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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Why do we consider the lotus as special?

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JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA
JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR
JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG


Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna once again,

In this post, let us look at a new question. It’s an interesting one. The question is, “Why do we consider the lotus as special”.

The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty (satyam, shivam, sundaram). The Lord is also that nature and therefore, His various aspects are compared to a lotus (i.e. lotus-eyes, lotus feet, lotus hands, the lotus like heart etc.).

The lotus blooms with the rising sun and closes at night. Similarly, our minds open up and expand with the light of knowledge. The lotus grows even in slushy areas. It remains beautiful and untainted despite its surroundings, reminding us that we too can and should strive to remain pure and beautiful within, under all circumstances.

The Lotus, though blooms in marshy areas, yet it looks so beautiful and is not affected by the dirt in its surroundings. It conveys a very important message to all of us. The same example is also quoted in one shloka of the Bhagwad Gita.

We will look at that shloka in our next post.

…to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about the various uses of one of the commonly used vegetable called as ‘Pyaz’, also known as Onion in English and Allium Cepa in Latin.

1. The bulb of the plant is an essential ingredient of all curries

2. It has many medicinal qualities; its an excellent prophylactic against cholera and diarrhea if steeped in vinegar

3. Juice of onion taken in conjunction with honey and eggs is an excellent tonic with aphrodisiac qualities

4. Onion baked in hot ashes and applied to swollen piles gives relief

5. Sliced onion smelling of freshly relieves congestion of the nose

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post, keep chanting Radhekrishna Krishnaradhe, Radhekrishna Krishnaradhe, Radhekrishna Krishnaradhe, Radhekrishna Krishnaradhe!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Why do we worship the kalasha?

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JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA
JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR
JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG


Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna to one and all!

Let us know more about the ‘kalasha’ in this post. The ‘kalasha’ and its significance can be traced thousands of years back.

The consecration (kumbhaabhisheka) of a temple is done in a grand manner with elaborate rituals including the pouring of one or more kalashas of holy water on the top of the temple. When the asuras and devas churned the milky ocean, the Lord appeared bearing the pot of nectar, which blessed one with everlasting life.

Thus the kalasha also symbolizes immortality. Men of wisdom are full and complete as they identify with the infinite Truth (poornatvam). They brim with joy and love and respect all that is auspicious. We greet them with a purnakumbha ("full pot") acknowledging their greatness and as a sign of respectful and reverential welcome, with a "full heart".

That concludes our first section for this post. We will discuss about yet another question related to Hindu customs and traditions and know the answer for the same. As for this post, the next time you see a ‘kalasha’ being worshipped, recollect this article and enjoy the custom!

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about the herb named Kanghi Booti, known as Country Mallow in English and Abutilon Indicum in Latin.

1. It is a plant about 1.5 metres high

2. Its leaves resemble mulberry and are yellow

3. Its flowers are round and are toothed like a comb (hence the name ‘Kanghi’ – it means comb in Hindi)

4. It is an excellent cure for bleeding piles and hematuria

5. It is also efficacious in cases of gonorrhea

6. Its seeds are an excellent asphrodisiac

That concludes our topic for this fortnight. We wish all our readers a very happy Deepavali. Please please remember that the festival is a ‘festival of lights’ and not a ‘festival of sounds’; while celebrating it.

Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

 

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