Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha // SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha // SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/ SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya// KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: / SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm// ===================================================================== SRI RANGA SRI VOL.07 / ISSUE # 44 dated 16th March 2006 ===================================================================== EDITORIAL Dear Bhagavatas: It gives me great pleasure to record that the first course of SV classes comprising of 6 sessions was successfully completed. Almost all the participants have now mastered the sequences of the procedures and the Mantras associated in a short period of time. They now feel happy that they have been piloted to the mainstream and have vowed to continue doing Trikaala SV for the rest of their lives. All the credit goes to asmad Achaaryan, Srimad Andavan, Poundarika puram Swami Asramam, Srirangam who is very strict in insisting on the performance of SV and is the motive force behind this effort. I had the Bhaagyam of informing him of the successful completion. Naturally, he was extremely happy. Many other aspirants have petitioned for the commencement of the next session. Some have also desired starting of classes for "Tiruvaaraadanam". We will try our best to accommodate them at an early date. An announcement will be made as soon as the details are finalized. --- IN THIS ISSUE 1. IMPORTANT DAYS IN PANGUNI (MEENA) MONTH 2. SANDHYAA VANDANAM -– Part 2 - 5 FAQs AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VARIOUS OBSERVANCES IN CONNECTION WITH "SANDHYAAVANDANAM" (ANBIL RAMASWAMY) ===================================================================== The following questions have been answered Q. 21. What is "Pancha katcham"? Why should we wear "Pancha katcham"? What other practices are to be observed with reference to dress codes while engaging in religious rites? Q. 22. Is there any justification for the use of "paTTu" (silk) and "ajina" (deerskin) tied to the Brahmachaari's "mounji" (girdle made of a triple string of Munja-grass) etc. that obviously involve "himsa" (injury to a living being)? Q. 23. If plants have life, how can we pluck flowers, TuLasi, Darbha etc that also involve "himsa"? Q. 24. What is the difference between Pavitram", "KoorchamDarbham", "Kusam" etc and what purposes do they serve? Q. 25.What is the purpose and significance of wearing "PooNool"? Why do we wear it in different modes on different occasions? Q. 26. Can we drink coffee? How about medicines? Are there any guidelines in the matter of taking food? ============================================================= ISSUES RELEASED So far, 220 Regular issues of SRS have been released apart from Special Issues: 27 Issues of Vol. 1 15 Issues of Vol. 2 42 Issues of Vol. 3 35 Issues of Vol. 4 28 Issues of Vol. 5 30 Issues of Vol. 6 and 43 Issues of Vol. 7 --- These issues have been archived for public view at - by Sri Diwakar Kannan (diwakark) You may also view the archives at http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia maintained by Sri Srinivasan Sriram (ajiva_rts ) We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the "Regular Issues" archived in the "Files" Section and view the Contents at "srsindex.html" (Not the individual postings allowed for encouraging "Reader participation"). We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the contents. IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of "Sri Ranga Sri"- Tell your friends to join by sending an email to Srirangasri- IF NOT: Tell us, as to how we may improve. Ever at your service Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy, Editor & Publisher, "Sri Ranga Sri" ==================================================================== xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ==================================================================== 1. IMPORTANT DAYS IN PANGUNI (MEENA) MONTH ==================================================================== DATE/ENGLISH/DAY/NAKSHATRAM/THITHI/ EVENT/ REMARKS ==================================================================== 02/03-16-06/Thursday/Hastam/Dviteeyai/ 21st PaTTam (AM) 06/03-20-06/Monday/Anusham/Panchami/ VENNAATRANKARAI ANDAVAN (PPA) 11/03-25-06/Saturday/SRavaNam/Ekaadasi/ KrishNapaksha Sarva Ekaadasi, SravaNa Vratam 12/03-26-06/Sunday/AviTTam/Dwaadasi/ Nam Jeeyar (As per Srirangam Koil Panchangam) 14/03-28-06/Tuesday/PooraTTaadi/Chaturdasii/BOdaayana Amaavaasya 15/03-29-06/Wednesday/UtraTTaadi/Amaavaasya 16/03-30-06/Thursday/Revati/Prathamai/ PERIYA PERUMAAL, TELUGU NEW YEAR 20/04-03-06/Monday/Rohini/ShashTi/ PRAKRITAM SRIMAD ANDAVAN, POUNDARIKAPURAM SWAMI ASRAMAM, PARAVAKKOTTAI SRI GOPALA DESIKA MAHAA DESIKAN 23/04-06-06/Thursday/Punarvasu/AshTami-Navami/ SRI RAMA NAVAMI 24/04-07-06/Friday/Poosam/Navami-Dasami// Selva PiLLai/ TIRUKKUDANTAI ANDAVAN VEDANTA RAMANUJA MAHAA DESIKAN 25/04-08-06/Saturday/Ayilyam/Dasami/ MELKOTTAI TIRUNARAYANAPURAM VAIRA MUDI SEVAI 26/04-09-06/Sunday/Magam/ Ekaadasi/Sukla Paksha Sarva Ekaadasi 28/04-11-06/Tuesday/Utthiram/TrayOdasi/PANGUNI UTTHIRAM 30/04-13-06/Thursday/ Hastam/PourNami/ --- VYAYA-CHITTIRAI (MESHAM) 01/04-14-06/Friday/Chittirai/Prathamai/ TAMIL NEW YEAR, VISHU PUNYA KAALAM ===================================================================== xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ===================================================================== 2.SANDHYAA VANDANAM -– Part 2 - 5 MORE FAQs AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VARIOUS OBSERVANCES IN CONNECTION WITH "SANDHYAAVANDANAM" (ANBIL RAMASWAMY) ==================================================================== Q. 21. (a) What is "Pancha katcham"? (b) Why should we wear "Panchakatcham"? © What other practices are to be observed with reference to dress codes while engaging in religious rites? Ans: (a) "Pancha katcham" is the traditional manner of wearing a Dhoti by the men folk. It consists of wrapping around the waist with one end folded lengthwise and taken around the legs to the back and tucked at the hip and the other end folded breadth wise is tucked in front at the tummy. The front tucking has five folds. It is therefore called "Pancha (Five) Katcham (folds). A Grihasta is expected to wear this method of Dhoti always, but most certainly at least during performance of religious rites and while attending any religious events like KaalakshEpams etc. (b) Even at the height of scorching summer in a hot region like India, we find people attending official meetings in Western dress, what with a tightly closed suit and a necktie to boot, all the time sweating profusely like a horse - because this is supposed to be the "formal" dress code in the said setting!. If this is the discipline required to be observed in spite of utmost discomfort, wearing the "Pancha katcham" is the discipline required to be observed in the setting of religious activities. © There are very many practices adopted by AnushTaatas. We give below a few of them that may be noted. (As learned from KaalakshEpa Adhikaaris during AnushTaana Granta classes) (1) A Brahmachaari (celibate) and a Sannyaasi (ascetic) should wear only one cloth and no upper cloth. The clothing of a Sannyaasi should be in ochre color. (2) A Grihasta is expected to wear an upper cloth always along with the "Pancha katcham. (3) No religious rites can be performed wearing a wet cloth. When a wet cloth cannot be dried, it can be waved in air for 7 times and then it is considered to have dried enough to equal a dry cloth. This is called "Sapta Vaataahata" (4) A new "Kaarigam" cotton cloth or PaTTu (Silk) Vastram can be worn. Both "Kaarigam" and PaTTu (Silk) are said to get polluted (Vizhuppu) if washed with water. On the other hand a used cotton cloth that is normally considered "Vizhuppu" when coming into contact with Sareeram becomes fit to wear (maDi) when washed and dried up as aforesaid. (5) Eating and drinking while wearing Kaarigam or PaTTu vast ram are said to make them polluted. --- Q. 22. Is there any justification for the use of "paTTu" (silk) and "ajina" (deerskin) tied to the Brahmachaari's "mounji" (girdle made of a triple string of Munja-grass) etc. that obviously involve "himsa" (injury to a living being)? Ans: The term "PaTTu" was originally used to denote cloths woven with strings of gold and silk yarns. The "Peeta-ambharam" which the Lord wears referred to only such vastrams. Only after the Chinese came over to our land with their wares made out of silk from silkworms, the term "PaTTu" came to denote such material otherwise called "China Silk" and this practice had come to stay. Gold and silver yarn laced cloths can be worn in the place of such silk garments. Thus, originally, there was no "himsa", no killing of silkworms. In these days, we get also artificial silk without resorting to PaTTu made out of killing silkworms. We can safely use the same. As for "ajina" or deerskin, the skins were and I believe even now are taken from dead animals and, therefore, no "himsa" was or is involved. -- Q. 23. If plants have life, how can we pluck flowers, TuLasi, Darbha etc that also involve "himsa"? Ans: The discovery that plants have life is no discovery at all! They are found in the Vedas themselves. "Our scriptures say that all sentient beings have what is known as "Dharmi-boota- Jnaana" (Intrinsic consciousness) as also "Dharma- boota-Jnaana" (External perception).While intrinsic consciousness is common to all in the same degree, the extrinsic perception or the awareness of not only things around but also things beyond varies in degrees – with humans having the greatest, animals to a lesser extent and PLANTS WITH THE LEAST IN THE SCALE. This is conditioned by environment and is subject to expansion (vikaasita) and contraction (sankuchita)" (Vide p143-144 of "Hinduism Rediscovered"). The concept of "ahimsa" is central to our philosophy. That is the reason why, Grihastas are required to do what is known as "VaisvadEvam" to rid them of sins of "himsa" incurred by them in their daily routines. Manu has identified that "himsa" can occur unwittingly at five spots listed the scriptures, namely, (i) "suLLee" - the Ovens, (ii) "pEshaNee" - the grinding stones, (iii) "upaskaree"- the winnowing instruments, (iv) "kaNTinee" –mortar and pestle and cutting plate and (v) "udakumbha" - water containers. "Panchasoonaah grihastasya suLLee pEshaNyupaskaree/ kanTinee sOdakumbhas cha" and "VaiswadEvas tu kartavyah panchasoonaapanuttayE" (Vide page537of Aahnika Grantha: of 45th PaTTam Azhagiya Singhar) This being so, would the scriptures permit "himsa" to plants? Though Hinduism does not place undue importance to "himsa" as Jains do, they take care to see that even any unintentional harm inevitably caused to living beings is at the minimal level. In fact, "ahimsa" is called the first among flowers: "ahimsa prathamam pushpam" "It has further been proved that in the case of plants, lifeline runs in the trunks in some cases, roots in others and seeds in yet others. These parts correspond to say, hairs on our head or the nails on our fingers or toes, which when cut or clipped do not entail any pain. That is why Saastras have prohibited cutting the plants at their respective lifelines – and this has been confirmed by modern Science" (Vide page 277 of "Hinduism Rediscovered"). Procedures have been prescribed as the times and manner in which TuLasi leaves. Flowers, Darbham etc could be plucked in tune with the above as also special mantras to expiate sins accruing from any unintentional harm done in the process. --- Q. 24. What is the difference between "Pavitram", "KoorchamDarbham", "Kucham" etc and what purposes do they serve? Ans: There are several kinds of grasses (vide Amarakosa, Sanskrit - English Dictionary of Monier Williams, English-Sanskrit Dictionary of Monier Williams, and A learner's Dictionary of The Sanskrit Education Society of Madras). Some of the names are as follows: Arjunam: (Terminalia Arjuna) Grass used as a substitute for Soma plant Asree: (no description available) BaalatruNam: Young shoots of a type of grass Dhoorvaa: Bent grass also known as Panicum Dactylon Javasa: (No description available) Kaneenikaa: (No description available) Khadah: (No description available) KatruNam: (No description available) Saadvala: (No description available) Kucham: (No description available) Kacham: (Saccharum Cylindricum) Kutha: (No description available) Sashpam: (No description available) TaarakaakshNa: Star eyed grass TruNam: a blade of grass, reed or straw, a useless part of grass Yaasa: Meadow or Pasture grass Yavasa: (No description available) --- The following terms occur during observance of religious practices: Bhugnam: Stems of grass manually twisted or bent to serve in offering waters (also known as Koorcham-See below) Darbha: A tuft or bunch of loose grass spread as a seat or for holding between fingers Koorcham: Bundle of grass, Handful of Kusa grass manually twisted or bent to serve in TarpaNams used in offering waters. Pavitram: itself means "pure"- Strands of grass made into the shape of a ring and worn on ring finger during religious rites and believed to ensure purity --- Regarding "Kucha", there is an interesting story: Sri Sita delivered a male child in the hermitage of Sage Vaalmiki. He was named "Lava". One day, Sri Sita entrusted Lava to the care of the Sage and went to have her bath in the nearby river. On her way she saw a few monkeys which were jumping hither and thither hugging their young ones. On seeing this, Sri Sita was smitten with remorse that while even the monkeys were so concerned about their babies, she herself had not even an iota of such concern for Lava and hurried back to the hermitage and took bay Lava with her. At that time the Sage was in a trance (Samadhi) and did not see what happened. When he woke up he noticed that the baby entrusted to his care was missing. Hurriedly, he made a baby out of Kusa grass and after breathing life into it (praaNa pratishTai), left it in the cradle. When Sri Sita returned, she was surprised to see another baby in the cradle and enquired the Sage about it. The Sage narrated the whole incident and told her "I have named him as "Kucha". Kucha is also your son as much as Lava. Take him" (Source: Kathaa sarit Saagaram, Alankaaravateelambakam quoted by Sri C.R. Srinivasa Iyengar Swami at Page 33 and 34) of his Notes on Uttara khaaNDam) --- Q. 25.What is the purpose and significance of wearing "PooNool"? Why do we wear it in different modes on different occasions? Ans: The purpose of "PooNool" is definitely NOT to serve as a key holder or as a back brush for scratching the back to relieve itching! In fact, sacred thread is so sacred, as the name indicates that nothing (other than munji") can be fastened to it under any circumstances. The Sacred thread (PooNool also called yagjnOpaveetam) is said to be absolutely pure and to have been born along with the four faced Brahma, the Creator - as can be seen from the mantram uttered while wearing it: "yagjnOpaveetam paramam pavitram. prajaapateh yat SAHA-JAM" (saha= Together with) and jam = born) It is worn in three different modes. (i) Upaveeti: The thread going round the body from the left shoulder to navel and back to the shoulder via our back. This is done during all `DEva kaaryams" (ii) "Praacheenaa veeti: The thread going round the body from the Right shoulder to the navel and back to the shoulder via our back. This is the opposite of "upa veeti" mode and is done during "pitru kaaryams" (iii) "Niveeti" is just wearing the thread as a garland around the neck. This is done during all other times (other than the above two).This is done when one goes to relieve bladder and easing. On such occasions, AnushTatas keep the sacred thread wound around their ear. Why around the ear? There are several reasons for this. (a) First, the ear is considered to be most sacred spot of all limbs. Vedas were "heard" from ether. Therefore, they are known as "Sruti" itself. (Those heard). Naturally, the auditory faculty is deemed the most sacred. (b) It is a known fact that it is this hearing faculty that a fetus in the womb acquires first and foremost. We know how Sage Naarada narrated the exploits of Bhagavaan to Prahlaada while in the womb of his mother which made Prahlaada an inveterate VishNu bhakta. We also know the story of Pareekshit who heard about the Lord also while at the womb of his mother. Thus, the importance of the ear as the favorite spot in human anatomy is found established. © Another reason elders used to say is that the river "Ganga" is flowing through the ear figuratively. A Sage who descended from Pururavas was disturbed by the passage of the river Ganga, and consequently drank up its waters. He after wards relented and allowed the stream to issue from his ear. Hence, Ganga is called Jaahnavi (daughter of Jaahnu) Vide p129 of "A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion" by John Dowson, published by Heritage Publishers, New Delhi, 1992) (d) The practical reason is that in those days, there were no "Rest rooms" as we understand them today. To prevent the sacred thread getting sullied by touching the ground, it is wound around the ear. (e) As an aside, we have an interesting point namely that when we cast away the worn out old thread, we use a Mantra containing a pure Sanskrit word that has got into what we now know as "Madras Baashai". Do you know what it is? This is the Mantram: "Upaveetam china dantum jeerNam `kasmala' dooshitam/ Visrujaami harE! Brahman! varchO dheergaayur astu mE" This is the word which means "soiled"! " Kasmaalam " -- Q. 26. Can we drink coffee? How about medicines? Are there any guidelines in the matter of taking food? Ans: Drinking Coffee was not known in ancient times. So, there does not appear to be any reference to it in any of our scriptures. It would be desirable to drink even milk and water only after doing morning SV. If the doctor prescribes for a life-threatening situation any medicines that cannot be taken on an empty stomach, one may meditate on Sriman NaaraayaNa, and then take the medicine with any permitted foods because a doctor is deemed to be equal to Sriman NarayaNa (VaidyO NaaraayaNO Harih) As for guidelines in the matter of taking food, they have been dealt with extensively in Chapter 15 "The Trigunas and the dietary regimen" in the book "Hinduism Rediscovered" This book of about 1000 pages is priced at Rs.480/= in India and US 4 48.00 Ex-India. Those who desire to acquire a copy may contact me at Ramanbil --- To Continue ===================================================================== xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ===================================================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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