According to “Brahmarahasyam - Thailabharani” a text written by Sri Agastya Maharishi contains knowledge only about the oils to be used to light lamp for individual’s physical and spiritual health. It contains the details about combinations of herbs in different oils in specific to
Based on this fabulous treatise, Samvruddhi & Co. has come out with 3 exquisite types of Herbal Deepa Thailams, a combination of herbs infused into the right blend of quality oils which is beneficial to each and every individual for overall holistic development. Sesame oil Medical benefits Prolongs youth &beauty, gives strength & energy, improves, immunity, controls the body temperature. Spiritual benefits Longevity (AyurVriddhi), purifies the energy system, strengthens cosmic energy connectivity. Borneo Mahogany oil Medical benefits Regenerates tissues, skin &hair care cosmetics, treats eye inflammations, migraines & vertigo Spiritual benefits Prosperity (Lakshmi Kataksham) & especially Asta Aishwaryam. Ghee Medical benefits Overall healing, clears toxins, cell rejuvenation, promoter anti-aging, anti-oxidant ants and anti-viral properties, best for joint lubrication. Spiritual benefits Harmony, prosperity, mental peace, rejuvenation & wellbeing. Ricinus Communis oil Medical benefits Increases immunity, treats hair, skin, joints & intestine. Anti- inflammatory, anti- bacterial & anti- fungal. Spiritual benefits Protection from negative energies, wards of evil eyes (Drushtis) Indian Butter Tree oil Medical benefits Used in treating skin diseases, rheumatism & headache. It is an emetic & illuminant. Spiritual benefits Controls energy leakage, prevents unnecessary expenses. Rice Bran oil Medical benefits Used in treating skin glow, improves immune system, prevents cancer, protects the nervous system. Spiritual benefits Divine blessings from Goddess Annapurneshwari. Gets us the feeling of fulfillment always. Curcuma Zedoaria Medical benefits Cures urinary tract infections, regulates Ob, Pediatric gastro intestinal issues & Gynecological problems Spiritual benefits Helps to receive Devi Parvathi’s blessings, Removes karmic negative effects, brings cosmic Tejas. Terminaliya Chebula Medical benefits Cleanses body toxins, promotes new tissues & cell growth, reduces fat from arteries/ veins, heals diabetes, hypertension. Spiritual benefits Wonder medicine for brain, rejuvenates the mind power, synchronizes physical & mental energies. Bacopa Monnieri or Centella Asiatica Medical benefits A healing herb for the circulatory & nervous system, it repairs & restore axions (Nerve Cells). It is used as an anti-anxiety, anti- stress & anti- insomnia medicine. Spiritual benefits It has spiritually enhancing properties. It has the ability to harmonize the right & left-brain hemispheres. It improves concentration, focus, Psycho-spiritual Enhancer. Glycyrrhiza Glabra / Licorice Root Medical benefits Licorice root is used to soothe gastrointestinal problems. It can execute the repair of stomach lining & restore the balance in GI tract in case of food poisoning, stomach ulcer & heart burn as this has anti- inflammatory and immune- boosting properties. Stress has a deterring effect on the adrenal glands. Licorice can stimulate the adrenal gland, which promotes a healthy level of cortisol in the body. Spiritual benefits Licorice root was used as ingredients in formulas to strengthen the mind and thought processes. Exercising the control on the minds was and is said to be very beneficial process for yogic sadhanas. By burning this root and inhaled the incense to clear & strengthen their minds. Bacopa Monnieri Medical benefits Improves blood quality and its circulation. It is an extremely healing herb for nervous system. It repair & restore axions, which are used to transmit nerve impulses throughout the brain & body. Highly used as an anti-anxiety, anti- stress and anti- insomnia medicine throughout its long history of human use. The plants benefits range from greatly improving memory to restoring brain cell and nerve function to improving blood quality & circulation, restoring digestion & speeding the healing of wounds. Spiritual benefits Many Ayurvedic texts reference the herb’s spiritually enhancing properties, poetically referring to it as the ‘Herb of Enlightenment’. Meditators have sought the plant out for its ability to harmonize the right and left- brain hemispheres, which produce a heightened state of awareness, where one becomes intensely absorbed with activity at hand, in which learning and brain circuitry are significantly enhanced. Justicia Adhatooda Medical benefits The leaves contain carotene, vitamin C & essential oil – the whole plant is sedative, expectorant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, anthelmintic and blood purifying. Loosen chest congestion, open the breathing tubes & treat spasms. Mainly it is used for upper airway infections, common cold, cough, asthma & tuberculosis. Any respiratory disorders are addressed. Spiritual benefits The speed at which you breathe will dictate the length of life. Breathing consciously is the essence of yoga. It is believed that usage of this herb has improved and strengthened the respiratory system to assist the breathing patterns to rightfully connect ourselves to the cosmic energies. Inhale the cosmic positive and exhale the toxic energies. Acalypha indica Medical benefits Most of the parts of this powerful magical herb is extensively used to address kidney related disorders, piles, abscess, spleen enlargement, cholera, tooth ache, any type of insect bites, skin diseases, poisonous bites especially snakes and scorpions, dog bites. Effectively addresses male reproductive gland issues. Spiritual benefits This herb has divine healing powers and it is very useful in expelling toxic contaminations from our body. It has a therapeutic property to clam the brain and neutralize poisons.
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Early humans observed, worshipped, and believed in nature's vast possibilities. He was always in awe of what the elemental powers could bestow.
The Panchaboothas are the five main components. Our basic existence is ruled by Prithvi, Jala, Agni, Vayu, and Aakasha. The FIRE, the Agni tatva, of these elemental energies activated him immediately from feeling a pleasant warmth to the blazing heat burning away everything in its path. The curious man tried to harness that fire. He began to practice the process of manufacturing fire and eventually succeeded in producing a spark. He recognized that nature had everything in abundance and that if he used his senses correctly, he could learn a lot from nature in the same way as a child learns from its mother. Thus, striking 2 stones generated a spark which led to him making fire at will. When he generated fire at night, he was kept cozy and comfortable from the harsh cold weather, and he was protected from other dangers lurking around the corners. He felt he was home. Whenever the fire was there, he was glad that it chased away the darkness. He could see that the light was shielding him and making him happy. Now he started making it a point to keep the fire alive at all times. So, he would always feel protected and safe. He was naturally comfortable with a restored vitality throughout the daytime, but when the sun set for the day, he felt the strong desire to make a fire to keep himself warm and secure. This he made a habit of. That small spark of fire that was created and kept alive represented a tiny bit of the Sun that appeared to have come down to earth to inject life and vitality into humanity when the sun was down for the day. Man was grateful to nature for providing him a great source of life energy. He believed that Universal divine energy was communicating with him in various ways and lighting that tiny flame of fire would keep him connected to that source energy. Thus, a tradition had begun. The tradition of lighting lamps, followed by almost every religion. The tiny spark of flame ignites all of us to think right, actively perform and enjoy the fruit of success. All our Hindu rituals begin with lighting lamps for a great start, unhindered progress, and unified success in all our thoughts and actions. We pray to the Almighty for the strength to cross the hurdles that may be strewn in our path. Man`s every action was simply dedicated to one of the wings of nature and a ruling deity was nomenclated for that action. Our Vedas, puranas, Agama sastras, and other holy scriptures gave out how we need to understand nature be connected with it at all times and we made progress in understanding nature and how beneficial it is to live one with nature. This tradition was taught and passed down generations. Harnessing fire to keeping it alive in the form of a lit lamp was the beginning for man to get connected with nature and to remove the darkness from his mind and heart. He began to believe that lighting a lamp could purify him. The oil in the deepam signified the light of knowledge, which dispelled the darkness of ignorance. He began to understand more about the fire which is in the middle of the five elements-Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space- which gives them power and heat is the splendor that is in the middle of the body of all living beings. He observed that there were three Sandhyas/ twilight zones in a day. One at dawn, another at midday and one at dusk. Since the sun shines brilliantly at midday, no additional lamp was required. But, at the other two twilights, an additional lamp was required which connected us to the divine. Twilight zones were immensely important for us to receive unhindered beneficial energies. A lamp basically works as a tool to Connect, Receive & Manifest. It is a wonderful tool to connect you with your GOD. More importantly, the quality of the oils used to light the DEEPAM is of immense value as they must have the quality of Divinity in them to aid in the connectivity. The lighting ritual has 3(three) important aspects. 1. The Container (Diya), 2. The Wick (batti) 3. The Oil. All these play an important role in conducting the energies from and to the cosmic. It keeps us rooted to the Prithvi tatva. The miniature version of the 5 pancha bhootas can be seen in a deepam. The container- Prithvi tatva The oil- Jala tatva The wick- vayu tatva The flame- Agni tatva The air around- Aaksha tatva. Every part of the Diya plays an important role, without one the other cannot function properly. Similarly, man is also made of the panchaboothas without one, the others do not function well. Each seed on this planet has a unique quality, energy, and medicinal value. Here again, man needed guidance to use the relevant seeds only to light lamps as the ingredients of an oil could influence our mind, body, and soul. According to “Brahmarahasyam” a treatise written by Sri Agastya Maharishi, details various oils with combinations of herbs to be used to light lamps for an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health. He gives out elaborate procedures for preparing the oils on auspicious dates and times which adds on to improvising the quality of the oil. When a lamp is lit, the aroma of the herbs infused in the oils are also inhaled. The medicinal qualities seep into us which benefits our physical health as well as psycho- spiritual health. As we know the effects of aroma in our day today life, using the appropriate oil with herbs/ essential oils for holistic development will be much easier. Based on this fabulous treatise, Samvruddhi & Co. has come out with 3 exquisite types of Herbal Deepa Thailams, a combination of herbs infused into the right blend of quality oils which is beneficial to each and every individual for overall holistic development. Sesame oil, Borneo Mahogany oil, Pure Ghee, Ricinus Communis oil, Indian Butter Tree oil, Rice Bran oil, Infused with herbs like Curcuma Zedoary, Terminalia Chebula, Bacopa Monnier Centella Asiatica, Glycyrrhiza Glabra / Licorice Root, Justicia Adhatoda etc. are some of the ingredients used in Samvruddhi Herbal Deepa Thailam. Lighting lamps every day with SAMVRUDDHI HERBAL DEEPA THAILAM aids in financial growth, Success in Career & business, Children educational development, good relationship, harmony in family, Peace and Prosperity, good physical & mental health. When the sun sets and the night falls We light a lamp to brighten our walls. We light a lamp to honor the fire. That gives us warmth and lifts us higher. We light a lamp to connect with the divine That fills our hearts with love and shine. We light a lamp to purify our minds. That clears our doubts and makes us wise. We light a lamp to create a space. That radiates energy and grace. We light a lamp to attract the good That brings us joy and livelihood. We light a lamp to celebrate life. That sparkles with hope and delight. We light a lamp to express our gratitude. That flows from our soul and attitude. Rituals are increasingly fading from contemporary metropolitan civilization, but they are luckily kept alive among some simple people with a traditional bent of minds mostly from the rural areas. We, the civilized lot, fail to understand the relevance of certain rituals and are too egotistic to investigate or discover the true meaning of these rites and to follow them. When we have no reasonable explanation to do a particular rite in a certain way, we avoid doing those rituals altogether for fear of being regarded as archaic or lacking in comprehension. We begin to ask questions and label them as superstitious baseless ceremonies.
Now is the appropriate time for us to delve into the meaning of rituals established by our ancestors to improve our quality of life. Let us begin by discussing the significance of Ekadashi in Indian culture. On Ekadashi days, many people fast. It is a widely prevalent ritual, but definitely not well understood. The Sanskrit term for the number 11 is Ekadashi. In the lunar calendar, it represents the 11th day of each half-month. So, each month has two Ekadashi days: one in the early half of the month when the moon is waxing and one in the second half of the month when the moon is Waning. These days are really important in terms of health. Ordinary people would not have obeyed such dictums if they were not affiliated with religion. It is best to limit food consumption on Ekadashi days to offset the influence of the moon's impact on the human body, as our bodies are 60-70% water. The Ekadashi observance was presented as an astrological phenomenon, and it was discovered that planets had a substantial impact on a human's physiological and psychological qualities. The relationship with which humans function as a result of planetary energy is a fascinating subject which most often is disregarded as pseudoscience. The movement of the planets has a significant impact on our entire psyche. As we all know, at any given time, the astronomical objects in the universe are in relative motion with our planet earth, creating an energy current to circulate through all living and non-living organisms on world; there is no such thing as a static planet. So, even our sun is not a stationary ball of fire. According to scientists, the entire solar system is moving and speeding towards a massive star eighty million times larger and brighter than the sun, the light of which has yet to reach us. We must comprehend that planets move relative to one another and that we are continually impacted by them as long as we live on Earth and will be continuously subjected to the effects caused by them exerting a powerful impact on humanity. The sun is considered to impact the core of our personality, which is why it was given the name Atmakaraka. The sun has the ability to influence our entire existence. Karaka is the doer, manipulator, and director. So much so that the moon is considered as a mind-influencer. Material things make up the mind. The mind becomes more focused on material pursuits. The ripples on the water's surface represent the movement of the mind. It's impossible to say where it starts, how it starts and where it stops. Planets basically are not spiritual bodies, yet their vibrations and currents they generate may have a significant impact on our psyche. The moon is the reigning deity of the mind since all mental waves are caused by the movement of the moon. Ekadashi is particularly pertinent to this moon-mind relationship. The moon impacts the psyche through its orbital relative movement to other planets. So, how does this Ekadashi relate to the movement of the moon and the mind? The Chakras are energy centers located on our astral body. They are a rotatory field of circular currents that whirl in the same way that water whirls in a river. Chakras are so-called because they spin in a circular pattern. They move in a spiral motion. They are not physical, but rather psycho-physical and psychological in nature. These Chakras are located in the astral body, not the mind or the body. The moon's physical influence on the body has an effect on the Chakras, which eventually has an effect on the mind. The mind traverses through these chakras up and down. When the movement of the mind through the chakras is done consciously, then it is called YOGA. When done unintentionally, it is referred to as just an influence. When the moon waxes or wanes, the mind is strongly impacted. As a result, those who are not mentally normal become extremely disturbed on full-moon and new-moon days. The moon has an impact on the entire planet, but it is more noticeable on liquids than on solids. This can be observed on seas and oceans where tides and waves of various heights are formed based on the earth-moon relationship. The orbital routes of the sun, moon, and earth and their fluctuating distances at specific intervals (i.e., every 24 hours for one full rotation of the Earth) result in dramatic changes in the atmospheric pressure on a day-to-day basis. The nature of the tidal waves’ changes on new and full moon days to demonstrate this. Because of the rise in air pressure in the waters during an Amavasya, the waves are quite high and harsh. However, the waves settle down the next day indicating that the atmospheric pressures have reduced. The atmospheric pressure is particularly low or non-existent on the 11th day after a new or full moon. Based on this, the importance of Ekadashi fasting can be explained: There are several ways to compute a month in the Indian Vedic system. One such method is to start counting from the new moon day (Amavasya). Shukla Paksha (waxing/growing moon) lasts from the new moon to the full moon. Krishna Paksha (waning/shrinking moon) lasts from the full moon day until the next Amavasya. Let us now look at some more facts about the 11th day between the full and new Moons. The Earth and moon rise and set at the same moment on Amavasya in the celestial phenomenon. From the next day till the Pournami, the moon moves around 12 degrees away from the solar path. On Ekadashi (the 11th day after the full moon), the Moon remains at a distance of around 135 degrees in the solar path, due to the earth`s spheroid /ellipsoid shape, causing less gravitational pull and hence decreased air pressure. As a result, fasting on Ekadashi day has no ill effects on the bodily system. On the contrary, the body goes into an auto detox mode. It becomes ready to perform the monthly maintenance activity of purging away unwanted toxins. Since the body is highly active doing the purging work, we should effectively not feel hungry on that day. Due to our inability to understand the subtle functions, we have become insensitive to understand the difference between feeling hunger and wanting to enjoy the taste of food resulting in us eating all the time even when it is not necessary. Shouldn’t we assist our body in doing its work by not feeding ourselves? The process of not eating food for the said period is called FASTING. On Ekadashi days, air pressure is lowest compared to any other day of the lunar cycle. As a result, this is the greatest time to fast and detoxify our bodies. If we fast on any other day, the high pressure or strain on our system may be detrimental. On this day, we should allow our entire body mechanism to get rejuvenated, particularly the liver, stomach, and colon. To minimize difficulties in the body, it was encouraged to have meals with good quantity of iron and minerals as early in the morning as feasible on the next day, as the atmospheric pressure rises up quickly and doubles on the 12th day from Amavasya / Poornima days (called Dwadashi). Fasting on this day too is also highly beneficial, also it makes it easier to focus on meditation and prayers. Hence eating or drinking food on Ekadashi was brought in as a ritual to be followed to benefit our healthy lifestyle. According to scientists, it takes around 3-4 days for the brain to comprehend our food consumption after we have eaten. It is stated that if we eat light / fast on Ekadashi days, that intake will reach the brain on the new moon / full moon day in proportions and clear the ripple factors in our mind. Fasting causes a multitude of metabolic changes which has both medicinal and religious importance in India from cleaning the bowels to expelling the pollutants from the body. Those who fast on Ekadashi days maintain good health, cleanse their intestinal systems, and are generally clear of common diseases. It is also stated that for those on the spiritual/religious path, fasting during Ekadashi days brings mental serenity via self-realization. This type of penance is said to help people on their spiritual path, making them clean in body and mind. One feels more energized and alert, as well as more resistant to all types of sickness or illness. It even slows the aging process, which is caused by the cumulative impacts of our poor habits or inappropriate ways of life. Fasting day develops self-control and discipline. It considerably aids in the breakup of destructive addictions and the formation of new, beneficial behaviors enforcing a healthier lifestyle. List of Ekadashi: The Day of Lord Hari The day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu- The protector Our ancient scriptures bring out the various kinds of vratha sadhana procedures to observe and the outcomes of following the fast meticulously.
We will be discussing these Ekadashis in depth in our upcoming blogs, as well as the background information behind the vratha processes and foods that may be consumed to help you achieve your varied material and spiritual pursuits. BY BHANU SAINATH Astrology can be considered as the cosmic skeleton of our milky way galaxy. Though there are no definitive principles to substantiate this, our ancient seers had means and methods to visualize and experience certain occurrences and events which were documented into the ancient manuscripts. These remain as the focal point of this unbelievable science even to this date.
All those elements and Matter, sound, or light, whichever falls within the boundary of this cosmic belt, works with time in space. The mathematics in astrology chalked out a road map, indicating to us the events and possibilities of the happenings. Destiny could be determined, and methodologies to reach our destiny could be laid out. All these could be done based on an individual`s capacity to read, understand, and work with unifocal thought to attain the goal. Numerable ways to chalk out the Plans were given in an easy and effective manner. Understanding the human limitations were also possible. Methods to increase our capabilities were given out systematically. Understanding and Interpreting the ancient language was certainly not an easy job, but to a fair certainty, we can say it has trickled down with various morphed versions of modern astrology, resulting in their being blacklisted as a pseudo-science. This is till we delve deep into it to understand its actual interpretation and usage. Ancient seers have given us many scriptures to read and understand the workings of cosmic contents and its likely effects on earth. The magnitude of the contents is so heavy that the subject “Astrology”’ has been reduced to being one of the most controversial subjects even today just as the concept of “GOD” is. Even today, many astrological theories are termed as perspectives and assumptions, many analogies are reduced to myths and the ancient legends still remain as bedtime stories. No amount of science and technology`s growth could bring out the theorems and corollaries or equations to the existence of GOD or the predictive analysis used to determine one`s path of life through Astrology. But through various scriptures, many learned personalities in the fields of Veda sastras, astrological treatises, have surmised that any living entity on the planet earth would be subjected to the vibrations received from the planets and stars from the universe. As the earth rotates and revolves around the sun, various energy movements also act on the earth and its inhabitants inducing a current around us. We are constantly exposed to geo magnetic and bio magnetic waves. Just like our popular scientific phrase"' stimulus and response", the effect of these waves on our brain makes us think and react in a certain way to the happenings around us. At the time of our birth, we are exposed to these various energies which would have imprinted into our brain systems as our basic operating system. As various software applications are loaded into our body hardware, we start to function in a certain way as per the installed and working capabilities of our system. The time of our birth is called the first exposure into this bio energy field. That plays an important role in determining our capacities to receive and exude energies that we get on a daily basis from the cosmic. Our systems do have the capabilities of getting upgraded in case we are falling short of any dysfunctional applications installed. Our astrological birth chart provides an entire picture of us. Its symbols stand for both internal and external circumstances as well as all facets of our own past and experiences, ranging from the physiological to the psychological. Our whole being and actions are a part of its dynamic picture. Our chart, therefore, depicts our personality, our deepest desires, anxieties, and aspirations. These are identified and acknowledged, highlighting what's essential to us and our capability to succeed. Astrology is a creative but practical art that has numerous real-world applications. The symbols on the chart link internal psychology to external circumstances; as a result, our lives will be calmer and more effective. The better we understand ourselves, the better we can perform our duties effectively Astrology in various cultures also believes in the movements of the planets and stars and their potential effects on human psychology and physiology. We could all use some guidance every once in a while. Even if most of the time life is easy-going, it is necessary to have a tool that can give you a scope for you to look under the surface in order to understand what is really going on. Psychology works to address this aspect of life, the underlying significance of incidents, and astrology uses its own symbolic language to do the same. Astrology helps you better to understand who you are and why you act the way that you do by encouraging self-awareness and introspection. Also, it can aid in a better understanding of others around you, which can assist your relationships. Astrology teaches us how to identify and follow the flow of events; it tells us when to act and how to make the most of a particular set of circumstances. Nothing we do is by chance; our behaviors are influenced by our surroundings as well as our own wants and objectives. Change is the universe's one constant, and we are all subject to it. This is defined in astrology by planetary cycles or planetary transits. Mathematical logical analysis of these subtle concepts in real time makes this subject more and more mysterious to comprehend. The birth chart illustrates both inner and exterior problems, making a link between the two and displaying how you may change your outward circumstances by knowing your inner psychology and reasons. Astrology focuses on personal knowledge and advancement, which helps you to live life the way we intend it to be. |