Why Veggie

Ever hotter summer, delayed rains may just be a beginning. And if we don't change our attitude, there is a lot that can go wrong. Better late than never…

While I was pondering over this dread thought of today's catch phrase - global warming, I came across a beautiful article on what can we do to avert the evils of global warming.

To put it in super short, more and more people are required to go vegetarian…there is no way out. The earlier we learn this, the better it is.

For inquisitive minds here is the beautiful article I am referring to.

Culture Series 11 - 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 should strive 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), abandoning attachment, 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 a discipline 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) is recommended 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 lotus symbolizes 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.

Note: If you like the above post (or any of the other posts from 'Culture Series'), please don’t forget to thank the person who has put in a lot of efforts in collating these articles - Srinivas Ji. He can be reached at srini_p2001@yahoo.com

Culture Series 10 - 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 is 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.

Note: If you like the above post (or any of the other posts from 'Culture Series'), please don’t forget to thank the person who has put in a lot of efforts in collating these articles - Srinivas Ji. He can be reached at srini_p2001@yahoo.com

Culture Series 9 - 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 of respect 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 the strong 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.

Note: If you like the above post (or any of the other posts from 'Culture Series'), please don’t forget to thank the person who has put in a lot of efforts in collating these articles - Srinivas Ji. He can be reached at srini_p2001@yahoo.com

Culture Series 8 - Why do we do pradakshina?

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.

Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise direction?

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 do pradakshina 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.

Note: If you like the above post (or any of the other posts from 'Culture Series'), please don’t forget to thank the person who has put in a lot of efforts in collating these articles - Srinivas Ji. He can be reached at srini_p2001@yahoo.com

Culture Series 7 - 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 is remembered". 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).

Bhasma has medicinal value and is used in many ayurvedic medicines. It absorbs excess moisture from the body and prevents colds and headaches. The Upanishads say that the famous Mrityunjaya mantra should be chanted whilst applying ash on the forehead.

Note: If you like the above post (or any of the other posts from 'Culture Series'), please don’t forget to thank the person who has put in a lot of efforts in collating these articles - Srinivas Ji. He can be reached at srini_p2001@yahoo.com

Guru Purnima with Rishi Nityapragya Ji - YES+ exclusive session

Well there was another amazing thing in store for a really very few of us…

As I was finishing the dinner with my YES+ gang, Venky got a call that Rishi Ji wanted to meet the YES+ gang in 15 mins. Every one of us quickly finished up our meals and rushed to the place where Rishi Ji was staying. While we reached there he was talking to some other devotees and we were asked to wait for 5 mins. And just after 5 mins Rishi Ji came out of his room and what followed that was a bumper session full of amazing knowledge that ended at just a little before 02:30 AM. Can you believe this a session with Rishi Ji from 10:45 PM till 02:30 AM. And I am sure no body (except the hosts, I guess...:)) knew how time flew that night.

While heading back home I was smiling and thanking Guru Ji that even on this day when devotees are 'supposed' to do something for their Guru, my Guru has given me so much. wah-e-guru...:)

Below are some of the points that I could capture through my senses, perceive and remember. (I am sure there was much more flowing as we were thoroughly immersed in the knowledge.) To keep a record at one place, I am also clubbing some of the knowledge points that Rishi Ji mentioned during satsang. So here we go:

What can stop you from experiencing the grace of master:

1. Corruption/ spot on your own integrity:

In spite of knowing that something is wrong you are doing it.

2. Ahankaar (Ego):

When you start thinking that it is 'Me' who is doing. If you are on path and due to grace some small little things start working for you and you start thinking that it is 'Me' and not the divine you will not experience the grace of the master.

To progress on the path following two things are required:

1. Courage: People around you won't like it. Especially the people whose opinions do matter. You need to be courageous.
2. Freedom from unnecessary emotions. Be sensitive but don't stuck in unnecessary emotions.

Work - Life balance:

There are four parts

1. Work (professional)
2. Relationships
3. Hobbies
4. Spiritual

Make sure you don’t neglect rest of three by devoting every moment to your work.

Jivan sukhmay hai aur sukh se prerit hai. We always go for things that we think will give you joy/comfort or will save us from the discomfort.

There are three types of sukh:

1. Tamsik:

The sukh that you get from vyakti, vastu or paristhiti is tamsik sukh. This type of sukh keeps you in illusion. You keep running behind things (vyakti, vastu or paristhiti) and when you get that you find that all the juice of that thing is gone. And then you start running behind something else and same process repeats.

2. Rajsik:

The sukh that you experience through five senses is Rajsik. It gives you small pleasure in beginning but takes the joy away for long time. Eg have you noticed that the joy with which you sit to eat you never ever have that after you done with eating. In fact you start losing the joy soon after you start eating and become lethargic. Same is the case with sex; you reach the peak and then you joy drops to that an extent that you even lose the juice in the same person who gave you that joy.

3. Satvik:

The sukh that gives you some discomfort (which is usually attached to discipline) in the beginning but enormous joy over the long run. The sukh that you get out of Sadhna (even study is sadhana), Seva and Satsang is of this nature.

Remember that nothing in this world comes alone; it is a two sided coin; if it is giving you joy/comfort, sorrow/discomfort has to follow and vica versa. So knowing this evaluate your options and do the things worth of 'high value'.

Importance of money:

Earn money for doing that you want to do or getting something that you want. But first it is very important to know what actually do you want?

Discomfort:

Have you ever noticed that whenever you are in discomfort, some or the another of your weakness is exposed. When ever you have to go beyond your boundaries you find your self in discomfort.

Whenever we are in discomfort we usually do following two things:

1. Run away from it
2. Get stressed/tensed while going through it

But if we chose the following middle path we can actually learn and convert the same discomfort in to strength -

So willfully go through the discomfort and let it burn you and your shortcomings and you will find that the same discomfort is converted into your strength and will remain with you as an experience and learning for life time.

Difference between mrityu and mokhsha:

Mrityu: when breath stops but desires continue

Mokhsha: when breath is going on but desires stop

Type of experiences:

Deha bhava:

Experience at the level of body - when you take bath you say that 'you' are bathing though it is just your body that is bathing. Similarly say your leg is paining, you say that 'your' leg is paining though it is just the body that is in pain.

Jeeva bhava:

Experiences at the level of jiva - when you like or dislike someone, that experience is happening at the level of jiva. That jiva in you is liking or not liking some other jiva.

Aatma bhava:

Experiences at the level of brahaman - when you feel that you are everything, every where. There is only one - no two.

Things that will help you experience Atma bhava at your wish whenever you want to experience it:

1. Remind you self of past experiences where you would have experiences it (it might just be a very small glimpse still just keep remembering; it can be in advance courses or meditations in general)
2. Keep exercising the things that made you experience the atma bhava in the past.
3. Keep dropping the Deha and Jeeva bhava.

Use three step process (1) Close your eyes and take a deep breath in 2) Connect with the master 3) Drop the things that you want to be free from in the feet of master with outgoing breath) to be free from whatever is not worth keeping in life.

Dharana:

Dharna is a vehicle that takes you from current state to 'turiya' (transcendence) state. It can be anything and can be different for different people. It can be any statement (for example that I want to be empty) or any mantra.

Guru Purnima with Rishi Nityapragya Ji

I am blessed to have Guruji and so was Hyderabad on this Guru Purnima (July 07, 2009).

This Guru Purnima we had Rishi Nityapragya Ji here in Hyderabad who was taking an advance course. Long kriya and satsang were also planned in the evening of this auspicious day and I was one of the fortunate few** who attended these event.

Long Kriya that day…oh man - what an experience that was. Stating that it was great, superb, mind blowing, awesome (or any other similar adjective) would just be an understatement. I just don't have words to put it here. You had to 'experience' it to experience it…:). One of its kind experience and it is not just me, almost every one whom I spoke to, had their own similar stories to share.

And then satsang after that…I need not say anything; those who have attended any of Rishi Ji's satsangs would know what I mean; it was just amazing. Well there was another amazing thing in store for a really very few of us, that I would capture in my next blog…:)

** It was a gathering of over 2500 and there was no place left to lie down after Kriya in the venue…:)