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After six years I am writing in the Aum Muruga Blog. This is a test and hope to write continuously.

Navagrahas (Nine Planents)

In the month of Puradhasi, Saivites conduct special puja to Saniswara and do fasting on Saturdays. This write-up provides explantion on the nie planets (navagrahas). The nine planets influence human lifes and history. We trace the importance of each of these planets.

Surya (Sun)

Sun is the God - a living god - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray. Though he is visible, he is also seen as the life-giver, light-giver and time-giver. In the Hindu zodiac Sun occupies a prominent place among the nine planets (navagrahas) - the centre. He is described as the Pranadhata for he is the source of life. The Vedas proclaim Surya to be a witness for all actions.

Suryanamaskara - prayer of sun by prostration, especially on Sundays, is believed to bring manifold benefits to the devotee. It cleanses the devotee from his sins and bestows on him progeny, wealth, good health and long life. The Sun is the lord of Leo in the zodiac. He stays one month in each rasi and takes 365 days or twelve months to complete a round of the twelve rasis.

Chandra ( Moon)

The sun and the moon are two most important grahas which are featured in the calculations of a panchangam (almanac). The five elements of panchangam: tihithi, nakshatra, karana, yoga and vaar, are determined by the position of the moon. This graha who causes nightfall, strengthens the mind, purifies the blood and is considered as the mother who radiates nectar. He provides relief from all sorrows helping one in clearing all mental afflictions. Prayers conducted for this graha on Mondays are said to bring beneficial effect to the devotee. Chandra is the lord of Cancer in the zodiac. He stays two and a quarter days in each rasi, completing a round of the twelve rasis in twenty seven days.

Angkara ( Mars)

He is the lover of Sama Veda. Chanting of this prayer on Tuesdays is said to please him and therefore he frees one from debt, poverty and from any skin diseases. He is the lord of Mesha and Vrischika. He stays one and a half-month in each Raasi, taking eighteen months to complete the cycle.

Budha (Mercury)

This graha gives wisdom and wealth. He is also the remover of evil thoughts from one’s mind. Because of his beauty and resemblance, he is sometimes considered as the Vishnu Rupi (likeness of Vishnu). Prayers offered on Wednesdays to him bring manifold benefits such as removal of obstacles, progeny, possession of fertile lands and so on. Like the sun, he stays one month in each Raasi and completes the cycle in twelve months. He is the lord of Mithuna and Kanya in the zodiac.

Brihaspathi-Guru (Jupiter)

He is the guru of the devas (celestials), protector of the world and dispenser of justice. Thursdays are considered as the best days for worship of this graha deity. Fatherhood and good education, cure of stomach ailments and removal of sins are sought from him. He is the lord of Dhanus and Meena in the zodiac. Guru stays for a year in each Rasi thus taking twelve years to complete the cycle

Sukra (Venus)

While guru is revered by the devas, Sukra is considered as the Guru of the asuras. While allowing his devotees to control their indriyas (sense organs) he bestows them with fame and name.  Fridays are set aside for prayers for this graha. He is the lord of Tula. He takes one year to complete the zodiac cycle staying a month in each Raasi.

Saniswara (Saturn)

He is also known as Manda and affects one adversely on occasions when he occupies different positions in one’s horoscope. One shudders when one gets elara-sani or saade sati (seven and half years of malevolent effects) and ashtami sani (two and half years). Sincere prayers offered on Saturdays are said to mitigate the malevolent effects during the periods. He is the lord of Makara and Kumbam in the zodiac. He is considered as the slowest moving graha taking 2 ½ years in each Raasi, completing one cycle in every 30 years.

Rahu and Kethu

The lunar and solar eclipses are attributed to rahu and kethu. They are not planets, yet they are treated as one. (Refer to the story below). They stay one and a half years in each graha. An interesting story about the eclipse of Oct 24, 1995 appeared in the Times of India on 16 Aug. Sudhamahi Raghunathan wrote it. “Celestial events have certain mystery and power which seem to come from the myths and legends of ancient times.... In India a common motif all over the country in folk tales as well as Puranic accounts is the “devouring” motif commonly associated with the serpent. The story goes that Ganesha; the elephant faced god had just partaken of a heavy satisfying meal when he found the sun and the moon laughing at him. This offended the pot-bellied deity who immediately ordered the serpents he had tied around his waist as a belt to swallow the celestial objects. That they did and the whole earth was plunged into darkness.

Dr Nirupama Raghavan, director of the Nehru Planetarium, says that this myth is based on actual observance. “just a little before, about 30 seconds before total eclipse, the sky darkens and as the sun’s light is released into the sky through a very small area now, it flits through the sky in the form of long wiry waves which look like a million snakes or worms. They appear again at the end of the total eclipse. I feel therefore that there is this association of our myth related to eclipses.  Talking about Rahu and Kethu the report goes on... “This indicates people as long back as 4000BC knew the alignment when an eclipse occurred. There are two planes, one along which the earth rotates around the sun and other made by the moon as it rotates around the earth. Their points of intersection are called Rahu and Kethu. It is only when the sun and moon are in line at the point of intersection that an eclipse can occur” says Dr Raghavan relating myth and reality.

From the book, Astrology and Karma by K. N. Rao

published by Sagar Publications, 1995

Superbrain Yoga evolved from traditional Ganesh worship practice

In USA, Hindus traditional Ganesh worship practice is medically shown to be a simple method to stimulate brain. Daily five minutes exercise by doing thorpukkaranam (holding ears and doing sit-ups) is showing remarkable results among the people of all ages. Doctors advice their patients to do this exercise to improve brain activities without any side effects. ECG shows the improvement in brain activities of both sides. Remarkable improvements to autuism children are resulted from this exercise.

 

Teachers find it useful to improve the academic success of their students. We all can remember that one of the punishment prescribed by our teachers in Jaffna in 60s is to do the same exercise (?) to the mischieves students. Probably, the teachers may have thought that the shame of doing these sit-ups avoids these students from doing unacceptable acts. Now it is becoming clear that this type of punishment may have stimulated the students' brain and helped them to correct themselves. 

When Hindus consciously and volunteerly perform sit-ups in front of Lord Ganesh, these sit-ups become more effective in many ways, mentally, physically and spiritually. The mind is focussing on Lord Ganesh. This concentration practice is helpful to other activties of the brain. These sit-ups help physically by helping the legs and hand joints to become more flexible. In addition, the blood circulation in the body is also increased. Therefore, our body, mind and soul are all benefited for devoted Hindus by doing these sit-ups with holding the ears. 

Hindus must realise that Hindu religious practices are not waste of time and they have existed over hundreds of years. If Hindus can find time to find explanations to these practices, our traditional Hindu practices will become accepted by all Hindus who are easily abandoning these practices. Hindus should not be ashamed to continue the traditional practices. Unfortunately, Hindu temples are becoming meeting place and business centres in many parts of the world. Hope the temples will be able to promote hindu practices without just concentarting on profit making. 

Please view the following video clip to see the benefits of sit-ups in the Hindu way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p876UDB8EN4

Vinayagar Sathurthi Celebration in Singapore

Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple is one of the oldest temples in Singapore and administered by the Ceylon Tamils in Katong area along the Ceylon Road. The history of the Temple began more than 150 years ago - in the 1850s - with the discovery of a statue of Lord Vinayagar by the side of a pond. A Chempaka tree, Senpaga in Tamil, stood on the bank of the pond and gave the identifying element to the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple.
(http://www.senpaga.org.sg/history.asp).

2010 Vinayagar Sathurti celebration at the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple was staged for a week in a grand scale.Apart from religious events, cultural and exhibition on Hinduism in Singapore were also organised for the benefit to the devotees.

Vinaygar Sathurthi day (11th Sept 2010) religious functions had started early in the morning aroung 5.30am with Abhishekham to the Moolavar. This was followed by Ganapathy Homam in the morning (this was repeated in the evening). Abishekham to Pancha-muga (five faced) Ganapathy was also conducted in the morning and afternoon.

Temple Sivachariayars conducted the Ganapthy Homam and Othuwars sand thirumurai songs beautifully. During the Homan Ganapathy was worshipped in two ways: Vimbam (fire) and Kumbam. Homam materials were offered to sacred fire which was kept alive with pouring ghee and conttinuous chanting of mantra was carried out by the Brahmin priests. Hundreds of devotees participated in the proceedings with devotion and deposited the homan materials into the sacred fire in a orderly manner. Finally Pooranaahuthi was offered by the chief priest. The kumbam water is energised through the sacred thread connection from Homa Kund to the Kumbam.

Following the Homan, the hundreds of devotees carried milk-pots of different sizes to perform Pancha-muga Ganapathy (Utsava Moorthy) abishekham at the Vasantha Madapam. Hindus whole-heartedly believe that milk abishekham to the deity will increase the health and life-span of the devotees. Continuous stream of devotees participated in the abhishekham and Lord Ganapthy had a satisfied milk abhishekham. During the abhishekham, othuwars continued to sing appropriate thevarams to the delight of the devotees who are familiar with thevarams.

Following the milk abhishekam, Lord Ganapathy had abishekham with many items such as milk curd, tumarid, honey, sugar case juice, king coconut water, orange juice, cooked rice, vibuthi, sandle-wood paste and flowers. Poora Kumbham with energised water from the Homam was brought on a procession and Lord Ganapathy had abishekham with this water and this was the highlight of the abishekham.  

Pancha Muga Ganapathy was then  given beautiful alankaram (dressing-up) by the priests. Priests conducted puja and archani to the deity with sacred mantra and this was followed by arati to all five-faces of the Lord Ganapathy in unison. Othuwars sang Pancha Puranam and the proceeding was ended with sacred flame circulated to the devotees. The homam and abishekham were repeated in the evening followed by Lord Ganapathy's procession inside the temple.

See the youtube posting on abhishekam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVFDrrBsZuA

The contribution of the young volunteers (in organising temple proceedings, helping the priests and temple adminsiatration) and ladies in the kitchen (in preparing the prasadam, cooking food for annathanam and distributing food) are much appreciated by the devotees and the temple administration. Hindu temples around the world offer many opportunities to all aged groups independent on their knowledge of religion to carry out the self-less service to the community.

The sacred Hindu scriptures emphasise that the karma yoga without any recognition is one of the ways to achieve  liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death. In the true spirt of religious upliftment, competition and jealousy must be avoided in Hindu temple organisations. Temple priests, instrument players, workers, volunteers and devotees must be happy at all times. Many devotees come to the temple to download their problems and to energise thier hopeMany devotees choose to serve the community without ego without holding any positions in the temple committees. Those who wish to participate in the tempel committees first decide whethet they have approprite mental capacity, time, skill, experience and religious knowledge. Community service should not be past-time job and need full committement. Our community deserve more than what is offered now in many temples.

      

Sambanthar miracle by young Singaporean girl

Dear friends

30th annual Thirumurai conference was held at the Senpaga Vinayagar Temple in Singapore for two days (24th and 25th July 2010). This conference series was started by Late Ambalavanar in 1981. I had the opportunity to attend this conference after 22 years and many Hindu temples were involved in conducting annual competitions. The prize winners entertained the participants with thirumurai singing, thirumurai dance, drama, thirumurai in veena and speeches. The video in this posting shows the performance  by a young Singaporean girl on the story behind the Sambanthar's Poompavai Pathikam. He narrated Thirugnanasampanthar's miracle so beautifully. Enjoy her speech, expressions, actions and loving voice.

Maya Dance

In pre-Columbian Maya civilization, ritual dance had great importance. However, since dance is a transient art, it is inherently difficult for archeologists to find and evaluate evidence of its role. Dance was a central component of social, religious, and political endeavors for the ancient Maya. The dance shown in the youtube was recorded in Chichen Itza (Mexico) on 9th June 2010. It was colourful and the dancers wear colourful headdresses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-a0gr0jbCk

Amazing home building in Afghanistan

Houses of Afghanistan are a made out of mud brick or concrete to keep the heat out.  In the mountainous Afgghasitan, local builders are facing the challenge of constructing houses. The rooms are spacious and cool in the hot climate and warm in the cold nights. The temperture distribution below shows Kabul temperature over the year.

The following photographs show an Afghanistan village with remarkable houses in a natural mountain.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s_NceyGLd0