Category: Q&A

Q) Why should we wear bindi (Kumkum) on our forehead?

As per our scriptures there are 72000 nādis (subtle astral nerves) in a human body. They are those invisible nerves that transmit life-energy (prana shakti) throughout our body. The centre of the forehead is the focal point for all these subtle astral nerves. There is a possibility for the life-energy to flow out of our body from this point. In such case our life-energy gets depleted!

Kumkum, Vibhuti, sandal paste, Ganga mrittika, gopi chandan are the few items which have the capacity to prevent the life-force from draining out of this point. Hence sealing the centre of the forehead (bhru madhya) is the real idea behind this tradition of applying these items on the forehead! If worn neatly in a proper shape, it also protects the person from evil eye (drishti dosha). The bindi can be horizontal or vertical as per the individual’s customs.

Based on this logic, wearing Kumkum or Vibhuti on the forehead is equally important for men as it is for women!

These days, ladies wear stickers on the forehead and are contented that they are following the customs. However sticker does not come under the category of the above mentioned items and hence it is not useful from this angle.

What is the case of a widow who should not wear kumkum? Does she not have to protect her life-energy? Yes, she does. In such case, remember that the society requires her to not wear red-colour kumkum, which symbolizes married life, but does not stop her from wearing Vibhuti or any other item from that list mentioned above.

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What is the significance of homa (sacrificial fire)? Isn’t pouring ghee (clarified butter) and putting sticks into it a waste of our natural resources?

In Swamiji’s activities, homa plays a very significant role. Wherever he may be travelling, daily morning homa is mandatory. Vishesha homas (special homas) are performed on Sundays and all festival days. In what way are homas beneficial to devotees? Isn’t this your doubt?

In this world, there are primarily only 2 types of energy that can cause movement in atoms. They are the energy created by heat (ushna shakti) and energy created by sound (sabda shakti). To cause a movement in atoms, every other form of energy has to convert to either of these two and then act. This truth has been realized even by the present day science. Homa joins the heat and sound energies as per a scientific method prescribed in the scriptures. It thus purifies both the internal as well as the external environment.

In a homa, while the fire is burning brightly, certain mantras are chanted and prescribed herbal ingredients are put into the fire. The smoke produced by the burning of these herbal ingredients will have certain medicinal properties that can cleanse the external environment of its impurities.

At the same time, the energy that is generated by the agni (fire) as well as by the mantras chanted causes a positive change in the hearts of the people in the vicinity. It cleanses their mind of impurities. In the west, of late research on ‘homa therapy’ for medical purposes is progressing.

The ingredients used in a homa vary according to the deity who is invoked and the mantras to be chanted. This is done totally as per the rules laid down in the scriptures (Shastras). If the rules are strictly followed, the results will be positive. The homas being performed by Swamiji are a proof of this!

There is another explanation for the scientific background of the homas. We all know that fire illumines brightly only at night. However homas are always performed only during day. Why is this so?  Actually for earth, the Sun is the eternal and natural source of heat. It is the Sun that provides us the energy in our life. In a homa, the primary focus is on the Agni (fire). The energy emanating from this fire should mix thoroughly with the Sun’s energy to be able to give complete spiritual as well as materialistic benefits.  Modern science calls this as ‘Photo chemical effect.’  The atoms originating from the homa smoke have to mix evenly with the Sun-rays to create a significant energy or a movement. This can happen only during daytime. Hence homas are always performed at this time.

It is well known that the Sunrays are more powerful at both the early morning Sunrise and evening twilight times. At these times the ultra violet (UV) rays are slightly more. These rays affect our health. Our ancient sages, who were well versed in all this knowledge, devised thereby the system of daily homas at this Sandhya times.

Apart from a homa, all other types of worship such as vratas, pujas are aimed at generating personal benefits for the person conducting them. Only when the person doing the puja wishes explicitly for universal benefit, then only does the society benefit from it. The homa activity is completely different. Even if it is conducted with a personal desire, it benefits the society at large. The smoke from the homa cleanses the atmosphere nearby. Thus others automatically benefit from it.

So, when a homa is being done scientifically for the benefit of the society and nature, can it be called a waste of the natural resources? Think about it.

In Swamiji’s method, on any day Swamiji uses a fewer ingredients than what would be needed to prepare a person’s meal. On that day some person in the ashram would be fasting. So, there is no waste of natural resources- only a set off. That is why in our scriptures for vratas and pujas, upavasam (fasting) has been prescribed.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/what-is-the-significance-of-homa-sacrificial-fire-isnt-pouring-ghee-clarified-butter-and-putting-sticks-into-it-a-waste-of-our-natural-resources/

What is the difference between individual soul (atma) and supreme soul (Paramatma)?

It is exactly like trying to find out the difference between a small piece of sugar candy and a large one. Can there be any difference between the two?

The living entity that has got separated from the Supreme Lord (Paramātma) is called atma. All living entities have to ultimately unite again with the Paramātma. This can be compared to a bead string. Paramātma in the form of the string is holding all the atmas (beads) together. However each bead is different; it has its own identity.

Based on the karmas of the past births, each being acquires different qualities, traits, physical looks etc. Even though one being may differ completely from another, both in looks as well as traits, the God that exists in both is the same! However the living entity considers itself as separate.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/what-is-the-difference-between-individual-soul-atma-and-supreme-soul-paramatma/

Yogis are referred to as Babajis or Swamijis? What is the difference between these titles?

If there is a small child in your home, don’t you call her with different names like Sweetie, Dolly etc? You are giving all these names out of love for the child. Similarly people address Yogis with different names like Babaji or Swamiji etc. Apart from that there is no difference. However each will have his or her own style of functioning.

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/yogis-are-referred-to-as-babajis-or-swamijis-what-is-the-difference-between-these-titles/

What is the difference between mediation (dhyana) and penance (tapas)?

Both are actually same. But when it is pursued with a particular purpose or objective, it is called penance (tapas). The effort one puts in to uplift oneself is called meditation (dhyana). Meditation means trying to understand the Self (atma).

Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/what-is-the-difference-between-mediation-dhyana-and-penance-tapas/

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