Thursday, March 12, 2015

"Health And Fitness" - An Integrated Part Of Sanathan Dharma

Who is not worried about health these days? It is a well known fact that we all have concerns about various things that pose hazard to our health and quality lifestyle (not in materialistic terms). Pollution in everything, junk foods, excessive usage of pesticides in  farming, stress, irregular eating and sleeping, lack of physical activity, addiction to technology and what not?  This list can go extensive and the impact of these in our health is severe . 







No one can deny the fact of scientific advancements in the field of medicine, but, at the same time, we have to quietly admit the fact that most of us rely on a bunch of pills to maintain our health after mid forties.... Just a handful of people are aware of this and take good care of their health with careful selection of food and aggressive work outs while others give it a thought only when they make an appointment with the doctor. 





In today's post, let us see how health and fitness form an integrated part of spiritualism. Sanathan Dharma, called as "eternal way of life" rather than a religion, stresses the importance of health and it realizes the fact that good health is extremely important for any kind of progress.




QUICK VIEW :



Key conceptHealth and fitness in Sanathan dharma
Spiritual concepts
discussed 		Rules regarding trees and rivers, waking up early in the month of margazhi, why not to place head in the north direction while sleeping
Main ideas behind the above concepts To keep the environment fresh and clean ,keep water sources pollution free, make best use of ozone layer and Earth's magnetic field for enhanced health benefits.
Health & FitnessAyurveda and health, Fitness through rituals like sandhyavandanam, angapradakshin, thoppukaranam, yoga and meditation.





Spiritual concepts/thoughts with hidden health benefits :


Let us examine few basic rituals, rules or what so ever, behind Hindu traditions that has hidden health benefits in them. Basically they are given as orders to be followed and when not followed, are considered as sins. But what is the main idea behind such rigid rules? It is none other than our good health and we ourselves can realize it if we analyze them deeply. 

Cutting green trees : 




It is a great sin to cut green trees. The simple reason behind this is, green trees produce more oxygen and that is good for environment and all living beings. 


Holy Thirtha (rivers) : 




Rivers (Thirtha) are considered very holy and strict rules are imposed to use them judiciously. Manu smrithi talks about the various rules to be followed while bathing in rivers. Hells are prescribed for people who pollute rivers. Again the ideology behind this is to keep the natural water source pollution free. 




Margazhi worship:


It is very auspicious to visit temples in early morning during this month. Making colorful rangolis (kolam) are also stressed. The scientific reason here is that the ozone layer is lowered a bit in this month and breathing fresh air in early morning gives extensive health benefits.





Sleeping with head in north direction :


It is strictly advised that we should not sleep with the head facing north direction. Why? Earth's magnetic pole is stretched from north to south with positive pole at north and negative in south. In similar way, human body also has a magnetic stretch with positive pole at the head and negative one at the feet. It is a basic idea that opposite poles attract and same poles repel.  When we lay our heads in north, the two positive poles repel. Since Earth has a greater magnetic force, we tend to wake up with head ache or heaviness in head. 




Ayurveda and Health :




Ayurveda is a traditional medicine native to Indian sub continent. The origins of Ayurveda are attributed to Atharva veda which contains 114 hymns and incantations described as magical cures for diseases. 



According to Ayurveda, every human being is a creation of cosmos with five basic elements. Hence it is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between mind body and spirit.




Ayurveda uses a holistic approach to health and healing and diet forms an important role. Please refer my earlier post "You are what you eat - the science of food" for diet in Ayurveda. Since Ayurveda is an extensive topic, it needs to be discussed separately and I will try to present an article on this soon. Please go through the following images and links to know more about Ayurveda and health.









Rituals and fitness : 


Though we have many items to discuss under this topic, taking into consideration the length of this post, I have summarized only a few here. We have almost forgotten the ancient traditions and we rarely follow them now. Hence, we need to spend time for fitness separately these days, which was once available as a part and parcel of everyday life. 


Sandhyavandanam :





Please go through the following link for the health benefits of this ritual...

Ankapradakshan :


It is a full body workout. It is typically done in temples as a form of prayer.
http://blog.ishtadevata.com/pradakshina.html

Thoppukaranam :


What we once did involuntarily to Lord Ganesha, has become famous "super brain yoga" now. I have written a separate article on this already and hence not writing much here. Please take a look.....








http://www.superbrainyoga.com.au/SuperBrainYoga.htm
http://qahs.eq.edu.au/superbrain-yoga-a-simple-exercise-to-maximize-brain-power/

Walking to hill temples :


Temples were constructed on hills for few reasons.  Hills provide fresh air. Even now, doctors prescribe staying in hill stations for certain kinds of illness. Next, most importantly, in those days when transportation was not available, only way to reach the temple was by walking. That provided an excellent source of exercise. Now a days we do hiking as an exercise and sometimes for fun. The same idea is achieved here in the form of devotion. Even now, some devotees go to such hill temples by walk, again as a form of prayer.




Yoga and meditation :


Do I need to tell about Yoga and meditation? The benefits of them are now universally known.  They were once incorporated as an everyday ritual. Patanjali, is considered the traditional compiler of yoga sutras. He is only the compiler and the techniques were in existence even before him. He organized them in eight steps (called as ashtanga yoga) namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. Let us take a quick view of health benefits of yoga and meditation.














I hope I have summarized the main points. Thank you all for reading. Let the Almighty give all of us better health and prosperity.
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Monday, March 9, 2015

AUM - The Sound Of Universe

The mystic sound "AUM" which is also called as "Omkara" and "Pranava" and typically mentioned as "OM" is the supreme syllable and symbol of Sanathan Dharma. It is a sacred incantation to be intoned at the beginning and end of reading Vedas and also prior to any Mantra.  Hence it is also known as the root mantra and bija (seed) mantra. No one can ever tell the complete meaning of this by just words. Rather it has to be realized and felt by one's own personal experience. As a very average human being, I do not consider myself "fit" to explain about this supreme mantra. I am submitting this post with great humility, care and caution. Please accept my humble apologies in case of any mistakes or errors. I have collected data over many sources and as usual will provide links and references wherever needed. considering the nature of the article, I have not added quick view.








Explanation As Per Mandukya Upanishad : 



The syllable "AUM" has been explained by many scholars and many texts. But there is an Upanishad which talks only about this supreme syllable and that is "Mandukya Upanishad". It consists of just twelve verses expounding this mystic syllable. The explanation according to this Upanishad is given below as it is :

  • "This syllable "AUM" is this whole universe. What was and is and is yet to be - All of it is "AUM" and whatever else the three times transcends - That too is "AUM"
  • "The self is Brahman. The self has four quarters. The first quarter is the waking state, conscious. The second one is the state of dream. The state of deep sleep is the third quarter and the fourth one being ultimate bliss devoid of duality.
  • "The syllable "AUM" signifies the above four quarters (or) stages of self."


"A" -  The waking state, common to all men, is the first letter A. It signifies "Apti" (obtaining) or "Adimattva" (what is in the beginning). He who knows this obtains all his desires and becomes the beginning.

"U" - The state of dream, composed of light is the second letter U. It signifies "Utkarsa" (exaltation) or "Ubhayatva" (partaking of both). He who knows this exalts the continuum of knowledge and becomes like (Brahman).

"M" The state of deep sleep, the wise, is the third letter M. It signifies "Miti" (building up) or "Apiti" (absorption). He who knows this builds up the whole universe in very deed and is abosrbed (into it).

The fourth quarter (or) stage is beyond all letters. There can be commerce with it. It brings all development to an end. It is mild and devoid of duality. Such is "AUM" the very self indeed. He who knows this merges of his own accord (atmana) into the self.





Hindu scriptures - By Dominic Goodall

AUM is also represented as divine energy unified in its three elementary aspects : Brahma (creation), representing A, Vishnu (preservation), representing U and Shiva (liberation/destruction), representing M.




"AUM" and its vibrations :



Cymatics, the study of visible sound co vibration have researched and presented some stunning images and videos about the vibration of the sound "AUM'.  Please take a look.....






Wave front formations in a drop of water (video) :






Cymatic imagery of sacred chant recorded inside the Great Pyramid (video) :







Each syllable in AUM creates vibrations in different parts of the body. "A" in abdomen, "U" in throat and "M" in brain.




Effects of  chanting "AUM" :


















Can Women Chant "AUM"?


It is generally said that chanting "AUM" mantra alone produces more body heat which can affect the reproductory system of a women. Hence women (especially pregnant women) are not advised to chant this mantra as such. But they can chant other mantras preceded by AUM.







Sound of cosmos : 


AUM is said to be the primordial sound that was present at the creation of the Universe. It is the cosmic sound of the vibrating Universe. Quantum physics also agrees that vibration (sound) is the essence of all forms of creation. Almost all sounds have the rhythm of AUM in it. It represents the primal energy in its fullest from creation to eventual destruction.

Everything physical in this Universe is a manifestation of vibrational waves. The primordial vibrations of atoms and molecules are thus represented by AUM.


References :


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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

"Gotra" - Genetic Science Of The Ancient Period

I am here today with yet another interesting topic, the concept of "Gotra" in Hinduism. Most of us would have heard this word especially during marriage proposals. Yes.... It is a very important component in Hindu marriage system and it is strongly advised that two people of the same gotra should not marry. Ever wondered why such a rigid condition is kept? Genetics...... yes, it is all about genetics and genealogy. It is a bit complicated subject but I have tried my best to present it in the best possible way I can.



QUICK VIEW :



Key conceptGotra System
Spiritual point of viewOrigin attributed to sages, Different gotras for different sects, Change of gotra for women after marriage, Prevention of same gotra marriages, 
Scientific versionConcept of XY chromosomes, Male lineage and ancestry based on Y chromosome, Rapid degeneration of Y chromosomes, DNA repair, prevention of marriage between cousins
ComparisonsWomen changing gotra after marriage  is due to the importance of Y chromosome. Prevention of same gotra marriages are a way to prevent genetic defects and to maintain and protect healthy Y chromosomes. 


Terminology :


"Go + tra" = Gotra. In sanskrit, "go" means cow. "trahi" means shed. In simple terms "gotra" means "cow shed".  Contextual meaning here is that gotra is human lineage (ancestry) from a particular person (paternal side) in an enclosed way like in the case of cows within enclosure. Gotra is always passed from father to son but not to daughter. When a daughter gets married, she gets the gotra of her husband and there is an amazing scientific reason behind it.





Importance in Marriage :


As mentioned in the introduction, it is an important rule that two people of the same gotra should not marry. Since we have understood the meaning of gotra now, we can clearly know that all persons who have the same gotra have come from the same ancestor. In simple terms two persons having the same gotra are called siblings (sagotra) and this is the main reason behind such prohibition. But.... is that all? No. An impressive answer is awaiting at the end of this post.


Manusmrithi (chapter 3 verses 5 and 6) states that "A damsel who is neither a Sapintha on the mother's side nor belongs to the same family on the fathers side is recommended to twice-born men for wedlock and conjugal union ".  "In connecting himself with a wife, let him carefully avoid the ten following families, be they ever so great or rich in kine, horses, sheep grain or other property".



Modern science also now agrees that marriage between blood relation doubles the risk of birth defects.


List of gotras :


This is a real big list. Different sects (varnas) have different gotras. For instance, the Brahmin lineage comes from 8 sages called "Gotrakarins" who are the seven Saptarishis named Angirasa, Atri, Gautama, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Vasistha, Kutsa + Bharadwaja. Over time, the descendants of these sages (pravara) established their own gotra. As such there are totally 49 gotras today among the Brahmins.





The following links will provide extensive list of gotras of all varnas. Since it is not possible to mention everything in this post, I have substituted it with links.




Why Gotra of women change after marriage but not men?


In the beginning I have mentioned that gotra is always passed on from father to son but not daughter. Hence when a son gets married his gotra doesn't change but a daughter adopts the gotra of her husband after marriage. "Why such a weird concept? Always emphasis is given to men but not women....." such thoughts will come to mind first, but...... is it weird? No.. here comes the amazing science of genetics. 


Let us first see the modern scientific concept of genetics before proceeding further......



Human Genes and Chromosomes :


Chromosomes in humans are divided into two types, autosomes and sex chromosomes. Human cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes (22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes), giving a total of 46 per cell. In each pair one chromosome comes from father and other one from mother. Out of these 23 pairs, it is that one pair of sex chromosomes which decides the gender of the baby.






As the above pictures reveal, it is father who always gives "Y" chromosomes to son. On the other hand, a daughter always gets "X" chromosomes from father. Hence the "Y" chromosomes are always preserved through male lineage generations after generations. Women never get "Y" chromosomes in their body.




Back to the Gotra System :


Modern scientific way of tracking genetics and identifying ancestry is by way of these chromosomes. This same objective is achieved by the Vedic Gotra system. Though the methods are different, concept is the same. For instance, if a person belongs to "Kashyapa Gotra" that means, the "Y" chromosome have come all the way over many thousands of years from the sage Kashyapa. In other words, Gotra system is a way to track the root "Y" chromosome of a person and from whom it originated.

Even if women do not carry "Y" chromosomes, her sons will carry the same from their father which roots back to the same sage (ancestor). It is only because of this reason ("Y" chromosomes) women are adapting the gotra of their husbands' after marriage. There are no words to appreciate the wisdom and foresight of our ancestors who knew all these concepts long long ago.






Prevention of same gotra (sagotra) marriages :


Initially we saw that two persons of the same gotra are considered siblings. But this is not the one and only factor which prevents same gotra marriages. Remember I told that there is an impressive answer? But before going to that, there are few interesting things to know about "Y" chromosomes.


How about men going extinct ?


What???? Really??? Are you kidding?????  I can totally understand that kind of feeling while reading such strange thing. Please watch this video...




And..... these links too....



In detail :



Scientific studies of genetics have suggested that men have lost many genes, "Y" chromosomes, in the past several thousand years. These chromosomes were once thought to be identical far back in the early history of mammals but now the "Y" chromosome now has about 78 genes compared with about 800 in the "X" chromosome. "Y" chromosomes are crucial for the creation and evolution of males and such weakness would create adverse effects. Debates are going on whether it will be able to survive for few million years into the future..... Scientists are working with some alternative plans as well..... But what is the reason for such weakness? In simple words we can state that "marriage within blood relations even after many generations will result in genetic defects thereby shrinking the population of healthy "Y" chromosomes. But a detailed explanation is needed to understand this better. Please go to the following links especially the wikipedia link of "Y" chromosomes to get a deeper idea about this.






Gotra concept - Could it be a vision? 


Okay. Here comes the connection between spiritualism and science. After reading this post in full, we now have an idea about "Y" chromosome and its degeneration. Our gotra concept strictly prevents marriages within the same gotra (gotra is always paternal side). It was once followed very rigidly but gradually it lost its importance. What could be the reason for the Vedic Sages to impose such a rigid rule? Did they already foresee such genetic defects and degeneration of "Y" chromosomes? There is no direct answer to this question. But after a detailed analysis of gotra system and by connecting it with modern day genetics, one can clearly understand that protecting the healthy "Y" chromosomes was the main idea behind this. Since "Y" chromosomes come from men only, paternal side was very much emphasized and a girl is made to change her gotra after marriage. Even after 100 generations, marriage within same gotra will result in defective genes and that is why same gotra marriages were prevented. Taking these points into consideration, we can strongly conclude that "Gotra" system is a great genetic science.



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