Monday, February 24, 2014

Vanara - The monkey like people in Ramayan

Vanara:
Vanara's are also called as 'vana-chara'. Vanachara means people who lives in forest and called as forest-dwellers. Their presence was sighted in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Vanara kingdom helped Lord Rama in search of sita and fought against Ravana. In Mahabharata one of vanara Jambavan met Lord Krishna and Hanuman met Bhima and Arjuna. Vanara's lived on mount Rishyamukha in Kishkindha of Dandaka forest.
vanar
Traditional Beliefs:
Vanaras posse’s superhuman powers. Some of stories about vanara's states that, Jambavan he is one who involved in churning of milky ocean and he encircled Lord Vamana (who occupied three worlds with his foot while suppressing demon king Bali) seven times. He has strength of ten million lions and fight against Lord Krishna for the precious gem 'Syamantaka mani'. He is the one who made Hanuman to realize his true powers. Hanuman belongs to vanara fly across the sea in search of sita. Hanuman saved laxman life by bringing life saving herbs and popularly called as 'Rambant'. Likewise so many vanara worriers like Sugriva,Angadha, ..Etc exhibited their powers and helped Rama in the battle.

Interesting Facts:
  • 'Rama-Bant' means a Rama follower. Mudirajas of Andhra Pradesh, Tuluva speaking Shettys of Karnataka are also called as BANTS.
  • Vanacharas tuned as Vanjaras and now they called as banjaras. Banjaras are tribal people live in Andhra region.
  • The forest area where vanara's lived, are in the parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka at present.
  • Lepakshi is the place in Andhra Pradesh where Eagle king Jatayuvu fought with Ravan when Sita was kidnapped. 
  • Lord Rama met Sabari in the place around hampi and Rushyamukh hill is very close to Hampi. In an approx the forest area around Tirupathi in Andhrapradesh, Kishkind in Karnataka around Bellary  and around border of Maharashtra is the exact forest place where this vanara tribe resided.
  • Hanuman birth took place in Vengadam at Tirumala hills, Andhrapradesh according to Parashar Samhita.
  • Vanaras are vegetarians, depend on fruits, honey and roots as primary food. 
  • Vanaras
Scientific Reasons:
  • In present day different tribes who lives in forest areas are identified with  totem or emblem probably vanaras are humans with monkey as emblem, Jambavan belongs to another tribe with bear as emblem and Jatayuvu with eagle as totem.
  • May be vanaras are Neanderthaloids (humans of Middle Paleolithic age) who survived in the period of HomoSapiens(species belongs to modern humans ). Jambavan may be Yeti(a large hairy creature resembling a human and bear). Neanderthaloids also described as ill mannered, harsh, rude and contemptible in appearance which exactly matches with monkey people in Ramayana.
  • Archeology surveys are suggested that  Neanderthaloids lived in south India around 5lakhs - 40k years.
  • According to Darwin theory we can say Jambavan and vanara's are partially bipedal primates( Half men - half animal - walk on legs) . Just like wolf-man in movies.
  • According to traditional stories Jambavan is oldest and survived from ages also draws a conclusion that he is the last survival of his race and vanaras who are Neanderthaloids co-existed with HomoSapiens. Ramayana is the war between Neanderthaloids and HomoSapiens.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Rahu & Ketu - Invisible celestial bodies


Rahu & Ketu:
Rahu and Ketu are one of navagrahs in Indian astrology. Rahu separated head of demon and ketu is the body of demon. Rahu kaal is powerful inauspicious time in a day which is ruled by Rahu. Yamaganda is also an inauspicious time in a day ruled by ketu.

Cultural beliefs:
At the time of Samudra Mathan(churning of milky ocean ), Upon signaling of Sun and Moon, Vishnu in the form Mohini avatar separated the head of Asura ‘Swarbhanu’  when he wisely tried to drank the immortal nectar. Due to the power of nectar, head remained immortal and turned as Rahu and body turned as Ketu. Due to enmity against the Sun and the Moon, Rahu used swallow sun and ketu used to swallow moon causing eclipse.
rahu ketu

Interesting facts:
  • According to the Ancient texts Rahu was born to demon Vipracitthi and Simhika who was daughter of Hiranyakashyap.
  • Rahu was the lord of Ardra, Swati and Shatabisha stars and ketu was the lord of Ashvini, Magha and Moola stars.
  • Rahu is exalted in Taurus and Virgo is his own house. Ketu exalted in Scorpio and Sagittarius and Pisces are his own houses. Rahu debilitated in Scorpio while ketu in Taurus.
  • Kala sarpadosha is a powerful dosha in astrology caused by Rahu and Ketu.
  • Rahu and ketu are not only planets they are two astronomical points in the Zodiac which are imaginary.
  • As per Astrology, Rahu is feminine (significator of spiritual knowledge) and ketu is no gender (significator of Moksha).
  • As per applied astrology, Rahu and ketu do not have any own characteristics; they only act as per the signs and planets related by the position.
  • People donate Black gram and Horse gram to please the lords Rahu-Ketu. Tuesday was dedicated to Rahu along with Mars and Saturday was dedicated to ketu along with Saturn.
  • Lord Hanuman released Navagrahas from the prison of demon Ravan. So the bad influences of Rahu - Ketu will be suppressed by worshipping Hanuman.
  • Ketu belongs to Jaimini Gotra, whereas Rahu is form Paiteenasa gotra.
  • Rahu and Ketu ill effects can be reduced by worshipping Lord Ganesha (preferably on Wednesday, Saturday for Ketu) and  Goddess Durga (preferably on Tuesday) in the Rahu kal time.
  • At Chidambaram temple (Tamilnadu) when milk is poured on rahu idol the milk color changes to blue in color and changes again to white when leaving the body. It is believed that doing milk abishekam at this place during the rahu kalam will neutralize the ill effects of marriage obstacles, progeny, troubles in martial life and kala sarpa dosham.
Scientific reasons:
  • Rahu and ketu are two mathematical points are called as lunar nodes which explain the Lunar and Solar Eclipse astronomical phenomena.
  • The places where Sun and moon paths intersect by considering view from earth are called lunar nodes. The north and south nodes of interactions are called as Rahu and Ketu in Hindu mythology.
  • Sun completes his single revolution in one year while moon in one month. When moon is above the sun’s path full moon occurs when moon is below the sun’s path new moon occurs. When they intersect in their paths solar and lunar eclipse occurs.
  • These lunar nodes are mixture of magnetic and gravitational forces of two celestial objects hence they show powerful impact on human beings. They directly impact on neural transmission process of brain which carries signals to all parts of body and also reflects blood circulation and heart functionality.
  • In rahu kaal and yamaganda time in a day increases stress levels of mind so people avoid important tasks at that time.
  • Rahu and ketu are the intersection points of moons orbit around the earth and are separated at an angle of 180 degress in the zodiac of opposite directions.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Lord Rama - Legend or God


Lord Rama :
Hindus consider Lord Rama as seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama is the one who given more prominence to dharma and never crossed eternal laws. He was worshiped along with his wife Sita, brother Laxman and devotee Hanuman. He was legendary king ruled the place called Kosala with capital as Ayodhya. One of the greatest epic Ramayana written based on life of Lord Rama.


Cultural Belief's:
The story of Ramayana was narrated in Sanskrit language by Maharishi Valmiki hence it is called as Valmiki Ramayana. It has  24,000 verses, 500 sub chapters and 7 main chapters. Lord Rama was courageous and ideal man from childhood. He married Sita by breaking the bow of Lord Shiva. He went to forest with his wife and brother for the sake of his father request. He spent fourteen years exile with his wife and brother. He killed Ravana and others with help of tribes (vanara's) upon the kidnapping of his wife sita.

Interesting facts:
  • At the age of 60years king dasarath conducted Putrakameshti Yaga(Fire ritual) for the birth of his son Rama.
  • At the age of 15 Lord Rama went with Sage Vishwamitra and married Sita.
  • At the age of 26 years Lord Rama went to exile.
  • Lord Rama belongs to Suryavamsh or raghuvamsh dynasty and he is 64th ruler of Kosala kingdom.
  • Lord Rama constructed Ramasetu (Adams Bridge) in 5 days with help of vanara's.
  • Ravana was great scholar and musician. He studied Vedas and excellent player of instrument Veena.
  • Laxman didn't sleep for 14 years of exile to kill ravana son Indrajeet.
  • Laxman draws a powerful line called as Laxman Rekha to protect her sister-in-law sita.
  • Lord Rama traveled all over India from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram and went to Srilanka.
  • Lord Rama scarifies his life by taking jala Samadhi(water burial) in Sarayu river, when mother(earth) of sita taken back her upon her request.
  • King Brihadbala who was the 28th descendant of Rama’s Son Kusha fought against pandavas in kurukshetra war. Legend Abhimanyu son of Arjuna killed Brihadbala.
  • Sage Valmiki is a thief turned sage.His original name is Ratnakar.
  • Kamba Ramayana written in Tamil language by Kamban based on Valmiki Ramayana in the eleventh century. Rama Charita Manas written in Hindi(Avadhi) by Tulsidas in the sixteenth century.
  • According to Valmiki Ramayan Lord Rama is a legendary human being but Tulsidas narrated Lord Rama as God in Rama Charita Manas.
Scientific Reasons:
  • As per Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Rama was born on lunar day-Navami of Chitra month and sage Valmiki given detailed list of planetary positions and zodiac constellations at the time of birth. When the details were fed by researchers in software called Planetarium  it was exactly matched with the details of planetary positions given by Sage Valmiki. Lord Rama born on the date January 10, 5114 BC at noon around 12-1PM. The same day was celebrated as SriRama Navami(birthday of Rama) festival every year all over India.
  •  Researchers stated that Lord Rama went to forest on January 5, 5089 BC at the age of 25 and ravan was killed by Rama on December 4,5076 BC, after completion of 14 years of exile at the age of 39 years he returned Ayodhya on January 2, 5075 BC  based on planetary positions given in Valmiki Ramayana.
  • Sage Vamilki explained a solar eclipse occurred during the war between Rama and Ravan which was very accurate and could be seen from the place called panchavati.
  • In 1975 the Archaeological Survey of India conformed that Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya and married Sita in Mithila which was now in Nepal.
  • NASA revealed the ruins of bridge which was submerged in Palk Strait between Rameshwaram(in Tamilnadu) and Sri Lanka was manmade based on unique structure and composition by age.
Also check Lord Rama Festival 'Sri rama Navami' post.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Eclipse - Super Natual Phenomenon

Eclipse:
A time where Sun or Moon covered with darkness is called eclipse. From the perspective of viewer when a shadow of an astronomical object falls on another object obscuring the object temporarily.
Cultural beliefs:
In ancient texts Rig Veda it was stated that Sage Atri removed darkness of solar eclipse by reciting sacred mantras. Sage Atri alone have knowledge of eclipse and removal procedures. In Valmiki Ramayana, eclipse is explained as demon Rahu swallowing Sun temporarily. In Mahabharata Lord Krishna utilized the time of solar eclipse and helps Arjuna to kill his son assassin. The phenomenon also existed in sacred texts such as Manusmriti and Atharvanaveda.

All the temples in India were closed during eclipse time. Hindus believe strong negative charge will discharge on earth during eclipse time. As sun and moon are considered as gods due to their discharge of energies on the earth. Eclipse time is considered as inauspicious due to blockage of light from the sun and moon. People who belong to Scorpion and Sagittarius zodiac signs will donate charity to others to overcome ill effects of lunar eclipse. Darbha the sacred grass is considered as protector from ill effects of eclipse. People spread sacred grass around the house to overcome the effects.
As per puranas during the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Rahu has got hold of the nectar and had it. Other Devas got frightened, sun and moon went to Lord Vishnu (in the form of Mohini) and appealed then he separated the head from his body and later he became a planet. Due to this Rahu swallows sun and moon, thus caused eclipse(Grahana) temporally, as Rahu don’t have body sun and moon will come out from the throat. This process of coming out from Rahu called as Grahana Moksha.

Interesting facts:
  • Chinese also mentioned about solar eclipse in 2137 B.C.
  • There is a relation between birth (569 A.D) and death (632 A.D.) of Mohammed prophet with solar eclipse
  • Scientists examined total solar eclipse in the date 18 August 1961 at Guntur district, AndhraPradesh.
  • When solar eclipse occur at a place it can only repeated in that place after 360 years.
  • Some of Lord Shiva temples were opened during eclipse time because he is considered as 'Layakara'.
  • One should keep stomach empty and shouldn't cook at that time. Food should be prepared and consumed by taking bath only after eclipse time. People chant mantras during eclipse by keeping fast entire day.
  • Majorly Lunar eclipse occurs on Full Moon Day and Solar eclipse occurs on New Moon Day. 
  • Lunar eclipse occurs 0-3 times a year. Solar eclipse occur 2-5 times in a year.

Scientific reasons:
  • Moon revolves around earth, earth revolve around sun, thus moon ends up revolving around sun along with earth. When these three objects often interact with other in a straight line forms eclipse. 
  • When moon comes in between sun and earth, the moon will block the sun rays to certain extent of earth as shadow thus forms solar eclipse. 
  • When earth comes in between sun and moon, the earth will block the sun rays to certain extent of moon as shadow thus forms Lunar eclipse.
  • Solar eclipse is divided into three types. when moon completely shadows the sun is known as Umbra. When moon is small (due to distance) to shadow entire sun is known as antumbra. When moon partially shadow sun is known as penumbra.
  • Lunar eclipse is also divided into two types. When earth completely shadows the moon is known as umbra. When earth partially shadows moon is known as penumbra. There is no antumbra in lunar eclipse because earth is greater in its diameter when compared with moon.
  • During eclipse time the ultraviolet rays and x-rays emitted from sun causes some distraction on humans. This can seen particularly babies born with dysmorphic feature.
  • All the planets which have moon’s (satellites) their occur eclipse. There is no eclipse on mercury and Venus because they have no moons.
  • Scientific experiments proved that food turns to poisonous at the time of eclipse. Placing darbha grass (non conductor of electrical waves and rays) will protect the place and food items.In Jaipur Zoo, Animals not accepted Meat at the time eclipse. 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

KalaChakra - Life cycle of Time

KalaChakra - Life cycle of Time
Time is the measurement which connects past,present and future. The intervals,duration and events occur based on the time. Simply we check the time using clocks. Clocks are present measures of time. Time is never ending phenomena and our entire life depends on time.


Cultural beliefs :
According to our ancients, time is not a linear phenomenon, it is a cyclic phenomena. The course of time passes through  intervals(creation,destruction and re-creation) in a cyclic order. Time is divided into 'Krutha,Treta, Dwapara and Kali yugas'.  These four yugas combined named as 'Mahayuga' and 71 'Mahayugas' called 'Manvantra'. Such 1000 Mahayugas is called Kalpa.

Below are the reference of rough time spans of respective Yugas
Krutha Yuga     - 17,28,000 Years.
Treta Yuga       - 12,96,000 Years.
Dwapara Yuga - 8,64,000 Years.
Kali yuga          - 4,32,000 Years.

Each 'Manvantra' is ruled by one of Manu gods. A day of Lord Brahma(creator) is equal to 1000 Maha yugas or 1 Kalpa. A day/night of Lord brahma is equivalent to two kalpas. Lord Brahma evolved from the navel of Lord Vishnu. When Lord Brahma sleeps at night, Lord Shiva destructs everything and when Lord Brahma wake up, he creates everything again.

Currently we are in Kali yuga which is 28th Maha Yuga in Vaivasvatha Manvantara of ShvetaVaraha Kalpa. Approximately Lord Brahma has completed his 50 years in his total age of 100 years. Life span of Manu is one manvantra and at present Manu’s age  is 28 Mahayugas completed out of 71 Mahayugas.


Scientific Reasons:
  • 'Aryabhatta', a famous astronomer from the time of Gupta emperor (476 A.D) given a value of one sidereal rotation of earth is 23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds 0.1 fraction which is accurate with modern value 23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds 0.09 fraction.
  • 'Manvantra' which is 30,84,48,000 years is a time span to complete one revolution of Sun around the center of Milky-way.
  • 'Kalpa' which is 432,00,00,000 years is referred as the age of universe. Life span of universe is 4 to 8 billion years which is compared to 1day,1 night of Lord Brahma. Modern scientists estimated the age of universe (elapsed time since big bang) as 13 billion years.
  • Earth rotates around the Sun and the Sun rotates around another star. As the entire solar system moves in an orbit which is closer to Center of Universe which is narrated as navel of Lord Vishnu where the creator Lord Brahma evolved from.
  • Lord Manu symbolically represents  the evolution of life. At the end of each Manu life span, destruction or dissolution of entire life forms takes place which is compared to one night of Brahma(state of rest) where Lord Shiva destruction happens. The final incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as Kalki avatar represents end of world that means destruction.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Location: Anantagiri Village, Ranga Reddy District,Andhra Pradesh,India.

Conveyance: The temple is located 75 kilometers from Hyderabad and 5 kilometers from Vikarabad. The buses to Tandur have a halt here. Also, we can avail buses to Vikarabad and catch a shared auto to reach the temple. The temple can also be reached by coming via train halting at Vikarabad Railway Station and have a different means of transport which 7 kilometers away from the railway station.


Notorious:

  • Thick forest around compounded with multiple herbs.
  • Lord Hanuman and Garuda statues at the entrance.
  • Caves where Saint Markandeya performed his tapas(deep meditation).
Shrine:Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple.

Legend about the temple:
The immortal saint Markandeya prayed Lord Brahma for an effective place for his tapas in order the deity had shown him this place called Anantagiri. By his great tapas for thousands of years, Markandeya made Lord Anantapadmanabha Swamy to make his presence here. The same way he had brought Ganga devi into hislakes over there. There onwards, the lakes are named as “Bhavanasi”. Considering an auspicious day i.e., on Ashada shuddha Ekadashi, at the early morning Bhagiradhi shows her presence in Bhavanasi every year.

Saint got disappeared after the Kali’s entrance(Kaliyug). The Lord Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, he prayed had become an famous place. Almost a 400 years ago, one of the Nijam rulers had lived in a summer with his horse by making a hut for some days in Anantagiri considering it as a place where to fight with many kinds of animals.


In order to fetch food for the horses, the fellow beings use to get grass everyday and the horses use to be fulfilled. Nawab by observing this, questioned the people that where the grass is being fetched from as I observe the difference day to day. Even they dont know of it and told Nawab “nearby there is a place where we observe the grass getting grown the same amount which is been cut the before day and so we are fetching from the same place.” Surprised Nawab went to the auspicious place and observed the same and had digged there which in resulted with a vasudeva salagramam. He didnt understand and slept for that day and dreampt of the Lord asking for constructing a temple for the Lord and so you will be well blessed.Awaken Nawab had been to the same place and asked to remove the bullet from his leg thereby to contruct the temple for him. Soon he was out of it and the temple is been built by Nawab along with a guest house over there.

As Nawab had built, we observe their traditions over there and as it is thick forest and a home for wild animals, all poojas had been stopped.

Later the Lord came into Allampalli village officer's dream and asked to move him to his village buliding a temple followed by all pooja procedures so that the officer's wish will be fulfilled. The village officer gathered people and informed that “it is a good morning for us. Anantagiri Lord told he is going to show his presence in our village so that we have to go and get him here”. With a great enthusiasm, people got the Lord to their village, bulit a temple and pooja procedures are followed by there onwards.

Many medicanal herbs are present here.medical facilities are available since 1945 and now it had become easy for everyone to visit as the forest is been reduced.

Places nearby to visit:

  • Forest near the temple
  • “Markandeya maharshi tapovanam” next to the temple premises.
  • “Bugga temple” (Rama Lingeswara swamy).The main attraction here is water that comes from nandi.On a great research of scientists even didn’t come to know from where the water had originated from.
Darshan Timings:
Monday to Saturday:
Morning 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening 3:00PM to 8:00 PM

Sunday
Morning 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Evening 3:00PM to 8:00 PM

Temple Glimpses:


Lord Hanuman at entrance of the temple


Main Entrance





 

Inside Premises


Markandeya maharshi tapovanam


Forest