Sacred Symbols
MR PL Rethinam Chettiar

The Saiva symbols are the insignia of Saivism. Like nations and corporate bodies, religions too, have their own symbols. The main object of the symbol is to indicate its principle. The holy ash and rudraksha
are used as symbols by the Saivite to remind oneself as well as to make known to others one's religious creed and practices. Saiva philosophy declares that God,soul and bondage are eternal. When we apply the holy ash on the forehead with three fingers, it is called tripundara or 'three lines'. This indicates that the above three entities are without beginning or end and are eternal. Vendantins of the Sankara school explain the significance of the holy ash thus: "The world is impermanent and death is inevitable and the holy ash indicates this truth". They cite in this connection the statement of Pattinattar, "Even the crowned monarch will in the end be reduced to ashes".

Holy Ash
The Saivites consider the holy ash as an auspicious thing. Thiru Neeru (holy ash) also means 'wealth' Saint Jnanasambandhar in this decade of songs on the 'the holy ash' proclaims thus: "The holy ash brings
About prosperity, it is pleasant to behold, enhances the person so adorned; beautiful indeed is the holy ash." It is clear then that the idea that the holy ash reminds one of transience and is therefore inauspicious is not the view of the Saiva saints.
These saints do accept the transience of the world but the holy ash does not indicate such transience.

Aim of Saivism
The objective of Saivisn is the destruction of the three impurities of the soul, anavam, kanmam and mayai and thereby lead the soul towards bliss, Sivananda. The cow dung stands for the impurities. Burning it in fire represents the destruction of the thee impurities by the fire of knowledge. The white colour of the holy ash stands for the experience of unalloyed bliss.
Arumuka Navalar of Jaffna explains this idea in his Saiva vina-vidai.

Application of Holy Ash
Those who have been duly initiated may smear the holy ash mixed with water in the morning, noon and evening. At other times the ash as it is can be smeared over the body or applied in the form of tree lines. Those who are not initiated can also apply the ash mixed with water but only in the morning. At other times the dry ash can either be simply smeared over or applied as three lines. Whenever the holy ash is mixed with water it can be applied only in the form of three lines. The dry ash can be applied either way.

Basically, the holy ash can be worn at any time. It is recommended that it be applied as soon as one gets up in the morning. Some may wonder if it is proper to do so, especially without bathing or washing up. As the ash is considered holy and auspicious, there is no pollution attending to it under any circumstances. Obviously, after a bath there is a sense of cleanliness and some may prefer to apply the holy ash only after a bath. The important thing to remember here is that the holy ash be worn as long as possible if not at all times.

Many people feel that in a modern environment it may not be possible to adorn the forehead with the holy ash all the time. They consider it particularly difficult in a cosmopolitan society.

Well according to Jnanasambandhar, a similar predicament was faced by the Pandyan queen Mangayarkarasi in her time. She could not openly wear The holy ash as her husband himself had embraced Jainism and frowned upon Hindu customs. She opted to apply the ash on her chest and covered it with her garment. Going by that precedent those who feel today they cannot openly wear the holy ash may apply it on their chest under their clothing.
However, when they go to the temple or attend auspicious ceremonies outside, and certainly when they stay at home, they can make a special effort to wear the holy ash on their forehead. This effort will serve two purposes: One, to receive the direct benefits of wearing the ash and the other, to reinforce their religious identity. As to the exact procedure of applying the holy ash, this is how it goes: One should take the holy ash with the right middle three fingers, face the northern or eastern direction, lift the head up, utter the words 'Siva Siva' or 'Sivaya nama' and then either simply smear the ash or apply it as three lines. One should avoid taking the ash with one finger and applying it like a streak or as a circular dot. As Cekkizhar records in his poems, Jnanasanbandbar "applied the holy ash on his forehead thickly and fully."

While applying the holy ash with three fingers one should take care that there is no bend or breach in the streaks. The space between the lines should be even. There is a reason for applying the holy ash facing north or east. Mount Kailasa, the holiest of the Savite pilgrimage centres, is in China - north of where most Saivites live. The sun rises in the east Thus, both these directions are considered auspicious. The three streaks of the holy ash also have another symbolism: The first one represents purity in thought the second purity in speech and the third purity in action.

Purity in thought is marked by the absence of jealousy and duplicity and observance of love and humility. Purity in word consist of avoiding falsehood, harshness of expression, and observance of truth and sweetness of expression. Purity in action is characterised by avoidance of liquor, drugs , non-vegetarianism, lust, and extra-marital relationships, and on the positive side it means the control of senses, wearing dean clothes and keeping a clean body.

In short, the holy ash is a reminder to everyone of us that we should pursue the path of Truth.

Distinction of Caste
Saivites both in Tamil Nadu and in other countries are found to be caste conscious. Our saints and seers looked upon the holy ash as a means to negate caste distinctions. The saints of our holy Thirumurais have stated that we should pay due respect to anyone with the holy ash on him, regarding him as "our brethren, fellow believer and servant of Lord Siva"

Effect of Holy Ash
The holy ash is a constant reminder that a person is striving for divine grace. We should not ignore it in a lighthearted manner thinking that it is just a symbol. Only if we show due regard to the outward symbols, would lofty ideas flourish in our inner mind if we care for religious sentiments we must necessarily wear the holy ash.


Saffron and Sandal Paste
Holy ash is the primary symbol of Saiva religion. Saffron and sandal paste are only auxiliaries to the holy ash. We use saffron to suggest tat divine grace is auspicious. The sandal paste suggests that the divine grace is extremely comforting.

Rudraksha
The rudraksha that saivites wear round their necks is another major Saiva symbol. The puranas speak about the rudraksha as symbolizing compassion. When the demons of Trip pura (triple cities) harassed the gods, the latter appealed to lord Siva for help. When Lord Siva listened to their tales of woe, drops of tears rolled down from His eyes. Those drops turned into the rudraksha beads. Rudraksha reminds us that we should express our deep concern when we come across the sufferings of people.

The basic concept of Saivism is compassion. "Be kind to every living being" says Saivism. As there is no virtue higher than compassion, rudraksha which represents compassion is indeed a lofty symbol. We see some people wearing the holy ash and taking meat. But there is virtually none who wears rudraksha and eats meat. Thirukkural proclaims truth and non-violence as great virtues. The holy ash stands for abstinence from falsehood and rudraksha for non-violence.

Wearing Rudraksha
As with the holy ash, we should try to wear rudraksha at all times. Rudraksha beads are obtained from a tree. The beads, strung in silk or golden thread, can be worn on the head, neck, ears, arms and hands. The beads should be so strung that they face each other.

Indispensability of Symbols
Some people hold the view that the use of symbols is not necessary. They argue that inner purity is important and outward symbols are not necessary and it only serves the purpose of differentiating us from the followers of other religions. We should remember that though one may have inner purity it is the external purity that makes us intensely aware of it Differences in language, food or the colour of a person will persist at all times. Instead of saying that all those differences should be removed, it is best that we should learn to respect each other. Differences in religion are bound to exist in the world. In these circumstances, there is no compulsion for anyone to abandon using religious symbols. As stated already, though there may be some difficulty in using religious symbols while at work or at school, we can use the religious symbols without inhibition in our homes and temples and on auspicious and festive occasions.

Love, compassion, empathy and tolerance--under the pressures of modern life, these qualities have all but disappeared. Through Her loving embrace and charitable activities, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (affectionately known as Amma or Mother) is healing the heart of the world, rekindling love and mutual respect, and awakening people to their fundamental oneness.

Through Her extraordinary acts of love and self-sacrifice, Amma has endeared Herself to millions. Tenderly caressing everyone who comes to Her, holding them close to Her heart in a loving embrace, Amma shares boundless love with all. Be they young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor--everyone who comes to Her receives the same unconditional love.


Amma's compassion crosses all barriers of nationality, race, caste and religion. She has initiated a vast network of charitable activities, which is drawing attention throughout the world. At the root of these services lies Amma's teaching that the Divine exists in everything--in every person, plant and animal. Perceiving this unity is the essence of spirituality and the means by which to end all suffering. It is through this simple, yet powerful message that Amma is transforming our world, one embrace at a time. In the past 33 years, Amma has physically embraced more than 24 million people.

Amma's teachings are universal. Whenever She is asked about Her religion, She replies that Her religion is Love.

She does not ask anyone to believe in God or to change their faith, but only to inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves.

Paramahansa Yogananda was born on 5 January, 1893, near the Himalayas, in Gorakhpur. His parents, brothers and sisters were all saintly and pious, but Mukunda (the boyhood name of Yogananda) was unique amongst all of them. He displayed his spiritual gifts and powers even from his childhood.

His line of Gurus descended from Babaji, the deathless Guru said to be the reincarnation of Lord Krishna. Babaji?s disciple was Lahiri Mahasaya, who in turn had as his disciple, Sri Yukteswar. It was Sri Yukteswar who was destined to be the spiritual master of Paramahansa Yogananda.

For ten years Yoganandaji trained for his high duty at the Ashram of his Guru, pursuing his university career at the same time. After his rigorous training, filled with the light of God-vision, he was now ready to undertake the mission entrusted to him by his line of Gurus.

The education of the youth was always dear to the heart of Yoganandaji. He set up his first school in Bengal in 1917. Its curriculum includes the standard high school subjects as well as Yoga concentration, meditation and the Yogoda system of physical development.

In 1920, Yoganandaji went to America as a delegate from India to the International Congress of Religions at Boston, and from then on America became his home. Five years later he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship with its head quarters at Mount Washington, Los Angeles. In his famous Autobiography of a Yogi, Yoganandaji has given graphic descriptions of his spiritual experiences and his contact with the great Yogis of India. This book has since become one of the greatest spiritual classics in the world and has been translated into many languages.

Paramahansa Yogananda had a broad and liberal heart. Even though he himself was a great Master, he approached other saints with great reverence.

Kriya Yoga was the method of God-realisation taught by Yoganandaji. His mission in the West was to spread the knowledge of Yoga practices, by which man can enter into union with God. Yoganandaji also gave new explanations to the teachings of the Bible, showing the similarity of its teachings with that of Hinduism. He promoted the cause of a better understanding between the East and West. Numerous students got personal instructions in Yoga teachings in the classes conducted by him in his ministry of thirty-two years. He spoke in churches, societies, universities and clubs.

In 1935, Yoganandaji?s class instructions were published in the form of lessons and mailed to students all over the world. In India the same teachings were spread by the Yogoda Satsanga Society, with its headquarters at Dakshineswar.

The Self-Realization Fellowship today has hundreds of centres throughout the world. There are seven large centres in California, where renunciates stay to serve and practise Yoga. A number of trained monks tour all over the world, giving discourses and Kriya Yoga initiation to students.

Besides giving instructions on Yoga and balanced living, SRF also conducts many social services, especially in India.

Yoganandaji attained Mahasamadhi on March 7, 1952. The great Master showed his power over death, for his body did not decay for many weeks.

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his
class on the problem science has with God, The
Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and

Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he
prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt
to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is
this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start
again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in
this world?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did
make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?
Student does not answer.

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred?
Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the
world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Tell me,
son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your
God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory
perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable,demonstrable
protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What
do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science
has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this
turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more
heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little
heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called
cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no
heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is
no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to
describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure
cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of
heat,sir, just the absence of it.

(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there
such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the
absence of something.You can have low light, normal
light, bright light, flashing light....But if
you have no light constantly, you have nothing and
it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness
isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness
darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young
man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise
is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of
duality. You argue there is life and then there is
death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the
concept of God as something finite, something we can
measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.
It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen,
much less fully understood either one.To view death
as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact
that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of
it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students
that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural
evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your
own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile,
beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process
of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this
process is an on-going endeavor, are you not
teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist
but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever
seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there an yone here who has ever heard
the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?
No one appears to have done so. So, according to the
established rules of empirical, stable,demonstrable
protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your
lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The professor stares at the
student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith,
son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man &
god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving &
alive.

WANT TO KNOW WHO THAT STUDENT WAS?
Answer:
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the present president of India.

THAT WONDERFUL ARCHITECT
(by Swami Sivananda)

Who has built this marvellous body-palace?
The architect of this wonderful body
Has shown the greatest skill
In building this body.
He is the Architect of architects.
The outside arches of buildings
Are nothing when compared to the arches in this body,
A few fragile bones are joined together;
An arch is formed in the foot.
It can support a weight of two or three maunds.
A tiny nerve moves the muscles of the face
Which express various emotions of the mind.
What a grand marvel!!
Look at these delicate organs: eye, ear, etc,
A small aperature in the eye
Admits huge mountains to the vision.
This greatest Architect is the Lord
Who dwells in the chambers of your heart.
Glory to this great Architect of architects!
Prostrations to this wonderful Architect!

1) Just by looking at you (Tulasi), all sins become removed. Just by touching you, one's body becomes pure. By praying to her, all diseases practically become removed. If one waters her or makes her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified) is destroyed. Just by planting or transplanting, one achieves nearness to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers Tulasi at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, she awards liberation and devotion to Him, therefore I pay my humble obeisances to such a wonderful Tulasidevi.

2) If someone daily goes around Tulasi and pays obeisances to her, there is no more sin to be destroyed in him.

3) Any person who daily sees Tulasi, touches Tulasi, chants Tulasi's prayers, meditates on Tulasi, pays obeisances to her, hears about her, transplants and worships her, he achieves all auspiciousness. Any person who does these nine kinds of service goes to the abode of the Supreme Lord Hari and remains there eternally.

4) In Kali-yuga, Tulasidevi burns up all of a person's sins who bathes her, gives her in charity, meditates on her, eats her leaves, worships Lord Sri Kesava with her, transplants her or sings her glories.

5) Oh best of the Vaisyas, seeing Narmada, taking bath in the Ganges, and touching Tulasi leaves are equally meritorious. If somebody plants, protects, waters, sees or touches Tulasi, then that person's sins acquired by body, mind and words are burnt into ashes.

6) In any house where Tulasi Maharani is very carefully protected and watered, the messengers of Yamaraja give up that house from a distance.

7) Oh king of the birds (Garuda), anyone who has planted a garden of Tulasi, either in the forest or in the house, I truthfully say that he has won the seven planetary systems.
8) Oh best among the brahmanas, in anybody's house or on his body, if the mud from Tulasi is available, they are not just men, but they are equal to the demigods. Oh best among the sages, in anyone's house, if there is the clay of Tulasi, Tulasi wood, and Tulasi leaves available, that house is certainly a place of Lord Visnu.

9) Leaves of Tulasi, flowers of Tulasi, fruits of Tulasi, branches of Tulasi, bark of Tulasi, sprout of Tulasi, blossom or bud of Tulasi, and clay of Tulasi are all completely purified.

10) If anyone daily has Tulasi leaves on his navel, in his mouth, on his head, or on both of his ears, what is the use of him going to the places of pilgrimage in this world?

11) Even if a most sinful hunter eats a Tulasi leaf and dies afterwards, whatever sins he has in his body turn into ashes. As whitish and blackish water (Ganges and Yamuna water) remove all kinds of sins, in the very same way, white (green) and black Tulasis removes all kinds of sins, and if he eats these leaves (after offering them to Lord Krsna), all of his desires are perfectly achieved.

12) Any person, in his young age commits thousands of sins but later on eats a Tulasi leaf, he becomes free from all sins. This narration was heard previously near Lord Sri Hari.

13) What can I say about the wonderful glories of Tulasi? Her fallen leaves, her rotten leaves and her water, even if fallen (mixed with her mud?) is purifying. If even a minute quantity of the mud which has emanated from the Tulasi root has been placed on one's head, all of one's sins are removed. Although Tulasi is so glorious (and her leaves are so purifying), still Vaisnavas never eat Tulasi leaves without first offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.


"Anyone who has received initiation in the Vaishnava mantras is obliged to engage in regular worship of the Deity, including offering all he eats to the Lord. When devotees make such food offerings, they should remember to place tulasi leaves or flowers on them because Lord Vishnu does not accept any food without tulasi. Tulasi is most beloved of Lord Krishna and
thus her leaves and flowers are also most dear to Him. The term vrkrcvatra, meaning the Lord's incarnation meant for accepting worship (arcvatra) in the form of a tree (vrka) is applied to Tulasi Devi. Her leaves and flowers are therefore prescribed as an essential part of the worship of the Lord's other arcvatra, i.e., the deity form of the Lord in the temple.

These regulations are found in all the scriptural texts that describe the procedures by which one is to worship such deity forms of the Lord."

Some Scientifically Proved Findings of the study Of Our Vedic
Culture. Recently a programme was held, where these findings were explained by Dr.Gopalakrishnan [Indian Council of Science reasearch], Dr. Sasikumar of ISRO Hydrebad and Anujan Bhattathiripad.

The Instrument to measure the positive energy was first found by the Russians. The maps of the underground water lines were lost. They invented a device, two 'L' shaped rods which would deviate from each other if pointed towards an object that has positive energy. As flowing water has positive energy, it was easy for the Russians to find the water lines. So the government approved this as an authentic proof
for measuring positive energy.


1.The effect of going to the Temple.

In the temple, the Sanctum sanctorum is completely enclosed on three sides.The effect of all energies is very high in here. The lamp that is lit radiates the heat and light energy. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers gives the sound energy. The fragrance from the flowers,the burning of camphor and incense sticks give out the chemical energy.The effect of all these energies is activated by the positive energy that comes out of the idol. The water that is used for the pooja is called "holy water or Theertham" because it
receives the positiveness of all these energies.When people go to the temple for the Deepaaraadhana, and the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the people who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the people passes on the energy to all. That is the reason why, men are not allowed to wear shirts to the temple and ladies have to wear more ornaments because it is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed in ladies. It is proved that
Theertham is a very good blood purifier,as it is highly
energised.Hence it is given as prasadam to the devotees.


2. Worship of Tulasi and Peepal Tree [aalmaram}

Tulasi should be worshipped by prostrating before it.As it is not tall the oxygen passed out from the plant, along with its
positive energy, can be obtained only at the lower level. Whereas the Peepal tree should be worshipped by going around it, to get the full effect of the oxygen and the positive energy. The oxygen layer is very close to the leaves of the tree and as these leaves shake at the slightest breeze,it passes the energy more effectively. While going round the tree, our negative energy passes out of us through our
right side and is absorbed by the tree and transformed into positive energy. This is passed on to us when we go round the tree.


3. Measuring the energy.[This is measured with a pair of 'l'shaped rods held horizontally facing the object to be tested]

a. All flowers that are used in the temple for Pooja are proved to have positive energy.

b. Gingely oil [Nallenna] is proved to have more positive energy than other medium. Hence, best for lighting the lamp.

c. The fresh sandalwood paste given from the temple has more positive energy than the one, which is kept for a day or two. d. The use of the traditional wick lamps is very effective in passing out the energy, as there is a regular movement for the flame. The energy is passed out through the waves of movement. So the lighting of electric lamp does not serve the purpose of passing the energy.


4. Aura and its Measurement. There are various rings around us that form the aura of our body.

The first is our 'SAREERA' OR THE BODY itself.
The next is 'AATHMA' or the SOUL.
The third is 'MANAS' or the MIND.
The fourth is ' VIGNYANA' or KNOWLEDGE.
And the last is 'AANANDAM' or HAPPINESS.

This aura can be measured scientifically by the rods. A person's aura was measured and was found to be of one-foot radius. The same person was asked to chant prayers for a few minutes. Then, again, his aura was measured. The radius of the aura had increased by another foot and showed two feet. This proves the positive effect of prayers.


5. Aspects regarding sleep.

Normally children are found rolling a lot in their sleep.It is
proved that they do so because their bodies can detect the positive energy even in sleep. When they roll they move to the place where there is positive Energy.If their cot is moved permanently to this place, they stop rolling. This is applicable to older people also.We are asked to sit and chant prayers before we go to bed and also chant them before getting up.

It has been proved that 23% of the heart attacks occur when people lie down. This is because, a person who has been vertical the whole day suddenly lies down causing an irregularity in the heartbeats. So, to stabilise this, it is proved that sitting on the bed and chanting prayers for two minutes will be effective.And it has the same effect when done before getting up also. It is proved that chanting 'Narayana naamam'108 times comes to exactly two minutes.


6. Why is it considered a bad omen when a cat crosses our path when we go out?

Cat is an animal, which has only negative energy.