Thamboolam - Amazing Medicinal Qualities Hidden Behind This Simple Ritual

Exploring the science behind Sanatan Dharma traditions and rituals have come a long way these days. Gone are the days when we said that all these are mere superstition. Of course, we cannot deny the fact that even now, there are people who say that these are superstitions. But, the awareness to know the reasons behind such rituals have increased among people. Nowadays, they are trying to search for logical answers to their questions regarding spiritual rituals and as long as they get convincing answers, they are happy to take them. The motive of this blog is an attempt in that direction. I try my best to bring out the logical and scientific reasons behind Sanatan Dharma rituals. But the credit for today's topic goes to one of my friends, Rajeswari, who asked me to find out the significance of Thamboolam, that we offer during any pooja, festival or family functions. Thanks to her for suggesting such a wonderful topic,  I am amazed to see the information I got, when I went in search to gather more details about this ritual. Now I see betel leaf from a very different perspective. I am sharing the same with you today......

We offer Thamboolam during many occasions. During a Puja, we offer it to the invoked deity, as a part of Shodasa Upachara. Please click this link to know more about this 16 fold worship :

http://connectsciencetodivinity.blogspot.com/2015/09/invoking-deity-during-puja.html

During marriage and other special occasions, we offer thamboolam to guests. We also offer the same when we host a feast.

Thamboolam basically refers to Betel leaf, nut and lime (chunnambu), when we talk in the context  of food. But during a Puja or when we offer the same to guests during wedding and other special occasions, we also add fruits (bananas), coconut, flowers and turmeric. Let us explore these items individually from spiritual and scientific perspective, as applicable. This will give us a better understanding.

Significance of Betel Leaf :

In India, Betel leaf is associated with Goddess Lakshmi. The center part is considered to be the seat of Lakshmi and hence it is considered a sin to chew the center part. The tip of the betel leaf stands for longevity and the base portion for fame.

Betel leaves are good source of Vitamin B and Carotene. It is packed with anti-oxidants and aids in good digestion. The leaf produces an aromatic volatile oil containing a phenol called chavicol which has powerful antiseptic properties. Betel leaves are given to women after childbirth to increase secretion of milk.  Other traditional uses of betel leaves are given below :

Betel leaf in Ayurveda :

In Ayurveda, the importance of betel leaf has been mentioned in many texts including Chakra Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. In Ayurveda, there are three doshas called vatha, pitha and kapha. Betel leaves pacify Kapha and Vatha dosha while increasing Pitha dosha. These leaves are prescribed for various reasons....

• Enhancing metabolic functions 
• Expelling mucus
• Treating ulcer
• Improving appetite
• Strengthening the heart muscles 
• Reducing inflammation
• Purifying blood
• Treating bronchitis
• Treating bleeding gums

Significance of Betel Nut (Areca Catechu) :

Before proceeding with the uses of Betel Nut, I would like to mention a word of caution. Betel nut should not be taken alone, as it will cause anemia and intoxication. Excessive usage of the same will even result in oral cancer. Careful selection of betel nut should be employed. Unripe nut, much ripened nut, dampened nut, insects laden nuts with holes are to be avoided. Fresh, tender and immature nuts should not be consumed. When properly selected nut is chewed along with betel leaf and lime, it provides many health benefits. It removes Phlegm (Kapham) and relieves constipation. It increases the flow of saliva, strengthens the gums and sweetens the breath. It destroys the germs and cures hemorrhoids. 

Significance of Lime (Chunnambu) :

Lime is a good source for calcium and it is used along with betel leaf and nut. It should not be consumed in excess as it will cause oral ulcers, burning sensation of stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. Lime is obtained from many sources, but the most important among them is from lime stone. It is purified by soaking in lemon juice and then prepared for use. The lime is considered to neutralize the astringent effect of the acid nut. Using the lime stone variety aids in the digestion of food. It strengthens the teeth. Using the pearl lime cures chronic diarrhea, phlegm, worms and diseases of the stomach.

Significance of Coconut :

Coconut is always used in temples as offering and in various pujas. The reason being it has great spiritual significance. Let us explore some of them. We always use seeds to plant trees. But for growing a coconut tree, we need to use the whole coconut. It is pure as it is not tasted by anyone with the seed remaining, It also symbolizes selfless service. Every part of the tree is used in many ways. It even converts the water taken from earth into sweet nutritious water that is beneficial in many ways. Breaking of coconut symbolizes breaking of one's own ego. The three eyes in the coconut represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva. The following links provide a good idea about the spiritual importance of coconut...

http://www.sanskritimagazine.com/rituals_and_practices/importance-and-significance-of-coconut/
http://www.metaphysics-knowledge.com/miscellaneous/coconut-hindu-puja-rituals.html/

Coconut has many health benefits. It helps to lower cholesterol, improve digestion, increase metabolism, fight infections, build cells, kill bacteria any many more. Please go through the following links to know the detailed health benefits of coconut, coconut water and coconut oil.


http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/
https://www.coconutsecret.com/coconuthealthsecrets2.html
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/13-evidence-based-medicinal-properties-coconut-oil
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/health_benefits_of_coconut_coconut_oil_coconut_milk_coconut_water_coconut_flour

Significance of turmeric :

Turmeric has been used for many thousands of years in India and is known for its antibiotic properties. Spiritually, it is considered very auspicious and denotes purity, fertility and prosperity. Due to its yellow-orange color, it is associated with the Sun. It is also associated with Chakras called energy centers. Yellow is the color of Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura), and Orange is the color of Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana). Turmeric is widely used in all religious rituals, as it is believed to be the cleanser of the Subtle body.

Health benefits of Turmeric :

The health benefits of turmeric are innumerable. It has always been used in Sidha and Ayurvedic medicine. Even the modern medicine acknowledges the health benefits of turmeric. Take a look at some of the amazing benefits of turmeric.

https://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/turmeric-healing-spice
http://vedicpath.com/Articles/Turmeric.html
http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/students/turmeric
http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/students/turmeric


I hope this article provides good insight about the various ingredients of thamboolam. But the important point to note is that, it has to be consumed in the prescribed way and in prescribed quantities only. Excessive consumption may cause adverse effects overcoming the medicinal qualities. Thank you all for reading.....

References :

http://www.academia.edu/5493884/Effects_of_Consumption_of_Thamboolam_Conventional_Betel_Chewing_in_Traditional_Siddha_Medicine
http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/health-benefits-paan-betel-leaves-po0115/
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/220004932_Antibacterial_Activity_of_Ethanol_Extract_of_Betel_leaf_(Piper_betle_L.)_Against_some_Food_Borne_Pathogens
http://www.chennailivenews.com/Religion/Meaningful%20Hinduism/20101030101021/Significance-of-betel-leaf.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3892533/

Vishnu Sahasranama - Part 9 - 1000 Names - (verses 41-50 ; covers 375 - 475 Names

Verses 41-45 - Hear youtube video for practice from 12.57 - 13.43  

Udbhavah (375) Kshobhano (376) Devah (377) Shriigarbhah (378) Parameshvarah (379)
Karanam (380) Kaaranam (381) Kartaa (382) Vikartaa (383) Gahano (384) Guhah (385)  - 41

375. Udbhavah - Remover of samsara bondage
376. Kshobhano - One who mixes (prakruthi and jeeva) during creation
377. Devah - Player (one who plays the game of creation and destruction)
378. Shriigarbhah - One who is the cause of (Lakshmi's) womb
379. Parameshvarah - The supreme ruler
380. Karanam - The means for the senses
381. Kaaranam - The cause for the functioning of senses
382. Kartaa - The agent for all happiness and sadness in humans
383. Vikartaa - One who is not changed (touched) by happiness or sadness
384. Gahano - Very deep
385. Guhah - Savior

Vyavasaayo (386) Vyavasthaanah (387) Samsthaanah (388) Sthaanado (389) Dhruvah (390)
Paraardvih (391) Paramaspastah (392) Tushhtah (393) Pushhtah (394) Subhekshanah (395)  - 42

386, Vyavasaayo - One who has resolute mind
387. Vyavasthaanah - The basis for segments of time
388. Samsthaanah - The final end for everything
389. Sthaanado - One who gave the supreme abode to Dhruva
390. Dhruvah - One who is indestructible
391. Paraardvih - One who possesses admirable qualities
392. Paramaspastah - One who explicitly shows his greatness
393. Tushhtah - One who is extremely happy (to be born as Dasaratha's son)
394. Pushhtah - One who is full of noble qualities
395. Subhekshanah - One who has auspicious (mangala) eyes

Raamo (396) Viraamo (397) Viradho maargo (398) Neyo (399) Nayo (400) Anayah (401)
Veerah (402) Shaktimataam shreshtah (403) Dharmo (404) Dharmaviduthamah (405)  - 43

396. Raamo - Delights everyone
397. Viraamo - Makes enemies powerless
398. Viradho maargo - One who shows faultless paths
399. Neyo - One who is obedient to Rishis (In Rama avatar)
400. Nayo - One who protected Rishis (In Rama avatar)
401. Anayah - Cannot be spirited away  (by enemies)
402. Veerah - Valiant (to enemies)
403. Shaktimataam shreshtah - Greater than the powerful Devas
404. Dharmo - One who is Dharma himself
405. Dharmaviduthamah - One who is greater than the dharma conscious Rishis

Vaikunthah (406) Purushhah (407) Praanah (408) Praanadah (409) Pranavah (410) Prithuh (411)
Hiranyagarbhah (412) Shatrughno (413) Vyaapto (414) Vaayur (415) Adhokshajah (416)  - 44

406. Vaikunthah - Removes obstacles of devotees and offers "vaikuntha" for them
407. Purusshah - Purifier of all sins
408. Praanah - Life breath
409. Praanadah - Giver of life
410. Pranavah - The auspicious "AUM"
411. Prithuh - Well known (famous)
412. Hiranyagarbhah - Golden womb
413. Shatrughno - One who helps (devotees) to control their senses
414. Vyaapto - Shows unbiased love to devotees
415. Vaayur - Moves like wind
416. Adhokshajah - Not diminished

Rituh (417) Sudharshanah (418) Kaalah (419) Parameshhthii (420) Parigrahah (421)
Ugrah (422) Samvatsaro (423) Daksho (424) Vishraamo (425) Vishva-dakshinah (426)  - 45

417. Rituh - Seasons
418. Sudharshanah - One who attracts everyone with good darshan
419. Kaalah - Time
420. Parameshhthii - One who dwells in supreme abode (Vaikuntha)
421. Parigrahah - One who accepts everyone
422. Ugrah - Frightening to enemies of dharma
423. Samvatsaro - One who resides with Aadisesha holding weapons (during destruction)
424. Daksho - Quick destroyer (of enemies)
425. Vishraamo - Resting abode to those tired beings
426. Vishva-dakshinah - Lovable. Sincere to all beings irrespective of their good or bad nature

Verses 46-50 - Hear youtube video for practice from 13.43 - 14.29  

Vistaarah (427) Sthaavarah sthaanuh (428) Pramaanam (429) Biijamavyayam (430)
Artho (431) Anarto (432) Mahaakosho (433) Mahabhogo (434) Mahaadhanah (435)  - 46

427. Vistaarah - Spreads out (Krithayuga after destroying kaliyuga)
428. Sthaavarah sthaanuh -  Becomes peaceful after establishing dharma as kalki avatar
429. Pramaanam - The authority of dharma
430. Biijamavyayam - Imperishable (primordial) seed
431. Artho - The goal which devotees always require
432. Anartho - One who is not searched by ill minded people
433. Mahaakosho - One who possesses nine kinds of wealth (Navanidhi)
434. Mahabhogo - One who grants great enjoyment
435. Mahaadhanah - Possesses imperishable wealth

Anirvinnah (436) Sthavishhto (437) Abhoor (438) Dharma-yuupo (439) Mahaa makhah (440)
Nakshatranemir (441) Nakshatree (442) Kshamah (443) Kshaamah (444) Sameehanah (445)  - 47

436. Anirvinnah - Never discouraged (in reforming people)
437. Sthavishhto - Immense
438. Abhoor - One who holds earth and sky
439. Dharma-yuupo - Always united with dharma like how head is united with body
440. Mahaa makhah - Has yagna and sacrifices as his body
441. Nakshatranemir - One who makes stars to revolve in sky
442. Nakshatree -  One who is the cause for the existence of stars
443. Kshamah - Patiently holds the entire universe
444. Kshaamah - One who makes the stars to diminish to only four during pralaya
445. Sameehanah - One who establishes people in their respective dharma after creation

Yagya (446) Ijyo (447) Mahejyashcha (448) Kratuh (449) Satram (450) Sataam gatih (451)
Sarvadarshee (452) Vimuktaatmaa (453) Sarvagyo (454) Gyaanamuttamam (455)  - 48

446. Yagya - He himself is the yagna and its benefits
447. Ijyo - Worshiped in the form of Indra and Devas by those who desire wealth
448. Mahejyashcha - Directly worshiped by devotees who desire him
449. Kratuh - Object of worship in "kratuh"
450. Satram - Object of worship in "Satra yagna"
451. Sataam gatih - The final abode for those who controlled all senses
452. Sarvadarshee - Seer of all dharmas
453. Vimuktaatmaa - Free and liberated soul
454. Sarvagyo - One who knows his indestructible greatness very well
455. Gyaanamuttamam - Passed the greatest knowledge

Suvratah (456) Sumukhah (457) Suukshmah (458) Sugoshaah (459) Sukhadah (460) Suhrit (461)
Manoharo (462) Jita-krodho (463) Viirabaahur (464) Vidaaranah (465)  - 49

456. Suvratah - Good vows
457. Sumukhah - Sweet face
458. Suukshmah - Subtle truth
459. Sugoshaah - One who is praised through the sounds of Upanishads
460. Sukhadah - One who grants everlasting bliss
461. Suhrit - Good hearted
462. Manoharo - Extraordinarily beautiful
463. Jita-krodho - Helps devotees to overcome desire and anger
464. Viirabaahur - Powerful arms
465. Vidaaranah - One who cuts sins (Refers to cutting "Rahu")

Svaapanah (466) Svavasho (467) Vyaapee (468) Naikaatmaa (469) Naikakarmakrit (470)
Vatsaro (471) Vatsalo (472) Vatsee (473) Ratnagarbho (474) Dhaneshvarah (475)  - 50

466. Svaapanah - Lulls to sleep (in Mohini avatar)
467. Svavasho - Felt happy with Devas (in Mohini avatar)
468. Vyaapee - All pervader
469. Naikaatmaa - Many forms
470. Naikakarmakrit - One who does many actions
471. Vatsaro - One who dwells in everyone
472. Vatsalo - Affectionate to those who surrender themselves
473. Vatsee - Has many children (Jivas)
474. Ratnagarbho - One who possess all kinds of Gems (Rathna)
475. Dhaneshvarah - One who immediately grants the desired wealth

Invoking A Deity During Puja

This is festival season. Janmashtami is already over but many more to follow in coming days. For each festival, we perform some kind of Puja. Each Puja is different, but there are few steps which are common for every Puja. In this article, we are going to know about "Shodasa Upachara" which is also called as 16 step worship. All of us perform these steps during Puja but obviously most of us do not know its meaning or what does it talk about. Let us explore more.....

By Saravana Raja R (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The puja process is very similar to inviting a guest to our house. When we want a guest to come home, we formally invite them first. Then, when they visit, we allow them to refresh, then offer beverages and food. In olden days, these methods were even more elaborate. Similarly, during Puja, in these 16 steps, we invoke the deity and offer him various Upacharas. Take a look....

I am not including any mantras here because, for each puja, there will be variations in mantras even though these steps are common. 

1. Dhyanam :

This is the first step. Each Puja has a different deity. By telling the respective sloka, we meditate upon the deity with its full form.

2. Aawaahanam :

In this step, we formally invite the deity for the puja, by chanting the respective verse. If the deity is a male God, then we say "Devesa" ; for a female Goddess, we say "Devesi".

2.a. Praana Prathishta :  

We all have idols for puja. In this step, we are giving life to that idol enrgizing). We can say that we are merging the formless God in the physical idol.

3. Aasanam :

The invited guest is here. So what do we do first ? We given them a seat right? That's what we do here. By chanting the mantras, we offer a seat (Aasana) to the deity.

4. Paadhyam :

In our tradition, we always say "Aditi Devo Bhava", which means we treat guests as God. Hence, in olden days, we used to wash the guest's feet with water. Similarly, here, by chanting the sloka, we wash the feet of deity with water.

5. Arghyam :

In this step, by chanting the respective sloka, we offer water to the deity for washing hands.

5.a. Aachamaneeyam :

We always offer water for guests to drink. Likewise, after giving water for washing feet and hands, now we offer water for the deity to drink.

6. Snaanam :

We give the deity a bath by chanting the corresponding mantra. This is a kind of Abisheka and we do it with many things (according to the availability of supplies) like, milk, curd, honey, panchamritha , water, etc.

7. Vasthra :

After a bath, we give the deity clothes (vasthra) to wear. We also offer various ornaments (as per convenience and availability)

8. Yagnopaveetham :

This is when we offer the sacred thread (Poonal) to the deity by chanting the respective sloka.

9. Gandham :

This step involves applying chandan paste to the idol. 

10. Pushpam :

We offer various flowers and garlands to the deity. All these are done for decorating the deity.

11. Dhoopam :

We light the incense sticks and show the same to the deity

12. Deepam :

Usually, God resides in Garbhagraha, a dark place in temples. Hence to make the deity visible to the devotees, deeparathana is done. Similarly, here, after giving the deity a bath, clothes, ornaments, flowers and fragrances to wear and decorate, we highlight the deity by showing deepa to the idol.

13. Naivedhyam :

By chanting mantras, we offer various prasatha that are made specifically for the puja. Typically, we are offering food for the deity (guest) to eat.

14. Thamboolam :

After food, we always offer betel leaves and nuts to guests. This is generally referred as thamboolam. Though it has a lot of spiritual significance, the basic idea is to aid in better digestion. Similarly, after feeding the deity, we offer thamboolam by chanting slokas.

15. Neeraajanam :

This is nothing but Aarthi. We light camphor and show it to the deity with utmost devotion and thereby get the blessings. After this, we do Pradakshina and Namaskar, just to imply that we are surrendering ourselves to the deity.

16.  Mantra Pushpam :

Fianlly, we say this famous Vedic chanting called "Mantra pushpam". For the detailed meaning and text, click the following link.  To get a quick idea, watch this youtube clip.

http://connectsciencetodivinity.blogspot.com/2015/04/mantra-pushpam-chants-from-yajurveda.html

All Five Senses Activated During Puja :

All our five senses are actively engaged during a Puja. Hearing is activated by mantras, slokas and by ringing the puja bell. Smell is activated by incense sticks, flowers, sandal etc. Touch is activated by applying various substances to the idol. Sight is activated by deeparaathana and aarthi. Taste is activated by the food we prepared as prashad. All our five senses are blended together towards one concentrated point. Imagine how fantastic and peaceful, the puja experience will be, if we perform it with full realization of what we are doing... Have a great Puja year ahead.