Where Is God ? - Swami Padmanabha

[This is a Guest Post by Swami Padmanabha. You can also submit your guest posts to be published by visiting the YOUR CONTENT page]

WHERE IS GOD ? WHERE IS GOD ? WHERE IS GOD ? This is a question which i come across almost on a daily basis in my ashram. Almost every alternate person who visits me seems to have this same question in their mind. I feel that onlyhinduism is the most appropriate portal to answer this question and let fellow Hindus know of my opinion.

We are so involved in the legends and puranas that a majority of us believe that God is only in heaven and will descend to Earth only in the form of an avatar. And we expect that such avatars will come only when evil has reached it's zenith. I always advice people that, God resides in our mind from the moment that we are born. As we increase our consciousness, we begin to know that God better. We start giving God different names and become closer to a particular physical form of God which appeals to us the most.

God always guides us as part of our conscience, and always leads us towards the path of righteousness. But, it is us who seldom pay heed to those words and continue our sins. Even when a robber is about steal something for the first time, his conscience will surely try to prevent him from doing so. Only when he pushes aside that divine guidance, he ends up being a sinner.

I am of the opinion that we will never find God if we look around for God to come in his 'divine avatar', with four hands or snakes as ornaments or riding a lion. Those are all projections of divinity which help us to bring more respect and awe in our mind. God has given us a sound min through which he/she constantly contacts us. So keep that mind pure and receptive to the divine guidance of God. Try to identify the good in everything and everyone and to make practical considerations while taking decisions, then you will be blessed by God in all your endeavors.

Instead of asking 'where is God?', it would be more apt to ask 'where not is God?', for God is everywhere and God is everything. Om namah.

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Clarity Of Thought Mantra

It is very common for us to not have clarity while trying to take important decisions. We may not be under any apparent pressure, nor is it necessary to even be aware of such an issue. But, whenever we are presented with options to make decisions on something important, we get too lost in thoughts. Such problems are often attributed to displeasure from the moon (chandra). The following is a simple ritual that such people can use to have more clarity in thoughts and to make better decisions.

On a Monday night , stare at the moon and chant "om chandraya namah" 11 times. Then from the next day, chant the following mantra 9 times every night for 14 consecutive nights.

om namo chandraya somaya mahadeva namah

You can also practice subtle meditation while chanting "om chandraya namah" 108 times for 21 consecutive days. Soon you will have more will-power, better decision-making and peace of mind.

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami (falls on July 8th in 2012 ) is a festival of great significance in many parts of India. Since time immemorial, snakes have been revered and feared due to their mysterious movement and toxic venom. Nag Panchami is an occasion to show respect and appease the snake gods. Many households do pooja on this day to protect their families from snake bites and to get rid of Kaal Sarpa Dosha. Nag Panchami is celebrated differently in various parts of India and Nepal. But, one common custom on Nag Panchami, is to feed snakes with milk and to pray at temples of Lord Shiva.

According to some legends, it is said that Lord Krishna's famous conquest of the dreaded snake Kalia took place on Nag Panchami. It is also said to be an auspicious time to bring welfare into the family.

Unmarried women may use Nag Panchami as a holy occasion to appease the Gods and get a good husband. On the day of Nag Panchami, one should get up early in the morning and finish bathing. Then take a bowl of milk to a nearby Shiva or Murugan temple and give for abhisheka. Then after returning from the temple, the devotee may have the milk as prasad. The rest of the day should involve prayers to Lord Shiva or Lord Murugan. In the evening, the devotee may keep a bowl of milk with a teaspoon of honey beside a lamp and chant mantras of Lord Shiva. This will help to relieve the effects of any dosha that is acting as a hurdle in getting married.

Nagas or Snakes are said to be present in the pathala loka. The following is a mantra that contains the name of the great nagas according to scriptures. It is said that chanting this mantra will help to appease the revered snakes and will bring welfare to the family.

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम् 

शंखपालं धार्तराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा

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This is a guest post by Mr.Tharun Kumar. If you would like to submit guest posts please visit the YOUR CONTENT page.

Housewarming Kerala Style - Simplified (Part 2)

Coming to Gruhapravesham, the same procedure used for Gruharambham, can be followed as far as the Muhurtham is concerned. The rituals may vary a little in that it will be nice if the Gruhapravesham is done immediately after the Ganapathy Homam in the early morning during the time of Sunrise at that location. Early morning is always supposed to be good or you can go for a good Muhurtham for the purpose by a learned Astrologer. Appropriate offerings should be made to Bhara Devatha and in local temples also, before Gruhapravesham.

Usually the Pooja is arranged in front of the house towards one side, by the Sthapathy (Moothassari). It is nice that no one should be at the house when the family first enters into the house. It is well and good if it is possible to go round the house (Pradikshanam / circumambulate) once by the members of the family, headed by the lady of the house carrying the lighted lamp in both hands, obtained from the Sthapathy, after giving him the 'Sampradaya Dakshina', accompanied by the man of the house with the treasure chest in his hand, followed by other members of the family, with milk and pot, water-pot (Kumbhakudam) etc. Using the right leg, they should enter the house, and the lighted lamp should be placed at the North-East corner of the room, where they entered first. From the same lamp, the lady of the house can ignite the hearth in the kitchen, for boiling the milk. Afterwards, the milk should be given to all present at the function. The workers or laborers should be paid first, tips as a token of indebtedness towards them for having built the house for the family. It is advisable to give a lime along with a betel leaf to everyone irrespective of those with gifts.

In either case, whether it is Gruharambham or Gruhapravesham, you should be present on the spot on the second day, to avoid the so called 'Vischithi dosham'. You should stay and sleep over the night on the second day also in your new house.

Your Home is a 'Devalayam'; the man there is the Chief Deity, the lady of the house-hold is the Goddess, and the children are Upa Devathas. This concept will bring prosperity to your Home. Whatever you have, belongs to God; you are only a Caretaker. Do all unto Him with full Providence and Dharma. “Dharmo rakshathy, rakshitha”- Dharma, when protected, protects the follower. The End.

[Housewarming Kerala Style - Simplified (Part 1)]

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Thank you Mr.M.P.R.Nair for submitting this post. You can also submit any Hinduism related articles to be published here , through the YOUR CONTENT page.

Happy Onam

ഓം നമോ നാരായണായ

ഓണാശംസകള്‍ 

Housewarming Kerala Style - Simplified (Part 1)

House warming ceremony or Gruhapravesham or 'Palukachu' in Malayalam, is done after the construction of a house, which is mostly based on a Muhurtha (Auspicious time) for Gruharambham.

At the outset, a Muhurtha is got prescribed by a learned Astrologer for beginning the construction of the house (Gruharambha Muhurtham). Of course, it is nice if you resort to a ‘Daivadheenam' (God's blessings), through a Horary (Prasna) by a learned Astrologer, even before purchasing the land for constructing your Home/ Flat. You can verify with the Astrologer whether the land is suitable for making a Home for you and whether you can go ahead with the work of construction without any hindrance or the like things. Usually people will say that you should not begin such things when there is a fully pregnant woman waiting for child birth in your house or a very pretty old one is bed-ridden at that time.

The following 18 Nakshathras - Moolam, Makam, Rohini, Makayiram, Chathayam, Punartham, Pooyam, Uthram, Atham, Chithira, Uthradam, Thiruvonam, Avittam, Uthrittathy, Revathy, Ashwathy, Chothy, Anizham - are supposeed to be good for Gruharambham. Usually we do not take the 3rd, 5th and 7th Nakshathras from ours for all auspicious things. Of course, there are some exceptions for certain particular Nakshathras, which the Astrologer will tell you at that time. The Malayalam months like Mithunam, Karkkadakam, Kanni, Dhanu and Meenam are avoided for Gruharambham. You should never go for it, when the Sun is transiting through Karthika Nakshathram. There should not be Mars in the 8th house from the Muhurtha Lagna. The 4th house should be clean; no malefic is allowed there. Also avoid Sun in the Muhurtha Rasi.

The most important item in Gruharambham is laying the foundation stone or 'Adisthanashila'. It is called the 'Shilasthapanam'. So, it should be done exactly at the prescribed time for Gruharambham. Many people do a 'Bhoomipooja', before laying the foundation stone. Some are seen getting that stone blessed from their 'Ishta Devatha' Temple. Arranging a small pooja on the spot is very welcome, seeking the blessings of Lord Ganapathy and other Devathas, including Vastu. The excavation for foundation can be done little earlier to laying the first stone. But, it is a custom and almost a belief that at the time of the excavation for foundation, Bhoomi pooja can be done. The excavation should be started from the North-East corner (Eshana cone) of the plot and the Bhoomi pooja also should be arranged to be done at that part. Before starting excavation, usually a fresh stump from a jackfruit tree or from a tree having sap, is fixed first exactly at the NE corner. It is from that stump, string is connected to those at the other corners, to ear mark the area for excavation for the proposed house. Some people use the Muhurtha for Gruharambham for fixing this stump. It is not correct. The Muhurtha should be used for laying the foundation stone. Of course you can use a good time for fixing the stump also, just before laying the stone. You need avoid Rahukalam, Gulikakalam and Yamakandakalam, which are readily available in every Calendar. 

[Housewarming Kerala Style - Simplified (PART 2) ]

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Thank you Mr.M.P.R.Nair for submitting this post. You can also submit any Hinduism related articles to be published here , through the YOUR CONTENT page.