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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Why do we blow the conch?

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JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna!

In this post, let us know that why the conch is generally blown prior to the Arti.

Any ritualistic worship is concluded by performing the Arti. During Arti, the frequencies of the principles of Deities functional in the universe are attracted to the venue of the worship in large numbers. The raja-tama frequencies can create obstacles to the flow of these frequencies. By blowing the conch, the raja-tama frequencies disintegrate; that is why it is blown prior to an Arti. This purifies the environment and helps in preserving the Divine consciousness generated through the ritualistic worship for a longer period. Thus we derive maximum benefit from the sattva predominant frequencies of Deities attracted to the venue of the Arti.

The blowing of the conch has another use also, predominantly in the villages of India.

Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small, the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds, and mentally bow to

the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.

In the next post, we will see a shloka that is used to worship the conch and also know the method by which a conch is blown.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about a herb called as Ratanjot, also known as Onosma Echioides in Latin.

1. It’s a herb which grows near the banks of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna

2. It’s a diuretic with cooling properties

3. It purifies blood and also helps to dissolve or eject the calculi (stones) in the gall bladder and the kidney

4. When mixed with oil or ghee, it relieves blobs formed on skin by fire or a burning liquid.

That concludes the post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 6th July, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Monday, June 06, 2011

Why do we blow the conch?

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JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna to one and all!

In our previous post, as mentioned, let us know about how the conch came to be named as ‘Shankha’.

As the story goes, the demon named Shankhaasura defeated Devas, took the Vedas and went to the bottom of the ocean. The Devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as Matsya Avataara - the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas.

All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of Om. The conch therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands.

It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas) of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil.

Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.

A conch should be blown, when beginning any ritualistic worship and prior to the Arti. By blowing the conch 3 times before beginning any ritualistic worship, movement of negative energies in the environment is reduced. This helps in reducing the obstacle of distressing vibrations and allows the flow of Sattva predominant frequencies of the Deities. This further creates a protective sheath or an armour of Chaitanya around the various items used in the ritualistic worship.

... to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about the fruit called as Jamun, also known as Jumbalum in English and Eugenia Jambolana in Latin.

1. It’s a fruit of a large tree

2. It has excellent medicinal properties against diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas

3. The stone of the fruit is used as medicine for diabetes

4. It has a constipating effect and the bark of the tree is astringent

5. Decoction prepared from the bark deals effectively from swollen and bleeding gums

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22nd June, keep chanting the Radhekrishna namam and enjoy supreme bliss.

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

 

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