Know your Dharma
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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
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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.
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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.