Rama Navami – why celebrate Rama’s birthday on thithi and not on birth star?

We celebrate our birthday on the birth star falling in the solar month.

(Refer How to celebrate birthday. )

Birthdays of Gods are a different genre.

They are celebrated on the thithis in the respective lunar months.

Rama's birth day is not celebrated on his birth star, Punarvasu but on the thithi he was born. Let us see why.

A Thithi is different from a star.

When we speak about star, we actually refer to 1/ 27^th portion of the circle of 360 degrees of the zodiac. This is equal to 13-20 degrees. Starting from zero degrees Aries, the sky (Zodiac) is divided into 27 equal parts and each part is known by a star present in that part.

Thithi is the distance between the Moon and the sun. The starting point is not Aries. The starting point is the conjunction of the moon and the sun (Amavsaya).

The distance from one conjunction to another is a circle which means 360 degrees. This distance is covered in 30 days. So in one day 12 degrees are covered. A Thithi thus has 12 degrees whereas the star has 13-20 degrees. The conjunction of a star and a particular Thithi will not be repeated every year.

For ordinary mortals like us, the birth star (birth star is the star in which moon transits on the day of birth) determines our thoughts, attitudes and life events.

For Gods, there is no such thing that a star can do to them!!.

Their birthdays are times for doing austerities and spiritual practices.

Thithi is best suited for such austerities.

The distance between the sun and the moon determines the time that will be helpful to do spiritual sadhana. The important thithis in this regard are the 4^th (Chathurthi), 6^th (Sashti), 8^th (Ashtami), 9^th (Navami), 11^th (Ekadasi) and 14^th (Chathurdasi).

On these thithis, gods namely Ganesha, Subrahmaya, Krishna, Rama, Vishnu and Rudra (respectively) are meditated upon. Meditation on these Gods on these respective thithis give desired results for a spiritual practitioner.

I am tempted to say that it is divine design that these Gods were born or associated with these thithis, so that mankind can extract maximum benefits from the respective spiritual practices by remembering respective gods on these days.

Per this, the birth of Rama or Krishna on the respective thithis is not a coincidence. It is divine Will.

Looking at the sky on these thithis, some special significances can be noticed.

Particularly Astami and Navami come with the sun and the moon at right angles to the earth.

The result is that the combined pull of the sun and the moon on these thithis is lowest on the earth on ashtami and navami. The combined Luni- solar effect on tides and water bodies is a well known scientific fact. Our body also contains lot of fluids that control our thoughts, works and the internal organ systems. The Luni-Solar pull affects these fluids too. But on the 8^th and 9^th thithis, the Luni- solar effect will be minimal on all water bodies including our body. Meditation or thought forces done on these thithis can sink deeper in us – in the absence of any disturbance from the Luni- Solar pull. It is perhaps to tap this advantage, Gods themselves decided to be born on these thithis!!

An interesting astrological feature about these thithis is that baring the 11^th Thithi, all the others are what we call “Paksha Chidras” – or ‘weaknesses or holes in the fortnightly sojourn of the Moon’.

Instead of Ekadasi, Dwadasi is part of this group.

While the moon is moving in these thithis, it experiences some jerks. One can judge this by looking at the distances between the Sun and the moon.

Between Dwadasi and sashti (of any fortnight – waxing or waning) the moon comes within the strong grip of the Sun. Almost all the earthquakes of intensity that causes damage to the upper crust occurs when moon passes these thithis.

Our sojourn in the sky on these thithis seems to be in need of some divine protection. It is as though by the blessings on Lord Ganesha, we cross the Chathurthi, with the blessings of Lord Subrahmanya, we cross Sashti and with the blessings of Lord Shiva, we cross Chathurdasi. Every fortnight we remember these thithis and pray respective Gods.

Ashtami and Navami are completely away from this group.

They come with least Luni-solar effect. They are spiritual as well as celebration times.

Gokulaashtami and Rama Navami are both celebration times and times for Spiritual thoughts.

The effectiveness of these thithis in spiritual sadhana is the reason for celebrating the birthdays of Gods on thithis.

Temple where Ravana’s wife worshipped.

 

A news report from Srilanka tells about the restoration of Thirukeshwaram temple at Mannar for worship after 30 years. The interesting information in the report is that this temple was believed to be one where Mandothari, the wife of Ravana worshiped!

 

 

It is easy to dismiss this as a myth or a belief spread by people. The main reason for doing so is that Rama (and therefore Ravana / Mandothari  also)  lived in Thretha yuga. The Chathur Maha yuga that is commonly known, runs into 43,20,000 years. As per this calculation, Thretha yuga happened 13 lakh years ago. How can we have some structure of such an old period to exist even today is the question.

 

 

I have been saying in many of my articles that classification of Yugas had been different in different scales of measurement. All Sidhdanthic texts of astrology begin with explaining the Cosmos. Due to its vastness, the cosmos can not be explained in the time scale of days, months and a few hundreds of years.

 

 

 It is similar to how we explain the distance within our own solar system. For shorter distance, say, between the earth and the moon, we express in miles or kilometers. But when it comes to expressing the distance between the planets or between the planets and the sun, we express in terms of astronomical unit. When we speak about stars, the astronomical unit becomes irrelevant. We talk in terms of parsecs then.

 

 

Similarly, the Chathur maha yuga scale running into lakhs of years is easy to express the duration of day or night of the four-faced Brahma. The easiest way to understand the duration of day time of Brahma is to say that it consists of 14 manvanthras. To locate our place in this day, we say that we are in the 7^th manvanthra which means that we have just crossed half the day of Brahma and we are left with an equal duration to finish our 'run' in the cosmos.

 

In terms of sun's movement, we can say that within this day of Brahma, our sun would complete 20 rounds around the centre of our Milky Way galaxy. Modern science calculates that one round of the sun is roughly equivalent to 220 million years!  So this is how we express time for easy grasp of the phenomenal stretch of it.

 

Yugas of huge number solar years is used to express Time in the vastness of Cosmos. All Siddhanthic literature of Jyothisha begins with the explanation of Cosmos. In that context, they will speak about yugas of lakhs of years. To put it in other words, if you

come across a text expressing Time in terms of Yugas of lakhs of years, know that it is a 'Siddhantha'.

 

There are rules in writing down principles of astrology and astronomy. According to these rules, Siddhanthas will refer to Chathur maha yugas and kalpa (day of Brahma) . 'Tantra' texts of Jyothisha begin with a reference to the nearest Maha Yuga from the date when the text was written. For example Aryabhateeyam is a Tantra text. The reference point was the Kali Maha yuga. There are 'Karana' texts which make a reference to the saka varusha. For all other texts (Jyothisha or other wise), the reference or locating the time will be in terms of the 60 years (of Prabhava, Vibhava).

 

Therefore we must not get confused with Maha yugas for the time frame of Man's life which runs into a few decades.  Read this post to get more details on how the Yugas are simplified.

Rama in Treta yuga – Yuga is defined on the basis of dharma and not the number of years.

 

Coming to the news on Mandothari's connection to a temple in Srilanka, the period of Rama and Ravana were well within the last 10, 000 years. Tamils had lived in the extended land of Kumari at the time when Ravana was ruling Lanka.

 

It is known from the copper plates recovered from Sinnamanur that there existed a Pandyan king who defeated the ten-hooded Ravana!! It can be read here.

 

http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_3/copper_plates_at_tirukkalar.html

 

// The Sanskrit portion of the bigger Sinnamanur plates begins with a fragmentary verse in which the king (perhaps Pandya) boasts of having subdued the ocean —  an attribute which the mythical Pandya kings generally assumed in consequence, perhaps, of their sea-bordering kingdom, their naval power, and their sea-borne trade, from the earliest historical times.  From him were descended the kings known as Pandyas (v. 2) 'who engraved their edicts on the Himalaya mountain' and whose family-priest was the sage Agastya (v. 3).  One of the Pandya kings is said to have occupied the throne of Indra (v. 4) and another to have shared it with that god, and still another, to have caused the Ten-Headed (i.e., Ravana of Lanka) to sue for peace (v. 5).  One was a conqueror of the epic hero Arjuna (v. 7)[4].  Verse 8 refers to a king who cut off his own head in order to protect that of his master and also to a certain Sundara-Pandya who had mastered all the sciences.  Many kings of this family had performed Vedic sacrifices Rajasuya and Asvamedha (v. 9).[5] //

 

 

These  Sinnamanur inscriptions were written in the reign of Pandyan Rajasimha, the grandson of Sree maran srivallbhan alias Parachakra kolahalan, who was the contemporary of Periazhwar.
Rajasimhan was the contemporary of Chola king Parantaka I who reigned at the commencement of 10th century AD. So these inscriptions were written at that time.

The two kings mentioned in that portion (where reference to conquest over Ravana is mentioned) can be identified. One was Ugra Pandyan and the other was Kadum kOn from whose name the genealogy is mentioned in the inscriptions.

 

Ugra pandyan came in the lineage of Meenakshi and Somasundareswar in ThenMadurai. He stopped the surging ocean for which he came to celebrated as "kadal vadimbalam nindra Pandyan'. We can locate this incident in nearly 5 other texts, most importantly in Thiruvilayaadal puranam and Silappadhikararam.

 

We don't have the name of the Pandyan king who overpowered Ravana. There is no mention of this in Sangam texts too, whereas there is frequent mention of Ugra Pandyan. The reason is not difficult to trace.

 

Pandyans belonged to Lunar race whose Guiding God was Shiva. Usually the devotees of Shiva used to treat the other devotes of Shiva with very high reverence. Both the Pandyans and Ravana were well known Shiva devotees.

 

There is a less chance of enmity with a devotee of Shiva (Ravana), except in an extraordinary situation when the Pandyans had faced threat from him.

Since Ravana was a devotee of Shiva, the Shaivite  Pandyan who conquered him, would not have gloated about that. This can be said with a good measure of conviction because we come across many shaivite kings, devotees of Shiva and nayanmaars who did not harm or fight with a fellow devotee of Shiva.

That is perhaps why the victory over Ravana was not highlighted by later kings.

What is to be noted is that when Ravana was around, the Tamil lands were ruled by Pandyan kings.

 

 

Another interesting information from the Sinnamanur inscriptions is that the Tamil part of it says that the Pandyans studied Tamil and Sanskrit (Vada mozhi) to excel Pandits. This is given in the 10^th verse in the inscriptions. 

http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_3/copper_plates_at_tirukkalar.html

 

 

 

That means Tamil and Sanskrit co existed thousands of years ago – even before the Pandyan kings learnt them and started Sangam for Promotion of Tamil.

I have been saying that Tamil existed as the spoken language for this manvathra

 

 

(1 manvanthra = 30,67,20,000  years. The current manvanthra started 8 crore years ago. Within this 8 crore years mankind found ups and downs in existence and civilization attributes periodically every 28,800 years). From the inscriptions, it is deduced that there had been learned ones (pandits) who studied both Tamil and Sanskrit. But giving a special status to Tamil began with the Pandyans patronizing it. They did it after mastering both languages by themselves.

 

 

Related posts:-

 

On Ramayana connection in Srilanka

http://kalyan97.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/rama-setu-srilanka-traditions/

 

On Lanka in Tamil texts

Rama- a true son of the soil!

On Tamil's antiquity

Purananuru contains Vaalmiki's Tamil poem

Rama Setu in this 'living' country with a rich past!

 

 

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

 

From

http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/03/19/ArticleHtmls/19_03_2010_012_047.shtml?Mode=0

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Temple-visited-by-Ravana-s-wife-restored-in-Mannar/H1-Article1-520554.aspx

 

 

 

Ravana-linked ancient temple is restored

Colombo

 

A centuries-old temple, believed to have been visited by King Ravana's wife Mandodari, in Sri Lanka's north-east has been restored to its past glory by the Army.

The historic Thirukeshwaram (Mahathithamanthottam) Hindu Kovil (temple) in Mannar, which was neglected during the LTTE days, received a new facelift after de-mining and was handed over by Army Engineers to authorities, a statement said. It said the temple will now conduct regular poojas.

Following a directive by Army Chief Jagath Jayasuriya, troops swung into action and commenced clearance of LTTE laid minefields in the Temple premises and its surroundings. "The temple is said to have been venerated by King Ravana's wife Princess Mandodari as the first one to make offerings to this sacred place," it said.

This Hindu temple in Mannar with its direct links to Trincomalee and Galle Thirukeshwaram Hindu Kovils of historic importance records a saga that also goes back to the days of Sri Lankan Prince Vijaya.

Legends tell the first structure of the kovil was built by Raja Raja Cholan and Rajendran Cholan of the Chola dynasty. The move was timed to coincide with the re-opening of the sacred Kovil which used to mark its feast on March 13 every year.

 

**********

From

 

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201003/20100318thirukeshwarm_kovil_feast_after_30_years.htm

 

Thursday, March 18, 2010 - 08.25 GMT

Thirukeshwaram Kovil's feast after 30 years

 

The historic Thirukeshwaram (Mahathithamanthottam) Hindu Kovil in Mannar that remained totally neglected and dilapidated owing to LTTE terrorism was recently handed over by Army Engineers to religious authorities in order to conduct religious ceremonies once again.

Following a directive given by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Army commenced clearance of LTTE laid minefields in the Kovil premises and its surroundings, as the first leg of the project on 4th March 2010.

Within six days the Army Engineers de-mined an area of  about  509,050 sq.m and declared the area safe for use. This coincided with the re-opening of this sacred Kovil which used to mark its annual feast annually on 13th March on a grand scale.

After an absence of nearly 30 years, hundreds of devotees flocked to the shrine and conducted the annual feast on 13th March throughout the whole day. The feast continues until Vesak Full Moon Day's water cutting ceremony.

This Hindu temple in Mannar with its direct links to Trincomalee and Galle Thirukeshwaram Hindu Kovils of historic importance records a saga that goes back to the days of Prince Vijaya and other royalties, who had reportedly arrived there from overseas for religious offerings and veneration. Legends and folklore tell that the first structure of the Kovil at Mannar had been built by Kings Raja Raja Solan and 2nd Rajendran Sola.
 

 

Don’t block the ‘Internet Hindus’ -- Kanchan Gupta

From

http://dailypioneer.com/241956/Don%E2%80%99t-block-the-%E2%80%98Internet-Hindus%E2%80%99.html

Don't block the 'Internet Hindus'

Kanchan Gupta,

Pioneer, Sunday, March 14, 2010

Hindus who are proud to assert their identity and fly the Tricolour high have now found a new platform to have their say, the way they want it, without fear of being shouted down. Tired of being derided by pseudo-secularists in media who see nothing wrong with Muslim communalism and Christian fundamentalism but are swift to pounce upon Hindus for being 'intolerant', their cultural ethos crudely denigrated by the Left-liberal intelligentsia as antediluvian, Hindus have begun to harness technology to strike back with deadly effect.

They are bright, they are well-educated, they are not burdened with regional and caste biases, they are amazingly well-informed on national issues and world affairs, they are rooted in Indian culture, and they are politically alert. They hate being told they are wrong when they know they are right. They have a mind of their own and refuse to be led like sheep. Not surprisingly, they hold the Congress, the Left and regional parties in contempt, as they do journalists who cravenly ingratiate themselves with the establishment. For them, India matters — and matters more than anything else. Meet the 'Internet Hindus'.

In recent days there has been a spate of articles disparaging the 'Internet Hindus', variously describing them as "loonies", "fanatics", "irrational", "Hindu Taliban" and, by an enraged news channel anchor, "gutter snipes". Much of the criticism has come from left-of-centre journalists who believe they have unfettered monopoly over media as their inalienable birth right. Exalted members of Delhi's commentariat, who are indistinguishable from the city's la-di-dah socialites, tend to turn up their noses every time they hear the phrase 'Internet Hindus' as they would at the suggestion of travelling by public transport. Others are given to contemptuously brushing aside 'Internet Hindus' as being irrelevant and describing their views as inconsequential. All this and more has neither dampened the spirit of 'Internet Hindus' nor blunted their assertive attitude.

Here are some statistics, culled from an ongoing online survey, which would help create a generic profile of 'Internet Hindus'. The survey is open to all Hindus who use the Internet; the response has been overwhelming. Of those who have responded, 88.9 per cent have identified themselves as 'Internet Hindus', indicating they attach no shame to the term though their critics would want them to feel ashamed.
Of the respondents,
four per cent are aged 20 years and below;
55 per cent are aged 30 and below;
31 per cent are 40 and below; and,
only 10 per cent are aged above 40.
In brief, 90 per cent of them are young Indians.

The educational profile of the respondents is awesome:
43 per cent are graduates (most of them from top-notch engineering, science and medical colleges);
46 per cent are post-graduates (a large number of them have MBA degrees from the best B-schools); and,
11 per cent have PhDs.


It is understandable that none of them is unemployed.
Those without jobs are still studying (17.3 per cent) and can be found in labs and classrooms of the best universities here and abroad.
Of the 82.7 per cent who are employed,
3.1 per cent earn up to Rs 2 lakh a year;
18.4 per cent earn up to Rs 6 lakh a year;
34.7 per cent earn up to Rs 12 lakh a year;
and, 26.5 per cent earn more than Rs 24 lakh a year.
Nearly 60 per cent of them frequently travel abroad on work and holiday.
Some 11 per cent have travelled abroad at least once.

Contrary to the impression that is being sought to be created by their critics, 'Internet Hindus' are open to ideas, believe in a plural, law-abiding society and swear by the Constitution. They are often appalled by the shenanigans of our politicians, including those of the BJP, and are ruthless in decrying politics of identity and cynical vote-bank policies. They have no gender prejudices and most of them think banning FTV is downright silly in this day and age. The 'Internet Hindus' will not countenance denigration of their faith or biased media coverage of events, but 91.9 per cent of them respect and accept other religions. Asked if India is meant only for Hindus, an overwhelming majority of them, responding to the survey, said, 'Hell, no!'

So why do they infuriate pseudo-secularists in media and make Delhi's commentariat see red? There are three possible explanations.

First, the Net is beyond the control of those who control newspapers and news channels. While the print and audiovisual media have for long excluded contrarian opinion and denied space to those who disagree with absurd notions of 'secularism' or question the quality of reportage, the Net has provided space to the 'other' voice. Real time blog posts now record the 'other side' of the day's story ("The Prince was shouted down in Bihar, not feted by students!"), Twitter affords instant micro-blogging even as prime time news is being telecast ("That's not true. I live in Bareilly. This is not how the riots began!"), and YouTube allows unedited amateur videos of events (the Meraj riots, the Islamist violence in Kashmir Valley) to be uploaded, giving the lie to edited and doctored versions shown by news channels.

Second, unlike carefully selected 'Letters to the Editor' in newspapers and 'Feedback' posted on news channel websites, the reactions of 'Internet Hindus', often savage and unflattering, cannot be thrown into the dustbin or deleted with a click of the mouse. English language media journalists, long used to fawning praise from readers and viewers, are horrified that someone can actually call them 'dumb' in public space and there's nothing they can do about it.

Third, the established elite, most of them middle-aged, are beginning to feel threatened. Here's a new breed of Indians who have used merit and not 'connections' to make a mark in professional excellence, young men and women who are educated and articulate, and are willing to challenge conventional wisdom as preached by media 'stars' who have rarely, if ever, been questioned. The elite who dominate newspapers and news channels are seen by 'Internet Hindus' as part of India's past, not future. As one 'Internet Hindu' writes in his blog, "A large number of ex-elite can't stomach fact that children of bankruptcy are better travelled, better read and dominate the Internet!" Harsh, but true.

We can describe the 'Internet Hindus' as the "lunatic fringe", but that won't change the fact that their tribe is growing by the day. Soon, those on the fringe will move to the centre and their critics will find themselves precariously perched on the fringe. The Right is gaining ground as is the access and reach of the Net; newspapers and news channels, the Left's last refuge, no longer command absolute control over information flow. It would be unwise to 'block' the voice of 'Internet Hindus', as then their clamour to be heard will further increase and there is nothing we can do to silence them. The times they are a-changin'.

-- Follow the writer on: http://twitter.com/KanchanGupta.
Blog on this and other issues at http://kanchangupta.blogspot.com.
Write to him at kanchangupta@rocketmail.com

ISO certification for temples – does it require AC installation in the garbha gruha?

ISO certification for temples – this has been in news for sometime. Most of us are unsure of what this means or whether this would run counter to the sanctity of the temple. A visit to Parthasarathy temple of Triplicane showed me what the ISO certification could mean.

Generally people say that ISO certification helps in maintaining the temple clean. Keeping the temple clean is everyone’s duty - from the temple staff to the devotees who throng the temple. We don’t need an ISO certification for that. But when you enter the garbhagraha of the deities in the Parthasarathy temple, you get the answer. All the sannidhis have been air conditioned!! The AC is fixed in the artha mantapa - too close to the garbha gruha in such a way that the deity also is receiving the cool air. In small sannidhis like Andal, one can sense the dryness around the deity

Recall my article on why the garbha gruha must be kept wet and how the cooling must have to be natural (1). The change in the atmosphere in the garbha graha will destroy the very purpose for which the temple exists. The deity does not need the AC. Fixing the AC in the garbha gruha can have only one reason – that of taking care of the customer comforts! When you treat the devotee as a customer, the ISO certification gets some meaning or relevance.

Look at what the ISO 9000 certification, the temple administration has applied for - says:-

From www.iso.org we get the information that the ISO 9000 family addresses 4 issues of "Quality management".
They are

· the customer's quality requirements, and

· applicable regulatory requirements, while aiming to

· enhance customer satisfaction, and

· achieve continual improvement of its performance in pursuit of these objectives

The customer is the focus in all these issues.

Who is the customer in a temple?

It is the devotee.

What constitutes customer satisfaction for the devotee?

Is the ISO competent authority to determine what satisfaction should a devotee enjoy in a temple?

Does it know or does anyone know what satisfaction, worship can give to a devotee?

If it is about cleanliness - maintain it. It is everybody’s duty to maintain cleanliness. It is the duty of the devotee to maintain cleanliness. It is the easiest and foremost seva or service to God and to the temple. Should we have some agency to do the cleaning? When we say that we should have, we are only making the devotee forfeit his responsibility of maintaining cleanliness in the temple and also discourage him from his right of doing it as a service.

Another factor is the noisy atmosphere in a temple which many think is marring the ambiance of the temple.

They are wrong.

Temples are not meant to be silent places like meditation rooms or yoga centres.
They must be bustling with activity. The noise of people, the noise of children and their running hither and there are all parts of temple ambiance. Such an expression is the result of the mind getting free once inside the temple. One can feel this in olden temples where the austerities are held as per tradition. Even if there is not much flow of devotees to the temple, the temple will be dotted with birds that make happy sounds. As per rules of temple building, the temple furnished with pigeon holes is the perfect one, says Varahamihira. The ISO may consider the pigeon holes housing the birds as a nuisance and may insist of closing them!

If some ISO certification must be there, that must be on temple guidelines,

• on how much space must be there for gardens around the temple,
• on how much open space must be there around the sannidhis and around the temple.
• on how the area around the temple along with the temple tank must be free of occupation or encroachment.
• on how the basic structure of the temple must be retained according to sastras on temple structure. And so on.

Look at what Brihad Samhita says on rules of temple building. Of the 31 verses in the 56^th chapter on the building rules for temple given by sage Garga, 9 are on locational factors.

The focus of these verses is on abundant supply of water and abundant growth of gardens around the temple, growing shady trees within the temple and having water tanks or ponds around the temple.

The temple stretches on all four sides with tanks and gardens, made artificial or natural occuring.

Sage Garga says that only in such an environment Devas reside!

Look at the google earth picture of Parthasarathy temple.

As per Brihad samhita specifications, the entire temple complex must have been originally bigger than what it is now – it has now shrunk within the 4 walls. With a growing and greedy population, the temple has shrunk in size.

Take a close look at the temple. Almost four fifths of the complex is sealed on top.

This was not so in olden days – say about 25 to 30 years ago. There was open space all around the sannidhis that ensured good air circulation.

But today the temple looks like a fortified granite structure that does not even allow air to enter or circulate. This happens in a temple that is situated near the sea shore and supposed to be bathed by sea breeze on all days

So what does the ‘customer’ of the temple experience?

Heat and sweating.

The swelling crowd is another reason. But that is not a valid reason. Thousands used to throng the temple on many occasions in the past too. In Sangam literature on Irunthayur (Koodalazhakar of Madurai), we read a description of continuous flow of devotees on all days. But were they inconvenienced by the heat?

No. Mainly because the temple structure is made in such a way that there is good air flow and ventilation.

Parthasarathy temple also was a very well ventilated structure – ONCE!

Today the whole temple looks like a massive enclosure in granite.

Look at the google earth pic of the top view of Parthasarathy temple.

Almost the entire temple has been closed on top. Only the frontage of the Narasimhar sannidhi is not closed.
The temple was not like this in those days.

Mindless constructions in due course have cut off the air flow near the garbhagraha.

In olden days, the open areas would be thatched during utsavs and in summer. Devotees used to bear the expenses as part of service to the temple. By making permanent ceilings and permanent closures at many places, the participation of devotees in temple affairs is denied, besides making the temple look like a fortress where not even air can enter.

In contrast, look at the Koodalazhagar temple (Irunthayur of Paripaadal).

There is enough open space around and the air flow within the temple is good.

But here again the temple has been shrunk as it has lost its tank and a branch of Vaigai which was once flowing close to this temple. This temple is in existence from the 2^nd Sangam period onwards. The Pandyan king decided on his emblem of Fish only after taking bath in the tank of this temple. The temple history says this. But where is the tank today?

Periyaazhwar had the vision of the deity of this temple for whom he sang the “Thirup Pallaandu”. Such was the glory of the deity of this temple.

Today the temple had just managed to keep its main sanctum in tact within the four walls. The only consolation is that no mindless structure has come up marring the atmospherics of this temple. If there is an ISO certification, it must address these issues and not what the comforts the devotee enjoys in the temple.

Look at Meenakshi temple – which was in news recently for the replacement of AC.

Even this temple has some open areas around. Our ancestors who had brought up the 1000 pillared structures and the like have done thoughtfully without marring the atmospherics within the temple complex.

Coming to the ISO certification to Parthasarathy temple, the AC installation looks like a feature to add to the comfort of the ‘customer’.

Where did the need arise to install air conditioners?

The culprit is the closure all around.

The closures could not have come up without the orders of the administration employed by the Government.

The closure hinders air movement.

The governmental administration thinks only on material aspects.

It thinks only about the money the temple gets.

Nowadays all types of temple services are sold!

Carrying the deity on shoulders during procession was once considered as a noble service that a devotee can do to God.

Today it is a paid service and officials are happy to gloat over their administrative ideas in calling for tender for this service too!!

That is the level of degeneration in maintaining the temple culture.

This is the way temples are degenerating in Kali yuga!

The temples will soon lose their power to protect the people and the community.

Not only in Parthasarathy temple, I felt a kind of suffocation in the famous Oppiliappan temple also in my recent visit. These are the temples I have regularly visited since my childhood. Definitely the temple ambiance is gone with more structures and extensions coming up. It looks like how a greedy house owner will expand his house to let it out to many tenants.

If we allow the government to continue its hold on temples, the temples will lose their relevance.

After seeing Parthasarathy temple, I am sure that ISO is not the right idea.

The sooner the awareness is built on the undesirability of treating the devotees as customers and temples on par with business establishments, the better.

The first step is to take out the temples from Government’s hands.

The local community around the temple must step in.

They must take an ownership and pride in the temple of their locality.

It is their temple, their past pride and the God of that temple is their protector.

In turn they have to protect the temples in their pristine forms for their future generations.

(1) From

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

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. As far as I know no such research has happened after that. There is an opinion that doing such a research amounts to disrespect to God. But in the absence of knowledge about what temple – worship means, I think we must encourage such research so that temples do not lose their purpose for which they were developed by our ancestors.

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

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 news report )

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

News report of ISO certification for temples:-

From

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/02/13/three-famous-temples-chennai-applied-iso-9000-2008

Three Famous Temples in Chennai applied for ISO 9000-2008

Sat, 2010-02-13 02:39 — editor

Sathyalaya Ramakrishnan Reporting from Chennai

Chennai, 13 February, (Asiantribune.com):

Three Famous Temples in Chennai have applied for ISO 9000-2008 certification for its Cleanliness.

Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple, Triplicane Parthasarathy Temple and Vadapalani Dhandayudhapani Temple authorities applied for the certificate and ISO officials conducted inspections at Triplicane and Vadapalani, and another team is expected to visit the Mylapore temple in this month.

According to Mr Jayaraman, Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board(HR&CEB), the three temples were selected following a recent announcement made by state government in the assembly. "These are some of the well-maintained temples in the city; so the department asked their officials to apply for ISO certification", Jayaraman said.

These three temples have included their fixed assets, accounts and strict adherence to rituals for scrutiny by the ISO. The temple administration has included the student's home, marriage hall and the temple tank for assessment, another official in the HR&CEB said.

Kapaleeswarar temple is among the richest in the city. Its annual income is around Rs 4 crore and it has fixed deposits the tune of RS 25 crore. Recently the temple earned Rs 17 crore from the sale of land for construction of the Mass Rapid Transit System.

Outsourcing

The cleaning and mopping of the Kapaleeswarar and Parthasarathy temples have been outsourced to a private firm, which also maintains the Tirupathi-Tirumala Venkatachalapathi shrine.

A Popular Hotel chain "Saravana Bhavan", maintains the Vadapalani temple free of cost. The temple has included stores, administration, details of its premises, adherence to rituals, festivals and distribution of free "vibuthi' and 'Kumkum' for inspection by the ISO team.

The HR&CEB has asked the temple's authorities to spend from their resources in case modifications are suggested by the ISO authorities.

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

From

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/City-temples-vie-for-ISO-status/articleshow/5563000.cms

CHENNAI: Cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness. Taking the adage seriously, the three biggest temples in the city have applied for ISO 9000:2008 certification. ISO officials have already conducted inspections at the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane and the Dhandayudhapani temple in Vadapalani, and a team is expected to visit the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore this month.

According to PR Shampath, commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), the three temples were selected following a recent announcement made by HR&CE minister KR Periakaruppan in the assembly. "These are some of the well-maintained temples in the city; so the department asked their officials to apply for ISO certificates," Shampath said.

Recently, the Siddhi Vinayak temple at Gandhipuram, Coimbatore, was awarded the ISO certificate.
ISO 9001:2008 is a world class quality management system for companies/organizations who have an objective of improving their customer satisfaction. The International Standards Organization (ISO) has defined the elements of an effective quality management system and calls it the ISO 9000 family of standards. The standards issued in 1994 were revised in December 2000, and again in November 2008.

The three city temples have included their fixed assets, accounts and strict adherence to rituals for scrutiny by the ISO. An official of Kapaleeswarar temple said, "The administration has included the Karunai Illam (students’ home), kalyana mandapam and the temple tank for assessment. We are expecting the ISO team to inspect the temple this week."

Kapaleeswarar temple is among the richest in the city. "Its annual income is around Rs 4 crore and it has fixed deposits to the tune of Rs 25 crore. It earned Rs 17 crore from the sale of land for construction of the Mass Rapid Transit System," Shampath said.

The cleaning and mopping of the Kapaleeswarar and Parthasarathy temples have been outsourced to a private firm, which also maintains the Tirumala temple.

A popular hotel chain maintains the Vadapalani temple free of cost. The temple has included stores, administration, details of its premises, adherence to rituals, festivals and distribution of free ‘vibuthi’ and ‘kumkum’ for inspection by the ISO team.

The HR&CE department has asked the temples to spend from their resources in case modifications are suggested by the ISO authorities. "The Kapaleeswarar temple has not incurred any additional cost towards getting the ISO certificate. It has till now paid only the processing fee, which is a small amount," the temple official said.

When asked whether the Palani Dhandayudhapani and Madurai Meenakshi temples would also apply for ISO certificates, Shampath said, "We will ask others to apply once the temples in the city get the certificates."

Woman’s reservation bill – musings from a woman who once desired to avail this reservation!

Women's Reservation in politics – will it empower women?

On this centenary year of woman's day, my answer to this question is an ironical 'no'.

I say this because I have tested the waters!!

I was one of the early enthusiasts to support such a provision and articulated it in my letters to The Hindu long ago.

I was even close to contesting the reserved constituency in a local body election 7 years ago.

I can say that the Sasa yoga in my horoscope (Saturn in exaltation or own house in Kendra to lagna – and it was Vargotthama in my chart!) tempted me to take a plunge into politics.

I was also encouraged by the confidence reposed on me by the people from across all sections of the place where I lived, thanks to my non-commercially practiced astrological counseling. If I had wished, I could have amassed wealth through astrology which I started practicing from my early twenties. The community around me considered this as the first reason to have me in political administration of them. A person with no- money intentions must be there in political power, they thought. The next reason they said was that they considered me as 'intelligent' and 'smart enough' to extract maximum benefit from the government for the betterment of the constituency. There was yet another section which considered that people like me (!?) must be in politics – in decision making bodies. For sometime even I believed what they all said.

But when you go nearer to politics, the stench is too strong to drive you out!

Money is one thing then but the only thing today in Tamilnadu more than anytime in the past.

Some political parties approached me but I had to pay some amount to get the ticket.

DMK, of all the parties offered me a ticket at that time without wanting me to pay a single rupee (they will pay everything for me, for they were too sure that if I contest in their ticket, one seat is assured beyond doubt).

Interestingly I was saved from this first hurdle – for, the other contestants said that they would withdraw from the race if I am there – so that I will be elected unopposed as an independent. The only expense I had to make was the fee to be paid for contesting. You can imagine how thrilled I would have been then!!

But the real scenario exposed itself upon my face after that.

On hearing my support base, many people approached me guaranteeing their support to me.

Their background, the jobs they were doing, the kind of returns / help they would expect from me once I am elected started dawning on me. The reality is that more than what I can do for the common man, I have to do more for these vested interests. In my interactions with that DMK man (who was the President in previous local body) on what they can do, what they have done and what they are upto, was grasped by me only then. They are all seasoned politicians. They can not allow anything that is different (or detrimental) from the politics they practice. This wisdom started dawning on me.

My family was too worried about my safety in such a place where money rules the roost. The same voices which want me to win a seat for them, would not be the same if I question them why we must do something the way they decide or want. Your life is not guaranteed if you speak in a different tone in that place. Either you have to go along with them or quit. I quit.

It is not man or woman that matters – on who should enter politics or how many of them – percentage wise – must enter politics. It is about how prepared you are to shut your eyes to the filthy dealings. Not many women have entered so far into Indian politics, perhaps because they are not monetarily strong to enter at the entry level. And once they enter they must not 'see' what they see, must not 'hear' what they hear and must not talk what they saw, heard and thought! How many of them can be like this is a question because it is not about a 'male bastion' but about an incorrigibly corrupt bastion.

I thanked my last minute decision of not filing the papers for contest, for within hours of the result of the poll, the winners made more money than what they spent on the election. (There are ways – unimaginable ways of making money once you are elected to power!!!) One can imagine how much they would have made in the next 5 years.

It sounds funny when I hear people opposing reservation putting forth the argument that rotationary reservation will not lead to development of the constituency. Who said that there is no development? Those who entered will find development! Isn't that for what they enter?

It sounds ridiculous when the media and others boast of who is who of the women in politics an power (today's article in DC is given below).

Look at who they are.

Kani mozhi – who concedes that she enjoys visibility because of her birth!

Jaya and Jayapradha – can a Jayasree come anywhere nearer their clout and money?

And the most funniest example of Sonia Gandhi.

They say 'kamaban veettu kattuth thariyum kavi paadum'. Even the Pomeranian in her house will get attention.

That is what the opponents to the Bill (not the yadavs I mean) are saying.

Only the wives (many means more sources – MK tops the list with the highest advantage potential with a wider band from wives to great grand daughters to offer tickets) and daughters of the already existing politicians are going to enter. Money is not a problem to them – their fathers have amassed enough to take care of many more elections. And they know that they are there to replenish it after each election!!

Only eligible women are needed to fill the percentage.

Do you believe that you and I are eligible to fill that?

The existing band of politicians will have their next generation filling the percentage conveniently.

We can not get 'empowered' (for what?) in this way.

Those who believe in 'politics with ethics' can not even test these waters.

The system is too rotten. Male or female is not an issue.

How far you are ready to or capable of compromising on ethics decides your entry into and future in politics.

The best way to express this is already given by Mr Pazha. Karuppaiya in the Thuglak anniversary function (published in the latest issue of Thuglak dated 10-03-2010)

"No unethical person was seen in politics Gandhi's times; no ethical person is seen in politics in Karunanidhi's times"

From his speech:-

"ஒரு காலக் கட்டத்தில் நாட்டில் உள்ள இளைஞர்களை எல்லாம் 'பொது வாழ்க்கைக்கு வாருங்கள்' என்று காந்தீஜி அழைத்தார். அப்போது நாட்டிலுள்ள யோக்கியர்கள் எல்லாம் 'இந்த மனிதர் நம்மைத் தான் அழைக்கிறார்' என்று பொது வாழ்க்கைக்கு வந்தார்கள். நாட்டில் இருந்த அயோக்கியர்கள் எல்லாம் 'இவர் அழைப்பது நம்மை அல்ல' என்று ஒதுங்கிக் கொண்டார்கள். ......

இன்றைக்கு கருணாநிதி போன்ற தலைவர்கள் இளைஞர்களை பொது வாழ்க்கைக்கு அழைக்கிறார்கள்! நாட்டில் உள்ள அயோக்கியர்கள் எல்லாம் 'தலைவர் நம்மைத் தான் அழைக்கிறார்' என்று உள்ளே வந்துவிட்டான். ...

காந்தி காலத்தில் அயோக்கியன் எல்லாம் வெளியே தெரியவில்லை. கருணாநிதி காலத்தில் யோக்கியன் எல்லாம் வெளியே தெரியவில்லை. இதுதான் அரசியல் கெட்டுப் போனதற்குஅடிப்படை" (substitute Karunanidhi with politicians in general)

In this atmosphere of Politics without Ethics, women's reservation only helps in bringing more women who can play this game.

Is this what they call empowerment of women?

-jayasree ********

Updated on 12-03-2010 :-

Sonia's suggestion to Lalu -

Lalu brought Rabri Devi before -amidst lot of criticism. Now he can have no qualms in bringing all his seven daughters. Sonia's logic for the need of the bill is also the same. Is this the great step for Indian women?

********

Up-dated on 15-03-2010

Some related articles:-

“Women's quota or Biwi-Beti-Bahu-Behen-Bhanji quota? Is the Women's Quota Bill motivated by genuine concern for gender equity?”

Mr Kanchan Gupta on Woman’s reservation

http://kanchangupta.blogspot.com/2010/03/assault-on-freedom-of-choice.html

***********

“What a tragedy that our political leaders are so paralysed by political correctness that not one of them has the courage to stand up in public and admit that the Women’s Reservation Bill needs to be tossed into the garbage bin.”

Ms Tavleen Singh in

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/590500/

*********

From

http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/03/08/ArticleHtmls/08_03_2010_101_036.shtml?Mode=0

As women move ahead, men are left gasping

There has been a wave of rumbling in Parliament lately — mainly from male politicians. They are extremely unhappy with the Women's Reservation Bill that will be tabled in Parliament today. Women don't find this surprising since they know, given an opportunity, they excel and leave their male colleagues way behind.

The men grumble, "This will be an entry route for wives and daughters of politicians." Well, if a son can take his father's seat, what's wrong if the daughter or wife does?

Take a look at women who have fought against the odds and made a mark for themselves.

Why such a hue and cry

By

Kanimozhi, MP

It's ironical that such a hue and cry is being made regarding the women's reservation bill. Would there be such a commotion if the bill had some- thing to do with making life easier for men? Being born into a political family helps in terms of visibility. But that did not make it any easier for me when it came to the every- day challenges involved in a full time political career.

I started my political career from scratch — a woman has to work 10 times as hard compared to her male counter- parts to prove a point to society."

Naidu's snub didn't pin her down

JAYA PRADA, MP

When Jaya Prada became an MP representing the Telugu Desam Party, people sniggered and said she was "Chandrababu Naidu's favourite girl."

But Jaya Prada proved everyone wrong. She did not give up even MP representing the Telugu Desam Party, people sniggered and said she was "Chandrababu Naidu's favourite girl." But Jaya Prada proved everyone wrong. She did not give up even after being snubbed by Naidu. Instead, she joined the Samajwadi Party and won elections twice in Uttar Pradesh, which is not even her hometown.

Jaya Prada says the path of women politicians is a tough one. "Be in arts, entertainment, politics, the road to success for a woman is tough. But when given the opportunity, women have proved they are no less." She is single today, has separated from husband Srikant Nahta, has no family support, yet nothing holds her back.

Guddi is a fighter.

JAYA BACHCHAN,

Politician

Her husband Amitabh H Bachchan, a super hero, could not settle down in political life. He decided to quit after the first signs of criticism and vowed never to go back. Now compare him to wife Jaya. She is a fighter. She has never held back in speaking her mind. Jaya is ever ready to take on the Gandhi family and even the likes of Raj Thackeray. She is no quitter.

A woman's world

Article By

Minal Khona

In India, women rule. Look at our role models - President of the country, Pratibha Patil. Sonia Gandhi, President of the ruling party who can make unruly politicians shiver with just a glance. With her leadership qualities and grace, she controls a largely male-dominated environment with a few words where poor CM Rosaiah has a hard time controlling the local Congressmen.

With the International Women's Day completing 100 years, women in India have made giant strides and it is the triumph of women that they have excelled in every sphere.

India Inc. is changing. Daughters are inheriting their fathers' businesses and being groomed to take charge -Roshni Nadar, daughter of Shiv Nadar taking over as CEO of HCL Corp and Preetha Reddy taking charge of Apollo hospitals once her dad retires. Tanya Godrej Dubash, Sulajja Firodia -- daughters who have donned the mantle.

Wives have moved beyond trophy value too. Mukesh Ambani never fails to credit his wife Neeta -- who runs the Dhirubhai Ambani International School -- for her strategic thinking and unstinted support while Anil's wife Tina has developed a state-of-the-art hospital in Mumbai's suburbs.

And mother Kokila Ambani played fair matriarch to her warring sons and ensured that the Ambani empire was split equally between both brothers, thereby preventing a crisis in the stock market. The finance sector -- a male bastion the world over -- has women like Naina Lal Kidwai, the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School and now CEO of HSBC in India; Chanda Kochchar -- CEO of ICICI, one of India's fastest growing private banks -- our heroes are all around us. While countries such as the uber progressive United States are still to break the glass ceiling, India did it years ago. We had a woma prime minister decades ago and Hillary is still to break that invisible barrier.

Now, everywhere there are signs of men wanting to be like us women. Attention to personal grooming with a spurt of fairness creams and moisturisers for men. Changing nappies, whipping up a meal, looking after the house -- men emulate women in all spheres. But can they remember to feed the baby, not burn the gravy and talk business on the phone -- simultaneously? I doubt it.

While steadily achieving all that we are capable of, women haven't become like men. We still love our saris, our lipsticks and perfumes and yes, we still juggle career, family and motherhood better than ever!

She has triumphed as the SUPERWOMAN! –