---------- Forwarded message --------- From: 'N Sekar' via iyer123 <[email protected]> Date: Mon, Jan 8, 2024, 1:34 PM Subject: Re: [iyer123] CULTURAL QA 01-2024-08 To: <[email protected]>, Kerala Iyer <[email protected]>, Gopa4411 <[email protected]>
Thank you. Good to read. Q 1 was informative although many of us are aware of these reasons but still refreshing our memory is good, as we don't think about all these consciously. One belief is that you can do the Namaskarans only here - after the Dwajasthanbam but before the exit - in the Prakaram. It is done after the " Pradakshinams". 2. Parsis worship Fire and their bodies, after death, are thrown open in a place where eagles eat them. There is a place for this in Mumbai. 4. As stated there, sll our rituals, as they were originally conceived and practiced, had very valid scientific reasons. The reason why women were asked to sit in a separate place during their menstrual cycle was also because No napkins were available in those days Since they must be feeling weak, full rest was endured by this method. Of course general hygiene. Without knowing anything, the ignoramuses ridicule our religion - Neither is there a desire to learn nor we care to explain. N Sekar Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_> On Mon, Jan 8, 2024 at 12:12 PM, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]> wrote: *CULTURAL QA 01-2024-08* *All the BELOW QA are from Quora digest to me on 08-01-2024.** Two good jokes are also included to avoid monotonous reading if any felt so.* *Quora answers need not be 100% correct answers * *.Compiled* *and posted by R. Gopala krishnan, on 08-01-2024* Q1 Why is a pointed metal top fitted on most of the Hindu temples? A1 Srivathsan,I love reading about philosophical aspects of hinduism18h OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA - Why this metal rod? In all the temples we have a pillar in front of the Garbhagraham or Moolasthanam which is known *as Dwajasthambam or Kodimaram.* In Sanskrit, the word Dwaja means ‘Flag’ that raises high. In the religious sense, whatever raises a man to a higher level of understanding and activity is a ‘Dwaja.’ *The Dwajasthamba is considered as the symbol of hope and desire to overcome one’s ignorance.* Dwajasthambam is an indication of the spinal cord in our human body as told in Agamas. There are totally 32 spiral bones in our spinal cord and even the flag pole has 32 rings. There are many rules mentioned in the Agamas about the installing of this Dwajasthambam. Whenever we enter any temple, we will first encounter this Dwajastambham. *The Dwajasthamba is believed to carry the power of the God in the temple.* *The top portion of the flag staff has three horizontal perches or three branches pointing towards the Sanctum.* These 3 parts symbolizes or represents the Trimurthis – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. *The dwajastambham is normally made by using a single tree or single stone*. They are decorated with either gold or silver or bronze or most of the times with panchalokas. It is said that one should chant only the holy mantras and chant His name while standing in front of the God in Garbhagraha. *Our worries and wishes should be told to god only in front of this Dwajasthambam.* Lastly after praying to all the gods, men should perform the Ashtanga namaskaram while women should perform the Panchanga namaskaram in front of Dwajasthambam. My note- In some temples Dwajasthamba is erected every year during festival time. In such instances the prayer is made in the earmarked area. Many family temples have no dwajasthambam or festivals. In these temples worship is done in front of the deity. An example is the Pandalam Sastha temple, family deity of Pandalam Royal family. No Dwajasthambam and no special festivals. In fact the temple is closed for 10 days when any member of the royal family dies There are few scientific reasons behind the structure of Dwajasthambam. Whenever lightning strikes, the metal arrestor (A device used to protect equipment from lightning, electrical storms, etc…), placed at such a highest point of the region, induces the charge to conduct through it. The metal arrestor then conducts the heavy electrical impulse directly to ground, thus preventing the building from getting damaged. My note- OOn this account present days a rectangular fencing is made around the flag mast in Kerala temples, where rain is a frequent occurance nowadays. Q2 What are the key beliefs of Zoroastrianism? A2 Maryam Alizadeh, Bachelor in Business Management, Oxford Brookes University (Expected 2026)Dec 13 *Zoroastrianism is an ancient monotheistic religion founded in ancient Persia* (present-day Iran) by the prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra) around 1500 BCE. It is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, predating Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Here are the key beliefs of Zoroastrianism: 1. Monotheism: Zoroastrians believe in one supreme deity, Ahura Mazda, who is the creator of all that is good and just. Ahura Mazda is often referred to as the "Wise Lord" or "Lord of Light." 2. Dualism: While Zoroastrianism is fundamentally monotheistic, it also incorporates a dualistic element in its worldview. Ahura Mazda is opposed by Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman), the spirit of chaos, darkness, and evil. This ongoing struggle between good and evil is central to Zoroastrian thought. 3. Asha (Truth): Zoroastrians believe that the universe is governed by Asha (Truth), which is the divine order of the universe. By following the path of Asha, one aligns oneself with the forces of good and contributes to the victory of Ahura Mazda over Angra Mainyu. 4. Threefold Path: The path of Asha is embodied in the Threefold Path, which consists of: Good Thoughts: Zoroastrians strive to think pure, positive, and helpful thoughts. Good Words: They also strive to speak truthfully, kindly, and honestly. Good Deeds: Finally, they strive to act with integrity, compassion, and justice. 5. Free Will: Zoroastrianism emphasizes the importance of free will. Humans have the ability to choose between the path of Asha and the path of Druj (Deception), which leads to darkness and evil. 6. Judgement After Death: Zoroastrians believe that after death, individuals are judged according to their actions in life.Those who have followed the path of Asha will be rewarded with a blissful afterlife, while those who have chosen Druj will be punished. 7. Resurrection: Zoroastrians believe in the resurrection of the soul and the eventual destruction of Angra Mainyu and the forces of darkness. In the end, Ahura Mazda and Asha will triumph, and the universe will be restored to a state of perfect harmony. Zoroastrianism has had a profound influence on the development of other religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its emphasis on monotheism, free will, and the struggle between good and evil has resonated with believers across cultures and throughout history. Q3 What are some things that happen only in India? A3 Vijay Godhi,Lead - Supply ChainUpdated 3y Couple of months back. I was in Mumbai to visit my friend’s dad who was in hospital for a surgery. *Since the hospital didn’t have parking, I had to park my car on the road side which is where usually everyone parks their vehicles*. Below is the image - location of where I had parked my car. I met my friend’s dad and came back 2–3 hrs later to see that my car had disappeared. I was shocked. Initially I thought I was looking for my car at the wrong place. I searched the whole stretch of road and my car was nowhere. I came back to the place where I had parked by car and was thinking. I thought my car was stolen and I need to approach the police and make a complaint. Just then a cab driver had parked his car at the same location and he kept watching me. After couple of minutes, he approached me and asked what’s the problem?. I told him my concern and said it looks like my car is stolen. I was surprised then he just smiled and said no sir, your car is not stolen but it’s towed and will be in the near by police station. I said “WHAT” !! Why ?? . The cab driver said sir. You have parked in a place which is reserved for cabs. Now, look at pic carefully …. That board says this place is reserved for cabs. Can anyone really see this !!! I for sure couldn’t see this. The cab driver directed me to the nearby police station and I got my car back. Thought I had to pay a fine for parking illegally. When I showed them the pic of location , the police officer said “ I know that board is not visible and we have informed the concerned authorities to make it more visible but that’s not our department. You have to pay the fine now” One thing what I liked is the cop at the station didn’t accept any cash as mode of payments for fine. Only cards are accepted. And a proper acknowledgement is given. When I asked why no cash, he had a simple answer - cash means people will try to bribe us and not pay fines. My experience was a good one. Cops spoke nice and were not rude. Why did I write this here - *because this can only happen in India where the board is not visible and still you end up paying … LOL* Edit 1: As suggested, the area was in Bandra near Leelavati Hospital. Q4 Why is it prohibited in most Hindu families, to visit temples for a few days if someone in the family has died? A4 Srivathsan,I love reading about philosophical aspects of hinduism18h *Prohibition to temples - Science or superstition* In Hinduism, each event has a traditional history. Birth and Death are one such part of these events, whenever some person dies or whenever a new child is born, Hindus follow the tradition of Sutak. Sutak is the period of abstention observed by the Hindus after birth or a death of a family member. SUTAK DURING BIRTH Sutak is observed during the time, when a child is born. The family members of the new born observe a period of Sutak for ten days. They restrict themselves from going to temples and attending any ceremonies, etc. Though, the overall environment is jubilant and joyful. The mother of the child is restrained to go in the kitchen and the newborn is not brought outside of the home. After the delivery, the mother does not mix with people and remains confined to the house. Family members call a priest for the spiritual Puja. Sweets and other gifts are distributed among the people. Scientific Aspect *A woman after giving birth to a child becomes very weak and tired. She requires a period of great rest, so that her body replenishes the strength*, lost while giving birth. Her body also secretes many fluids and odor, thus she is refrained from entering or using the kitchen for cooking. She is confined to her room for a period ten to fourteen days, so that her body recovers well. She is not allowed to work and do any task because of this reason only. Traditionally, the period of Sutak is ten days for Brahmins, twelve for Kshatriyas, sixteen to twenty days for Vaishyas and thirty days for Shudras. As in the medieval times, women of Shudra caste had to do a lot of physical hard work in the fields and homes of upper caste people. Their bodies didn’t remain in great shape due to the physical stress and poverty. This was the reason that their Sutak period was the longest, so that their bodies completely recover to sustain their daily chores. The Sutak period of other castes was also relative to their work nature. Moreover, the newborn child is very sensitive and fragile to infections. Its body is not immune to antigens and its immunity develops slowly with time. It could catch infections from the people around it. That’s why, Sutak forbids touching or going near the newborn for ten to thirty days. Our ancient system made sure the proper development of every newborn child with the help of Sutak. In modern times, doctors keep weak infants in incubators for weeks, so that their bodies slowly acclimatize to the earthly environment. But, Hinduism had this system thousand years back in its own style. SUTAK DURING DEATH Sutak observed during Death is also known as Patak. It is the period of renouncing daily life activities for twelve to sixteen days after the death of a family member. It is observed by all the family members and relatives of the dead individual. According to the Garuda Purana, when someone dies, the family must observe Patak for twelve days. They should call a priest to narrate the Garuda Purana and dictate them the rules and regulations of Patak. The execution of Patak includes restriction to – any worship or Puja of a deity, recitation of holy books, consuming spicy food, visiting temples, attending a public function or a ceremony, and exchanging gifts. On the thirteenth day, the “kriya” ceremony is observed, narration of the Garuda Purana is concluded and that ends the Patak period. The belongings of the dead person including its new and old clothes are distributed among the poor and needy. Scientific Reason Observation of Sutak after the death of a family member is a highly meaningful ceremony. As death may occur due to any reason – Sickness, disease, old age, accident, etc. The duration of Patak is corresponding to the reason of death. If a person dies from a serious sickness, the environment of its home could be very contagious for others. So, the people gathered there for mourning, must take a bath after returning to their respective homes to ensure hygiene. Even after cremation of the dead body, a bath is compulsory according to our traditions. Scientifically, the fumes and ashes arising from the burning pyre may infect us. Thus, a proper bath and change of clothes prevent such a case. Even the family members of the dead individual may act as carriers of the infection. Scientifically, a “carrier” is a person who himself is not infected by the disease but may transfer the disease into another person by coming into direct contact. That’s why to prevent such a happening, Patak is observed and the family members are forbidden to attend any public ceremonies, visit any temple and go out more frequently. Only, because their contact with others may result in spread of a sickness. In ancient times, Patak acted as a great method to quarantine such sicknesses. But today, ignorance has blinded our thought process and we consider it as a superstition. Moreover, If a family member dies in a foreign country, irrespective of the reason of the death. No abstention for twelve days is observed by its family. Only a bath completes the Patak. Ancient Hindu scholars and scientists had researched on every issue and life aspect deeply. They had devised proper techniques and methods to cope up with differing circumstances in a scientific and rational manner. But with time, our society has started to forget our traditions and started to label them as mythology or superstition. We tend to follow the western lifestyle, culture and ethics but in return we are disgracing and disrespecting our rich cultural heritage. Sutak and Patak are traditional ceremonies with great scientific logic incorporated into them. I hope this post clarifies and breaks all the myths surrounding them. My note- Earlier in Kerala temples there used to have a black notice board intimating no entry for those having, Pula, Valaima, or on menses. For reasons not known now no such noticeboard is there. However Pula is observed by all family members and going to temple Only after sama44radhana. Valaima is observed only very close family members. Q5 Do you know a joke about a son fleecing his father? A5 ,Andras Lu15h Brad's first year away at university was a lot of partying and paying for his friend's. He quickly runs out of money. His father would not be pleased with his wastefulness, so Brad sends him a message stating he has a professor that can teach his father's dog how to read and write for a bargain price. The father can't believe the advances the school has made, but also can't pass up the opportunity. Brad soon receives his dog and the money, but promptly burns through it again. This time his father is sent another message that another professor of Brad's can teach the dog to talk to people for more money. Brad again receives the money. Soon the father is bragging to everyone in town about how when Brad comes home with the dog, the dog can not only read and write, but can also converse with everyone. Word spreads and at the end of the school year a huge throng of people are waiting to see the dog arrive at the train station. However, neither Brad nor the dog are to be seen. The father looks off at the caboose and sees a slumped shouldered Brad slowly get off the train. The father runs to greet his son and asks where the dog is. Between whimpers Brad tells him that, while they were riding the train back home, the dog put down the newspaper he was reading and said, "Brad, I'm so glad I can speak. Because now I want to tell your mother what I saw your father and the housemaid doing when she wasn't around. *" Brad told his father, "I got so angry...I grabbed that dog by the neck and threw it off the train. We must have been going 100. There's no way it could have survived."* Brad's father grasped him by the shoulders and looked directly into his eyes before saying, "Son, are you sure that lying dog is dead?" Q6 What and why do some people whisper in Nandi's ears at Lord Shiva temples? A6 Srivathsan, I love reading about philosophical aspects of hinduism18h SUPERSTITION BUT WHY PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECT OF NANDI BHAGWAN According to our Sanatan dharma, the purpose of human life is to attain moksha which can be gained by controlling our Indriyas or senses. Moksha can also be defined as merging Jeeva or Individual soul with the supreme god. Our scriptures have deep significance in all the symbolic forms. Similarly; Linga is the symbol of the supreme God and Nandi is the symbol of Jeeva or the individual soul like us. By constant devotion, Nandi the Jeeva merges with Linga the Eeshwara to become Nandeeshwara. Thus, the sitting position of Nandi is the symbolic form of stability and realizing oneness. So it explain the jeeva and paramatma concept. WHY WHISPER ? One such story is about Jalandhara, a demon who comes in stories about both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The tale says that, once when Lord Shiva was meditating, Jalandhara kidnapped Parvathi. All the other Gods tried to inform Lord Shiva about this but failed. Lord Ganesha himself couldn’t wake up Lord Shiva from Dhyana / Meditation. After thinking for a while, Ganesha then thought to tell this to Nandi who was sitting in front of Ishwara. Lord Ganesha then narrated the entire thing in Nandi’s ears and Nandi conveyed the whole thing to Lord Shiva. >From then, the practice of speaking wishes in Nandi’s ears started, and is believed that whatever we speak in his ears will be conveyed to the Lord directly. IS IT GOOD? Actually no. Nandi bhagwan has ears and Shiva is all pervading that one can stop putting post letters or telegrams through nandi bhagwan. It is just a mere SUPERSTITION as none of our scriptures advices us to do so. OM NAMAH SHIVAAYA Q7 Do you know a joke about a priest and a nun? A7 Andras Lu,Sep 17 A priest and a young nun are on a journey in the Alps. On their journey they are surprised by a huge snowstorm. Fortunately, they can fight their way to an empty hut. Once there, they prepare for the overnight stay. There's even a whole closet full of blankets and a sleeping bag, but only one bed. As a gentleman, the priest of course knows what is appropriate and says to the nun: "Sister, sleep in bed. I'll take the sleeping bag." The priest has just zipped up his sleeping bag and closed his eyes when he hears from the bed: "Father, I'm cold." The priest frees himself from the sleeping bag, grabs another blanket and spreads it over the nun. Then he mumbles into his sleeping bag for the second time and begins to slip back into the realm of dreams. Some five minutes later you can hear it again: "Father, I'm still cold." The same procedure: The priest crawls out of the sleeping bag, spreads another blanket over the nun and goes back to sleep. He has just closed his eyes when she says again: "Father, I'm soooooooo cold...!" This time the priest stays where he is and replies, "Sister, I have an idea. We're cut off from the outside world up here and not a soul will ever know what happened here tonight!" He grins mischievously and adds: "We could just pretend we're married..." The nun has secretly been waiting for this with hope and breathes: "Oh yes... that would be nice." The priest then shouts: “Then get up and get your damn blanket yourself!” -- 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/iyer123/1636830318.4995958.1704696140594%40mail.yahoo.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1636830318.4995958.1704696140594%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- 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/iyer123/1208784663.7578225.1704701072293%40mail.yahoo.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1208784663.7578225.1704701072293%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/CABC81ZevW6-xW61Hr6Tdnpmnb%3D%3DCM42qo_CVbbjwemPoo8pgDg%40mail.gmail.com.
