BOOK TITLE

 

 

 

THE SCIENTIFIC

WAY OF ANCIENT LIFE

 

BY

T.G.BALASUBRAMANIAN.

(THONI)

17. MORAL PRACTICES OR INDIAN CULTURE

 

1. Respect parents, teachers. Joint family is the way of life in India or in Hinduism. Aged parents will be the head of the family until they alive. Jews were also following the same policy (Ref. Ten commandments) but changed later. Hindu families are still respecting their parents. All family religious functions start only after respecting parents and elders.

2. Early to bed and early to raise.  Two hours duration prior to Sun raise is called ‘Brahma Muhurththam’. That period considered to be so sacred for devotional and knowledge gaining activities. Farmers will be going to fields with ploughs and bullocks during early mornings. But now, this practice is slowly diminishing. Most of the villagers will be going to bed before nine in the nights.  

3. Bathing during morning hours will reduce body (Excessive) heat apart from cleaning the skin. Wear washed clothes daily. Indian villagers will be walking up to river sides in the morning hours and have their bath. We could see this habit even today in villages. Well in each house and a tank for each village were features in ancient days. It seems that ancient Jewish people were also using such a common water storage area to take bath. Ancient Indus valley area as well as western Jerusalem area were having such water storages.

4. Use religious symbols (‘Vibuthy’, ‘Srichrnam’ or ‘kumkum’) on forehead. There will be a psychological attraction towards these persons. Vibuthy is the ash of cow dung. The philosophical meaning for wearing Vibuthy is ‘Human body is also going to become into ashes’. Similarly ladies should wear ‘kumkum’ and not the stickers on their  forehead.  It was considered sacred in Hinduism. Sari should be worn by south Indian ladies. Ancient Indians believed that stitching a torn clothe was symbol of poverty. 

5. Every home will have a prayer room where family deity’s idol will be kept with reverence. Drawing with artistic skill by using rice flavor (‘Kolam’) is the specialty of south Indian ladies. Ladies will clean their homes, prepare items for the prayer and cook food to offer to God, guests, family members and self. Ladies will light lamps in front of deities during morning and evening. Keeping the home bright is the responsibility of ladies. Ladies will look after all the activities within their homes.

6. According to ancient Hindu culture, guests should be fed before taking their lunch everyday. There were stories about people waited for a guest but found none and spent the day in fasting.

7. Killing is against Hinduism. While considerable people ate flesh, those who involved in yogic practice seriously will eat only vegetarian food. Jews were also vegetarians once but interpreted the rule in ten commandments differently. The main profession of Indus valley people was cultivation of oats, wheat etc..

8. Using alcohol was considered a bad habit. All bad habits will continue if alcohol was consumed because it sedates human brain.

9. Gambling was against Hindu culture. The results of gambling were the story of Mahabaratha. 

10. Desire on possessing another person’s wife is a sin in Hinduism. The main theme of Ramayana is the same. Sex with married woman was considered sacred. Second marriage of a male or female was allowed in Hinduism. If one in a couple died, other can marry again. If both alive, there were many stringent rules to get diverse and remarry a new one. The Bible also having such rules.

11. Think the deeds are ours and benefits are the gifts of God. Such thought will help to get rid of ego. Stealing should always be avoided. Adding too much of wealth also called as stealing in  Hinduism. There will be no short temper if ego was avoided. Use the extra earnings for helping others.

12. Involve in family activities as a duty without affection or desire. Believe in God will help to improve good habits.

13. Avoid speaking lies. Harichandra purana is a story based on stressing truth.

14. Lead a contended life. Sadness can be avoided  because of loans and insults.

15. Do yoga three times a day at least half an hour during each time. The first one should be before Sun raise. The second one at Sun set and the third before going to bed. It can be for 10 minutes during night. Professionals can adjust their yoga timings according to their convenience. But, time and place should be unaltered as far as possible.    

16. Eat for hunger and not for taste or to eating sake. Depending upon individual’s profession, the dining timings should be adjusted and maintained uniformly. We must understand that eating is only to gain strength for doing our duties and not for improving our fat. After forty, try to reduce the  quantity of food. Vegetarian food is always preferable or at least after forty.

There were saints who ate just three small size hand full of grain food daily and lived more than hundred years of age. So, one time full meal is sufficient to live with good health. Avoiding dinner after the evening will be agood habit.

17. Always mingle and live with knowledgeable people. Those who wish to lead devotional life should think, speak and hear philosophical  words always whenever free time found.

18. Expectation will lead to disappointments. As quoted in Bagavath Geetha, all deeds belong to us but gains were given by God. ‘Man proposes and God disposes’ is also same. Disappointments may happen because of improper involvement or ego.

19. Patience is most required for yogic practices. Patience and strong will lead to success. Think number of times before starting towards a goal. Plan when and how to execute. Don’t turn around after the start.

20. Think positive. Never use negative words. Believe there is one above us. Avoid fear. Talk less and work more.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. EPICS, PURANAS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS BOOKS

 

There are two epics called Ramayana and Mahabaratha. 

Ramayana is a story written by saint Valmiki.

Mahabaratha is a story written by saint Vyasa.

Both of them were written in Sanskrit. Most of the Indians are thinking that the characters in both the epics spoke in Sanskrit. But Sanskrit became as a spoken  language very much later.

Ramayana events were two thousand years earlier to Mahabaratha events. But, Mahabaratha was written by Vyasa earlier than Ramayana by Valmiki.

There were many Ramayana stories in the past which consists of different events but with the same characters. Mahabaratha was having just 20,000 poems in the beginning but now there are more than 2,00,000 poems with many additions. Bagavath Geetha and Shanthi parva in Mahabaratha were said to be later additions by few.

Following the Valmiki’s Ramayana, there were many events added by the later saints to form their own Ramayana. The saint Thulasi doss, poet Kambar and Thiyagaiyar had written Ramayana.

We could read about performing Aswamedha yaham. Indians knew nothing about Aswam (Horse) during the Ramayana or Mahabaratha events’ period. The period of Ramayana was before 5000 B.C and Mahabaratha before 3000 B.C. Aryans came by riding horses only during Vedic period which was during 1500 B.C..     

Since Ramayana and Mahabaratha were written later than Vedic period, Aswamedha yaham entered into those stories.

Ravana, the villain of Ramayana was the king of Sri Lanka according to the understanding by most of the Indians. There are few who believe that Ravana was a king of small territory in India itself. They also argue that there was a lake (Common name sagar in Sanskrit for Ocean as well as lake) as a border of that territory.

When looking at the above controversies, we can conclude that few events of history were written as a big novel with many additions and deletions to advise people on certain morals. 

The main morals told in Ramayana are connected to sanctity on marriage and about a person’s demise due to one sided love with a married lady.

The main theme of Mahabaratha is the conflict among cousins because of materialistic desires. Such a small quarrel resulted in most of the family lineages became lost. Krishna is a character who held the conch to run the whole story.       

 The story of Ramayana in brief: Rama was the prince of Ayodhya. Janaki, the duaghter of king Janaka (Janaki was the daughter of mother Earth, found and brought up by king Janaka) married Rama following a skill game won by him.

Ravana, king of Sri Lanka heard about the beauty of Janaki and kidnapped her. Rama learnt the whereabout of Janaki. He gathered a group of monkey battalion (Hanuman was the leader) and fought with Ravana. In the battle, Ravana was killed and Rama released Janaki from the custody. Rama returned to Ayodhya with Janaki and ruled the country. According to ‘Uthara Ramayana’, Janaki returned to her mother Earth.

The story of Mahabaratha in brief: Gowrava and Pandava were cousin brothers. There were hundred brothers including Dhuriyodhana called Gowravas. Pandava consists of five brothers.

Because of cruel mind, Dhuriyodhana called Pandavas to play gambling. Pandavas were loosing their country and and all their belongings. Elders associated with Dhuriyodhana advised to give back a part of the property to Pandavas but he refused. Instead, Pandavas were asked to keep their wife Panchali as captive prize for a fresh gambling game. Dhuriyodhana gained in the game and insulted Panchali in the court.

Dhuriyodhana later agreed to return the country after fourteen years with several conditions after. Pandavas under went all the conditions. Even then Dhuriyodhana did not honor his words. Pandava joined with lord Krishna and declared war against Dhuriyodhana. Because of Krishna’s  assistance, Pandavas won the battle. Dhuriyodhana was killed and Pandavas ruled the country for long. 

There are many side stories about various characters connected to the main story which make Mahabaratha so big. Lord Krishna motivated Arjuna (one of the brothers of Pandava) to fight when he was confused because of affection. Justification to fight told by lord Krishna at war front was written as Bagavath Geetha.

There are three major chapters in Mahabaratha which have morals or legal codes to lead  a good human life. They are ‘Vidhura needhi’, ‘Bishmar’s Raja needhi’ and ‘Bagavath Geetha’.

It is my opinion that ‘Bagavath Geetha’ is a book of such sort in the world to follow by each and every human being.

There are eighteen ‘Puranas’ in Hinduism to expalin certain philosophies. But, the philosophies were forgotten and stories are alive. Most of the Hindus are believing that these stories are historical events.

Skandha purana, vishnu purana, Bavishya purana, Garuda purana, Siva purana, Bagavatha purana and others are called as Puranas.

Each purana describes the events connected to one deity. Skandha Purana has the story about Karthikeya. Vishnu purana has the story on lord Vishnu or Narayana. Ten characters in this purana are called as Avatharas (Reincornations). The ten avatharas are Macha (Fish), Kurma, Varaha, Rama, Balarama, Parasurama, Thrivikrama, Krishna, Vamana, Kali avatharas.

In my opinion, there was no Avathar concept in Hinduism at the beginning.    

Ancient people from north India would have travelled towards west in groups with a leader to each to survive following the great floods or famine. After thousands of years, while most of the group still moving forward with the name Jews, few re - entered India on Arabian horses for the first time during Vedic period. Because of long separation, Their culture would have changed or mingled with others. Such group would have called themselves as Aryans.

At this time, I wish to recall the research results of Indus valley civilization or Dravidian culture which was told as having close relationship with Celtic (Jewish) culture  - Ref. book by Devaneya pavanar.

There were cultural clashes between the above Aryans and the local Indians in the past. We could note in Rig Veda about these clashes. Aryans had relationship in due course with Indians and later lost their individuality. 

Jainism and Buddhism were started as the result of these clashes. Jains started building temples for their seers like God to worship them. Buddhists also followed the same lines. To maintain the gap, Vedic Hindus also made the historic characters like Rama, Krishna and others as Gods. Most of the present day Hindus may agitate to this idea but it is my personnel opinion.

As far as the Hindu concepts maintained, there is no problem in introducing any number of images.

Apart from Four Vedas there are more than one hundred and eight Upanishads to explain the Hindu philosophies. 

Brahma suktham was an another important book written by Vyasa (Few will say that it was written by other) which deals with philosophical aspects in question and answer form to clear many doubts on Hindu philosophies. 

Padhanjali Yoga Suthra is on Raja yoga and Adhi Sankara’s Viveka chudamani is on Sanyasa yoga.

There were thousand and thousands of books were written by many saints and poets in local languages. Namadevar’s Abangs were full of Hindu philosophies.

HINDUISM IS A BUILDING CONSTRUCTED ON FOUR VEDAS AS FOUNDATION AND THOUSANDS OF PHILOSOPHICAL BOOKS AS STRONG BRICKS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Hindu Saints

 

‘ENDHURO MAHANUBAVULU, ANDHARIKKI NA (MA) VANDHANAMULU’ – THYAGA BRAHMAM.

There were many great souls (Saints), My (our) head bows to all of them.  

It is human nature to ask for proofs for any result or achievement. As far as religious achievements are concerned, it will be very difficult to prove the result.

One Tamil poet quoted as ‘Kandavar vindilar, vindavar kandilar’. It means that those who saw, did not reveal, those who revealed did not see’.

Yogis were getting enlightenment only after entering the samadhi state. As already mentioned, They will never come  back to explain. We have to understand that those who wrote about achievements were in the prior or dhyana state.

Yogis could get powers to control nature in dhyana state itself. So, they could write books about their achievements. During samadhi state, yogis would become a part of the God.  

The details about the miracles must be revealed either by the concerned or the persons who saw or experienced. Most of the ancient saints became  poets on their way of yogic powers and wrote their experiences. There are many books written by saints who achieved goals through their yogic practices.

There were 63 saivite saints called Nayanmars who wrote books about their experiences which were commonly referred as ‘Thevaram’ The names of few saivite saints are Sundharamurthy Nayanar, Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar, Manickavachagar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Thirumoolar, Seraman Peruman.

There were 12 Vaishnavite saints called Azhvars who wrote many philosophical books on lord Narayana which were referred as ‘Thoiruvai Mozhi’. The names of few Vaishnavite saints are Periyazhvar, Boodhaththazhvar, Andal.

There were 18 yogis called as siddhars who wrote books on philosophy and medical and astronomical sciences. The names of few siddhars are Agaththiyar, Bogar, Karuvoorar, Pattinathar, Thrumoolar, Badragiriyar.

All the above list of saints were lived in South India. Similarly, there were Namadevar, Gorakumbar, Kabir dass, Yogi Baba Sayaji, Yuktheshwar, Siradi Sai Baba and many other saints lived in north India.  

Adhi Sankara, Ramanujar and madhvachariyar were lived in the past as yogis and wrote many books on philosophy. Adhi Sankara’s philosophy is called as Adhvaitgham. The other philosophies are Visishtadhvaitham by Ramanujar and dhvaitham by Madhvachariyar.

We understand from the ancient religious poems that there were many saints lived in those days. They were Angirasar, Ambareeshvar, Yavvanasvar, Gowthamar, Kowndinyar, Viswamithrar, Jamadhagni, Vasishtar, Rishyasringar, Vyasar, Suhar and so on.

There were saints in recent past too. They were Ragavendra swami, Ramana Maharishi, Seshadri swamigal, Poondi swamigal, Arunagirinathar, Pamban swamigal, Abiramibattar, Jyothy Ramalingam, Kanchi Paramachariyar, Sathya sai baba and so on.

Miracles: All the above saints did miracles in the past. Miracles are the ones which are performed against the nature. We have already explained in the chapter ‘the benefits of yoga’ about how the power to perform miracles are achieved.

It was not the habit of the above saints to perform miracles to public as a show.

There are differences between saints of Hinduism and other religions. Sainthood in Hinduism is a way of life. Their selfless attitude, life style and service to people made others to call them as saints.

Their way of doing miracles were not be same with all the saints. Seshadri swamigal spitted on a person who was suffering from wounds on skin and got cured. At times he behaved like mad by throwing the vendor’s exhibits on streets. But, venders as they experienced the results already will never get angry. They will rearrange their products to sell. The vendor’s will be gifted with good sales and get good profits on those particular days.         

Poondi swamigal will usually sleep on raised front portion of a house (Thinnai) by covering that portion with cloth like a small tent. He will advise his well wishers not to disturb or try to look inside his tent. Once, when a caretaker tried to look inside on curiosity, he found a python there instead of the saint.    

The miraculous experiences with Kanchi Paramacharya were told by many of his followers and compiled in volumes of book by few authors. Kanchi Paramachariyar attained samadhi during the end of twentieth century.

Similarly, there are many volumes explaining the miracles of saint Ragavendra too.

Madhvachariyar explained his view that the soul and the God are existing separately forever. Even after getting the bliss of God, the soul will go closer and stay near the God until their good karmas exhausted. Since both the soul and the God were expressed as different, Madhva’s views  are called as Dhvaitha or twin.

Ramanujar explained that the soul and the God are different but having some special bond. Because of this special bond, this view is called as ‘Visishtadhvaitham’ or specially bonded twins.

Adhi Sankara expalined the soul and the God are same. Since he expressed there is only one, his view is called ‘Adhvaitham’ or ‘Not twins’  

Adhi Sankara’s adhvaitha siddhantha (View) is famous among most of the Hindus. There will be a common question to ask ‘If the God, the soul and the universe are all the one, how we could see the other lives, the world, the sky, the Stars, Planets etc. in front of us? Adhi Sankara quotes that everything we see in front of us as illusion (Maya). 

 He narrates an event as an example to explain the illusion.

When a man walking on a small village lane surrounded by trees at night time, his leg senses a moving object and immediately screamed as “snake, snake”. He switched on a torch light and found a bundle of dry straw which moved when he stepped on it.

Now, Adhi Sankara questions “Where the snake went which was there in the minds of that man?”  That man felt the snake only because of ignorance. It was like a dream state. When got the light, he realized.

The saint Thirumoolar quoted an another example to explain the illusion or maya.

When a child plays with a toy of wooden elephant, it looks at it as a real elephant whereas the elders looks at it as a wooden piece. The child could see an elephant on a toy and wood on the same. The difference is because of illusion. When the child got the knowledge, it comes out of the illusion.

Adhi Sankara rationalized all the Hindu faiths and practices into six broad heads. They are Sowram, Saivam, Vaishnavam, Kowmaram, Ganapathyam and Saktham.

The worshipping system on Sun God was called as Sowram.

Saivam was a method to worship lord Siva.

The worshipping method on Vishnu was called as Vaishnavam.

The method of worshipping lord Karththikeya was called as Kowmaram.

Ganapathyam was the method of worshipping lord Ganesa.

Goddess worship in general was called as Saktham. 

It seems that there many saints lived in the same name. Vyasa, a character in Mahabaratha and Vyasa who compiled the Vedas were different. Similarly, there were different people with the name Agaththiyar. We know that Seeradi Sai Baba and Puttaparththy Sathya sai Baba were different.

We have mentioned about very few saints  but there were many unpopular saints lived at different parts of India. There is a belief among Hindus that these saints still living in Jeevasamathy state in mountain caves throughout India.

ALL THE ABOVE SAINTS WERE THE PROOFS TO ESTABLISH THE TRUTH IN THE CONCEPTS  AND SUCCESS OF HINDUISM 

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14. HINDU FESTIVALS

 

Festivals were celebrated by Hindus to make everyone happy and unite their family and society. It will be like get together parties.

It was the practice of ancient Indians to link all festivals and other activities with religion so that people listen to them. At present, more or less all the days in a year are festival days one way or other celebrated by anyone of the groups in India. 

In real sense, some are connected to religion and others not.

Vinayaka chadhurthy,Krishna jayanthy, Navarathri (Durga puja) Deepavali, Onam are few which has the background of Purana stories. 

Vinayakar has many names like Ganapathy, Ganesan, Pillaiyar, Adhimoolam, Balachandar, Herambar etc.. Adharvasirsho Upanishad used ganapathy as God for explaining philosophy. It is a belief among Hindus that he should be worshipped before starting any new venture so that obstructions will not be faced. Buddhists believe that Buddha lived as an elephant in one of his earlier births. So, they are also worshipping him.

Ganapathy is married in north India where as single in south. Ganapathy pooja will be celebrated for ten days in north and only one day in south. Ganapathy is younger to Karthikeya in north but elder in south. Vedas quote Ganapathy as a supreme God and elder (Jyeshta Rajam) to all. 

Krishna jayanthy or janmashtami is celebrated as the birth day of lord Krishna  We learn about Krishna.from Bagavatham and Mahabaratham. Krishna’s younger life was written in Bagavatham where as his middle and ending days of Krishna were written in Mahabaratham.

Navarathri pooja in south and Durga pooja in Eastern part of India are the same. This festival will be celebrated for nine days. This festival is being celebrated based on the story in Devi Bagavatham. (Devi Bagavatham and Bagavatham are different books) Goddess took three forms as Saraswathy, Lakshmi and Durga on different days, did meditation for getting powers to destroy evils. The story goes as Durga destroyed the evils on ninth day.

It will be so pleasant to view the arrangements of different idols in steps. This is called as ‘Kolu’ in Tamil language. This festival will be celebrated during the month of September.

Deepavali is an another famous festival in India throughout. It also has a story in background which could be found in Vishnu puranam. The story is in connection with the evil called Nagarahasura killed by lord Krishna. Fire crackers and sweet snacks are the speciality on this celebration. Western part of India celebrating this day as new account opening day after doing Lakshmi pooja.

Onam is a festival famous in south west India. It also having a background story in Vishnu purana. Vishnu took incarnation as Vamana (Dwarf) and destroyed the ego of king Mahabali. Onam is being celebrated to remember this incident.

Similarly Holi is a grand day of celebration in northern India.

The first day of each Year is being celebrated on two different days. They depend on solar and lunar calendars. 

Sankaranthi in north and Pongal in South India are the same. It is a great festival in south and being celebrated for three days. People will call it as harvest festival. Pongal is the name of a food item. It is being prepared (Cooked) in combination of milk, jaggery and rice obtained from newly harvested paddy. Sun is the main contributor for crops. So, pongal will be offered to Sun God with thanks giving prayer before eating. 

The second day will be celebrated to respect the animals which helped the fatrmers to plough, separate the paddy seeds from grass, pull the cart etc..

The third day is a rest or entertainment day. People as a family will visit their places of interest. Few will go to movies.

Pongal is mainly a farmer’s festival. This festival being celebrated while Sun enters Makara Rasi (Name of one out of twelve segments of Horoscope chart). So, north Indians will call this day as Makara Sankaranthi. This day is also used for remembering the ancesters.

 

Sankaranthi or Pongal: Pongal in south is a great festival. It is being celebrated in the month of January by inviting the Sun God to come and bless them with good yield from fields. Most of the Indians are farmers. This will be a harvesting time. So the farmers enjoy this festival very much because they will be wealthy in this season by way of good yield from their fields.

Houses will be painted fresh and decorated with drawings. Rice from new yield will be cooked in milk with Jaggery (Unpurified sugar) and ghee (purified butter). This is called as “Pongal’ in local language. They enjoy this festival with their relatives and friends by inviting them.

The next day belongs to oxen and the tools they use. This is a rest day for pet animals like cows, oxen etc.. Farmers will bath the animals and decorate them with garlands.  Sweets and fruits will be fed to them.

This is also a day to show bravery. Younsters will show their bravery to attract girls. Girls also will select their love by seeing the skills of their life partner. This activity is being followed in remote villages at present and faded almost. Pongal is a popular festival now even though it’s charm slowly reduced.

Onam: This festival is very famous in Kerala state in India. It has a background story from purana. Lord Vishnu took a form of a dwarf to kill an evil  

Holi is a famous festival in north India.

India, particularly south has many temples with big towers. Some of Them were  built more than thousand years before. Every year, there will be 10 days festival in each temple. The people surrounding the temple will join together to conduct the festival. Decorations will be most enjoyable to watch. Such festivals will unite the people.

All weekdays are allotted to one deity and celebrating the day for that deity. Mondays for Rudhra, Tuesday for Karthikeya, Wednesday for Narayana, Thursday for Dhakshinamoorthy (Guru), Fridays for female deities (Durga and Lakshmi), Saturdays for Venkatachalapathy and Sunday for Surya Narayana.  Full moon day will be devotted to worship female deities. New moon day is to worship ancesters.

All stars were grouped into twenty seven (At present) and each group was given a name. The names are starting with Aswini, Barani, Krithigai …………. upto Revathy. Each group consisting of different numbers from single to multiple of stars. There was twenty eighth group of stars called ‘Abijith’ but later combined with an another group.

Each group of stars was referred with a name of God. The Star Kriththika was said to be the birth star of Karththikeya. The star Rohini was wife of the Moon. The star Thiruvadhirai (Arudhra) was connected to lord Siva.

So, each day is an important day for a particular deity. Most of the months were having festivals. Chithra (Chaithra) powrnami (Full moon day in the first month of Hindu calendar) celebrated for the deity Indhra in olden days. At present, there is no temple for Indhra. But, it being celebrated for lord Siva.

The second month vaikasi is famous for Vaikasi (vaisaka) visakam (Visakam is a group of stars) during which lord Karththikeya will be worshipped.

Adi (Ashadam) is the fourth month during which Goddess will be worshipped.

Avani (Shravanam), the fifth month is famous for Ganesa pooja and to remember ancient saints. (Shravanam or Avani avittam)

‘Purattasi’ (Bathrapadham) the sixth month is famous for worshipping goddess. Navarathri (nine nights) falls in this month.

The eight month Karththigai (Kartheegam) is famous for worshipping Karththikeya. It will be explained in temples by lighting lamp on top of hill (Lighting many lamps in houses) that God is in the form of fire or light.

Margazhi (Agrahayanam) is the ninth month famous for worshipping lord Vishnu or Narayana. Lord Krishna quotes in Bagavath Geetha that he is the month of Margazhi (Agrahayana) out of the twelve months. This statement explains the importance of the month. All the thirty days will be celebrated by worshipping God in temples.

Thai (Bowshya) is the tenth month of a year when the famous Sankaranthi day falls. Most of the people will prefer to conduct marriages during this month. So most of the days in this month will be spent in happy mood. This month was the first month of a year once during ancient days.

Panguni (palguna) is the twelth month during which Siva temples will celebrate ‘Bramhothsavam’ for ten days.

Certain temples like the ones in Thirupathy and Srirangam are celebrating festivals almost on all the days.

Apart from religious functions, there were new year day and Adip perukku for inviting water flow in the river Kavery been celebrated.  

The Hindu festivals were seem to be started for making the community unite and maintain happiness almost on all the days of a year to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Science in Vedas

 

Science and Vedic concepts are not different. Scientists are revealing facts which could be explained as acceptable to most of the people. Religious people could reveal facts which could not be explained in acceptable way to common men. Most of these facts revealed by Religious people were based on logic.

Scientists are trying to explore the nature for the use of human comforts. Most of the times, they use the nature itself as a tool to find the results. Already it was written  that there are many questions for which answers could not be found. The only answer for them is nature.

Scientists are staying within the nature and using the nature to explore the nature. We are on the Earth which is rotating at roughly 1000 Kilometer per hour and moving on its orbit at 1,00,000 kilometer per hour. We could not realize because we are a part in the system. Similarly, how is it possible to explore the nature by staying in it?

Religion shows the way! Scientist’s brain is trying to explore the nature through natural means. But, religious people (saints) used their brain to control the nature itself to serve them.     

The science of astronomy found many heavenly matters through their natural ways and means (Space vehicles).

‘KOLAM’ (Pronounce L as in pLay and not as soLar) in Tamil means sphere. ‘BOOKOLAM’ means Geography. Kolam is an ancient word. How the ancient people knew that the Earth was in sphere shape?

‘KOLGAL’ means planets. Mars was named as ‘SEVVAI’. Sevvai in Tamil means reddish. How the ancient people understood mars as red planet?

I can quote many examples like this. What tool they would have used to explore all these heavenly matters?

We have answered for this question in last chapter. The tool used to control the nature was YOGA. We can call it as yogic science.

Apart from yogic science, particularly Adharvana Veda deals with  many other sciences.

1. Vedic mathematics could be found in Adharvana Veda. There are only thirty two methods mentioned called ‘Suthras’ to solve any sum.  It will be surprising to note such solving could be possible in few lines. But, it did not attract the educationists. We can note that it is an unexplored area. 

2. Chemistry is an another area where ancient people were conversant with. Gold and copper were mixed to prepare jewelries. Five metals were mixed to prepare idols. Mercury was treated to prepare medicines. It seems that  they knew the technique of converting one metal to the other. But, this method was kept secret.

3. Medical science: Vedas quote that God is in the form of herbs. Using herbs for curing sickness is called as Siddha medical system. Siddha and ayurveda are two systems that are available in Indian  medical system. There were many herbs mentioned in Vedas for curing various sicknesses. At present, many herbs could not be traced or became extinct.

Indian medical system believes that causes of most sicknesses are due to malfunction of the inner organs. All the organs consist of three constituencies called Vadha, piththa and sleshma (Air, heat and fat). These three aspects are studied from the pulse rates of wrist nerves by using three fingers. It requires more experience to diognise the problems. Indian medical practitioners could tell the sickness correctly without asking the patient’s feelings.

The same practitioners were having ability to prepare medicines by using various herbs. As the system gives slow relief, most of the Indians are preferring modern treatment only. There are methods to operate minor wounds and cure them. But, organ transplantation and major surgeries are not found in Indian medical methods.       

4. Astronomy and Astrology: Ancient saints revealed many facts about the heavenly bodies. Modern scientists found the planets and phisical conditions alone. But, the saints have the characters of the planets too.

Indian method of calculations on planet’s movement is one of the oldest  in the world. They found the influence of the planets on lives.

Full moon, new moon, different eclipses, planetary positions and the days on which they are going to occur and many other activities could be learnt accurately.

Horoscope is a chart for an individual based on scientific positions of the planets at specific place and time. Those who could understand the astronomy will agree that planetary positions vary with respect to place and time even with a small change to a fraction of second.  Ancient saints found such changes alone make the persons to have different characters.

There are two types of calculations exist in the field of astronomy. One is comparatively modern using the actual positions of planets informed by Scientists (NASA). The other one is based on ancient principles which have minor differences. It seems that the influence of the planets on the Earth after deflections in the mid way are taken into consideration by ancients.    

Movements of individual planets with respect to the positions at the time of one’s birth were compared to decide on their activities and results. Such study is called predictions.     

The details in horoscope are scientific. Predictions for such horoscopes were the findings of saints.

Saint Parasara wrote astrology book on astrology in which many combinations of planetary positions and corresponding results on particular person were given. There were similar books written by few saints. It is the opinion of astrologers that they proved to be accurate even today. But, scientific explanations for such predictions could not be given.

The field of astrology was called as Jyothisham in Sanskrit. As the subject is connected to the resultant of the light that are emitted or reflected by planets. ‘Jyothy’ means light.

Civil Engineering: Indus valley excavation revealed the expertise possessed on the field of building constructions, road laying techniques and water harvesting methods by the people on those days. We understand that there was a book called ‘Manai adi Sasthiram’ in Tamil which dealt with civil Engineering. But, this book is not available at present.

Now, the subject is referred as ‘Vasthu’. It mostly deals on the design with respect to religious concepts. We could understand that Human comfort and safety points were the main aspects given importance in this science.

Ancient (1000 Years before) temples, forts, memorial buildings like Taj Mahal which are existing still were the examples of building designs and construction methods. 

Transportation: It seems that wheels were first used by Indians. There were evidences from Indus valley sites that those people used carts pulled by oxen.

Similarly,  small boats  to big ships were built by Indians in ancient days. ‘Kattumaram’ is a Tamil word being used in English as such. Similarly ‘Navai’, a Tamil word is borrowed to English as Naval.

Weapons: Rig Veda mentions about many deadly weapons that were used on those days. There were weapons which will attack the enemies and return back. It seems that there were chemical weapons too.

Vimanam is a word used to mean plans in Sanskrit. ‘Silappadhikaram’, Tamil literature mentions about ‘Pushpaga vimanam’. That should be equivalent to present aeroplanes.

There is a purana story about a king who went the heaven in a plane but happened to be pushed back. The descending king was stopped in the middle by Saint Viswamithra and separate heaven was created. That place is referred as ‘Thrisanku sorgam’.

Apart from benefits achieving through yoga, Adharvana Veda has details about many techniques too to develop comforts for the human.  .

 

 

 

 

12. Benefits of yoga

 

 

It is a very long time process to practice and arrived to the top level. It may even take many births depending upon individual’s karma accumulation. At times people may get frustrated in the middle and try to discontinue. Few will discontinue after achieving some worldly benefits. There are few who will start yoga practice only to get certain specific advantages.

Criminals in jails are being taught yoga to improve their good characters.

Top management employees are being taught yoga only to improve their skill on ability to concentrate.

Sick people may try to do yoga asanas to get rid of their health problems. There are people who get trained themselves on breathing practice alone.

Most of the household people are doing dhyanam only to get rid of their family problems. There are magicians who used their concentrating power for doing cheap magic to attract people and earn.

BUT, YOGA WAS DESIGNED ONLY TO GET THE BLISS OF GOD AND AVOID REBIRTH IN THIS MISERABLE WORLD.

At the same time, there are benefits in every step of yoga Each step may take few years of practice to achieve the benefits. Also few steps can be practiced simultaneously. So, it is better to start practicing yoga as early as possible. The benefits because of each step of yoga are given below:

 

Benefits from step one (Iyamam): The morals in this step is mostly universal. Those who were following this step will be respected as gentlemen by the society.

Niyamam is the second step during which practices clean healthy habits and behave softly with others. Because of neat and soft look, people will love to approach the practitioner. Also due to contended life style, they will live within their earnings. There will be no worries for want of  funds. Mind will be light free. There will be no laziness to them. Their ambition towards worldly materials will be so minimum.  

The third step is ‘Asanam’ and after accustomed to this, their body will never get strained. Regular practice of various Asana exercises will keep their body organs work efficiently. The defects happening in the body due to aging can be avoided. Yogis will always look fresh and active.

The fourth step is ‘Pranayamam’ and if practiced, there are many benefits to the body.

It is very important to know that food habits, breathing practices, senses and thoughts are having close links.

It is natural for human to avoid or forget food in sad or joy mode. Thoughts about future life may lead to good or bad feelings.  

We would have observed that breathing will be either fast or slow based on feelings. When there is a danger which could lead to death, breath will run fast.

When a known favorite music is  heard (Feeling), connected event will come as a thought. 

Already it was mentioned that food habit and character are having relationships. Character depends on thoughts. Sathvic food will produce soft and good thoughts in the mind.

 We can understand from the above, the importance of controlling at least one or two  aspects in the above if not all. Bagavath Geetha calls a person who feels neither sad nor joy for any event as ‘Sthira Pragngyan’. This character (Same feeling for good or bad result)  could be practiced but difficult in worldly life.

Human feelings depend on thoughts. Thoughts start when taking birth and ends when death happen. Thoughts are being focused on one and not fully stopped in yoga practice except during ‘samadhi’ step. So, it is beyond the scope of human to stop thoughts fully.

Excess energy from food activates the brain  fast to get too much of thoughts. Fat in the food limits the analyzing mind. As a result, laziness,  criminal activities and worries may occur. To avoid such happenings, everyone can follow better food habits.

Similar to food habits, breathing also can be controlled with little practice. Following the ‘Upanayanam’ function, everyone (At present Brahmin community) were taught pranayamam (Breathing practice). But, now this practice being discontinued. The most effective system to control thoughts, normal organs’ functioning, good blood circulation and getting peace of mind is this breathing practice. 

‘POSSESSING GOOD HEALTH IS WEALTH’

 

 

‘Prathyaharam’ is the step at which thoughts were focused on a single object. This practice will lead to better concentration and focus on any action. As a result, failures will be less. Employees in  managerial level will be taught this yoga step to improve their skill and extract efficient work. Also, decision making skill will improve on their all activities.

‘Tharanai’ is the step at which all human feelings will vanish. There will be uninterrupted yoga practice. Knowledge about the nature will flow inside during this practice. Their intuitional power will increase. So, people will love to get predictions on their life with the practitioner.

‘Dhyanam’ is deep meditating stage. The image they meditate will slowly brighten in the form of  light. After this experience, they will get many supernatural powers. Yoga books quote that there are eight supernatural powers.

They are called as ‘Anima’, ‘Lahima’, ‘Karima’, ‘Mahima’, ‘Praththi’,                ‘Prakamyam’, ‘Esathvam’, and ‘vasiththuvam’.

Reducing the size of the body to less than an atom is called as Anima.

Increasing the size of the body huge like mountain ia called as Mahima.

Lahima refers the lighter weight of the body which enables to flout on water.

All the above three supernatural powers are connected to the body.

 

 

 

 

Getting all the worldly materials when think is called Praththi.

Prakamiyam refers to multiplying the body and enable their presence at different places at the same time. Also, entering as a soul into an another (Normally dead or newly born) body. Saint Thirumoolar wrote that his original name was Sundharar, but he entered into a dead shepperd’s body whose name was ‘Moolan’. ‘Thiru’ is a word in Tamil to show respect.  

Understanding and commanding over the nature is called Esaththuvam.

Bringing the entire Universe within them is called Vasiththuvam.

Not affected by the karmas they happen to do is called Karima.

Real yogis will never work for getting all the above benefits. Their aim will be on joining with God so that there will be births in this world. So, yogis will continue their practice until they get the close contact with God. After achieving the result, no yogi will like to return to this world. Such step is called as Samadhi.

There were many saints in the past reached this step. Ragavendrar, Ramana Maharishi, Sai baba, so many siddhars and  others are to show as examples. They were called as ‘Jeevan mukthas’. The place at which they were buried are called as Jeeva Samadhi. Many of them have entered into caves and vanished. So, most of the mountains and hills were approached with reverence.

There is a belief that these saints are coming with their own body at times but we could not recognize them.

Let us bow our head on the lotus feet of such great Jeevathmas.

 

OHM SHANTHI ……… SHANTHI …………. SHANTHI. (Let the peace be with us for ever). 

11. Raja yoga.

 

 

We understand from Indus valley findings that Yoga was being used 5000 years before by Dravidians. But, at present the Vedic Upanishads in Sanskrit are the only oldest books on yoga that are available. Subsequently, Bagavath Geetha, Pathanjali’s yoga Sasthra and few others were found written in Sanskrit. Later, many yogic books were written in local languages by  saints.

‘Thirumandhiram’ in Tamil written by Thirumoolar has the details about Raja yoga.

This is the most popular yoga. Raja yoga is being taught in most of the foreign countries by different missionaries on their own fashion. The main reason for it’s popularity is that it never mentions about any image of God in it’s techniques. There was a opinion among ancient Hindus that this yoga itself was a separate religion.

Most of the siddhars (saints) in Tamilnadu, India were practicing Raja yoga. There were eighteen recognized saiddhars lived in the past. All of them were connected to Tamilnadu. Agathiyar, Bogar, Pulasthaiyar, Pulippani, Pattinaththar, Badragiri, Sivagnanar, Thirumoolar (Above), Pambattich chiththar, agappei siddhar, Konganavar were few to mention.

Most of them have written poems in Tamil on the subjects philosophy, chemistry, medicines, astrology etc.

One of the siddhar wrote a poem with the meaning as follows:

‘What manthras being murmured after planting a stone stating it as God and garlanding it? Will the planted stone speak when the God is within (Your body)? Will the spoon used for preparing curry in cooking pan feel the taste of it?’ 

We can understand from the above that Raja yoga is against the worship of any external images. Bakthy yoga followers will call Raja yogi as atheist.  

Saint Pathanjali’s ashtanga (Eight steps) (Raja) yoga is so popular at present among most masters.  

The eight steps of Raja yoga are ‘iyamam’, ‘Niyamam’, ‘Asanam’,                   ‘Pranayamam’,  ‘Prathyaharam’, ‘Tharanai’, ‘Dhyanam’, and ‘Samadhi’.

I. Iyamam: General morals to be adopted to treat the society as our own relatives. 

1. Do not kill anything or hurt anyone.

My Guru ‘Pamban Swamigal', once went to one of his friend’s house for lunch since he invited. Swamigal sat for his lunch and the food was being served. The friend saw a bug running behind Swamigal. Immediately, he crushed the bug and killed it. As soon as Swamigal watched it, got up from his seat and went out of the house telling that ‘there is a death occurred in this house. I won’t eat for the whole day’. Swamigal’s approach is the meaning for above statement.

 

2. Do not steal:

There was a road side robber who threatened the passers on his way and robbed their belongings to lead his life. One day, a person wearing jewels came and became the target of the robber Frightened person asked the robber “Stealing is a sin. You are stealing to maintain your whole family. Whether the sin is going to be yours alone or will be shared by your family members too?”

Robber answered that whole family members will share in his sin.

Again, the targeted person asked the robber to get it confirmed from his family members.

The robber went and asked his family members with confidence whether they are also going to share the sin?

To his surprise, all the family members answered that the total sin will go only with him, and not going to be shared.

Then the robber returned  realizing his fault and asked the gentleman what he has to do? The gentleman taught him a sacred manthra to chant. After chanting for several years, the robber became a great saint. His name is Valmiki. He wrote the famous Ramayan.

3. Do not lie:

There are many stories or puranas insisting to live truthful. Harichchandra purana is one among them. By seeing the drama of this purana, Mohan Dass Karam Chand changed his pattern of life and gave importance to truth. Thereby, he was called by all as Mahathma Gandhi.   ‘Sathya meva jayathe’ are  the words in Indian national emblem.  The menaing of these words are ‘Thruth will trumph’.

4. Do not addict to illegal sexual relationships:

Thoughts on sexual relationships will spoil our concentration. Legal limited sexual relationships are not condemned in Raja yoga. It is the duty of ‘Grahasthasramam’ stage to have sex and bear children. Purpose of sex should be for bearing children and not for mere pleasure. 

5. Do not consume liquor:

Human life is the gift given by God to clear our earlier karmas. It is possible only when our thoughts are focused on God.  

Brain will become sedated and stop to do the search inside our body if liquor is consumed. Also it stops the analyzing capacity to distinguish between good and bad. All the above bad habits will continue.

It is necessary to follow the above rules properly to do yoga and improve our concentrating power.

II. Niyamam: This is a self improvement moral which will be helpful to keep the mind fit to do yoga.  

Pure heart, contented life style, patience, keeping the ego under control, practicing the yoga as prescribed, keeping limited wealth, showering the equal affection on all are the rules of Niyamam.

1. Pure heart: Yoga is a mind technique. It is not enough to be good on our activities alone; Purity should be on our mind too. The mind should be tuned to show equal affection / sympathy on everyone’s (All lives) suffering.  

2. Contended life: Raja yogis should not possess excess wealth. They can have minimum wealth to maintain self and their family.

Food habit: ‘Sathva guna' is a character required to improve and sustain concentration. This Character could be achieved through food habits only.

It was found by ancient saints that vegetarian food will create sathvic (Soft) character. Killing of other lives like animals, birds, fishes etc.. and eating them will lead to create lower level characters. Hinduism believes that killing plants are less evil than the others. It is not practical to avoid eating. So, reducing to limited food is possible.

The body is not going to grow beyond certain years. The food is required to provide energy to do daily duties only. As the age goes up, fasting to be practiced. There are many fasting occations mentioned in the books (Sasthras) to follow by Hindus.

Eleventh days following the full moon and new moon are considered suitable for keep fasting. Few will follow either the fourth days following the full moon and new moon or sixth day following the new moon day for fasting.

In general, aged people will never use cooked meals in nights. Quantity of food also a determining factor for Hindus saints.

Indian food of olden days is considered to be the best in diet system. But due to many reasons, traditional food has changed to modern which became harmful.

 

 

 

 

Most of the orthodox Hindus were not eating full meals in the nights. They ate food (Cooked meals) only once a day. They ate fruits and milk at night. 

‘Early to bed and early to wake’ is a good habit to practice. All inner organs function to normal level during sleep. So for good health, good sleep is essential.

Because of sathva guna, Raja yogis will appear with peaceful smiling and bright face. They will never speak or think evil about others. 

Raja yoga must be practiced three times a day for not less than thirty minutes at the same time and place by beginners. 

Early morning before Sun rise is considered as a good, fresh and aspicious time. Mind will be calm and suitable to do yoga. Evening, just before Sun set is a the time prescribed for second session of yoga. The third one is before bed time. Devine thoughts developed before bed will continue in the morning while awakening. We have to understand that deine thoughts should always be in our mind throughout.

Time management is very important as the yoga timings may affect regular office timings. it will be better to keep a suitable time table by individuals according to their way of profession.

It is not necessary to quote that other clean habits like taking bath, using clean clothes should be followed.

 

 

 

 

III. Asanam:- Asanam means posture. There are handicapped people too in this world. So, to practice yoga by all, different postures to continue yoga for a long time without feeling the pain were explained. ‘Padmasana (Lotus posture) is the common posture followed by most of the yogis. There are about 63 asanas like sarvanga asana, sirasasana, mayurasana, savasana and so on explained in sasthras. There are many modern books are available on Asanas alone. They explain the asanas as health excercises.

There is a second part in asana which refers to the seating arrangement. Yogis should sit on any one posture using seat made out of either wood, dry thick cloth, animal skin or dry straw. Yoga sasthra books quote that while doing yoga, the energy (Like electric current) will raise. That energy should be allowed to flow upwards and not downwards. It seems that seat must be made out of insulating materials which will not allow the energy developed be pulled by the Earth.   

IV. Pranayama: Pranayama is breathing practice. The saint Thirumoolar has explained the breathing technique in a simple way. The breathing consists of one intake and the other is letting it out. There is one more event in pranayama called ‘bandhanam’ which means holding. Holding can either be after the air intake or letting out.

Example: 1.closing the right nose, make air intake through left nose.

                  2. Hold the Air by closing both noses.

                 3. Closing the left nose, release the air through right nose.

                   Repeat the process by changing the noses.

When completing both the cycles, it is called one ‘Pranayama’. But, there is a specific time sequence is there to do this practice.

It is easy to remember the timing as 1 : 4 : 2. If the air intake is for four seconds, holding the breath for 16 seconds and the letting out time is 8 seconds. THE RATIO IS IMPORTANT than the time mentioned in seconds. There is one more system that if intake is for 4 seconds, letting out time will be for 8 seconds and holding the lungs free of air for 16 seconds. Any one method  can be practiced.

We may feel difficult in the beginning of practice. To make it easy, intake and letting out can be practiced with lesser time on holding. Slowly, this will become regular after practicing for few months. There are health benefits because of this system which will be dealt with in the next chapter.

 

 

 

 

V. Prathyaharam: Actual practice of Raja yoga starts here. This is the practice to improve our concentration on a single point. Wavering Thoughts will be focused on single thought only.

Each ancient saint had focused his thought on anyone of the images of God. Thereby, different images were used by different saints. Now, what we see in Hinduism are only those images.  It is understood from their teachings that they got enlightenment from the God with the image meditated.

FOCUS SUSTAINABILITY IS MOST IMPORTANT THAN THE IMAGE ON WHICH MEDITATION MADE.  

As a result, actual form of soul could be realized. Most of the books written by great saints mention that it is in the form of light.

Those who wish to do Raja yoga should keep the following points in their mind.

1. The God is everywhere and even within our body. Vedic Upanishads having these important sentences: ‘AHAM BRAHMASMI’ AND ‘THATH VAM ASI’. The meaning of these sentences are ‘I AM BRAHMAM’ AND ‘THAT, I AM’. We understand that soul and the God are same.  

2. Maintain full and strong confidence on the image (whatever form it may be) attracted or selected as God  Repeating to express: Strongly believe that The God exists only in the particular selected form. Those who do not believe in any existing forms of God can select Sun, Lotus, candle (flame alone, not the stem) etc.. We should not forget that other forms too were used by others elsewhere and proved to be good in yogic practice. So, comments should be avoided about other forms of God. 

3. Believing the stories (Puranas) connected to the image selected will help to sustain the concentrate for long. It is my opinion that Puranas were written only for this purpose in Hinduism. The authors of Puranas used stories to expalin certain philosophical facts too. But, philosophical facts were forgotten and only the stories remain.

Example: If a yogi select Hanuman (Monkey God) as the real image of God, he should believe the connected events mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabaratha etc. There should not be any doubts or feel the events as unbelievable.

Then yogi can concentrate on Hanuman for long by thinking on the events connected to it alone. If yogi doubts ‘whether a monkey can jump over the ocean?’, Hanuman will also jump out of his concentration.

FOCUSSING THOUGHTS ON SINGLE IMAGE IS PRATHYAHARA.

VI. Tharanai: It is general nature for human to get distracted by sounds, smell, vision etc. even during deep concentration. Apart from focussing thoughts, senses also need to be controlled.

This practice may be compared to a snail. When  it faces danger, it will pull its head within the shell to get protected. This example is quoted by poet Thiruvalluvar.

It requires constant practice to hate all senses. As a result, yogic practice will not get disturbed by any senses. Such practice is called ‘Tharanai’.

VII. Dhyanam:  Manthras (As mentioned in previous chapter) will be chanted in praise of the image of God  This will also help to increase the yoga timings. Adhi Sankara quoted in his book ‘Viveka chudamani’ that such chanting is equal to pusai in Bakthy yoga.

CHANTING MANTHRAS IN THARANAI STAGE IS CALLED DHYANAM.

VIII. Samadhi: When Dhyana is continued, the image that used for yoga was said to be shining in the form of light. The yogis who reached this stage will never like to return from that state. Guru Pamban Swamigal mentioned that he stayed in this stage for 48 days. There were many saints who lived in this state for years together.

 

 

 

 

We could see such yogis even today in samadhi state at few caves of the Indian mountains or hills. 

THE YOGIS IN SAMADHI STATE WILL NEVER LIKE TO RETURN TO CONCIOUSNESS. THIS IS THE STAGE AT WHICH SOUL STAYS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE GOD. THEY WILL COME TO THIS WORLD FOR SOME REASONS ABUT WHICH WE DO NOT KNOW .