Idol Worship and its essence.

The Three Lords - Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva

According to the Arya Samaj, god is existent, intelligent, blissful, formless, almighty, just, merciful, unborn, infinite, beginning less, incomparable, the support and lord of all, omniscient, imperishable, immortal, fearless, eternal, holy and maker of universe.

According to the core of Hinduism, he is infinite and exists everywhere, in smallest of the particle to the whole universe in the form of unknown energy which binds the whole universe and sustains it in the form as it is present.

The main goal of life is to unite one's atma (conscious) to that of parmatama (higher consciousness).

To do so there are many paths told- Karma yoga, Gyana yoga, Kundalini yoga, Raj yoga, Hath yoga, Tantra yoga, Bhakti yoga.

All the above mentioned yoga forms except the last one have become irrelevant in present world due to very drastic social, cultural, religious and educational changes. The first step towards them is calm and controlled mind achieved through meditation but nowadays continuous meditation is very difficult for the common people.

That means only path that most common people can easily follow is Bhakti yoga which is pure spiritual devotion, of love for God. To love God unconditionally! In Bhakti yoga, everything is but a manifestation of the divine and all else is meaningless, including the Ego. When the Bhakta is blessed by divine grace he feels an undivided union and non-dual consciousness prevails. Bhakti Yoga is regarded as the most direct method to merge in cosmic consciousness. Bhakti yoga is based on the doctrine "Love is God and God is Love". The bhakta experiences separation and longs to meet or even just glimpse his beloved.

Lord Krishna

Bhakti yog is of two types - Nirguna and Saguna.

Nirguna bhakti is directed towards the god which is formless, infinite and having qualities which I have described earlier. Famous saints of such category- Kabir and sages of ancient times

Saguna bhakti is practiced by directing your devotion towards one of the manifestations of the almighty described above. This is practiced mainly by common people in form of Rama, Krishna, Vishnu etc, as it is very difficult to worship vacuum or something which is formless. Therefore Saguna bhakti is performed by giving some form, shape, attributes, mythological background to him. Famous saints of this category- Meera, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Biharidas, Tulsidas etc.

It is said that a picture speaks more than thousand words; people put the form which they have developed in their mind to the idols or pictures they worship. Many feel Hinduism use stones or idols for worshipping. It is a wrong assumption. Not only stones, whatever they find suitable they carve or put it in the form they worship. For e.g. during Govardhana puja, it is a tradition to worship Govardhan Parvat and Krishna. However the problem was how to make or carve a parvat (mountain)? Carve it out of stone or draw it on a paper to worship? In Haryana, almost every house in rural areas owns a cow. Hence cow dung is easily available. So the people here build the image of Krishna and the mountain with the dung on the floor and worship it. Now were those people worshipping dung? No they were worshipping Krishna one of the manifestation of that supreme conscious. Similar is the case with idols or portrait, they don't worship the stone or paper; they worship the Saguna form of him.

Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Durga & Goddess Saraswati

How did their face and attire come in existence?

The forms in which gods are worshipped today are the imagination of people who lived thousand years ago and which passed down from generation to generation.

The main male gods worshipped are Shree Ram, Krishna, Vishnu, and Shiva. Look closely you will see all of them having same facial expression and features. Clothing’s and other attire depend on the mythological background, powers and stories which revolve around them. All of them same except Shiva have similar clothing’s and attire as were during ancient times. Shiva is said to be living in natural surrounding therefore everything in his attire is related with nature.

All the male gods and goddesses except few are identical in looks. However each of them represents different attributes and characteristics. Like Saraswati is goddess of learning, Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth, etc. Difference is in their names, vehicles (vahana) and things they hold in their hands, which are symbolic in nature.

How do people know that it is their gods face??

The answer is people themselves decide that which form is close to their heart and what relationship they seek with him and also which attribute they are drawn to. This is the beauty of Hinduism. It works on the principle of “one size doesn't fit all”. People can worship him in any form and in any relationship. Meera worshipped Krishna as her husband, Chaitanya as master, Sudama as friend.

Yoga and its need.

Why is yoga necessary? There are different answers to this question.  On the physical level, it optimizes the body's abilities and functions, and that's another workshop.  On a deeper, more spiritual level, we learned that without a consistent asana practice, meditation and in-depth study are next to impossible.  Thousands of years ago, people noticed that when they sat down to meditate, they could not concentrate--their bodies were jittery.  Hatha yoga was created to "still the body," preparing it for meditation.  This is a moving meditation, and it is the beginning of the mastering of one's body.  It is the external work, meaning it's observable, and repeatable.  So it is scientific.  Then the work turns internal when the yogi turns his attention inward to connect to his bodily sensations, thoughts and feelings.  Succinctly, this is mindfulness.  This internal work is also observable, especially to an expert, but the intricacies are more subtle, so the novice may not notice them.  With time and practice, however, all things sensory occur to the practitioner.  Meanwhile, alternating from external movement to inward noticing, a yogi is present with himself.  If both is done at the same time, the experience is profound.

Yoga is far beyond just flexing your body in a fancy studio. Yoga is a way of life that leads to liberation (nirvana or mukthi). In a broad way, there are 4 main types of Yoga - each path being a unique approach to achieving liberation.

·         Gyana Yoga - achieving liberation through the development of the mind by accumulating knowledge and sharpening wisdom. This deals with the philosophical & scientific aspects of universe.

·         Karma Yoga - achieving liberation by doing your duties and following your passion the best way possible. The key to karma, is to follow the passion to do the good stuff (from starting your business to running your country to just being a good worker) without expecting the result. Because, according to karma philosophy, you will ultimately get what your work deserves.

·         Raja Yoga - this is methodically following a series of exercises to achieve liberation. Practically speaking, yoga means Raja yoga and I will explain it in detail.

·         Bhakti Yoga this is the religious part of Hinduism where it deals with gods, temples and worship. This part is a lot like Christianity.

Raja Yoga (when term yoga is used without any adjective, it is Raja Yoga) has 8 main components to be followed in order.

·         Yama - this is the moral aspect of Yoga practise. It comprises of Satya (being truthful and honest), ahimsa (not doing any harm to anybody), aparigraha (not coveting anybody's wealth). Essentially it means be good. Unless you are good, your mind will wander in guilt when you meditate.

·         Niyama - this is the one that deals with all the duties. It deals with cleanliness, and all the duties you have to do to support the world around you (including your parents, animals around you and your society at large). Essentially it means do good things. "Doing" keeps you active and keeps you in harmony.

·         Asana - Now we are getting to physical aspect of Yoga. This includes 100s of asanas (postures) that keeps your body healthy and glands maintained correct. Essentially it means stay healthy. Unless you are healthy, your mind will wander due to pain & sickness.

·         Pranayama - This is the breathe control part of Yoga. In Yoga philosophy, controlling and organizing breath patterns is considered the essential part of mastering the mind.

·         Prathyahara - This is the part that deals with taking your senses away from the other objects. You could find a quiet place to sit and "meditate" without being disturbed by the world around you.

·         Dharana - This is intense focus on a particular object that improves concentration. The purpose of this exercise is to have the mind focus on only one thing at a time.

·         Dhyana - At this point, you are not focusing anything and let your mind find a way on its own. This is intense meditation.

·         Samadhi - This is the point of complete liberation.

Yoga philosophy is thus all about mastering mind to achieving liberation. In Raja yoga it puts up paths to be followed in order to make the mind in harmony and if you think about it, it is very practical.

Durga Puja rituals and its significance!

All those who follow Durga Puja are aware of the different rituals that are followed during these 10days puja. There is a significance and reason behind every single ritual that is practiced during Durga Puja. All these rituals have a mythological story behind it which many of us are unaware of

Mahalaya Tarpan

Goddess Durga descends from her heavenly abode in Kailash to visit her devotees on earth every year. She comes with her children Devi Lakshmi, Devi Saraswati, Lord Kartik and Lord Ganesha.

Devi Paksha rituals start from Mahalaya and people do Tarpan on the day. Mahalaya means “Maha” meaning Big and “Laya” meaning Destruction. It is the day when there was the big war between the Devtas, Rishis with the Asuras. The war started on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra and ended on amavasya or Mahalaya as we call the day. Many Devtas and Rishis died in the hands of asuras. Devtas and Rishis are considered to be our forefathers hence the ritual of Tarpan. We pray for the peace for our entire forefather’s souls’.

Actual puja starts from the sixth day, the Shashthi. This is the day when Maa arrives on Earth. It starts with Bodhan.To stop Mahisasur’s tyranny the Gods combined their energy to summon Devi Durga. She was born at the ashram of sage Katyana hence known as Katyayani. She was then armed by the Gods with symbols of divine power to kill Mahisasur. She was armed with Vishnu’s discus; Shiva’s trident; Varuna’s conch shell; Agni’s flaming dart; Vayu’s bow; Surya’s quiver and arrow; Yama’s iron rod; Indra’s thunderbolt; Kubera’s club and a garland of snakes from Shesha and a lion as a charger from Himalayas. Bodhan marks that moment when Maa was given all the arms, she was given the divine symbols. To denote the same, her face is uncovered on this day of Shashti followed by Bodhan.

Next day is Saptami and it starts with a ritual called “Kola Bou” bathing. A banana tree stalk is taken

Nabapatrika bathing.
(Kola Bou and all the other plants are being bathed together)

and bathed in a nearby river/pond and then draped with a Bengali style white red border saree. It is then kept on the left side of Lord Ganesha as traditionally it is said “Kola Bou” is the wife of Ganesha. Traditions aside, this Kola Bou puja goes back to many years. It is actually not just a banana stalk that is put, ritual says in all nine plants are taken and put there after the same bathing rituals. It’s called “Nabapatrika” puja. The nine plants represent the nine forms of Shakti. Banana - Goddess Brahmani, Turmeric – Durga, Collacasia – Kalika, Jayanti – Kartiki, Wood Apple – Goddess Shiva (another name of Durga), Pomegranate – Raktadantika, Ashoka – Sokrahita, Arum – Chamunda and Rice – Lakshmi. All these plants are bathed with water from 8 different waters and then put on the left side of Ganesha. Over the years this ritual has shrunk to just banana stalk bathing in water. Nabapatrika represent the primitive form of Durga Puja, done during early autumn for good harvest and when Durga puja became popular, it got added here as part of the ritual.

Ashtami is considered the most auspicious day of Durga Puja and the most spiritual ritual of Ashtami being - the Sandhi Puja. It is done at the juncture of Ashtami and Navami. Sandhikshan when sandhi puja is done falls between last 24 minutes of Ashtami and first 24 minutes of Navami. This is the exact time when the two asuras Chanda and Munda was slain by Maa Durga.

Immersion, Maa leaves for Kailash.

Dashami or as we call Vijaya Dashami is the day when she killed Mahisasura. The evil asura was killed by her and earth freed of his torments. Vijaya Dashami ends the puja too. The idol of Durga after puja is taken to a water body and immersed. Immersion denotes her journey back to Kailash. Everyone bid a tearful adieu to the Goddess with the hope “She’ll be coming again next year”.

Each of these rituals that we follow during Durga Puja has some mythological connection. When you go through the ritual details and the mythology, you realize how intricately they are all connected. These are just few. Every other ritual when studied in depth, you find the mythological connection visible.

It’s again time of Durga Puja. Everything and everyone around seem to be in a cheerful upbeat mood. Every face in the streets of Bengal smiling! Wishing everyone a very happy and blessed Durga Puja!!

“As you sow, so you reap” - How True!

“As you sow, so you reap”, this is the basic concept of karma that has always been taught to us all. Your karma decides your fate. One question I get to hear many a times, why is it then that evil people are so successful now a days than the good ones? Why do good people have to struggle so much in life?

Karma is still working the same as it was when these concepts were written in our scriptures. It’s the way we see the same that has changed.

I’ll take the example of Ram and Ravan from Ramayana. When you read Ramayana who do you find more successful Ram or Ravan? Ravan, he had a overflowing treasury, he had won over all the gods and was the king of all three worlds, everyone feared him. Yet he was evil, corrupt and deceitful. Rama, the humble king, whose knowledge knew no bounds. But he had to spend time in forest to become the king, his wife Sita got kidnapped, he had to fight to get her and again got separated from her. His life was that of a struggle.

Raas Leela: As seen by me!

It is sharad Purnima night and Radha with her Gopis are done with evening prayers. They ask the God to bless Braja bhumi. And then as usual their thoughts go to Nandalal Govinda. They all walk down into the kunj vatika. The garden is full of flowers and the flowers are all blushing thus making the whole garden look sweet and beautiful. Birds are singing songs while lotus sways with the waves of pond water.

In all this, Radha rani feels the pangs of separation with Shree Krishna, with tears rolling down she calls out to Nandalal. Patches of white lotuses, their broad stems swaying! When stirred by the wings of geese honking lustily. But they seemed dark blue as she looked in the intervals, between one tear falling and the next welling up.

Gopis and Radha Rani are sitting near the Kalpataru tree when suddenly they hear the flute. The sweet sound was enveloping everything around the forest and turning it more beautiful.

Surya Namaskar and the Science behind it.

Salutations to Sun or Surya Namaskar is a something that is being practiced from ages in India. Sun God in Hindu scriptures is considered to be the source of life and energy. It is considered to be the symbol of good health. Rig Veda describes Sun God as – “Suurya aatmaa jagasatasthuushasca”, meaning “Sun is the Soul, of both moving and unmoving things.

Sun salutation or Surya Namaskar is performed as series of yogic postures. You can get the details of the postures from this link. [LINK]. In the Vedas, Surya Namaskar has been prescribed to be performed early in the morning. It is just when the Sun is rising that you are supposed to do it and not later. Like many other such customs as mentioned in our Vedas, even this has a scientific reasoning behind it.

Yoga Sadhana and Tantra Sadhana

Yoga sadhana and Tantra sadhana are both intertwined. Yoga is merging of our self into the supreme self and the paths are different like bhakti yoga, kriya yoga, kundalini yoga etc. Tantra understands the matrix of energies, which constitute the universe, take the help of those energies and become master of the universe.

Yoga: Yoga deals more with the clearing and stabilizing of the mind. This is done through different methods of meditations. Through different paths mind is purified. This helps in reducing many kleshas likes ignorance, ego, fears, attachments etc. It helps the seeker to systematically cultivate the power of concentration and move inwards in the process of meditation & deep absorption. Yoga helps the seeker to distinguish between the “Purusha”, the consciousness and “Prakriti”, the matter. This way the seeker gets to know the pure consciousness on one’s own being.

True Facts about Upanayana.

Upanayana these days is taken as a birth right for people belonging to few selected caste. But this is far from truth. Upanayana is not limited to one caste and in our country this thinking is changing and doing so for past many years.

Let us first know the science behind Upanayana. It is a scientifically proven fact that a vein passing through the ear regulates the flow of urine. Applying pressure and acupuncture principle on different points in our ears is a medically acclaimed remedy for many of our urinary troubles. Therefore, when one wears the sacred thread around the ear, a pressure is created at points which in turn help the urinary system to regulate the urine flow, thus keeping his urinary system, bladder, etc. healthy and free of problems. Lot many of these scientific practices have been attached to God so that we get to perform them correctly. To explain them all to people in details the science behind it is not always possible. A layman might not get the point and never follow.

Is there really a caste or gender barrier when it comes to Upanayana? No, this practice is for everyone. Even girls! It is with time that changes happened and the practice got limited to maybe 1-2 castes.

Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya

I read an article sometime back telling about a village in Bihar where girls, irrespective of caste go through Upanayana ceremony. LINKHERE. Not just this, there are schools now who are training women as priests and these women all go through Upanayana. Sunitee Gadgil, a priest from Pune herself got janeyu and became a priest more than 10 years back. And currently she herself initiated more girls. There is an institution for women Dyanprabodhini in Pune who are training women as priests IRRESPECTIVE of what caste they belong to. (LINK HERE) Have you all ever heard about Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya in Mehmoorganj? This school for past more than 40years is imparting Vedic knowledge besides training girls as priests. These girls, many of whom, go through Upanayana ceremony. Quoting the Pricipal of the college from THIS LINK – “…the college principal teaches the students that anyone who can read and understand the Vedas are also entitled to wear the janev (sacred thread).” Besides these let me tell about few temples which have women priests, all of whom got initiated with the sacred thread. The Shakti temple right next to Dharmaya temple in Bangalore has a women priest. Many remote temples in Kerela are served by women priests through generations. There is a place near Chennai which has the Adi Para Shakti temple. Again that has women priest. Ongur in Trichy is served again by women priests.

Now let us come to the next point that only Brahmins are given this thread. Again this is not the complete truth. I agree that is the most prevalent one, but let us not get into generalizing it. From our Vedic era itself Upanayana was never for any specific caste. It was taken that anyone who wants to get started with education would go through this ceremony. Even Shudras had the rights. The Sanatkumara Samhita tells us about Tantric Upanayana for Shudras. Even in our Varahapurana it tells in details about Shudra Upanayana. In Mahabharata, Chapter 131 in the Uma Maheshwar conversation, the Lord tells his consort “Shudro Paye AgamasampannoDweejo Bhavati Samskrataha”. Meaning – “By adhering to the agama scriptures (in other words getting initiated through pancharatric system), a shudra also becomes a Brahmin.”

And interestingly it is followed even today. Shaivites even today do initiate Shudras as priests. These people get Upanayana initiation and become priests. In the Lingaraja temple at Bhuvaneshwar the worship is done by both Brahmins and Shudra priests. (LINK HERE) The Durga temple in Dhoopchandi, UP (near Varanasi) does not follow the tradition of Brahmin by birth priests. It is the boatmen of that area who go through thread ceremony, learn vedic mantras and become the priests. ISKON also initiate people and they follow the Pancharatrik system. The thread ceremony done by ISKON never look into the caste of the seeker. Many other Vaishnavite organisation also follow the same. They follow Upanayana process as explained by Sanatana Goswami. He was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s disciple and he explained about all such process in his book Hari Bhakti Vilasa. Gaudiya Math people follow this system and when they perform thread ceremony, never do they ask for your caste.

So you see it is a wrong fact that in India ONLY Brahmins (boys) are going through Uapanayana and becoming priests. I agree this ceremony is done more among Brahmins. People’s perspectives are changing. Society is not the same. The practice and thought process that janeyu is ONLY for Brahmin is prevalent in our society. But to say that is the sole thought process is wrong. I even chatted with three priests known to me. And all of three said they have no issues if someone from other caste comes forward for Upanayana. What I could gather from discussion with these priests is that because people of other caste also take it Upanayana is for Brahmins, they never come forward. One even chuckled and said this also saves them from another round of financial expense.

The wrong mindset of people, in our country, need to be changed. Let us show the world how society is changing so that more would come forward and embrace the same. And this is the reason today for this post of mine!!! Hope this can change the century old mindset of many and also remove wrong concepts from the mind of others and we can get a better world to live in.

Anulom Vilom and Nadi Shuddhi.

Anulom Vilom is a breathing exercise which can purify our body and mind both. It is called as the alternate nostril breathing. This breathing exercise balances the Ida and Pingala Nadi, imbalance between the two is the cause of many ailments in our body.

Right nostril breathing activates the Pingala Nadi. It is associated with Sun Energy and is masculine and relates to alertness and activity. This nostril breathing is associated with body’s heating energy.

Left Nostril Breathing activates the Ida Nadi. This is associated with Moon energy. It’s feminine and relates to calmness and relaxation. Left nostril breathing is associated with cooling energy of the body.

In our body these two energies are always in conflict. Thus causing restlessness and ill-health! With help of Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) we can harmonise them. Balancing Ida and Pingala removes all blockages in the pranic energy channels, thus leading to spiritual awakening.

How to Do:

• Close your eyes and relax.
• Hold your right nasal with thumb.
• Breathe in from left. Breath in to the lungs.
• Now open right nasal and close left nasal with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nasal.
• Staying in the same above position, breathe in from right nasal. 
• Next, close right nasal and open left and breathe out and in from left nasal. Carry so on and on.

Keep in mind to breathe into lungs and not to stomach. No organ in stomach absorbs oxygen. Do it slowly. Rest when you feel tired and begin again. Do it maybe 5 minutes daily.

Shaktipat and Kundalini Awakening

Earlier we have discussed Kundalini Awakening [LINK]. This can be done through different methods like Hata Yoga, Kriya Hoga, Tantra, Mantra etc. Kundalini remains dormant in every individual. For self-realization, awakening of kundalini is must. As it awakens, it goes up passing through all the chakras [LINK] and opening them.

Need for us to read Gita - Part - 2

We all follow Gita. We ask all to do the same. Why do you think it’s really so important to follow Gita. What is the real reason for us to read Gita?

Gita is the lesson Lord imparted Arjun in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. He shows Arjun the path to dharma. He tells in details why and how he needs to keep all “asaktis” (the deep attachments), away and take the path of dharma.

The Path to Ultimate Truth

External world is always changing. If the external world keeps changing, then the real Truth is not to be found there. Sand changes to form bricks, they in turn form house. Our utensils are made from metals who take different forms at different level. Form changes yet we call them differently though they all are made of the same material of universe.

What about senses, do they help us in attaining the Truth? When the external world changes our senses have a tendency to see and feel only a limited version of the same. Eyes can see a limited world; ears can hear limited things and so on. Our senses do provide useful information in this journey of truth but its inadequate and limited information. Hence the eternal Truth or the absolute truth cannot be gained from them.

Gita ka Mahatva (Importance of Gita in our life) - Part - 1

Gita means Atam ka geet. Aatma geet is Gita.

Gita has a chinmay roop. Chinmay meaning - one of pure thoughts! Gita literally is the supreme one. It’s not just a religious book. Many mahatma have seen Gita as a light. Gita is “Jyoti Roop”. Where Gita is read and prayed upon, god shows itself, God is said to stay at such places. God visits places where pure bhakts of Gita are there. When you are covered with the veil of Maya, he won’t show himself. He’ll also face difficulty in reaching the place. Impure thoughts and Maya are two obstructions for The Supreme to reach that place.

Different paths of Yoga!

There are four paths of Yoga; Gyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga. They together form the whole aspect of what we call as Yoga. Yoga helps in realization of the union between the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness. Many feel it is just the union of mind with body. That it does not have connection what so ever with the spiritual path. This thought dodges the true meaning of Yoga. Yoga is union of Aatman with the Brahman; it’s the union of Jivatma with the Parmatma, or whatever way you may view it.

To focus exclusively on one path does not really help. Blending of all the four paths is the most appropriate path and a true Yogi follows that. What exactly are these four paths?

Real Meaning behind Raas Leela.

According to Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna was loved immensely by gopis. The love gopis felt for Lord was not carnal it was Divine love. The love for Sri Krishna was so strong that gopis forgot all about their worldly chores. The gopis were totally merged in the love of god through the practice of constant remembrance.

The dance symbolises the soul's unceasing struggle to break clear of the constraints of the body, to make contact with the supra-reality it sees out there.

Lord Shiva, Abhishek Priya!

Lord Shiva is considered as the fire of penance, blazing all over him & from him - a bhakta always try to please his Third eye and get blessings. He is also called Abhisheka Priya. Bathing divine elements is called Abhisheka in sanskrit. The more you bathe him, the more beloved we became. In many temples, a brass or copper pot is hung right above the linga with a small hole in its apex pointing downwards and water keeps dripping on the linga.

Lingam Pooja Daily in temples does abhishekas (Divine Bathing) with fresh milk, Fresh Curd, aromatic herbal powders & water chanting mantra. The common procedure is to use eleven dravyya to the Elevan Rudra Devatas. The number of time done does not matter. What is absolutely required is sincerity of purpose, unflinching devotion, and complete dedication.

Out of all the materials used for abhisheka, the water from the kalasa is most important and used last. 1, 3, 5 7 or 11 kalasas can be set up for abhisheka. Veda mantras are used to purify and sanctify the water Apo Va Idaghum Sarvam - water is the cause for emergence and sustenance of all life. Water as it is has no shape but take the shape of the container in which it is taken. The Brahman cannot be described with specific form or shape. However, the Brahman can be visualized in our mind with specific attributes - Saguna Brahman - the Devatas. This is one reason that yogis prefer 'Manasa pooja'- visualization of the Brahman in the mind and deep meditation, which ordinary persons cannot accomplish.

The Bhagavad-Gita reverberates this over and over.

Some offer worldly goods, others offer sense restraint. Others submit their sufferings or take vows. Many offer knowledge by studying the scriptures while a few make offerings of meditation. Many worship by controlling their senses while others restraint their breath. All these, understand the meaning of service and will be cleansed of their impurities.  --- The Bhagavad-Gita 4: 28-30

How many times you do is not important. What we need is sincerity and dedication. The remaining water or the water collected after the abhishek is usually poured to wells or trees.  This is just it is a way to show devotion as shiva symbolise the life (supreme soul). So the water left is poured in tulsi preferably or in trees as they are considered satvik tatva.

Cleansing the Mind.

Question: Scriptures and wise men speak of the inner self as good and beautiful and in every way perfect, and of the body as mere reflection, more of a shadow of the real me. Not the truth. On the other hand they help the person with his welfare too. If the body is so unimportant, why be so concerned with its welfare?

Answer: Body and Self both exist and in-between these two, exists the Mind. It is this mind where Self gets reflected. Mind is like a mirror. God dwells in the Self, it is this mirror “Mind” where we get to see him. But our mind carries lot of imperfections. Because of the imperfections of the mind, restlessness, lack of insight, we take ourselves to be the body, not the Self. And because of other imperfections like greed, jealousy, hatred, etc, our mind remains covered with dusts which never let us see the refection of that Supreme Being. To realize the Self and see God all that is needed is to purify the mind. When the mind merges in the Self, the body presents no problem. It remains what it is, an instrument of action. The ultimate value of the body is that it serves to discover the cosmic body, which is the universe in its entirety. Hence caring of the body is also important.

Question: How to purify the mind? Our thoughts, actions, everything is controlled by mind. And if this mind is covered with dust, how can it in turn purify itself. Isn’t that ironical? When floor gets dirty, we use a cloth to sweep and clean. But if the cloth is dirty, we know it won’t clean the floor properly.

Answer: Yes it is the mind which is behind all our actions. Mind unless pure would result in the vices we show. Yet it is this mind itself which needs to get into action to purify itself. And for that what is needed is “Satsang”. Spending time with people with good thoughts, spending time reading scriptures, listening to good music, they all add to Satsang. Satsang acts as the clean clothe to wipe out the dust that is deposited in our mind. Try practicing it and you’ll find with time it becomes a habit if you are honest. You’ll start thinking of God even while doing your daily chores. Thinking of God will become a habit, a part of life and you won’t need to put in labour to do so. That is when cleansing of mind happens and you get to see the Self, see God.

The three Gunas and path of Brahman!

Once a man was going through a forest, when three robbers fell upon him and robbed him of all his possessions. One of the robbers said, 'What's the use of keeping this man alive?' So saying, he was about to kill him with his sword, when the second robber interrupted him, saying: 'Oh, no! What is the use of killing him? Tie him hand and foot and leave him here.' The robbers bound his hands and feet and went away.

After a while the third robber returned and said to the man: 'Ah, I am sorry. Are you hurt? I will release you from your bonds.' After setting the man free, the thief said: 'Come with me. I will take you to the public highway.' After a long time they reached the road. Then the robber said: 'Follow this road. Over there is your house.' At this the man said: 'Sir, you have been very good to me. Come with me to my house ' 'Oh, no!' the robber replied. 'I can't go there. The police will know it.'


This story is same as our life story. This world itself is the forest. The three robbers prowling here are satya, rajas, and tamas. It is they that rob a man of the Knowledge of Truth. Tamas wants to destroy him. Rajas binds him to the world. But satya rescues him from the clutches of rajas and tamas. Under the protection of satya, man is rescued from anger, passion, and the other evil effects of tamas. Further, satya loosens the bonds of the world. But satya also is a robber. It cannot give him the ultimate Knowledge of Truth, though it shows him the road leading to the Supreme Abode of God. Setting him on the path, satya tells him: 'Look yonder. There is your home.' Even satya is far away from the Knowledge of Brahman.

Brahman is beyond the three gunas. It is beyond Prakriti. 

Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa.