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MANGALA HARATHI OF LORD SHIVA శివ మంగళ హారతి భవాని చంద్రశేఖరాయ శంకరాయ మంగళం గౌరినిత్య తరంగాయ ఈశ్వరాయ మంగళం పారిజాత శోబితాయ పావనాయ మం...
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అభీష్ట సిద్ధిరస్తు అత్యంత అనుకూల దాంపత్య సుఖ ప్రాప్తిరస్తు చిరంజీవ చిరంజీవ సుఖీభవ సుఖీభవ ధీర్గయుష్మాన్ భవ ధీర్గసుమంగళి భవ మాంగల్యగ...
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Annamacharya Sankeertana - Kanti Sukravaramu
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What is Pradakshinam and How it should be performed? Pradakshinam is one of the Shodashopacharas (16 ways of worshipping god). As per pura...
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Thiruppavai (Lyrics and Chanting)
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
FLOWERS FOR WORSHIPING DIFFERENT DEITIES
FLOWERS FOR WORSHIPING DIFFERENT DEITIES
Flowers form an important and integral part of a Hindu worship. Flowers are used in all Hindu poojas irrespective of whether they are carried out at home or at temples. Flowers serve as mediums to communicate to God. Furthermore, the fragrance of flowers induces devotion and sets the mood for worship. When flowers are offered to deities, there is a mechanism which functions to release divine energy into the atmosphere. Flowers attract the inherent divine or positive elements in the space and emits them through their petals, thereby charging the atmosphere with divine and positive vibrations.
Different flowers are associated for the worship of different deities in Hinduism.
Below mentioned are the flowers for worship of different deities according to the Hindu faith.
Lord Ganesha: Arugampul or Bermuda grass commonly found everywhere is the most auspicious offering to Lord Ganesha. Vel Erukampoo (White colour) or Calotropis Gigantea (Botanical name) is also considered as auspicious for the worship of Lord Ganesha.
Lord Shiva: It is well known to a devout Hindus that Bilva leaves are considered the most auspicious to be offered to Lord Shiva. Apart from it, Thumbai Poo (Leucas aspera), Purple orchids or Kovidaar which is also called Mandarai flowers are also recommended for the worship of Lord Shiva. Champak and Vel Erukkampoo are also offered to invoke His blessings.
Lord Vishnu: It is a commonly known fact that Tulsi (Basil leaves) leaves are considered the most auspicious to be offered to Lord Vishnu. This practice simply reminds one of Lord Krishna's statement in the Bhagavad Gita that even a small little leaf offered with total devotion is suffice to appease Him.
Apart from Tulsi, Paraijata, Thechi, (Ixora coccinea), Shankhupushpam or Aparajitha (Butterfly pea - Clitoria ternatea) are also considered auspicious to be offered to Lord Vishnu. Lotus which is often compared to the eye of the Lord in scriptures and devotional works acclaiming His beauty, is no doubt an auspicious flower offering to Him.
Goddess Parvati or Devi: There are mentions of various flowers in 'Lalita Sahasranama' dedicated to Devi. She is also said to be residing in the Kadhamba groves, for which, She is acknowledged with devotion as 'Kadhambavana Vasini'. Kadamb' (Neolamarckia cadamba), Champak (Michelia champaca), Hibiscus, Punnaag or Sultan Champa, Jasmine, etc are ideal to attract the grace of Devi.
Goddess Durga: Red flowers are basically offered to Goddess Durga. Hibiscus, Thechi (Ixora coccinea), Sev Arali (Nerium indicum or Nerium oleander) are some of the most commonly used flowers for the worship of Durga.
Goddess Lakshmi: Lotus happens to be the abode of Goddess Lakshmi. Lotus is considered as sacred to be offered to Goddess Lakshmi. Thazhampoo, which is also called Ketaki or Screwpine, Thechi, Champak (Michelia champaca) and Jamanthi (Chrysanthemum - Corn Marigold) are also some flowers that invokes the Grace of the goddess of wealth.
Goddess Saraswati: As Goddess Saraswati is seated on a white lotus, the flower is offered to Her. Parijata is not to be offered to Goddess Saraswati.
Lord Subhramanya: Lotus and Sev Arali (Nerium indicum or Nerium oleander) are considered as important among the flower categories to be offered to Lord Subhramanya.
Dakshinamurthy: Considered as the 'Guru' for the Saivites, Mullai a category of the Jasmine family ushers in the blessings of Dakshinamurthy.
Hanuman: Tulsi or Basil leaves and a garland made of 'Beetle leaves' are recommended to invoke the blessings of Lord Hanuman.
These flowers for worship of different deities aids in establishing a communion with one's chosen deity and invariably invokes grace.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
WHY VISIT TEMPLES ? (Scientific Reason)
(I got this inforamtion in a chain mail..so thought of sharing with others)
Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.
Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.
Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.
The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.
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