QUES ANSW DIVINE04-2022-03 Dear friends,
These are information compiled as QA by me in1998’s-2004’s and stored in my computer. They are posted by very learnt members. BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS. Sincerely, R. Gopalakrishnan, 78,dated 03-04-2022 Q1 What is abhang? A1 Abhang or Abhanga is a form ofdevotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthala also known as Vithoba. Bhajans focus on the inward journey, abhangs are more exuberant expressions of the communitarian experience. Abhangs were first sung by theVarkari saints like Tukaram in their native language, Marathi Q2 Do Adi sanakara asked the local chiefto ear mark a corner of the area surrounding the house for cremation of thedead of the family? A2 There is a legend like that forthe origin of cremation area in the compound ADI SHANKARA became a sanyasin atan early age, but had to be near the death bed of his mother as promised by himfor getting permission from her to take SANYASA and as given by swamiSIVANANDA “ Sankara received news that his mother was seriously ailing. He lefthis disciples and proceeded toKaladialone. His mother was then bedridden. Sankara touched her feet in reverence. He praised Lord Hari. Hari’smessengers came. Sankara's mother gaveup her physical body and went along with those messengers to the abode of Hari.”(Kindly Read MATHRUPANCHAKAM- A good translation is given by Brahma Sri.P.R.RAMACHANDER, and in the Blogger called PALLASSANAS Sankara encountered seriousdifficulties in performing the funeral rites of his mother. Usually, Sannyasins do not perform any of the rites or ceremonies whichare enjoined on the householders. The Nambudiri Brahmins were all against Sankara. Sankara's relatives also did nothelp him. They did not come forward toassist him even in carrying the dead body to the place of cremationand refused to give fire for igniting the funeral pyre. At last Sankara determined toperform the funeral rites all alone. As he could not carry theentire dead body, he cut it into pieces and removed the pieces one by one to the backyard of the house. He then made apyre there of stems of plantain treesand set fire to it by his Yogic power. Sankara wanted to teach the Nambudiris a lesson. He then made thelocal chief issue an edict that acorner should be set apart in each *Illam* or house of the Nambudiri Brahmins to burn the dead of the family andthat they should cut the dead body intoparts and then burn the same. This practice continues even today amongst NambudiriBrahmins.” My note- Tamil Brahmins settled in Kerala took prority in havingsamooha matam and separate cremation ground. In many places cremation groundsnear highways have been taken away for high way expansion by Government. Myhome is an example. Cremationground of about 20 cents of land near highway, in my boyhood days, now theremaining after highway expansion is about 2 cents of land. Q3 What are the details of Hemambikatemple at Palakkad? A3 Sage Parasurama reclaimed vastarea of land from the sea, hence this is known as Parasurama Kshetra. It is believed that Parasuramaconsecrated four temples for Goddess Ambika,Balambika at cape comerin, Lokambikaat Loknarkav near Badakara, Mookambikaat Kollur and Hemambika at palakkad Originally this temple was in themidst of the western ghats with thick forest.This area was known as Neelimala, Akamala and Karimala. Goddess Durga (Hemambika) was atKarimala. According to the legend two Namboodri Brahmins used tovisit this Holy place daily for worship crossing the protected wild foresttracks on feet. The elderly Namboodris later becamevery old and found difficult to carry out the daily routine of worship in the mountain. One night Goddess appeared before Karur Namboodri in his dream and consoled that she will be seen at the temple pond near his houseand he can worship from there. Earlynext morning the radiant devotee rushed towards the pond and found two beautiful hands coming out fromthe middle of lake.Karur Namboodri inhis excitement jumped into the pond and swim to the centre and caught hold of the hands. Immediately the hands turned intostone and became stationary. The presentkallaikulangara temple derive its name from this incident. Kaimuk and karur Namboodris began to worship the hands. The present temple is constructed on the land reclaimed from the pond lake. The temple was built with the help of the localruler Sekhari varma valiaraj of Palakkad.Now the temple is under the control ofMalabar Devoswam board who lookafter the daily routine shedule. It was Adi shankara who brought anorder in the mode of daily worship and decided upon the different offerings to thediety.The Goddess is worshipped asSaraswathi in the morning as lakshmi in the noon and Durga in the evening. Q4 Everybody knows Sage Vedavyasa, bornof Sathyavati and Sage Parasara Maharishi, divided the Vedas into four groups(the Vedas were imparted by God to Brahma), so as to be accessible to Humanityat large. It is told the same was taughtto four disciples Name the disciples andpart taught A4 Vedavyasa taught them to his disciples the four Vedasas follows: Rik Veda was taught to Paila Sama Veda was taught to Jaimini Yajur Veda was taught to Vaisampayana and Atharvana Veda was taught to Sumanthu Q5 What is the granite used for Guruayoorappan? A5 The idol of Lord Krishna is a'Pathalanjana Shila' - a variation of black granite that is harderthan metal and considered sacred. A pair of elephant tusks adorns the doorwayof the sanctum sanctorum. Q6 3Where is Kadayanallur? How do theplace got named so? A6 Kadayanallur is a small town inthe Tirunelveli District of the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The name Kadayanallur comes from "Kadaikaleeswara" , the name of thepresiding deity of Kadaikaleeswarar kovil, a Hindu temple located in Kadayanallur.It is located in the foothills ofthe Western Ghats near the kuttralam Waterfalls and Tenkasi. Q7 Do While performing Nivedyam toKrishna Tulsi is a must? A7 When devotees make such foodofferings, they should remember toplace tulasi leaves or flowers on them because Lord Vishnu does not accept any foodwithout tulasi. Tulasi is most beloved of Lord Krishna and thus her leaves and flowers are alsomost dear to Him. Q8 Do Tulasi and Lekshmi are co- wives ofVishnu. Do they live together? Whether thulasi leaves are offered to Lord Siva? A8 Tulsi is seen as Lakshmi'sco-wife for her unconditional devotion to Vishnu, but as Laksmi is very jealous of her, she resides inthe home whereas Tulsi remains in thecourtyard. By convention, the Tulsi Leaf isnot offered to Shiva, just as Bel Leaves, dear to Shiva, are not offered to Vishnu. Tulsi leaves are also not offered to Goddess Lakshmi as she was once annoyedduring her love sport with Vishnu, when his attention got diverted towardsTulsi. Q9 Do Tulasi leaves are used in cookingtoo? A 9 Not in India but in othercountries.Tulsi is used in cooking for its flavorful foliate. In fact, it is often used to flavor Mediterranean and Italiancuisine. The fresh or dried leaves add a distinctive flavor to many foods,such as pasta, rice and salads and its purple colour makes it anexcellent garnish. Q10 What are the medicinal use of Tulsileaves and Tulsi seeds? A10 The juice of fresh leaves, flower tops and slender roots is a very good antidotefor snakeand scorpion bite. -Tusli seedsare known for their killer action on abdominal worms. Children suffering from roundworm infection can be safely givena quarter of a teaspoon of crushed tulsi seeds at bed time for at least threeconsecutive days. Q11 What is the benefit of watering Tulasi? A11 If one waters her or makes herwet, the fear of Yamaraja (deathpersonified) is destroyed." - From the Skanda Purana -- 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/1565110458.733282.1648946672695%40mail.yahoo.com.
