God created poison too. Can one consume poison just because it is also God’s creation? The great Maharshis have prescribed that good things be done in certain times and avoided at other times.
It is only for our benefit that they have prescribed it. It is up to you to either believe it or reject it.
PRACTICES
Krishna was born on Ashtami day and Rama on Navami day. Then why do we believe that Ashtami and Navami days are inauspicious?
Those that are applicable to normal men are not necessarily applicable to Gods.
It is because of astrological and astronomical factors that these two days are deemed as inauspicious. According to our scriptures, the days are numbered according to the state of the moon. ‘Prathamai’ is the first day after a full moon day or a new moon day (‘prathama’ means ‘one’ in Sanskrit.). ‘Dvithiyai’ this the second day, ‘Truthiyai’ is the third day and so on. Thus, ‘Ashtami’ and ‘Navami’ are the eighth and the nineth days after the full/new moon day. The number ‘8’ is associated with Saturn which is a planet with ‘tamasic’ qualities. The number ‘9’ is associated with Mars which is associated with Mars, a ferocious planet.
Hence these days are considered as inauspicious for men.
Such numerological and astrological factors are limited by time place and person. Hence they are not applicable to Gods.
Generally it is said that we must not prostrate before a Mahatma when he is in the midst of his japam/dhyanam as it would deprive him of his tapas. Does it apply to Avatara Purusha also?
According to the Shastras, we should not prostrate before someone
who is sleeping
who is lying down
who is just about to leave somewhere (such a namaskaram is done only to a corpse)
who is performing Japa
who is carrying a baby
who is having some ‘theetu’
who has just been served food (this is done only during Srardha)
There are other such instances, but these are the most important ones. This applies for everyone.
What is ‘Poorna Kumbham’? To whom should it be offered?
As the name suggests, ‘Poorna Kumbham’ signifies a full ‘kumbham’ (pot). It is a traditional way of paying respects to great Mahatmas and Kings while welcoming/ receiving them to one’s place.
What is ‘Kaaraam pasu’? What are its features?
‘Kaaraam Pasu’ is a cow that is pitch black with not even a speck of another color on its skin. Another feature of this kind of cow is that it would have a small hump on the posterior part of its neck.
Shaivites apply sacred ash on specific parts of their body while Vaishnavites apply Gopi Chandan. What is the significance of applying sacred ash/gopi chandan only on specific parts of the body? What should one think on while applying them?
When we love someone, we dress ourselves in a manner that would please the beloved. In the same way, devotees dress themselves according to the wish of their ishta devatas. When doing so, one has to chant the different names of the ishta devata. The specific parts of the body where sacred ash/gopi chandan are applied are considered important by our scriptures.
I read Sri Swamiji’s beautiful answer about Vibhuti (sacred ash). What is the significance of applying Gopi Chandan on the different parts of the body?
Ash is the remains after burning. Gopi Chandan is nothing but the sand found in the sea shore of Dwaraka.
While Vibhuti (sacred ash) is applied by the Saivites after burning the ‘I’ sense (ego), Bhagavatas apply the sand under which their ‘I’ sense is buried, over which Lord Sri Krishna lived, danced and played.
What is the logic behind leaving a pregnant woman in her mother’s place during the seventh month of her pregnancy?
Just like every other woman, a pregnant woman too feels ‘at home’ at her parents’ place and enjoys more freedom there. She will be taken care of better and can rest more when compared to her in-laws’ place.
This is the simple logic behind sending a pregnant woman to her parents’ place. There is no other reasoning behind it.
It is said that feeding the poor will fetch enormous merit. Hence I feed the beggars. In my country, beggars relish non-vegetarian food. To make them happy, is it right to buy them non-vegetarian food, even though I am a strict vegetarian?
It is good to feed them with vegetarian food.
I have a miniature Peepul tree a home. Some of them say that it is inauspicious to have peepul trees at home. I have kept it near the Tulsi plant. Please let me know if I can keep it.
We can very well grow this tree at home. It is capable of giving wisdom.
