Does Agnihotra Homa offer protection from Corona virus?

Published in  PGurus

With the pandemic spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) across the globe, parallel researches are taking place to cure the infection and develop vaccines to prevent the infection. A number of research findings are also pouring in from all sides to improve the immunity from the attack of this virus. But what goes missing is the realization that we indeed possess the most potent weapon against this virus in the form of the Vedic Homa called Agnihotra.

The name Agnihotra gained widespread attention soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 when it was found that four or five families living near the Bhopal railway station remained unaffected by the poisonous gas that surrounded them. Seeing the inevitable staring at them the families decided to stay back and do Agnihotra Homa. And wonder of wonders they were the sole survivors in that part of the city affected by the leaking gas. This prompted researchers from Russia, Germany and Poland to descend on the city to find out the causes for their survival. The scientists of the Indian Defence and Research Department also evinced interest in the research[1]

Following this, many research findings started coming in of which I heard for the first time that cow dung has nuclear toxin and poison resisting property when smeared on the walls and sprinkled every day in the front of the house. Then came the incredible result on what saved the survivors. It was Agnihotra Homa done by them at the time of gas leak. It was also said that they had been doing it regularly in the past. Subsequently many tests were conducted and a model was evolved to get maximum benefits.

By the 1990s, a group of dedicated volunteers spanned across the country to spread the message of Agnihotra. It was through one of them I learned to perform this Homa. In my observation I found the visible organisms generally present in a house, namely cockroaches, lizards and spiders disappeared after some months of practicing Agnihotra. In the course of few years after regularly doing this Homa, I observed that Idly batter did not ferment effectively even during peak summer season. The only plausible explanation I could think was that the yeast naturally present in the air was wiped out. These observations over the years are the basis of my deduction that doing Agnihotra can be a good option to keep our surroundings sterile, especially in the current crisis of threat from novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The following video gives a demonstration of how to perform this Homa.

The Homa must be performed twice a day at sunrise and sunset and on all days of one’s life. It takes less than 5 minutes to do this Homa.  Details of the materials used, and instructions are given at the end of this article. 

Is Agnihotra proven to destroy virus?

Now the crucial question is - does this Homa kill Viruses such as Covid-19? The researches that continue to happen have revealed that Agnihotra fire and smoke remove biological, chemical and physical pollutants in the air. The biological pollutants are pathogenic bacteria and viruses present in the atmosphere around us.  Several studies have confirmed a drastic reduction in the bacterial count to less than 10% after 12 hours of doing the Homa, by which time the next round of the same Homa must start. [2] The discussion [3] with Dr Ulrich Berk of Germany gives a detailed exposition of various researches done by him and the effect of Agnihotra smoke and ash on human health and soil health and also the potency of the Homa in reducing pathogenic bacteria while not affecting beneficial bacteria. Some intriguing facts not yet understood by science are also given by him for further research.

Among the other researches, the one done by Nautiyal etal [4] on medicinal smoke from the materials of the Homa is noteworthy. He observes that  the “Absence of pathogenic bacteria Corynebacterium urealyticum, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Enterobacter aerogenes (Klebsiella mobilis), Kocuria rosea, Pseudomonas syringae pv. persicae, Staphylococcus lentus, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. tardicrescens in the open room even after 30 days is indicative of the bactericidal potential of the medicinal smoke treatment.”

One may be left to wonder why all these researches talk only about destruction of pathogenic bacteria by the medicinal smoke from Homa and there is no information on their activity on viruses. A possible reason could be that bacteria can be cultured in artificial culture media and observed for research, but it is not so for viruses. Viruses are parasitic and need living cells to multiply. They attach to a living host-body for growth and multiplication. Therefore, it is not possible to culture them in artificial culture medium and need living host or complex cell/ tissue culture medium. However, there are many researches, that describe the chemicals that can destroy or de-activate the virus by targeting the structural cellular protein components of the virus.

In the case of Coronavirus, it has been found out that there is an “integral membrane protein involved in several aspects of the virus’ life cycle, such as assembly, budding, envelope formation, and pathogenesis.” [5] If this membrane is damaged the virus material cannot sustain.

Based on this feature, breaking this membrane is proposed as the best solution to destroy the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Since soap and alcohol-based sanitizers break the membrane they are recommended for killing this virus. An illustration from NewYork Times is reproduced below to show how this works.[6]

Can Agnihotra damage the protective protein layer of the 

viruses?

This question gains importance in finding out whether Agnihotra Homa can be a potent weapon against Covid-19.

The research done by Girish Pathade and Pranay Abhang  of Fergusson College of Pune[7] shows loss of capsule formation of a pathogenic bacteria called Klebsiella pneumonia when exposed to Agnihotra ash.

They also found out that the microbial content in the air drastically reduced after exposure to Agnihotra fumes. The effect was high within 10 feet distance from the Homa pot and reduced successively. Ideally the effect was noticed within 30 feet distance from Agnihotra Homa pot.

The ability of the smoke of Agnihotra fire to destroy the cell wall of bacteria must be applicable to the protein membrane protection of the viruses too.

The experiments done by Rahul Raveendran Nair [8]is a big leap forward in this direction. His research indicates that Agnihotra Homa does produce hydrocarbons in the air that “undergo partial oxidation and produce methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and formic and acetic acids”. Here it is noteworthy to observe that the alcohols that are released in the Homa smoke are similar to the alcohol-based liquid hand sanitizers (with alcohol concentration of 60%) that is recommended for inactivating the Coronavirus[9]

Pathade et al.⁶ (Fergusson College of Pune) used rice as an offering and observed reduction in microbial content and loss of capsule formation in the bacteria. In RR Nair’s experiment⁷ 

Navadhanyas (9 types of grains) were used that led to the formation of 17 compounds of alcohol in the air that remained in the air for a maximum duration of 30 minutes. The following Table giving the list of hydrocarbon / ethyl compounds is reproduced from his paper.

RR Nair further reports that “all these volatile substances spread out into the surrounding atmosphere and are subjected to the photochemical reactions with sunlight and form various compounds, which may be the reason behind the strict instructions to perform agnihotra during daytime (sunlight is a major factor)” ⁷

He further notes, “.. partial oxidation of various aromatic hydrocarbons certainly produces formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is the most basic form of an antimicrobial aldehyde and is known to be a reactive antimicrobial as it reacts with proteins and peptides in microorganisms and kills them. While agnihotra is being performed, a small amount of formaldehyde, along with water vapor, is always produced.”

Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that regular performance of Agnihotra Homa at a gap of 12 hours (sunrise and sunset) everyday ensures continuous fumigation of the air around thereby preventing the threat from harmful viruses such as Covid-19.

My earnest appeal to scientists around the world working on containing this virus is to work on the medicinal implications of this Homa and bring out an optimum combination to destroy the Covid-19 virus.

Is this Agnihotra Homa same as the Traditional Agnihotra

 Homa?

This question arises due to the fact that traditionally milk is offered in the fire though other kinds of offerings such as grains including rice are permitted. Traditional Agnihotra Homa is a long procedure done on the traditional Vedi (sacrificial altar) by boiling milk in Agnihotrasthaali (pot) in Grhya fire, drawing the fire from Grhya to Ahavaniya and making the offerings in Ahavaniya fire. The experimentally produced Agnihotra pot avoids this but retains the shape of the Ahavaniya altar.

Though every householder is ordained to do Agnihotra every day at sunrise and sunset, there are different schools of thought  on when to perform: immediately before or soon after sunrise or sunset or little later. But all texts are unanimous in stating that it must be done close to sunrise and sunset time. The experiments had taken note of the slight variations in time and arrived at a conclusion that exact sunrise and sunset is the ideal time.

The use of rice as the offering is mandatory in Aupasana which is also to be done at sunrise and sunset with the two line mantra. But only two deities, namely Surya and Agni are worshiped in Aupasana. The third deity Prajapati worshiped in Agnihotra  Homa makes the experimentally deduced Homa a simplified form of Agnihotra. Only Surya, Agni and Prajapati are regarded as the deities of Agnihotra. [10] 

Our Sutras advocate that Agnihotra can be done in Grhya fire too. Examples include:

On bringing home the bride after marriage along with the nuptial fire (domestic fire that will be used forever thereafter), the man is ordained to do Agnihotra in that Grhya fire.[11]

“If he likes he may (perform the sacrifice) with rice, barley, or sesamum.”[12]

“He should sacrifice in the evening with (the formula), 'To Agni svâhâ!' in the morning with (the formula), 'To Sûrya svâhâ!' Silently the second (oblations) both times.”[13]

RR Nair’s experiment⁷ showed the temperature levels needed for creating the desired compounds and oxides in the air. The traditional Homa done in the traditional Vedi made of earth and other materials prescribed by the texts attain the desired temperature with prolonged procedures. The original experiment done on Agnihotra in the wake of Bhopal gas tragedy seems to have taken this factor into account and after testing with various methods had arrived at the specifications of a copper pyramid which quickly transmits heat. The temperature noticed at the bottom, mid-level and above the fire have been documented and it appears that the use of copper pot of specified size matches with the temperature generated in the traditional Vedi through prolonged procedure.

Yet another difference is the silent chanting of the second mantra both in morning and evening Agnihotra. This pertains to the offering to Prajapati. In the experimentally deduced Agnihotra Homa, this mantra also must be uttered out. But both the times the mantras must be uttered with specific intonation which one can find out in my demonstration video. 

Now a brief account on the materials needed:

1.         Pyramidal Copper pot set containing 5 items. (This can be ordered online)

2.         Cow dung cake (dried)

3.         Dried twigs of any of the 5 trees – Banyan, Peepal, Bilwa (Aegle marmelos), Palasha (Butea monosperma / பூவரசு), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa / அத்தி )

4.         Cow’s ghee

5.         Unbroken and unpolished rice.

6.         Oil lamp to light. Gingelly oil or ghee lamps preferred.

7.         2 pieces of Camphor.

8.         Sunrise and sunset times of each day for one’s location.

The Homa must be done exactly at sunrise and sunset every day. It can be done within 5 minutes. There is no caste, religion, gender and age difference reflected in the results of Homa in the researches. However the woman during her monthly periods is advised not to touch any of the materials and not do the Homa. The results were found to be less when tested.

Only 2 mantras are found to give the maximum benefits when they tested with all the mantras. They tested in different languages and with meanings, but none of them produced the same result as was done in Sanskrit mantra.

They must be recited in a particular intonation as demonstrated in the video.

The morning mantra:

Suryaya Svaha/ Suryaaya idam na mama//

Prajapataye Svaha / Prajapataye idam na mama//

The evening mantra

Agnaye Svaha/ Agnaye idam na mama//

Prajapataye Svaha / Prajapataye idam na mama//

With an appeal to all to do this Homa every day for one’s own health and for keeping the air clean around oneself, I expect newer experiments with this Homa to combat the threat from deadly viruses like corona virus.

In the experiments done by scientists after the Bhopal gas tragedy it was detected through Kirlian photography that the practitioners of Agnihotra had developed healthy ‘Aura’.[14] Healthy aura gives rise to mental peace and heightened awareness of the Self.  

Let everyone perform this simple Homa and live happy and healthy.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu!

---

[1] “Agnihotra” Sura Books Page 2

[2] “Scientific aspects of Agnihotra: Purification of the atmosphere by the Agnihotra - Part 1. (2018) https://www.agnihotra.org/2018/02/16/scientific-aspects-of-agnihotra-purification-of-the-atmosphere-by-agnihotra/

[3] “Scientific research on Agnihotra and Homa Therapy”  (Jan 2020)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqYqHPE_zU

[4] “Medicinal smoke reduces air-borne bacteria” Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2007)

Volume 114, Issue 3, 3 December 2007, Pages 446-451 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2007.08.038

[5] “Coronavirus envelope protein: current knowledge” Dewald Schoeman & Burtram C. Fielding

Virology Journal volume 16, Article number: 69 (2019) https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-019-1182-0

[6] “How Coronavirus hijacks your cells”

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/11/science/how-coronavirus-hijacks-your-cells.html

 By Jonathan Corum and Carl ZimmerUpdated March 13, 2020

[7] “Scientific study of Vedic Knowledge Agnihotra”, G. R. Pathade, Pranay Abhang Department of Biotechnology, Fergusson College, Pune

Published in Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati 43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273675026_Scientific_study_of_Vedic_Knowledge_Agnihotra

[8] “Agnihotra Yajna: A Prototype of South Asian Traditional Medical Knowledge” Rahul RaveendranNair

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2017, Pages 143-150

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2016.11.002

[9] CDC Statement for Healthcare Personnel on Hand Hygiene during the Response to the International Emergence of COVID-19  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/hcp-hand-sanitizer.html   

[10] Asvalayana Grhya Sutra, I-2-2.2

[11] Asvalayana Grhya Sutra, 1-9-4.4

[12] Asvalayana Grhya Sutra, 1-9-6, Sâṅkhâyana-Grihya SutraI, I, 12;  Âsvalâyana-Srauta Sutra, II, 2.

[13] Asvalayana Grhya Sutra, 1-9-7

[14] “Agnihotra” Sura Books, page 4


UPDATE on 23rd June 2020

It is coming to be known that hemoglobin count gets reduced with progression of Covid 19 attack in a person. Researches have shown that this virus inhibits the ability of the RBC to attach iron. It ruptures the RBC. This is called 'haemolytic" activity. Certain bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae are found to cause 'haemolytic" activity, clinically known as autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). The same syndrome of AIHA is reported in Covid 19 cases.

In this regard let me add another research by  Girish Pathade and Pranay Abhang  of Fergusson College of Pune, quoted in the article . They tested for haemolytic activity on these bacteria and found that the bacteria lost haemolytic activity upon exposure to agnihotra ash (reproduced below). This means Covid 19's propensity for haemolytic  activity also will be affected by Agnihotra. 

Based on this it is suggested not to disturb the ash once the homa is over. Let the homa ash continue to remain in the kunda for 12 hours until the next homa starts. 

அரசியல் பிரவேசத்தில் அவதார புருஷராகும் ரஜினிகாந்த்

அரசியலில் அறம் என்றாலே என்னவென்று பார்க்காத மக்கள் நாம். ‘அரசியல் பிழைத்தோர்க்கு அறமே கூற்று’ என்று சிலப்பதிகாரத்தில் படித்ததுதான். பிழை செய்யும் எந்த அரசியல்வாதியையும் அறம் தாக்கவில்லை. ஆனால் இன்று அறவழி அரசியலை முன்னிறுத்தி ரஜினி தயாராகிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார். அவரது அறவழி அரசியல்தான், நாசகார அரசியலாருக்குக் கூற்றாக இருக்கப் போகிறது.  அதைச் செய்ய விரும்பும் திரு ரஜினிகாந்த் அவர்களை மனதார வரவேற்கிறேன்.

அந்த அறவழி அரசியலுக்கு அடித்தளமாக இருப்பவை மூன்று கட்டளைகள். அவர் சொன்னதாக அந்த மூன்று கட்டளைகள் வலைத்தளத்தில் உலவி வருகின்றன. அவற்றைச் சொல்வதற்கே ரஜினி அவர்களை அரசியல் களத்தில் வரவேற்க வேண்டும். முதல் இரண்டும் அவர் ரசிகர்- தொண்டர்களுக்குச் சம்மதமே என்று தெரிகிறது. 

தேர்தலில் போட்டியிட 60% இளைஞர்களுக்கு முன்னுரிமை தர விரும்புகிறார். திறமை, அனுபவமும் முக்கியத்துவம் பெறும். இது நல்ல விஷயமே.

அடுத்து அவர் சொன்னது அன்று காந்தியடிகள் காங்கிரஸைக் கலைக்கச் சொன்னதற்கு ஒப்பானது. காந்தியடிகள் சுதந்திரம் பெற்றவுடன் காங்கிரசின் தேவை முடிந்து விட்டது, எனவே கட்சியைக் கலைத்து விட வேண்டும் என்றார். ரஜினி அவர்கள் தேர்தல் முடிந்தவுடன் கட்சிப் பதவிகளைக் கலைத்து விட வேண்டும் என்கிறார். கட்சிப் பொறுப்பாளர்களிடமிருந்து பெட்டி பெட்டியாக வசூல் செய்யும் இன்றைய அரசியல் சூழ்நிலையில், இப்படிப்பட்ட ஒரு கட்டளை இவர் வசூல் ராஜா இல்லை என்பதையும் தன் கட்சிக்காரர்களும் அவ்வாறு இருக்கக்கூடாது என்பதில் கவனமாக இருக்கிறார் என்பதையும் காட்டுகிறது. கண்டிப்பாக இது சிஸ்டம் சேஞ்சுக்கு அடிகோலும்.

அடுத்து அவர் சொன்னதாகச் சொல்லப்படுவதுதான் ரசிகர்களுக்கு ஏற்புடையதாக இல்லை. அவர் அரசியல், அரசாங்கம் இரண்டையும் பிரித்துப் பார்க்கிறார். இதுவரை தமிழ் நாட்டு அரசியல் கட்சிகள் எல்லாம் இரண்டையும் கலந்தும், இரண்டுக்கும் ஒரே தலைவரே என்றும் நம்மைப் பழக்கப்படுத்தி வைத்திருந்தன. மேலும் தனி மனித வழிபாட்டையே பார்த்து நாம் வளர்ந்து விட்டோம். இப்பொழுது கம்பெனி ஒன்றை நடத்துவது போல, சேர்மனாகக் கட்சித் தலைவரும், அவர் வழி காட்டுதலில் தலைமை அதிகாரியாக, ஒரு சி-ஈ.ஓ-வாக (CEO) முதல் மந்திரியும் இருக்கக்கூடிய சூழ்நிலையைக் கொண்டுவர ரஜினி நினைக்கிறார். அது நல்லதுதானே!

அவர் கட்சியை பலப்படுத்தவும், அவர் கொண்டு வர விரும்பும் - நமக்குத் தேவையான - சிஸ்டம் சேஞ்சையும் உருவாக்கவும் அவரது நேரமும், எண்ணமும் அங்கு இருக்க வேண்டும். முதன் மந்திரி பதவியில் இருந்து கொண்டே அத்தனையும் செய்வது சிரமம். புது இலக்கை நோக்கி அவர் முதல் அடியெடுத்து வைக்கும் போது, கட்சி, ஆட்சி இரண்டையுமே பலப்படுத்த ஆரம்பப் படி இவ்வாறு இருப்பது அவர் கட்சிக்காரர்களுக்குத்தான் நல்லது. ஆரம்பிக்கும் கட்சி என்றென்றும் நிலைத்து நிற்க வேண்டாமா?

மேலும் இன்றைய நாட்டு நடப்பையும் கருத்தில் கொள்ள வேண்டும். சிஸ்டத்தைக் கெடுத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் அனைத்து அரசியல் கட்சிகளும், வேசி சினிமாக்காரர்களும், சிவப்பு விளக்கு ஊடகங்களும் அவரை ஒரு வில்லனாகத்தான் பார்க்கின்றன. அவர் மட்டும் முதலமைச்சர் வேட்பாளராக நிற்கட்டும், மோடியை விட அதிகமாகவே இவர் மீது காழ்ப்பு காட்டி எதிர்ப்பு அரசியல் செய்வார்கள். அதற்கெல்லாம் தலைவர் அசரமாட்டார். ஆனால் அவர் கொண்டு வர விரும்பும் மாற்றத்துக்கு அது வழி வகுக்காது. அவரை மட்டுமல்ல, அவரது குடும்பத்தினைரையும் இழுப்பார்கள். ரஜினி அவர்களது வேகத்துக்கு இவையெல்லாம் முட்டுக்கட்டை  போடும்.

மேலும் இன்றைய தமிழக அரசியல் சூழலில் பிரித்தாளும் சூழ்ச்சி அமோகமாக நடந்து கொண்டு வருகிறது. ஜெயலலிதா இருந்த போது அது அவ்வளவாக பலிக்கவில்லை. எனினும் அவ்வ பொழுது ஜெயலலிதாவும் சில சமரசங்களைச் செய்ய வேண்டியிருந்தது. நான் எதைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறேன் என்று புரிந்திருக்கும். சில தினங்களுக்கு முன்தான் இசுலாமியர்களை ரஜினி கூப்பிட்டுப் பேசியிருக்கிறார். என்ன பேசினார் என்று தெரியாது. ஆனால் சிறந்த தேசியவாதியான ரஜினி அவர்கள் இசுலாமியர் தேசிய நீரோட்டத்தில் கலப்பதையே விரும்புவார். அதற்காகத்தான் பாடுபடுவார். இன்றைய சூழநிலையில் ரஜினி என்னும் அரசியல் புதுமுகத்தால் அந்த மாற்றத்தையும் கொண்டுவர முடியும்.

அதனால் அவர் எடுக்க விரும்பும் ரோலை திறமையாகச் செய்ய உதவுங்கள். வெற்றி பெறும் ஒவ்வொரு தொகுதியும் அவருக்கு கிடைக்கபோகிற பெர்சனல் வெற்றிதான். அவர்தான் சூத்திரதாரி. அதில் சந்தேகமே இல்லை. ஆட்சிப் பொறுப்பில் அமர போகிறவருக்கும் மேலே அவர் கண்காணிப்பாளராக இருக்கப் போகிறார். ஒரு முறை அவர் ஆட்சியைப் பிடித்து விடட்டும். கட்சியையும், மக்களையும் தன் வசப்படுத்திக் கொண்டபின் அடுத்த முறை, அல்லது அதற்கு முன்பே கூட அவரே முதல்வர் பதவியில் அமரட்டும். இன்றைய சூழலில் அவர் அவதார புருஷராக உருவெடுக்கட்டும். பிறகு அட்மினிஸ்ட்ரேட்டராக ஆகட்டும்.

அந்த நாளில் 'நான் மகான் அல்ல' என்னும் ரஜினி திரைப்படம் வந்தபோது அந்தத் தலைப்பைக் குறித்து சர்ச்சை எழுந்தது. மகான் அல்ல என்பது சினிமாவுக்குத்தான். இன்று அரசியல் மகானாக அவர் உருவெடுக்கும் அறிகுறிகள் தென்படுகின்றன. அதற்கு உறுதுணை செய்வோம்.

Kejriwal owes his victory to MK Formula – the Coronavirus of Democracy!

M Karunanidhi (MK) Formula of freebies and minority appeasement is taking shape as the Coronavirus of Democracy in India. Its latest impact was seen at the just released Delhi Legislative Assembly results. At a time Tamilnadu politics seems to have come out of the competitive MK Formula with the demise of the two stalwarts Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, we thought that this Formula will have its natural death. But, no, it has popped up at the nation’s capital and bestowed its benefits on the user for the second time. It is not likely to die away in the absence of constraints of the kind it had in Tamilnadu.

Freebies crunch your resources, but not so in a place like Delhi, where the Government of India is directly dealing with the upkeep of many utilities and facilities that impact the common man. As a result Kejriwal has lesser strings tied to his hands when he goes about offering everything ‘except liquor’ free (to quote Arnab’s words). Suppose Delhi is not the capital of India and the central Government has no obligation to spend on Delhi, could the voters of Delhi get the twin advantage of freebies from ruling party at the UT and world class facilities from the central Government?

Only less than a year ago the same voters gave a resounding victory to the BJP. By pushing it to the periphery now, the voter-mentality can be read well – that it is infected with MK Formula. The Delhi voters enjoy a peculiar advantage of both the bribe-by-freebie of the once anti- bribery crusader and the classy facilities of the capital city. In this backdrop Prashant Kishor advice is just a name-sake that serves no better purpose than PK adding it in his resume.

Minority appeasement, the other integral part of MK Formula has become a national norm nowadays with every party religiously following it. Whether the BJP also follows it or not is in perpetual doubt thanks to the skills of the BJP top brass! So we are left with our own assessment of the situation on how to cure our democracy from this coronavirus (somehow brought the current fad into the articleJ) and here are the remedies which most others would agree with, I believe.

·         Take out the territory of the Capital city from the UT and bring it under direct control of the central government. Let the rest of the UT be made a State or merged with adjoining States. In that set up the corrupt offer of carrots can be avoided or left to the State to manage the resources by itself to pay for the development of the State. Freebies and development can’t go together. Someday the freebies have to be reduced and done away with. In the current set-up both will go on perennially in Delhi.   

·         Since it is difficult to re-produce Delhi –type MK Formula in other States, the Formula will be reduced to minority appeasement only, but not necessarily in Tamilnadu which had seen the advantages of the Formula wholesome. Therefore it is imperative to get the Anti-conversion Law and Uniform Civil Code in place before the Assembly elections in Tamilnadu. If we fail to do that now, we may never get another time. And none can stop Tamilnadu becoming DMK-nadu!

ராமன் பரம்பரையில் வந்தவர்கள் சோழர்கள்- இலக்கியச் சான்றுகள் (பகுதி-2) (காணொளி)

பகுதி 1

சோழர்கள் ராமன் பரம்பரையில் வந்தவர்கள் என்று சொல்லும் இலக்கியச் சான்றுகளைக் காட்டும் இந்தக் காணொளி, அந்தச் சான்றுகள் தசரதன் பெயர்க் காரணம், முதுமக்கள் சாடியை முதலில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தியவன் நாபாகன் என்னும் இக்ஷ்வாகு அரசன்தான் என்பது போன்ற செய்திகளையும் தருகிறது.

ராமனைக் குறிக்கும் இலக்கியச் சான்றுகள் அவனைத் தூங்கெயில் இருந்தவன் என்றே கூறுகிறது. இதற்கு, தொங்கும் மதிலை அழித்தவன் என்று பொருள். புறநானூறு முதல் உலா இலக்கியங்கள் வரை சொல்லப்படும் இந்தக் கருத்து, மூன்று மதில்களை உடைய ராவணன் நகரத்தைக் குறிக்கிறது என்ற செய்தியை ஆதாரத்துடன் விளக்குகிறது இந்தக் காணொளி


மேலும் திரேதா யுகத்தில் பிறந்த ராமன் எவ்வாறு சோழர் பரம்பரையினன் ஆனான் என்பதையும், துஷ்யந்தன் மகன் பரதனுக்குப் பிறந்த முதல் சோழன் எவ்வாறு ராமன் பரம்பரையுடன் தன்னை அடையாளப்படுத்திக் கொண்டான் என்பதையும் விவரிக்கிறது.

அந்த விவரங்கள் மூலம் தமிழகம் உட்பட நம் பாரத தேசமே தந்தை வழியில் ஒன்று பட்ட மக்களைக் கொண்டது என்பதையும் விளக்குகிறது.

காணவும், பகிரவும்.

ராமன் பரம்பரையில் வந்தவர்கள் சோழர்கள்- கல்வெட்டு ஆதாரங்கள் (பகுதி-1) (காணொளி)

ராஜராஜன் தமிழன் தானா என்னும் முந்தின காணொளியைத்  தொடர்ந்து, இந்தக் காணொளியை நான் வெளியிட்டுளேன். இதில் சோழர்கள் ராமன் பரம்பரையில் வந்தவர்கள் என்று சொல்லும் வீர ராஜேந்திரன் கல்வெட்டுச் செய்திகளைக் கொடுத்துள்ளேன்.

வடமொழியில் 419 வரிகளில் எழுதப்பட்டிருக்கும் இந்தக் கல்வெட்டில் சுதாஸ், சம்பூகன் போன்றவர்களைக் குறித்தும் எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது. ராமனைப் பற்றி மிக விரிவாக எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது. அந்த ராமன் வம்சத்தில் சோழன் (முதல் சோழன்) பிறந்தான் என்று சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளது.

சோழன் தென் திசை நோக்கி வந்தான் என்றும் காவிரி பாயும் இடத்தில் குடியேறினான் என்றும், ஆரிய வர்த்தத்திலிருந்து பிராம்மணர்களை வரவழைத்துக் குடியேற்றினான் என்றும் கல்வெட்டில் எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது. இது தொடர்பாக உள்ள மரபணு ஆராய்ச்சிகளைக் காட்டி, பிராம்மணர்கள் வந்தேறிகள் அல்ல என்றும், ஆதிக் குடிகளிலிருந்துதான் வந்தவர்கள் என்றும் நிரூபித்துள்ளேன். பார்க்கவும், பகிரவும். 

Dravida architecture does not mean "Tamil" architecture. ((Part 4 of my video talk in Tamil in 'Desiya Siragugal' channel)

Previous parts:
Part 1  "Cholas and Rama belonged to the same lineage."
Part 2   "Muruga initiated the first ever Vedic Homa"
Part 3   ""No curse on the Big Temple"

This is the 4th and final part in a series of videos of an interview given by me to Mr Saiganesh of Desiya Siragugal channel on the various issues around the Kumbhabhishekam of Tanjore Big Temple. This video focuses on the the type of architecture of the Big temple. In a tweet the DMK chief Mr MK Stalin had referred to the architecture of the temple as Dravidian, meaning Tamil. He even said that the temple is a cultural symbol. I am addressing these views in this video.

Mr MK Stalin's tweet

Dravidian architecture doesn't mean Tamil architecture. Dravida architecture is one among the 3 types of temple architecture detailed in Mayamatham, a text on Maya- vaastu. It can appear in any part of the globe, but will be established in the southern part of the city or town where the temple is erected. It does not refer to South India.

The three types of temples are Naagara, Dravida and Vesara. The Naagara are installed in the northern part of the city, Dravida in the southern part and Vesara in east and western part of a city. This was mistaken to mean that Dravida temples will be there in South India. Chauvinistic politicians relate it with Tamil.

Infact most temples found in Tamilnadu are Naagara type only. The Naagara temples are square or rectangle at base and at Gopuram as well. The Gopuram will taper down but in successive layers of rectangle or square shape.

In the Dravida will have 6- sided or 8- sided base and Gopuram. The Vesara are round shaped.

The Big temple is found to be a mix of Naagara and Dravida. Its base is square called "Meruka" - the seat of Brahma. Its tower is rectangular but top is octagonal making it Dravida mixed with Naagara.

The height of the consecrated Linga changes in each of these three types of architecture. The Shiva linga of Brahadeeswara at the Big temple conforms with Dravida dimensions signifying "Pushti" or growth.

The Gopuram has a unique display of Mt Kailash like structure within which the Linga image of the deity is consecrated. So it is right to call this temple as "Dakshina Kailash"

King Rajaraja, a strong devotee of Lord Shiva had built this temple as a unique combination of exalted features, befitting his status and that of the deity. Since Pushti- dimension is found, this temple was obviously built for the purpose of growth of his name and kingdom. Hence people should not be misled by the propaganda of the vested interests that are bent on de-hinduising the temple and the king Rajaraja himself. More in the video.

No curse on Tanjore Big Temple ((Part 3 of my video talk in Tamil in 'Desiya Siragugal' channel)

Other episodes:
Part 1  "Cholas and Rama belonged to the same lineage."
Part 2   "Muruga initiated the first ever Vedic Homa"
Part 4   "Dravidian architecture does not mean 'Tamil' architecture"


In continuation of the previous parts (Part 1) and (Part 2) of my Video talk in Desiya Siragugal channel, here is the 3rd part that focuses on the rumours surrounding the Big Temple built by Rajaraja Chola.

The high decibel campaign to replace Sanskrit in the Kumbhabhishekam with Tamil was based on a 'curse' by Rajaraja Chola's "guru" by name Karuvurar. It is said that he cursed Rajaraja would lose his kingship if he entered the temple as a King. This is reinforced by other rumours that any politician entering the temple during his rulership would lose power subsequently. It is also believed that the temple did not see regular  Kumbhabhishekams due to this curse.

There is yet another rumour that the temple was closed for 200 years after the death of Rajaraja Chola due to the unnatural nature of his death. On one side it is rumoured that he was killed by someone within the premises and on the other it is said that he fell from the Gopuram.

In the video, I am focusing on these issues and showed by quoting inscriptions that no such curse existed and that the temple was continuously functional ever since it was built. Only during the last 2 centuries, after the British occupation of the temple that ended by 1801 CE, the temple is less cared about.

Kumbhabhishekam is a must once every 12 years for any temple. It is done to rejuvenate the energy of the temple as temples are consecrated for the helping the people derive benefits. Nowadays with temples under Government  control, every Kumbhabhsihekam is done as though by the mercy of the Government, the politicians and the officials who are keen on getting their names engraved in the temple. But in those times inscriptions were made only when there was a need, say, when a donation was made, tax was levied or exempted and an order was passed by the king. Kumbhabhishekam was a routine affair of the temple whose expenses were managed by the temple committees from the revenue earned from the tax-exempted villages attached to the temple at its inception. This made the temple self sufficient in taking care of the expenses of Kumbhabhishekam with the result there were no donors and hence no inscriptions on who funded the Kumbhabhishekam. Absence of inscriptions does not mean no Kumbhabhishekam.

The curse of Karuvurar is unfounded due to the fact the temple activities had gone on well - something established by the inscriptions. There is even an inscription of 14 military officers of Rajaraja Chola who offered donation to the deity to help them retain their name and fame with the king. If Rajaraja was asked to discard his kingship while entering the temple, this kind of inscription (on retention of power, title and fame) could not be made during Rajaraja's reign.

Moreover there is scope to believe that the chief priest (Gurukkal) was given precedence over everyone including the Guru of Rajaraja chola. This is made out from the presence of the image (statue) of the Chief priest installed in the temple even while Rajaraja was around. In contrast the image of Guru Karuvurar was depicted in a couple paintings whose origins are not dated nor engraved in any inscription.

The continuity of temple functions can be known from Rajendra's 19th year inscription on donation of 2000 kalam paddy to the Chief priest. There is evidence of performance of a Drama in memory of Rajaraja Chola for which some donations were made in the 42nd year after Rajaraja's death. More in the video...