QUES ANSW DIVINE 80
Dear friends, This QA contains lengthy answers. I have compiled them from stefen knapp.com and stored long back in mycomputer. I hope the QA might be informative. I will discontinue theforeigner’s answering and start with iyer member answers, if any body feels so. Sincerely, Gopalakrishnan 20-12-21 Q1 What is the significance of the kalash or sacred pot? A1 The symbolof the kalash or sacred pot is physically represented by a metal orearthen pitcher or urn. It is generally filled with water during rituals(preferably the water of the holy Ganga, any sacred river or clean, runningwater). Its top open end holds betel or mango leaves, and a red-yellow sanctified thread (kalawaor mauli) is tied around its neck. This kalashis placed on the pujavedi (worship dais or table) near the deities orpictures of the deity. It is placed facing the North, in the center. Thispositioning signifies balance; balance that one needs to achieve success inevery walk of life. Often it is topped by a coconut or a deepak and kepton the sacred Vedic Swastika symbol or a Vedic Swastika is drawn on it by usingwet vermillion, sandal-wood powder and turmeric. The kalash has manysymbolic meanings and teachings associated with it as described below. During worship or rituals, leaves from some select trees are used asessential accessories, but among them all, the betel leaf (pana) enjoys a place of pride inIndia. In Hinduweddings, a betel leaf is tucked into the headgears of the bride and the groom.The betel leaf is symbolic of freshness and prosperity. The Skanda Puranasays that the betel leaf was obtained by the demigods during the grandocean-churning. The use ofbetel leaf in India is mentioned in the great epics, such as the Ramayanaand the Mahabharata, as well as in Buddhist and Jain literature. The kalash,tied with the kalawa, and having betel or mango leaves atop, symbolizesthe cosmos. The water inside the kalash represents the primordialwaters, elixir of life or the soul filled with love and compassion, abundance,and hospitality. Varuna, the Lord of the oceans and the divine source ofwater element, is invoked while filling a kalash with water. In some cultures, the kalash is said to represent the body, theleaves the five senses, and water the life-force. Some Vedic scriptures referit as a symbol of the mother earth and divine consciousness. The word meaning of the scriptural hymns of the kalash'sworship describe the mouth, throat, and base of the kalash as seatsof Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Brahma respectively, whereas the bellyrepresents all goddesses and Divine-mother's power streams. Thus, in thissmall urn the presence of all the demigods and goddesses is symbolized. Thisexemplifies that all the gods are essentially one and are emanations of thesame Supreme Power. THECOCONUT -The coconut (Nariyala) on top of the kalash is asymbol of the Godhead - the three eyes symbolic of the eyes of Lord Shiva. InIndia, for success in an important undertaking, the beginning is done with thebreaking of a sanctified coconut. All religious functions and rituals startwith the worship of the coconut, along with the kalash, since it isregarded as symbolic of Lord Ganesha, the deity who helps in the successfulcompletion of any undertaking. Sage Vishwamitra is saidto have got the first coconut tree grown on this earth by the power of his tapas,or austerities. Its hard shellinspires one to have tolerance and do hard work for attaining success. The coconutis also broken before a deity in the temple, signifying the soul's breaking out of the shell of theego. People get strength and improved eyesight by eating its whitekernel. The sick and the elderly find its water nourishing and ladies apply itsoil for healthy hair. It hasglucose, phosphorous, and carbohydrates in good quantity and is also good fordiabetes. AncientIndian healers used to burn its outer shell to prepare tooth powder, eyebrowcreams, and ointments for burns. Every part of the coconut plant is very beneficialto humans. Hence, most Indians consider it a good omen to receive or givecoconut fruits as gifts. It is also called shreephal because it denotes prosperity. Q2 What is the importance of deepak (the sacred oil or ghee lamp)? A2 Together with the kalash the lighteddeepak is also placed on the pujavedi or altar and worshiped. Asa physical object, a deepak or lamp is an earthen (or metallic)saucer-like tiny pot filled with ghee (clarified butter) or refined oilwith a twisted cotton tape (ball) immersed in it. It is lighted in every Hinduhousehold and temple in India. The cotton tape keeps sucking the gheeto yield a soothing bright light, a flame. In nature, the flame is consideredto be the source of heat and light. The heat of the fire and hence the flame isalso a good germicide. The deepak is worshipped as the symbolof the all-pervading Light of all Lights. Some scientific models and theories today also agree thatall matter has emanated from the light of consciousness-force. Thisgreat Effulgence is worshipped through the medium of the deepak. Meditationon the standing bright yellow flame of a Deepak during tratak yogaimproves mental concentration and induces sublime energy of positive currentsemanating from this symbol of cosmic consciousness. A deepak is also used during arati –the devotional worship and prayer sung at a religious celebration or ritual ofworship to the temple deities. The deepak (arati flame) is movedaround the deity to symbolize the divine aura and also to help the devotees tohave a clear look of the deity. This is usually done with four circles to thefeet, two to the waist, four to the head, and seven to the whole body. In theend, as the lamp is passed around, the devotees put their palms on the aratiflame to receive the arati aura, symbolizing the acceptance of divinelight that can open one’s consciousness. Thestanding deepak (Samai or Kuttuvilaku) symbolizes thedispelling of ignorance and awakening of the divine light within us. Its softglow illumines the temple orthe shrine room, keeping the atmosphere pure and serene. The lamp is also asymbol for the Vedic festival of Diwali (Deepavali), an Indian festival oflights. One of many interpretations ofDiwali is a celebration of the light of knowledge that chases away the darknessof ignorance. Visualizing the kalash as a symbol ofthe cosmos and deepak as a symbol of cosmic energy may not be so easyfor us. But we should at least assimilate the teachings apparent from them -the soothing coolness (calmness) and uniformity (impartiality) of the kalash,and the radiance, energy (activeness) and steadfast uprightness of the deepak. Q3 What is the significance of the shiva lingam? A3 One thing a person may be questioning iswhy Lord Shiva is so often represented as a lingam. Lingabasically means a sign or symbol. So the lingam is essentially a symbol of the shapeless universalconsciousness of Lord Shiva. “Shiva” also means that in which thecreation lies dormant after the annihilation. So, one explanation is that the lingamis a representative of the dormant universal consciousness in which all createdthings rest after the cosmic annihilation. It also represents the pradhana,the potential but unmanifest ingredients of the material world. Another explanation is thatShiva means auspicious. So the linga is the shapeless symbol for thegreat god of auspiciousness. It is intended to bring the shapelessunknown into our attention. The yoni upon which the lingamoften sits represents the manifest universal energy. From the unmanifest comesthe manifest energy, through which all other things are created. The yoni,which is a symbol of Shakti, combined with the lingam, is a symbol ofthe eternal union of the paternal and maternal principles, or the positive andnegative, or the static and dynamic energies of the Absolute Reality. It is thecommunion of the eternal consciousness and dynamic power of the Shakti, thesource of all actions and changes. It is also the symbol for the creation of the universethrough the combination of the active energy of Lord Shiva and his Shakti. This is howLord Shiva and Durga are considered the parents of the universe. The symbolism of the lingam and yonialso represents the base of the spine, meaning the Muladhara chakra,upon which the kundalini is resting, waiting for awakening. There are afew versions according to the Puranas of why Shiva is worshiped as a lingamand how this happened, of which I will relate one. There was a great sacrificial ceremony thatwas going to take place many hundreds of years ago. The great sage Narada Muniwas invited to it and asked who would receive the effects of the sacrifice. Noone could answer, so the sages who were present asked him who should receiveit. Narada said that Sri Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva wereall eligible, but they would have to find out which one had the most patienceand purity to be the receiver of the sacrifice. So he chose the great sageBrighu to learn the answer. Brighu had many mystic powers and was able totravel to the domain of the demigods. So first he went to see Lord Brahma, butBrahma was preoccupied and did not notice Brighu’s presence. Feeling insulted,Brighu cursed Brahma, “Youare so proud of your power of creation, you did not notice my arrival. For thisyou shall have no temples on earth.” Thus, there are very few temples of Brahma onearth. Next, Brighu went to see Shiva in Kailash, but Shiva also did not noticeBrighu’s arrival. Brighu, again feeling offended, cursed Shiva to beworshiped only as a lingam on earth. This is the reason why LordShiva is primarily represented and worshiped as a lingam on this planet. Then, to continue the story, Brighu went tosee Lord Vishnu, who also did not recognize Brighu’s presence. Brighu was soangered that he wentforward and kicked Vishnu’s chest. Lord Vishnu apologized if He hadhurt Brighu’s foot and began praising Brighu. Brighu immediately felt pleased and could understand that Vishnu wasactually the most qualified to receive the offerings from the sacrifice. However,Lakshmidevi, the goddess of fortune and Lord Vishnu’s wife, was very displeasedby Brighu’s action and, therefore, does not bestow muchmercy on the brahmanas who, as a result, are often without much money. To explain the shape of the lingam, aBaana linga is egg-shaped and is meant to show that Ishvara has neitherbeginning nor end. The Lingobhavamurti form of the lingais said to be the prime manifestation of the formless, which Shiva is said tohave manifested exactly at midnight on Shivaratri. This is why everyone staysup until midnight and then worships that form during the Shivaratri festival. Arepresentation of the Lingobhavamurti can often be found in a niche on theoutside wall of the sanctum in any important Shiva temple. The lingas in the temples are oftenformed in three parts. The lowest part is the base square called the Brahmabhaga or Brahma-pitha,which represents the creator Brahma. The next part in the middle is theoctagonal Vishnubhaga or Vishnu-pitha,which signifies Lord Vishnu the sustainer. Both of these parts form thepedestal. The topcylindrical portion is the Rudrabhaga or Shiva-pitha, which is alsocalled the Pujabhaga since this is the worshipable part. The top portion isalso meant to symbolize the projecting flame of fire. This flame alsorepresents the destructive aspects as well as the preserving power of God. There aretwelve important Jyotirlinga (self-manifested linga) temples scatteredacross India. They are found at Kedarnatha, Kashi Visvanatha, Somnatha,Baijnath, Ramesvare, Ghrisnesvar, Bhimasankar, Mahakala, Mallikarjuna,Amalesvar, Nagesvar, and Tryambakesvar. The fivePancha Bhuta lingas in India are located at Kalahastisvar, Jambukesvar,Arunachalesvar, Ekambesvara at Kanchipuram, and Nataraja at Chidambaram. Thetemple of Lord Mahalinga at Tiruvidaimarudur (Madhyarjuna) is also a greattemple in South India. The reason Lord Shiva is often worshiped bypouring Ganges water over the lingam is that it represents the Gangesdescending from heaven on to Shiva’s head. The legend is that when the Ganges firstbegan to flow to the earthly planet from the heavenly region, the force of itwould have destroyed the earth. To prevent this, Lord Shiva agreed to let theriver first fall on his head before it formed into a river. It is alsoexplained that when worshipers pour milk or Ganga water on the linga, itrepresents the pouring of ghee on the sacred fire in the fire ceremony, or yajna.This is the symbolic offering of ourselves to God. One story in connection with the Shiva lingais found in the Linga Purana. It describes that once LordBrahma, the god of creation, and Lord Vishnu, the God of protection, engaged inan argument on who was greater. When those two great gods were fighting betweenthemselves, Lord Shiva appeared as a huge pillar of fire that spread across theuniverse. He told Brahma and Vishnu that whoever finds the head or foot of hisform of flame would be considered greater. Then Brahma took the form of a swanand set out to reach the top of the flame. Vishnu took the form of a boar toseek out the foot of the fire. But in spite of their efforts, they could notsucceed in finding the limits. They realized their mistake and thepeerless greatness of Lord Shiva. This shows how Shiva cannot be approachedthrough ego, but responds with love to those who surrender to him. In thispastime, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of the fiery lingam for theirbenefit. So they were considered blessed with additional insight for worshipingthat oldest form of him. This form of Shiva who appeared from the flame iscalled Lingodbhava. This story is found in the Shiva Purana and othertexts. This further helps to show how the lingam isnot formless nor really a form, but a symbol for the divinity of Lord Shiva. In Sanskrit, linga also means “mark”. It is a mark or symbol ofLord Shiva in the same way that large puddles of water is an indication ofheavy rains. It is an inference for something else, like the form ofthat which is formless and omnipotent. MercuryShiva lingas are known to be especially potent. Mercury is known as parad or para inHindi. It is also known as Shivadhatu, literally Shiva's metal. In reality, itrefers to Shiva's semen. Mercury has been equated with this, and is especiallyrevered. Shiva lingas made from a variety ofstones are held in great reverence. However, religious writers have equated aShiva linga made of mercury with Shiva. It is said to possess divinequalities. Whenever a deity is made ceremoniously with a combination ofmercury, it is said to be very effective. It is believed that whoever offersprayers to the mercury Shiva linga will be blessed and considered ashaving offered prayers to all Shiva lingas in the universe. Theseblessings are equivalent to those from hundreds of Ashwamedha yajnas. Even the blessingsgained from giving millions of cows in charity cannot equal this. Giving goldin charity also does not qualify one for as many blessings. It is said that in homes where prayers are offered regularly to the mercury Shiva linga,all kinds of comforts are available. Success reigns there as Shiva resides inthese homes. In such places, vaastu shortcomings will be overlooked.Offering prayers every Monday to the mercury Shiva linga can also wardoff tantric spells. In the Shiva Purana, Shiva has said:“Whatever blessings are showered upon you on making offerings to millions ofdifferent Shiva lingas, these can be multiplied manifold when you personally offer prayers to the mercury Shiva linga.By a mere touch of the mercury Shiva linga one can achieve salvation.” -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1868130993.1265176.1639992999054%40mail.yahoo.com.
