Ode to the Peepal Tree

Thou art in rythm with the universe,
Abounding in nobility, compassion and wisdom.
You live true to your mission,
the mission of helping others.

We use every moral fibre of your soul,
Still you stand tall grazing the azure sky.
What an original creation,
You personify the Buddha Nature

Thou art insentient full of divine consciousness!!

10 Dec 2008 Goddess MaaKali Temple Visit

Peepal tree at the temple

On Lord Shiva's special day (a day most suited for propitiating him-pradosham), I visited a temple dedicated to the Goddess MaaKali, it also houses a spatika(quartz) Lingam.This is located in Anna Nagar 4th Main road chennai. Every temple houses a Sthala Vriksham(a temple tree). Being a tree hugger I just love the concept of temple tree! "Hindus associate the tree with the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu being reputed to have been born under a Peepul, which is therefore Vishnu himself in the form of a tree."Women tie a yellow thread around the bark of the tree for their wishes to be fulfilled.The message of conservation has beautifully been woven in to this milieu.This temple also houses a Peepal tree(Sacred Fig)( Ficus religiosa).It is called Arasa Maram in tamil.Women generally go around the tree to worship it. Again it proves to be very beneficial because of the copious supply of oxygen.It is such a mood uplifter and a good form of exercise.What a beautiful metaphor. Buddha also attained enlightenment under the peepal tree.

10 Dec 2008 Pradosham (Triodashi starts on Wed 10dec 4.40 am and ends 11 Dec 3.45 am)

Pradhosha pooja is one of the most important among the poojas performed to the Graceful Lord Shiva. "In Shukla Paksha (15 moon days from New moon to Full moon) and Krishna Paksha (15 moon days from Full moon to New moon) the evening of the trayodasi (thirteenth moon day) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosha. It comes once in fifteen moon days. Pradhosha time is especially meant for appeasing Lord Shiva. Praying in that time will free us from our sins and grant us salvation(hence the name Pradhosha). During pradosham a special type of circumambulation called soma sutra pradashinam is done."

I have decided to go to a shiva temple this evening. The speciality of this Pradosham is that its falling in the month of Iypasi.The triodasi period is from dawn to the next day dawn called Uthama Pradhosham.This (triodasi time period) is according to the site http://www.pradosham.com/ .The current moon phase is waxing gibbous and is 92% full. In tamil its called Valar Pirai. For more moon phases visit http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/. This Pradosham is falling on a Wednesday hence worship benefits incude good children ,knowledge and education.During Prodhosha time anointing (Abhishekam) the Shiva deity with the following is considered fruitful.
Milk gives long life
Ghee gives Moksha state
Curd gives good children
Honey gives melodious voice
Rice powder frees from debts
Sugar cane juice gives good health
Panjamrutham gives wealth
Lemon removes fear of death
Sugar removes enmity
Tender coconut gives enjoyment
Cooked Rice(Annam) gives majestic life
Sandal gives Lakshmi's grace

This picture is courtesy Poompuhar, the government authorised handicraft shop.Do visit the site http://tamilnaduhandicrafts.com/ for further details. You can buy the pradosha lamp from there. Will give you the details of the shiva temple that iam going to visit today in the next post.

Truth about Soy

Definitely soy is not soul food. I was recommended by a doctor to eat soy and give up rice to steady my hormones. I do know that eating polished white rice is useless. Iam sure our ancestors ate rice with its husks intact.The point im trying to make is Soy is not good for you. Pls check this site out especially women http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/03soymyths.htm. It is an endocrine disrupter and just 4 tbsp of it will ensure that you get hypothyroidism. I actually had this for a year God save me.Pls stay away from soy these days they are adding this ingredient in chocolates and biscuits pls do read the labels.Health is wealth indeed.

Sunday Thoughts

Back to my log after a break.The mumbai terror attacks has immensely disturbed me. The political apathy is appalling.Cliched as it may sound.I salute the spirit of mumbai and it denizens for braving such an ordeal. The last time I visited Mumbai, i had hot chocolate at the Taj.Life is indeed fragile. My sincere condolences to the victims of the terror attacks.