FOOD INTAKE AND OUR LIFE AS EXPLAINED BY MAHA PERIYAVA SWAMIGAL

 

*Sambar, Rasam, Paayasa and Majjige*

 

A beautiful explanation about our own Sambar, Rasam, Paayasa and Majjige (Buttermilk) and their significance to the quality of life we lead. 

 

The explanation continues with the order of food intake as well.

 

An explanation given by SRI. KANCHI KAMAKOTI SRI MAHA PERIYAVA.

 

''What is the difference between Sambar and Rasam..?"

 

Both contain Dal, Tamarind, Salt, Spices and Asafoetida.

 

Someone from those assembled said, 'We consume Sambar first, and then Rasam, that's the difference...'

 

The Acharya laughed loudly.

 

He said, the Sambar has vegetables, but Rasam does not.

 

Based on this, the discussion proceeded.

 

Acharya's explanation:

 

If Ego occupies our mind, we get confused, that's like Sambar. 

 

But, if that Ego is not there, our mind is clear like Rasam.

 

'Taan' is the word used in many households for vegetables.

 

We should not forget this, and so, we consume each day, both Sambhar and Rasam.

 

You go to a feast. You are served Sambar,

*Rasam,*

*Paayasa*

*And Majjige*

(Buttermilk)

*in this order.*

 

Why?

 

This food culture is not found anywhere else. 

 

As soon as a man is born, 'Taan' or Ego fills in first.

 

He faces a number of problems that totally confuses him, like Sambhar, with different types of vegetables.

 

When his mind settles, it becomes clear, like Rasam - which is served next.

 

This is followed by the sweet Payasam, because your mind is settled and that which gives you happiness.

 

So many similarities between life and food.

 

Now, in the end, 

It’s Majjige or Buttermilk - which has a separate quality.

 

Once our mind is settled and we get happiness, our mind becomes one with the Lord, just like we get curd, butter, ghee and buttermilk from milk in that order.

 

Buttermilk is the last stage in our Life - from which you cannot get anything more.

 

The same way, once you attain the Lord, then there is nothing more to achieve. 

 

Majjige in the end, also indicates 'Enlightenment' and that, it’s the last item on the "menu", after which you just leave your "leaf" behind.

 

Thus, ended the Acharya's discourse. (Shared as forwarded to me).

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

EFFECT OF YOUR KARMAS EXPLAINED

Why Bhishma Pitamah had to suffer on a Bed of Arrows?

When Bhishma Pitamah was struck down by Arjuna, in the Mahabharata War, he fell down from his chariot. But since the arrows had pierced his chest, he did not touch the ground, but remained lying on the bed of arrows. His head was hanging; he needed to rest it, and told Arjuna to make some provision. Arjuna immediately stuck 3 arrows beneath his head to support it. Bhishma remarked joyfully - "What a fitting pillow for a warrior like me - a pillow to match the bed!”. Next he asked for water, since he was thirsty. Arjuna once, more, struck a mighty arrow right through the earth, and Ganga maiya surged up to pour cool water in the parched mouth of her beloved son. So Bhishma Pitamah had to suffer the pangs on the bed of arrows in battlefield before attaining final beatitude and redemption to Vaikuntha Loka.

Now what was the Karmic reason that Bhishma Pitamah had to Suffer on a Bed of Arrows?

To the question as to why Bhishma Pitamah was suffering this punishment even when he had not committed any sin during past 72 birth lives (Great Bhishma could peep into his past lives through Samadhi), Lord Krishna replied him that he committed a folly in past 73rd life birth when he inflicted injuries to insects by piercing thorns / needles into their bodies. Those thorns have now appeared as bed of arrows for you. Your sinful Karma remained dormant as you were a pious person throughout theses lives but since you have now become a party to Adharma of Duryodhana, the sanchit evil Karma’s of 73rd life has ripened now. 

So if a person has done good Karmas in past lives, he/she gets a good life in future births and if he/she has done bad karmas in past lives then that person has to suffer bad fruit of those bad Karmas. So it is generally said that we should do good Karmas only.

Below are few verses of Bhagawad Gita which explain about how a soul travels from one body to the other and where it goes as per the Karmic law:

"Yada sattve pravrddhe tu

pralayam yati deha-bhrt

tadottama-vidam lokan

amalan pratipadyate" (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 14)

 

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, When one dies in the mode of goodness (after doing good Karmas), he attains to the pure higher planets of the great sages."

 

"Rajasi pralayam gatva

karma-sangisu jayate

tatha pralinas tamasi

mudha-yonisu jayate" (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 15)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruit producing activities (i.e. as a man or woman on earth); and when one dies in the mode of ignorance (after doing bad Karmas) , he takes birth in the bird & animal kingdom."

So it is said that we should do all our Karmas for the God only as by doing such Karmas no evil result shall come out of those Karmas in future lives.

"yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra

loko ’yam karma-bandhanah

tad-artham karma kaunteya

mukta-sangah samachara" (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Three verse 9)

"Sri Krishna said: Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O Arjuna, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage."

So let’s do Good Karmas only so that we shall get Good Fruits of those Karmas in future births. Let’s do all the Karmas for God only as by that way God shall protect us always.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com 

HOW TO LIVE AND DIE

 

I’ve often thought about what it is that makes people happy—what one has to do in order to achieve happiness.

 

1-    First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness.

 

2-   Second, a healthy bank balance. It need not run into crores, but it should be enough to provide for comforts, and there should be something to spare for recreation—eating out, going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the sea. Shortage of money can be demoralizing. Living on credit or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one’s own eyes.

 

3-     Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them.

 

4-    Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a girlfriend or a best friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is better to accept the differences than to be quarrelling all the time.

 Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.

 

6-     Sixth, do not allow people to descend on you for gossip. By the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering.

 

 Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully.

 

8-    Eighth, every morning and evening devote 20 minutes to meditation or introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in keeping the mind absolutely still, and five listing the things you have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes should be set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks you had intended to do.

 

 Ninth, don’t lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered, or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.

 

1       Above all, when the time comes to go, one should go like a Person without any regret or grievance against anyone.

 

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

PIERCING THE CHAKRA

 

What happens when we die?

Many masters have been asked the same question and the usual reply is “Why are you bothered about what happens after death? Be concerned with what happens when you are alive!”

Intellectually we know – what happens is that we are born and reborn again to learn the lessons and there is no passing the test of living embodied until we actually pass.

Puttapurthi swami gave a different reply “This is what happens” using the Kundalini Phenomenon.

There are seven main chakras (spiritual centres) in our spine, which are seats of various levels of consciousness.

At the time of one’s death, if one’s consciousness is only at the lowest Mooladhara and Swadishtana centres, one will be reborn as an animal.

If it is between the third and the fourth, Manipura and Anahat, one would be born as a human. If from Vissudhi (throat) and Ajna (space between the Eyebrows) chakras, there will be no birth in earth but one becomes a Yaksha, Gandharva or a Siddha – a Demi God or an Angel. Only when consciousness is at Sahasrara (Head/Fontannel) chakra it is completely liberated.

When the Kundalini pierces the Manipura chakra, the person becomes free of past live vasanas and starts overcoming the worldly mindset and desires.

So what to do for the Kundalini to pierce the Manipura chakra?

 

1.    Omkar Chanting – works on the Sahasrara Chakra and Vissudhi Chakra

2.    Jyothi Meditation – works on Ajna Chakra and Anahat (Heart Chakra)

3.    Surya Namaskar – works on the Manipura Chakra.

Three sadhanas are given above to ensure that we get rebirth as a Human/ Angel or becoming one with the Divine.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

WHATEVER HAPPENS IN OUR LIFE IS FOR GOOD

“Bhagavad Gita” teaches us the following:

 

Whatever that has happened is for our good

Whatever that is happening is also for our Good

Whatever that is going to happen, will happen for our own good

Whatever that is yours today

Will be owned by another person tomorrow

And will go to yet another person another day.

 

We should remember that whatever incident that occurs in our day to day life is for our own good. That is why it is said in “Bhagavad Gita” that whether it is good or Bad, sad or joy, Win or lose, Up or down, Fall or rise, cold or hot, Sweet or sour, we have to put  the same cheerful face in all situations. There is a reason behind this. This is clearly brought out in the following short story.

 

There was a king who lived a happy life and he had his council of ministers. There was a court jester too. Every day the court poet would recite poems and explain the meanings which the king enjoyed. There was peace that prevailed during his rule. One day when the king got hurt in his hand the court jester commented that it was for his good. The others who were around remarked that the king was hurt and made a big statement out of the same to earn a good name and ultimately the wound got healed.

 

One fine sunny day the king got hurt in his leg and there was some bleeding noticed. The mendicant put some green leaves and covered the wound. At this point of time the court jester remarked that this wound that happened is also for the good of the king. The king was feeling the pain and in his anger ordered that the jester be put in the jail.

 

On another occasion the king went to a forest for hunting. On his way from the forest the king encountered thieves who were conducting some yagna in which they have to give a human being as a sacrifice to the fire. They wanted a clean person devoid of any illness or wound. They caught the king who has come in disguise and wanted to give him as a sacrifice but when they observed the wound in king’s leg they decided he was not fit for the sacrificial pyre as their prayers would not be fulfilled. Hence they set free the king and the king returned safe to his palace.

 

Immediately on his return to the palace he ordered that the court jester be freed. Whatever the jester had mentioned to the king had come out true as the wound in his leg had saved him from the sacrificial pyre. The king regretted for having put the jester in prison. At that moment the jester remarked that it was also for good that he was imprisoned. Had he gone with the king to the forest, the thieves would have taken him for sacrifice; which didn’t happen as he was inside the prison. 

 

Thus we can see in this mundane world that everything that happens to us is for our good. This is very true as can be seen in the above story.

If we understand Gita, it will take us in the righteous path and we can confront life easily and can look forward to peace, security and Happiness.

 

This is for certain and we have to practice very hard to gain spiritual knowledge and get the full benefit of Gita. You can yourself see that happiness will prevail all through your life.

 

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

 A Good Teacher Explains and A Great Teacher Inspires.

Come to sekras>>>>>> you will get inspired and feel the Happiness always!!! 

PIERCING THE CHAKRA

 

What happens when we die?

 

Many masters have been asked the same question and the usual reply is “Why are you bothered about what happens after death? Be concerned with what happens when you are alive!”

 

Intellectually we know – what happens is that we are born and reborn again to learn the lessons and there is no passing the test of living embodied until we actually pass.

 

Puttapurthi swami gave a different reply “This is what happens” using the Kundalini Phenomenon.

 

There are seven main chakras (spiritual centres) in our spine, which are seats of various levels of consciousness.

 

At the time of one’s death, if one’s consciousness is only at the lowest Mooladhara and Swadishtana centres, one will be reborn as an animal.

 

If it is between the third and the fourth, Manipura and Anahat, one would be born as a human. If from Vissudhi (throat) and Ajna (space between the Eyebrows) chakras, there will be no birth in earth but one becomes a Yaksha, Gandharva or a Siddha – a Demi God or an Angel. Only when consciousness is at Sahasrara (Head/Fontannel) chakra it is completely liberated.

 

When the Kundalini pierces the Manipura chakra, the person becomes free of past live vasanas and starts overcoming the worldly mindset and desires.

 

So what to do for the Kundalini to pierce the Manipura chakra?

 

1.    Omkar Chanting – works on the Sahasrara Chakra and Vissudhi Chakra

2.    Jyothi Meditation – works on Ajna Chakra and Anahat (Heart Chakra)

3.    Surya Namaskar – works on the Manipura Chakra.

 

Three sadhanas are given above to ensure that we get rebirth as a Human/ Angel or becoming one with the Divine.

 

Be blissful.

 

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

WHAT IS THE ATTITUDE WITH WHICH WE MUST LEAD OUR DAILY LIFE?

 

Bhagawan lovingly gives us two tips with memorable practical illustrations.

Life is a newspaper; read casually a few columns and headlines that catch your fancy and throw it aside. Do not consider it any more important than that. Remember, today’s newspaper, is tomorrow’s 'waste paper'! So too, life is worth only a casual perusal! One birth is enough; let the death coming to you in this life be the last. You are all caskets of divine Love; share it and spread it. Express that Love in acts of service, words of sympathy, and thoughts of compassion.

Just as when you wake up from sleep you know that the dream you had was a matter of minutes, even though the chain of events dreamt spanned many years, this life too will appear a transient affair when you awaken into jnana (supreme wisdom) after this brief 'dream of life’. Be always full of joy so that when death calls, you can quit with a light laugh, without whimpering in grief.

I bless you to shape your life to attain that supreme everlasting bliss!

Be blissful

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com