THE MAGIC BEHIND "OM" WORD!

Whenever you do Yoga, you use to enchant a word “OM”. You have chanted OM, thousands of times, and the symbol is, well present everywhere. However, have you ever thought what it is about “OM” that makes a yogi to chant its splendor and live in the symbolic presence of it?

Here I am going to tell you 5 facts that you may not know, and which will help you to increase your knowledge about Hinduism & the deep science behind it.

1. The sound of OM covers all words, all sounds in human language:

OM is a milieu of all sounds, when in its diversified figure gives rise to all words used in language spoken by human beings. Linguistically, all perceptible sounds are produced in the space within the mouth beginning at the root of the tongue and ending at the lips. The throat sound is A, and M is the sound of lips; and the sound U depicts the rolling forward of speech expression which initiates at the root of the tongue, ongoing until it ends in the lips. To say OM correctly, remember, the sound shaking is pronounced “oom” as in home.
 
2. AUM and OM

In Sanskrit langauge, the sound “O” is a diphthong spelled “AU”. A diphthong is the amalgamation of two vowel sounds where both are normally heard and make a gliding sound. As a result, the difference between OM and AUM is simply one of transliteration.

3. AUM presents the 3 side Division of Time

  A –   is the waking state
  U –   is the dream state
  M – is the state of deep sleep

At the end of AUM is a pause, a silence. This represents the state known as Infinite Consciousness.

4. The visual symbol represents the meaning of AUM

The symbol OM visibly consists of three curves, one semicircle, and a dot. The large bottom curve symbolizes the waking state, A. The middle curve signifies the dream state, U. The upper curve denotes the state of deep sleep, M. The dot signifies the fourth state of consciousness, Turiya/infinite consciousness. The semi circle at the top represents Maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. It signals to us that it is the illusion of Maya that is an obstacle to realization of the Highest. 

5. OM is associated with Ganesha 

The physical form of Lord Ganesha is said to be that of OM.  The upper curve, of OM, is identified with the head or the face of Ganesha. The Lower curve his belly. The twisted curve, on the right side of OM is the trunk.

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

GURU GOVIND SINGH: A SYMBOLISATION OF BRAVERY & VALOUR

It 22 December, on this day 348 years ago, a legend was born, a legend that enlightened the world from his valour. He was a symbol of bravery that showed a different way to live the life, for the Indians. A legend who fought for the weak people of the society, a legend who is the real role model for anyone, I am talking about- Guru Govind Singh. He was a warrior, philosopher and poet, who contributed so much for the Sikhism. He became the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine due to his father’s sacrifice for the society. He was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth guru of Sikhs. His major contribution was to initiate the Sikh Khalsa in 1699, passing the Guru-ship to the Eternal Sikh Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib- holy book of the Sikhs.

In 1699, Guru Ji addressed his followers on April 13, 1699, the day of Vaisakhi. He addressed the worshippers from the entryway of a tent pitched on a small hill. He first asked everyone, who he was for them? Everyone answered - "You are our Guru." He asked them, who were they, to which everyone replied - "We are your Sikhs." He then said that today the Guru needs something from his Sikhs. Everyone said, "Hukum Karo, Sache Patshah" (Order us, True Lord). Then withdrawing his sword, he asked for a volunteer who was willing to sacrifice his head. No one answered his call, but on later invitation, Daya Ram came forward and offered his head to the Guru. Guru Govind Singh took the volunteer inside the tent. The Guru returned to the crowd with blood dripping from his sword. He then demanded another head. One more volunteer came forward, and entered the tent with him. The Guru again emerged with blood on his sword. This happened three more times. Then the five volunteers came out of the tent in new clothing unharmed.

Guru Govind Singh Ji then poured clear water into an iron bowl and added Punjabi sweeteners into it, he then stirred it with a double-edged sword along with reading from Adi Granth. He called this mixture as Amrit ("holy water") and gave it to the five men. Guru Ji later honored these five men, who were ready to sacrifice their life, as Panj Pyare. They were the first (baptized) Sikhs of the Khalsa: Daya Ram, Dharam Das, Himmat Rai, Mohkam Chand, and Sahib Chand.

Guru Govind Singh then called a line, which has been the rallying-cry of the Khalsa since then: 'Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh' (Khalsa belongs to God; victory belongs to God). He gave them the entire name "Singh" (lion), and selected them as the Khalsa, the body of baptized Sikhs.

He founded a valiant tribe who must have five K’s along them- Kachha, Kangha, Kesh, Kirpan and kada. Whose mission was to fight for the society and, against the injustice of Mughals, they saved so many weak people from being, converted into Islam. His life is an inspiration for us; we should honor him and respect his life in the society. We should learn from his life and protect the poor people of the society from being, converted into a Christian and Muslims, who are doing this forceful conversion since independence. His life, his principles and his dedication to the society is worth to remember. I believe the people of the society should learn the characters of selflessness, patriotism and dignity from him!

The Supreme Sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur!

On 24 November 1675 at Chandni Chowk, Delhi one of the most extreme event occurred that made a deep impact on the future course of Sikhism, which is the religion of the Sikhs. The ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur performed the supreme sacrifice for the protection of many humans. The basic motif was to protect the rights to practice his or her religion without any interference. This may not matter to anyone, people may say that it was so small and it has no relevance nowadays, but in 1675, when Mughals were converting Hindus into Muslims. That time Guru Tegh Bahadur stood for the rights and protection of so many Hindus. Before him, many thousands killed for refusing to change into a Muslim.

It is really, difficult to give one’s life for the sake of other person. People may say that they know many people who have sacrificed their lives for the society, but that was not as big as the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Ji not only protected the right of Sikh people, but also the rights of non-Sikhs, especially Kashmiri Pandits. Kashmiri Pandits were those scholars, who threatened with the conversion to Islam under the terrorism of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb not only converted a number of non-Muslim, but also conducted a large-scale demolition of the religious places of non-Muslims. He slaughtered a number of people, just because they did not accept the demand of Aurangzeb. A number of Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur, so that he can provide protection to them. This kind of sacrifice was not record in the history of human life before. Guru Ji made a firm decision that changed the moral commitment level, dedication and sacrifice offered by the devotee of God. The Guru made a tough judgment to risk down his life, to protect the rights of the Hindus so that they can follow their religion without any stress.

Aurangzeb and his army humiliated Guru Ji so much. However, he did not give up his values. He protected his principles and rights of Hindus until his last breath. On 24 November 1675, after so much humiliation and cruelty, Guru Ji was martyred. He had to sit on a warm “Tava” and, then his head was, beheaded in broad daylight in the middle of Chandni Chowk. Today, that place in Chandni Chowk, known as Gurudwara Sis Ganj in Delhi. His sacrifice is a major and a prime example of Sikh principles. This sacrifice roused the Hindus from their submissive silence and gave them the strength to know the power of self-respect and sacrifice.

He also termed as “Hind-di-Chadar” or the shield of India.

I respect Guru Ji sincerely; it was he, who protected Hindus at the time of need. We have to learn from the effort of Guru Ji, to protect our society and motherland. The true meaning of selflessness can be, learned from his life at any time.

A Pilgrimage to Remember!

Friends, today I am going to discuss a different thing. I have discussed about many topics in the past, such as food, travelling, politics, finance, etc. but today I will discuss about a religious place, a pilgrimage which has a great importance for Hindus. The place is – Vaishno Devi, it is in Jammu –Kashmir, the state lies in the far north corner of India. The place or the temple is situated at a height and I am going to tell you, about my journey, what I saw, what I observed and what I felt during my visit.

After Diwali, my family decided to visit this Holy place. So on the next day of Diwali we went to J&K, from Baijnath using National Highway-24. The view and scenery in my place, is the major assets. Huge mountains covered with snow throughout the year, gives a heavenly look to the topography here. I have always dreamed to visit the Malta Vaishno Devi temple, but couldn't visit it ever before. You can say it was the will or permission of the almighty. It took us approximately 8 hours to reach there, saw the serenity of Himachal, the busyness of Pathankot and Jammu, Big highways in Srinagar and a crowded place named as Katra. Culture is the last stop from where you have to leave your vehicles and start your journey to the temple.

You can enjoy the horse riding, auto-rickshaw, Palki (a chair which is lifted by some people from front and behind), but the real fun or real test by the trekking. It takes too much strength and the trekking is not easy, but if you have will power and devotion this journey won’t cost you anything. The view from the top is extremely beautiful and breathtaking; the temple complex is always crowded throughout the year. You have to wait and prove your patience that you deserve to have “Darshan”. The heights and chants in “Bhairo Temple”, the cave in “Ardh Kuwari” is just awesome. It took us 15-16 hours to climb and come down from the heights, believe me it was one of the best and the most thrilling journeys I have ever done. It was a pilgrimage to visit. A place to remember!

A TALE OF BAIJNATH!

Its Dussehra, on this day Lord Rama defeated King of Lanka Ravana. It’s a day of victory of truth/good over evil. This day is very auspicious in our nation and it is also a countdown for biggest festival of Hindus, “Diwali”. But on this blog I am not going to talk about “Dussehra”, I am going to tell you why in Baijnath – my village we don’t celebrate “Dussehra”.

Religious belief keeps the people of Baijnath from celebrating Dussehra. At Baijnath, a town of Kangra district located about 60 Km from District Headquarter Dharamshala, people do not burn the effigy of Ravana.

According to the Purana, “This is the place where Ravana worshipped Shiva as a sincere devotee and burning his effigy would bring bad luck for the people of this area,” Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva here and he is considered great a great devotee in Baijnath and burning the effigy of such a great devotee was not right. Legend has it that during the Treta Yug, Ravana worshipped Lord Shiva on Kailash and offered his 10 heads in a Havan Kund.

Lord Shiva was touched by this deed and agreed to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva took the shape of “ling” and asked Ravana not to place it on the ground on his way. However, when Ravana reached Baijnath, he felt the need to answer nature’s call (toilet). On seeing the shepherd, Ravana handed over the “ling” to him. The shepherd, on finding the “ling” very heavy, put it on the ground and it got installed there.

Some decades ago few people tried to burn the effigy of Ravana on Dussehra, up to next Dussehra they faced an enormous financial loss or they went seriously ill. You can connect that with the wrath of Lord Shiva. There is no shop of goldsmith in our area because of the same religious belief. We have heard from our ancestors that Lord Shiva hates gold and Ravana's Lanka was made of gold, which reflects a disagreement between the lord and the devotee. You can’t open a jewellery shop in this town, those who opened it, got burned.

Anyway we love Lord Shiva too much and we have no problem with not celebrating the Dussehra here. It’s a place of Mahadev and every inch of this holy town is filled with chants of “Harr Harr Mahadev”. So while Ramleela is enacted on stages across the country and effigies of Ravana and his brothers are also made, this town keeps away from it.