calmness
The power of Moon God: Chandra
Moon, the symbol of purity, tranquility and calmness is considered highly reverend. As per Vedic Astrology, Moon is worshipped because of its fluctuating nature and its effects. He is widely portrayed holding a lotus while seated in a beautiful chariot pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. Literally ‘chandra’ means ‘bright and shining’ in Sanskrit, thus Chandra God illuminates the dark sky and enlightens the being. He is also known as the God of vegetation and fertility.
Significance of Chandra:
Chandra or Moon God is adored for its powers to bestow life upon creatures and spreading the spark of coolness all around. Devotees worship the Moon God to get rid of all the worries and receive a positive ray of hope in their lives. He graces the worshipper with mental and physical peace and strengthens them to face the rough challenges. Worshipping the moon cures the problem of weak eyesight and brings a glow on the face. Being an indicator of feminine and motherly traits, couples pray to Lord Chandra for having a child.
Chandra in Vedic Astrology:
Moon God is said to be married to 27 Nakshatras, the daughters of Daksha. Chandra is the father of Budha (Mercury) and presides over Somvar (Monday). He is also one of the nine Navagrahas of Hindu Astrology. As per the Vedic Astrology, Chandra represents the mind, emotions, brain, imagination, beauty, mother, softness, and sensitivity. Soma rules Karkadaka rashi (Cancer) and is believed to be glorious if seen in Vrishabha rashi (Taurus) and not good in Vrishchika rashi (Scorpio). Chandra is most beneficial in 4th house of the horoscope.
Chandra (Moon God) is praised for its bountiful love and universally adored by children as well as elders. Gazing the moon for hours keeps our mind controlled and helps us to merge with our inner self. Thus worshipping the Moon God helps us to stay tolerant and stable in our hectic lives.
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The Divine Journey: Spiritual significance of Himalayas
The creation enthrals the being with its innate beauty and serenity, and our sacred Himalayas are the epitome of mother’s nature biggest miracle. Himalayas are not just an abode of snow or mighty range, but holds revering significance for people of varied cultures. Literally defining the word ‘Hima’ in Sanskrit is ‘snow’ and the word, ‘alaya’ means ‘abode’; also known as ‘Giriraj’ or ‘King of Mountains’. Thus Himalayas are the soul of God and a deity in itself.
- The spiritual centre of the world is the abode of supreme Lord Shiva, who lives atop Mount Kailash.
- The sacred holy dhams of Hindus i.e. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri resides in the Himalayas.
- It is home to India’s most significant spiritual spaces like the Kailash Manasarovar, Amarnath, Vaishno Devi Temple, and many beautiful monasteries and Buddhist gompas.
- Three influential Sikh pilgrimages are also located in the sacred Uttarakhand Himalayas.
- The Himalayas is the source of the Indus Basin, the Yangtze Basin and the Ganga-Brahmaptura, which are three of the world’s primary river systems.
- Mount Kailash in Himalayas holds sacred values for Jains, Buddhists, Tibetans and Hindus; and consider the Kailash Parikrama as the source of Nirvana.
- The majestic, serene and tranquil ambience makes the existence of Himalayas as eternal and timeless.
- The aura of peace and calmness has attracted numerous saints and sages like Adi Sankaracharya, Guru Gobind Singh, Swami Vivekananada, and many others.
- Himalayan Sacred Walks provides the opportunity to soak in the sacred energies of the enchanting and majestic mountains and come back deeply transformed.
Secret to Healthy and Longer Living: Why to sit on the ground and eat?
The act of sitting together on the ground and eating seems quite ancient for the present techno-freak generation. A classy dine on the furniture or to sit in front of the television and eat; are few of the recent techniques of eating food. With transformation in living patterns we are going away from the nature and becoming dependent upon the mechanical world i.e. going away from nature to virtual. Yet at few places the bond of togetherness and tradition of sitting together in ‘sukhasana’ to eat is maintained, which in turn is beneficial for healthy living and high thinking.
Let’s make you aware with the pros of this unique habit prevalent at Gurudwaras and temples.
- The continuous movement of the abdominal muscles of bending forward and then becoming straight while eating, facilitates the proper process of digestion.
- The ‘sukhasana’ or ‘padmasana’ posture applies pressure to the lower spine that in turn brings calmness and relaxation.
- This position activates the satiety value and we feel full soon, and it also makes us eat slower due to which overeating is prevented.
- According to leading nutritionist, Rujuta Diwekar, eating food while concentrating on every aspect of the food – its smell, taste, texture and how much you are eating is the key to losing weight.
- The sitting postures help to keep our joints supple, flexible and less prone to injuries and degenerative diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.
- Sitting cross legged maintain the blood circulation and the blood is pumped to all the required organs for digestion, much better than the sitting on the chair.
- The act of sitting on the floor and eating calms the mind and body that further leads to warm and blissful bonding among family members.
- In the Holy Koran, it was narrated that the Prophet used to eat (sitting) on the ground. He said: “I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.” It automatically inculcates the feeling of gratitude and keeps us grounded.
- ‘Sukhasana’ means ‘calmness of body and mind through posture’ which makes us live longer and healthier.
The favourable act is a secret to blissful life and I am sure that none of us would like to compromise with our happiness. So why not go for some cool low furniture with runners and rugs in the room and enjoy the delicious food with friends and family on the floor. Moreover those who sit on the ground are not afraid of falling from the bed!
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
The Serene Ambrosial Hours: Brahma Muhurtham
‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’, a renowned saying is apt for the proper functioning of our body, mind and soul. An empty or distressed mind is the abode of evil energies and in today’s time the irregular living patterns have captivated the human peace and tied them in the dungeons of stress. A man once said, “Jeevan mei uthne ki nahi, jaagne ki avashyakta hai” meaning ‘It is more important to be awakened rather than getting up’. So the perfect moment to attain that state of awareness is during the rosy red hue of the ambrosial hours.
What is Brahma Muhurat?
The serene, calm and peaceful nectar time to experience the oneness with this supreme energy is known as Brahma Muhurat. One muhurat consists of 48 minutes i.e. 30 muhurats every day. Thus Brahma muhurat is said to be the second last muhurat before sunrise i.e. exactly 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise which is generally between 4:00 am to 6:00 am. This period of dawn is essential for spiritual and learning activities as ‘Brahma’ means knowledge and ‘muhurat’ means perfect timing.
Significance of Brahma Muhurat:
We don’t need a special thanksgiving day in a year to appreciate the wonders of Almighty but live each day as one. Brahma muhurat is the suitable time to feel the beauty of nature and bring peace and freshness to the numerous flooding thoughts.
- The Sattvika content becomes dominant and imbibes within us by distracting us from the Rajas and Tamas gunas.
- The flow of Shushmana nadi increases and meditation further activates it.
- The concentration level reaches its peak and emits worries and tiredness.
- One is able to reach a higher state of consciousness which is in turn the awareness about the conscious state.
- According to Bhagavad Geeta, one whose ahara vihara is correct, whose activities and lifestyle is perfect and who sleeps and gets up perfectly will be free from all miseries.
- The morning powerful energies helps to get rid of 5 moral evils- Kaam(Lust), Krodh(Rage), Lobh(Greed), Moh(Attachment) & Ahankaar(Ego).
- According to Atharvaveda, a person who gets up in early morning will be free from diseases.
Modern Scientific Review:
- Brahma muhurat is considered as the rejuvenating time for the human body as the cardiac rhythm of sleeping and waking are regulated.
- The hormone ‘Melatonin’ is secreted more in darkness, especially during this period which helps to regulate the sexual function of the body.
- The dusk period is Vata dominating period and Vata dosha is helpful in promoting body movements both internal and external which helps in easy evacuation of bowel.
- Waking up early helps to resolve foetid smell in mouth, constipation, indigestion, laziness, and so many other body issues.
- To witness the sunrise, is a healthy act that showers essential vitamins and begins our peaceful day.
- The five layers of the atmosphere emit maximum energy at this time due to the cooling effect of the atmosphere, and help us to be more energetic.
“O traveller get up; it is dawn-it is not right that you continue sleeping. One who awakes, he
finds, One who is asleep, he loses. Get up and open your eyes from slumber and meditate on
your Master.”- Kabir Ji
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Loving bond between Couples: Karva Chauth and its Scientific Relevance
The warmth of festive season is at its peak. Beautifully attired women, with henna applied on their hands offering prayers to Moon for the long life span of her partner (Pati-parmeshwar), is a long known tradition in Hinduism. Yea I am talking about the pious fasting of Karva-Chauth, where married women fast for the long life of their husbands and maintain peace and prosperity among the family relations. Numerous beliefs and sentiments have been attached to this festival, varying as per geographical relevance and traditions.
When is Karva Chauth celebrated?
Literally ‘Karva’ mean earthen oil lamp and ‘Chauth’ means four; thus this festival falls on the fourth day of the Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar. It is generally observed eight days after Dussehra. This is also the time when the onset of Rabi crops begin, so people used to gather together to wish and pray for a good harvest in this season.
Origin of Karva Chauth:
The initial significance of fasting on the day of karva Chauth was entirely different than what it has emerged with years. This festival was celebrated to symbolise the loving relationship between the bride and other women in her in-laws, who would be best-friends or sisters for life. As the girl was away from her parents and could not share her emotions with anyone in her in-laws, so she searched for her support and became friend with another lady. Now she could freely discuss her marital life as well as other stories, which leads to a strong bond between them. This festival was a signal to celebrate and honour their friendship between god-friends or god-sisters. Later the sentiments of fasting for the longevity of her husband were attached to this.
Scientific relevance of Karva Chauth:
The association between fasting by wife and increased life span of the husband is treated differently by various people. Few of them follow it because of traditional values and others might be reluctant and do it by force. So the clear picture is always a question wandering in our heads. Scientifically fasting has a biological relevance due to higher detoxification and protein synthesis in the body. As per the study of starvation-resistant biological program, it is proven that the stem cell potency and reproductive potential is preserved during the process. Whereas the high orgasmic frequency among human beings increase their span of living. Now if we attach both the results together, it is clear that fasting leads to longer reproductive capability among females and thus more sexual activity during her long life. It directly affects her partner, thus increasing his life expectancy.
Along with this, praying to Moon during Kartik month has extra benefits as the coolness and calmness provides us with better body metabolism. The heat and energy in the body is controlled which in turn is concerned with the digestive, enzymatic, and endocrine systems.
Thus the nirjalahaar (without food and water) vrat along with ‘sargi’ (food before observing fast) and ‘baayna’ (gifts offered to in-laws) results in maintaining a precious bond between families. It provides will power to the females and reciprocates their love for her husband. The mythological importance has also been mentioned in Mahabharata, where Draupadi inquires about the fast from Lord Krishna.
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
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