Orthodox

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Namaskaram Sri Sankar,

 

1. Indication of Sri Swarnaakarshana Bhairavar at Sri

Nataraja sannadhi is for those members of our group

who do not know about it and who could benefit from

the info.

 

2. During big havans, it is quite possible that some

of the ritviks (who is part of the performers) would

not have initiated into a particular mantra. For any

mantras like mritynjayam, sri sooktam, durga sooktam,

etc, for persons who have underdone vedic study,

initiation is not necessary. In the case of Chandi,

Navakshari is a must which is normally initiated to

them just before the start of the yajna, not

individually, but collectively. It is a practice in

so called orthodox vaideekam also.

 

3. Orthodox is a bad word, now-a-days, just as profit

is so for communists. Without profit, there is no

growth, w/out capital creation, no prosperity to

people. Religion is related to mind which has to be

purified step-by-step viz pooja, japa, dyana, etc.

Orthodoxy is a caution to tread the proper way for all

to reach stage of oneness - no discrimination. Tantras

speak of extreme caution to follow Vaamacharam

(another equal way of mother worship). Method of

worship, mantras, way of doing havans, all brought

down to us thru years from our forefathers - rishis.

They discussed, decided and obtained results of

highest order. It is only easy to go on a majestic

path laid before, instead of re-inventing the wheel.

 

4. In grahyasutram, we follow one agni, and in srouta

sutram, we follow 3 agnis namely garhapatyam (worship

as grahasta), aahavaneeyam (devatas), dakshinagni

(pitrus). It is stricly followed, no change is

thought of, and obtain good results and happiness

which is all intended for. In the names of orthodoxy,

yajnas have gone background, but everyday, lakhs of

animals are slaughtered, to enjoy happiness in food

and feast. Those days, kings patronised yajnas and

obtained rains three times a month. Now, all are

rajahs, but do not worry of public care and happiness,

but aggrandise selfishly through killing animals and

birds, and lavish spending.

 

5. On the same point (may be a side story),

Sivacharyars basically follow Yajur Veda (Bodaayana

sutra) for their house-hold poojas, vivaaham,

anything. For havans at temples, they create Sivagni

as per Aagama injunctions (here too Aagamaas say,

Bodayanagni for Kumbabhishekam, yaga sala etc). But,

now-d-days, they conveniently follow Sivagni for

house-hold karmas also. So what? is a question?

Bodaayana uses a lot of mantras (vedic prayers) in

agni pratishtapanam, where Sivagni is ritual without

mantras which is okay in a temple where devata

saanidyam is omni-present. For house-hold which we do

on and off, we need more mantras to obtain presence of

God. Subtle point here is that Sivacharyars tend to

lose the benefit of mantra-gnana thereby. I have been

telling these to many Sivacharyar forums, but they

agree, not to put forth. In Agama patasalas, teaching

of veda is ignored is one point to note. In olden

days, every temple used to have one Adyayana Bhattar

who will recite Rudram, Chamakam, sooktas during

abishekams, and vedas during yaga salai pooja daily.

They used to tutor Sivacharyars also in Vedas. That

practice is no more available - a disadvantage to

Sivacharyas. (Chettiyar managed temples, they made it

mandatory to have one Adyaana Bhattar and one Veda

Patasaala).

 

6. One interesting episode on 'orthodoxy', as told my

father. Thiruvarur is famous for Sri Thyagaraja

temple, so famous are Nattukkottai Chettiars for

strict management of temples especially Yaga Sala and

Kumbabhishekam. If we still have something left, we

must heartily thank that community. Though Thiruvarur

temple was under heriditory control of Sri Somasundara

Mudaliar and guidance from HR&CE Dept, one Karaikudi

Chettiyar was put in charge of Kumbhabhishekam. Some

65 years back, all the Sivacharyars were highly

learned. Top people from Palani, Darmapuram, etc were

present to be Acharyars of main vedikas (moortis).

Our Chettiyar asked the group of Sivacharyars (big

shots) as to what Agni they are to establish the Yaga

Kunda in, on the first day. One person like me

(reactive type)said, Sivaagni which others also tended

to maintain. Chettiyar said, it should be

Bodaayanagni as per sastras, but gave 1/2 hour to

discuss and conclude. Sivaacharyars concluded and

conducted the rituals with Bodaayanagni is a history.

Point is that the Chettiyar is learned (number one),

and he was very strict in doing proper way to obtain

maximum benefit to the people (number two).

 

7. Our group is concerned more about self-upaasana

rather than worship at temple. In some places, baktas

doing the havans is permitted. Sanctity present at

these kshetras will take care of any deficiencies.

But, for doing at home, we should be clear about the

way and do it with proper guidance, is the point.

 

8. No tradition is bad, nor discriminate, but only

spot lights good results. In this group itself, I saw

the mail yesterday about Dakshina Kalika. What a

lovely interpretation about her moorti. I enjoyed Her

vibhuti.

 

9. Let us continue our learnings through this medium.

 

Thank you.

L Vaidyanathan

Puliyur

 

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