What are the Vedas and  how they are 

diverged into all directions ? –V

About the Upanishads, the eleven Upanishads which are  most essential

and came into limelight because of  the complete annotations were

 given by SreeAdi Sankaracharya.

We know the Upanishads were derived from the Vedas only.

The Isavaasyopanisht, Kenopanishat, Kathopanishat, Prasnopanishat,

Mandukyopanishat, Mundakopanishat, Swetaswataropanishat,

Ttaittareeyopanishat, Itareyopanishat, Chandagyopanishat and

the Bruhadaranyakopanishat.

The Mundakopanishat, the Mandukyopanishat and the Prasnopanishat

are these three Upanishats  belong to the Adharvana vedam.

The Brudaanyakopanishat, the Kathopanishat, the Isavasyopanishat,

the Swetaaswataropanishat, and the Ttaittareeyopanishat are

belonging to the Yajurvedam.

The Kenopanishat and the Chandogyopanishat both these Upanishats

belong to the Saamavedam.

The Itareyopanishat only one Upanishat belong to the Rugvedam.

The Mahavaakyas which are celebrated from the eleven Upanishats

have an excellent evaluation in the Philosophical scriptures.

The Mahavakyas are  1. “ Ayamaatma Brahma”.

2. “Pragnaanam Brahma”,  3. “Tattwamasi”,

4. “Aham Brahmasmi”.

The Mahavaakya “ Pragnanam Brahma” extracted from the

Itareyopanishat which derived from the Rugvedam.

The Mahavaakya “ Aham Brahmasmi” which is genealoged from the

Bruhadaranyakopanishat which is obtained from the Yajurvedam.

The Mahavaakya “ Tattwamasi” derived from the Chandagyopanishat

which is derived from the Saamavedam.

The Mahavaakya “Ayamaatma Brahma” is extracted from the

Mandukyopanishat which is obtained from the Adharvana vedam.

(Continued .... )  

What are the Vedas and  how

they are diverged into all directions ? – IV

The Smrutis are Upanishats.  The discuss about the Upanishads

which is a great thing in the Philosy.

The Upanishads are known as Vedanta.

The relation between the Atma, Anaadi, Jeevah and Jeeveswara and the

enquire for self is also completely  known in Upanishads.

The Upa ni Shad means

Upa  =  close or near by,

Ni   =   devoted or relax

Shad  = to destroy ( Sraddha)

Sitting devotedly and attentively near the Athma and destroy the Anadi

  means to accquire the Jnanam for self relization.

Hence, the Upanishads has got such a magnanimous meaning.

Many Upanishad are found  in Vedas. More than hundred and eight

Upanishads can be seen.

But the most essential Upanishads are eleven which are considered

and commentated by Sree Adi Sankaracharya.

The eleven Upanishads are derived from the four Vedas.

The Upanishads Isa, Kena, Katha, Prasna, Mundaka, Maandukya,

Swetaswatara, Ttaittareeya, Itareya, Chandagya and Bruhadaranyaka

are considered  and most popular.

( Continued ....)

What are the Vedas and  how they are

diverged into all directions ? – III

The Vedas are classified as Samhitam, Brahmanam, Aaranyakam and

Upanishats.

The Asrama Dharam are formed into four categories. They are Brahmacharyam,

Gruhasthaasramam, Vanaprastham and Sanyaasramam.

1. The Samhitam consists of Mantra Kaanda which can be seen in Brahmacharya.
2. The Brahmanam consists of the Karmakaanda which is Gruhasthaasramam

3. The Aranyakam contains completely the Upasana Kanda which is Vanaprashta

4. The Upanishats are containing Jnanakaanda which is Sanyasramam.

In Brahmacharya asrama dharma is Mantrasamhitam

In the Gruhastha asrama dharma is Karmakaanda

In the Vanaprastha asrama dharma which is Upasana with worship,

Japa, meditation etc.,

In the Sanyasa asrama dharma which is Jnanakanda and completley

away from the illusionary world and  for attaining emancipation.

The Upavedas are classified into Ayurvedam, Dhanurvedam, Gandharvavedam

and Ardhasastram

The Darshanas are six  (Shaddarsanas) and they are Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Saankhya,

Yoga, Meemaamsa and Vedanta .

The Darsanas are known as Asthika Philosophy which they believe

in  Vedas. The Meemaamsa is  known as Poorva Meemaamsa which is

Karma meemaamsa.

The Shaddarsana are the six systems of Hindu Thoughts of Sanatana Dharmam.

The Nyaya was written by Gotama. The Vaiseshika was written by Kannada,

The Saankhya was written by Kapila. The Yoga was written by Patanjali.

The Purvameemaamsa was written by Gemini and the Uttara meemaamsa

or the Vedanta was written by Vyasa Bhagavan.

In Sutras the Brahma sutras are considered  as high .

What are the Vedas and  how they

are diverged into all directions ? – II

We are discussing about the Vedas and their Branches.

Now the Vedangas in  which the Siksha teaches clearly about

 how to enunciate (Uccharana)  all the Aksharam and the Swaram  (words and Notes)

 in the Vedas.

The Vyakaranam teaches completely about the analysis of

Susabdam and Apasabdam which are known as grammatical components.

The Cchandassu teaches about the superiority of the Vruttam (kind of poetic

meter)  of all the Mantras (sacred Hymns).

The Niruktam teaches about the  strenuous affirmative words of all the Mantras.

The Jyotisham  predicts about the duties of when to perform the Yagnas, Yagaas 

etc ., according to the respective time and its portentous events.

The Niruktam teaches about the duties of  the  pursuits

 of the programmes by enchanting the Mantras.

After the Vedangaas, the Upanishats takes the next position.

(to be continued ....) 

What are the Vedas and  how they are

diverged into all directions ? - I

We know the Vedas are four and they are  Rugvedam, Yajurvedam, Saamavedam and Adharvana vedam. The Vedas are sterling in Pramaanikam means highest in

standards and no other Praamaanikam in the world except the Vedas only.

In the Yagna Yagaas , the Veda Hymns are chanted. 

The Rugvedam is also known as Houtravedam.

The Yajurvedam is also called as Ttaittareeyam.

The Saamavedam is also known as Udgaatruvedam.

And the Adharvana Vedam is also called as Brahma Vedam.

In the Rugvedam the Mantras  which are sacred hymns are called as Rukku.

The Mantras are called in the Yajurvedam as Panasa.

The Saamam means Singing. So  the Mantras in the Saamavedam are sung.

And this Vedam is known as Saamavedam and also Udgaatruvedam.

The Adharvana vedam has got many Santhi and Poushtika observances , hence

this vedam is  called as Brahmavedam.

The Vedas are known as Sruti which consists of Nigama and Amnayam.

The Upavedas, Vedangaas , Upanishats (Smruti) , Darshanas, Puraanaas,Itihasas and

 Seculars   are all derived from the Vedas.

The Vedangaas has got six branches (Saakha).

They are 1)  Siksha.  2) Vyakaranam.  3) Cchandassu.

4) Niruktam. 5) Jyotisham.  and  6) Kalpam.

( to be Continued .....)

What are the vital things in the Vedas ?

We know the Vedas are four and they are  Rugvedam,

 Yajurvedam, Saamavedam and Adharvana vedam.

In the Yagna Yagaas , the Veda Hymns are chanted. 

The Rugvedam is also known as Houtravedam. The Yajurvedam is also called

as Ttaittareeyam. The Saamavedam is also known as Udgaatruvedam.

And the Adharvana Vedam is also called as Brahma Vedam.

In the Rugvedam the Mantras  which are sacred hymns are called as Rukku.

The Mantras are called in the Yajurvedam as Panasa.

The Saamam means Singing. So  the Mantras in the Saamavedam are sung.

And this Vedam is known as Saamavedam and also Udgaatruvedam.

Vedas are the supreme knowledge not only

for the mankind but alos to the entire universe.

Without knowlede (Gnanam) man can not survive.

All the Sastras including the science which we

 study thesedays , everything  that  has  derived from the Vedas.

The Vedas are Apourusheyaah means no man chanted

the Mantras, slokas  and said anything to us .

The most Divine  voice has come from the sky

about the Vedas and made us know about the Vedas.

The Rugveda tells mainly about the things of

 cultivation, commerce,and trading,   Ships, flying

vehicles which are flights in the space and the systems.

 All the knowledge of those sastras can be studied from Rugveda.

The Yajurvedam is divided into two parts,

which are Krishna Yajurvedam and Sukla Yajurvedam.

In the Krishna Yajurvedam, the Karma

siddhantam (ideology and theorem) , the theorem

of Mathametics, health and medicine,  the science

of the Space, (the Antariksha Vignanam Sastram) are said.

In the Sukla Yajurvedam, it is said about the

Creation, Brahma Vidya  and other spiritual things.

In the Saamavedam, there are many branches

(sections which are also called Saakhah), mostly

 one thousand sections can be seen what the scholars say.

But presently only few branches of the Saamavedam

are availble to us.

This Saamavedam is based on Sangeetham

which is to be enchanted in a musical way. This Vedam is also known as Gaana Vedam.

The Adharvana vedam says about the Prayers

 of the God,  Celibacy (Brahmacharyam), meditaion

about the Andhraatham, religious percept and  austerity for the religious practices etc.,

Why the hair of the head is offered

to the Deity in the Temples ?

The custom  with  strong belief that we have

 since the long time that we offer the hair of

the head to the Deity for making a

 religious vow for ourselves if evil affect is

averted or if we pass in the examination or

if we recover from the illness or if we win in the election etc.,

Offering the hair to the Deity in the

temple is making a religious vow.

  If that vow is not fulfilled, then we feel

vcry bad about ourselves and also feel

 somthing negative and bad things

 will happen to us and to the family members.

So we fear of that if the religious vow is not fulfilled.

Hence,  in this regard we never

 neglect and postpone the custom to follow.

Offering the hair of the head  to the Deity

 in the Temple means, used in connection

 with tonsure at the holy places (pilgrim places) 

of Tirumala, Annavaram, Simhachalam, etc.,

 also some other famous holy pilgrim centres.

Here we have to think in other aspect also

that the man is struggling for existence in the life.

 For his existence he does  and practise anything

 that was deviant from custom which was

 excommunicated in the ancient time

and also he tells lies, he deceives, becomes guilty.

What ever the consequences of man’s sins

for all his  evil actions reaches to the hair of the head.

Means the results of the sin belong to the hair.

Therefore, the hair which is the abode of

all our  sins is offered to the  Deity in the Temples

 to fulfil the religious vows from  get rid of our sins

 and also we pray to the Lord that we are   leaving off all our  sins.

And Pray to Him from hereafter   that we will

live virtuously and righteously .

So, the meaning for  offering of hair of

the head to the Deity signify that.

Why do we fondle the tail of the

 Nandeeswara statue in the Sivalayam ?

We see the Nandeeswara statue installed

 in front of the Lord Siva in the temple.

In the temple, in the innermost chamber

 (Garbha sthanam) where the main image

of the lord Siva is installed and outside of the

 Garbha sthanam the Nandeeswara’s idol is installed.

The Temple construction ( Alaya nirmanam)

and the installation of the Deities ( Devata vigraha pratishta)

in the temple is completly  done according to the Sastras.

 The process of that takes three to five days

by strictly performing the sacred Homas,

chanting the Hymns of the Vedas and other Mantras etc.,

 Once the Alayanirmanam and the Vigraha Pratishta

 are completed  as per the Sastras, next day onwards

 (afterwards) the daily pooja and dhoopa deepas and

chanting the Mantras must be performed without fail.

In the Sivalayam, the innermost chamber,

the lord Eswara’s Idol or image is installed and 

outside of Garbhalayam infront of the lord Siva’s 

idol or Siva linga  the Nandeeswara’s idol which is

also constructed with the precious stone and isntalled there.

Here the Nandeeswara is not the Bull .

It is not belonging to that species.

The Nandi is the most obedient and

made respectful offering of his egoism to the lord 

 and also the great devotee of Him.

The Nandeeswara always stands before

 the entrance of the Mount Kailasa

of the place where the Lord Eswara dwells.

If we fondle the tail of the callte like cow, buffalow,

the bull, by nature they feel very happy

and offering their submission to us.

In  the Siva Temple, when we visit there,

all we compulsorily do the fondle

(treat with fondness) the Nandeeswara.

Then the Nandi feels so happy and do the Nivedana 

(appeal to the higher authority of) to  the lord Siva

 that  we, the devotees  have visited there to obtain

the darshan of the God and make us to have the darshan.

The   Bull (Ox) is the representation

 for the Dharma and so by doing the fondle

 ( treating with fondness) of the Nandi is the symbol

 for that we are instigating the Dharma and

 also shows  that we  follow the Dharma.

Why do we cut the foot stalk and also

 end part  of the betel leaf for betel-nut paan ?

The betel-nut paan is known as Taambulam.

 Most of the people chew betel leaves and arecanut

 which is called Tambulam on different occasion.

This custom has been followed since the long, long time.

In general, betel leaves  with arecanut on top of it

 given to a person by another person as a significance

of commencing a new auspicious work and  this

custom is followed on  different  auspicious occasions and festival time

But, if  the foot stalk of the betel leaf  is eaten (chewed)

there are  more chances to get disease and if the

end part of the betel leaf is eaten that is considered  for sin.

If the  reins of the betel leaf  are eaten , that would

cause for decreasing of the intelligence  means

there are chances for developing the buddhi maandyam which is known as foolishness.

When the betel leaves are chewed , the extract

liquid which is brew  in the mouth, should be spitted.

The reason, the foot stalk, the reins and the end part

of the betel leaves are still remained in the mouth.

So then they should also be spitted out with the brew called the extract liquid.

In the Tambulam, the betel nut powder  which is

pieces of arecanut can be eaten. The two betel nuts should not be used.

It is said that the  Tambul (betel leaves with arecanut )

 must not be eaten  (chewed) by the diseased people like

those who are injured , those who are suffering

with the eye diseases,  TB (Tuberculosis) patients.

So those diseased people should not eat the Pan or Tambulam.

For the tambulam, the lime is also applied on the betel leaves .

It is used with the betel leaves and the nut.

The lime which is applied on the betel leaves

must be done by using the  middle finger or the

thumbfinger  what our elders say. It is said,

because of doing so, the longvity will be icreased.

By doing and using with those two fingers ,

there would be stimulation in the nerves of the heart,

and that  it will be caused for the  smooth functioning of the heart system.

How to worship the God with  flowers  ?

Worshipping the God with the flowers  means,

 which fingers are used on that Pooja occasion.

The  offering of  flowers to the Lord

 is one of the Pooja Paddhathi.

 The fragrant and fresh flowers

are used for the Pooja.

We can not see anywhere without

flowers there will not be any  worship of the God.

The plants and trees blossom their

 flowers only for worhsipping the God.

They bloom without expecting any return

 to serve the God by way of ornamentation and worship.

When we worship the God with flowers,

the five fingers must not be used

while taking them  to offer and beautify Him.

The middle finger (madhyama)  and

the ring (anamika) finger are used and

take the flowers with those two fingers and 

offer with devotionally , modesty and obedience.

The flowers which are used and worshipped

 for the Bhagavan should be taken

with the thumb and index finger.

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 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 achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.

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 vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas 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.

Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray:

Deepajyothi parabrahma
Deepa sarva tamopahaha
Deepena saadhyate saram
Sandhyaa deepo namostute

I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp; whose light is the Knowledge Principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life.

 When the Panchangam was formed ?

The Panchangam means it is Almanac which

 shows planetary positions, and their movements,

the  timings of auspiciousness and evilness every thing .

All the Hindus believe it greatly and follow

it for every thing in their day to day life.

 It covers everything of Planets, their positions, Astrology ,

 Vastu, what are to be performed and what should

 not be performed etc., everything is studied and compiled there in.

The Panchangam consists of five sections which are 

Tidhi, Vaara Nakshatram, Yogam and Karanam.

The Panchangam was born five thousand

 years ago, mostly in the Dwapara yuga.

It was composed by the great and holy Sages

by calculating the stars and planets and

 their positions and the consequences

of their combinations etc.,. according to the  transit position of

Planets in the different signs of the Zodiac.

The Zodiac consists of Stars with padas.

But the Zodiac is divided into twelve signs (Rasis).

In our country the people follow the Soura maana

 paddhathi and Chandra maana paddhathi.

Means some states observe their traditions

and customs as per Solar system  and

some other follow the Lunar system.

But astrological wise  and vastu wise  and

other good and bd wise the system of study is same. 

Only for the Calendar purpose means

to follow their traditional months (maasa)

they observe the Solar and Lunar systems respectively.

As per Panchangam and the Astrological

science we consider mainly the nine planets only.

They are Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,

Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.

The other three planets like Uranus, Neptune

and Pluto are the three planets which are

 not considered mostly.

But rarely they are studied on  particular occasions.

All the planets circulate round the Sun.

 As per science the planets are brightened by the Sun and its light.