Hanumas abilities and humility

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

ఓం నమః శివాయ

This is one topic on which one can fill up tons of pages. How much ever is written, you would still feel that something is still pending. So it is just not possible to do full justice on this topic.

I would like to mention couple of incidents from Sri Ramaayana which are small representations of Hanuma’s ability and most importantly humility.

Incident 1:

When Hanuma crosses the ocean and reaches lanka in search of Sita maata, he finally finds her under the Sinsupa Vruksham (Ashoka tree). Looking at her situation and her trust in people, he finds a way to make her talk to him without actually talking to her. One should read Raamayana to understand that various thoughts that underwent in Hanumas brain before deciding on that specific plan of action. It is just amazing. Anyway, after that Sita trusts Hanuma and Hanuma consoles her and informs her that Sri Raama would invade Lanka with the entire army of Sugreeva, kill Ravana and all the Raakshasas and take her back with him. After all that conviction and consolation, Hanuma asks Sita for her permission so that he could return to Sri Raama.

Sita gets worried and expresses her concern, “You say that Sugreeva is king of monkeys and he has a huge army. Four groups have been sent to four corners of the earth. Out of all those lakhs of people only you could reach Lanka by crossing the ocean. I am really worried how Sri Raama can fight this huge army of Raavana, which is extremely strong and importantly in their own land.”

To this Hanuma responded, “Oh my great mother! Do not have even an iota of such doubt. Sugreeva’s army has extremely powerful people. Some with the strength of 100 elephants, some 1000 elephants’ strength, some 10000 elephants’ strength and some even more. My strength is nothing when compared to all of those. In the entire army of Sugreeva, there are people who have strength equal or more than me. There is no one who has strength less than mine. Be assured of that. Importantly, when a king sends a doota (messenger) to another kingdom, the weakest and the most powerless is chosen and sent across so that even if that person is lost, there is no damage done. That’s how I have been sent here. So don’t even worry about the strength of the army of Sugreeva nor the capabilities of Sri Raama and Lakshmana.”

Incident 2:

Once the war between Sri Raama and Raavana started, there were casualties on both sides. But once Indrajit entered the arena, there was no looking back for Raavanas army. Indrajit is an extremely powerful Raakshasa. He got his name because he was able to defeat Indra in war. Indrajit single handedly almost destroyed the army of Sugreeva and Sri Raama. To the extent that there was hardly anybody alive in the entire camp of Sri Raama. Even Sri Raama and Lakshmana also got hurt very badly because of the Naagaasthram that Indrajit used on them. Seeing the war zone in such a shape, Indrajit returned to the palace and informed Raavana about the conclusion of the war and their victory. Celebrations started in Raavanas camp.

Vibheeshana was looking around in the war field and found Jaambavanta alive, but badly wounded. He went upto him and asked him how he was doing.

Jaambavanta responded, “How is Hanuma doing? Is he alive?”

Vibheeshana was surprised and asked him, “Did you intend to ask about Sri Raama and Lakshmana’s well being?

Jaambvanta responded, “No. I am very much in my senses. I am asking about Hanumas well being only. If he is alive, then it doesn’t matter who else is there or not. We will win the war. If he is not alive, it doesn’t matter who else is there, we will not win the war.”

Hanuma was right next to Vibheeshana and he fell at Jaambavantas feet and said, “I am very much alive. Tell me what I should do.”

Based on Jaambvantas instructions, Hanuma flew to Himalayas and got the Sanjeevani parvatham, which had all medicinal herbs by which the entire army of Sri Raama sprang back to life. And as they say, the rest is history.

Is there a way to control to tears in your eyes? Not that I want to know…

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Whats in a name

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

ఓం నమః శివాయ

We are all familiar with the pet names that either we have or we give to our children. Many of us are also proud of the pet names to the extent that we donot mind forgetting the original name too.

Let us look at a small story from Bhaagavatham.

Once there used to be an extremely pious brahmin by the name Ajaameeludu. He was a great son and a husband as well. He used to perform his duties extremely well including veda pathanam etc. Most importantly he had great control over his indriyas (sense organs). One day he went to the forest to fetch wood for the homam (a pooja done with offerings given to various devathas through Agni-god of fire). While he was collecting the wood, he overheard some sounds being made by a couple behind some bushes. He wanted to know what was happening and when he saw the couple in a compromising posture, he withdrew himself and returned home. Somehow for the next few days he was not able to forget that woman.

One day he left his entire family and went to that woman. This woman was a prostitute and she insisted that this brahmin quits everything if he wanted to stay with her. They got married and became parents of multiple children. Ajaameeludu quit his pious life completely and became a thief, gambler etc to feed his family. He used to love his youngest son a lot. His name was Naaraayana. His sons name used to linger on his tongue most of the time. On his death bed too, he used to call his son every now and then. His last word before his death was Naaraayana. Once he died, yama dootas came and were preparing to take him to narakam (hell). Just then Vishnu paarshvadulu (representatives of vishnu from vaikuntam) came and stopped the yama dootas and said that they are granting some more life to this person because of the utterance of the word Naarayana just before his death. Local police cannot override FBI right.

Ajaameludu got up from his bed alive and he was a spectator to this entire incident.

He realised his mistake, went to Vaaranaasi, caught hold of a guru, confided in him and became pious again and led the rest of his life happily and achieved salvation.

I have observed many people pushing aside certain concepts by citing reasons such as “mere stories”, “not bothered about salvation”, “Not logical” etc.

Assuming that there is faith in God, let us look at some of the advantages of calling someone by their original name, which is named after a God.

·         Abusing someone using a Gods name is difficult. Just imagine a statement, “Hey Siva __________” Fill up the underline with any bad word and you will it very difficult to make that statement.

·         Voluntarily or involuntarily, we will be remembering the God, once in a while atleast, when we use the name frequently for calling our children, friends, colleagues etc.

·         It becomes difficult for someone to do wrong things or be impolite or rude or inhuman when someone has Gods name dancing on the tongue most of the time. Just remember a person that you know who keeps saying “Ram Ram” or “Om Namah Sivaaya” or “Govinda Govinda” frequently. Just recollect that person’s behavior. More often than not, you will find such a person quite humble and nice to talk to.

So it’s better to call people by their names (not elders of course) than their pet names. Especially little children and once we educate them on the significance of their name and what kind of behavior is expected out of a person with that name, I am sure we are well on our way for shaping a better future for the children.

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Ordeals of God

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

The more I read about Sri Raama/ Sita etc and the more I hear various stories associated with different avatars of God, I feel sad for the ordeals that God had gone through and goes through, to keep us safe and happy. Raakshasaas are a crazy set of people who have the weirdest of the weirdest desires and to save normal people from such raakshasaas, God had to do undergo real ordeals.

 

There was this Raakshasa called Hiranyakasapa who did a great tapasya and sought a boon from Brahma. He should be killed neither by a man nor by an animal, neither during the day nor during the night, neither on earth nor in sky. He thought that he was smart enough to seek a boon by which he would never have death. But Lord Vishnu had to take the Narasimha avatar to kill him in the twilight zone (Sandhya samayam) on the Gadapa (the wood door separation between two rooms) of his palace. He was a disaster to the mankind to such an extent that he did not even leave his son, Prahlaada, as he was not a Vishnu dweshi. He subjected Prahlaada to great tortures to make him pray for himself than Vishnu.

 

Then there was this raakshasa called Vajrakantaka (or Vajrakanta). This guy did great tapasya and Brahma asked him what he wanted. He said that he wanted a son who would be a threat to the mankind. Difficult to imagine the pleasure he derived out of that boon. One great raakshasa called Taarakaasura was born to him. He was born with enormous strength and as per the boon from Brahma he started torturing every one. Not satisfied with his powers, taarakaasura did a great tapasya and Brahma appeared before him. His boon was, “I should be killed by the son of Siva Kesava.” He thought, since both Siva and Kesava are males, it’s not possible for a son to be born and thus he would not have death. He got his boon granted and he resumed with his lesser mortal torturing. After the Ksheera saagara madhanam, Lord Vishnu assumed a beautiful woman’s stature and the rest is history with respect to the distribution of the nectar. The news about this extremely beautiful woman at Ksheera saagara madhanam reached the ears of Siva. So, he wanted to look at this beautiful lady once. So, when Vishnu and Siva met, Siva wanted Vishnu to show the beautiful figure he wore. After refusing for some time, Kesava transformed himself to that same woman. Siva was mesmerized with that woman and went towards her. Kesava started running looking at Siva’s advances and Siva started chasing him. Paarvati was watching all this drama without a flinch. After some time Siva’s tejassu got released and ayyappa was born. Siva quietly came back to Paarvati after that and Paarvati behaved as if nothing happened. This Ayyappa then went to kill Taarakaasura.

 

The plight of Sri Raama and Sita is just unimaginable. Someone who was to become a king the next morning, had to leave for forests with his brother and wife. Had to survive on meager stuff and fruits and roots and suffer the climate in the forests. Sri Raama had to fight 14000 raakshasas single handedly. The couple underwent separation through Raavana abducting Sita. The brothers had to wander aimlessly in the forest not knowing where to look for Sita. Sita on the other hand had to undergo innumerable humiliations with Raavana looking to make her his wife. The female raakshasis surrounded Sita all the time, threatening and convincing her to marry Raavana. When we read the way Sita led her life in that Asoka Vanam, one ends up in tears for sure. Sri Raama collates all the monkeys and other animals to lead his fight against the great Raavana and crosses this ocean to reach Lanka to take the fight to Raavana. Multiple times during the war, Sri Rama gets depressed and gets out of it to win the war. Within no time after becoming the king, he had to leave Sita in the forest because of an idiot uttering meaningless words. Generally, everyone thinks that Sri Raama is a Vishnu avatar and so brush aside the greatness of him and troubles the couple underwent. But in Raamayana, one can read the umpteen number of times that Sri Raama and Sita cried.

 

Relatively speaking, Krishna avatar is better than that of Sri Raama. But he does have his share of aspersions casted on him. Even today, whenever anyone has another relationship, he is compared to Sri Krishna. Justification – Sri Krishna had 16000 wives. But no one realizes that he did not  have physical relationship even with one of them. The peacock feather, that he wears in his hair, indicates that. He is also unpopular for his act of stealing the sarees of Gopikas, when they were taking bath. The real reason for that act is this. The Gopikas were performing a vratham and everyday they used to take bath in that pond without wearing any clothes. Taking bath without any clothes on, does not yield the results of the vratham or special pooja that we do. To convey this, Krishna did this act and told them they should wear clothes while taking bath. After which, the Gopikas got the fruits of the vratham. Importantly, when Krishna did that act of stealing, he ensured that there was no other male around. He had sent all of them away. But even today, people say that he stole sarees of bathing woman, with a negative connotation. Then the diamond stealing aspersion by Sathraajit. We read this during the Vinayaka Chavithi vratha story.

 

So whenever we recollect the above, I am sure we will not get depressed, bcos our troubles, problems, humiliations are of smaller magnitude as compared to any of the above.

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

For the New Year - 2013

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

New year is around the corner and I am sure lot of us must be planning on some resolutions. Resolution not to take a resolution or some specific resolutions.

 

In this post I thought I will deviate from my original purpose of this blog and post some little information related to Lunar calendar which probably could be useful to everyone.

 

A Lunar month has two Pakshams – Sukla Paksham and Krishna Paksham. Sukla Paksham is also called Bahula Paksham.

 

Each paksham has 15 tithis (each tithi is approximately 1 day. Can range from 18-24 hours)

 

First half of every month is Sukla Paksham and second half is Krishna Paksham.

 

Sukla Paksham ends with Pournami (Full Moon Day) and Krishna Paksham ends with Amaavaasya (New Moon day)

 

The names of the tithis are: Pratipat, Dwiteeya, Trutheeya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekaadasi, Dwaadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdasi, Pournami (Or Amaavaasya).

 

The names of the week days are: Bhaanu, Indu, Bhouma, Soumya, Bruhaspati, Sukra, Sthira. Vaasara means week day. In the pooja that we perform, in the Sankalpam, we use this as Bhaanu vaasare (for example), indicating the day of the week. Note that the week days are named after the following bodies: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,  Jupiter, Venus, Saturn.

Similarly the names of the months are: Chaitram, Vaisaakham, Jyeshtam, Aashaadam, Sravanam, Bhaadrapadam, Aasvayujam, Kaartheekam, Maargasiram, Pushyam, Maagham, Phaalgunam.

 

Generally we celebrate our birthdays as per the English calendar date. It would be good if we are aware of our lunar date as well so that we can celebrate as per that date as well. For the benefit of everyone I am providing a URL (http://111.118.183.227/WebTithis/default.aspx) which will allow you to get the lunar date (Maasam, Paksham, Tithi) for any English calendar date. This is a program that I have written and is not fool proof. So please don’t attempt at testing it J In case you face any issues, please do report so that I can try resolving it. Please note that a tithi is independent of the latitude and longitude (location). The tithi is calculated using the center of the earth unlike planetary positions which are calculated based on latitude and longitude.

 

There is something called Sahasra Chandra darshanam that is performed for elders. Basically someone who has seen 1000 Full moon days is eligible for this celebration. When a person has attained the age of 81 years and 1 month (give and take few days) then that person is supposed to have witnessed 1000 Full moon days. For those interested the calculation is as follows:

Every year, there are 12 Full moon days. So for 81 years it is 972 full moon days.

Every 3 years there will be one adhika maasam. So 27 more days.

One full moon day during the last month totaling to 1000 full moon days.

 

Best wishes for a wonderful New Year for every one. May God bless all.

 

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Misnomers in Raamayana - 2

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

This is in continuation of my earlier post.

 

1.   Sita is elder to Rama

This is another popular misconception. This is most widely used (rather abused) whenever a groom has to marry a woman elder to him. In Vaalmiki krutha (written) Raamaayana, sita very clearly mentions that she is about 7 years (not 100% sure about the exact number) younger to Sri Raama. Great Brahmarshi Viswamitra would not have taken Raama to Mithila. Sage like king Janaka would not have proposed Sita to Sri Raama. Dasaradha would not have accepted the proposal in front of great sages like Vasishta, Jaabaali, Maarkandeya etc.

 

2.   Sabari

We have heard multiple times and has seen in multiple movies as well, where Sabari is shown as a tribal, illiterate woman living in some forest. But somehow she knows about Sri Raama and when Sri Raama reaches her hut, she gives him some fruits. Importantly, before handing over each fruit to Sri Raama she tastes that fruit and only after she finds it sweet she gives that to Sri Raama. Hats off to the guy who cooked this story and convinced so many people that movies were also taken based on this without verifying with the authentic source.

The reality is this. Sabari is a great sage by herself. She is neither a tribal nor an illiterate woman. She is the disciple of some great sages, who are disciples of the great Sage Matanga Marshi. When the time comes for her gurus to leave the earth, they inform Sabari to continue her life in the same place, as Sri Raama would be visiting her soon. That’s how she comes to know about Sri Raama and continues to wait for him. When Sri Raama visits her, she pays all respects to Sri Raama just like a great sage. No fruit tasting activities.

 

3.   Hanuma not knowing his strength

Whenever a task of greater magnitude needs to accomplished, then Hanuma is not aware that he can actually achieve that. He needs to be reminded about his strength and that’s when he will actually accomplish the task.

This is true but limited to one time. Hanuma, during his childhood, wrecks havoc, after gaining powers (in the forms of boons by various devathas), and troubles various rushis and munis with mischief. They get fed up with him and curse him that he will forget that he has this great strength. By virtue of that he will not be able to use any of his strength. Only when someone reminds him of his strength and abilities, he will once again be able to use his strengths.

 

When the south headed Vaanaras, in search of Sita, reach the ocean, they get depressed. They know that they have to cross the ocean and reach the other side so that they can find sita there in Lanka. Different vaanaras present their abilities in terms of how much distance they can fly, all less than the requirement. Hanuma sits in a corner without mentioning any number. Jaambavanta, who knows about Hanuma, then extols Hanuma’s strengths and states that he is the only one who can go to Lanka and come back. That’s when Hanuma grows his body size and gets prepared to cross the ocean.

After the above, Hanuma never had to be reminded about what his strengths are and what he is capable of.

 

4.   Raavana not touching sita – a virtue

I have heard from some people that though Raavana is a asura (Raakshasa), he has a great character. He never forced Sita to become his wife though he is capable of doing that once he abducts her and keeps her in his kingdom. This looks similar to the below situation.

A murderer kills a person and then sets fire to the body, because he has faith in dahana samskaaram (death rituals). The actual reason could be to cover his crime.

 

Raavana has a curse on him by his great grand father Brahma. Once an apsarasa went to Brahma complaining that Raavana is misbehaving (diplomatic word usage) with every one that he encounters, irrespective of the wish of the woman. Then Brahma cursed Raavana, that if he forces any woman for his pleasure, then his head would break into multiple pieces. This is the reason why he did not push Sita.

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

Misnomers in Raamayana - 1

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

Sri Raamayanam is a great kaavyam by Vaalmeeki maharshi and different authors have written Raamayanam after that. Over the years, different versions (at various junctures of the epic) have been created, which in fact are not part of the original Vaalmiki written Raamayana. Let us look at few of those.

 

1.   Muhurtham by Vasishtha Maharshi

Some people question the greatness of Vasishta (Family guru of Raghu Vamsam – Sri Raama’s clan). When he set the Muhoortham (auspicious time) for the coronation of Sri Raama, how could it fail? How come Sri Raama had to leave for forests without becoming the king despite the Muhoortham set by the great brahmarshi Vasishta?

 

First of all, Vasishta Maharshi never fixed the Muhoortham for the coronation ceremony of Sri Raama. King Dasaradha (father of Sri Raama) decides that Sri Raama should be made the king. Prior to that he consults with his ministers, people, representatives and various others and then reaches the conclusion. But he acts in haste on deciding the time as he somehow feels that the ceremony should be completed before Bharatha returns from his uncle’s kingdom. So instead of asking the family guru on the time, he just informs them that he is conducting the ceremony the following morning and asks everyone to do the needful.

 

Importantly, a Muhoortham for an event doesn’t assure the occurrence of the event. If an event occurs at the time of the good Muhoortham, then the purpose of the event would be successful.

 

2.   Laskhmana Rekha

When Sri Raama goes after Maareecha (in form of Golden deer), Mareecha lets out a cry in the voice of Sri Raama. Sita asks Lakshmana to help his brother. Lakshmana before leaving the parnasaala (hut) draws a line and asks Sita not to cross that line, popularly known as Lakshmana Rekha.

 

In Vaalmeeki Raamayana there is no such line that Lakshmana draws. Lakshmana leaves the parnasaala in anger and frustration because of the allegations made by Sita on him. He tries his level best to convince Sita that nobody in the entire world can cause any harm to his brother and the voice that was let out is a trick by some raakshasa. Inspite of all his efforts Sita starts casting aspersions on him because of which he forces himself out and as they say the rest is history.

 

3.   Raavana abducting sita with the earth

When Raavana came in the form of a sanyaasi to abduct Sita, he lifted Sita along with a mound of earth by which a crate got created. In some places the guides show a crate mentioning that Sita got abducted from that place.

 

When Raavana discloses his real identity to Sita and terrifies her, he shows no decency or care in abducting her. He grabs her by her hair and pulls her along. He lifts her completely and places her on his chariot forcibly. Sita tries a lot to wriggle herself out of his hold, and during the process has her flowers strewn around, hair disturbed etc.

 

Recently I was watching one debate on a TV channel, where there were two participants – Theist and Atheist.

 

“If Sita were such a great pativrata then Raavana should have turned into ashes as soon as he touched Sita at the time of abduction.”

 

The Response, “Raavana knows that very well. That’s why he did not touch Sita directly and instead lifted the mound of earth on which Sita lay unconscious.”

 

"I do not know." - Most toughest statement to make probably :)

 

Few more in the next post…

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.

 

Things to follow in temples - Aalaya Niyamaalu

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

There are few things that we have to follow when visiting temples.

1.    When we enter a temple there will be a big pillar (Dhwaja Stambham) obstructing our direct view to the God. The reason for keeping this is that we should not stand directly in front of the God in the temple. Even if there is a place which allows you stand in front of the God, never stand there and pray. One should stand on either side, preferably facing north while praying. The main God of the temple always face East (except Dakshinamurthy who faces South) in temples. Even at home while performing Pooja, its better to face North and perform Pooja. In houses, the vigrahas face west. Look at the picture above to see how Sri Sri Sri Jagadguru Bharathi Theertha Swamiji is performing the pooja.

2.    Pradakshina (going around) should always be in Clockwise direction ensuring that the God is always on our right side. This is the reason why one should stand facing north so that God is on the right hand side, if possible.

3.    When there are other small temples within the main temple compound, never do a saashtanga pranaamam (prostrating - completely lying down on the floor) as your legs might point towards another god in the same vicinity. If there is a great person in the temple, one should not prostrate in front of that person. This can be done just outside the temple.

4.    In a Siva temple, never walk between Nandi and Shiva, even if there is space.

5.    Generally, we are told to sit in the temple for some time before leaving. The reason for that is this. One should have a very good look of the god from head to toe. Whenever we sit for praying and when we remember that god, then we will be able to recollect the entire image as is, which will enable us focus during our meditation. So once we are done with our darshan of the Lord, we should sit there for some time and recollect Gods image and paint the picture once more so that it is imprinted properly. Sitting in the temple after darshan is not for discussing about the quality of Prasaadam or politics.

6.    While leaving the temple, try moving backwards instead of turning back and leaving, as much as possible.

7.    Maintaining silence is a must in temples. This is to ensure that even if we are not able to pray properly, we should atleast not disturb others who are able to. Temple is not a place to talk about general things. Small kids should be educated on this aspect so that they don’t keep shouting there.

8.    Teertham and Prasaadam (offerings) are very important. This is an offering from God. One sixth of the portion that we consume has direct impact on our heart and mind. They get purified.

9.    Also when flowers are offered to us, those should not be thrown on the floor lest someone should step on those. Whatever we are not able to use, we should place them on a wall or somewhere in the temple where people will not be able to place their feet on.

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.