Articles by "Spirituality"
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- Saturday, July 18, 2020 0
To make the verses more understandable for the current generation, city-based consultant Dhanasekarapandian M has started a series on Instagram called Anthology of Rhetorics. He interweaves Sage’s verses with screenshots and soundtracks. “This is my techno tribute to Thirukkural. Many in today’s generation are unable to understand or decode the kurals.
I thought of making it easier for them to understand. It is a collaborative work — I collect screenshots of works done by various artists and try and find out a suitable verse from Thirukkural that will better describe the screenshot. Instead of giving too many colours, I decided to go with a two-colour palette for the series,” says Dhanasekarapandian.

Considered one of the greatest works on ethics and morality, Thirukkural is known for its universality and secular nature. “Once we understand what exactly the text is trying to convey, then it is easier for people to read. I was introduced to Tamil literature and Thirukkural by my grandfather. I keep reading the kurals and now I have a better understanding of the book. Whenever I read it, I try to get visual imagery about the couplet. Later, when I see any interesting artworks that can be matched to a kural, I get permission from the artist and share that particular image with the apt kural,” he explains.

Dhanasekarapandian agrees that there are many talented artists and social media has helped him bring out their talent to the spotlight. “Sometimes, it will be just visuals along with the kurals. There are a few artists who also share soundtracks,” he says.
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- Saturday, July 18, 2020 0
While the height of all Ganesh idols in public celebrations across the state shall be restricted to four feet, those in homes will be limited to only two feet this year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has also recommended people to use marble or metal idols, and if clay or other materials are used, then perform the 'visarjan' (immersion) ceremonies either at homes or in artificial ponds, as per the notification by Principal Secretary, Special, Home, Amitabh Gupta.

The guidelines further said that wherever possible, people should postpone the immersion ceremonies to the Maghi Ganeshotsav coming up in February 2021 or the next year's Ganeshotsav, starting from September 9, 2021.

All processions have already been banned, either for welcoming the elephant-headed God or for his immersion ceremonies, besides barring immersion at any public place like beaches, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.

The public organisers have been urged to make all arrangements possible to provide online Ganesh darshan, puja, arti, etc. through cable, websites or social media networks.

The guidelines stipulate cleanliness, fumigation, sanitisation, no crowds at all venues - public or community or private - with special attention to the health of children and senior citizens.

Last month, following an appeal by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, all the top public organisers had voluntarily decided to reduce the height of their gigantic Ganesh idols to around four feet this year, and others had committed to no-frills, subdued, simple celebrations focusing on faith rather than pomp. (IANS report, June 23).

Some, including the organisers of the famed Lalbaugcha Raja, decided to forego the celebrations and instead will convert Ganeshotsav into an 'Arogyautsav' (health fest) with special health campaigns, blood and plasma donations and other social activities, the committee members announced.

These and other developments are "unprecedented in the 127-year old history of Ganeshotsav in the state, a tradition started in a modest way by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Pune in 1893", according to BrihanMumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti President Naresh Dahibhavkar.

However, all the organisers have decided to adhere to the norms, given the extraordinary circumstances created by the pandemic this year, and earnestly hope that the situation will be different in 2021.

Maharashtra's biggest public festival - which attracts people cutting across religious lines and tourists from around the world - is celebrated all over, but the celebrations in Mumbai, Pune and the coastal Konkan are among the chief attractions.
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- Saturday, July 18, 2020 0
This divine and pious month is known to be a sacred month devotionally dedicated to 'Lord Shiva' and depicted as the wielder of power and sovereignty and his consort the 'Goddess Parvati' is 'Shakti' embodying the active dynamic energy of Shiva. Together they bring "creative destruction" -- for the sole purpose of regeneration, transmutation and spiritual transformation.
As per the mythology, the auspicious act of 'Samudra Manthan' - war between Gods and demons took place in this holy month which emphasized upon the importance of Lord Shiva consuming the poison from the churning of the ocean to save the entire mankind from evil destruction; and stored it in his throat. Taking this story as an epitome of relaxing mankind from the high malefic effect, during this month appeasing the 'Shivling' symbol of 'Lord Shiva' which radiates immense energy, one can salvage and rescue themselves from the deadly curses and complexities of life. Worshipping Lord Shiva not only brings in a concrete support within one to tackle their battles but also helps to liberate them from the miseries in life.

This month is an ideal time to grow tranquility, good health and get Divine blessings by performing austerities. According to the Hindu ancient culture, the Shravan constellation is visible in the sky; hence the name is appropriate for the month. This month is consecrated with the phenomenal energies of 'Lord Shiva' as the cosmic energies are spontaneously supercharged with Shiv tattva (Shiva elements) which can help master the art of consciousness by purifying one's mind, body, spirit and the environment we live in.

It is essential to rejuvenate our home during 'Shravan' -

Shravan symbolizes "purity, consciousness and knowledge". Practicing rejuvenating rituals during shravan in our life is the gateway to immense purity, abundance and provides relief from reverberating negative energies within ourselves and in our environment. Hence, one must definitely keep the house neat and clean to remove negative energies accumulated in the form of dust. It is believed that "Goddess Lakshmi" prefers to reside in a house that has kept clean, not just physically but energetically also.

During the time of pandemic, wholesalers and florists had to close their doors and people avoided to buy flowers and other pooja samagri; however, worship does not mean just rituals or is limited to rituals, people can do these 9 holistic rituals to rejuvenate their home. Materials which are mentioned are available online. Many online store retailers that had to quickly build a fast delivery connect amid the crisis.

"Smudging with Sage" - It has been one of the oldest rituals for energetic cleansing of a space or someone's aura. You can choose a Monday every week to smudge the entire house with Sage or any other herb or holy wood like Palo Santo.

"Wind Chimes or Tibetian Singing Bowl" - Sound vibrations are a powerful way to clear the energy of a room and raise its energetic vibration. Healing sounds can break apart dense or heavy energy that is lowering the energy in your home. With the lovely winds in Shravan month, make use of wind chimes to bring in beautiful sounds in your home. You can also use a singing bowl to create a healing effect with gentle vibrations that can be felt on both a physical and spiritual level.

"RAKUNA Zibu symbol" - To help eliminate any kind of negativity from the space. Just draw it by hand on a post-it note & stick in every room.

"Healing Crystals" - Gridding your home using black tourmaline crystals is also a great option to protect yourself from any external negative energies. Since unmarried girls fast for having a good husband during this period, healing loving energies of Rose Quartz can also be harnessed. This crystal also helps in finding a good partner.

"Using Diffusers" - Using a diffuser with sandalwood essential oil and camphor is also a beautiful experience given that sandalwood is so closely associated with the Shravan Shiv pooja rituals.

Ash Gourd - On New Moon days, it is a widespread practice to worship an Ash Gourd and then hang it at the entrance of the home. New Moon energy is helpful to start something fresh & make intentions for the future. And Ash Gourd has immense Praan Shakti and it absorbs any negative energy from entering your home.

"Incenses" - Pooja rituals are common during Shravan month. Burning a natural incense is helpful in clearing out the negative energies. Make sure the incense you are burning is natural & not chemically treated. Also incense sticks made of bamboo sticks are not good to burn. Burning bamboo releases bad gases. Best is to burn natural cow dung dhoop or battis for purification & an aromatic experience.
"Sea Salt" - Place sea salt in all corners of the room in a container or on the floor. Let it absorb the negativity for 1-2 days & then trash that salt away. Salt is a natural cleanser.

"Manifest a Wish" - If you are looking to manifest your wishes during this auspicious month, then you can harness the energy of the bay leaf. You can write your intention on a whole bay leaf, hold it in your hands & visualize it happening in front of you. Feel it with all your senses and then burn the bay leaf using a candle or diya, there by submitting your wish/intention to the Universe to manifest.
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- Saturday, July 18, 2020 0
For author and former Rajya Sabha MP Pavan Varma, the Hindu philosophy, its spiritual tenants and the link between spirituality and highest forms of refinement which can be witnessed in civilizations associated with Hinduism, especially in the ancient past is something that constantly fascinates him.
"From about 3000 before CE (Common Era), to an almost unbroken to 10th century CE, until the Islamic invasion; for 4,000 years, we had what can be broadly called a Hindu civilization. Of course, in that I include Buddhism and Jainism because of the commonalities. So, in my view, it is important to be aware of the basic fundamentals, the remarkable wisdom, great insight and amazing complexities of this civilization. Precisely, the reason why I have been working on different aspects of it, and therefore ''The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram: Tuslidas''s Ramcharitmanas; Selections & Commentaries'' (Westland Publishers)''," he tells IANS.

Talking about his latest book, which is a collection of verses and stanzas of Tulisadas'' ''Ramcharitmanas'', the author says that he wanted to make them accessible to a larger number of people for multiple reasons.

Let us not forget that ''Ramcharitmanas'' is an outstanding piece of literary work -- 12,000 lines and 1,000 stanzas of beautiful poetry in Awadhi. The epic in Ramcharitmanas is the story of Maryada Purushottam, which is an exceptionally popular work in north India and also referred as the Bible for ordinary people in north India. Gandhi called it the greatest work of devotional literature. So, in order to understand ''Maryada Purshotam Ram'', this book is important.

Varma, who has written the commentaries, says that the motive behind that has been to understand the evolution of Hindu philosophy in two aspects -- the dialect between Nirguna and Saguna. Adding that Tuslidas ultimately concludes that Ram is both a Nirguna and Saguna deity, the author adds, "From this he comes to a third very important aspect of Hindu spirituality, which is bhakti -- the ability to surrender to him unconditionally, whether he is a Nirguna or Sagun. I felt it was important to work on this book as for Krishna, we had a great many writing in local languages. Considering the fact that most people won''t read the entire epic, I have made a selection, with a translation in Hindi and English, given the commentary to clarify the context, meaning and background, making it more accessible.

Adding that in order to do justice to an epic like this, it is important to be familiar with the entire tradition and the evolution of Hindu spirituality and metaphysics, he adds that he had been wanting to work on this for a long time. "All these years, I was busy as a diplomat and then a politician. Post finishing my last work ''Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism''s Greatest Thinker'', I thought I would devote time to this."

Ask him about the politics being played in the name of Ram and how ''Jai Shree Ram'' has become a war cry, the author says that it should not be forgotten that Rama was not a passive God, and he fought against injustice. "But even when he fights for justice, he does that in accordance with his essential nature, which is ''Maryada Purshottam''. In other words, he does not harbour irrational vengeance or anger, neither resorts to violence against the innocent. Those who use violence for inflicting injury without reason, are doing an injustice to Rama."

As the past decade or so has witnessed the emergence of multiple writers working on mythology, Varma, who is at present working on a new book on the elements of the Hindu civilization as it existed for one time for almost 4,000 years, feels that many of them do considerable research before trying to present aspects of the Hindu civilization, religion or heritage to the ordinary reader. "And there is also felt a need for that. As a result of certain historical causes, and especially after 1947, investigating the Hindu culture became tantamount to be communal. There is an entire Hindu population, which is adrift from its traditional heritage and the remarkable wisdom and refinement inherent in it."
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- Saturday, July 18, 2020 0
The Dalai Lama made a bid for music chart stardom on Monday, his 85th birthday, with the release of an album of mantras and teachings.
“Inner World” kicks off with the track “One Of My Favourite Prayers” and continues with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader reciting meditations and sayings with accompanying music.

The record came about when musician Junelle Kunin, a student of the Dalai Lama from New Zealand, contacted him in 2015 with the idea - and much to her surprise he said yes.

“I thought I’d have to try and convince him,” she told Reuters in an interview from her home in Auckland.

“That moment of recording him, my goodness I was shaking like a leaf before I went in there,” she said.

Kunin did the initial recordings at the Dalai Lama’s residence in Dharamsala in India.

Once back home, she worked with her husband Abraham and other musicians to produce music for the tracks.

“It’s an incredible honour. But it was unbelievably, daunting like the trust and responsibility. It’s immense,” Abraham Kunin said.

On a promotional video for the album, when asked why he had agreed to take part, the Dalai Lama answers: “The very purpose of my life is to serve as much as I can.” The release comes five years after Patti Smith led the crowd at Britain’s Glastonbury Festival singing Happy Birthday to him for his 80th.
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- Saturday, July 18, 2020 0
The Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda Jatra' -- the return car festival -- began on Wednesday in the absence of devotees, and amid tight security and curfew, as the seaside pilgrim town virtually shutdown to prevent gatherings in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the divine siblings -- Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra -- embarked on their return journey back to the 12th-century shrine, the administration appealed people to stay home and watch the rituals on TV. The world famous Rath Yatra, which commenced on June 23, is being held sans public attendance as the Supreme Court had on June 22 allowed it, only in Puri, and with condition that a limited number of servitors will participate and there would be no congregation. The three deities end their annual nine-day sojourn to Sri Gundicha Temple, their birth place, and are now returning to Sreemandir or Shri Jagannath temple on three majestic wooden chariots during 'Bahuda Jatra'.
The Grand Road between the Shree Gundicha Temple and the main shrine, the abode of the celestial siblings, which hosts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad during the historic car festival every year, wore an empty look this year. Puri District Collector Balwant Singh said all arrangements have been made in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order on conduct of the Rath Yatra. "Devotees are not allowed on the Grand Road. All entry points to Puri town have been sealed and the devotees are requested to stay home and watch the Bahuda Jatra on television," Singh said.

Over 5,500 people, including servitors, police personnel and temple officials had undergone COVID-19 tests and only those who tested negative for the virus were allowed to discharge their duties and participate in chariot pulling during the Bahuda Jatra, he said. All the servitors engaged in the Bahuda Jatra have tested negative for COVID-19, said Krishan Kumar, the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

Ahead of the return car festival, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had reviewed the preparations and asked the Puri administration to take all measures to ensure a hassle- free Bahuda Jatra. He had also said the apex court’s directives must be complied with and only COVID-19 negative people be engaged in the rituals. Over 70 platoons of force (each comprising around 33 personnel) have been deployed and barricades erected at several locations to prevent congregation of people.

Barricades have been set up in lanes and by-lanes leading to the Grand Road to prevent people from proceeding there. Curfew which came into force at 10 PM on Tuesday will continue till 10 PM of Thursday, July 2, said Additional Director General of Police, Soumendra Priyadarshi. While police personnel maintained a tight vigil, a large number of CCTV cameras were installed on 'Bada Danda' to aid them, a senior police official said.

Special rituals were performed before the deities were taken out of the Shree Gundicha temple and placed on the three colourfully decorated chariots for the return journey, amid chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hari Bol'. The deities were taken to the gigantic wooden chariots in an elaborate ritual called 'Pahandi' to the beating of gongs, cymbals and blowing of conch shells.

Lord Jagannath was ensconced in the largest of the three chariots - the 45-feet high 'Nandighosh', Balabhadra in 44-feet high 'Taladhwaja' and Subhadra in 43-feet high 'Darpadalan'. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performed the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual. The titular King of Puri offered prayers to the deities and then swept the platforms of the chariots with a golden broom and sprinkled flowers and fragrant water.

The chariots were then pulled by selected servitors amid devotion on 'Bada Danda' - the grand avenue leading to Shree Jagannath temple - up to the Lion's gate in front of the Jagannath temple, where they would be stationed till July 4. The deities, who had embarked on the nine-day sojourn to the Sree Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra on June 23, would finally re-enter the main shrine and again be placed on the 'Ratna Simhasana', the bejewelled throne, following a ceremony called 'Neeladribije'.

Ahead of 'Neeladribije', the deities would be decorated with 'suna besha' or golden attire on Thursday on their respective chariots, a ritual that attracts a large number of devotees every year. However, people will be able to witness the grand spectacle only on television this time as they are denied entry into Puri in view of COVID-19. The Puri district administration has made it clear that there will be restrictions on non-essential movement of public till July 4. "I request all to have darshan of the Holy Trinity on television by staying at home," the Collector said.

All hotels and lodges in the district have been asked not to accommodate tourists and visitors during the four days and continue their bookings only after that period, he said, adding that all commercial outfits on the Grand Road in Puri will remain closed during the period.
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