SANATHANADHARMA, YET ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE. (By M.P.R.NAIR)

OHM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VASUDEVAYA:     Little Introduction: The entire edifice of Indian philosophical thought, known as ‘Sanathana Dharma’ is founded firmly on Vedas. It is the perennial wisdom of ages. Vedas are the original Scriptures of Hindu teachings, and contain spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of our life, also for the mankind in general. They can be really supposed to be the basic constitution of all religions. Humans did not compose it and hence it is known as ‘apourusheya’. They have stood the test of time. ‘Veda’ means wisdom, knowledge or vision. The laws of Vedas regulate the social, legal, domestic, and religious customs of the Hindus to the present day. All the obligatory duties of the Hindus at birth, marriage, death etc. owe their allegiance to the Vedas. The Vedas are mainly compiled by Vyasa Krishna Dwaipayana around the time of Lord Krishna.Sanathana Dharma, embracing Vedas, draw forth the thought of successive generation of thinkers, and so from time to time according as the situation demands, essential things are added on to it, unnecessary things are made obsolete from it and requisite modifications suitable to the time are brought to it periodically to keep it always new, fresh and most useful to man, without even any damage to its pristine glory. It is handed down through generations by the word of mouth from time immemorial by ‘Mantradrashtas’ or Rishis of the yore, as ordained. It is very strong and everlasting. No one can destroy it. Since it is intended for the well being of all people on the mother Earth, hopefully one day the whole world will accept it, irrespective of caste, creed or color, as a panacea. If the world is to live in peace and prosperity, it is also absolutely essential to propagate and cherish Sanathana Dharma. I believe that as long as Sanathana Dharma is there, nothing will happen to Hinduism, whatever may be done against it by anyone, since they are one and the same. We need not worry much about that, provided we trust, imbibe and follow its doctrines strictly, and put it into practice truly, sincerely and with dedication.Sanathana Dharma has numerous connotations. Literally Sanathana Dharma may mean eternal righteousness. It is really Vedic Dharma. Dharma denotes duty. Dharma also means virtues, righteousness, natural laws, giving alms, sa`th etc. There is also a famous axiom, ‘Dharmo rakshathi, rakshitha’, meaning, one who protects Dharma, is protected by Dharma. “Ahinmsā Paramo Dharma”, meaning, non-violence is the chief of all Dharmas. Any type of cruelty is also considered as Adharma. ‘Dharmam chara’ is used to mean Practice righteousness -- act according to your Dharma. Now, Dharma is a complex word with innumerable meanings.Sanathana Dharma, a perennial philosophy, is supposed to be the breath of Lord, and hence it is natural and ubiquitous and hence people who love Sanathana Dharma, love nature also. It extols love towards God and hence it is Supreme Dharma, by which the heart of man achieves his highest welfare. It is Eternal Faith. It embodies all ancient Hindu Scriptures, and it is Vaidika Dharma, embracing Vedic injunctions. Though it is very vast and exhaustive, at the core of Sanathana Dharma, we can find four fundamental doctrines to follow, namely:-

Lord Vishnu Pooja for safety and happiness

Lord Vishnu is known as the preserver and is always ready to come running to his devotees in times of distress. The following is a simple ritual that can be done by families to maintain their safety, happiness and wealth. In the evening (around sunset), sit in front of a photo of Lord Vishnu and light a lamp. Then sit with your family members and chant the following mantra :

ॐ नमो नारायणाय गोविन्दाय हरे नमो वासुदेवाय कृष्णाय हरी ॐ  

om namo narayanaya govindaya hare namo vasudevaya krishnaya hari om

Place a banana in front of the lamp while chanting this mantra and shower the base of the lamp with flowers after each repetition of the mantra. After the pooja, cut the banana and share it among the family members.

Chant the mantra 108 times, preferably on every thursday. This ritual can be done as a prayer to get Lord Vishnu's blessings for a particular event like a marriage or exam also.In such situations, continue the ritual for 7 consecutive thursdays. 

With the blessings of Lord Vishnu, your family will be safe, healthy and happy always.

Lord Shiva Almost Turns Into Ash

Lord Shiva's anger is well-known. But, Lord Shiva is also said to be easily pleased by his devotees. Hence Lord Shiva is called both 'Kshipra-kopi' and 'Kshipra-prasadhi',i.e quickly angered and quickly pleased. The following is a folktale which shows Lord Shiva being easily pleased and the consequences of it.

Once there was an asura (demon) who was a great dancer. He was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva and used to appease Shiva through his dancing and devotion. The asura wanted to get Lord Shiva's blessings and be able to rule over the earth. With this intention on his mind, the asura started to meditate on Lord Shiva. After many years, Lord Shiva was pleased and appeared before the asura. Lord Shiva asked the asura what boon he would like to have. The asura thought for a while and said that he wanted to make anyone he touches on the centre of the head turn into ash (vibhuti). Lord Shiva granted the asura his boon. As soon as the asura got the power from the boon, he said that he wanted to test his powers on Lord Shiva itself. Lord Shiva was stunned for a while and then ran from there. The asura pursued Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva ran ahead and went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu took the form of 'Mohini' , a beautiful damsel, and went towards the asura. The asura was mesmerized by the beauty of Mohini and got distracted from his aim of pursuing Lord Shiva. The asura told Mohini that he wanted to marry her. Mohini replied that she would agree to marry him if he would defeat her in a dance contest. The asura readily agreed and they started dancing. During the contest, Mohini cunningly made a pose in which her hand was touching the centre of her head. Being lost in the urge to marry Mohini, the asura also imitated the same pose and ended up as ash due to his own power. Thus Lord Shiva escaped from bearing the consequence of his own boon.

Durga Devi Mantra For Increasing Love

Durga Devi is a manifestation of strong emotions. Devi in her form/avatar as Durga is considered extremely powerful, yet also infinitely loving. The following is a simple yet powerful mantra of Durga Devi that can be used to increase love among family members, spouses, etc.

Om Tryambake Mahadevi Mahamaye Maheshwari

Repeat the above mantra 360 times daily for 11 consecutive days. Start chanting after bathing in the morning and sit in front of a lamp after lighting it's east and west facing threads. 

Why Is Astrology Not Accurate ?

Astrology is a divine science that has a mix of mathematical calculations and a divine instinct from the part of the astrologer.  Lord Murugan is often considered as the lord of astrology. There is an interesting folktale which tells why astrology isn't hundred percent accurate.

Once Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi were telling Lord Murugan about time and it's uncertainty. Lord Murugan told Lord Shiva that he was aware of a way to predict the future. Lord Shiva was pleased and asked Murugan to predict Lord Shiva's future. Lord Murugan told Lord Shiva about Astrology and said that according to it, Lord Shiva would prove his supremacy over Lord Brahma. Lord Shiva was greatly impressed.But, Lord Murugan added, Lord Shiva also had the fate to roam the earth as a beggar. Lord Shiva was greatly angered by this and cursed that Astrology would only be half true from then on. But, Lord Shiva himself was unable to overcome his fate and had to roam the earth as a beggar eventually.