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Path to
*தர்ம (
News Letter 19
Content Knowing Hinduism throug 1. What is Spirituality? 2. What is the difference bet
compared to an era of an 3. In Hinduism does the soll after death if bad deeds ar 4. What is the relationship of “Nirguna , “Saguna Brah I 5. In general a lot of verses it any references in Wedas to 6. What are the different na where the Rudraksha bee of Rudraksha beeld? Eluci Rudaksha heeds. 7. Food in Sanskrit is terme
as an important ritual in 8. When and how was the te
9. What is Kumbabisheka
Tales from "Excess of Gr The story of “Think wisel The story of th
ஷேத்திர(வயல்): பூரி முன்னேஸ்வரம்
Author Kshethra Vinayaka Temple,SI hicht mail: kshcthrawinayakatiyah Sri Sankar
July
 

Dharma நெறி 蠍
3.
செய்தி மடல்
S gh Question and Answers
ween the life of a present day Hindu arly traditional Hindu?
namely the Athma go to hell the Naraka e done in this life f the primordial mantra “AUM" and
I'
the Wedas praise to many Gods. Are there show the concept of One God? mes of the species of Rudraksha tree from ds are obtained and the chemical composition idate the significance of the number 108 of the
di “arra". Eating the daily food is considered the life of the community of Hindus? TIL "Hild" Coido
Panchatantra cd is harmful' the blue jackal y before your deeds" |e heron and the crab
விநாயகர் ஆலயம், , சிலாபம், இலங்கை.
B.S. Sarma ,
*i Wunneswaram, Chilaw, Sri Lanka.
()). C(YIT1: I Int BITIT1ie:SW araIT1 ôi ",ʻalhe)(), c)111
Publications
2009 ஜூலை

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Path to Dharma33333
ళ్ళీ
July 2009NewS Letter 19 (.
Knowing Hinduism thro 1. What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is a part of human experience and scie the same thing as holding a particular religious be established faith tradition. Dr.Raj Persaud in his book titled “The Mind a use Says that, “It can be defined as the experience of: together with a sense of belonging and of harmon answers about the infinite, and is particularly imp death. Such concerns involve feelings, and are equ learning disability. Genuine spirituality is inclusive and unifying. It c harm oneself, and equally that helping others is to who do not believe in God or a higher being. Whi but also unique to each and every person”.
2. What is the difference between the life early traditional Hindu?
Primitive worship of spirits, godliness and animal early Aryans type of adoration of the elements we Hinduism. The mode of life of traditional Hundu : mind of India. The early Hindus accepted the relig Now the trend is completely changed and as a rest culture, adopting the materialistic attitude of west Because of this adaptation of the new trend we ha centered style of work with out much devotion ca
3. In Hinduism does the soul namely the A deeds are done in this life?
In Hinduism - there is no concept of evil or Devil. good.Some beings due to the past karma adoptba they realize the truth and pray to God, the ambitic to come. In Hindu mythology there is yet, a term governed by God. Any soul that has to suffer in h final destination is always heaven. If a soul has do heaven - in layman's words for the Sanskrit term i merits of a soul, the temporary destination, accorc journey doesn't end there. According to the theory this earth as is necessary to shed his or her bad Ka

33333தர்ம நெறிே
lசய்தி மடல் 2009 ஜூலை ugh Question and Answers
ntifically it benefits to mental health. It is not in itself lief, being religiously observant or belonging to an
r’s guide' (- Transworld publishers-2007)
deep-seated sense of meaning and propose in life, y in the universe. Spirituality involves a striving for ortant in times of stress, illness, loss, bereavement and ally important in young people and for those with
reates a reciprocal sense that to harm another is to help oneself. It applies to everyone, including those le there are many religions, spirituality is universal,
of a present day Hindu compared to an era of an
totems of the tribal people of early Hindus, and the re congregated into the fold of philosophy of asserts the idea of a god who has always lived in the gions and rituals of the original inhabitants of India. alt of this consequences we forgetting our age old , in destroying our way of life so far followed. d to work excess with a narrow mentality of self used greater tension
Athma go to hell the Naraka after death if bad
Every being created by the preceptor Brahma is d behaviors in this life. But even the bad characters if us beings can do extremely well in the future life yet for hell-called Naraka. But even that region is all, is there in hell for only a temporary phase. The ne enough good deeds on earth, rightaway, it goes to s Swarga or Paradise. Should sins outnumber the ling to Puranas - or ancient texts, is Naraka. But the of Karma a human being is born as many times on rma and finally attains Mukti - salvation.

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4. What is the relationship of the primordi Brahman°? The Hindu conception of the Supreme Being expre that is sacred in Hinduism. The cord of eternity, “A thought and spiritual energy. “AUM", is an assumption of the universal soul ter. universe as creation of the “AUM". Each and ever Progressively god grew from a primordial “AUM' devotees. The Brahman, who is the creator of life, is our sole person comes to an end, the soul returns to the “Br form, male, female nor neuter gander is called as” The Brahman is conceptual and indefinable. Sages whom they could offer their prayers Progressively the amorphous “Nirguna Brahman', bestowed a gender, “The Brahman' appeared as a The Trimurthibasically is in the form of a human, expresses the cycle of life. Trimurthi personify birt power of the creation of the Universe. Vishnu sust duty to destroy.
5. In general a lot of verses in the Vedas p Vedas to show the concept of One God?
Countless verses in the Vedas praise to many Gods Rig Veda affirms that: "To what is One, sages give
The concept of One God repeated in YajurVeda: “ Chandra all these names represent only one basic p
There are amazing similarities between old Slavic period. The very word "vedas" has same root with name of Fire god Agni, sounds justb like "agon" in boil" sound similar to Varuna, the god of water. Th and European languages: the word "mother" is "ma German, "madar" in Persian, "madre" in Spanish, ' languages that sprouted from Sanskrit is called Ind
6. What are the different names of the spel beeds are obtained and the chemical compositio of the number 108 of the Rudraksha beeds.
The term Rudraksha, generally means the eyes of pleasant to the eyes of Lord Siva, and hence so nar write on the method of wearing, reciting mantras a
Botanically, the Rudraksha tree belongsto the Elaecarpus ganitrus Roxb, Elaecarpus sphaeric, few places in the world including the Himalayas c They are huge trees with a wide silhouette whost September to November annually.

al mantra “AUM” and “Nirguna, “Saguna
'ssed as “AUM". This spiritualist syllable includes all UM', carries reverberations of Hindu metaphysical
med “The Brahman”. The Upanishads explain the y form of life is an exposure of the “Brahman. , into the powerful god, worshipped piously by
cosmic motivation. Once the individual life of a ahman”. The Brahman is without any describable Nirguna”.
of the past needed a facade of “The Brahman' to
evolved as "Saguna Brahman'.The ransformation male trinity, a three faced God called “Trimurthi”. one body with three heads that symbolically h, life and death. Trimurthi, as Brahma he takes the ains dharma (righteousness) and order. Siva holds
aise to many Gods. Are there any references in
, nevertheless in spite of the multiplicity of gods, the
many a title; they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.
"For an awakened soul Indra, Varuna, Yama, Aditya, ower and spiritual entity."
and Sanscrit languages, especially from the Vedic the russian word "vedat", meaning "to know". The
russian, meaning fire. The word "varit", is , "to here are many same roots sheared between Sanscrit atar" in Sansrit, "mama" in Russian, "mutter" in 'moder" in Swedish. So the modern group of o European group by linguists.
cies of Rudraksha tree from where the Rudraksha n of Rudraksha beed? Elucidate the significance
Lord Siva or Rudra implying thereby that it was ned in His honour. Siva Purana and Padma Purana nd benefits of Rudraksa.
genus Elaecarpus The well known species are us, and Elaecarpusgrandis These trees grow in very f India, Nepal, Tibet and, in some parts of Indonesia. flowers bloom in May and June and fruits ripen in

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The Rudraksha fruit is a berry varying in size (3-4 skin and pulp. Lodged within the pulp is a single r hole running through it from top to bottom. Theses
Each seed possesses one to twenty one vertical l These lines are known as mukhas, or facets, and vertical line are known as ek-mukhi (one facet); thc on. Rudraksha is the fruit which grows in bunches kept in water for a number of days and then Rudrak
Rudraksha seeds contain carbon, hydrogen, nitroge percentage compositions of their gaseous element chromatography. The result shows that Rudraksha 17.897% hydrogen and 30.53% oxygen. According Rudraksa sanctifies, and destroys the sins by contac
Significance of 108 in Rudraksha maala (garland
The rosary of Rudraksha or set of mantra countin Hindu religion. This number is explained in many of a precise mathematical function (for example
powers of 1 to 1st power -1; 2 to 2nd power-4 (2x was thought to have special numerological significa
The larger bead (Meru) of the Rudraksha maala sequence of the other beads. It is the guiding bea mala.
There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each h is 108.On the drawing of Sri Yantrathere are marn intersections. Each intersections has masculine (Siv Thus, there are 108 points which characterize the Both of these numbers have been said to have spi 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9 which is 9 times 12 eq
The heart Chakra contains the intersections of er focus to form the heart Chakra. One of them, Sushu path to self-realization.
Marma stanas (sacred spots) are like energy inter number in our body. Some say there are 108 fee present, and 36 related to the future.
There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments ca Chandra (moon) and kalas are the divisions. In astr equal (12x9) 108. The diameter of the sun is 108 til
The number 108 consists of the numerals 1, 0, anc stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual numeral 1 of 108, and the numeral 8 of 108, when i.e. 1, 2, 3... 10, etc. where 0 is not a number (1+2-

10 mm; 1/8 to 1% inches). It has smooth light green ound Seed which has a rough surface and a cavity or eeds are kmown as Rudraksha beads.
ines (longitude lines) running down on its surface. are natural formations of the seed. Seeds with one pse with two lines are dwi-mukhi (two facets), and so ... Its pulp is hard and remains stuck to its seed. It is sha fruit is taken out and the pulp is peeled off.
n, oxygen and trace elements in combined form. The is were determined by C-H-N analyzer and by gas beads consist of 50.031% carbon, 0.95% nitrogen, g to mythology there are four varities of Rudraksha. st and prayers.
l).
g has 108 beads. 108 has been a sacred number in different ways.The number 108 may be the product 1 power 1 x 2 power 2 x 3 power 3 = 108 that is (2); 3 to 3rd power-27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108) which
CC.
(garland) not part of the 108. It is not tied in the d, the one that marks the beginning and end of the
has masculine (Siva) and feminine (Sakti). 54 times 2 nas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such va) and feminine (Sakti) qualities. 54 x 2 equals 108.
Sri Yantra as well as the human body. 9 times 12: ritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is Juals 108.
hergy lines, which totals to 108.These energy lines umna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the
sections called chakras, which are said to be 108 in lings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the
alled namshas (chandrakalas). 9 times 12 equal 108. ology; there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 mes the diameter of the Earth.
i 8.The numeral 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.The added together equals 9, which is the number of the -3+4+5+6+7+8+9 =45;4+5=9 )

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The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, qui the Rudraksha malas (garlands) has 54, 36, 27, or 9 through 108 stages on the journey.
7. Is there any mention about the food habit
Food in Sanskrit is termed “anna. Eating the dai the life of the community of Hindus
Consumption of food as meal is mentioned in the V Valley Civilization thrived in northwest India frol middle of the second millennium B. C. the people li vegetables and milk and enjoyed intoxicating liquc was liberal, prompted by a philosophy of having h compared to other ancient civilizations, indicated a 1
A later Vedic text, called the Taittiriya Upanishad God and that the eating is not an act of only filli oblations of food are offered to the fire in the stoma
The Taittiriya Upanishad states that, "Food is life, th sacrifice." One of the ancient law books the ‘Dharn all other related of eating at length.
In Vedic periods (1500-500 B.C.E.), humanity cons in later times, meat eating was considered a forbidc food or for a sacrifice was also regarded as a prohibi
On the other hand fasting (Fasting in the sense of ni from specific substances during certain periods),i medicine. Fasting is recommended both for the pur the body, as well as for the emotions and the mi purification fasts to clean the system; healing fasts which are undertaken to deny the bodily urges on th
The spiritual aim of fasting is to control the physic practice eventually leads to the ultimate aim of the from the cycle of rebirth, in union with the transcent
Varied groups developed their own food habits and there were regional differences due to various re. qualities (guna): sattva food, which is pure; rajas fi which is impure. Only sattva food is allowed, whi fruits, and sharp spices and so on.
8. When and how was the term "Hindu' coi
It is not definitely known when and how the term "H anywhere in the earlier sacred Hinduscripts. The te

larter, or twelfth, so the number ofbeeds in some of beads. The Atman (the human soul) after death goes
of human in the Vedic texts of Hinduism?
ly food is considered as an important ritual in
sedas of the early Hindu sacred writings.The Indus m the middle of the third millennium B.C. to the ved happily. They ate rich diet including fish, meat, or and all other good things. Their attitude to food ealthy minds and healthy bodies. Harappan culture more egalitarian social structure.
, says that food is equal to Brahnam, the Supreme ng the stomach but a religious sacrifice, in which ch.
herefore one should give food; eating is the supreme nasatras, deal the rules and regulations of food and
sumed the whole lot, including beef. As time passed len act. As regards the killing of animals, either for ited act in the life of a true Hindu.
ot eating for a specific time (upavasa), or abstaining S given great importance in Ayurveda and Siddha ification and to balance of the physical condition of ind. Here three kinds of fasting are distinguished: to overcome a specific disorder; and austerity fasts, e way toward liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
:al body as well as of emotions and the mind. This : goal of unconditioned consciousness or liberation dent (either considered personal or impersonal).
laid down perticular rules and regulations, although asons.Some classified food according to the three pod, which is energetic or exciting; and tamas food, ch means no meat and fish, onions, garlic, specific
ned?
indu" was coined. The word "Hindu" is not seen rm “Hindu' first appeared as an Old Persian

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geographical description (derived from the river Sin beyond the River Indus.
According to some scholars, the origin of the term "h Al-Hind (the Hind) referring to 'the land of the peop. translated in English as Hindu,as shown by R. Thap Oxford University Press 1993.in page. 77
The term “Hindu' was used by all historians to refer intellectuals, by the end of the eighteenth century us followers of Indian religions in “Hindustan', the are
Ultimately this term “Hindu” turn out to be a word ( otherwise belonging to a religion of Abrahamic denom beliefs and practices as explained by Flood Gavin, in h ISKCON: Authentic Traditions or Scholarly Constr in understood that around 1830 that “ism” was added beliefs in contrast to other religions. The term Hinduisn Owing to the wide range of diversity in the beliefs, is no universally. recognized definition on who a H cultural or socio-political entity. In 1995, Chief Jus Supreme Court ruling as quated below;
"When we think of the Hindu religion, unlike other claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one
not believe in any one philosophic concept; it c performances; in fact, it does not appear to satisfy creed. It may broadly be described as a way of "Bramchari Sidheswar Shai and others Versus State
8. What is Kumbabisheka?
Kumbabisheka literally means the consecration ofi renovated one by pouring sanctified water over Garbagraha tower and over the kumbams of the R auspicious day and it is a long process with pre culminating in mandala abishekam.
Hindus believe that cosmos and all living things are air and ether. Water symbolises the life-force. T symbolism together with the other four elements.
Water from the holy rivers, collected at the source b or decorated pitchers adorned with flowers and are performed in the houses called Yagasala (place whe
Mantras are recited to add to the spiritual powei signifies the consummation of the pious endeavour
Kumbabishekam is also an occasion for periodical oscillation and to fix the idols security, the images

dhu), to refer and to identify the people who lived
Hindu" would have derived from the Arabic termle of modern day India' which may have got ar,in his work Interpreting Early India. Delhi:
to Turky to Mughal Empires.The British ed this term “Hindu to refer collectively to the a of northern and adjoining northwestern India.
'quivalent to anybody of "Indian' origin who was not ination, thereby encompassing a wide range of religious is book "Hare Krishna: Hinduism, Vaisnavism, and uctions?". Cults and Society, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001. Is to “Hindu' to denote the culture and religion of Hindu n' was soon accepted and used by all the Hindus.
practices and traditions covered by Hinduism, there indu is, or whether Hinduism represents a religious, stice P. B. Gajendragadkar was quoted in an Indian
religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not god; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does loes not follow any one set of religious rites or the narrow traditional features of any religion or life and nothing more."(Supreme Court of India, of West Bengal" 1995)
dols (murthis) dedication of a new temple or that of the idols (murthis) in the sanctums, kumbams of ajagopura tower (gateway tower). It is done on an liminary functions like setting the yoga salas and
: composed of the five elements - earths, water, fire, he Kumbabishekam is the ritual relating to water
ly pious men in clean containers is kept in kumbams worshipped in a specially erected canopy, which is reoffering doneto fire God).
and to the sanctity of the water. This ceremony of building the abode of the almighty.
conservation of the sanctum sanctorum. To prevent and the peetas (bases on which they are placed) are

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sealed together by means of Ashtabandhanam, a c Substances namely, kombarakku (Wood loc), cukk resin), karkaavi (red ochre), mezhugu (beeswax) ar milk).
The labourers employed for mixing these com expected to have purificatory baths before they ta utter the name of the particular God to whose templ
During Kumbabishekam people from far and
instruments, alavattoms (multi-coloured flags repre colourful umbrellas and other temple paraphernalia one of the significant ways for invoking the blessin
Tales from
“Excess of Gr
The story of 1
Once there lived a jackal in a jungle and he strayed was being chased by a group of dogs in the town. T and fell into a container of blue indigo dye. Becaus tail. Slowly he ran away from the house without be Woodland were surprised at his appearance. No one condition, the jackal decided to play the circumstan fierce owl, sent by the Gods, to the earth to guard ti The innocent animals believed what the jackal said the lion as his chief minister, the tiger as his guardi gatekeeper. He shrewdly drove all the jackals out o fear of being recognized. All the animals would hul Later the king would distribute the remaining food leading a magnificent life. One day unexpectedly a flock ofjackals were passi the fierce owl showed his normal voice and howled animals realized that they had been fooled by a jacl immediately.
Tales from
“Excess of Gr
The story of
Once there lived a jackal in a jungle and he strayed was being chased by a group of dogs in the town. T and fell into a container of blue indigo dye. Becaus tail. Slowly he ran away from the house without be

hemical compound prepared by mixing mainly the ann thol (lime Stone powder), kunkilium (konakai dyerummai vennai (butter prepared out of buffalo's
bonents and preparing the desired compound are ke up the work and to chant devotional hymns and e the Kumbabhishekam is to be performed.
wide neighbourhood go in groups with musical senting in pictures mythological scenes), large sized . The participation at Kumbabishekam is considered g of God.
Panchatantra
eed is harmful”
the blue jackal
into a town in search of food. He was starving and he jackal unintentionally entered the house of a dyer e of this the jackal was stained blue from head to ing seen back into the forest. All the animals of the : could place his identity. Taking advantage of his ices to his benefit. He proclaimed that he was a ne woods . The jackal taking this as an advantage appointed an of the bedroom and the elephant as the f sight to a demarcated location from the forest for nt food and supply meals to the self proclaimed king. to all equally just as a king would do. Thus he was
ng by howling. Unable to control his natural instinct,
at the top of his voice. Hearing this howl, all the kal and they got together and killed the jackal
Panchatantra
eed is harmful”
the blue jackal
into a town in search of food. He was starving and he jackal unintentionally entered the house of a dyer e of this the jackal was stained blue from head to ing seen back into the forest. All the animals of the

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woodland were surprised at his appearance. No one condition, the jackal decided to play the circumstar fierce owl, sent by the Gods, to the earth to guardt The innocent animals believed what the jackal said the lion as his chief minister, the tiger as his guardi gatekeeper. He shrewdly drove all the jackals out o fear of being recognized. All the animals would hu Later the king would distribute the remaining food leading a magnificent life. One day unexpectedly a flock of jackals were passi the fierce owl showed his normal voice and howlec animals realized that they had been fooled by a jac immediately.
“Think wisely
The story of th
A long time ago a heron lived by the side of a ponc manipulated a devise to get a continuous supply of went to the bank of the pond and stood with a gloo was also a carb living in the pond, which habitually the gloomy faced heron, asked about the mood oft
The heron replied, "Aha! I am very much troubled fishes as you know are my source of food. I listene the fishes in this pond. Anyhow I know of a pond a sound. If the fishes are paying attention, I can carry happily and saftly."
The crab conveyed this suggestion to the fishes. Al safer destination with the help of the heron. From th volunteered to go to the new pond with the help of
Each day the heron took some fishes in the beak, a and left the bones at the rock. Wicked heron got a c end, the curiosity got the better of the crab, and on
When the crab had gone closer to the rock, it realis helpless fishes.The crab was furious and it tighten snapped the head of the heron off.
The heron had a selfish death. Then the crab crept about the dishonesty the heron had been telling.

could place his identity. Taking advantage of his ices to his benefit. He proclaimed that he was a he woods . The jackal taking this as an advantage appointed an of the bedroom and the elephant as the f sight to a demarcated location from the forest for nt food and supply meals to the self proclaimed king. to all equally just as a king would do. Thus he was
ng by howling. Unable to control his natural instinct,
at the top of his voice. Hearing this howl, all the kal and they got together and killed the jackal
before your deeds”
e heron and the crab
1. It was a lethargic old bird. One day this creature fish without much effort. Thus one day, the heron my face without any attempt to catch any fish. There
helped the fishes in the pond. The crab on seeing he heron.
that this pond is soon to be devoid of any fish. These d to a crowd of fishermen chatting about catching all bit far away, where all the fishes can be safe and
a few daily to the nearby pond where all can live
l the fishes were very enthusiastic to go to the new hat day onwards daily in the morning, some fishes the heron.
nd on reaching a large rock used to eat all the fishes ontinuos supply of fishes without any effort. At the 2 day it also volunteered to go with the fishes.
ed the foul play the heron had been playing on the
ed its claws around the neck of the heron and
back to the former pond and conveyed all the fish