Pranam 1 Undoubtedly charanamritham word used shall be remembered,irrespective of ones bathing in Ganga or Brahmaputra. Bg18.66 says sarva-dharman parityajya- mam ekam sharanam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma shuchah. One shall tread the path of dharma (swa dharma) ; if so beyond that all dharmas, Saranam means unconditional faith with the advaitham in mind (Ekam mam) shall be there. All others are tertiary. That means swadharma complete with the renunciation ,fearless for survival must exist. Suppose what we will do in the office tomorrow after returning back from Ganga dip is not a surrender. Every evil person reached the swargam only because he was fastened to his swadharma as a kshatriya. Hence let us induce all into the groove without discouraging but the ingate is only when the conditions are satisfied. 2 Purity of Ganga water is comparatively better than anyworld river. Various types of bacterial groups were found to be present in the samples of the waters of Ganga and the sediment. The sample of Ganges waters contained bacterial groups: *Flavobacteria*. *β-proteobacteria. *Ganga's water quality has significantly improved since 2014 with the entire length of the river having more dissolved oxygen than the prescribed minimum level, and *68 out of 97 monitoring locations compliant with bathing standards* in terms of biochemical oxygen demand, a senior official said. It is noteworthy that the Ganga water *contains Oxygen levels 25 times higher than any other river* in the world. This is one of the reasons for the self-purifying attributes of River Ganga and high levels of oxygen in the waters of Ganga gives it the unique ability to remain fresh over a prolonged period of time. Since 2014 purity has decreased but due to oxidation by Mr Modi today it is on top. 3 Tulasi , emits heavy oxygen and when our home was surrounded by this plant we were healthier. That is why ancient Tulasi water. Ayurveda took it under the medicinal plant. KR IRS 211221
On Tue, 21 Dec 2021 at 14:38, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < [email protected]> wrote: > QUES ANSW DIVINE 81 > > Dear friends, > > These are information posted by members compiled as QA by me in > 1998’s-2004’s and stored in my computer. At this date I have no information > of the members posted. > > BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS. > > Sincerely, > > *R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, Former AGM Telecom Trivandrum dated > 21-12-2021* > > Q1 Whether a person taking charanamritham of God daily get any special > benefit? > > A1 Yes, Yes Very much. The *Padma Purana* says that even if one has not > done any pious activities at all, if a person accepts the *charanamrita* > of the deity, he becomes *eligible to enter Vaikuntha. * > > Q2 Why the Ganga (Ganges river) is considered sacred? > > A2 In the *Mahabharata* (Vana Parva, 85/89-90-93), it is said: Just as > fire burns the fuel, in the same way if one were to bathe in the Ganga even > after hundreds of forbidden deeds, the water of the Ganga would cleanse > them all. > > In the *Padma Purana* it is mentioned that with the influence of the > Ganga, the sins of several births are washed away. Much virtue is gained > and one finds a place in heaven. > > he *Agni Purana* says that the Ganga blesses one with liberation. > > *Those who bathe in it or drink from the Ganga everyday then cross hurdles > and sail smoothly in** life*. Those who chant the glory of the Ganga gain > many virtues. There is no pilgrimage on a river holier than the one on the > Ganga. > > *Research has confirmed that water from the Ganga does not deteriorate > on storage*. With its health promoting qualities, Ganga water can be > compared to celestial nectar or *amrita.* > > It is sweet, rich in a variety of minerals and destroys disease. *Some > people have reported extraordinary cases of revival when Ganga water was > given to a dying person* > > Q3 Why the tulasi plant is sacred? > A3 *The Skanda Purana says that one gets rid of the sins of as many lives > as the number of Tulasi plants one grows*. > > The *Padma Purana* asserts that wherever there is a garden of Tulasi > plants, that place is like a pilgrimage. > > *Representatives of Yama, the God of Death, cannot enter this home. > Homes plastered with soil in which the Tulasi grows are free from disease.* > > Air that carries the fragrance of Tulasi benefits people it comes in > contact with. Planting and caring for Tulasi helps people get rid of their > sins. > > Even if one Tulasi is grown, the presence of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and > other gods is assured By offering prayers to Tulasi, one automatically > prays to all gods and it is akin to a pilgrimage, therefore, the benefits > accrue accordingly. > > During the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov), when prayers are offered to Tulasi, > or new plants are grown, the accumulated sins of many births are absolved > > *And when shraddha is offered to forefathers near a Tulasi plant, it > pleases them immensely*. > > It is customary to offer prayers to the Tulasi plant in the evening and > light a lamp to offer the Tulasi tree or perform an *arati* to Tulasi > > One then attains the blessings of Vrinda and Lord Vishnu. It is believed > that the penance of Vrinda and her surrender and devotion to Lord Vishnu > became a part of the fragrance and leaves of the Tulasi. > > In the *Brahma Vaivarta Purana* (Prakriti Khand, 21/40) it is said: Lord > Hari is not so pleased after bathing with thousands of pots filled with > celestial nectar, as he is *when even a single leaf of Tulasi is offered > to him.* > > The *Padma Purana* says that whoever bathes with water in which Tulasi is > added attains the virtues of having bathed in the Bhagirathi Ganga (Ganges > River). > > It is also described in the *Brahma Vaivarta Purana* that her last birth > Tulasi was Vrinda Devi, married to an *asura* named Jalandhar. > > To gain victory over him, Lord Vishnu persuaded Vrinda to give up > devotion to her husband. Pleased with her, Vishnu gave her his blessings. > Through his blessings she became Tulasi and is worshipped by people all > over the world. > > *And, at the time of death, even if a single drop of Tulasi water enters > the mouth of a dying person, Vishnu Loka (the abode of Lord Vishnu) is > attained definitely.* > > Q4 What is the significance of the peepal tree? > > A4 In *Taittriya Samhita*, the Peepal tree is included *amongst the seven > most important trees in the world*. The importance of the tree is also > attested in the *Brahma Vaivarta Purana*. > > Often described as a divine tree, it is an object of prayer. On several > occasions around the year prayers are offered to it. *It is believed that > Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi reside in the Peepal tree * > > * In the Skanda Purana (Nagar, 247/41-44), it is explained that: “Vishnu > resides in the root of the Peepal tree*. Keshav (another name for > Krishna) resides in the trunk, Narayana in the branches, Lord Hari in the > leaves and all the gods reside in the fruits. In the *Bhagavad-gita* > (10/26), Lord Krishna says: “Amongst trees I am the Asvattha tree.” The > Asvattha tree is the holy fig or Peepal tree. > > The *Padma Purana* explains that by offering prayers to the Peepal tree > and circumambulating it one attains longevity. *Whoever offers water to > this tree is absolved of all sins and attains heaven. * > > Many Hindu women believe that by regularly offering prayers and watering > the Peepal tree and by circumambulating it, they will be blessed with good > children, particularly a son. > > *This is because unknown souls residing in the tree are pleased and > enable such blessings to bear fruit*. This is why it is customary to tie > threads around the trunk or branches of the tree > > To reduce the malefic effect of the seven-and-a-half years of Shani > (Saturn) it is customary to offer prayers and circumambulate the Peepal > tree. The shadow of Shani resides in the tree.Cutting or destroying a > Peepal tree has been equated with the murder of a brahmana. > > Q5 What is the significance of worshipping the peepal tree only after sun > rise? > > A5 Many times you will find one Peepal tree within the courtyard of a > temple. > > * Before sunrise, the influence of poverty hovers over the tree*. *But > after sunrise, Lakshmi takes over.* Therefore, prayers to the Peepal tree > are forbidden before sunrise. > > Q6 What is Agni hotra? > > *A6 Agnihotra* simply means *a sacrificial fire.* The fire, Agnideva the > fire god, becomes the mouth of God, through which He accepts our offerings. > > These are also distributed to the other demigods, thus, prayers to many > divinities may be chanted during the ceremony. > > Amongst Hindus, there is a family name Agnihotri, which is derived from > the fact that at one time these families maintained a perpetual fire in > their homes. In many homes even today prayers are offered with the fire. > > *In the Valmiki Ramayana (1/6/12), it is said: Everyone performed > Agnihotra in Ayodhya everyday. Lord Ram and Sita performed Agnihotra on the > day of the coronation.* > > It is also said the *aggrieved Kaushalya* did not miss out on Agnihotra > even on the day Rama left home for 14 years of exile. > > In the *Atharva-Veda* (9/2/6) it is said: Agnihotra destroys enemies. > The flames, smoke, and vibrations of the Agnihotra promote mental peace and > give contentment. It clarifies the air in the home, spreads fragrance, > purifies the atmosphere and thus helps householders > > The Agnihotra ritual is also called a *yajna*, or Vedic ritual. However, > when conducting a *yajna* (pronounced as *yagya*) it is customary to have > a *havan *or* fire sacrifice* *In the Agni Purana (380/1) it is said: > Through a yajna the gods grant one's wishes.* > > In the Padma Purana (Shristhi Khand, 3/124), it is said that pleased by a > *yajna* the gods bless mankind with well-being. > > When Brahma created mankind, man visualized that his life would be full > of need, problems and sorrow. *He complained to Brahma, "Lord! Who would > nourish and protect insecure mankind?"* > > *Brahma responded, "Dear son! Through a yajna offer oblations to the gods. > They will bless you with wealth, prosperity, well-being and fame."* > > In a *yajna*, after chanting the mantra it is customary to say *Swaha* > when making an oblation to the fire. > > *Swaha* is the name of Agni's wife. It is customary to invoke her name > during an offering to make her the medium of the oblation. *Swaha* > literally means *good speech.* > > Q7 Do animal sacrifice is told in the yagas? > A7 In the *Mahabharata* (Shanti Parva), it is said: Knaves and rascals > initiated the offering of liquor, fish, animals, and human sacrifice in a > *yajna*. > > They had a demonical temperament and desired to eat meat in a *yajna*. *In > the Vedas eating of flesh has not been recommended.* > > During Mughal rule, meat eating became popular. It is said that some > greedy priests wrote certain shlokas (verses) that claimed the goddess > desired animal sacrifice, and the flesh would be served as prasada, the > mercy of the deity. All Vedic religious texts forbid the eating of meat > and consider it food for demons. No authentic religious text permits meat > eating, unless it has been foolishly tampered with. > > *In the Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Vedavyas says that whoever offers animal > sacrifice and prays to demons and evil spirits will be worse than animals*. > Hell is certain. > > In the end, such people roam about in the utter darkness of ignorance and > sorrow. > > It also explains that those animal sacrifices meant for Kali are not > accepted by Kali, but she lets her ghostly assistants partake of such > offerings. > > Thus, anything taken as remnants or *prasada* from such offerings are > but remnants from those ghostly beings and not Kali or any demigoddess. > > It is also sometimes suggested that the *Vedas* explain that there should > be *ajbali* in the *yajnas* or sacrificial rituals.* But the correct > interpretation is that a seed is also known as aj. Aj denotes cereals.* > Therefore, > the Vedas direct us to use cereals. Killing of animals is forbidden in a > yajna and is irreligious. > > This is why ghee and sesame and grains are used in offerings of any > authentic Vedic ritual. > > Q8 What are the intentions of suggesting a divine pilgrimage? > > A8 In the *Mahabharata* (Vana Parva) it is said that through a pilgrimage > one can conveniently attain the benefits that cannot be easily attained > even through the special *Agnistome yajna* > > In the *Mahabharata* (Vana Parva, 85/92) it is said: Going on the holy > pilgrimages to Pushkar, Kurukshetra, Ganga, and Magadha *benefits seven > generations each of forefathers and successors.* > > In the *Devi Bhagawat* it is said that just as the purpose of > agriculture is to produce grain, the purpose of a pilgrimage is to become > sinless > > In the *Atharva-Veda* (18/4/7) it is said that pilgrims get over sins > and shortcomings through pilgrimages and advance towards a pure wholesome > life. It is also said the benefits that accrue from a pilgrimage are in > direct proportion to the devotion of the pilgrim. > Q9 Why do Hindus cremate their dead? > > A9 Amongst Hindus it is customary to do the last rites by consigning the > body to fire. > > In the *Chudaman Upanishad* it is said that Brahma gave birth only to the > flame-like soul. From the soul, the sky was born. From the sky, air was > born, from air fire, from fire water, and from water the earth was born. > *These > five elements united to form the human body. When a dead body is cremated > in fire, the elements return to nature from where they came initially.* > > There is the understanding amongst Hindus *that after death the soul > continues to hover around the dead body due to its earlier attachment with > it. When the body is consigned to the flames and burnt to ashes the > relationship between the soul and the body ends*. Therefore, to help > speed the soul along to its next existence, the body is burned to ashes. > > It is customary amongst Hindus that the son of the deceased performs the > cremation ceremony. > > This is to prepare the son to accept that his father or mother is dead. It > also prepares him emotionally to take over the responsibilities of the > household and also fulfill his duties towards society. > > Q10 What is kapalakriya? > > A10 During the cremation ceremony when the dead body is set on fire, an > important part of the ceremony is *kapal kriya.* > > The significance of this is explained in the Gamda Purana. During kapal > kriya, the *skull is broken with a bamboo pole because it consists of > very hard bone that cannot be burnt easily, even by fire.* > > When broken, it burns with the rest of the body and is converted to the > five elements that constitute the body and becomes a part of the ashes. > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" 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/iyer123/670293826.166923.1640077763883%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/670293826.166923.1640077763883%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAL5XZoprvaQ%3DRA%2B-5cx4dKd%3DH3n9%2BVpZFAJxXVA8S%2BOV0qKy_A%40mail.gmail.com.
