Importance of Vigrahas

Temples had been there since olden times but not in many numbers as happened in Kaliyuga. There is a mention about temples in Valmiki Ramayana. After Dasaratha expressed his desire to crown Rama, sage Vasishta took charge of the preparations. One of the orders that Vasishta gave out was to arrange worship in temples and road junctions (Valmiki Ramayana 2- 3-18) His order gives some more information on how worship was to be done in those places. He says that deserving persons (yogyaah) must gather at temples and road junctions with rice, eatables, presents and garlands – an obvious reference to offering food to the deities (neivedhya). This shows that temples had existed and some worship also had happened at road junctions.

Analyzing what importance could be there for road junctions, we have reference to the deities of the junctions, the ‘Chadhukka Bhootham’ mentioned in Silappadhikaram. There were deities of the road junctions and deities of the Directions. These deities had existed in form and appeared before humans in those days. In Silappadhikaram, these deities were said to have left the city when Kannagi took her revenge on the people of the City. There is a corroboratory verse in Chanakya Neeti that the deities of the village will depart 2,500 years after the start of Kali yuga. (Chanakya neeti -11-4) This period roughly corresponds to Kannagi’s period.

In my opinion, the burning of Madurai by Kannagi is not a dharmic act.  She directed her anger against all and sundry instead of targeting those who caused her the harm. A convoluted dharma came into place at that time and it still continues. The deities of the village (of the road junctions and directions) could not discharge their duties in such a scenario. They left the earthy plane once for all. Chanakya also says in that verse that 5000 years after Kaliyuga started, the Ganga would disappear. 10,000 years after the Kali started, God will desert the world!

We are lucky that God still resides on earth - is present somewhere around us so that we have some chances of communion with Him. Seeing Him as a dweller within ourselves is a different paradigm. That is a proposition available to us at all times. But getting into communion with Him in physical surrounding is possible for 5000 more years. (We are currently in the 5111th year of Kaliyuga) The local deities who have once guarded the cities and villages have already left. But God who is the In-dweller of all is still present on earth to enable the countless jeevas make a communion with Him for Ultimate Liberation from the cycle of life and death.

One of the ways in which the communion is made is through “vigrahas”. It is Vi- graha, where Vi means 'weave' and Graha means bind. So something bound and woven into it is a Vigraha. Vigraha is expanded as 'Vivita Graham' - meaning enclosed house - of whom? Of God. The physical form of Vigraha binds some special features of God Himself (by consecration) so that people can draw what they want and develop a communion with the God enshrined in it.

Vigraha is a visesha gruham - a special place. It is not right to translate this word as ‘idol’. Some people prefer to use the term 'Murti'. Murti comes from the root verb 'mur' or 'murch' which means 'thicken'. This refers to solid material.

So basically Murti refers to a form, a solid material of some shape and which is an equivalent of the English word 'idol' and not of what is conveyed for the deity under worship.

When we look for the corresponding term in "Mayamatam"  - a Vaastu text that covers iconography in chapter 36, the word used is "Pratimaa". This word comes from 'Prati" meaning a copy or another or resemblance and so on. So Pratimaa is a copy of the deity, or one that resembles the deity.

This chapter on iconography is named as "Pratimaa lakshanam" where the description is entirely about the forms and shapes of the images to be worshiped, and not the God enshrined within.

When it comes to referring to the God enshrined within the Pratimaa, the most apt word is "Vigraha".

 

We have heard the term 'raamO vigrahavaan dharma'. Here the word vigraha means embodiment – of dharma. The embodiment of something cannot be done to anything! For instance iron can be magnetized, but not wood.

There are specific things which ‘bind’ specific characteristics. This is the basis for choice of the material for making vigraha. What I have noted here is just one issue. There are many issues and stipulations right from choice of the material for making the vigraha, to the location where it is expected to be housed (temple) so that maximum benefit is obtained by the people. Science has no idea of these things. But every now and then when we come to know of some scientific revelations, we are able to connect them with temples and wonder how many more of such secrets lie behind temples and vigrahas.

Our seers have had the knowledge of these secrets and have handed them down. Varahamihira quotes Vasishtha as having given the knowledge of vigrahas and how they must be made. In the Ramayana reference given above, it was Vasishtha who gave instructions on worship at temples. Only offerings were mentioned, but no mention of other rituals. Perhaps that was an understood issue. He wanted to make sure of the specific offerings on that occasion.

 Varahamihira tells about the material used for making the vigrahas in chapter 60 of Brihat samhita. He gives the benefits accrued to the one who arranged for the consecration of the Vigraha.

·         Wood or earth :- the king or the one who consecrates this will have long life, strength, wealth and success.

·         Stone :- Gives more landed property or acquisition of lands or expansion of kingdom.

·         Gems or precious stones :- (Rahu’s image in Thirunageswaram is likely to be blue sapphire or Neela mani  - read Milk turning blue at Rahu Sthalam) Good for the world at large.

·         Gold:- Gives good health to the one who consecrated.

·         Silver:- Gives happiness of family ( childbirth) to the one who consecrated.

With these inputs, we can understand the purpose of construction of temples by kings like Cheran Senguttuvan and Raja Raja Chozhan in those days. The Sooriyanaar Koil in Kumbakonam also bears testimony to some purpose like this.

The purpose does not end with the kings who built them. The benefits flow down to the community at large. There is a saying in Tamil “கோயில் இல்லா ஊரில் குடி இருக்க வேண்டாம் ” It means ‘don’t reside in a place where there is no temple’. The temple has an expanded boundary enveloping the community around. All those who come within its area of influence are bound by the special characteristics that have been embodied in the vigraha.

The temple thus caters to the wellbeing of a community in addition to enabling the individual get into personal communion with the Lord residing in the vigraha. The many utsavs, the periodical procession of God going around the town are all well intended methods to reach out to the community around. Such being the larger utility of the temple it is necessary and mandatory that we stick to temple rules at all times and in all areas. (Sample rule: The only tallest structure in a community must be the temple Gopuram).

The Kalash acts as the attracting magnet. In those days the temple was constructed in the middle of the city. All the houses were built oriented towards the temple so that everyone could have the darshan of the gopuram at any time. But modernity has dwarfed the temple gopurams. The loss is to the community.

(To be continued)

Related posts: 

AC to be installed in the garbha graha of Meenakshi temple! – Will it affect the sanctity?

Residential houses around the temple

 

AC to be installed in the garbha graha of Meenakshi temple! – Will it affect the sanctity?

A news report in Times of India says that the sanctum sanctorum (garbha gruha) of Meenakshi temple of Madurai is being air conditioned. It is learnt from reliable sources connected with the temple that no such installation is being done in the garbha gruha.

The Chairman of the Temple Trust Board informs us that

“The old exsisting aircondition system in the Mahamandapam (not even the Artha Mandapam ) is bring modernized with installation of a new plant, There is no work being done in the Graphagraham at all !!”

We thank the Chairman for correcting the information. This is good news for everyone who has been led to conclude that the installation is to take place in the garbha graham.

Some thoughts on temple ambiance are discussed below:-

The Vigraha installed inside the garbha graha of a temple is considered to be the 5^th and the last form of God, the others being Para, Vyuha, Antharyaamin and Avatara. Temples with vigraha installation are a later development that came into being with the decline in ability of people to get into communion with God mentally and through yogas.

Vigrahas are special forms which are consecrated as per specific rules so that, the benefits of a communion with God can be easily obtained like drawing water from a pipe in the kitchen. The other forms of God require some practice or saadhana on the part of the devotee to achieve such a communion.

It is for this reason the temple structure comes with specifications and attendant rules. The obvious specification is the small structure of the garbha graha made of a certain type of granite stone and the subsequent rooms leading to the garbha gruha, also done with specifications. The number of persons to be present near the garbha gruha is limited by these specifications.

The deity is ‘hot’ by its constitution. The mantras and the power contained in them make it hot. It has been noticed that at the time of Kumbhabhishekam to the kalash on the temple gopuram, sweat drops appear on the image of the deity in the garbha graha. This shows that Kumbhabhishekam ensures a kind of saturation so that the deity is fully ‘charged’.

Ardent devotees must excuse me for writing like this as they may see the usage of these words as objectionable. But I am no less a devotee and am keen on bringing to the notice of the reader the supreme science behind this. Lord Himself is Vigyaana personified. This vigyana was also known to ancient rishis who devised the methods of construction of temples and consecration of deities.

The deity is a kind of high energy concentration that the environs are always maintained cool. But using an air conditioner was not a way to ‘cool’ the deity. According to Varahamihira, any temple must be raised only on the banks of a perennial river or a stream or a tank or on the hill or near the hill.

The temple must be surrounded by flower gardens. Only in such places the Devas come and play. Such an environment will keep the temple cool on whose vimana, devas and rishis settle down to be with the Deity at all times. The naturally cool environment has provided the needed cooling effect for the Deity whose consecration makes it hot.

In addition, the garbha graha is always kept wet and cool. The abhishekams and garlands accentuate this effect. No electric light is allowed inside the garbha graha as it would give out heat radiation. Only oil lamps are allowed. The awareness in these lines has increased nowadays as we find many temples doing away with electric lamps in the garbha graha. Whatever heating happens, happens by means aradhana with lamp or camphor. (Nowadays camphor is avoided as it is found to emanate some chemicals.)

A research done by a group of College students also confirmed this cooling effect. The natural surroundings help in maintaining the cool environs in the temple. At times water will be filled around the main sanctum in summer to reduce the heat.

There have been times when the deity’s energy level increases and becomes very ‘hot’. In such instances, they are immersed in water. The image of “Athigiri varadar” at Kancheepuram is kept under the water of the temple tank and taken out only once in 40 years to have darshan for one mandala. (It is due in the year 2019).

The research by the students also showed that the small and short walls of the garbha graha and the adjoining room resonates the chanting of the mantras and the chanting by the devotees. All these add to the power of the temple in helping the devotee come out free of his worries and troubled thoughts.

Thus we have two issues – one of maintaining the natural cool environs of the garbha graha and the other of having the optimum level of resonance through the chantings near the garbha graha. The heavy rush of people and allowing more number of people than the optimum number result in heating up of the environment on the one hand and a non-optimal level of resonance created by the chanting (if at all done) by the large gathering of people. The Chanting of Govinda is a most common one, but a chanting by a very large gathering, compressed near the garbha graha is undesirable.

The remedy lies in regulating the number of people present in the sanctum to the optimum level (that can be worked out by the dimension of the area). The crowd must be regulated and not sent inside in large groups. The devotees must be educated that we have to maintain these norms for their good and the good of other devotees and the community.

The phenomenal rush of people to temples nowadays is to do with a wrong and misplaced notion of a kind of ‘barter’ that people think is what bhakthi is about. This is a different and difficult issue, but strict rules on movement of people within the sanctum must be followed to avoid heating and also unnatural ways of cooling.

A research on what happens inside a temple.

The following report is from ‘Indian Express’ published on 31st December, 1980. The research was conducted in a model garbha graha. I have not come across any other kind of research on these lines after this. My comments are given at the end of this report.

*********************

This is about the HR and CE stall at the Tourist Trade Fair held at Chennai then.

‘Teachers and students of Parasakthi College, Courtallam, through a set of experiments using laboratory gadgets, make a scientific interpretation of the chanting of slokas, abhisheka of the idol and offering of fruits and leaves. "Temple worship has a definite scientific reasoning behind it", the assistant professor in charge said.

First it is explained how there is a proportionate configuration to the sanctum sanctorum and the idol it houses – the sanctorum is structured in such a way that the idol in it reflects any sound wave to the maximum effect.

A tuning fork is vibrated in the hall with little sound reproduction, but when it is struck and placed before the entrance of a small model sanctorum, a loud hum is heard. The forks invariably produce a sound resembling the chant "OM".

The lecturer explained that among the various chants, "OM" had the largest resonant effect and displaced a sizeable amount of atmosphere inside the sanctum. This is possible only when the sanctum and the idol are made of granite.

Next it is explained how the presence of negative ions increases in moist condition rather in dry condition using a condenser to infer why the sanctum sanctorum is always kept moist by pouring water over the idol and washing it with water continuously. Similarly the conduction of the stone idol also increases when it is moist – this is demonstrated by comparing the conductivity of dry granite and that of a wet idol.

The materials used for the abhisheka of the idol increases the conductivity of the stone through their own pH values. pH value of a substance is the negative concentration of the ion it possesses. Most of the materials used for abhisheka – milk, curd, sandalpaste, turmeric powder, vermilion powder, vibuthi have high pH values, a simple chemical experiment shows. And when they are poured over the idol they increase the conductivity of the idol, also ionizing it.

A resistance reading on the ohmmeter of the idol after these elements have been poured shows the increased conductivity of the idol. The chanting of the mantras and the more frequent "OM" sets the air column inside vibrating and the highly sensitized idol conducts the ions of the abhisheka substance to the moist atmosphere.

The lighting of camphor during the deeparadhna displaces the air, which is partially charged with ions, and the devotees inside the sanctum inhale these ions. These negative ions have the physiological function of fixing oxygen with hemoglobin in the blood, the lecturer explained. They are concentrated on beach shores and mountaintops in the early morning, which explains doctor’s advice to heart patients for early morning beach walks.

In the final inference, it is explained, a devotee’s presence in the sanctum during abhisheka helps his system induct more negative ions than he usually inhales. A visit to the temple is a good substitute for morning walk, the lecturer explained, and a tonic for good health.

But with temples becoming overcrowded, it would not be a wonder if these negative ions are submerged by the excessive carbon dioxide exhaled in the packed sanctum which is meant to house only ten people at a time. Similarly the chanting of "OM" has also been reduced to a mere inaudible mumble, affecting its highly resonant quality."

(end of the news report)

************

Pic coutesy :- Raju's Temple Visits

Going by the practices, I infer that a kind of circuit exists between the Main deity (moolavar) and the Balipeedam in the outer. The Balipeeda also receives the same care as the Moolavar. We are not supposed to cut across this circuit. In olden temples 2 exits will be there on two sides near the garbha graha through which the devotees come out of the garbha graha. By that, they won’t be crossing the circuit anywhere.

A temple visit makes one come out with a free mind and freshness. All the worries and thoughts spelt in the presence of the deity are attracted by the deity and absorbed by this circuit. So that when we come out, our mind feels like a clean slate enabling us to think better as we continue with our chores. Here I have not mentioned about the communion with God because it is personal and happens for one who seeks such a communion. Irrespective of that, I think a cleansing effect also happens to the mind. This helps in clarity of perception and better thinking

One instance where we hear people talk of such clarity is the visit to a temple before writing an examination. The popular deity for visited before an exam is Vinayaka. As we saw in an earlier post of the effect of Super Brain Yoga (Thoppukaranam), the cleansing effect adds to the clarity of thinking so that one can easily recall what one learned and write in the exam.

AS for me I have felt such bleaching effect – some freshening effect, after a visit to old temples. Even in the heavily crowded Thirumala, I have greatly felt some effect on the physical level too. I have never worried about not being able to get a darshan of Srinivasa. I always think that even though I can not see Him properly, He is seeing me! His aura is bathing me fully! That is enough.

Related posts:-

ThoppukkaraNam – scientific effect on memory.

Origin of the word “Thoppukkaranam”.

Acupressure in Gayathri japa!

Importance of Vigrahas

- jayasree

*******************

From

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Madurai-temple-AC-threatens-frescoes/articleshow/5590468.cms

Madurai temple AC threatens frescoes

Padmini Sivarajah, PTI, Feb 19, 2010, 03.17am IST

MADURAI: One of Tamil Nadu’s best known ancient temples is seeing a revamp that may not go down well with conservationists. The sanctum sanctorum of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai is being air-conditioned at a cost of Rs 30 lakh to provide a cooler environment to priests and devotees. In the process, however, frescoes and carvings on the walls and ceiling of the 1,500-year-old structure are being blocked.

The edifice has many natural vents which act as a natural cooling system. But with trees disappearing from the surroundings of the temple and concrete structures taking their place, the temple environs have become stuffy and according to the priests, it is difficult to stay inside for more than an hour. ‘‘The air inside becomes hot and we develop headaches,’’ said a priest.

A donor has now come forward to air-condition the sanctums of goddess Sri Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. Huge steel pipes will bring in cooled air from two 18-tonne air conditioners and vents would circulate the air in the area where devotees gather for darshan.

Sundaram (82) of North Veli street in Madurai, who has been frequenting the temple right from his childhood, said, ‘‘Earlier entering the temple after walking in the hot sun was very relieving since the interior was cool. But over the past 10 to 15 years, I have noticed that it becomes extremely hot inside the sanctum sanctorum, primarily because of the large crowds that visit the temple. The proposal for the air-conditioning is a welcome move.’’

Temple sources said high-rise buildings and traffic pollution had contributed to the heat inside the temple. Speaking to TOI, joint commissioner of Sri Meenakshi temple K Rajanayagam said the AC work would be completed in a few weeks.

Terror reigning in Tamilnadu? Why Rajinikanth did the somersault?

Hardly within a day I posted an article praising Rajinikanth for his “super” performance in making a veiled expression of the state of affairs surrounding those in power, here comes a complete reversal of his stance. He met Mr Karunannidhi for ‘thanking’ him for attending his daughter’s betrothal the previous day.

This excuse is another big ‘kaathula poo’ – but can be rated only below the one gifted by Mr Karunanidhi.

(Read Super performance by Super star Rajinikanth!

What makes me wonder is what has happened ‘so obviously’ within a few days.

Our guesses are easy to make – but coming as it does from a Rajini whom we think has no great material attachments, this causes some worry. If Rajini himself can be intimidated, what lies in store for the people of this State? Only sub standard rice, free colour TVs and a few hundred rupee notess every 5 years?

Somehow I still have faith in the integrity and Dharmic Thought of this man (Rajini) and wish to think that he had gone to make things better for Ajith, and not for making things better for himself.

If not now, he has to rise to the occasion when the time comes.

There is only one person in the whole of India who is capable of destroying the Draconic coil compressing the State.

That is Rahul Gandhi.

It depends on successful he is in overruling his mother.

If he succeeds or not is a different thing.

But it rests with Rajinikanth to speak out his mind openly like he did on an earlier occasion. That is the way he can pay his gratitude to the millions of his fans whom he never fails to acknowledge for making him what he is now.

As a Rajini fan, I also have the right to ask him what he is going to do for the state.

Whatever he does or speaks – has an impact on Mr Karunanidhi as we can see him react in the current incident too.

The ‘surrender – like’ visit by Rajinikanth has all trappings of a forced surrender.

This shows that Mr Karunaidhi is vulnerable – he reacts to every move of Rajini.

Rajini must know this as his strength and use it for the sake of the people when time comes. A time will come and we wait for that time to see a sustained Super performance by this man

The darbar – at Rajini’s family function!

http://www.dc-epaper.com/GalleryView.shtml

The surrender?

http://www.dc-epaper.com/GalleryView.shtml

**************************

From

http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/02/19/ArticleHtmls/19_02_2010_004_009.shtml?Mode=0

Rajini, Ajith call on CM, harp on `politicising' stars

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth who called on chief minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday asserted that actors and actresses have not been compelled to participate in political agitations but they had taken part in such programmes on their own accord.

"The actors and actresses participated in fast or agitations on their own and none was forced to take part in political agitations or functions," he said, adding that the chief minister had faced several agitations in his political life and there was no need for him to compel anyone. This was the super- star's reaction to an issue raised by his colleague Ajith. During a function organised by the Tamil film industry to felicitate Mr Karunanidhi for allotting land for artistes to establish township, Ajit had lamented that actors were forced to participate in agitations of little relevance to film industry.

"It is his personal view and I appreciate him for expressing it," Rajini further said. He described his meeting with Mr Karunanidhi as a `courtesy call' and told reporters that he met the chief minister to thank him for attending his daughter Soundarya's betrothal on Wednesday. The actor's meeting with the chief minister gained significance following a controversy that was triggered over his meeting with Opposition leader J. Jayalalithaa, whom he invited for his daughter's engagement.

Close on the heels of Rajini's meeting Mr Karunanidhi, Ajith who raised the controversy called on the CM on Thursday evening.
He also termed it a courtesy call.

Super performance by Super star Rajinikanth!

Sarcasm or satire.. call whatever you may, Rajinikanth’s recent speech on the occasion of “thanks giving” (no one knows for what? ) to the Chief Minister Mr Karunanidhi was his best ever delivered – particularly in the presence of Mr Karunanidhi himself. The usually keenly observant Karunanidhi seems to have failed to sense the sarcasm running throughout the speech of Rajinikanth. He merely wound up his speech with a ‘kaathula poo’ incident.

Rajini’s frustration which is shared by lakhs of thinking people of this State must be sustained to save this State from the Monarchic culture that has usurped Democratic principles at the polling booth. Here are some highlights from Rajini’s speech.

Rajini gave his entire speech as series of contrasts.

Contrast no 1 :- DMK groomed Jagathrakshakan gave a superb speech on religion when he presided over a discourse on Dayanantha Saraswathy.

Contrast no 2 :- Durai Murugan who always looks and talks as though he is in an inebriated condition is a teetotaler

Contrast no 3 :- Mr Karunanidhi detests praises, but what to do? He has to accept praises and adorn the functions arranged for praising him (as that one) to please his followers.

Super nakkal:- Durai Murugan’s speech / talks in Assembly and outside appear as those he speaks like a drunkard!!!

Super awe :-

• The sets for that function that exceeded the best of Filmi sets.
• Just 10 days ago, another function was conducted to ‘praise and thank’ the Chief Minsiter

THE GRAND FINALE:

It was the kaathula poo offered by Mr Karunanidhi:-

He pierced his finger with a needle to paint the Dravidian party flag with his blood in red!!!!

To savor the entire speech by Rajinikantha, click the following Youtube links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv21XQINFuI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5G09Hr-nIE

*************************

A report on his speech from Deccan Chronicle, Chennai edition:-

http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/02/17/ArticleHtmls/17_02_2010_002_014.shtml?Mode=0

DMK likes red and black `label'

By

J. V. Siva Prasanan Kumar

It appears sometimes when two VIPs fly together they tend to get close. So close as to ask which label (brand) the other would prefer -- red, green, white or what?
Wondering how the `spirited' fiery speaker Duraimurugan (law minister) sustained his gusto whenever he participated in debates in the Assembly or while addressing public meetings, Superstar Rajinikanth asked him, "Which label do you prefer?" A bewildered Duraimurugan nonchalantly asked him, "What label?" "I mean, the drink to give you the energy to make fiery speeches," the Superstar persisted, and was shocked when the minister said he was a teetotaller. "I was always under the impression that he would consume alcohol to give him the much needed pep for his talk. But he says he never drank alcohol in his lifetime," Mr Rajini disclosed while recounting his conservation with Mr Duraimurugan when the two chanced to fly together to Chennai.

Peals of laughter reverberated in the packed Valluvar Kottam and even chief minister M. Karunanidhi and his family, present during the felicitation organised by Sangha Tamizh Peravai, laughed. Mr Duraimurugan was also amused at the actor's surprise.

When Mr Rajini still sounded sceptical of the minister's reply, the chief minister came to his colleague's rescue, and said, "What's in a label? To me, to Duraimurugan and many of us red and black are our preferred labels. They are the colours of the DMK."

To a surprised audience, Mr Karunanidhi said he had to pierce his finger to paint his party flag with the red colour about four decades ago. "So, the red and black colours are close to the DMK. Even the other Dravidian parties that have red colour on their flags borrow our colour," he added, taking the actor by surprise but for a different reason though.

*******

Related post:-

Terror reigning in Tamilnadu? Why Rajinikanth did the somersault?

Brinjal and height of man.

The first thing that strikes me on hearing the name Bt Brinjal (Bacillus Thuringiensis Brinjal) is that
- of all the crops why brinjal was genetically modified?

The next thing I ask myself is
- is it possible to genetically modify this short plant into a tall plant?


I ask this because there is an expression in Hindu Thought (though I can not quote the source) that the day man climbs the Brinjal plant using a ladder, the world will come to an end. It means that Deluge will be at the door step and the world (mankind) will be at the brink of a clean wipe-out.


Whenever I hear this or think of this, I used to dismiss this as a meaningless expression. The brinjal plant is after all 25 to 30 inches high. How could man become very small - shorter than a brinjal plant, even if it is assumed that man would progressively (!) grow shorter with times; and if man were to become so short, is there enough time for such a transformation? Would the world be there for that long to see man to become of such height?


But Bt Brinjal exposes a different probability. Thinking of what genetic engineering does, I am afraid that a day may come when brinjal may be modified to grow taller than man so that man may have to use a ladder to pluck its fruits!

The strange coincidence of brinjal becoming subject to genetic modification (or man's interest in so doing) and the Hindu belief connecting Deluge to the height of brinjal causes some concern in me.

There are many opposing voices in India to Bt brinjal on the side effects of it.
In addition to them, I have the above concern also to reject any effort to genetically modify edible items of Nature.



On the issue of pest resistance, India has had indigenous wisdom of controlling them. Brihat Samhita of Varaha mihira contains a chapter on gardening in which cheap and natural methods of pest control are discussed in addition to methods to increase the yield. As usual our people will disregard them until a foreigner experiments them and claims a patent.


The traditional sowing rules based on the star of the day counted from the star in which Rahu is posited also help in avoiding pests. It can be read in this link.

Rahu - a guide to agriculturists

Meditate on Lakshmi ( தாயார் ) - says Valmiki Siddhar in his 'Valmiki -16' –

 

This is in continuation of the 2 posts on Valmiki's connection to Tamil. The earlier posts can be read in the following links.

Purananuru contains Vaalmiki's Tamil poem

Valmiki of Ramayana and Valmiki of Purananuru are the same.

In this post we will be seeing the interesting portions from the composition by Valmiki, identified as one of the 18 siddhars.
Like the Purananuru verse, this composition also places importance on Lakshmi and Vishnu.
This is unique because the siddha tradition always hails Shiva as the Supreme being.

Valmiki has been identified as one among the 18 siddhas. He is also mentioned as a hunter - reiterating that this Valmiki was the same Valmiki who wrote the immortal Ramayana.

All the siddars have composed thought provoking verses on Siddhi and Shivam.
Valmiki's composition is just 16 verses which he himself calls as 'vaalmeekan pathinaaru' (வால்மீகன்  பதினாறு) in the 11th verse of this composition.
Though he begins with a salutation to Shiva, he continues to tell in the first verse itself that 'shiva sakthi' is the form of Vishnu!
'சிவசக்தி திருமாலின் ரூபமாகும்.'

Like other siddha- compositions, he continues to tell about the kind of mind control, yogic breathing etc for realizing siddhi.
But in the 11th verse he makes some strong statements.
He says that this comsposiiton of 'vaalmeekan pathinaaru' (வால்மீகன்  பதினாறு) unlocks the compositions of all the 18  siddhars. Those siddhars  were displeased with his composition and complained to Shiva. But Shiva was angry with them and approved his (Valmiki's) work. As a result, Valmiki exposed his composition for the sake of the world.
His message starts with t the 9 grahas. Here the 9 grahas mean the 9 exits in the body which are controlled for the sake of Contemplation and Yogic meditation.

சிவசிவா பதினெண்பேர் பாடற் கெல்லாம்
    திறவுகோல் வால்மீகன் பதினாறாகும்:
சிவம்பெத்த சித்தரேல்லா மென்னூல் பார்த்துச்
    சிவனோடே கோள் சொன்னார் சினந்தான் நாதன்:
அவமாகிப் போகாமல் சிவனுத் தார
    அருளினால் திறந்து சொன்னேன் உலகுக்காக:
நவமான நவக்கிரகம் தன்னுளேயே
    நாக்கு வாய் செவி மூக்கு மத்திக்கப்பால்.

He continues to say that one must concentrate on Thaayaar (Maha Lakshmi of Sree, the Consort of Narayana is known as தாயார்  or Mother)  at the Top of the head.

நாக்கு வாய் செவி மூக்கு மத்திக் கப்பால்
    நடுவீதி குய்ய முதல் உச்சி தொட்டுத்
தாக்குவாய் அங்கென்ற அதிலே முட்டுத்
   தாயாரைப் பூசித்து வேதம் ஓது:

This is a departure from the instructions given by other siddhars.
But this has been approved by Shiva who is extolled as the authority for granting siddhi!
Moreover Valmiki calims  that his view is superior to those of others.
His methodology involves meditation on Sri or Lakshmi for Realising the Him, the Supreme Brahman.
His concluding words are
கோனவனாய் இருக்கவென்று  குறியைச் சொன்னேன்.
குவலயத்தில் பதினாறும் குறுகத் தானே.

He does not mention the name of the supreme being to be realised.
This is also a departure from other siddhars.
Other siddhars identify that Being as Shiva.
But Valmiki does not do so.
In the beginning he mentions the Siva sakthi roopam but further goes on to say that it is Vishnu roopam.

This view is the Ultimate  vedanthic view.
The Created worlds exist infinitely in the womb of the Supreme Brahman.
One fourth of it is manifest while three- fourths of it is unmanifest.
The Trinities (Four faced Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) are the keepers of the manifest worlds and they are the authority (Adhikaari) for granting Moksha.

(These details can be read in my previous articles in www.tamilhindu.com

 
http://www.tamilhindu.com/2010/01/adimudi-kaanaa-athisayam-a-dimension-of-the-universe/

http://www.tamilhindu.com/2010/02/creation-theory-2/ )

 

 

 
But the end does not come with Moksha at this level.
The Released souls remain in the manifest worlds until Brahma completes the age of 100 years of Paramaayul. After that they all exit and get fixed in the Supreme Brahman in whose womb these universes are revolve.
This means there is yet another realm to be reached by the Released Souls.
That Level is the One without a Second.
According to Sruti texts that Level is Nara-Ayana - where everything dwells and which dwells in everything.
That is the Parama padam.
It is in this Realm all those who reached Narayana and all those who reached the Formless Supreme Being are fixed (12th chapter in Gita)

All the Released Souls -  attain this realm as the Final abode.
The Supreme Being of this Realm has only one other component - that is His Will.
Initially He / It existed.
Then It willed - may I become many - and became many.
The Will and It were inseparable.
That Will is personified as Lakshmi - down the process of Creation.
(I have written long ago in some Yahoo gropus on how this is justified. I will post them soon in this blog)

Valmiki recommends to meditate on this Will as Thaayaar or Lakshmi, so that the Communion with It will become easy and direct.

Narayana as the Supreme Being is the Final word of Vedantha.
The route to Him lies beyond the Created worlds and Mukthi in Created worlds.
This is indicated by Valmiki but it  was not acceptable to other Siddhars who concentrated on the 5 -fold Rudra swaroopam of the Chakra of the Created Universe.
But approved by Shiva Himself.

Since this Ultimate concept has been voiced only by Valmiki and not by other siddhars, Valmiki chose to call his way as the Key - திறவு கோல்.