Blowing a Conch (shell)

We consciously or unconsciously follow or perform many customs and rituals during the course of our life. We found ourselves thoroughly involved in these customs. These customs start from our birth and remain with ourselves throughout whole of our life. And one such important ritual is- Blowing a Conch in Hinduism.

In Hindu religion, Conch (Shankh), is of great importance and symbolizes luster, brilliance, purity and auspicious beginning. The conch stands for the five elements, the sound of AUM, salagrama, goddess Lakshmi, the waters, purity and perfection. The discus is the terrible weapon of the Lord Vishnu which he used to destroy the evil and protect the righteous. It symbolically represents the light bearing sun, which illuminates and removes darkness. It also stands for higher consciousness which destroys all illusions.

Shankh literally means ‘pacifying the inauspicious.’ It is used as a trumpet and in order to get rid of negative energy and evil spirits. It is also used as a container for holy water (shankha teertham). The shankha (conch shell) mudra is also used during various tantric rituals and meditation. "Shankha" is considered to be one of the most auspicious objects that emerged from the sea during the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean. 

Shankha is blown at every festival and auspicious beginning and the sound ushers in freshness and new hope. People usually collect and keep water in conch shell and is sprinkled while performing pujas. While performing Lakshmi Puja, conch shell is filled with milk and then it is poured over the idol. Water collected in Shankh is offered while worshipping sun.

Leaving aside the mythology part, the conch shells significance can also be corroborated by science. If you try holding a shankha near your ear, the sound of the gently humming ocean can be heard. This is actually the natural vibration or cosmic energy of the Earth which gets magnified on entering the conch shell.

The vibrations from these conch shells can overpower evil forces from the Earth and at the same time also clear environmental pollution including healing the hole in the ozone layer which causes global warming. According to science, the blowing of a conch shell enhances the positive psychological vibrations such as courage, determination, hope, optimism, willpower, etc. in the blower as well as those around him.

Blowing conch removes speech defects also. It controls and cures stammering, pulmonary disorders, asthma, cough, liver and spleen ailments etc.

It is also said that if a pregnant lady drinks the water of conch collected after offering to the God, then the new born baby will be a healthy one and free from speech defects.

Thus, we can say that the blowing of Conch in Hinduism is a very important ritual. It holds many scientific secrets which not only benefits us but, also help us in getting closer with the Indian rituals. 

Why do we wear Holy Ash on the Forehead

All the customs and rituals of Sanatana Dharma have a perfect scientific basis. The ascetic, Rishis and Munis of India went into deep meditation and investigated various ways and means, for the humanity at large, to lead a happy and healthy life. Hindus and those believing in Hindu religion have been practicing these ancient rituals over the years.

And one such common ritual in Hinduism is- wearing holy marks on the forehead. The most common reason  produced by Hindus for this practice is one should always remember that nothing in this world is permanent and even his own(self who applies it) body would one day end up in a cup of ash. So every human should abolish his selfishness and develop love among every creature in this world.

 The holy ash created from sacred fire also contains positive energy. This energy prevents our body from the attack of negative energy in our body. This reveals our body from pain and mental stress.

Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered to worship the Lord. Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. The word Bhasma means, “That by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered.” Bha implied bhartsanam (to destroy) and sma implies smaranam (to remember). The application of Bhasma therefore, signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine.

Bhasma is called Vibhuti (which means “glory”) as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him/her.

Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblations and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. This holy ritual has scientific importance as well.

The scientific reason behind the application of this sacred ash on forehead is that it has the ability to absorb the moisture and kill bacteria from the bones and joints. People applying this sacred ash on joints and elbows. This is the reason for the practice of applying the sacred ash on the forehead.

It is also applied by people during a fever/illness and the reason might not be known to them or they may think that it brings up the god’s notice to cure them. Scientifically it prevents sinus problems and other bacterial disease. 

Hence, we can say that the application of applying holy ash is a gentle reminder to all spiritual aspirants to burn away all desires/vasanas and discard the false ego and be centered in the ‘self’ that is our real true nature.  This holy ritual has its scientific benefits as well. Having the scientific importance it influences our lives and surroundings.  Thus the application of applying holy ash on the forehead reminds us that the bodies are perishable and only Atma is permanent and therefore we should avoid false identification with the body, mind and intellect.

PRAYER/PUJA

In Hinduism, the rituals are always meant to inculcate feelings of devotion and to bring about the divine orientation of human life. As a part of his house holders responsibilities, a devout Hindu is expected to perform certain rituals everything starting from morning till evening.

These rituals include: making offering to the Gods, to all beings, and to the departed souls especially before partaking any food, showing hospitality to others and continous remembrance of God through recitation of the Vedas or some holy scripture.

The new forms of daily rituals of present day Hinduism include performance of Puja, Practicing meditation and Yoga, recitation of Holy Scriptures, reading religious books, participating in “Satsang”or visiting the company of holy men, doing some charitable work, visiting temples and holy places, or chanting of some mantra or the name of a specific god.

In Hinduism, Puja is essentially a ritual suggestive of symbolic offering of  ourselves, our thoughts, desires, actions and things we own to God, as a mark of devotion and surrender, enjoying whatever that comes to us as a gift from Him. It is a religious ceremony performed in temples or in homes that involves worship through the use of a sacred image.

The word Puja is derived from the Sanskrit roots ‘Puh’ and ‘Jayate’ which translates to an English equivalent that the fruit of enjoyment is born. Puja comprises two main aspects. The first is the repetition of pure Sanskrit sounds called Mantra. The second aspect of a Puja is the Ritual process which, in this case, simply means that the correct symbolic offerings are properly made to the Deity. Through the performance of Puja, we are able to reap the fruits of enjoyment in our daily life.

According to the Hindu beliefs, during the puja ceremony the deity, which is normally a static statue, becomes alive. This happens both at the external level and at the internal level. This statue is brought to life externally through the chanting of mantras or special invocations, or specifically speaking, or establishing of life breadth. Similarly, the indwelling spirit is awakened through the devotee’s sincerity, concentration, devotion and divine grace which are symbolically represented as “Prasad”, or the blessing from above.

To fully understand the effects that stem from performance of a Puja, we must first believe that there is something bigger than ourselves – a supreme consciousness or God – and that God created each of us in His own likeness. Thus we are all miniature representations of this Universal God. We are not an entity unto our individual selves but rather we are each connected to the vastness of this living and breathing universal consciousness. In each of us, for instance, there is an aspect of light which is the representation of prosperity. At the universal level as well, there exists this aspect of light in the form of Mother Lakshami. When we pray to Lakshami Mata, we are essentially making a connection between our individual light center and the Cosmic light center. Once this bridge or connection is made, we as an individual person, begin to experience light (prosperity) in more numerous ways and with greater clarity than we ever did before.

From our Vedic literature, we know that every action that we perform has an effect on the universe. Once we perform the action, we create a change in our local environment as well as a change in the larger universe. Whatever that change is, it will affect us and the world around us. In order for the Puja to show successful results, the knowledgeable Preceptor (Pundit) will create a simulation of the Universe. Through his divine grace, he will cause the connection to be made between the individual and the Cosmos.

The knowledgeable Preceptor knows the sacred Mantras. These are the original sounds that cause vibrations throughout the universe. Each particular mantra will cause a vibration in a specific location in the body of the Yajman and a corresponding location in the cosmic universe. The mantra vibrations run as snake-like waves and connect the micro-area in the body of the Yajman with the macro-area in the universe. 

A mantra consists of a word or several words from the Sanskrit language which have certain sound vibrations which help the devotee attune his consciousness to higher planes as well as invoke specific subtle energies into and around the aura, making it more dynamic and capable of expressing higher aspects of Cosmic Truth i.e. , Love, wisdom, joy, etc.

Most modern-day Brahmins have instilled an expectation in the minds of Hindus that a Puja is of the nature of a Satsang where a mass of people gather to pray, chant devotional bhajans and sing kirtans. This form of worship is simply a public display of community and togetherness. It has little to do with creating a change in someone’s life. It has little to do with connecting the Individual Self or ‘I-ness’ with the Universal Self. It has little to do with the true results that the Yajman is seeking. In summary then, the Puja process will yield positive results only when the Preceptor is knowledgeable, competent and possess divine qualities that will enable him to lead the Yajman and family along the correct path with the two aspects of Mantra and right Offerings to the Deities.

Thus, through the Puja, we are going to God with great humility and affection. We are making an affectionate plea for mercy while we do what God wants us to do for the well-being of the universe. He wants us all to live and act in the best interests of the planet and the universe. We must show God through the Puja that we have received His message with great clarity. And we must do it with heartfelt consideration, i.e.: with great devotion. The Puja ritual is not mysticism or magic. It is only magical in the sense that it instills in the mind of the Performer (Yajman), that he must habituate himself to a different way of thinking, of speaking and of acting. The Puja ritual forces us to bow before God and humble ourselves before Him. And once we practice that level of humility with God, we begin to see God in our fellow Man as well. We begin to see God in everything around us. We reach a new state of equilibrium between us in this human body and the Cosmic or Universal consciousness. And when this happens, the universe allows us to enjoy wealth and prosperity again knowing that we have learnt our lesson – knowing that we are not likely to abuse that wealth all over again.

Lighting a Lamp/diya

Worship of a deity is a subject of faith for all of us. We build a temple room in our house and decorate it well. We also keep the images or idols of the deities we like and perform daily puja (ritualistic worship). We purchase the articles of puja according to our capacity without knowing the scientific reason behind them.

Every article of puja has its own significance and scientific reason. And one such important article of puja is lamp (diya). The lamp has its own special place in Sanatan Vaidik Hindu Dharma. It is a form of a symbol of Tej (absolute fire principle). The lamp is invoked as- Tamsomajyotiragamaya, which means the lamp leads us from darkness towards light. It burns only to give message of peace and light to the man.

The lighting of lamp is an essential part of all the pujas in Hinduism. The flame of the lamp, jyoti has two significant qualities. First it vanish darkness and the other is- it is always upward. The upward movement of the jyoti signifies the path of wisdom and the path of divinity. Flame also signifies the power of all the beings so it is also considered as form of MaaDurga. Without fire element/shakti no one can survive in the universe. It is believed that in the houses where daily jyoti is lighted there can never be darkness/evil forces.

The lighting of lamp also has scientific importance which affects us in many ways. The ghee lamp generates subtle armour of superior quality. It also activates soul energy of the worshippers. The blue color in the flame is the indication of spiritual emotion (bhav). The yellow circles are of chaitanya in the form of Tej tattva projecting in the atmosphere. And the red particles and rays consisting of energy projecting into atmosphere. The flame of the lamp also kills the microbes, present in the environment.

Light symbolizes knowledge, darkness and ignorance. The Lord is the “Knowledge Principle” (chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshipped as the Lord Himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Knowledge backs all our actions whether good or bad. We therefore keep a lamp lit during all auspicious occasions as a witness to our thoughts and actions. The lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wicked, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals. A single lamp can light hundreds more just as a man of knowledge can give it to many more. The brilliance of the light does not diminish despite its repeated use to light many more lamps. So too knowledge does not lessen when shared with or imparted to others. On the contrary it increases in clarity and conviction on giving. It benefits both the receiver and the giver.

Hence, we can say that the ritual of lighting lamps in the temples/homes holds so much importance not only spiritually but in a scientific way as well. Thus rituals take us towards the mundane parts of life with significance and celebrations.

Festoon (Thoranam)

India is said to be the cradle of civilization as the earliest of civilization had flourished in this part of the world. Indians were highly civilized and advanced for their period and lived in harmony with each other.

They perfectly understood the nature and followed certain simple habits, which over a period of time became traditions, customs and rituals which are being followed blindly and its original meaning being lost. These practices when analyzed had a scientific reason behind as to why it is being practiced. Like one general practice- is to adorn the entrance and doorways with festoons of mango leaves. Decorating the main door of the houses, temples or any other place, where some ritual is performed, with a festoon (Toranam or a string of mango leaves) is part of the Indian culture.

Normally, this kind of decoration is done during festivals or celebrations. Though there is a scientific reason behind this festoon decoration, this has become a part of the tradition and majority does not even bother to know the actual reason behind doing so.

Indians use a festoon made of fresh and green mango leaves. However, leaves of other species like Neem are also used for this purpose. Most of us know that the green leaves absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This helps in keeping the surrounding atmosphere clean and hygienic. Keeping, the aesthetics in view, mango leaves are preferred, since their shape adds to the ambience.

However, all other advantages of having a festoon revolve around this basic reason. The air filled with carbon-dioxide, which is lighter than the pure air, gets purified immediately while passing through the festoons. In addition, insects get attracted to the green leaves. This stops the insects from entering the room.

This practice of decorating the main door with the festoon is supported by a strong scientific reasoning and is certainly not a blind belief. Anybody, who has minimum knowledge of science, understands the value of green leaves and same is the case with anybody who has minimum aesthetic sense.

However, it is said, in the Indian villages, dry mango leaves are used for treating certain ailments. The ash of dry mango leaves is used in the first aid for cuts and fresh wounds. This ash is applied directly on the wound or after mixing it with coconut oil. Dry mango leaves ash has the capacity to check the bleeding. The dry leaves in the festoon come handy for providing first aid in such cases.

It is also a scientifically established fact that the green colour keeps a person mentally fresh and even the modern day medicine advises the modern day man, who comes under severe stress during his normal working hours, to spend some time amidst greenery to freshen his mind and soul. A festoon provides this facility at your doorsteps.
Thus, we can say that the rituals make an integral part of the Indian history and will be followed with the same zeal and enthusiasm for centuries to come.

ABHISHEKAM

All religions teach that rituals are very important to get devotion to God. The religions or lands may vary but this belief of importance of rituals is stressed in all faiths. Our ancestors have given us the gift of the rules of community worship in a Temple for the welfare of the people of the community as a whole and the prosperity of the world. These rituals not only connect with our spiritual souls, but they do affect us in a scientific way as well.
The basic and essential principle behind any ritual is the total surrender to God who fills the universe by His glory and is present everywhere. And one such ritualistic practice in Hinduism is- Abhishekam.Abhishekam is the process of bathing the deity. It is a ceremony that is conducted to a deity normally in the form of statue (murti). The deity is invocated by meditating upon and chanting Sanskrit mantras. The deity once present in the murti is then given a foot bath and their hands washed before being worshiped. Various substances are then poured over the deity. Five of these substances – milk, yoghurt, ghee, honey and sugar represent the five elements respectively – water, earth, fire, air and ether. A mixture containing all of these five called (Panchamrit) is also poured over the deity after the initially five have been offered. Whilst each of these substances are being offered, various Sanskrit mantras are chanted asking the deity to accept these items. By offering to the deity these five substances, we are also asking the deity to purify these five elements- water, air, fire, earth and ether, not just in the space where the ceremony is taking place but also within ourselves. The five elements also correspond to the five senses accordingly water-vision, earth- taste, fire-hearing, ether-smell and air- touch. Thereby when we offer these five elements, we also are asking for the purification of the five senses.The process of abhishekam has scientific benefits as well, during this process the offerings are gently poured over the Murti, divine blessings radiate out towards all those present, providing protection, purification and spiritual elevation. These sacred ceremonies purify the Earth’s atmosphere, uplift the community, and contribute to the health and prosperity of the individual.The panchamrit also helps in health care delivery for the health and welfare of mother and child. The idol of Lord is bathed with panchamrit and then, this panchamrit is later distributed as Prasad to the devotees. Panchamrit is a religious symbol of the Hindus. A mixture of these five (panch) things is necessarily present in our religious pujas. There is one conception, or faith behind all this. It is only our own development, which takes place at the conclusion of puja. The five symbols of Panchamrit become the guide or beacons of the evolution of our soul.
Milk in the panchamrit is the symbol of purity. Our lives, characters and actions should be pure. Yoghurt is the symbol of love. It is Yoghurt (Dahi's) quality that it makes others like itself. The intention behind giving Dahi to one's loved one who is travelling overseas is the same, i.e., do not forget your family's love for you; make others like yourself in foreign lands; let others take a leaf from your life which should be an example of Indian culture, so that the whole world can be blessed. Ghee is prepared from milk; our bodies are nourished from ghee in our food. Its greasiness cannot be easily cleansed. The meaning of this is that your life should be such that it should (give nourishment) develop the community so that it prospers and it should not be diseased or defeated by any outside attacks. The deep meaning of being your culture's protector or defender is also evident in this symbol. Now comes the Honey. Of course, we know that it is sweet. But at the same time we know that many honeybees have collected this honey from many flowers and so from a medical point of view it is one which gives strength. So this symbol tells us to adopt these qualities in our lives. We can only face the evil forces of this Kaliyug if our society is strong.
In the end comes the Sugar-candy. This sugar-candy which is prepared from sugar cane is no doubt sweet. It is the symbol of sweetness or love. One may have everything in life but if love or sweetness is lacking then there is no pleasure in life. Man is a social animal and he should not forget that if he wants to live with others in the society then he should be kind in speech and only then the sweetness of life permeates in him. There is a deep meaning hidden in this symbol. Our ego should evaporate as we perform prayers to God. This is to say that we become just like sugar candy which merges with milk and makes it sweet.Hence,we do not reap any benefits simply by performing pujas with panchamrit but we have to understand the deep meanings behind all these symbols and practice them in our lives for the welfare of an individual, community, country and the whole world.

Why do we do TILAK

The starting point of all the shapes and forms is a point. Geometry describes the point as one, which has no dimensions, but it still exists. A dot or point is the seed of language expressed by sound, so it is the finale of the highest attainment. A dot or point is the adobe of the Shiva and Shakti. Ancient Indians had an indomitable urge to communicate his thoughts and so symbols were developed.

Similar group of men and women adopted different types of Tilak or linear symbols, which were further, segregated fro man and woman to wear on their body to denote their sect and ideology. As without the worship of Sri Ganesh no work in Sanatan Dharma should begin. Likewise, no religious work should begin without a Tilak on the forehead. A deep study of human anatomy reveals that the forehead is the best place for applying Tilak.

Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or kumkum (red turmeric). The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal paste (Chandan), and the worshippers of Devi or Shakti apply Kumkum, a red turmeric powder.

The wearing of a mark on the forehead is a unique feature associated with Hinduism. There are no strict common rules regarding the drawing of mark on the forehead in Hindu religion. Basically, the wearing of Tika or Tilak invokes a feeling of sacredness on the wearer and on the people with whom the wearer comes into contact. Tilak is a religious symbol and it reveals the particular God worshipped by the wearer.

The tilak worn by Hindu priests have more significance. It represents the particular school of thought or Sampradaya he represents. The lines and the color used by priests vary from region to region and from sect to sect.

Tilak is applied at, the space between the two eyebrows. It has a very cooling effect. Application of Tilak has great scientific value, apart from the spiritual influence. Rishis declared that the junction of the nose-root and the meeting point of the eyebrows is the most sensitive part of the body. The Agya- chakra, or Wheel of wisdom, is located here and so is a vulnerable spot, which must be kept, warm and protected. And it is also considered to be the seat of memory and thinking. There are thirteen places on the human body where Tilak can be placed. However, it is only on the forehead that it is noble. The head is the summit of the body with the brain being the axis of the entire body.

The most popular forms used or a dot, or a “U” shape or a trident shape or 3 horizontal lines with a dot at the center called Tripund on the forehead and forearms. The wearers are advised by the rishis to use a mixture of vermillion, lime, turmeric, saffron, musk, agar, sandal and ash for men and sindur or vermillion on their skull-center for the women, to provide warmth to the pineal and pituitary glands located near the thalamus.

The bindi is declared to be very helpful for the good health of the brain, eyes, ears and the nose because these applications maintain a fine pull on the veins and nerves underneath the forehead, nose-root and forearm’s skin to monitor proper flow of blood. The forebrain controls the decision making part of the brain. In acupressure methods it is considered to be the most sensitive part of the body responsible for alertness and hence the use of Bindi for the forehead is justified. 

 It is also said that the chandan or bhasma cools the forehead and the spot between the eyebrows, which is known to generate heat during stress and tension. It is also known to prevent energy loss.

Thus, Tilak is considered as the sacred religious mark. It not only has the science behind, it also stands for its importance in today’s scenario. Followed by every Indian and marked its significance in the Hindu rituals.