190728 - ENERGY IN HYMNS/ MANTRAS

28th July 2019 

ENERGY IN HYMNS/ MANTRAS

KEYWORDS :: Hymns, Mantras, Energy, Meaning, Chanting Style, Esoteric

Last week we reflected on the Energy Created, Conserved and Distributed in Temples and mentioned its dependence on the chanting of mantras. This week we shall learn on the mantras and its energy.

Sound is sacred and powerful which connects us, heals us and expands our hearts. A mantra is a series of words chanted in a religious tradition to invoke spiritual qualities. Mantra chanting is an ancient key that unlocks and opens us up to mysterious sounds in another level reaching to the entire universe and has the transformative power. Mantra effects and affects all the fivefold levels - Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Social and Spiritual.

Three main types of mantras are - Beeja (seed), Saguna (With Shape), and Nirguna (without Shape).

Beeja mantras correlate the God/Goddess with all the chakras. Saguna mantras invoke the God/Goddess as an individual person in Shape/Form. Nirguna mantras originate from the Vedic texts with no deities or personalized aspects of God in a specific form or meaning to them.

The power of mantras is directly proportional to the number of times they are repeated and this is called mantra Siddhi. The practice of repeated chanting of a mantra silently or aloud - sitting in a comfortable position, with closed eyes - is considered as the easiest form of meditation. Paying careful attention to the speed and rhythm of your chanting, pronouncing correctly, knowing the esoteric meaning of the mantra will make the mind focused on letting the thoughts flow. Some people use a Mala (a string of beads) to count a series of 108 repetitions of the mantra.

There are esoteric moola mantras for every deity in a temple. The chanting of the first mantra – “Agamarthanthu Devaanam, Gamanaartham thu Rakshasam” (meaning let Godly energy get in and let Demonic energy get out) has the power to change the energy and it happens only when the priest is able to invoke it. The priest gains that ability from his daily rituals like Sapta-Sudhi (7 cleanliness process) which is by the mantra - Prana-pana vyano dhana samana me sudhyantham… and Gayatri mantra.

We reflected on the mantras and Hymns and it is for Energy in Temples and Special Pujas etc. But for the daily life, it is more of daily prayers and we shall reflect on it in the coming week.

----- Next Week 4^th August 2019 -  Prayers in Daily Life   ------

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190721 - ENERGY CREATED IN TEMPLES

Serene Sunday Reflections, 21st July 2019 (By Dr. T.P.Sasikumar) ENERGY CREATED IN TEMPLES Keywords:: Temple, Bimba, Energy, Creation, Preservation, Distribution, Circumambulation Last week we reflected on the Agama Shastra - the science of temple design, and now let us discuss the Energy Created in Temples. Devotees visit Temples in order to revitalize themselves with the positive Energy in Temple. Along with the Creation of such energy, Preservation and Distribution are equally important. Thus, the structure and Maintenance of the Temple and Procedures followed in the Temple are of great relevance. Energy doesn’t depend on the facility and size of the Temple but is based on the ambience and vibrations created by the devotees. Some of the factors of energy creation are: Place (Location), Direction and Structure (Agama) of the Temple. Maintenance of Cleanliness like - Pujari’s Sapta Sudhi (7 cleanliness procedures for the Priest), Devotees’ Sareera Sudhi (Cleanliness of the Body), etc. It is always said outer pradakshina (circumambulation) is three times better than the inner pradakshina. Many texts prescribe certain number of pradakshina based on God. Example: ekam vinayake kuriyal (one circumambulation for Ganapathi). For pradakshina the rule is :: padal padanugatham gache (walk slow with one foot after the other) / karau chalana vivarjithau (without moving hands – better to be in NAMASTE mode/fold hands keeping close to chest) / vachasthuthi hrudi dhyanam (slow lip movement with prayers in full devotion) / evam kuriyal pradakshinam (this is the rule for the circumambulation). The entry into Sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) where Bimba (Deity/idol) is placed is generally only for the Pujari. One could stand on the pathway on both sides and look ahead to see the Bimba to be in Dhyana (silence).  Energy is created inside the Sanctum Sanctorum through all the rituals of chanting of mantras (hymns) with mudras (specific hand posters), offering of flowers, sanctified water, flames of light (deepam), incense (dhoopam) etc. This energy is created and conserved around the special material used for the Bimba and through the rituals. All the decorations and eye catching views in the temples including colorful flowers, pleasing music like the chanting and vadya (instrumental music) including the conch, tasty prasada, sandalwood paste / vibhoothi / Kumkum that are applied especially at the ajna chakra (between the eyebrow and nose joint) etc., are for the wholistic panchendriya (all sensory organs) satisfaction to energize the devotee.

Apart from serving as the place for devotion, temples should also serve as the place for socialization and as a center for art, culture & heritage. Temples belong to the devotees and as more number of devotees participate in learning and teaching activities in the temple, the upliftment of the customs and rituals (achara and anushtana) will get enriched and spread to the next generation. This reflection that we had on Energy Created in Temples will lead us to wonder how these systems are transferred through generations over thousands of years; so we will reflect upon the Energy in Mantras next week. ----- Next Week 28th July 2019 - Energy in Hymns/ Mantras ------ More from DrTPS at (www.drtps-shiksha.in https://rare-news-collection.blogspot.com/)  PAST EDITIONS 05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA 12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views 19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA 26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life 02JUN19 - Moksha 09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA 16JUN19 - PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering 23JUN19 - RITUALS 30JUN19 - TEMPLE RITUALS 07JUL19 - TEMPLES AND ITS POWER 14JUL19 - AGAMA SHASTRA

100707 - Temple and Its Power

Serene Sunday Reflections 07JUL19. Dear Rajkumar, श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी Serene Sunday Reflections   05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA 12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views 19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA 26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life 02JUN19 - Moksha 09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA 16JUN19 - PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering 23JUN19 - RITUALS 30JUN19 - TEMPLE RITUALS 7th July 2019 TEMPLES AND ITS POWER KEYWORDS :: Temple, Construction, Installation, Daily Care, Devotees, Power   Last week we reflected on the Temple Rituals, as a continuation, here the reflection is on the Power of Temples since the Rituals are for maintaining the power in Temples. According to Hinduism, temple is not just a prayer hall, it is the Source of Energy. God’s presence is felt in the temples. Pooja Rituals are for producing energy in the temples. Installation – The chief priest (thanthri - is the custodian of the God/Goddess) will be associated with the temple since the time of installation. All the power of the temple depends on various aspects like aitheehiya (the story behind the installation), power of the rituals, the people involved in installation and materials used etc. To demonstrate the power of temples, we take the examples of famous temples installed by Rama, Parasurama, Kuleepani Maharshi et. al. As said in the below sloka – a person’s Archana (proper offerings) turns a Shila (stone) into Shankara (God) and any wrongdoings will turn Shankara into a Shila. अर्चकस्य प्रभावेन शिला भवति शङ्करः । आभिरूप्याच्च मूर्तीनां देवः सान्निध्यमृच्छति ॥ archakasya prabhAvena shilA bhavati shangkaraH | AbhirUpyAchcha mUrtInAM devaH sAnnidhyamRuchChati ||   Temples may have only thousands of years story, but rituals and Achara – anushtana (explained in earlier Sunday Reflections) have hundreds of thousands of years of heritage but might have undergone changes over time depending on local situations. Yagna / Yaga was the first concept from where Temples came into existence. Most of the temples today are not powerful from the time of its inception but became famous and got the power by and from the people visiting the temple. The power of the temples depend on the activities and number of devotees visiting the temple. The Bimba (deity) in the temple is made of any of these items - Mud, Wood, Stone, Granite, Mix of Metals (Panchaloha) etc. The construction process starts at the Garbha Gruha (Sanctum Sanctorum) as it is believed to be the Naval place of the God during his lying down position, wherein the front and back entry gates will be the head and leg of the God respectively. The architecture of the temple is defined based on the main deity and the area around. The location and the structure of the temple including the entry is decided by the local story and is in-line with the Agama Shastra specifications. Yantra, Mantra, and Thantra are the pillars of powers. Yantras are the geometric figures that are used to conserve energy. Mantras are the hymns with power in it. Thantras are the ritualistic actions of the priest. To understand the power of temples in detail, we shall reflect on Agama Shastra in the coming week.   ----- Next Week 14th July 2019 – AGAMA SHASTRA –----- More from DrTPS (www.drtps-shiksha.in /  https://rare-news-collection.blogspot.com/) at https://www.facebook.com/pg/hssicolumbus/posts/

190714 - AGAMA SHASTRA

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16JUN19 - PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering
23JUN19 - RITUALS
30JUN19 - TEMPLE RITUALS
07JUL19 - TEMPLES AND ITS POWER

14th July 2019
AGAMA SHASTRA

KEYWORDS :: Temple, Construction, Agama Shastra, Energy Preserve, Distribution

Last week we reflected on the Power of Temples and mentioned about Agama Shastra, the science of temple design. Now let us delve a bit deeper into Agama Shastra.

Shastra in Indian tradition means that which is useful for human beings (lokaanam upakaraya). The system of the temple and the social gathering with religious practices are around for many years as people found them useful and thus temples played a significant role in making a better life for people.

Sthapathya Veda has two parts – Vastu and Agama Shastra. Temples are constructed as per Agama Shastra and houses are constructed as per Vastu.

Agama means tradition or "that which has come down" from generations; it also means the energy that came down from God to us. Agama Shastra is a combination of cosmology, epistemology, philosophy, texts on meditation and practices, yoga, mantras, deity worship etc. and Sthapathy is a person who can design the temple to pass on these energies to devotees effectively. Thus, in order to build a temple as a first step, a Sthapathy will be consulted to design the temple understanding the local needs. Brahmarishi Mamuni Mayan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamuni_Mayan) is one of the Guru (Master architect) who developed this science during ancient times and authored MAYAMATHAM.

Basic Principle states that the energy generated through Yanthra, Manthra, Thanthra and all rituals in the temple will be densified, preserved and distributed to the visitors because of the temple design based on Agama. As per Agama Shastra temples are of different styles for - Shaivism (Shiva), Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaktism (Devi), Ganapathya (Ganesha) and Soura (Sun God).

Depending on the God, no of sub-deities, size of the idols, direction, sanctum, number of visitors expected, special religious functions etc., the layout and construction will be planned. All the cosmic powers and pancha bhootha (5 basic elements – earth, water, air, fire, space) are unified to energize the temple. The Kshethra meaning temple is also understood as the body of God.

The temple satisfies the Indriyas (Sensory organs) of the devotees. This is where the Agama Shastra plays an important role. Thus it is vital for the temple to be located in a place where it is having a good support of the electromagnetic energy all around. As the energy gets densified inside the sanctum sanctorum with all the rituals, once the doors are open the energy from the sanctum gets injected into the devotees.
The science of temple, installation, energy creation, and reaching up to devotees is described under “Thanthra Samuchayam”.

Having discussed the Agama Shastra, specific architecture that can conserve and distribute energy, now we shall reflect next week on the Energy Created in Temples.

----- Next Week 21^st July 2019 – Energy Created in Temples –-----
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190630-TEMPLE RITUALS

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16JUN19 - PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering
23JUN19 - RITUALS

30th June 2019
TEMPLE RITUALS

KEYWORDS :: Temple Rituals, Offering, Agama Shastra, Anushtana, Achara

Last week we reflected on the rituals as Dharana done in full SRADDHA (concentration) and BHAVA (understanding the inner meaning). Temple rituals are only intact in India whereas places like ancient Egypt, where all such rituals once were highly active, has lost and forgotten all its richness in heritage.

Hindu Temples in and outside India still keep and continue rituals which are older than the oldest that exists in this world. Hindu temples are mushrooming all over the world, numbering in hundreds of thousands in structures like luxurious and rich palaces, rustic abandoned warehouses, simple halls with just a picture of God or granite stone in a jungle or roadside.

To participate in the temple rituals, one should dress modestly, respect the priests and other visitors, refrain from gossip and worldly talk to enjoy a spiritual time. The Hindu worship service follows certain procedures- rituals called puja, literally adoration with mantras (verses/hymns) and hand gestures (mudras), ringing bell etc. These procedures are mostly based on Vedas which are modified to fit in the temple as described under Agama Shastra. There are special occasions like yearly mega festivals (like Utsavam etc) where specific procedures are followed apart from the daily temple rituals.

Following are the steps followed in the daily Temple Rituals as prescribed in the Agama Shastra

1. The Priest should purify himself
2. Sanctify the place of worship
3. Spiritualize the precious substances to offer the Deity like - water, uncooked rice, holy ash, sandalwood paste, Kumkum and the lamp to be lighted
4. Light the lamp
5. Invites God/Goddesses to come and dwell in the lamp/deity/image
6. A ritualistic bath, called abhishekam, in which water, sesame oil, turmeric, saffron, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, lime juice, vibhuti, sandalwood paste, panchamritam (a mixture of five fruits), coconut water and rosewater, is given for the Deity
7. Deity is dressed in new clothes and beautifully decorated with flowers, etc.
8. Incense, oil lamps and food will be offered
9. The Priest offers flowers while chanting 108 names of the God and devotees may also sing bhajans to please the God
10. At the highest point of the puja, a large lamp is waved before the Diety and bells are rung loudly as God sends His power through the holy image of Himself that is absorbed by the water, food, flower, ashes (vibhoothi)
11. When the lamp is lowered, everyone prostrates to the Divine.
12. The lamp is then carried out to bless the worshipers, who often leave a donation on the tray (or later in the temple offering box).
13. Finally, depending on the tradition, sacraments such as sacred ash, blessed water, sandalwood paste, kumkum, fruits, sweets and flowers are passed out to bless everyone who is present. These include a portion of the offerings--flowers, cooked food and more--brought by devotees.
14. Devotees may then sit in meditation, relaxing in the blessings invoked by the puja.
15. Make God to sleep, devotees may sing devotional songs during this time.

What we described here as the ritual is called ANUSHTANA and varied versions of this may be in practice at different places with variations acceptable to the locals which are called ACHARAS. Having reflected on the temple rituals, we shall see the Temples and its Power in the coming week.

----- Next Week 7^th July 2019 – TEMPLES AND ITS POWER –-----
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190623-RITUALS

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA
16JUN19 - PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering

23rd June 2019
RITUALS

KEYWORDS :: Rituals, Ishta Poortha, Offering, Dhyaanam, Yoga, Pooja, Kriya, Temple

Rituals when we say, it is Pooja that comes to everyone’s mind. Pooja is the Offering for/to God. Last week we reflected upon Best offering to mankind as Vidya-dhaanam (Education). Rituals are also called Service/Dhaanam. Thus, rituals are the thanksgiving service offered to God, by which one gets into the Dharana level among the Ashtanga Yoga (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi). After Dharana one can get to the Dhyana and then may attain Samadhi (Meditation).

We reflected earlier on ISHTA POORTHA as SANATHANA DHARMA. In ISHTA Karma Agnihothram is most important which is Ritualistic thanksgiving to SUN, the prime GOD. Here a part of His (SUN) blessings – a bit of rice and ghee – is offered back to him saying it is all due to him (SOORYAYA SWAHA, SOORYAYA IDAM NAMAMA).

agnihothram thapa sathyam vedaanaam chaanupaalanam
aadithyam vaisyadhevam cha ishta ithyabhitheeyathe

All VAIDIKA ACHARA (offering to fire) with SWAHA (let sun eat this) offering HAVIS (material) is a major ritual at home and temples too. But mostly in Temples, PAURANIKA ARADHANA on VIGRAHA (Deity) is what is followed. Vaidika is more Veda mantra oriented, where self and the universe is part of the ritual, while Temple / Pauranika / Kshethra Aradhana are more of a public and utility oriented ritual.

While rituals conducted by the priest for the society, the dharana is that the rituals are done by Him, due to Him, for Him as explained in the following slokas:

कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात्
kayena vacha manasendriayirva bhudhyathmana va prakruthe swabhavath
करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै गुरुवरायेति समर्पयामि
karomi yadhyathsakalam parasmai gururvarayethi samarpayami

Meaning:: All these rituals I am into with my Body, Speech, Mind or Sense Organs, using my Intellect, Feelings of Heart or (unconsciously) through the natural tendencies of my Mind, I do all for others (i.e. without the sense of attachment to the results), and I Surrender them to YOU Supreme Guru (MOSTLY for the GOD/GODDESSES that you are keeping in SANKALPA).

While and when all the rituals are done as POOJA with manthra and the activity of offering (KRIYA) with full BHAKTI (devotion) there could be errors in the rituals; here it says it is all DUE TO HIM (THE GOD Thyself).

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं जनार्दन  यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे
manthraheenam kriyaheenam bhaktiheenam janardhana yath-poojitham maya deva paripoornam thadasthu me

This sloka unambiguously says Rituals are Godly affairs and needs to be done with utmost SRADDHA (concentration) and BHAVA (understanding the inner meaning).

Unfortunate that these days Rituals became a synonym for anything that one does casually without attention. Most of the Rituals done in the temples too are without this Sraddha (concentration). Thus, next week we plan to reflect on the Temple Ritual in Brief.

----- Next Week 30^th June 2019 – TEMPLE RITUALS –-----
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190616-PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering

श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी
Serene Sunday Reflections

05MAY19 - HINDU’s SANATHANA DHARMA
12MAY19 - Sanathana Dharma in Vedic Views
19MAY19 - Vedic ways of PURUSHARTHA
26MAY19 - PURUSHARTHA The Blue Print of Practical Life
02JUN19 - Moksha
09JUN19 - MOKSHA & SWARGAM : POORTHA & ISHTA

16th June 2019
PARAM DHAANAM – Best Offering

KEYWORDS :: Dhaanam (offering), Annadhaanam, Vidyadhaanam, Food, Education

Last SUNDAY we reflected on ISHTA POORTHAM and made it clear that POORTHA karma is important as it is serving others. Among the Best Service, here we are reflecting on PARAM DHAANAM – analyzing the merit of Annadhaanam (Offering Food) and Vidyadhaanam (Educating).

Annadhaana or the gift of food is one kind of service (paropakara). We talk of service to the poor, social service and so on. Today all this is done with much fanfare and publicity. In the past, the needy were served naturally, without making any advertising and was an everyday routine. Earlier before closing the kitchen, mothers were supposed to go to the entry gate and ask loudly “is there any around who require supper?”.

Many slokas indicate the importance of annadhaanam. It says annadhaanam is greater than donating many horses, elephants, gold ornaments, vessels, land, kanyadhanam etc.

Gaja turaga Sahasram Gokulam koti danam
Kanaka Rajatha patram Methini sagarantham
Upaya kula vishuttam Koti kanya pradanam
Nahi nahi bahu danam Annadanam samanam

Feeding is a good philanthropic activity. But educating is much higher. The food will get digested soon. Education will remain for the whole life.

अन्नदानं महादानं विद्यादानमतः परम् ।
अन्नेन क्षणिका तृप्तिः यावज्जीवञ्च विद्यया ॥

This probably was the source for the saying 'Give a man a fish, you feed him once. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for life'.

With the education, we purify our intelligence, with meditation we purify our mind, with shlokas or poetry we purify our speech, by exerting ourselves in the service of others one must purify the physic or body; that is why the DasaMahaVidya is prescribing Dasami / Navarathri (10 days / 9 nights) rituals. The Tenth Day (Dasami) is for Saraswati with Education and Learning, everyone at home sits together to demonstrate their learning.

Rituals has been so mechanical these days in the religious activity. Many of the offerings are done without even knowing the meaning. The word ‘ritual’ itself became a synonym for anything we do with out proper understanding. Thus giving knowledge and gaining knowledge (VIDYADAANAM) is the best offering that will be leading to best RITUAL.  Understanding the inner meanings of RITUALS as offering will be our next week’s reflection.

Slokas are referenced from Subhashita Ratnakara

----- Next Week 23^rd June 2019 - RITUALS –-----
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