Guest guest Posted November 17, 2007 Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 || Sree || We have to undertake a number of rituals in our quest for God, like worship, paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to marriage. We are also required to wear a holy thread. My question is what is the spiritual or religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. My main concern is that one should not do a ritual or anything for that matter without knowing the reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot progress spiritually. Hence the above query. Gurucharani a.d. tapkire ------ Gita Talk Guidelines FROM THE MODERATOR The following are the guidelines for Gita-Talk discussions. 1. Purpose of the group is to help Sadhaks clarify their doubts related to Gita shlokas. For responses to be posted, they must further clarify the understanding of Gitaji. 2. Wherever possible, please quote Gitaji or other scriptures to substantiate the response 3. Please limit personal feelings, opinions, beliefs etc. 4. Kindly make your responses concise and to the point. (Up to twenty line maximum, if possible). 5. Please limit discussions to subject at hand. 6. Please do not include links to other sites or other organizations 7. Please do not include your personal information such as phone number, address etc. 8. Kindly do not address the response to a particular individual, since the message is going to the entire group. 9. Due to a large readership, not all responses will be posted. 10. Moderator at his discretion, may modify the posting, if content is unclear or not appropriate for distribution to the group. 11. Please respond taking into consideration novices, youth, westerners, non-secterian audience. Please limit the use on only sanskrit words, and provide the english word with sanskrit bracketed wherever possible. MODERATOR Ram Ram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 || Om Namaha Shivaya || In fact, wearing a holy thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering sacred thread means binding the expanse of the brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by it activate principle of God from the universe. This principle is attributeless. This then functions for the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards God through the medium of the ‘with attributes’ frequencies. The sacred thread represents the silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred thread is an important process of interaction of duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual science behind any religious rite, we get more spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite becomes an exercise in futility. At Guru's Lotus Feet, Sanatansurya On Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire wrote : >|| Sree || > > We have to undertake a number of rituals in our quest for God, like worship, paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to marriage. We are also required to wear a holy thread. My question is what is the spiritual or religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. My main concern is that one should not do a ritual or anything for that matter without knowing the reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot progress spiritually. Hence the above query. > > Gurucharani > a.d. tapkire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 On Nov 30, 2007 1:19 PM, Arvind Tapkire wrote: || Sree || Though the reply seems to be logical, it is difficult to understand a few concepts mentioned therein. I fail to understand what is the 'frequencies' and 'God principle'. This seems to be a valuable piece of information. Which scripture contains this information? To the best of my knowledge, there is no mention of this in the Gita. Will you please throw some light on this ? Gurucharani a.d. tapkire The sacred thread is supposed to remind us of many noble threes: our three obligations (ruNas), thrikataNa shuddhi (Purity of mind, words and deeds) etc. and our connection to Brahman (Brahma granti- the knot): Obligation to devas (deva ruNa)= spirit of sacrifice Obligation to parents (maataa pitR ruNa)= raise at least one child (through proper channel) and Obligation to teachers/masters (RSHi ruNa)= Learn something. After marriage, another set of 3 is added on behalf of saha dharmiNI (wife). K.S. tAtAchAr Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya > wrote: "Sanatan Talapade" <sanatansurya28 Nov 2007 17:09:31 -0000Re: Holy thread - What is it's significance ? || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering sacred thread means binding the expanse of the brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by it activate principle of God from the universe. This principle is attributeless. This then functions for the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards God through the medium of the 'with attributes' frequencies. The sacred thread represents the silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred thread is an important process of interaction of duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual science behind any religious rite, we get more spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite becomes an exercise in futility. At Guru's Lotus Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number of rituals in our quest for God, like worship, paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to marriage. We are also required to wear a holy thread. My question is what is the spiritual or religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. My main concern is that one should not do a ritual or anything for that matter without knowing the reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot progress spiritually. Hence the above query. >> Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 The word sacred or holy itself reveals the meaning. The thread worn during certain yagnas or poojas keeps the person who wears it sacred during that period. The thread worn after pronouncing mantras cleanses the aura of that person temporarily during that period. Without such cleaning aura, the yagna becomes incomplete. B.Sathyanarayan ----------- dear devotees and sadhakas, Hinduism can be easily grasped and appreciate if we start questioning, inquiring and understanding all the symbols. It may be a good idea to list at least 10 symbols and discuss them in this group. Women too wear the sacred thread, even today. The thread signifies that you have taken second birth which is enlightenment on spiritual matters and you are moving Godwards. Every parent has the responsibility of educating their children on spiritual matters. What is going to be very valuable for life is not our big degrees but to get the training to : - face difficulties and threatening circumstances like loss of dear and near ones, - recoup oneself from failures and to grow withe the positive attitude - realise that you have the ALMIGHTY by your side and ready to listen to your command The list is endless. In the language of spiritually evolved man, the goals of pursuing spiritual life is to live in the presence of GOD. regards, sridharan pillai -- Isnt the holy thread restricted for non-brahmins? can they also wear it in their daily life? Nandakumar Selvaraj -- Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya wrote: || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering sacred thread means binding the expanse of the brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by it activate principle of God from the universe. This principle is attributeless. This then functions for the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards God through the medium of the ‘with attributes’ frequencies. The sacred thread represents the silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred thread is an important process of interaction of duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual science behind any religious rite, we get more spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite becomes an exercise in futility.At Guru's Lotus Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number of rituals in our quest for God, like worship, paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to marriage. We are also required to wear a holy thread. My question is what is the spiritual or religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. My main concern is that one should not do a ritual or anything for that matter without knowing the reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot progress spiritually. Hence the above query.>> Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire 5, 50, 500, 5000 - Store N number of mails in your inbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2007 Report Share Posted December 4, 2007 Dear Devotees: Sacred Threads are invested and the ceremony is performed at the ages between 7 and 10. It is regarded as a spiritual birth for the child. The head is shaved which denotes all Vikarmas (bad karma) are gone. Three strands of cotton threads are hung diagonally over the left shoulder to the opposite hip. The cotton threads are tied with Brahma Granthi (spiritual knot) and are replaced every year. The three strands symbolize person's duties to God, Parents, and Guru; OR the three Gods - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; OR a reminder to control actions, speech, and thoughts. The person is now considered an Adult, so that at the ceremony the Guru teaches important prayers and rituals. Usually Gayatri mantra is taught which must be recited everyday of the year for life. Regards Ashok Shukla The three strands of the yajnopavita represent the three debts that we are born with, and which we must try to redeem or pay in our lives: 1. Debt to Devatas: This is repaid by puja, yajna etc 2. Debt to Rishis: This is repaid by studying our shastras and teaching them to others 3. Debt to our Ancestors: This is repaid by marraige and producing children so as to continue our lineage. In addition, the Mahabharata talks of the fourth debt: Debt to humans in general. This repaid by fulfilling our social obligations, by charity and so on. Sometimes after marraige, the husband changes his three strand thread to a seven strand thread meaning that he is responsible for his three debts as well as three debts of his wife. (3+3 = 6). Then the seventh strand symbolizes union of these two sets into one, meaning the wife and husband jointly discharge their debts after their marry. Vishal Agarwal From: baiya07_sathyaDate: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 07:39:24 +0000Re: Holy thread - What is it's significance ? The word sacred or holy itself reveals the meaning. The thread worn during certain yagnas or poojas keeps the person who wears it sacred during that period. The thread worn after pronouncing mantras cleanses the aura of that person temporarily during that period. Without such cleaning aura, the yagna becomes incomplete. B.Sathyanarayan----------- dear devotees and sadhakas, Hinduism can be easily grasped and appreciate if we start questioning, inquiring and understanding all the symbols. It may be a good idea to list at least 10 symbols and discuss them in this group. Women too wear the sacred thread, even today. The thread signifies that you have taken second birth which is enlightenment on spiritual matters and you are moving Godwards. Every parent has the responsibility of educating their children on spiritual matters. What is going to be very valuable for life is not our big degrees but to get the training to : - face difficulties and threatening circumstances like loss of dear and near ones, - recoup oneself from failures and to grow withe the positive attitude - realise that you have the ALMIGHTY by your side and ready to listen to your command The list is endless. In the language of spiritually evolved man, the goals of pursuing spiritual life is to live in the presence of GOD. regards, sridharan pillai -- Isnt the holy thread restricted for non-brahmins? can they also wear it in their daily life? Nandakumar Selvaraj -- Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya (AT) rediffmail (DOT) com> wrote: || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering sacred thread means binding the expanse of the brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by it activate principle of God from the universe. This principle is attributeless. This then functions for the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards God through the medium of the ‘with attributes’ frequencies. The sacred thread represents the silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred thread is an important process of interaction of duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual science behind any religious rite, we get more spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite becomes an exercise in futility.At Guru's Lotus Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number of rituals in our quest for God, like worship, paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to marriage. We are also required to wear a holy thread. My question is what is the spiritual or religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. My main concern is that one should not do a ritual or anything for that matter without knowing the reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot progress spiritually. Hence the above query.>> Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Dear Group, My quest is that the sacred thread is in symbol of spiritual maturity, with duty bound to God and elders. Action, word and thought should be pure. What if one fails in this aspect, is it not futile to have the thread as santity ? No regrets, Paul Ponniah. ---------- <p> Holy thread used during certain yagas, poojas are to sanctify the user only during that short period. If one can take a photo by Kerlion camara, the aura around him will be differant with holy thread and without thread. This holy thread is given after giving threetha saying Govindhaya Namaha, Kesavaya Namaha, Acthudaya Namaha. This temporarily purifies the person performing pooja. B.Sathyanarayan <p> --- Ashok Shukla <ashokshukla60 wrote: > Dear Devotees: > > Sacred Threads are invested and the ceremony is > performed at the ages between 7 and 10. It is > regarded as a spiritual birth for the child. The > head is shaved which denotes all Vikarmas (bad > karma) are gone. Three strands of cotton threads are > hung diagonally over the left shoulder to the > opposite hip. The cotton threads are tied with > Brahma Granthi (spiritual knot) and are replaced > every year. The three strands symbolize person's > duties to God, Parents, and Guru; OR the three Gods > - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; OR a reminder to > control actions, speech, and thoughts. The person is > now considered an Adult, so that at the ceremony the > Guru teaches important prayers and rituals. Usually > Gayatri mantra is taught which must be recited > everyday of the year for life. > > Regards > Ashok Shukla > > > : > baiya07_sathya: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 > 07:39:24 +0000Re: Holy thread - > What is it's significance ? > > > > > > The word sacred or holy itself reveals the meaning. > The thread worn during certain yagnas or poojas > keeps the person who wears it sacred during that > period. The thread worn after pronouncing mantras > cleanses the aura of that person temporarily during > that period. Without such cleaning aura, the yagna > becomes incomplete. > B.Sathyanarayan--------------------------------\ ------------ > dear devotees and sadhakas, > Hinduism can be easily grasped and appreciate if we > start questioning, inquiring and understanding all > the symbols. It may be a good idea to list at least > 10 symbols and discuss them in this group. > Women too wear the sacred thread, even today. > The thread signifies that you have taken second > birth which is enlightenment on spiritual matters > and you are moving Godwards. > Every parent has the responsibility of educating > their children on spiritual matters. What is going > to be very valuable for life is not our big degrees > but to get the training to : > - face difficulties and threatening circumstances > like loss of dear and near ones, > - recoup oneself from failures and to grow withe the > positive attitude > - realise that you have the ALMIGHTY by your side > and ready to listen to your command > The list is endless. > In the language of spiritually evolved man, the > goals of pursuing spiritual life is to live in the > presence of GOD. > regards, > sridharan pillai > -- > Isnt the holy thread restricted for non-brahmins? > can they also wear it in their daily life? > Nandakumar Selvaraj > -- > Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya > wrote: > > > > || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy > thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual > meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the > deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering > sacred thread means binding the expanse of the > brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred > thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the > sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with > mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by > it activate principle of God from the universe. This > principle is attributeless. This then functions for > the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards > God through the medium of the ‘with attributes’ > frequencies. The sacred thread represents the > silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the > embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred > thread is an important process of interaction of > duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread > after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with > the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the > deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama > attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure > for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by > the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind > the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual > science behind any religious rite, we get more > spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite > becomes an exercise in futility.At Guru's Lotus > Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire > wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number > of rituals in our quest for God, like worship, > paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from > a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to > marriage. We are also required to wear a holy > thread. My question is what is the spiritual or > religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. > My main concern is that one should not do a ritual > or anything for that matter without knowing the > reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind > faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not > have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot > progress spiritually. Hence the above query.>> > Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 || Sree || Yes, one's actions, words and thoughts should be pure. If one fails in these aspects, it is futile to wear a sacred thread. The main function of the sacred thread is to keep reminding this over and over again to our mind. Out mind is fickle. It is never constant. It hops from one object to another persistently like a monkey. It requires external force to make it steady at one place. The sacred thread is the external force which keeps reminding one's mind to be steady and be always on the path of purity i.e. Sattvikta through one's actions, words and thoughts. After all the purity (Sattvikta) alone will lead one to the Final Liberation (Moksha). Gurucharani a.d. tapkire -- If the holy thread is necessarily linked to the chanting of the Gayatri mantra, then there is a problem - as Brahma himself is supposed to have lapsed in its recitation in one Sandhya (The Gayatri mantra is required to be chanted Tri-Sandhya). This was the reason he was deemed unfit to perform the initiation rites of Akala-Bodhana of Durga by Rama, and actually Ravana was found to be the better Brahmin (Ref: Valmiki Ramayana). The reason for Brahma's lapse is also explicitly described, but I will skip it here for the sake of good taste. The story is a very good illustration of the essence behind perfection as described in Vedic and Vedantic texts. It is more about the inner spiritual qualities and not about external material or ritualistic practice. Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I remember, nowhere in the original Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads, (which are the most concerned about the "Brahman") the sacred thread is mentioned as an essential part of "knowing" Brahman. (Here I am distinguishing between the anglicized word Brahmin, the supposed Dwija or human follower, and "Br(o)hman" in its Sanskritic version as the "one and all-encompassing one"). How many holders of the sacred thread can guarantee that they had not even once in their life had impure thoughts like The Brahma as described in Ramayana? And if Ramayana's Brahma could have such thoughts, why can't modern Brahmins wearing sacred threads ritually, have the similar thoughts? A lot of confusion behind which ignorance and petty human feelings of superiority by birth takes shelter, could perhaps be cleared by reading the original Sanskrit texts, whose core conclusion is that all human beings are merely, and supremely "Amritasya Putra" - a thread cannot surpass that identity. dikgajone -- How many Hindus and their children go through these ceremonies and in fact have these symbols of the Hindu religion of yore; Perhaps it is enough to remember them, mention their importance and discuss these; and that's the end of the story.Sher Agrawal -- shiny rozario <shinyrozario wrote: Dear Group,My quest is that the sacred thread is in symbol ofspiritual maturity, with duty bound to God and elders.Action, word and thought should be pure. What if onefails in this aspect, is it not futile to have thethread as santity ? No regrets,Paul Ponniah.------------------------- <p>Holy thread used during certain yagas, poojas are to sanctify the user only during that short period. If one can take a photo by Kerlion camara, the aura around him will be differant with holy thread and without thread. This holy thread is given after giving threetha saying Govindhaya Namaha, Kesavaya Namaha, Acthudaya Namaha. This temporarily purifies the person performing pooja.B.Sathyanarayan <p>--- Ashok Shukla <ashokshukla60 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:> Dear Devotees:> > Sacred Threads are invested and the ceremony is> performed at the ages between 7 and 10. It is> regarded as a spiritual birth for the child. The> head is shaved which denotes all Vikarmas (bad> karma) are gone. Three strands of cotton threads are> hung diagonally over the left shoulder to the> opposite hip. The cotton threads are tied with> Brahma Granthi (spiritual knot) and are replaced> every year. The three strands symbolize person's> duties to God, Parents, and Guru; OR the three Gods> - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; OR a reminder to> control actions, speech, and thoughts. The person is> now considered an Adult, so that at the ceremony the> Guru teaches important prayers and rituals. Usually> Gayatri mantra is taught which must be recited> everyday of the year for life.> > Regards> Ashok Shukla> > > From:> baiya07_sathya (AT) (DOT) co.inDate: Sun, 2 Dec 2007> 07:39:24 +0000Re: Holy thread -> What is it's significance ?> > > > > > The word sacred or holy itself reveals the meaning.> The thread worn during certain yagnas or poojas> keeps the person who wears it sacred during that> period. The thread worn after pronouncing mantras> cleanses the aura of that person temporarily during> that period. Without such cleaning aura, the yagna> becomes incomplete.>B.Sathyanarayan-------------------------> dear devotees and sadhakas,> Hinduism can be easily grasped and appreciate if we> start questioning, inquiring and understanding all> the symbols. It may be a good idea to list at least> 10 symbols and discuss them in this group.> Women too wear the sacred thread, even today.> The thread signifies that you have taken second> birth which is enlightenment on spiritual matters> and you are moving Godwards.> Every parent has the responsibility of educating> their children on spiritual matters. What is going> to be very valuable for life is not our big degrees> but to get the training to :> - face difficulties and threatening circumstances> like loss of dear and near ones,> - recoup oneself from failures and to grow withe the> positive attitude> - realise that you have the ALMIGHTY by your side> and ready to listen to your command> The list is endless.> In the language of spiritually evolved man, the> goals of pursuing spiritual life is to live in the> presence of GOD.> regards,> sridharan pillai>-------------------------> Isnt the holy thread restricted for non-brahmins?> can they also wear it in their daily life?> Nandakumar Selvaraj>-------------------------> Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya (AT) rediffmail (DOT) com>> wrote:> > > > || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy> thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual> meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the> deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering> sacred thread means binding the expanse of the> brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred> thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the> sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with> mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by> it activate principle of God from the universe. This> principle is attributeless. This then functions for> the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards> God through the medium of the ‘with attributes’> frequencies. The sacred thread represents the> silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the> embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred> thread is an important process of interaction of> duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread> after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with> the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the> deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama> attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure> for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by> the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind> the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual> science behind any religious rite, we get more> spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite> becomes an exercise in futility.At Guru's Lotus> Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire> wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number> of rituals in our quest for God, like worship,> paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from> a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to> marriage. We are also required to wear a holy> thread. My question is what is the spiritual or> religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. > My main concern is that one should not do a ritual> or anything for that matter without knowing the> reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind> faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not> have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot> progress spiritually. Hence the above query.>> > Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire Get the freedom to save as many mails as you wish. Click here to know how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 Srii The sacred thread is a bond between man and God, wherein man has the duty to live upto his morals and maintain certain dignity and follow regular rituals in connection with worship. Failure to adhere to any one of these is a sin, and the thread is a constant reminder of his faith and his covenant with the Almighty. Shivashankar Rajiv Pillai From: arvind_tapkireDate: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 11:32:47 +0000RE: Holy thread - What is it's significance ? || Sree || Yes, one's actions, words and thoughts should be pure. If one fails in these aspects, it is futile to wear a sacred thread. The main function of the sacred thread is to keep reminding this over and over again to our mind. Out mind is fickle. It is never constant. It hops from one object to another persistently like a monkey. It requires external force to make it steady at one place. The sacred thread is the external force which keeps reminding one's mind to be steady and be always on the path of purity i.e. Sattvikta through one's actions, words and thoughts. After all the purity (Sattvikta) alone will lead one to the Final Liberation (Moksha). Gurucharani a.d. tapkire -- If the holy thread is necessarily linked to the chanting of the Gayatri mantra, then there is a problem - as Brahma himself is supposed to have lapsed in its recitation in one Sandhya (The Gayatri mantra is required to be chanted Tri-Sandhya). This was the reason he was deemed unfit to perform the initiation rites of Akala-Bodhana of Durga by Rama, and actually Ravana was found to be the better Brahmin (Ref: Valmiki Ramayana). The reason for Brahma's lapse is also explicitly described, but I will skip it here for the sake of good taste. The story is a very good illustration of the essence behind perfection as described in Vedic and Vedantic texts. It is more about the inner spiritual qualities and not about external material or ritualistic practice. Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I remember, nowhere in the original Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads, (which are the most concerned about the "Brahman") the sacred thread is mentioned as an essential part of "knowing" Brahman. (Here I am distinguishing between the anglicized word Brahmin, the supposed Dwija or human follower, and "Br(o)hman" in its Sanskritic version as the "one and all-encompassing one"). How many holders of the sacred thread can guarantee that they had not even once in their life had impure thoughts like The Brahma as described in Ramayana? And if Ramayana's Brahma could have such thoughts, why can't modern Brahmins wearing sacred threads ritually, have the similar thoughts? A lot of confusion behind which ignorance and petty human feelings of superiority by birth takes shelter, could perhaps be cleared by reading the original Sanskrit texts, whose core conclusion is that all human beings are merely, and supremely "Amritasya Putra" - a thread cannot surpass that identity. dikgajone -- How many Hindus and their children go through these ceremonies and in fact have these symbols of the Hindu religion of yore; Perhaps it is enough to remember them, mention their importance and discuss these; and that's the end of the story. Sher Agrawal -- shiny rozario <shinyrozario > wrote: Dear Group,My quest is that the sacred thread is in symbol ofspiritual maturity, with duty bound to God and elders.Action, word and thought should be pure. What if onefails in this aspect, is it not futile to have thethread as santity ? No regrets,Paul Ponniah.------------------------- <p>Holy thread used during certain yagas, poojas are to sanctify the user only during that short period. If one can take a photo by Kerlion camara, the aura around him will be differant with holy thread and without thread. This holy thread is given after giving threetha saying Govindhaya Namaha, Kesavaya Namaha, Acthudaya Namaha. This temporarily purifies the person performing pooja.B.Sathyanarayan <p>--- Ashok Shukla <ashokshukla60 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:> Dear Devotees:> > Sacred Threads are invested and the ceremony is> performed at the ages between 7 and 10. It is> regarded as a spiritual birth for the child. The> head is shaved which denotes all Vikarmas (bad> karma) are gone. Three strands of cotton threads are> hung diagonally over the left shoulder to the> opposite hip. The cotton threads are tied with> Brahma Granthi (spiritual knot) and are replaced> every year. The three strands symbolize person's> duties to God, Parents, and Guru; OR the three Gods> - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; OR a reminder to> control actions, speech, and thoughts. The person is> now considered an Adult, so that at the ceremony the> Guru teaches important prayers and rituals. Usually> Gayatri mantra is taught which must be recited> everyday of the year for life.> > Regards> Ashok Shukla> > > From:> baiya07_sathya (AT) (DOT) co.inDate: Sun, 2 Dec 2007> 07:39:24 +0000Re: Holy thread -> What is it's significance ?> > > > > > The word sacred or holy itself reveals the meaning.> The thread worn during certain yagnas or poojas> keeps the person who wears it sacred during that> period. The thread worn after pronouncing mantras> cleanses the aura of that person temporarily during> that period. Without such cleaning aura, the yagna> becomes incomplete.>B.Sathyanarayan-------------------------> dear devotees and sadhakas,> Hinduism can be easily grasped and appreciate if we> start questioning, inquiring and understanding all> the symbols. It may be a good idea to list at least> 10 symbols and discuss them in this group.> Women too wear the sacred thread, even today.> The thread signifies that you have taken second> birth which is enlightenment on spiritual matters> and you are moving Godwards.> Every parent has the responsibility of educating> their children on spiritual matters. What is going> to be very valuable for life is not our big degrees> but to get the training to :> - face difficulties and threatening circumstances> like loss of dear and near ones,> - recoup oneself from failures and to grow withe the> positive attitude> - realise that you have the ALMIGHTY by your side> and ready to listen to your command> The list is endless.> In the language of spiritually evolved man, the> goals of pursuing spiritual life is to live in the> presence of GOD.> regards,> sridharan pillai>-------------------------> Isnt the holy thread restricted for non-brahmins?> can they also wear it in their daily life?> Nandakumar Selvaraj>-------------------------> Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya (AT) rediffmail (DOT) com>> wrote:> > > > || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy> thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual> meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the> deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering> sacred thread means binding the expanse of the> brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred> thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the> sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with> mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by> it activate principle of God from the universe. This> principle is attributeless. This then functions for> the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards> God through the medium of the ‘with attributes’> frequencies. The sacred thread represents the> silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the> embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred> thread is an important process of interaction of> duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread> after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with> the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the> deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama> attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure> for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by> the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind> the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual> science behind any religious rite, we get more> spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite> becomes an exercise in futility.At Guru's Lotus> Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire> wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number> of rituals in our quest for God, like worship,> paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from> a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to> marriage. We are also required to wear a holy> thread. My question is what is the spiritual or> religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. > My main concern is that one should not do a ritual> or anything for that matter without knowing the> reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind> faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not> have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot> progress spiritually. Hence the above query.>> > Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire Get the freedom to save as many mails as you wish. Click here to know how. It’s about getting married. Click here! Try it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 My belief that God is a Positive Energy that helps in growing goodness. Mind holds this power. So psychology plays a great role in the correctness of religion. Holy Thread being considered a teachers symbol of creating goodness in our society should have a basic principle of goodness in the person. Therefore the power of mind developed in a person could help in destroying the society if the person has negative qualities. The thread again helps in reminding and helping one from deviating into negativeness. A Brahmin is a teacher first but due to his being ruled by the senses he teaches his son more than the others and thus makes the profession a family trade. The stories are examples to depict Good and Bad. -- RegardsSwapan PURKAYASTHA ------- Mantras, threads, rituals, flags, headgears, pujas, tantras, meditations, books, bhajans, going to temples, praying,.......etc. All are reminders and techniques for the "Contrast Mind" - Mind which constantly compares, judges, gives a running commentary...on everything that goes on outside and inside.....Never stops makes you sad, unhappy, happy, looses, wins, changing status minute to minute. and it wants to be happy all the time.....not knowing where to get the true happiness.... These reminders help you to quiten the Contrast Mind and let you know your self....at least have a glimps..... But Understanding the Mind is the key......Transformation begins as you understand.... Purity starts coming ones you understand the play from high up there....... Glimpes can raise its interest, understanding begins to transform and as the process of understanding progresses.......one go towards the goal of knowing your self and stabilizing there..... Sushil Jain --------- Namaskara, With all these answers, I tend to have more questions. Why not all hindus wear these threads in their daily life? Why is that only the purohit wears it? Isnt this thread all encompassing one, the lowest of the low castes, who are excluded from mingling with others, are they allowed to use it and allowed to recite the mantras? Regards Nanda ---- Sacred thread is of no use for a person with oerfection. Jesus, Buddha or Sri Krishna need not wear it. One needs to know that this thread is for normal man who is ignorant of Vedic Dharmas. Atleast at the time of certain Yagna this tread worn helps to stabilise Mantras In Bible old testoment it is said that earth is square which means 4 Yugas. Also it said about Noah` s Arch (Boat) in which Noah carried many spices of amnimals and his family. Same said in Vishnupuran. Men need not debate and be deicated to his own religion teachings and put them in practice. B.Sathyanarayan ---- On 08/12/2007, Arvind Tapkire < arvind_tapkire wrote: || Sree || Yes, one's actions, words and thoughts should be pure. If one fails in these aspects, it is futile to wear a sacred thread. The main function of the sacred thread is to keep reminding this over and over again to our mind. Out mind is fickle. It is never constant. It hops from one object to another persistently like a monkey. It requires external force to make it steady at one place. The sacred thread is the external force which keeps reminding one's mind to be steady and be always on the path of purity i.e. Sattvikta through one's actions, words and thoughts. After all the purity (Sattvikta) alone will lead one to the Final Liberation (Moksha). Gurucharani a.d. tapkire -- If the holy thread is necessarily linked to the chanting of the Gayatri mantra, then there is a problem - as Brahma himself is supposed to have lapsed in its recitation in one Sandhya (The Gayatri mantra is required to be chanted Tri-Sandhya). This was the reason he was deemed unfit to perform the initiation rites of Akala-Bodhana of Durga by Rama, and actually Ravana was found to be the better Brahmin (Ref: Valmiki Ramayana). The reason for Brahma's lapse is also explicitly described, but I will skip it here for the sake of good taste. The story is a very good illustration of the essence behind perfection as described in Vedic and Vedantic texts. It is more about the inner spiritual qualities and not about external material or ritualistic practice. Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I remember, nowhere in the original Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads, (which are the most concerned about the " Brahman " ) the sacred thread is mentioned as an essential part of " knowing " Brahman. (Here I am distinguishing between the anglicized word Brahmin, the supposed Dwija or human follower, and " Br(o)hman " in its Sanskritic version as the " one and all-encompassing one " ). How many holders of the sacred thread can guarantee that they had not even once in their life had impure thoughts like The Brahma as described in Ramayana? And if Ramayana's Brahma could have such thoughts, why can't modern Brahmins wearing sacred threads ritually, have the similar thoughts? A lot of confusion behind which ignorance and petty human feelings of superiority by birth takes shelter, could perhaps be cleared by reading the original Sanskrit texts, whose core conclusion is that all human beings are merely, and supremely " Amritasya Putra " - a thread cannot surpass that identity. dikgajone -- How many Hindus and their children go through these ceremonies and in fact have these symbols of the Hindu religion of yore; Perhaps it is enough to remember them, mention their importance and discuss these; and that's the end of the story.Sher Agrawal -- shiny rozario <shinyrozario wrote: Dear Group,My quest is that the sacred thread is in symbol ofspiritual maturity, with duty bound to God and elders.Action, word and thought should be pure. What if onefails in this aspect, is it not futile to have the thread as santity ? No regrets,Paul Ponniah.------------------------- <p>Holy thread used during certain yagas, poojas are to sanctify the user only during that short period. If one can take a photo by Kerlion camara, the aura around him will be differant with holy thread and without thread. This holy thread is given after giving threetha saying Govindhaya Namaha, Kesavaya Namaha, Acthudaya Namaha. This temporarily purifies the person performing pooja. B.Sathyanarayan <p>--- Ashok Shukla <ashokshukla60 wrote: > Dear Devotees:> > Sacred Threads are invested and the ceremony is> performed at the ages between 7 and 10. It is> regarded as a spiritual birth for the child. The> head is shaved which denotes all Vikarmas (bad > karma) are gone. Three strands of cotton threads are> hung diagonally over the left shoulder to the> opposite hip. The cotton threads are tied with> Brahma Granthi (spiritual knot) and are replaced > every year. The three strands symbolize person's> duties to God, Parents, and Guru; OR the three Gods> - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; OR a reminder to> control actions, speech, and thoughts. The person is> now considered an Adult, so that at the ceremony the> Guru teaches important prayers and rituals. Usually > Gayatri mantra is taught which must be recited> everyday of the year for life.> > Regards> Ashok Shukla> > > :> baiya07_sathya: Sun, 2 Dec 2007> 07:39:24 +0000Re: Holy thread - > What is it's significance ?> > > > > > The word sacred or holy itself reveals the meaning.> The thread worn during certain yagnas or poojas> keeps the person who wears it sacred during that > period. The thread worn after pronouncing mantras> cleanses the aura of that person temporarily during> that period. Without such cleaning aura, the yagna> becomes incomplete.>B.Sathyanarayan------------------------- > dear devotees and sadhakas,> Hinduism can be easily grasped and appreciate if we> start questioning, inquiring and understanding all> the symbols. It may be a good idea to list at least> 10 symbols and discuss them in this group. > Women too wear the sacred thread, even today.> The thread signifies that you have taken second> birth which is enlightenment on spiritual matters> and you are moving Godwards.> Every parent has the responsibility of educating > their children on spiritual matters. What is going> to be very valuable for life is not our big degrees> but to get the training to :> - face difficulties and threatening circumstances> like loss of dear and near ones,> - recoup oneself from failures and to grow withe the> positive attitude> - realise that you have the ALMIGHTY by your side > and ready to listen to your command> The list is endless.> In the language of spiritually evolved man, the> goals of pursuing spiritual life is to live in the> presence of GOD.> regards, > sridharan pillai>-------------------------> Isnt the holy thread restricted for non-brahmins?> can they also wear it in their daily life?> Nandakumar Selvaraj >-------------------------> Sanatan Talapade <sanatansurya >> wrote:> > > > || Om Namaha Shivaya ||In fact, wearing a holy> thread is not a blind faith. It has a spiritual> meaning. The sacred thread is first offered to the> deity and then worn by the worshipper. Offering> sacred thread means binding the expanse of the > brilliance of deities in the rounds of the sacred> thread and evoking It to function in duality. As the> sacred thread is made of thread and is enriched with> mantra-energy, the frequencies of sound emitted by > it activate principle of God from the universe. This> principle is attributeless. This then functions for> the worshipper as per its spiritual emotion towards> God through the medium of the 'with attributes' > frequencies. The sacred thread represents the> silvery link between God(i.e. non duality) and the> embodied soul (i.e.duality). Offering the sacred> thread is an important process of interaction of > duality-non duality. Wearing this sacred thread> after the ritualistic worship endows the wearer with> the Sattva predominant divine consciousness of the> deity. Man is a mixture of Sattva, Raja and Tama > attributes. But he required Sattva in more measure> for doing a religious ritual and it is provided by> the sacred thread. This is spiritual reason behind> the sacred thread. If we understand the spiritual > science behind any religious rite, we get more> spiritual benefit from the rite, otherwise the rite> becomes an exercise in futility.At Guru's Lotus> Feet,SanatansuryaOn Sat, 17 Nov 2007 Arvind Tapkire > wrote :>|| Sree ||>> We have to undertake a number> of rituals in our quest for God, like worship,> paying obeisance in temples, doing Aarti apart from> a number of Sanskars right from one's birth to > marriage. We are also required to wear a holy> thread. My question is what is the spiritual or> religious reason behind wearing of the holy thread. > My main concern is that one should not do a ritual> or anything for that matter without knowing the > reason behind that. Otherwise it amounts to blind> faith. Blind faith and superstitions should not> have place in our spiritual practice. Else we cannot> progress spiritually. Hence the above query.>> > Gurucharani> a.d. tapkire Get the freedom to save as many mails as you wish. Click here to know how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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