Veda gyan

Welcome to the 16^th issue of Vedagyan

Life of a great saint of our times!

Life sketch of Sri Chandrasekarenda Saraswati Maha swamy of Kanchi Mutt.

Sri Swaminathan was born in Villupuram, a satellite town near Chennai on 20^th May 1884 to Sri Subramanya Sastrigal and Mahalakshmi Ammal. Like every one of his time he too joined the American Mission School at Tindivanam, and under went convent education. At his early school days he showed his mastery over English language and acted in Shakespeare plays and won prizes! He also joined the Bible class and won prizes for his thorough knowledge of the Bible! When he was thirteen years old he was identified by the then 67th Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam to succeed him. So he formally installed Sri Swaminathan as the 68^th Pontiff and the successor to himself. He also acquired his new name as Sri Chandrsekarendra Saraswati.. The Acharya under took study of Sastras and nuances Vedas under the learned pundits of Mahendramangalam. During this period he is supposed to have acquired in depth knowledge of Astronomy and Photography too!

He was erudite scholar in History, Archeology, Science, Politics, Mathematics, Music, Journalism, study of oriental languages, thorough understanding of other religious faiths, customs etc. He was also a multi linguist who could understand and converse with ease in many tongues! His vast spiritual wisdom can not be described with this limited vocabulary! He lived an austere life set an example for the humanity to emulate! He was admired and loved by people of all faiths and religions equally! Scholars from India and abroad revered him and sought his wise counsel.

He traveled the length and breadth of India by foot and spread the message of Dharma and Spirituality! He lived a life of a true saint and shined as Seer par excellence till 1994!

Let us learn about the great spiritual personalities who have nurtured the path of righteousness and Dharma and have rendered yeomen service to our society. Here we shall start learning about Alwars and Nayanmars of Vaishnavite and Shivite sects. They were never narrow in their out look and were not on war path with other faiths! They were sincere in their chosen task of spreading the message of spirituality and were strict in resisting those who were opposed to our scriptures and religious faiths. 

A brief life sketch of Poigai Alwar

Poigai Alwar was born in Kanchipuram during 7^th Century AD. Near the Yadothakaari temple in Kanchipuram there is a lotus pond and this Alwar is said to have been born in the Pond so he was called Poigai Alwar.

His other names are Saro Yogi, Kaasaara Yogi, Poigai Piran, Padma Muni.

The Story of Tiruneelakanta Nayanar

This great nayanar was born at Chidambaram, in a kuyavar family those who make mud pots and vessels, though he was pious and a devotee of Lord Shiva, he was lusty and could not correct his wrong ways of life easily. This led him in search of women who could satisfy his lust. Annoyed by his wrong doings his wife took a vow in the name of the Lord Shiva also called Neelakanta that hence forth in her life she will never touch him (Husband)! And she announced this to all including her husband. Her husband immediately realized his mistake and truthfully supported her to uphold her vow!

One day Lord wanted to proclaim their real Bakthi to the world appeared in the form of an old mendicant and asked for Biksha at the house of the nayanar. After having accepted the Biksha the mendicant told nayanar that since he was on his way to Tirta Yatra or holy pilgrimage he would like Nayanar to keep his begging bowl and on his return he would claim it back. Unsuspecting Nayanar agreed to this and took his bowl and kept it under lock and key! After several months the mendicant returned and promptly asked for his bowl. Nayanar went inside his house to fetch the bowl, but to his surprise that was missing. With much pain he explained his predicament to the mendicant, but he would not budge! Nayanar even offered a bowl of gold! But the mendicant was insisting on his old bowl to be returned. Nayanar told him that he had not lost it but the vessel had simply disappeared. He swore by the Lord. To this the mendicant said that if he could swear by his son then he would agree. Nayanar replied that he has no issues! Then the mendicant said that if he could hold the hand of his wife and swear then he would agree. For this also the Nayanar could only give an explanation that he was upholding a vow by his wife so he could not hold her hand. Though they were both old now they were following Dharma! But the mendicant did not agree to these and went to the king and made a complaint against the Nayanar. The King heard all these patiently and finally gave his verdict. According to that both Nayanar and his wife are to hold a long sick and take a dip at the temple pond and then swear upon the Lord that what they say about the bowl is true. To this mendicant agreed. Next day the entire town was curious to know what would happen assembled on the banks of the temple tank. As agreed both holding a long stick took a dip into the pond and rose! What a surprised both regained their youth! And there appeared the Lord on his Rishabha and proclaimed that both were his blemish less disciples and would live for some more years spreading the message of spirituality and return to his abode! Just then every one noticed that the mendicant had also disappeared and he was non other that Lord Shiva himself. From then on the Nayanar was known as Thiruneelakanta Nayanar.

TIT BITS

Do You Know?

I would like to share with you certain interesting facts that find mention in the scriptures that prove that the society was much more advanced in science and technology in those days.

Though they were proficient in using metal vessels in cooking but when it came to taking food they used fully biodegradable natural products. These were also selected after much careful consideration as to their utility with respect to the food category and the person partaking food!

Curd was stored in specified earthen pots for enhanced taste and quality! They were biodegradable too!

Salt was stored in wooden vessels and not in metal containers!

One of the legends says that the Moon God got afflicted by leprosy and was cured of his ailment when he took cooked rice mixed with curd in Errukku leaves.

Sandal wood is proven for its medicinal properties to cure urinary ailments and kidney disorders! During the ‘Abisheka’ of idols in temples this was used and given as ‘Prasad’ at the end to be consumed by the devotees!

Red Sandal paste was used to anoint the deity and the same was distributed to devotees. This contained excellent medicinal properties to cure any type of skin ailment. During important family festivals and religious festival this paste was offered to every one and was freely anointed all over the body!

“Aadu thoda ilai” (Athatoda vasica) this plant’s leaves were used for relieving the congestion in the bronchi and today it is an accepted ingredient in a cough syrup! It has been used as an antispasmodic, bronchodilator, and mucolytic agent it has oxytocic properties and can be abortifacient.

We were all used to taking food in Banana leaves during festivities. Do you know that when hot rice is served on banana leaves they give out the vitamin that is taken by us while we eat? The leaf and other parts contain B1,B2, B2, B3 B5 and B6 vitamins apart from Vitamin C and other minerals! The banana tree was as whole considered auspicious. All parts of the tree are still in use.

When you take food that is deep fried or oily and with high fat content our great grand mothers took care to make a preparation of chutney using a cacti! Cisusquadarngularis (Latin). This is called “Perandai” in the colloquial language! It is suggested as a medicine for osteoporosis, asthma, cough, hemmoroids, and gonorrhia! It contains a rich source of carotenoids, triterpenoids and ascorbic acid. It is an effective treatment of gastric ulcers and preventative of stomach cancer .

The herb called “Vallarai” (Centella asiatica) is proven to be the memory enhancer that has been patented today by our nation.

Do you know that India won the patent suit against the multinationals for “Neem” tree and its medicinal properties.    

 Tulasi regarded as most sacred and used in worship of Lord Vishnu is well known as Basil in the west and is known to cure respiratory ailments. This is given along with sacred water in all Vishnu temples and it will contain sandal paste, cardamom etc.

Bilva (Aegle marmelos) Leaves used in worship of Lord Shiva are good for cardiac ailments and known to reduce blood pressure if taken regularly as prescribed!  

Naiuruvi (Achyranthes aspera) a shrub used in the homa conducted to propiate Lord Sudharsana is known to have a great impact on mental disorders! And is a proven anti venom agent!

A news item appeared in The Hindu dated 20^th April 2005 which states that a report in the famous magazine called ‘Nature’

Tells us about a research study carried out by a microbiologist of Northumbria University, New Castle, Tyne, United Kingdom found that the bacteria is less likely to survive in brass water vessels and within 48 hours the level of bacteria in the vessel dropped to undetectable levels! You may know that brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Our forefathers were wiser after all !

Veda gyan

Welcome to the fifteenth issue of Vedagyan!

In the last issue we saw that there are two paths that lead to heaven and earth. The path of moon and the path of sun. This is actually esoterically expressed. What are meant by the moon are individuals dominated by or ruled by the mind. The sun represents the knowledge of supreme or eternal truth. Due to intense sadhana or practice of contemplation upon GOD, one attains the knowledge that is supreme. Due to this attainment he overpasses the limitations of the physical body. This results in freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Literally this means birth and death will have no bearing upon this individual! This path is called the path of Sun.

On the other hand those who are ruled by the mind will have to be bound to earthly consciousness and suffer the pangs of sorrow and crave for impermanent joy that is just fleeting! These individuals are said to follow the path of the moon. Vedic scriptures and Upanishads speak of this very often. The Isavasya Upanishad says that those who lack profound knowledge of the supreme are like travellers who are blind, led by another blind into a sun less world!

The names of Gods and Rishis are many that are associated with light. For example Rishi Gothama, Lord Gopala. The word “ GO” means light, the knowledge of supreme. They are knowledge embodiments. The choice of Sun God to represent the Brahman is so apt because the physical Sun has all these traits or qualities. It has fire in it that is constantly burning, the brightness that illuminates the entire surroundings. It sustains all the living and nonliving forms! It is also responsible for the orderly transit of all the celestial objects around, about their trajectory. Seemingly remaining stationary, it is also in constant motion around the galaxy!!

The words Sura, Surya mean illumination. Swar means illuminated mental plane that is capable of existing all by itself. The word Mitra means beholder of judgement that is blemish less. Sarira means beholder of flame! That is the body! So all these expressions bring out one common theme that light is the representative of knowledge.

Story time! 

The story of Great grandson of Gyanasruti. He was a famous king and ruled his kingdom in a righteous manner and was loved by his subjects. He was very wise and knowledgeable. He had a unique capability to understand the language of the birds!

He was resting one day on the terrace of his palace. Two hamsa birds were conversing with each other and flew over his palace. They attracted his attention and he listened to their conversation intently. One bird said to the other that the king resting below is so virtuous and famous for his good deeds, and if she insults him, she would burn to ashes! The other bird replied that the king is just nothing in front of the great sage Raikvar and all the good deeds of the king are encompassed by the knowledge sage possesses! Hearing this king became restless and could not sleep well that night!

Next morning he asked his ministers and his wise men to go and search the entire kingdom and find the sage called Raikvar. Soon the king’s men fanned out in all directions in search of the sage. All his men returned in vain but one. One of his men went to a distant village and spoke of his mission. The villagers directed him to a sick old man leaning upon a hay stack near a cart and told him that they knew nothing about him except that his name was Raikvar! When he approached the old man he was taken aback. He had ulcers all over his body and tiny worms were feeding upon them. The old man patiently took the worms that fell down and put them back on him! This sight was nerve shattering to the messenger of the king and he hurried back to the kingdom to report what he saw and heard.

He met the king and explained to him every thing that had happened. The King was now all the more curious to meet him and learn the highest knowledge! That he possessed. The King immediately handed over the administration of his Kingdom to his council of ministers and readied a number of elephants and his cavalry with numerous gifts of gold and silver and silks and went with all his retinue to meet the great sage. To much of his surprise the sage when he approached did not even look up. He addressed him as a man of passion and pleasures! And asked him what he wanted. The King told him that he is the King and wanted the Knowledge of the Supreme to be imparted to him. He also narrated the story of the birds that flew over his palace! The sage smiled and told him that he is not yet fit to learn the highest knowledge and added that what ever he has to offer is equal to the worm on his body! The King asked him what should be done by him. The sage asked him to get back to his Kingdom. The King returned though determined to obtain the knowledge, he again approached the sage with cows and also his daughter to be given in marriage to the saint! This time the sage said that he was impressed with him, since he was determined to offer even his daughter who meant everything to him. Then he said that what really is to be done is to forsake every possession and come to him empty handed, devoid of his ego! Then he would begin teaching him. The king agreed and went back to his kingdom and handed over the kingdom to the council of ministers and distributed his personal wealth among the poor and needy assumed the role of a mendicant and then approached the sage!

The sage was immensely happy this time and readily accepted him as his disciple, and started the process of teaching him!

The story emphasises the sacrifices one will have to make to obtain the highest knowledge and the attitude one must possess.

The importance of Sivarathri Day!

Lord Siva is one of the principal deities of Hindu Pantheon. He is depicted in the scriptures as the one who is responsible for conduct of human life, the Lord of vegetation, the physician of all physicians, the destroyer of the universal creation during the annihilation; he is the Lord of activity as well as non activity! This two contrasting roles are depicted by his two forms namely Sri Nataraja and Sri Dakshinamoorthy. Lord Sri Nataraja represents all the principal elements that make up this universe of forms and names! They are called Pancha Bhutas. His dance represents perpetual activity that is going on in the universe! The cycle of birth and death as well as total destruction and creation that happens in a cyclic manner. He performs this dance in a totally unattached manner and has the representation of ego as an asura under his foot. His Damaru or the drum that he holds represents the physical gross form with names and the sound derivatives! His other hand holds Fire that represents the divine will power as well as aspiration in every creation that strives to rediscover the divine in creation. Just after the great deluge Lord Siva is supposed to have danced in the cosmic space that resulted in the start of a new cycle of creation as the inactivity gave birth to activity. From Sadasiva, the Siva with Sakthi emerged. This dance is worshipped during the Maha Sivarathri day!

In the other form of Lord Siva that is the form of Sri Dakshinamoorthy he represents a perfect Yogi withdrawing his senses inwards and contemplating on the Supreme Brahman. He radiates the Power of Universal truth or the Eternal Brahman, having become one with it. Great seers who sit at his foot are saints who strive to attain perfection in their knowledge of the supreme. He also keeps the asura representing the ego under his foot.

 The Japa mala that he sports in one hand depicts the cycle of creation and destruction. If one stars counting from nine, the subsequent numerals will add up to give numerals one to nine, that is numeral 18 would give 9 as the total. So the108 beads of Japa mala depict this rhythm of creation and destruction and the again creation.

 He also keeps the hand in Chin Mudra which means the pointing finger that represents human intellect always identifies itself with the world around through the play of Ahankara that is manifestation of ego or separate consciousness. When it is withdrawn from the outward progression and turned inward to contemplate on the Brahman within one’s own self that is represented by the thumb, then three planes of consciousness can be surpassed! He also holds a book that represents knowledge of supreme. The beauty of this Lord is he imparts knowledge through silence. In the next issue we shall see the significance of the churning of the ocean, Krishna’s Kaalinga nardhana or dance etc.

 See you all in the next issue.