From: ravivaidya
To: HinduOpenForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 4:18
PM
Subject: [HinduOpenForum] Spiritual
Practices
This section answers some of the
common questions pertaining to the spiritual practices followed since
ages like:
Why do we light a lamp?
Why do we have a prayer room?
Why do we do namaste?
Why do we prostrate before parents
& elders?
Why do we wear marks on the forehead?
Why do we not touch papers, books
and people with the feet?
Why do we apply holy ash?
Why do we offer food to the Lord
before eating it?
Why do we do pradakshina?
Why do we regard trees and plants
as sacred?
Why do we fast?
Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
Why do we worship the kalash?
Why do we worship the tulsi?
Why do we consider the lotus as
special?
Q.: Why do we light a lamp?
In almost every Indian home a lamp
is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit
at dawn, in some, twice a day at dawn and dusk- and in a few it is
maintained continuously (akhanda deepa). All auspicious functions
and moments like daily worship, rituals and festivals and even many
social occasions like inaugurations commence with the lighting of the lamp,
which is often maintained right through the occasion.
Light symbolizes knowledge, and
darkness ignorance.
The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle"
(Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator
of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord Himself.
Knowledge removes ignorance just
as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth
by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Hence we light
the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of
wealth. Knowledge backs all our actions whether good or bad. We therefore
keep a lamp lit during all auspicious occasion as a witness to our
thoughts and actions.
Why not light a bulb or tube light?
That too would remove darkness.
But the traditional oil lamp has
a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes
our "vaasnas" or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When
lit by spiritual knowledge, the "vaasnas" get slowly exhausted and
the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards.Similarly,
we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.
A single lamp can light hundreds
more just as a man of knowledge can give it to many more. The brilliance
of the light does not diminish despite its repeated use to light
many more lamps. So too knowledge does not lessen when shared with
or imparted to others. On the contrary it increases in clarity and
conviction on giving. It benefits both the receiver and the giver.
Swami Chinmayananda said:
Which else shall beautify a home
but the flame of a lovely lamp?
Which shall adorn the mind but
the light of wisdom deep?
Q.: Why do we have a prayer room?
Most Hindu homes have a prayer
room or altar. A lamp is lit and the Lord worshipped each day. Other
spiritual practices like "japa" (repetition of the Lord's name),
meditation,
"paaraayana" (reading of the scriptures),
prayers, devotional singing etc. is also done here. Special worship
is done on auspicious occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals
and the like. Each member of the family - young or old - communes
with and worships the Divine here.
The Lord is the owner of the entire
creation. He is therefore the true owner of the house we live in
too. The prayer room is the master room of the house. This notion
rids us of false pride and possessiveness. The ideal attitude to
take is to regard the Lord as the true owner of our homes and ourselves
as the caretakers of His home. But if this rather difficult, we could
at least think of Him as a very welcome guest. Just as we would house an
important guest in the best comfort, so, too we felicitate the Lord's presence&!
nbsp; in our homes by having a prayer room or altar, which is, at all times,
kept clean and well decorated. Also the Lord is all pervading. To
remind us that He resides in our home with us, we have prayer rooms.
Without the grace of the Lord, no task can be successfully or easily
accomplished. We invoke His grace by communing with Him in the prayer
room each day and on special occasions.
Each room in a house is dedicated
to a specific function like bedroom for resting and sleeping, the
drawing room to receive guests, the kitchen for cooking etc. the
furniture, décor and the atmosphere of each room are made
conductive to the purpose it serves. So too for the purpose of meditation,
worship and prayer, we should have a conductive atmosphere - hence
the need for a prayer room.
Sacred thoughts and sound vibrations
pervade the place and influence the minds of those who spend time
there. Spiritual thoughts and vibrations accumulated through regular
meditation, worship and chanting done there pervade the prayer room.
Even when we are tired or agitated, by just sitting in the prayer
room for a while, we feel calm, rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted.
Q.: Why do we do namaste?
Hindus greet each other with "namaste".
The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head
bows while saying the word "namaste". This greeting is for all -
people younger than us, of our own age, those older than us, friends
and even strangers.
Namaste could be just a casual or
formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However
there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit namah +
te = namaste. It means - I bow to you - my greetings, salutations
or prostration to you.
Namaha can also be literally interpreted
as "na ma" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of negating
or reducing one's ego in the presence of another.
The real meeting between people
is the meeting of their minds. When we greet another, we do so with
namaste, which means, "may our minds meet" indicated by the folded
palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious
form of extending friendship in love and humility.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, had said that
when you say Namaste your folded hands, heart and head should be in juxtaposition
because it means: With all the strength in my arms, all the love in my
heart and all the wisdom in my head, I bow before thee.
The spiritual meaning is even deeper.
The life force, the divinity, the Self or the Lord in me is the same
in all. Recognizing this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we
salute with head bowed the Divinity in the person we meet. That is
why sometimes, we close our eyes as we namaste to a revered person
or the Lord as it to look within. The gesture is often accompanied
by words like "Ram Ram", "Jai Shri Krishna", "Jai Siya Ram", "Om
Shanti"etc. indicating the recognition of this divinity.
When we know this significance,
our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but
paves the way for a deeper communion with another in an atmosphere
of love and respect.
Q.: Why do we prostrate before parents
& elders?
Hindus prostrate to their parents,
elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elders
in turn bless by placing his/her hand on or over our heads. Prostration
is done daily, when we meet elders and particularly on important
occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals
etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration is accompanied by
"abhivaadana" which serves to introduce oneself, announce one's family
and social stature.
Man stands on his feet. Touching
the feet in prostration is a sign of respect for the age, maturity,
nobility and divinity that our elders personify. It symbolizes our
recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices that
they have made for our welfare. It is a way of humbly acknowledging
the greatness of another. This tradition reflects the strong family
ties which has been of India's enduring strengths.
The good wishes (sankalpa) and the
blessings (aashirvaada) of elders are highly valued in India. We
prostrate to seek them. Good thoughts create positive vibrations.
Good wishes springing from a heart full of love, divinity and nobility
have a tremendous strength. When we prostrate with humility and respect,
we invoke good wishes and blessings of elders which flow in the form
of positive energy to envelop us. This is why the posture assumed
whether it is in the standing or prone position, enables the entire body
to ! receive the energy.
The different forms of showing respect
are :
Pratuthana - rising to welcome a
person.
Namaskaara - paying homage in the
form of namaste.
Upasangrahan - touching the feet
of elders or teachers.
Shaashtaanga - prostrating fully
with the full body touching the ground in front of the elder.
Pratyabivaadana - returning a greeting.
Rules are prescribed in our scripture
as to who should prostrate to whom. Wealth, family name, age, moral
strength and spiritual knowledge in ascending order of importance
qualified men to receive respect. This is why a king though a ruler
of the land would prostrate before a spiritual master.
Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata
have many stories highlighting this aspect.
Q.: Why do we wear marks on the
forehead?
Most religious Indians, especially
married women wear a tilak or pottu on the forehead. It is applied
daily after the bath and on special occasions, before or after ritualistic
worship or visit to the temple. In many communities, it is enjoined
upon married women to sport a kum kum on their foreheads at all times.
The orthodox put it on with due rituals. The tilak is applied on
saints and images of the Lord as a form of worship and in many parts
of North India as a respectful form of welcome, to honour guests or when
bidding farewell to a son or husband about to embark on an journey.
The tilak varies in colour and form.
This custom was not prevelant in
the Vedic period. it gained popularity in the Pauranic period. Some
believe that it originated in South India. Also Lord Vishnu worshipers
apply a chandan tilak of the shape of "U", Lord Shiva worshipers
applied a tripundra bhasma, Devi worshippers applied red dot of kum
kum.
The chandan, kum kum or bhasma which
is offered to the Lord is taken back as prasad and applied on foreheads.
The tilak covers the spot between the eye brows, which the seat of
memory and thinking. It is known as the aajna chakra in the language
of yoga. The tilak is applied with the prayer "May I remember the
Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my activities. May I be
righteous in my deeds". Even when we temporarily forget this prayerful
attitude the mark on another reminds us of our resolve. The tilak
is thus a blessing of the Lord and protection against wrong tendencies
and forces.
The entire body emanates energy
in the form of electro-magnetic waves the forehead and the subtle
spot between the eye brows especially so.
That is why worry generates heat
and causes a headache. The tilak or pottu cools the forehead, protects
us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes, the entire forehead is covered
with chandan or bhasma. Using plastic reusable 'stick bindis' is
not very beneficial, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.
This unique to Indians and helps
to easily identify us anywhere.
Q.: Why do we not touch papers,
books and people with the feet?
In Indian homes, we are taught
from a very young age, never to touch papers, books and people with
our feet. Of the feet accidentally touch papers, books, musical instruments
or any other educational equipment, children are told to reverentially
touch what was stamped with their hands and then touch their eyes
as a mark of apology.
To Indians, knowledge is sacred
and divine. So it must be given respect at all times. Nowadays we
separate subjects as sacred and secular. But in ancient India every
subject - academic or spiritual was considered divine and taught
by the guru in the gurukul.
The custom of not stepping on educational
tools is a frequent reminder of the high position accorded to knowledge
in the Indian culture. From an early age this wisdom fosters in us
a deep reverence for books and education.
This is also the reason why we worship
books, vehicles and instruments once a year on Saraswathi Pooja or
Ayudha Pooja day, dedicated to the Goddess of Learning.
Children are also strongly discouraged
from touching people with their feet.
Even if this happens accidentally,
we touch the person and bring the fingers to our eyes as a mark of
apology. Even when elders touch a younger person inadvertently with
their feet, they immediately apologize.
To touch another person with feet
is considered an act of misdemeanor because : man is regarded as
the most beautiful, living, breathing temple of the lord! There for
touching another person with feet is akin to disrespecting the divinity
within him or her. This calls for an immediate apology, which is
offered with reverence and humility Thus, many of our customs are
designed to be simple but powerful reminders or pointers of profound
philosophical truths. This is one of the factors that has kept Indian culture
alive across centuries.
Q.: Why do we apply holy ash?
The ash of any burnt object is
not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa
(sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs
is offered by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then dirtributed as Bhasma.
Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts
of the body, like the upper arms, chest etc.
Some ascetics rub it all over the
body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it.
The word Bhasma means "that by which
our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered". Bhasma implies
bhartsanam ("to destroy") and sma implies smaranam ("to remember").
The application of Bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the
evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called vibhuti (which
means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies and raksha (which
means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill
health and evil, by purifying him or her.
Homa (offering of oblations into
the fire with sacred mantras) signifies the offering or surrender
of the ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or
a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity
of the mind which results from such actions. Also the fire of knowledge
burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively.
The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification
with body and become free of the limitations of birth and death.
The application of ash also reminds
us that body is perishable and shall one day be reduced to ashes.
We should therefore not get too attached to it. Death can come at
any moment and this awareness must increase our drive to make the
best use of time. This is not to be misconstructed as a morose reminder
of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and
tide wait for none.
Bhasma is specially associated with
Lord Shiva who applies it all over his body. Lord Shiva devotees
apply bhasma as a tripiundra. When applied with a red spot in the
centre, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and
matter that creates the entire seen and un-seen universe) Ash is what
remains when all the wood is burnt away and it does not decay.
Similarly, the Lord is the imperishable
Truth that remains when the entire creation if innumerable names
and forms is dissolved.
Bhasma has medicinal value and is
used in many ayurvedic medicines.
It absorbs excess moisture from
the body and prevents colds and headaches. The Upanishads say that
the famous Mrityunjaya mantra should be chanted while applying ash
on the forehead.
Q.: Why do we offer food to the
Lord before eating it?
In western tradition food is partaken
after a thanks giving prayer - grace. Indians make an offering of
it to the Lord and later partake of it as prasad - a holy gift from
the Lord. in temples and in many homes, the cooked food is first offered
to the Lord each day. The offered food is mixed with the rest of
the food and then served as prasad. In our daily ritualistic worship
(pooja) too we offer naivedyam (food to the Lord). This is done because
: The Lord is omnipotent and omniscient. Man is a part, while the
Lord is the totality. All that we do is b! y his strength and knowledge
alone. Hence what we receive in life as a result of our actions is
really his alone. We acknowledge this through the act of offering
food to him.
This is exemplified by the Hindi
words "Tera tujko arpan from the aarti "Jai Jagdesh Hare" - I offer
what is yours to you. Thereafter it is akin to his gift to us, graced
by his divine touch.
Knowing this, our entire attitude
to food and the act of eating changes. The food offered will naturally
be pure and the best. We share what we get with others before consuming
it. We do not demand, complain or criticise the quality of the food
we get. We do not waste or reject it. We eat it with cheerful acceptance
(prasad buddhi). When we become established in this attitude, this
goes beyond the pre-view of food and prevades our entire life. We
are then able to cheerfully accept all we get in life as his prasad. Before
we partake daily meals we first sprinkle water around the plate as
an act of purification. Five morsels of food are placed on the side
of the table acknowledging the debt owed by us to the :
Divine forces (devta runa) for their
benign grace and protection. Our ancestors (pitru runa) for giving
us their lineage and the family culture.
The sages (rishi runa) as our religion
and culture have been "realised" maintained and handed down to us
by them. Our fellow beings (manushya runa) who constitute society
without the support of which we could not live as we do and Other
living beings (bhuta runa) for serving us selflessly. There after
the Lord, the life force, who is also within us as the five life - giving
physiological functions, is offered the food.
The five life-giving functions are
praanaaya (respiratory), apaanaaya (extretory), vyaanaaya
(circulatory), udaanaaya (reversal)
and samaanaaya (digestive). After offering the food thus, it is eaten
as prasad - blessed food.
Q.: why do we do pradakshina
When we visit a temple. after offering
prayers, we circumambulate the santum sanctorum. This is called pradakshina.
We cannot draw a circle without a centre point. The Lord is the centre,
source and essence of our lives. Recognising Him as the focal point
in out lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the significance
of pradakshina. Also every point on the circumference of a circle
is equidistant from the centre. This means that wherever or whoever
we may be, we are equally close to the Lord. His grace flows&! nbsp;
towards us without partiality.
The pradakshina is always down only
in clockwise manner because, as we do pradakshina the Lord is always
on our right. In Hinduism, the right side symbolises auspiciousness.
It is a telling fact that even in the English language it is called
the "right" side and not the wrong one! So as we circumambulate the
sanctum sanctorum we remind ourselves to lead an auspicious life
of righteousness, with the Lord to lead an auspicious life of righteousness,
with the Lord who is the indispensable source of help and strength, as
our guide - the "right hand" - the dharma aspect of our lives. We
thereby overcome our wrong tendencies and avoid repeating the sins
of the past.
Indian scriptures enjoin - matrudevo
bhava, pitrudevo bhava, acharyadevo bhava. Meaning : May you consider
your parents and teachers as you would the Lord. With this in mind
we also do pradakshina around our parents and divine personages.
The story of Lord Ganesh circumambulating his parents is a well known
one.
After the completion of traditional
worship (pooja), we customarily do pradakshina around ourselves.
In this way we recognise and remember the supreme divinity within
us, which alone is idolised in the form of the Lord that we worship
outside.
Q.: Why do we regard trees and plants
as sacred?
From ancient times, Hindus have
worshipped trees and regarded all flora and fauna as sacred. This
is not an old fashioned or uncivilised practise. It reveals the sensitivity,
foresight and refinement of Hindu Culture. While modern man often
works to "conquer" Mother nature, ancient Hindus "worshipped" her.
The Lord, the life in us, prevades
all living beings be they plants or animals. Hence, they all regarded
as sacred. Human life on earth depends on plants and animals. They
give us the vital factors that make life possible on earth : food, oxygen,
clothing, shelter, medicines etc.
They lend beauty to our surroundings.
They serve man without expectation and sacrifice themselves to sustain
us. They epitomise sacrifice. If a stone is thrown on a fruit-laden
tree, the tree in turn gives fruit! In fact, the flora and fauna
owned the earth before man appeared on it.
Presently, the world is seriously
threatened by the destruction of the forest lands and the extinction
of many species of vegetation due to man's callous attitude towards
them. We protect only what we value. Hence, in Hinduism, we are taught
to regard trees and plants as sacred.
Naturally, we will then protect
them.
Hindu scriptures tell us to plant
ten tress if, for any reason, we have cut one. We are advised to
use arts of the trees and plants only as much as is needed for food,
fuel, shelter etc. We also urged to apologise to a plant or tree
before cutting it to avoid incurring a specific sin named soona. In our
childhood, we are told stories of the sacrifice and service done by plants
and trees and also about our duty to plant and nourish them. Certain
trees and plants like tulsi, peepal etc. which have tremendous beneficial
qualities, are worshipped till today.
It is believed that divine beings
manifest as trees and plants, and many people worship them to fulfill
their desires or to please the God.
Q.: Why do we fast?
Most devout Indians fast regularly
or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not
eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of
simple food. Some undertake rigorous fasts when they do not even
drink water the whole day! Fasting is done for many reasons- to please
the Lord, to discipline oneself and even to protest. Mahatma Gandhi
fasted to protest against the British rule. Fasting in Sanskrit is
called upavaasa. Upa means near + vaasa means to stay. Upavaasa therefore
means staying near(The Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental
proximity with the Lord. Then what has upavaasa.
A lot of our time and energy is
spent in procuring food items, preparing, cooking, eating and digesting
food.
Certain food types make our mind
dull and agitated. Hence on certain days man decides to save
time and conserve energy by eating
either simple, light food or totally abstaining from eating so that
his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise pre-occupied
by the thought of food, now entertains noble thoughts and stays with
the Lord. Since it is a self-imposed form of discipline it is usually
adhered to with joy. Also every system needs a break and an overhaul
to work at its best. Rest and a change of diet during fasting is very
good for the digestive system and the entire body.
The more you indulge the senses,
the more they make their demands.
Fasting helps us to cultivate control
over our senses, sublimate our desires and guide our minds to be
poised and at peace. Fasting should not make us weak, irritable or
create an urge to indulge later. This happens when there is no noble
goal behind fasting. Some fast, rather they diet, merely to reduce
weight. Others fast as a vow to please the Lord or to fulfill their desires,
some to develop will power, control the senses, some as a form of austerity
and so on. The Bhagavad Geeta urges us to eat appropriately- neither
too less nor too much yukta-aahaara and
To eat simple, pure and healthy
food (a saatvik diet ) even when not fasting
Q.: Why do we ring the bell in the
temple?
In most temples there are one or
more bells hung from the top, near the entrance. The devotee rings
the bell as soon as he enters, thereafter proceeding for darshan
of the Lord and prayers.
Children love jumping up or being
carried high in order to reach the bell.
Is it to wake up the Lord? But the
Lord never sleeps.
Is it to let the Lord know we have
come? He does not need to be told, as He is all knowing.
Is it a form of seeking permission
to enter His precinct? It is a homecoming and therefore entry needs
no permission. The Lord welcomes us at all times.
Then why do we ring the bell? The
ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound.
It produces the sound Om, the universal name of the Lord.
There should be auspiciousness within
and without, to gain the vision of the Lord who is all-auspiciousness.
Even while doing the ritualistic
aarti, we ring the bell. It is sometimes accompanied by the auspicious
sounds of the conch and other musical instruments. An added significance
of ringing the bell, conch and other instruments is that they help
drown any in-auspicious or irrelevant noises and comments that might
disturb or distract the worshipper/s in their devotional ardour (dedication)
, concentration and inner peace.
Q.: Why do we worship the kalash?
A kalash is a brass, mud or copper
pot filled with water. Mango leaves are placed in the mouth of the
pot and a coconut is placed over it. A red or white thread is tied
around its neck or sometimes all around it in an intricate diamond-shaped
pattern. The pot may be decorated with designs. When the pot is filled
with water or rice, it is known as purnakumbha representing the inert
body which when filled with the divine life force gains power to do
all the wonderful things that makes life what it is. A kalash is placed
with due rituals on all important occassions like the traditional
house warming (grhapravesh), wedding, daily worship etc. It is placed
near the entrance as a sign of welcome. It is also used in a traditional
manner while receiving holy personages.
Before the creation came into being,
Lord Vishnu was reclining on His snakebed in the milky ocean. >From
His navel emerged a lotus from which appeared Lord Brahma, the Creator,
who thereafter created this world. The water in the kalash symbolises
the primodial water from which the entire creation emerged. It is
the giver of life to all and has the potential ofcreating innumerable names
and forms, the inert objects and the sentient beings and all that is auspicious
in the world from the energy behind the universe. The leaves and coconut
represent creation. the thread represents the love that "binds" all in
creation. The kalash is therefore considered auspicious and worshipped.
The waters from all the holy rivers, the knowledge of all the vedas
and the blessings of all the deities
are invoked in the kalash and its water is thereafter used for all
the rituals, including the abhisheka. The consecration (kumbhaabhisheka)
of a temple is done in a grand m anner with elaborate rituals including
the pouring of one or more kalash of holy water on the top of the
temple.
When the asurs and the devas churned
the milky ocean, the Lord appeared bearing the pot of nectar which
blessed one with everlasting life. Thus the kalash also symbolises
immortality.
Men of wisdom are full and complete
as they identify the infinite truth (poornatvam. They brim with joy
and love and represent all that is auspicious. We greet them with
a purnakumbha ("full pot") acknowledging their greatness and as a
sign of respectiful reverential welcome, with a "full heart".
Q.: Why do we worship tulsi?
Either in the front, back or central
courtyard of most Indian homes there is a tulsi-matham an altar bearing
a tulsi plant. In the present day appratments too, many maintain
a potted tulsi plant. The lady of the house lights a lamp, waters
the plant, worships and cirumambulayes it. The stem, leaves, seeds,
and even the soil, which provides it a base are considered holy.
A tulsi leaf is always placed in the food offered to the Lord. It is also
offered to the Lord during poojas especially to Lord Vishnu and His
incarnations.
In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva
tulsi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulsi.
For Hindus, it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known
to be the only thing used in worship which, once used, can be washed
and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying. As one
story goes, Tulsi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, celestial
being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So she
cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing her devotion and adherence&nb!
sp; to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become
the worshipped plant, tulsi that would adorn His head. Also that
all offerings would be incomplete without the tulsi leaf hence the
worship of tulsi.
She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi,
the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have
a happy family worship the tulsi. Tulsi is married to the Lord with
all pomp as how as in any wedding. This is because according to another
legend, the Lord blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed
Lord Krishna against all her legendary wealth. The scales did not
balance till a single tulsi leaf was placed along with the wealth on the
scale by Rukmini with devotion. Thus the tulsi played the vital role
of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with
devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world.
The tulsi leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure various
ailments, including the common cold.
Q.: Why do we consider the lotus
as special?
The Lotus is India's national flower
and rightly so. Not long ago, the lakes and ponds of India ere full
of many hued lotuses. The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness
and beauty (satyam, shivam, sundaram). The Lord is also that nature
and therefore, His various aspects are compared to a lotus(ie. lots-eyes,
lotus feet, lotus hands, the lotus of heart etc.). Our scriptures
and ancient literature extol the beauty of the lotus. Art and architecture
also portray the lotus in various decorative motifs and paintings.
Many people have names of or related to the lotus: Padma, Pankaja, Kamal,
Kamala, Kamalakshni etc. The Goddess of wealth, Lakshni, sits on a lotus
and carries one in Her hand.
The lotus blooms with the rising
sun and closes at night. Similarly, our minds open up and expand
with the light of knowledge. The lotus grows even in slushy areas.
It remains beautiful and untainted despite its surroundings, reminding
us that we too can and should strive to remain pure and beautiful
within, under all circumstances. The lotus leaf never gets wet although
it is always in water. It symbolises the man of wisdom (gyani who
remains ever joyous, unaffected by the world of sorrow and change.
