be a messenger who carries your message. (Ganapathi --- Deity of Ether)

3. Space should be clear and far from disturbance to carry the sound as is. Or The messenger should be honest and follow the instruction given. 

4. More Importantly, It has to be agreeable with your Thoughts (Shiva). Thinking something and talking something else should not be the case.

5. If your expression of words (Ganapathi/parvathi) not go in sync with mind (Shiva), then you will definitely loose your head weight in future.

 

Anybody thought of this thought????!!!! If I summarize it, it provides a beautiful lesson that "Every word should be Mindful". Very meaningful.

And Now My answer to that unfortunate creature who don't have patience of knowing the meaning before commenting on it is "In Our Religion, even Family Dramas also teach lessons!!!!" Garvadinda garjisuve, Nanobba Hindu.

Stop pointing start praising. Thanks for Reading.....:-)

Field of Influence!!!

Whichever Hindu temple you visit, One thing you see in common. An Arch surrounding the icon. Filled with attractive designs made up of brass or silver or gold. It is called Prabhavali. Did you anytime question yourself that why size and shape of Prabhavali is  common irrespective of difference in icons. You find almost similar kind of design throughout the temples around the globe. what will be its size? what is the idea behind this Prabhavali?
 

To understand this we need some insights on Energy field created out of any living body. For example below figure depicts various fields created out of Human body. Starting from physical existence till spiritual presence it occupy a distance of 10 inches, where a body's spiritual aura ends. i.e. Your influence in space is of 10 inches from your body. Basically Prabhavali symbolizes this field of influence. Hence the Prabhavali around the icons placed exactly 10 inches apart.

Further, this mental and spiritual aura is directly connected to our mind and its thoughts. Its color varies from dark blue to red. dark blue representing pureness in the thoughts and red representing bad thoughts. scripts quote the who are spiritually elevated beings can sense this color of aura and judge A person.

Thanks for reading...:-)

Action - Devotion

What is Devotion (Bhakti). How should be our devotion.

Now A days, I constantly hear from my friends that "Devotion should be in the heart not in action!!!" I wonder how nicely they got this escape tag line.

Listen up my friends, Is it possible that "You still work for your company, when employer says I am very much thankful to you, heartly I welcome your dedication and I pray for god to bless you without crediting single rupee to your bank account!!!???" "No Action, Full satisfaction". Can life be actionless???

No. So as devotion, Devotion is both action and a thought. Please don't escape by rendering your own taglines. Every task has its own physical and spiritual importance in our religion. Devotion too. Often Devotion is mistaken with prayer, prayer needs devotion but by itself it is not devotion.

How should be our devotion towards god?? Who is called a supreme devotee?

I like to quote a beautiful observation from Ramayana, Hanuman's devotion towards Rama. Every other scripts refers it as pure form of devotion. His dedication was unimaginable. After war has been won by Rama in Lanka, Rama express his thanks to everyone who helped him all along. While deciding on ultimate contributor to this mission, unanimously Hanuman's name comes up. Rama without hesitating asks hanuman to ask for anything he wants!!! Anything.

Now understand the weight of that boon. The giver is lord Rama, capable of giving anything and everyting. Omnipotent. Seriously, If I would have been there in place of hanuman, might have asked for a newly built 60 X 40 house in Jayanagar Bangalore. ;-) . But it was Hanumantha, Jeevotthama. (clever than anyone else) Instead of asking Owner's property he asked for owner himself. He says,

 || ಪ್ರವರ್ಧತಾಂ  ಭಕ್ತಿರಲಂ  ಕ್ಷಣೆ ಕ್ಷಣೆ  ತ್ವಈಶ  ಮೇ  ಹ್ರಾಸವಿವರ್ಜಿತಾ  ಸದಾ ||

"I need nothing than you!!! just Put in me some more devotion towards you so that I can praise you, serve you even more, forever".

What a classy answer, actually for the service he provided to Rama he could have demanded anything, but he just begs in front of supreme and he knows because of extreme devotion towards him made all this possible, only I can ask is some more of it.

But our devotion is name sake, We get everything but behave like employer in the example. Just praise not serve.

When situation comes where we enjoy the fruitful result of our efforts, somewhere we forget how this fruitfulness is achieved and sell out our valuable efforts to cheap attractive things. Finally nothing left behind than to realize.

See, in case of hanuman there was action (of serving god, destroying demons, bringing godess sita back home) and a thought (Need nothing in return, its just for your pleasure) to impress god. Devotion is an act of impressing the supreme being with our thoughts and service.

Escaping statements can make you smarter but service make you impressive.

So Actionnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for reading... :-)

Take-off your Shirt

We Often see a board hanging over at every corners of famous temples,

"Please Remove your shirts"

Instantly our mind pop-up a question "Why??.  God wont listen to person with shirt?" And the pop-up goes unanswered!! So what might be the reason behind!!!.

Its purely a concept of dressing sense, which has now become an answer-less tradition.
Think, What will be your dress code when you get a chance to meet your company CEO!! Will you go with a torn jeans or with a business formal??. "Nothing is just taken for granted".

Same applies when you are visiting temples. In our tradition, the meaning of well dressed is "Not to wear a dress which is Torn, or cut-join, stitched. because it symbolizes indecency". Since our shirts and pants are cut-joined pieces, wearing it is prohibited in front Supreme God. That's why usage of Non stitched Dhoti (Panche) is preferred in Hinduism. Seriously, Removing shirt and holding same shirt and going in-front of god doesn't make sense. Does it???? But Time and situation made us to do so!!

It's not the question of God's acceptance, it's matter of decency. and spiritually decency in dressing is this. It is possible only if you get a feel as if you are personally meeting someone special (not just a piece of stone).

 

I have done my job of sharing what I knew. Its completely left to you to implement. I have lot to talk about this, but getting a feel that this is not the right platform to raise my voice.

Thanks for reading..:-) 

Hidden History!!!

Today in no mood to touch tradition. :-) lets try to learn from History.
 
In one of my previous posts, I was talking about my colleague to whom I asked some questions about god. Surprisingly same Guy came back to me, and now it was his turn!!! The Question was, 

Is Mahabharata real?? Isn't it only the story of a king and his family. Where is common man and his life style explained in it? Once my sister also asked similar doubt.

I was feeling like he is taking revenge for my previous questions!!! Then I gave a second thought, It was a very thoughtful doubt and I always enjoy them.

I replied, Basically it is not a documentation of whole Dwapara yuga, So expecting such minute details of common man life style is ruled out. In-spite of that, every ups and downs of a common man and his family are been addressed here as pandavas face different role and responsibilities. All credit goes to Vedavyasa!!!!

Why I took this topic today: In the current world where we hear "A guy and a girl cant be just best friends". Our mind presumes that they might be in love!!! 

I want to quote an Example of one of the finest and beautiful relationship. A relation between most gorgeous among women and a most attractive amongst men. Draupadi and Krishna. But still they did not have a thought of marrying each other. Draupadi single-mindedly followed the advice that Krishna gave and never wavered from her devotion to her husbands. They just had an unimaginably pure relationship. we have lot to learn from it.!!!

Secondly,
About the reality of the script. There are plenty of sub stories in Mahabharata. If you have a doubt on reality of the story, try to take essence of each sub stories quoted in it. Apply it in your life. Experience it. you will have answer by yourself..! Personally I learned a lot from character of Krishna and his thoughts, Karna and his bad mistakes!! sometimes I wonder on how beautifully each situation conveys a message of life.

There is a famous saying, Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.!

Thanks for reading..:-)

Forgetten Truth, A Money Maaya!!!

Today lets talk about Wealth.. Everyone's Pleasure "Money".


    Like Children's day, Teacher's day, Sports day, In our Tradition "Money" Day is also celebrated. Yes, I am talking about Akshaya tritiya. From years, It is believed that on this auspicious day the wealth will get multiplied, Never diminish (Akshaya)!!! so rush to the jewellery, hit or get, bring some gold home (as gold symbolizes wealth). Especially women, so eager to get the long time pending jewels to come home :-)

 You think Akshaya tritiya meant for this????!!!!

Certainly, your answer may be a hard "NO!". let me come to the actual reasons later, if it is a "Yes". Then, it is a big reason of worry. I said Akshaya means "Never diminish" right, you are not just bringing wealth to your home, along with it you bring, your never satisfying "Greed", "I", "Mine", selfish attachment with that wealth which takes you no where.!!!! this selfishness never diminish.

Do you really need that??? Come, lets list out the real, worthy facts about your "Money" day..

Historically,

  1. Yudishtira receives Akshaya paatre on this day by Lord Surya. (So the name Akshaya)
  2. More importantly, Scripting of Epic Story, Mahabharatha Started on this day by Ganapathi narreted by lord Vedavyasa.
  3. Most importantly, Lord Parashurama took birth same day.
  4. Krishna visits to Sudhama's home
  5. Finally, Its the day Kubera is appointed as the Wealth God after Lakshmi.

These are some of the reasons why it is so auspicious. If Know the background of each of these reasons. you realize that, it is not the money behind it. Dont know from where the Gold factor got attatched to this day!!!

Vedic scriptures say that knowledge gained or charity done on Akshay Tritiya is very fruitful.

Speciality of this day,
 Any personal work with a good intention is to be started, start straight away this day without consulting an astrologer.
 Like this, there are 3 more days which doesnt require a second thought to start a good work, and astrologically auspicious

  1.Yugadi.
  2.Vijaya Dashami. (Dasara)
  3.Half day of Bali paadyami. (Deepavali)
 
 Personally I feel, Giving is the real Wealth. No Money,No Gold can equalize the wealth of it.!!!! Develop a habit of giving on these festive days. You never get a feeling of loosing something, Instead you experience a breath of satisfaction in giving something.

I Wish your deposit of real wealth multiplies every day!!
Thanks for Reading.. :)

What to Offer God, who Has Everything within!!!!

Why we offer FIRE while pooja?? what pooja actually is? why fire is used most of the times while offering god??


We Know that the supreme god has everything and doesn't expect anything from us, but then why we must offer POOJA to him.?

Yesss!, He Needs nothing from us. It becomes our duty to offer something from our end to the person who is helping us every moment.!. Honestly telling, Don't offer something to god just because it is written in some holy script or somebody says to do it, Offer him because He is the reason behind everything.

Ok, Offering make sense, Now, What to offer? Why our religion scripted to use FIRE in the first place for Pooja? .

While offering someone, we follow an untold rule that, The thing which we are offering should be a equalizer to his current status. Meaning, if he is a teacher we get a book of his interest. For a sportsman may be a track suite etc etc. But What to gift A person who is omnipotent.??? 

Our ancestors found an Interesting thing which by itself shown characteristics of Omnipotent. The FIRE. 
It can Prepare and Destroy. Burn and Build. Every living being need this fire in the form of SUN. Everything needs its very presence.

Summary,
Fire is just a  representation of a simple yet powerful thing which a every individual (no matter you are poor or rich) can offer to a most superior one. While doing the pooja this should come to our mind, that "Even though I am unable to offer everything I have to you, but take this, and burn my ego destroy my selfishness prepare me to face worst of the situations build me for the best of the society"


Thanks for reading :)

Fasting a Testing!!

Does fasting make you weak?? or it strengthens your body?? It has anything to do with mental stability?


Wherever you are, whichever religion you follow, whatever your profession is remember this one of the golden rule "Reserve A day to brain and a day to your stomach of complete rest in a fortnight". I bet, every tradition has a statement alike. further I personally believe the first day of every fortnight should be a rest to brain, i.e, Don't try to learn anything new by intention. and 11th day of fortnight should be given rest to stomach and other digestive organs. Means a Fast. Everybody needs a rest!! so as your organs. nothing special to quote for this, but still there are some major reason to why we have to fast on the that day.

As per our Hindu religion, its called Ekadashi (meaning 11th day), It symbolizes to have control over 11 things. 5 sensory organs + 5 motor organs + Mind, to channelize towards your goal. Spiritually saying, towards God. Not eating food a complete day is the toughest thing anyone wants to do. Idea behind is, On this day whenever we think of the eating something, we forcibly made to think of God and control your hunger. This habit unknowingly builds an ability in us, and makes us to control our mind. In everyone's life there will be situation where we know that the path we are moving is not the right one but still we tend to continue same path due to the instantaneous pleasure it provide and forget the goal we want to achieve.

 Some follow fasting in the name of sankashta chaturthi once in a month. which is is also a good practice. but still I suggest to follow the above one!! :-)

And about the rest to our brain, I have not come across a specific reason why it has to be first day of fortnight yet. If anybody knows pls comment on this post or provide a link of reference.

Thanks for reading.. Happy Fasting.. :-)

Crazy Castes

Basically what is caste.? what is its very meaning? what might be its origin!!!

Think of a situation where there are no caste system built around us.! People are busy in minding their own business.  Definitely the interest of every individual varies. Also surprisingly for some, interests matches with some others. Consider 100 people around us divided into chunks depending on their likings , say 10 groups, some group likes to Teach, some protects, some are business minded, and some likes to do service and maintenance etc. It will then become usual practice to call the group of people to which they belong by their group name.!!!

Exactly in same way the caste system originated. In olden days the group of people who were teaching good things were called "Brahmanas", one who Protected the society called as "Kshatriyas" etc.. Gradually each group divided into many sub divisions depending on the thinking and occupation they do. Now we have whole lot of castes in-front of us as every subdivisions evolved it its own way.

So basically the word "Caste" refers to what you are doing, what is your status and contribution to society. its not just caste of your father defines yours. If one follows the way their ancestor used to follow then its perfectly fine, if not then you are out of that caste. It requires a common sense and mind of acceptance.

Now the situation has come where the question of caste come only at the time of marriages!!. Its my humble request to change your thoughts on the caste system built by our ancestors. Don't quarrel in the name of castes. Understand that we are divided by thoughts. Caste is just a System, should not become an Issue.!!

Think, which is your caste!!!!!??? do U really belong to the one you are claiming to be!!?
 
Thanks for reading.. :)