தத் த்வாரா (TAT Dvara)

A prayer to Ganapathi is the first thing that is done in any activity in Hinduism. Irrespective which sect you belong to like Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Kaumaaram, Shaaktam etc, first obeisance to Lord Ganapathi is common to all. Since he is common to all the paths in the journey of spiritual evolution - it is always "through him" (Tat Dvara). There is also a thought that you don't have to pray any other devata and praying Ganapathi is just sufficient to attain whatever we want. Tat means that, Dvara means way or path. I just scribbled this prayer song with the "Tat Dvara" concept:

கரியதோர் முகத்தையுற்ற ஐங்கரனை நாமும் தொழவே
அரியதோர் கலைகள் ஞானம் நாடியே நம்மை நல்கும்
கிரியதோர் விரலில் கொண்ட கரியவனின் கருணைக் கிட்டும்
நரியதோர் பரியதாக்கிய பரமன்தாள் நுண்ணறிவாய் எட்டும்

பெரியதோர் மாயை என்ற பொய்த்திரையும் விலகிப் போகும்
பொரியதோர் ஐந்துமொன்றி மறைப்பொருளைக் நன்குக் காட்டும்
உரியதோர் நெஞ்சும் உருகி மெய்ப்பேரொளியாய் உட்கலக்கும்
சிறியதோர் புல்லை யொத்தோர்க்கும் நின்பேரருளால் வீடு கிட்டும்!!

Happy reading!

வானவில் (Rainbow)

அதோ பார்!

வானத்தில் வானவில்!

எவ்வளவு அழகு, 

எவ்வளவு இனிமை

என்றது ஒரு கூட்டம்

வானத்தின் பெருமையை

பாடியது ஒரு கூட்டம்

மழையின் அழகை 

பாராட்டியது ஒரு கூட்டம்

எல்லாம் ஆமோதித்தது 

மற்றோருக் கூட்டம்

அதைக் கண்ட ஒரு துறவி கூறினார்:

மடையர்களே!!

வானத்தில் இல்லை வானவில், அது 

உங்கள் கண்களில் இருக்கிறது! அந்த

வாயை பிளந்து வானையே

பார்ப்பதை நீ நிறுத்தியே!!

ஊனைக் கடந்து உயிரிலே

உற்று நோக்க வல்லீரேல் அந்த

நீலவானம் உன் கண்ணுள்ளே, அந்த

கரியமேகம் உன் கண்ணுள்ளே,அந்த

வளைந்த வடிவம் கண்ணுள்ளே, அந்த

ஏழுவர்ணம் உன் கண்ணுள்ளே, 

ஐம்புலனின் ஓட்டம் நிறுத்தியே 

கருத்தை கொஞ்சம் திருத்தியே, அந்த

நோக்கம் இல்லா நோக்கிலே அந்த

பார்வை இல்லா பார்வையில்

ஏழு வர்ணம் தெரிந்திடும், அந்த

வானவில்லும் மலர்ந்திடும்!

Happy reading!

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

I read this English poem in a social forum and was very inspired. I scribbled the Tamil poem below which isn't a translation but reflects some of the concepts with some improvisation. Hope you like it :). 

A poem inspired by the zen calligraphy ichi en so by shingai tanaka.

Where does the circle begin?
Is it a line you guess with your pen?
Is the passage of time
just a spin of a dime
along crooked line
to a finishing sign?
If you go on and on
feeling lost, feeling numb,
will you find what you want
in this meaningless hunt?

Where does the circle begin?
Is it the distance you run from your sin?
Is your knowledge of past
what sustains you to last,
what you've seen,
what you've done,
under moon
under sun?
If you keep looking back
on your life in the black
will you see what you want
in this meaningless hunt?

Where does the circle begin?
Is it the distance you mark from a pin?
If you run round the edge
on the cusp of the ledge
searching bush, searching hedge
in the seas that you dredge
if you look for the one
under heaven and sun
will you find what you want
in this meaningless hunt?

Where does the circle begin?
Can you trace another thats been?
If you copy your father,
your mother,
your brother
will you find your true self
or will you still suffer?
Is there a template for you
to know what is true?
Can you find what you want
in this meaningless hunt?

Where does the circle begin?
I'll tell you, I've seen it, I've been!
It is born in the sound of the voice of the ground
and the moon and the stars
and the sky that is ours
and the compulsion to ask!

And though I stand on the sand
With my heart in my hand
I can hear there's a sound
In the darkness I found

For there is infinite possibility
In the depths of my limits, see
From a seed grows a tall tree
And the knowledge we're born free!

And in the sound that I found
In the voice of the ground.
And the resonant art
Of my hand and my heart

Where does the circle begin?

Its easy, its drawn from within! 

-----------

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே? நீ

ஓர் விட்டத்தின் சுற்றும் வடிவோ? நீ

ஓர் புள்ளியின் எண்ண வரையோ? நீ

ஓர் ஆரையின் அளவு அசைவோ? நீ

ஓர் பரிதியின் முழுமை அளவோ?

(விட்டம் = Diameter, ஆரை = Radius, பரிதி = Circumference)

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே? நீ

ஓர் மையத்தில் நங்கூரம் கொண்ட

நேர்கோட்டின் சுழன்ற பாங்கோ?

ஓர் கூர்முனையே இல்லா நீயும்

எம்முனைக்கும் வடிவ வியலோ?

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே? நீ

மூலத்தின் முழுமுதற் பொட்டோ?

காலத்தின் பொற்கோலம் நீயோ? நீ

சீலத்தின் நற்செம்மை வடிவோ? நீ

ஞாலத்தின் ஞானப் பொழிவோ?

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே? நீ

ஓர் விதியின் விளையா வித்தோ? நீ

ஓர் வித்தில் விளையும் வினையோ?

வளைவயே இலக்கணமாய் கொண்ட

இருப்புள்ளிகளின் வினையும் நீயோ?

A circle is a moving point revolving around a fixed point. Hence it is இருப்புள்ளிகளின் வினை.

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே?

அளவியல் முதலாய் இடவியல் இயங்கியல்

வடிவவியல் மேலாய் கணித நுண்ணியல்

நேரியல் வரைவியல் யாவைக்கும் வேராய்

நுண்வட்டவியலே குலக்கோட்பாடோ?

அளவியல் – Measurement sciences, இடவியல் – Spatial Geometry or Topological sciences, இயங்கியல் – Science of dynamic and moving bodies, வடிவவியல்- Geometry, கணித நுண்ணியல் – Subatomic sciences, நேரியல் – Linear Algebra, வரைவியல் – Cryptography, வட்டவியலே- Science of Circle, குலக் கோட்பாடு – Common / family factor. Stressing that science of circle is the root of all the above mentioned sciences.

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே?

அண்டமே அணு வடிவமென்று

தொல்லான்மர்கள் ஆழ்ந்துணர்ந்த

அறிவியல் கூற்றை விளக்கும்

வடிவமே உன் வடிவமன்றோ?

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே? நீ

ஓர் ஆதியும் அந்தமும் இல்லா

அப்பரமனின் அற்புத அழகோ? நீ

ஓர் மூலமும் முடிவும் இல்லா

நல்லாத்மனின் தத்துவ நெறியோ?

வட்டமே உன் தொடக்கம் எங்கே?

வட்டமே உன் முடிவும் எங்கே? நீ

என் அம்மையும் அப்பனும் கண்ட

ஆண்பெண்ணாய் கலந்து நின்ற

இரு பிறையாய்* புணர்ந்து வந்த

உமைநாரிபங்கன் வடிவும் நீயோ?

*A circle is made of 2 half circles and each of them is a Pirai (பிறை)

வட்டத்தின் வடிவை நானும் என்

கைகளால் வரைந்து பார்த்தேன்!

உடல் உள்ளத்தின் நடுக்கம் மேவ

வட்டவடிவும் கோணல் கொள்ள!

கணங்களின் பதியாம் அவனை

வணங்கி ஓர் புள்ளி வைத்தேன்

பூமியின் நற்சுழற்சியால் புள்ளி

வட்ட வடிவும் கொண்டதம்மா!

(A fixed point in a revolving globe would be a circle.)

சித்தத்தின் சீற்றம் தன்னை, இயற்க்கை
சீலத்தில் லயித்தால், வாழ்வில்
விளையுமே செம்மை வட்டம்
என்று நான் கற்றேன் பாடம்!!

பர நாதத்தின் ஒளியும் வட்டம்

நம் ஞாலத்தின் படிவம் வட்டம்

கணக்கியலின் மூலம் வட்டம்

அம்மூலத்தின் வடிவம் வட்டம்

“அ” காரத்தின் தொடக்கம் வட்டம்

“உ” காரத்தின் தொடக்கம் வட்டம்

“ஓ” காரத்தின் தொடக்கம் வட்டம், அவ்

“ஓ” காரத்தின் முடிவும் வட்டம்

இன்பமும் துன்பமும் மீண்டும்

விளைவதே வாழ்க்கை வட்டம்!

பிறப்பதும் இறப்பதும் மீண்டும்

உளைவதே மாயை வட்டம்!!

அண்டத்துள் பிண்டம் என்றும்

பிண்டத்துள் அண்டம் என்றும்

என்னுள்ளத்துள் உறையும் ஈசன்

ஓர் வட்டத்துள் வட்டமன்றோ?

வட்டத்தில் தொடங்கி மீண்டும்

வட்டத்தில் முடியும் பிரணவம்!!

வட்டத்தில் தொடங்கி மீண்டும்

வட்டத்தில் முடியும் ஞாலம்!!

வட்டத்தில் தொடங்கி மீண்டும்

வட்டத்தில் முடியும் வாழ்க்கை!!

தொடக்கமும் முடிவும் இல்லா

வட்டத்தை வந்தனை செய்வேன்!!

தொடக்கமும் முடிவும் இல்லா

வட்டத்தை வந்தனை செய்வேன்!!

 Happy Reading!

இல்லை, இல்லை, இல்லையே (Neti, Neti)

I think i still have an hangover of the thoughts I had when I blogged the last poem in Tamil on எத்தனை, எத்தனை (http://ragsgopalan.blogspot.in/2012/03/blog-post.html) . May be if you have not read it, please do and come here.

Almost on the same lines I have taken the Neti, Neti concept of the Indian philosophy as understood by me and attempted this. Neti is a concept that negates all that is not truth and that is not permanent and finally arrives at God. Every scripture which talks about the concept of God finally talks that God is without name and form and quality. Seek god within you and the only attributes he seems to possess is Love, Truth and Bliss. You would note that  I would have stuck to order of Tamil alphabets for each and every line.

श्री गुरुब्यो नमः! 

அம்மை இல்லை, அப்பன் இல்லை, அந்தம் அங்கு இல்லையே  

ஆதி இல்லை, ஆசை இல்லை, ஆணவ மாங்கு இல்லையே

இன்பம் இல்லை, இன்னல் இல்லை, இச்சை அங்கு இல்லையே

பின், கோயில் கட்டி கும்பம் நாட்டி வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?

ஈரம் இல்லை, ஈகை இல்லை, ஈட்டுவதும் இங்கு இல்லையே

உயிரும் இல்லை, உடலும் இல்லை, உணர்ச்சிகளும் இல்லையே

ஊக்கம் இல்லை, ஊட்டம் இல்லை ஊனும் அங்கு இல்லையே

பின், ஆற்றில் ஆடி, தூயாடைச் சூடி வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?

எண்ணும் இல்லை எழுத்தும் இல்லை, எழுச்சி என்பதில்லையே

ஏற்றம் இல்லை, ஏக்கம் இல்லை, ஏமாற்றம் அங்கு இல்லையே

ஐயம் இல்லை, ஐயன் இல்லை, ஐந்தெழுத்தும் இல்லையே

பின், பூவைக்கூட்டி புடவைச் சாற்றி வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?  

ஒப்பும் இல்லை,ஒலியும் இல்லை, ஒழுக்கமென்பது இல்லையே

ஓசை இல்லை, ஓட்டம் இல்லை, ஒய்வொன்று இல்லையே

ஔவை பாட்டி தந்த நெறியும் ஔடதமாய் இல்லையே

பின், படையலிட்டு பந்தி வைத்து வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?

கள்ளம் இல்லை, கபடும் இல்லை, கல்வி என்றும் இல்லையே

சக்தி இல்லை, சட்டம் இல்லை, சடங்கும் அங்கு இல்லையே,

ஞாலம் என்ற ஞானம் இல்லை, ஓர் ஞாபகமும் இல்லையே

பின், பாலும், தேனும், தயிருமூற்றி வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?  

தப்பும் இல்லை, தவறும் இல்லை, தண்டனையும் இல்லையே

நந்தி இல்லை, நஞ்சும் இல்லை, நாதம் அங்கு இல்லையே

பக்தி இல்லை, பண்பு இல்லை, பணிவதும் தான் இல்லையே

பின், தூபம்க்கூட்டி, தீபம் காட்டி வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?

மரபும் இல்லை, மாசும் இல்லை, மகிழ்ச்சி என்பதில்லையே 

யமுனை ஆற்றில் நமனை வென்ற யாதவனும் இல்லையே

ரவி குலத்தில் ரகு விழியில் வந்த ராகவனும் இல்லையே 

பின், ஊரூராய் நாடி, ஓடி ஆடி வணங்குவதேன் கல்லையே?

லகுவும் இல்லை குருவும் இல்லை, லாவகமும் இல்லையே   

வடிவம் இல்லை, வரையும் இல்லை, விசும்பும் அங்கு இல்லையே 

அயனும் இல்லை, ஹரியும் இல்லை ஹரனும் அங்கு இல்லையே 

அது அறிவொளியாய் ஆனந்தமாக இருப்பதுதான் உண்மையே !

 Happy reading!

எத்தனை, எத்தனை

I was in one of those moods of being averse to anything that was to be done as a formality, tradition etc. It was a rationalistic view and wanted to take on the multiplicity of religion, caste, creed, temples, tradition, rituals etc. In this attempt I argue that what is the use of all these temples, rituals, tradition, books, mantras when it lacks love and compassion. When it is a ritual for a sake of maintaining continuity of tradition, it has lost its significance. Castigating the extent of loss in rituals in temples like milk, honey, ghee, flowers and the sacrifices that are given, i am suggesting seek god within you. Backed by the saying that you cannot reach god through words, deeds, by birth etc, i am emphasizing that we have to search god within us. When we don't internalize this as love and seek god within ourselves, everything is a wastage of energy.

I was inspired by the following lines of Siddhar Sivavakiyar and attempted this. I agree that there is no comparison on the depth of the meaning and the sweetness of the words, yet a bold attempt.

"பண்டுநான் பறித்தெறிந்த பன்மலர்கள் எத்தனை   

பாழிலே ஜெபித்துவிட்ட மந்திரங்கள் எத்தனை

மிண்டராய்த் திரிந்தபோது இறைத்தநீர்கள் எத்தனை

மீளவும் சிவாலயங்கள் சூழவந்தது எத்தனை" 

________

எத்தனை,  எத்தனை

ஜாதிகளும்  எத்தனை வாதிகளும் எத்தனை

மதங்களும் எத்தனை, மடங்களும் எத்தனை

ஜாதி என்றும், மதம் என்றும் பிரிவுகள் எத்தனை 

நாடு மொழி இனங்கள் என்று பிரிவினை எத்தனை  

எத்தனை,  எத்தனை

ரிக் என்றும், யஜுர் என்றும் வேதங்கள் எத்தனை

அயன் என்றும், ஹரி என்றும் தெய்வங்கள் எத்தனை 

சிவ, சங்கர, ஹரன் என்று நாமங்கள் எத்தனை

கட, ஈச, முண்டகம் வேதாந்தங்கள் எத்தனை

எத்தனை, எத்தனை 

மொட்டாக நன்மலர்கள் கொய்ததும் தான் எத்தனை

பட்டாக சிறு பூச்சிகளை படுத்ததும் தான் எத்தனை 

எட்டாக இரண்டாக கண்ணில் உட்கலந்த நாதனை 

மெட்டாக பண் எடுத்து நீ தேடுவதும் வேதனை

எத்தனை, எத்தனை 

வெட்டாத ஆற்றிலே நீர் இறைத்ததும் தான் எத்தனை

ஜெபித்த கோடி மந்திரங்கள் மறைந்ததும் தான் எத்தனை

எட்டாத ஏகனை, கருங் கல்லில் கொண்டு ஏற்றவே

கற்காத கற்றவர்கள் இம்மண்ணிலும் தான் எத்தனை

எத்தனை, எத்தனை 

கறந்திட்ட ஆவின் பால் வீண் அடித்ததும் தான் எத்தனை

பலியிட்ட ஆவு, மாவும், கோழி உயிரினங்கள் எத்தனை

பறந்திட்ட தீப்பொறிகள் உண்ட நெய்யும் அவிசும் எத்தனை

மறந்திட்ட உண்மையொன்று அதுவன்றோ பேர் வேதனை

எத்தனை, எத்தனை

மெய்ப்பொருளை விளக்கவே தோத்திரங்கள் எத்தனை 

மெய்ப்பொருளை  விளக்கவே மந்திரங்கள் எத்தனை

மெய்ப்பொருளை  விளக்கவே கீர்த்தனைகள் எத்தனை

மெய்ப்பொருளை  விளக்கவே புத்தகங்கள் எத்தனை

எத்தனை, எத்தனை

மெய்ப்பொருளை மறைக்கவே கோயில்களும் எத்தனை 

மெய்ப்பொருளை மறைக்கவே மசூதிகளும் எத்தனை

மெய்ப்பொருளை மறைக்கவே தேவாலயங்கள் எத்தனை

மெய்ப்பொருளும் மறைபொருளாய் மாறியது வேதனை  

எத்தனை, எத்தனை

இலக்கணங்கள்  எத்தனை, இலக்கியங்கள்  எத்தனை

வாயைக்கட்டி வயிற்றைக்கட்டும் விரதங்களும் எத்தனை

கருமுதலாய் காடுவரை மதக் கடமைகளும் எத்தனை

மனதை மட்டும் கட்டவில்லை இம்மடத்தனமே வேதனை

எத்தனை, எத்தனை
வறுமையால் வாடிய உயிர்களும் தான் எத்தனை
பசியினால் பிணியினால் மாண்டவர்கள் எத்தனை
அன்புமில்லா, அறிவுமில்லா, அறமுமில்லா பழமையை

இந்நொடி முதலே உறுதியாக செய்திடுவோம் நிந்தனை !! 

அன்பெனும் வேலினால் மாய்ப்பினை தீவினை
காமனை நிந்தனை செய்தலே நல்வினை

மாயையை மாய்த்தவன் மாறனை, மாயனை

வாசியின் வேந்தனை சிந்தனை செய்தனை 

ராமனை, கண்ணனை, கோ விந்தனை, நந்தனை

கண்ணிமை உள்ளிலே பேரொளியாய் எண்ணினை

நம்கண்ணிலே கந்தனை செய்குவோம் வந்தனை

அகவிண்ணிலே ஈசனை செய்குவோம் பூசனை !!

Happy reading!

SANSKRIT SAYINGS – 2 – FRIENDS AND RELATIVES

Among the worldly things, there is nothing more refreshing than hearing a fresh idea or a meaningful quote. While every language can boast of quotes and sayings, there is anything which beats Sanskrit in this. The terse quote, the sweet words, rhythmic sounds and above all the deep meaning in those sayings, takes it all.

Let’s look at few sayings on the topic of friends and relatives. I am picking some of the ones I liked and the first one is my favorite.

Saying 1:      This highlights the top 6 relatives that we should have.

सत्यम माता पिता ज्ञानं धर्मो भ्राता दया सखाह
शांतिः पत्नी क्षमा पुत्रः षडेतेह मम बान्धवाः
-- धर्मराज या युधिस्ठिर
"satyam mAtA pitA jnAnam, dharmo bhrAta dayA sakhA
sHAnti patni kSHamA pUtra, ShaDeteha mama bAndhavAH"

Truth as one's mother,
Knowledge as one's father,
Righteousness as one's brother,
Compassion as one's friend,
Peace as one's wife, (can be interpreted as patience also)
Forgiveness as one's son,
these six are one's closest relatives.

We all have many friends and we select some of them for specific activities.

Saying 2: This highlights our best friends for 4 of the important activities.

विद्या मित्रं प्रवासेषु भार्या मित्रं गृहेषु च ।
व्याधितस्यौषधं मित्रं धर्मो मित्रं मृतस्य च॥
"Vidya Mitram Pravaseshu, Bharya mitram Graheshu cha
Vyadhithsya aushadhim mitram Dharmo Mitram mrityusya cha"

When you are travelling, knowledge / education is your friend, 

When you are in your house, your wife is your friend 

During illness, medicines are the best friends 

After death the Dharma which we did is our friend. 

(Just on the lighter I want to highlight that your wife is not your best friend outside your house and even if she is travelling along with you. :) Don’t you agree?) 

Saying 3: Father-in-law’s (FIL) house

It is very unusual to get quotes about father-in-law. The world is very unfair that not even a fraction of the attention that is given to the Mother-in-law is given to the poor father-in-law. But this quote does some justice and highlights the pride of FIL. 

असारे खलु संसारे सारंश्वशुर मन्दिरम्।
हर : हिमालये शेते विष्णुश्शेते महोद धौ ।
Asaare khule samsaare saaram kusur mandhiram! 

Haraha Himalaye shethe vishnur shethe Mahodhadau!! 

In this meaningless world there is only one place that is worth to live in! That is the house of the FIL. Lord Shiva who married Parvati stays at Himalayas (Parvati is the daughter of Himalay – Parvata Raja). Lord Vishnu who married Goddess Lakshmi stays at the milky ocean. (Goddess Lakshmi was born in the milky ocean when it was churned and hence it her house). 

Both Lord Shiva and Vishnu found it right to stay at their FIL place. Do you need any more proof?

Saying 4: Son, Lion & Donkey

How should a son be? Here the example of a lion’s Cub and donkey’s foal.

एकेनापि सुपुत्रेण सिंही स्वपिति निर्भयम् ।
सहैव दशभिः पुत्रैर्भारं वहति गर्दभी॥
Ekenaapi suputrena simhi svapiti nirbhayam!
Sahaiva Dashabihi putrair Bharam vahathi Ghardabhi!!

A lioness having only one cub relaxes as she is assured that her cub will bring her food through hunting. But the donkey even if having 10 foals will have to carry her loads herself. 

Saying 5: Benign thought

Let me share this very benign thought as the last part for the blog.

paropakArArtham phalanti vRkSaH
paropakArArtham vahanti nadyaH
paropakArArtham dugdhanti gAvaH
paropakArArtham idam zarIram"

For others' benefit, the trees do bear fruits.
For the welfare of others, the rivers keep on flowing.
For the nourishment of others, cows pour out their milk.
So also, this human body is meant for the service of others.

There is one more quote on the same topic which is more powerful.
जीवने यावदादान स्यात प्रदान ततो अधिकं!
इत्येषा प्रर्थानास्माकम भगवन परिपूर्यताम!!

Jeevane yavadaadaan syaat pradhaan thathoadhikam! 

Ityesha prarthana-smaakam Bhagavan paripooryathaatham!! 

In the quote one pray to god that “Please do fulfill our expectation that in our lives whatever we give to others should be greater than whatever we borrow from others”. 

May serving others be our greatest need! 

Happy Reading!

Female hormonal issues & Indian tradition - Part 2

Part 1 here : http://ragsgopalan.blogspot.in/2012/03/female-hormonal-issues-indian-tradition.html

In Ayurveda and Siddha medicinal system the endocrine system is controlled by moon (Lord Chandra). It is interesting to note that the word "menstruation" is etymologically related to "moon". The terms "menstruation" and "menses" are derived from the Latin mensis (month), which in turn relates to the Greek mene(moon) and to the roots of the English words month and moon. So is the word “Lunatic”.

The allopathic medicine is dismissive of the view that the women’s menstrual cycle is related to moon or the lunar cycle. In India there is a specific horoscope system called Ruthu Jathagam. Ruthu is the act of a female attaining puberty called as menarche. Depending on the time, phase of moon and star at the time of Ruthu, a girl’s horoscope is drawn and the predictions of her married life, children etc are made.

The lunar cycle of 28 is typically split into phases of the moon – this is the most common knowledge about lunar cycle. But these 27 days are represented by 27 stars which are considered to be the wife of Lord Chandra. (28^th day is the beginning of the next cycle). This is not well known even in the western astrological circles. The menstrual cycle if it is regular without any hormonal abnormalities then the girl’s monthly cycle shall start every 28^th day and shall fall on day of the same star every month.

Since astrology is considered as a superstition by many of us we tend to ignore the relation between nature and human system. The above prediction system was working absolutely fine till few decades back and still there are people whose cycle is not affected and they naturally adhere to this simple rule.

But since the last few decades there are more instances of irregular cycles due to multiple reasons and it looks now we have entered an era where this irregularity is the norm and any studies typically conducted now would say that it could be a 20 to 35 day cycle - since the samples fall under this category or they may say that there is no linkage between lunar cycle and menstrual cycle based on some half baked studies.

One of the interesting predictions during the Kali Yuga is that the moon many leave the earth’s orbit and escape into the solar system in the future affecting the natural reproductive cycle in females. This is again highlighted to emphasis the relation between lunar and menstrual cycle.

Before we look at the simple tradition that Indian women had to nourish the endocrine system, let us look at the importance of the forehead region – the spot between the eyebrows - in the traditional Indian science.

·         In the Chakral system the point between the eyebrows is called as the Ajna Chakra. Ajna in Sanskrit and also in Tamil means Order. This spot not only controls all the glands but controls the entire human being from a physical, mental and spiritual plane. The forehead is the third eye which refers to the Pineal gland. Lord Shiva is depicted with 3 eyes and the third one lies in the forehead. Ajna chakra and the third eye not only form the doorway or passage to the entire psychological / mental body of the human being but it is also believed that they form the doorway to universal spiritual knowledge as per traditional wisdom.

·         In the Varma School of martial arts under the Siddha system this post is called as Thilartha Varmam. As per this system are 108 important points in the body which when hit would lead to death or severely incapacitate a person. Of this 108, 12 are called Padu Varmam, which when attacked would lead to death. Of this 12, Thilartha Varmam is the first and foremost Varmam. Thila means Til grain and here it refers to the size of the Til / raw rice / wheat grain. To locate this point, one goes one Til grain level below the meeting of the eyebrows – this is at the meeting point of the bridge of the nose and the eyebrows. The basics to all the modern martial arts schools come from this Siddha system only.

o   Sage Bhogar in his book Varma Sutram, states that this point is the most dangerous of all and a person if not treated within 90 minutes after being hit would die. He also explains how to resuscitate him which his irrelevant here. You may ask how this is related to endocrine system. For anything to move, presence of air / wind is very important else things don’t move. The endocrine glands are ductless glands within our system which means they don’t have any specific channels through which they move. Varma type of martial arts understands the important points which when attacked stops the movement of air within our body around that point. If this air knot is not released within specific time death may result.

·         Under the same school there is a separate branch called Nokku Varmam where in the opponent is either subdued or controlled by taking charge of his mind without touching him and by releasing energy just through our eyes. The primary spot through which one takes control of another person’s mind is through this Ajna Chakra and is extensively used in black magic and hypnotism. This is the basis of current day hypnotization and other mind control techniques.

·         The Tibetian lamas see through a person using this point and they also see the aura of others through this point. In the Vedantic spiritual system the Ajna Chakra spot is also called as Rudra Granthi – the knot of Rudra which when opened would enable you to access universal spiritual energy. I have given few of the above points to highlight the importance of the specific area in our forehead.

The simple tradition which women followed is the application of Vermillion / Kumkum / Bindi on the forehead which ensured hormonal balance in the body. This may sound bizarre but let us understand the benefits and the reason behind the benefits:

·         First it is important to understand how this vermillion or Kumkum is first made?

o   It is a mixture of turmeric and slaked lime / calcium hydroxide (Lime when mixed with water) in equal parts. Water or oil is added to increase the stickiness of the powder. The yellow color turmeric changes to brilliant red color on addition of slaked lime. You can imagine chewing green color beetle leaves with lime which becomes red in color as an anlaogy.

o   Sometimes instead of turmeric, saffron is used. In tamil it is always referred as “Manjal Kumkum” indicating that it is made of turmeric. They are not two different things.

o   The current day chemical preparation of Kumkum which lead to allergic reactions and many times high lead content are some of the key reasons why this practice is probably  discontinued and ladies opted for the sticker bindi.

·         Calcium Hydroxide & Turmeric:

o   Calcium Hydroxide contains Calcium 54.09%, Oxygen – 43.19%, Hydrogen is 2.72%.

o   When heated it loses water and becomes Calcium oxide. This is soluble in water. It also reacts with the surrounding air and absorbs carbon-di-oxide and forms calcium carbonate.

o   It is told by western researchers that water becomes calcified in the Pineal gland over time and this introduces ageing process and various diseases. Also those abnormal secretion levels of Melatonin are noticed in all the patients with psychological disabilities. Melatonin is the key hormone secreted by Pineal gland.

o   Since calcium hydroxide ensures an alkaline base and also its high reactivity with water, it is my theory that Calcium hydroxide keeps the Pineal gland decalcified and keeps it healthy. I have not come across in any studies yet.

Antibacterial, antiseptic benefits of turmeric are very well known. Recent researches show that Turmeric is effective in treating Alzheimer's disease, depression, multiple sclerosis etc. 

Essentially very small quantities of this turmeric and calcium hydroxide are absorbed by the human body for the effective functioning of the glands and hence for the regulation of the hormones. 

·         Why red color?

I strongly recommend a study of any natural healing course like Pranic or naturopathy which would highlight the importance of color therapy to our body to understand this section.

o   The Mooladhara chakra is associated with good health, prosperity, will power and physical power and the chakra is energized using red color. Mooladhara Chakra is connected to the Ajna Chakra and hence always red color is applied to the forehead as a daily tradition. When people go to war or for a long trip or when they come home as a welcome ceremony every time they apply a red thilak on your forehead. This adds significant energy and health to your body.

o   Some ladies apply black color bindi in their forehead which is suicidal if not anything. Black color is tamasic and when applied on the forehead its ill effects are shown on the overall health and wealth of an individual.

o   The sticker Bindi brings in plastic and artificial glue in contact with the Ajna Chakra. I leave it to the reader’s imagination as to what it brings to the wearer.

o   Also Mesha Rashi or the House of Aries is on the forehead as per Hindu Astrology and this is the first house in the zodiac. The Lord of Mesha is Mars and his color is red.

·         Thumb, Ring finger and principle of 5 elements:

o   According to the 5 elements principle the Ether controls the reproductive system in a human being. The position of ether in the body is the area between foreheads. Based on the Control Cycle (Vinaya Chakra) and the Support cycle (Alamba Chakra) of the 5 elements the relation between Earth and Ether is controlling type and that of between the Ether and Fire is of supporting type. Hence thumb which represents Fire or Earth which is represented by ring finger are the ones which should be used to apply tilak or Bindi on the forehead.

·         Social aspects of Vermillion:

o   Vermillion on the forehead and at the top of the forehead indicates that the female is married and it used to be an indicator for appropriate behavior.

o   I don’t want to talk about the benefits or demerits of it since there could be people who may question as to why a widow should be disallowed to wear Bindi. Or why the males did not have an equivalent custom to show that they are married? Both are valid questions and either a traditionalist or a social reformer would be better off to engage you in a debate. I am neither and hence would duck this.

To sum up it is agreed that the sum total of a female hormonal system which anchors the health and mood in a female is controlled by the glands in the forehead area. The traditional Indian wisdom highlights that nurturing this point with vermillion bestows many benefits which includes, good health, hormonal balance, spiritual growth, and defense against psychic attacks. I should also highlight the significant radiance, feminine beauty this adds to the female face.

A consequence of ignoring this tradition leads to poor hormonal balance, foul mood and certainly infertility issues since the cycle is erratic. I can refer you to some Siddha doctors and sites which have conclusively proved that the hormonal imbalance is rectified using vermillion with medical records. One such site here available in Tamil and I would recommend you to read all the 3 parts of the article.

http://www.machamuni.com/?p=175#comments

I agree that these results should be more empirical with data to substantiate the claims. The western medicine is slowly turning itself to the subtler aspects of body, nature and medicine and I am very sure that they would come back in the near future and substantiate this. Then the males will start wearing thongs - as a modified version of Indian Langkot as medical prescriptions and females would wear an expensive beauty paste or a designer patch in their forehead as a beauty tip and a fashion statement. I believe, this shall happen after the global corporations patent and commercialize our very graceful and scientific vermillion tradition.

Till then I don’t see any other option but to put up with the monthly foul mood cycle of our spouses and girl friends. J

Happy Reading!

Female hormonal issues & Indian tradition - Part 1

“Complicated” is one of the first adjectives that come to me when someone tells the word feminine. I believe that in the god’s scheme of evolution the zenith of complication and complexity is culminated in a female.

While we can discuss what constitutes the concept of feminism in some other blog but let’s focus on one of the key reasons behind irregular menstrual cycle - which is as complex as the female organism itself. In this blog we would see only one possible aspect of female infertility and here the attempt is to bridge the traditional Indian knowledge and custom we have with that of the current day issues on account of ignoring these customs.

It is a well established fact that the menstrual cycle is controlled by the endocrine system – which is made up of ductless glands and is also referred as the, “Hypothalamus – Pituitary – Adrenaline” axis.

You can read a great deal about this cycle and axis in the web. But I am producing just one cause effect diagram in the menstrual cycle just to highlight the complexity in the overall functioning of a female. The menstrual cycle is divided into 3 phases and the relations of hormones, sequence and the linkage between 3 phases are given below in a “Simple” diagram.

 Courtesy: Wiki

The modern science accepts that be it her reproductive cycle, her overall health, be it her mood, her metabolism, or her growth and development all are controlled by endocrine glands. While there are quite a number of glands all over our human body, the most important of them are in our forehead which plays both a controlling and an initiating role in the overall cycle. The diagram below produces specific glands and hormones in our head region. Most important of them are the Pineal, Hypothalamus, and Pituitary glands.

Courtesy: Wiki

The modern western medicine is still in the very nascent stages to understand, treat and effectively control hormonal disorders. This is because when there is a treatment for one disorder the medicine prescribed has some side effects which need an additional treatment. 

Since the very survival and quality of life of the male species is dependent on the female species and more specifically on the “mood” of his female companion it is important to know how to avoid hormone related erratic behavior. I agree with you all that there are other factors which results in wide mood swings which are beyond the comprehension of mankind. J. 

It is agreed that the stage of the reproductive cycle and the overall health, mood of a female are all interrelated. We know that the reproductive cycle is controlled by the endocrine system and the key glands are the ones which are located in our head. So the key question is how do we control these 3 important glands and make it behave in the way it has to? If this secret is known to the “mankind”, then it would be a great boon to married souls like me isn't? 

I am going to link this to the very unique tradition Indians had for ages and its importance from an Ayurvedic / Siddha medicine perspective and how this tradition not only helps a female to regulate her hormonal imbalances but also protect her from evil acts like black magic and also help her evolve spiritually. Before we get into the tradition itself, let’s look at some of the basics on these aspects from ancient Indian science.

Happy reading!