Know your Dharma
-
Deivam Manushya Rupena - ...
*A Conversation in a Temple Courtyard*(Deivam Manushya Rupena – God in the form of a Human)It was Anna’s first visit to India and to a temple. She had been in India for a week. She loved the colours, the energy and the chaos. Her hotel manager had recommended that she visit the local Devi temple during evening arthi time for a “feel” of India. Anna was not disappointed, The chanting of Sanskrit verses, the women and men carrying puja articles, the ringing of the bells were all mesmerising in the dusk.Anna felt very peaceful and positive. She wanted to understand what the various sculptures and rituals meant. She did not know whom to ask. She looked around curiously.An old priest sitting with his beads saw her and beckoned her. She went to him and sat down in front of him. Then she started hesitantly.“Swamiji, I’ve travelled to many countries, but in India, I feel temples are so diverse. Sometimes you worship animals, sometimes nature, sometimes even different forms of men and women as divine. How is that possible?”The priest smiled warmly and replied *That is the beauty of Sanātana Dharma, child. We see divinity everywhere — in the sun, moon, rivers, animals, even in grains of food. For us, Ishvara takes many forms to remind us that creation itself is sacred.Take for example the *Surya Mandir at Konark in Odisha* — here, the Sun is worshipped as the giver of life. Without him, no grain can grow, no being can survive.”Anna replied, “Yes, I saw the pictures of that chariot-shaped temple! But you also worship the moon?”Priest: “Indeed. At *Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat*, Lord Shiva is called “Somnath” — the Lord of the Moon. The moon represents the rhythm of time and emotions. Just as the tides depend on it, so too does our inner balance.We are the oldest religion on earth. Imagine how men and women would have related to the divine in times immemorial. The easiest way would have been to relate to what you see which is nature, animals, plants and others created by God.Anna: Yes Guruji. I saw Nandi, the bull, in front of Shiva temples.Priest: Ah, Nandi is not just an animal. He represents strength, patience, and dharma. In *Lepakshi temple (Andhra Pradesh)*, there is a giant Nandi carved from a single stone — a reminder that service and loyalty itself is divine.We also revere the *Varaha Avatar* — Lord Vishnu taking the form of a wild boar to rescue Mother Earth from the depths of the ocean. Even the *Matsya (fish) Avatar* and *Kurma (tortoise) Avatar* show us how divinity enters even humble forms to protect the universe”.Anna : “So these avatars are your way of telling your followers the divine nature of every living species?”Priest “Yes. No creation on earth is too small to love God or serve God. We even have an incident in the Ramayana where the humble squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge across the ocean when he had to go and fight Ravana and bring back his divine wife Sita. As you know, my child, Rama’s army also consisted mainly of monkeys and bears.”Anna nods.” Yes Guruji. I have read the Ramayana in English. Fascinating story.”Priest laughs “It is not a story for the millions following Hinduism dear. We believe our Lord walked this land to show us the way.”He blessed a devotee who came to pay his respect and then continued. “Did you know that we consider our rivers divine?”Anna: Fascinating! So even rivers are seen as divine?Priest: Yes. The *Ganga at Varanasi* is worshipped as Mother Ganga, purifier of sins. In Tamil Nadu, *Kaveri is called “Kaveriamma.”* To us, rivers are not just water — they are lifelines, flowing grace. Our people make offerings to the rivers in the form of flowers and clothes.”Even mountains are sacred. Have you heard of *Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai*? It is worshipped as Shiva himself, in the form of fire, standing as a mountain.”Anna: (eyes widening)You mean even fire and space are worshipped?Priest: Yes, the Panchabhūtas — earth, water, fire, air, and space — each has a temple in Tamil Nadu. For example:* Arunachaleshwarar, Tiruvannamalai* – Fire* *Jambukeshwarar, Trichy* – Water* *Ekambareswarar, Kanchipuram* – Earth* *Sri Kalahasti, Andhra* – Air* *Chidambaram Nataraja* – SpaceTogether, they remind us that the very elements we live by are forms of God.Anna: I see… and you also worship the feminine form?Priest: Of course. The Mother Goddess is central to us. In *Kamakhya temple, Assam, she is worshipped as the power of fertility and creation itself. In **Meenakshi temple, Madurai, the divine takes the form of a queen who rules alongside Shiva. We say *Shakti is the energy, and Shiva is the consciousness — neither can exist without the other.Anna: (thoughtful)So… when you say “Bhagavan Manushya Rupena” — God taking human form — it means like Rama or Krishna?Priest: Exactly. When dharma declines, the Lord takes form among us — like Rama to show righteousness, or Krishna to guide through wisdom. But in truth, God is not bound to any one form. He can be the fish, the sun, the mother, the teacher — all at once.Anna: (with folded hands)Swamiji, now I understand. For you, worship is not limited to idols, but to seeing the divine in every corner of life.Priest: (nodding) -Yes, child. The goal of Sanātana Dharma is simple — to recognize the sacred in every being, every grain, every element. When you see the divine in all, then truly, life itself becomes worship.✨ The temple bells ring softly in the background as Anna bows with gratitude, her heart carrying a new understanding of the Indian way of seeing the universe.
-
Ashtama Siddhi
Ashtama Siddhi refers to the kind of powers that is perhaps called Super powers by the West.How does one get Ashtama Siddhi?Definitely not an everyday affair. Physical control, coupled with mental discipline plus many secret ingredients perhaps.Years of meditation, coupled with super human control of the body and mind seems to be the general consensus.There could be certain individuals like some of our revered Gurus who may have attained some of these powers, although they may or may not want to disclose / talk about it. That is why we hear a few miraculous experiences with respect to our revered Gurus.The Avengers version of super natural power seems quite easy in comparison.What are these Ashtama Siddhis?Anima – shrink at will; Mahima – expand at will;Garima – become heavy at will;Laghima – become light at will;Prapti – adapt to any environment at will (teleportation, under water existence etc);Istva – ability to control natural phenomenon at willVasitva – ability to control other minds including that of humans and animals at will Hanuman is supposed to be the one who possesses Ashtama Siddhi. He has also been blessed with the power of conferring this on others who are fit to receive such blessings.In various situations in the Ramayan, BajrangBali has exhibited these and that is perhaps why he is our own Super Hero
-
Significance of the Kalas...
In most of our festivals or pujas, we see a kalasha or a vessel filled with water that is used for some ceremonies and rituals. Have you wondered, what is that kalasha/? What does it contain? And what is it’s significance/importance in our pujas? Let’s begin with what a kalasha is? Let us look at what some of our scriptures say about it. Here are some shlokas that are associated with the Kalasha pooja.1. कला कला हि देवानां दानवानां कला कला: ।संगृह्य निर्मितो यस्मात्कलशस्तेन कथ्यते ॥१॥Meaning (By collecting) each Kala (Divine Part) of the Devas (Gods), and (by collecting) each Kala (Good Part) of the Danavas, What is built by assembling them, (that aggregation of Divine Parts) is called Kalasha,2. कलशस्य मुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रः समाश्रितः ।मूले त्वस्य स्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः ॥This shloka tells us that Lord Vishnu resides in the mouth of the Kalasha, Rudra in its neck, Brahma at ts base and the Divine Mothers in its centre.The ensuing shlokas invoke the seven seas, the sacred rivers, the waters from the sacred ponds and pilgrimage spots, the Ddevis -Savithri, Gayathri, Shanthi and Pushtikari, and the four Vedas.Can you imagine the power of the kalasha when so much energy from the Divine, nature, the scriptures and the shlokas are invoked into its water?What is the physical appearance of the Kalasha?A brass, mud or copper pot is 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 Kalasha is normally placed on a bed of rice symbolising fertility or abundance. The mango leaves symbolise new beginnings and the coconut represents the human body. The thread symbolises the linkage or binding of all these elements.A kalasha is placed with due rituals on all important occasions like the traditional house warming (grihapravesa), 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. Why do we worship the kalasha? The water in the kalasha symbolizes the primordial water from which the entire creation emerged. It is the giver of life to all beings both sentient and inert. The leaves and coconut represent creation.As we mentioned earlier, when you invoke the power of the Gods, the scriptures and all that is holy into it, the kalasha automatically becomes powerful and worthy of worship.The water from the Kalasha is sprinkled as a purification inside a home, used for purification of the bride and groom before marriage, of a child at birth. It is even used during the consecration of temples and deities.
-
Why is Lotus considered S...
The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty (satyam, shivam, sundaram). The lotus blooms with the rising sun and close 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 even though it is always in water. It symbolizes the man of wisdom (gyaani) who remains ever joyous, unaffected by the world of sorrow and change. This is revealed in a shloka from the Bhagwad-Gita:Brahmanyaadhaaya karmaaniSangam tyaktvaa karoti yahaLipyate na sa paapenaPadma patram ivaambhasaaHe who does actions, offering them to Brahman (the Supreme), abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf remains unaffected by the water on it.From this, we learn that what is natural to the man of wisdom becomes a discipline to be practiced by all saadhakas or spiritual seekers and devotees. Our bodies have certain energy centers described in the Yoga Shaastras as chakras.Each one is associated with lotus that has a certain number of petals. For example, a lotus with a thousand petals represents the Sahasra chakra at the top of the head, which opens when the yogi attains Godhood or Realisation. Also, the lotus posture (padmaasana) is recommended when one sits for meditation. A lotus emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma originated from it to create the world. Hence, the lotus symbolizes the link between the creator and the supreme Cause.