REVIEW OF MY BOOK "VEDIC MANAGEMENT" BY BUSINESS DIGEST

Review of my Book " Vedic Management" by Business Digest , January, 2011 Page 5

WHAT ARE THE FIVE TYPES OF YAJNAS?

There are five types of yajnas as follows:
ahutam -- veda japam
hutam -- homam
prahutam -- BhUta bali
brAhmahutam -- brAhmaNa pUja
prASitam -- pitru pUja
One has to worship Rishis by veda adhyayana, Devas by homas, Pitrus by SrAddham, BrAhmaNas by food and bhUtas by bali dAnam

WHY SHOULD ONE PERFORM KARMANUSHTHANA AND FOLLOW THE WORDS OF RISHIS AND GURUS?

Based on one’s inherent vAsanas and TriguNas, one chooses his path of seeking the truth. Each path has its own intricacies. One can go by karma yoga, jnAna yoga, dhyAna yoga or bhakti yoga or by a combination of these. But in view of the complexities in comprehending and following the Scriptures, we require one physical person as Guru for proper guidance from time to time. The jagatguru of all , of course, is BhagavAn and that is why he is addressed as “ krishNam vande jagat gurum.”

Yo yo yAm Yam tanum bhaktah SraddhayArcitumicchati !
Tasya tasyAcalAm SraddhAm tAm eva vidadhAmyaham !!

Whichever Deity one person worships with faith, BhagavAn makes their faith steadfast in that Deity


sa tayA SraddhayA yuktas tasyArAdhanamIhate !
labhate ca tatah kAmAn mayaiva vihitAn hitAn !!

Though the person worships that Deity of his choice and fulfils his desires, the benefits are bestowed by BhagavAn alone.


antavattu phalam tesham bhavatyalpa medhasAm !
devan deva yajo yAnti mad bhaktA yanti mAmapi !!

Men of limited intellect worship demi-Gods with limited benefits. Those people reach the demi-Gods while those who worship BhagavAn go to Him.

BhagavAn also declares one should not give up yajna, dAna and tapas irrespective of his attainments as they purify a person .

yajna dAna tapah karma na tyAjyam karyameva tat !
yajno dAnam tapscaiva pAvanAni manishinAm !!

Though a person is morally upright, ethically good and spiritually inclined, he should also do the ordained karmAnushthAna to the extent possible till his very end.

The fruit of action has to be dedicated to BhagavAn. He advises that every one should do his specific karma and that karma phala tyAga ( giving up fruit of action) is better than karma tyAga (giving up action). This is what the dharma SAstras declare.

Whatever is said in the SAstras which are Rishi proktam are not mere commandments but are to be construed as gentle advice for one’s own long-term benefit.

Esha AdeSah ! Esha upadeSah !

WHETHER ONE CAN TOTALLY OVERLOOK SMRUTIS AND GO ONLY BY SRUTI ?

In order to understand the Sruti in the proper perspective, one requires the guidance of smruti. Interpreting the original Vedic Mantras on our own accord is dangerous in the modern environment.

For each Mantra, there is a Rishi, a Chandas and the devatA. One cannot overlook the Rishi and chant any Mantra including GAyatrI MahA Mantra. As Rishis are the Seers of Vedic Mantras and the authors of smrutis, we hold them in high esteem. Rishi TarpaNam is offered to them. KAnda Rishi TarpaNam is also there. All the Srauta, grihya and smArtha PrayogAs are done even today based on the statements of great Rishis like Apastamba, BodhAyana, ASvalAya, Jaimini, LAtyAyana, KAtyAyana and so on. In addition, we have sanakAdi Rishis, Sapta Rishis , NArada, BharadvAja, Veda VyAsa and so many others.

Each BrAhmaNa (however materially he may be rich) is born only as a debtor with triple debts. He is indebted to the Rishis, DevAs and Pitrus. The Rishi debt is discharged through brahmacarya, Deva debt through performance of yajnas and Pitru debt through progeny.

JAyamAno ha vai brAhmaNah tribhir rNa vA jAyate !
brahmacaryena rishibhyah !
yajnena devebhyah!
prajayA pitrubhyah!

The Rishis including Rishi Patnis are to be respectfully worshipped. Without them, the Vedas would have disappeared. The smrutis, which are Rishi Proktam are therefore equally valid like Sruti.

namah parama Rishibhyo namah parama Rishibhyah !

WHETHER SMRUTIS CONSTITUTE VALID PRAMANA?

Both Sruti and smrutis constitute valid pramANas.We have to keep in view that smrutis have only Sruti as the base.

One cannot properly understand the intended and intrinsic meaning of Vedas. As Vedas are complex and innumerable, the Rishis through their great tapas composed the Smrutis which define what is dharma for a particular Yuga.

Whatever one feels like doing according to his mental make-up does not constitute dharma. That is why in Bhagavad GItA , Bhagavan advises all to follow dharma as ordained in the Scriptures :


tasmacchAstram pramAnam te karYAkArya vyavasthitau!
jnAtvA SAstra vidhinoktam karma kartum ihArhasi !!
-----Bhagavad gItA ! 16.24
One who does not follow SAstras gains not Sukham or Siddhi or parama gati.
yah Sastra vidhim utsrijya vartate KAma kAratah !
na sa siddhim avApnoti na sukham na parAm gatim !!
---Bhagavad gItA 16.23


Learned sees through the eye of SAstras
" ----kavibhih SAstra cakshushA ---"
---- SrImad BhAgavatam x-84-36
Sruti smruti mamaivAjnA yad tad ullanghya vartate !
AjnAcchedhe mama drOhi mat bhaktOpi na vaishNava !!
--- VishNu
vedamUlAh smrutayah !
---- Sankha
durbodhA vaidikASSabdAh prakIrNatvacca ye khilAh !
tatraita eva drushtArthAh smruti tantrai pratishthitAh !!
---- MarIci
Srutim paSyanti munayah smaranti ca tathA smrutim !
tasmAt pramANamubhayam pramANaih pramitam bhuvi !!
---- Manu
Accoring to Angiras, those who are learned in pramANas should duly take care of them. Otherwise, authentic pramANas would get destroyed by baseless pramANas.
pramANAni pramANajnaih paripAlyAni yatnatah !
sIdanti pramANAni pramANairavyavasthitaih !!
--------Angiras

WHETHER WOMEN CAN HAVE UPANAYANAM AS PER DHARMA SASTRAS?

As per HArIta, there were two types of women, BrahmavAdinI, sadyovadhu. For Brahmavadinis, there was upanayanam, agnikAryam, vedAdhyayanam and bhikshAcaraNam in one's own house. Similarly, according to Yama, upanayanam, vedadhyayanam and gayatrI japam were allowed for women . However, this practice of previous kalpa is forbidden in this kalpa.

According to Manu, for women Marriage is prescribed in lieu of upanayanam, serving the husband is gurukula vAsam, doing domestic duties is agnikAryam.

vaivAhiko vidhih strINAm aupanAyikah smritah !
pati sevA gurau vAso gruhArthogni parikriye!

Thus based on the dharma SAstras, as part of present kali yuga dharma, the upanayana samskAra is forbidden for women.

WHO ARE ALL GET SATISFIED BY PERFORMANCE OF SRADDHAM ?

Seven types of persons get satisfied by performance of SrAddham:
(1) Devas by homa done in agni
(2) Pitrus in svarga by brAhmaNa bhojanam
(3) Pitrus in pitruloka by pInda DAnam
(4) People by anna DAnam
(5) PiSachAs by ucchishtha
(6) Those in naraka by vikira annam
(7) Unknown relatives by vAyasa piNda.


agnau hutena devAsca svargasthA vipra bhojanAh !
yamasthAh piNda dAnena mAnushA bhUri bhojanAt !!
ucchishThena piSacAdyAh nArakAh vikireNa tu !
ajnAtAh kAkapiNdena SrAddhe trupyanti saptadhA !!

WHETHER SRADDHAM HAS TO BE PERFORMED?

SrAddhAt parataram nAnyat SreyaskaramudAhrutam !
tasmAt sarvaprayatnena SrAddham kuryAtvicakshaNah!!
----- sumantu

There is no karma which yields goodness other than SrAddham. Therefore, by making all efforts a knower shall perform SrAddham.


na tatra vIrA jAyante nArogo naSatAyushah !
na ca Sreyodhi gacchati yatra SrAddham vivarjitam !!

------ hArIta
Where SrAddham is not done , there no Son is born, men do not get freed from disease, do not live long and do not get any goodness.

WHETHER ONE CAN REACT IN SELF-DEFENCE?

There is something known as Apaddharma . In self-defence in order to save one's life, one may react causing some injury to others. This is acceptable by SAstras under certain circumstances.

In MahAbhAratam, when the kauravas violate dharma yuddha, one can see glimpses of adharma yudhha on the part of PANdavas as well in some cases.

But there are a few great Sages who are GuNAtItas who only do good even for others who harm them. They truly deserve to be worshipped by all.

upakArishu yah sAdhuh sAdhutve tasya ko guNah !

apakArishu yah sAdhuh sa sAdhuh sadbhirucyate !!

Ordinary mortals are always driven by their VAsanas and triguNas.

WHETHER THE FORMS OF GODS ARE TO BE CONSTRUED AS ENERGY FORMS ?

Whatever covered in authenticated PurANas and Itihasas are to be taken as history based on actual happenings.

The Supreme Purusha is behind the prakriti as the nimitta and upAdAna kAraNa. The Deity is very important for us.

There is a subtle meaning as well in each avatAra for our understanding and practice .

All the avatAras of Gods are meant for our reflection, contemplation and learning.


In SrIVaishnAva tradition, SrI viSvaksena is worshipped. He is the Supreme Commander.

yasya dvirata vaktrAdyA: pArishadyA: paraSSatam !
vighnam nighnanti satatam viSvaksenam tamASraye !!

As far as SrI GaneSa:

He is GaNapati -- Lord of Demi-Gods

He is VinAyaka --- Leader par excellence.

He is VignarAja--- Remover of all obstacles

His big ears for open-mindedness -- Quality to listen to others--Answers the prayers of Devotees
KarNabhyAm bhUri Visruvam
Bhadram karNebhi: SruNuyAma deva:

His sharp eyes for grace --- a mix of Sun and Moon.

His Trunk for flexibility --- power to handle the heaviest and the subtlest things


His big stomach -- power to assimilate and digest varied forms of knowledge

MoshikaVAhana --- He makes the best use of available resources

He is Modakapriya --- Lover and bestower of joy

He is the bestower of Siddhi as well as Buddhi.

-----------And so on --------


Om MahA GaNapataye Namah !

durgAm vinAyakam vyAsam viSvaksenam gurUn surAn !
sve sve sthane tvabhimukhAn pUjayet prokshanAdibhi: !!
---- SrImad bhAgavatam

HAPPY RADHASHTAMI

SrIgovindapriyAm rAjñIm brundAvanamanoharIm !
krupAsvarUpiNIm divyAm RAdhA DevIm namAmyaham!!

I pray to the Goddess SrI RAdhA DevI, SrIKrishNa’s beloved Queen, the source of the beauty of BrindAvan, who is auspicious and is of the form of mercy.


SrI RAdhA is none other than SrI MahAlakshmi, who out of great compassion, facilitates the individual Self to get the divine grace of BhagavAn SrI KrishNa, the glorious Yogesvara. According to the Scriptures, the best way to approach SrI KrishNa is through obtaining the grace of SrI RAdhA. Let us not miss this opportunity today (15th September,2010) to offer our humble and sincere prayers. On this most auspicious Radhashtami day, may SrI RAdhAKrishNa shower blessings on all.
Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe !

WHAT THE VARIOUS TYPES OF BRAHMANAS?

According to Devala, there are eight types of BrAhmaNas as follows in the ascending order of greatness:

(1)MAtra
(2)BrAhmaNa
(3)Srotiya
(4)anUcAna
(5)BhrUNA

(6)Rishikalpa
(7)Rishi
(8)Muni

MAtra means one who is born in a BrAhmaNa family who has not undergone upanayanam and not following any ansuhthAna.

BrAhmaNa is one who has done some veda adhyayana, who has ACara, SAnti, Satyam, dayA.

Srotriya is one who has done the Veda adhyayanam of one SakhA along with kalpasUtra or six vedAngas, knower of dharma, performer of six karmas like yajanam.

anUCAna is one who is vedavedAnga tatvajna, Suddha citta, devoid of Sins and having the qualities of Srotriya.

BhruNa is one who is vrataguNopeta, follower of niyamas in yajnas and vedAdhyayana, devapitruSishtAnna BhojI, jitendriya.

Rishikalpa is one who has all vaidika and laukika jnAna, Asramastha, jitendriya.

Rishi is one who is Urdharetas, tapasvI, follower of AhAra niyama, powerful to give SApa and anugraha, satyasandha.

Muni is one who is not attached towards vishayas, knower of all tatvas, without KAma and krodha, dhyAnastha, nishkriya, jitendriya, viewer of gold or sand equally.

PREDICTIVE ASTROLOGY

Predictive aspect of jyotisha is nothing but predicting the karmaphala in various points of time. The karmas done by a person in the previous births yield fruits in the form of sukha or dukha.

Based on SAstras, the interpretation of the karma phala cannot be done casually or through computer programs. Thus a well-versed person who knows karma siddhAnta, nyAya siddhAnta, vedAnta siddhAnta, dharma SAstra, Ayurveda and so on, who is good at inference and deduction and who is having Mantra Siddhi alone can be a reliable and authentic astrologer.

Aneka horA tattvajnah Panca-siddhAnta kovidah !

Uhapoha patuh Siddhah Mantro jAnAti jAtakam !!

Astrology is like a lamp which can only reveal the objects as they are in the dark. Beyond that it is only by karmaphala that one's life and circumstances are determined.

Yaduparjitam anya janmani subhAsubham tasya karmaNah patim !

Vynjayati SAstrametat Tamasi dravyaNi dIpa iva !!

The predominant objective of VedAnga jyotisham is about determining the kAla for performance of yajnas. This has got lesser to do with individual horoscope based interpretations. The ancient Smritis also do not highlight horoscope based matching for the purpose of marriage.

jyotishAm ayanam puNyam pravakshAmyanu pUrvaSah !

sammatam brAhmaNendrANAm YajnakAlArtha siddhaye !!

WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF VEDANGA JYOTISHA?

Vedas are intended for the performance of yajnas.

VedAnga Jyotisha is also known as KAla vidhAna SAstram as understanding time is necessary for performance of yajnAs.

vedA hi yajnArtham abhipravruttAh
kAlAnupUrvyA vihitAsca yajnAh !
tasmAd idam kAlavidhAna SAstram
Yo jyotisham veda sa veda yajnAn !!

WHAT ARE VEDANGAS? WHETHER THEY ARE MORE AUTHENTIC THAN VEDAS?

There are six limbs of the Vedas, known as VedAngas. They symbolically represent the organs of the Veda Purusha.

1. SikshA -- Nose
2. Chandas -- Feet
3.VyAkaraNa -- Mouth
4. Nirukta -- Ears
5. Jyotisha -- Eyes
6.Kalpa -- Arms

SikshA is the science which deals with articulation and pronunciation.

Chandas is the science of metrics. It deals with Vedic metres.

VyAkaraNa is the science of grammar.

Nirukta is the science which deals with the etymological interpretation of words.

Jyotisha is the science of astronomy. It is primarily oriented towards determining the most appropriate time for performance of Vedic sacrifices and rituals.

Kalpa is the science which deals with rituals and prescribes rituals for sacrificial acts.
The Srauta sUtras contain a detailed description of sacrifices.
The Grihya SUtras prescribe rules for conducting various ceremonies pertaining to domestic life.
The Dharma SUtras consist of laws governing religious ways of life and secular matters as well.
The Sulva sUtras deal with the architecture of sacrificial altars for undertaking different kinds of sacrifices.


The VedAngas greatly help us in proper understanding and application of the Vedas. In case there is a difference between the two, Vedas will always prevail over the VedAngas . Thus Sruti PramANam is the most authentic pramANa.

HOW TO PERFORM BHISHMASHTAMI TARPANAM ?

Ratha SaptamI is for invoking Sun God.

TarpaNam to SrI BhIshma has to be offered on BhIshmAshtamI which is normally the day next to ratha saptamI.


Procedure:

(a)On BhIshmAShtamI day morning, perform sandhyA vandanAdi nitya karmas.

(b)Be seated facing East .

(c) Say the sankalpa " BhIshmAshtamI puNyakAle BhIshma TarpaNam karishye"

(d) Having YajnopavIta in NivIta mode, offer Arghyam by both hands in pure water without mixing tila by chanting the following Slokas:

1. bhIshmah SAntanavo vIrah satyavAdI jitendriyah !
AbhiradbhiravApnotu putrapautrocitAm kriYAm !!

bhIshmAya namah idamarghyam !

2. vaiyAghrapAda gotrAya sAnkritya pravarAya ca !
aputrAya dadAmyarghyam salilam bhIshma varmaNe !!

bhIshmAya namah idamarghyam !

3. gangAputrAya SAntAya Santanoh AtmajAya ca !
aputrAya dadAmyarghyam salilam bhIshma varmaNe !!

bhIshmAya namah idamarghyam !
anena arghyapradAnena bhIshmah PrIyatAm !

In fact all BrahmaNas should necessarily offer their respects to SrI BhIshma pitAmaha. In my humble view, he alone deserves the first praise of honour by all vipras as he considers them dearer than his own father.

My respectful salutations to SrI BhIshma.

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS FORMS OF SRADDHAM?

The subject of SrAddha is vast like an ocean.

There are two basic forms of SrAddha. One is known as PArvaNam and the other is called as Ekoddishtam.

SrAddha can be broadly classified into three categories nitya, naimittika and kAmya.

There are 12 types of SrAddhas:

(1)Nitya SrAddha
(2)Naimittika SrAddha
(3)KAmya SrAddha
(4)NAndI SrAddha
(5)sapiNDIkaraNa SrAddha
(6)PArvaNa SrAddha
(7)gaushtha SrAddha
(8) Suddhyartha SrAddha
(9)karmAnga SrAddha
(10)Daivika SrAddha
(11)YAtrA SrAddha
(12) Pushti SrAddha


PratyAbdika SrAddha especially for one's father or mother has to be necessarily performed as anna SrAddha only. No substitute is allowed in the form of Ama SrAddha or HiraNya SrAddha.

In other cases, if anna SrAddha cannot be performed, it can be done as Ama Sraddha under certain conditions.

If Ama SrAddha cannot be performed, it can be done as HiraNya SrAddha under certain conditions.

If HiraNya SrAddha cannot be performed, under extreme conditions beyond one's control, one can give grass or piNda to cow/perform tila tarpaNam/ undertake upavAsa/chant the SrAddha Mantra.

Kindly note the compassion of dharma SAstras towards all under varied circumstances.

HOW TO CHANT OM ?

It is advisable that the praNavopAsana is learnt directly from the Masters. PraSnopanishad Section V deals with meditation on "OM" .

When we chant "OM" as part of the Vedic Mantras whatever MAtra and Svara is prescribed in that context has to be followed.

Before reciting the Vedas one has to start with : Harih Om
( 4 MAtras)
On concluding the Vedic recitation one has to end with : Harih Om ( 3 MAtras)

GAyatrI Mantra Japa has to be recited mentally as per Vedic svara as ordained in one's SAkhA.

For Mantra japa involving praNava there is no svara but it goes by certain conventions.

For OmkAra Meditations , there are many ways of reciting "OM" which have to be learnt directly from the Yogic Master.

SOME THOUGHTS ON KARMA PHALAM

The subject of Karma is very vast , complex and it has multiple dimensions.
"gahanA karmaNo gatih."

I am presenting certain thoughts on the same:

(1)In the case of a realized person, whatever karma he does after realization gets distributed to those who praise and follow him and also to those who find fault with him. The former gets his puNya phala and the latter the PApa , if any. He experiences the prArabdha karma while his Sancita karma gets neutralized.

(2)Like a young calf which recognizes the mother cow amidst thousand other cows, the karma done by a person follows him meticulously.

(3) Like the tree which yields flowers and fruits at the appointed seasons, the fruit of action also manifests at the proper time.

(4) When there is great natural calamity like famine etc, all the people including great Rishis by-pass the dharma and adopt what is known as the Apad dharma.

(5) If a person cuts trees with an axe, then the person who cuts incurs the sin and not the Axe nor the maker of the Axe.

(6) For one's action Supreme is not responsible.

(7) There is the Supreme who by his Laws dispenses the Karma Phalam.

(8) Good and bad deeds rotate like a wheel.

(9) Karma done without the sense of doership and offered at the feet of the Supreme does not bind one.

(10) The Supreme intervenes in the case of a very select few (who deserve) and neutralises their karma due to his divine grace.

(11) Whether destiny is responsible?

(12) Whether it happens by chance?

(13) Whether KAla is responsible?

(14) The ultimate solution is to follow the Scriptures and do PrAyascitta to mitigate the grave sins.

prAyascittAnyaSeshANi tapah karmAtmakAni vai !
yAni teshamaSeshANAm KrishNAnussmaraNam param !!

WHETHER THERE IS ANY IMPACT OF TIME FACTOR IN FOLLOWING DHARMA?

The concept of "dharma" gets influenced by the factor "KAla". That is why with each passing Yuga there is a decline in the practice of "dharma."

While one follows whatever dharmAnushthAna is possible by him in this Kali yuga, there is no need to condemn others who do not follow it totally.

The following quote from ParASara is worth remembering in this regard:

yuge yuge ca ye dharmAs tatratatra ca ye dvijAh !
teshAm nindA na kartavyA yugarUpa hi te dvijAh !!

WHETHER VANAPRASTHA ASRAMA IS PERMITTED IN KALI YUGA ?

According to dharma SAstras, VAnaprastha ASrama is prohibited in Kali Yuga.

ayam ca VAnaprasthASramah "devareNa sutotpattir VAnaprasthASramagrahah " iti kalau nishiddah.

MAmsa dAnam tathA SrAddhe VAnaprathASramas tathA !

imAn dharmAn kaliyuge varjyAnAhur manIshiNah !

WHETHER SRADDHAM CAN BE PERFORMED BY BRAHMANAS ABROAD?

Those who have mastered dharma SAstras are of the opinion that SrAddham (annual pitru ceremony) should be performed only in karma bhUmi (India). If a person has gone abroad, he should perform the prAyascitta and then do the SrAddham every year in karma bhUmi (India) .

A kartA who is abroad cannot avoid performance of SrAddham . He cannot ask somebody else to do the SrAddham in India instead of him and fast there.

1. yasmin deSe mrgah krishNah tasmin dharmAnnibodhata ! (YAjnavalkya)

2. svabhAvAt yatra vicaret krishNa SArah sadA mrugah !
dharma deSah sa vijneyo dvijAnAm karma SAdhanam !!
(Samvartah)

3. CAturvarNya vyavasthAnam yasmin deSe na vidyate !
tam Mlechha deSam jAnIyAt AryAvartAdanataram !! ( VyAsa)

4. na mlecchadeSe SrAddham kuryAt !
na gacchen mleccha vishayamiti ! (VishNu)

5. adharma DeSa madhye tu krtvA kratuSatAnyapi !
na gacchati dvijaSreshTa svargamArgam mahAnapi !! (Aditya purANam)

WHETHER BRAHMANA VARNA IS DETERMINED BY BIRTH?

Vipra means BrAhmaNa .
A person is born as a BrAhmaNa.

As the first born among the mortals, he is known as agrajanmA.
After Upanayana. he becomes a dvija.
As one learned in Vedas, he is known as a Srotriya.
As a deity upon earth, he is known as BhUdeva.
As one who has emanated from the mukha of the Supreme, he is known as Mukhaja.
A BrAhmaNa who is only by birth and not by performance of duties is known as BrAhmaNabruva .

1. It is difficult to convince all as each one thinks that he/ she knows everything about dharma SAstras and their subtle interpretations.
2. The VarNa is determined only by birth according to the conclusive view of all traditional AcAryas including Adi SankarAcArya.
3. Regarding matters related to varNa and ASrama, we have to go by what is stated in established and accepted Smritis. We should not use our limited materialistic knowledge and try to justify with our own interpretations.
4. While a BrAhmaNa has to follow the varNASrama dharma to the extent possible, he has to necessarily treat those belonging to other VarNas with equal respect and dignity.
5. Now it has become a fashion among the vipras to say that brAhmaNas are not determined by birth. This brAhmaNa-bashing by members of the same community is unwarranted.

6. Instead of joining hands to bring the best out of the BrAhmaNa community as a whole for Universal welfare, it is sad that the community is denounced by its own members .

WHAT IS SPIRITUALISM FOR A POOR MAN?

It is true that money is very important for day to day existence. The modern living has complicated this further.

In SrImad Bhagavad GItA , SrI KrishNa talks about selflessness, samatva bhAva and dexterity in action along with non-attachment. These essential ingredients of karma yoga when practised with deep faith and devotion would lead to human emancipation. By non-attachment to the fruits of action, one concentrates on the present and does the work in an excellent manner. He is also not affected by success or failure and is in a position to keep his poise and lead a life which is stress-free, wholesome and useful to others. He has a sense of non-doership and therefore karmas do not bind him.

Though a person may not have adequate monetary resources, the Supreme would show the path for fulfilling his basic necessities. This is true of all Beings where even before birth the mother’s milk is kept ready. A person is born to work out his prArabdha karma. He has some sort of conditional free-will just like a cow which is tethered to a peg. Within that circumference he can make self-efforts and progress both monetarily and spiritually.

To reach the Supreme, the mind is most important and not money. Whatever a person offers with devotion, be it a leaf, flower, fruit or water, the Supreme is immensely pleased. We hear the story of kucela , the childhood friend of SrI KrishNa who has to suffer for many years before which he could get His divine grace. The touching story of sage ThyagarAja who sung “ Nidhi sAla sugamA” is a pointer.

That is why in our daily prayers we say “sarve bhavantu sukhinah” (Let all be happy) and so on. The Vedic prayers cover not only the welfare of human beings but also that of plants and animals. Prayers are offered for pleasant environment taking into consideration the well-being of all.

The truth is that each one experiences the fruit of his action in his own way. A deeper insight into karma yoga alone can redeem humanity from its complex problems.

Even though a person strives hard for his daily bread, if he unconditionally submits to the Supreme and offers all his service as dedication unto the Lord, he is sure to attain the path of immortality.

WHETHER VEDIC MANTRAS CAN BE RECITED BY ALL?

In matters regarding learning and teaching of Vedas , we have to go based on what is stated in the Vedic Scriptures and concluded by our AcAryas.

One should not confuse what is stated in the SAstras with our limited materialistic knowledge. It is safer and better to align with the UpadeSa of the renowned AcAryas in this regard.


Vedas are no doubt meant for Universal peace, Universal development and Universal welfare. But the Vedic yajnas have to be performed by those who are qualified by the SAstras to perform. While Vedic knowledge can be freely disseminated for the benefit of all, teaching and learning the Vedic Mantras have to be based on tradition only.

Vipras have protected the Vedas from time immemorial by making personal sacrifice and by leading a simple and austere life devoted to propagation of Vedas (sVadhyAya pravacanam). We have to offer our gratitude to them who have selflessly carried it so far despite numerous hurdles. In the name of modernity, let us not fiddle with it.

When we daily recite the SAnti Patha as below, we pray for the well-being of not only human beings but also animals and plants. Therefore Vedic Prayers have an Universal outlook.

Urdhvam jigAtu bheshajam !
Sam no astu dvipade !
Sam catushpade !

Om SAnti: SAnti: SAnti: !




The following Mantra also recited while offering oblations to our forefathers show how caring are the Vedas about environmental order.

Madhu vAtA rutAyate(Let the air be pleasant)

Madhu ksharanti sindhavah(Let the rivers be pleasant)

MAdhvIrnas santvoshadhIh(Let the plants and creepers be pleasant)

Madhu naktamutoshasi(Let the day and night be pleasant)

Madhumat pArthivam rajah(Let the dust of the earth be pleasant)

Madhu dyaurastu nah pitA(Let our father-like Sky be pleasant)

Madhu mAnno vanaspatih(Let the herbs be pleasant)

MadhumAm astu sUryah(Let the Sun be pleasant)

MAdhvIr gAvo bhavantu nah(Let the cows be pleasant to us)
--- mahAnArAyaNa upanishad xxxix-3

Let all the dvijas take the initiative in learning and propagating the Vedic knowledge for the benefit of all Beings within the framework of SAstras.

Else the prediction in SrImad BhAgavatam that "VedAh PAshaNda dUshitAh" would become a reality very soon.


Let us pray more Vipras do whatever they can for protecting and nourishing the Vedas and the Srotriyas.

Yadyat Acarati Sreshthah tadtadevetaro janah !
sa yat pramANam kurute lokas tadanuvartate !! ( Bh. G . iii- 21)

WHETHER WOMEN CAN RECITE SRI VISHNU SAHASRANAMA?

SrImad BhAgavatam i-4-25 empowers Women to study MahAbhAratam .


strI SUdra dvijabandhUnAm
trayI na Sruti gocarA
karma Sreyasi mUdhAnAm
SreyA evam bhaved iha
Iti bhAratam AkhyAnam
krupayA muninA krutam


As SrI VishNu SahasranAma is part of MahAbhAratam, women can recite it as Sloka pAtha after learning from a Guru. However, it may not be advisable for them to do anganyAsa, karanyAsa etc and recite the same as japa.

In my limited understanding, there is no bar on Women to recite SrI Vishnu SahasranAma as a Sloka pAtha without elaborate rituals covering anganYAsa, KaranyAsa , etc.

WHETHER SCRIPTURES TALK ABOUT MATCHING OF HOROSCOPES FOR MARRIAGE?

Our ancient Scriptures do not talk about matching of horoscopes for the purpose of marriage. Hence in those days this was not insisted upon.However, as the planetary positions of the groom and bride give some indication about one's health, longevity,etc the practice of matching the horoscope could have started later on. This has been stretched too far now.

Jyotish SAstra is more about determination of the auspicious time for conducting various rituals including yajNAs and SamskAras based on the planetary positions.

WHETHER SAGOTRA MARRIAGE IS ALLOWED AS PER SCRIPTURES?

Sagotra marriage (having the same Pravara) is prohibited as per Scriptures vide Apastamba SUtra ii-5-11-15 , Gautama Smriti iv-2.

In the modern context, it is better to avoid Sagotra marriage as far as possible .
The marriage between sapiNdas/ daSarAtra/ trirAtra jnAtis to be totally avoided.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AKSHAYA TRITIYA AS PER SCRIPTURES

The following are associated with Akshaya tritIyA :

1.BhagavAn Sri KrishNa says Akshayam while consuming the Avil ( Rice) given by Kucela. (MahAbhAratam)
2.DurvAsa Muni episode in which He feels stomach full even though he has not taken any food . This happens when Draupadi prays to SrI KrisNa when she has cleansed the Akshaya pAtram and no food is available. (MahAbhAratam).
3. Dharma Ghata dAnam ( Giving a pot with water as dAnam).
4. Giving dAnam especially water and food.
5. Pouring water to Plants and trees.
6. Feeding of animals.
7. Beginning of Krita yuga.
8. Performance of Pitru tarpaNam.

WHAT ARE THE 18 PARVAS OF MAHABHARATA?

The 18 Parvas of Mahabharata are as follows:
Adi-parva
Sabha-parva
Vana-Parva
Virata-parva
Udyoga-parva
Bhishma-parva
Drona-parva
Karna-parva
Shalya-parva
Sauptika-parva
Stri-parva
Shanti-parva
Anusasana-parva
Ashvamedhika-parva
Ashramavasika-parva
Mausala-parva
Mahaprasthanika-parva
Svargarohana-parva

DIET AND AYURVEDA

Ayurveda attaches great importance to Diet.
Diet is primarily responsible for one's welfare.
Diseases are due to wrong diet.
One derives nourishment, satisfaction, strength and intelligence from diet.

AhArasambhavam vastu rogAscAhAra sambhavAh !
hiTAhita viSeshAcca viSeshah sukha dukhayoh !!
--caraka samhitA xxviii-45

Na hita AhAropayoginAmagniveSa tannimittayA vyAdhayo jAyante
--caraka samhitA xxviii- 7

tushtih pushtir balam medhA sarvamanne prathishtitam
--caraka samhitA xxvii -350

CHECKLIST OF KARTRUTVA IN THE DESCENDING ORDER OF PREFERENCE FOR PERFORMING THE LAST RITES FOR BRAHMANAS

CHECKLIST OF KARTRUTVA IN THE DESCENDING ORDER OF PREFERENCE FOR PERFORMING THE LAST RITES FOR BRAHMANAS

1) Putra – Son (Eldest)
2) Pautra- Son’s Son
3) Prapautra – Son of Pautra
4) Datta – Adopted Son, Son given in Adoption
5) Datta Putra – Son of Datta
6) DhanahArI Dauhitra – Son of Daughter ( who is the inheritor of wealth)
7) DhanaGhrahaNa abhAvepi Dauhitra --- Son of Daughter (Though not the inheritor of wealth)
8) PatnI –Wife
9) Jyeshtha BhrAtA– Elder Brother
10) SapatnI Putra – ( Co-Wife’s Son in case of Women)
11) BhartA - Husband
12) PutrI – Daughter
13) BhrAtA – Brother
14) Bhratru Putra – Brother’s Son
15) Pitruvya PutrAh -- Sons of Paternal Uncle ( cittappA , periappA )
16) Pitruvya Putrasya PutrAh – Sons of Paternal Uncle’s Son
17) PitA –Father
18) MAtA – Mother
19) SnushA -- Daughter-in-Law
20) PautrI --- Son's daughter
21) DauhitrI --- Daughter's daughter
22) Pautrasya PatnI -- Wife of Son's Son
23) Pautrasya PutrI-- Daughter of Son's Son
24) Dattasya PatNI --- Wife of Datta
25) BhaginI – Sister
26) BhAgineYa – Son of Sister
27) SapiNda
28) SamAnodaka
29) MAtrU Sapinda
30) Matru SamAnodaka
31) Sagotra - Same Gotra as the deceased
32) Sishya – Disciple
33) jAmAtA – Son-in-Law
34) sakhA – Friend
35) DhanahArI – One who is going to inherit Wealth of the deceased

Note : In case of non-availability of any relatives, DakshiNA can be given to a BrAhmaNa and he may be requested to perform the Last Rites.

WHETHER WOMEN HAVE KARTUTVA TO PERFORM THE LAST RITES?

There are 35 persons who have the eligibility of kartrutva. Out of these, the following women have the kartrutva in the descending order of preference:
(a) PatnI --Wife
(b) PutrI -- Daughter
(c) mAtA -- Mother
(d) SnushA -- Daughter-in-Law
(e) PautrI --- Son's daughter
(f) DauhitrI --- Daughter's daughter
(g) Pautrasya PatnI -- Wife of Son's Son
(h) Pautrasya PutrI-- Daughter of Son's Son
(i) Dattasya PatNI --- Wife of Datta
(j) BhaginI -- Sister

It has to be kept in view that while Kartrutva is there for women as above, they cannot perform the religious rites independently themselves. They have to do the sankalpa and entrust performance of the rites to a BrAhmaNa of their choice who has undergone upanayanam. This is done symbolically by the woman concerned by handing over the darbha after the sankalpa to the BrAhmaNa as aforesaid. The Rites would be performed by the above BrAhmaNa.

WHETHER SON IN LAW CAN PERFORM THE LAST RITES?

There is no restraint in the SAstras that Son-in-Law's father should not be alive in case he has to perform the last rites of the father-in-law. The kartrutvam by Son-in-Law comes later in the order of preference of the eligible KartAs. Amongst the list of eligible KartAs, dauhitra ( son of daughter) ranks next to Putra (Son) followed by brother, brother's son and so on. The SAstras compassionately allow sagotra (One belonging to the same Gotra) or sakhA (one's friend) or a BrAhmaNa ( by giving some money) also to perform the last rites if there are no relatives available. The moot point is that samskAra of the dead should be performed .

It is not correct to state that those who have father never enter crematorium nor should they perform any funeral rites with the exception of their mother. For example, the dauhitran ( daughter's son) can perform the last rites of his grandfather, even though his own father is alive.

WHAT ARE THE GOTRAS WITH FIVE RISHIS?

The following are the Gotras having pancArsheya (five Rishis):

anUpa Gotra
apnavana Gotra
avata Gotra
Apastambi Gotra
ArshtisheNa Gotra
AtmabhU Gotra
ucatya Gotra
Aurva Gotra
karNa Gotra
kapila Gotra
KAtyAyana Gotra
garga Gotra
gartabhya Gotra
kAlava Gotra
gautama Gotra
kaumAnda Gotra (3 Variants)
cyavana Gotra
mAmantareshaNa Gotra
MArkaNdeya Gotra
mAsUrAksha Gotra (3 Variants)
maudgalya Gotra
yAskAyana Gotra
Rksha Gotra
raukshAyaNa Gotra
vatsa Gotra
vatsapurotas Gotra
vAtSAyana Gotra
vAtsya Gotra
VAtsyAyana Gotra
vAlmIkI Gotra
vIhatahavya Gotra
caicira (2 Variants)
caila bhArgava Gotra
sAnkrtya Gotra
sakIni Gotra
sAmbarAyaNa Gotra
sAvarNi Gotra

WHAT ARE THE 18 PURANAS?

The 18 Puráńas are as follows:

1. Brahmá Puráńa
2. Padma Puráńa
3. Vishńu Puráńa
4. Váyavíya Puráńa
5. Bhágavata Puráńa
6. Naradíya Puráńa
7. Márkańdeya Puráńa
8. Agni Puráńa
9. Bhavishya Puráńa
10. Brahma-vaivartta Puráńa
11. Linga Puráńa
12. Varáha Puráńa
13. Skanda Puráńa
14. Vámana Puráńa
15. Kúrma Puráńa
16. Matsya Puráńa
17. Gáruda Puráńa
18. Brahmáńda Puráńa

MANTRA FOR ASVATTHA PRADAKSHINAM

The following Mantra to be recited while doing pradakshiNam of aSvattha tree.

mUlato brahmarUpAya madhyato vishNu rUpiNe !
agratah Siva rUpAya vrksha rAjAya te namah !!

Thus the aSvattha tree is of the form of trimUrti comprising of Brahma, VishNu and Siva.
aSvattha is considered as the king of trees.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF AYURVEDA

The following are the basic concepts of Ayurveda:

1.panca mahAbhUtas -- Five great elements

AkASa --- Space
vAyu --- Air
teja --- Fire
jala --- Water
prithivI --- Earth

2. tridoshas --- Three biological imbalances

vAta --- Combination of Air and Space
pitta --- Fire
kapha --- Water and Earth

3. sapta dhAtus --- Seven Constituents

rasa --- Chyle
rakta --- Blood
MAmsa --- Muscle
majjA ---- Marrow
asthi ---- Bone
medhA ---- Brain and nervous system
Sukra ---- Sperm and ovum

4 malas --- Excretal products

5.triguNas --- Three qualities

satva --- Peace
rajas --- Passion
tamas --- Ignorance

WHAT ARE THE MAIN BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA?

There are eight main Branches of Ayurveda. These are as follows:

(1) KAyacikitsa (General Medicine)
(2) BAlacikitsa (Pediatrics)
(3) Grahacikitsa (Psychiatry)
(4) UrdhvAngacikitsa (Treatment of ENT and Cephalic diseases)
(5) Salyacikitsa (Surgery)
(6) Damshtracikitsa (Toxicology)
(7) Jaracikitsa (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation)
(8) Vrshacikitsa (Aphrodisiac Therapy)

MANTRA FOR WEARING KARADAIYAN NONBU SARADU BY MARRIED WOMEN

The following Mantra to be recited by married women while wearing the kAradaiyAn nonbu saradu (yellow thread) :

doram grihNAmi subhage mahAridram dharAmyaham !
Bhartuh Ayushya sidhyartham suprItA bhava sarvadA !!

TALK ON "EXCELLENCE THROUGH KARMA YOGA"

Talk on "Excellence through Karma Yoga" delivered by Dr S Kannan, Consultant, Tata Consultancy Services on 6th February, 2010 at Taj Connemara, Chennai in the 34th All India Conference on Internal Audit organised by The Institute of Internal Auditors India, Madras Chapter.

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Highlights from the Talk

Karma Yoga Concepts

•Types of karma: nitya, naimittika, kAmya, nishiddha, prAyaScitta
•Drivers : Likes, dislikes (rAga, dvesha)
•Factors: karaNam, kAraNam, kartA. bhoktA, daivam
•Characteristics : Desirelessness, Proficiency, Faith
•TyAga : Karma tyAga , Karma phala tyAga
•Karma, akarma, vikarma
•MAnasam, VAcikam, KAyikam
•3D’s : Delight, Devotion, Detachment
•sañcita, prArabdha, AgAmi

Karma Yogi

•Satisfied in the Atman through the Atman
•Steady wisdom
•Without desires
•Without attachment , balanced in happiness and misery
•Free from subtle impressions
•At peace even though moving with the sense objects
•Works like a Master
•Work is of very best quality
•Impelled by utmost compassion, works for the good of the world

How Karma Yoga helps Professionals?

•Independence --- asangah - svAtantriyam
•Objectivity --- asangah - satyam
•Competency --- svadharma – kauSalam
•Ethical --- karma – not following vikarma
•Commitment --- abhirati
•Delight in one’s own duty -- sve sve karmaNi abhiratah
•Devotion to duty --- svakarmaNiratah
•Dedication as service to Supreme – svakarmaNA tamabhyarcya