Nama Dwaar Nibbles

1.   Thulasi , when taken along with pepper in the evenings for three days consecutively, treats cold, cough and fever.

2.   Irritation in the urinary tract is healed when the juice of Thulasi and cow’s buttermilk mixed together are taken thrice a day.

3.   When the juice of Thulasi with salt is consumed in an empty stomach for forty eight days, epilepsy gets cured.

4.   Chest pain is alleviated when Thulasi’s juice is taken along with honey thrice a day.

5.   The juice of Thulasi mixed with water and taken in the early mornings for a hundred days is a great therapy for all sorts of diseases.

6.   Thirst, flatulence, and absence of appetite are eased when Thulasi’s juice is drunk, mixed with hot water.

7.   Thulasi and two pinches of Omam (Carum Carvi is its botanical name), well ground and mixed with water, and consumed once in the mornings after food, is a sure remedy for chicken pox and measles.

8.   Even the poisonous bite of a scorpion is cured when the affected area is rubbed with the leaves of Krishna Thulasi (dark thulasi).

9.   When the juice of Thulasi is taken in the mornings and evenings for forty days, it acts as a treatment for leprosy!

In Indian tradition, during marriages, the bride and the bride-groom exchange flower garlands. Sri Swamiji beautifully explained the significance behind this! Flowers have Vasana (tamil word for ‘fragrance’). Vasana, in Sanskrit, also means latent tendencies of a person. These flowers not only carry their Vasanas, but also have the capability to carry the Vasanas (latent tendencies) of those who wear them. When the bride and the bridegroom exchange their garlands, their tendencies are exchanged too! This way, each would act in a manner that pleases their spouse. There is more unison in thoughts, harmony and this would make them an intimate couple!It is for such a reason that the flower-garlands which we receive as Prasad from Mahaans or deities must be accepted and used with great reverence and devotion for they carry the divine vibrations of the Mahan/deity![Related by Sri Sri Swamiji in a lecture of His]

The mouse is Lord Ganesha’s vehicle. We often see Lord Ganesha wearing the snake as a belt on his waist.  In normal circumstances, the mouse and the snake are deadly enemies ( ‘ahi mooshikavat’ - Srimad Bhagavatam 8:6:20).
One name for the elephant Lord Ganesha is ‘Heramba’.  In this form, Lord Ganesha is depicted as sitting on a lion.  In normal circumstances, it is said an elephant, even in its dream, is terrorized by a lion!
Peacock is considered as the vehicle of Lord Subrahmanya.  Lord Subrahmanya is associated with the snake (’bhujangam’).  In normal circumstances, the snake and the peacock are deadly enemies.
Garuda is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. We also see that Lord Vishnu has Adisesha (the snake) as his bed.   In normal circumstances, the Garuda and the snake are deadly enemies.
It is a traditional lore that during the lunar eclipse, the snake eats up the moon. However, we see that Lord Shiva wears the snake on his neck, as also the moon on his head.
The bull (’rishabha’) is the vehicle of Lord Shiva and the lion is the vehicle of Devi.  Shiva and Parvati share the same form (Ardhanareeshwara) while under normal circumstances, a lion would not let go of a bull!

The philosophy behind such a portayal is that, in divine presence, even the deadliest of enemies lose their tendency of hatred.

During Upanayana Samskara (ceremony of administering the sacred thread to the young boy), the father of the boy  performs the ‘Brahmopadesha’ by chanting the Mantra to the right ear  of the boy.

If one gives up his life in Kashi (Varanasi), it is said that Lord Vishwanath liberates the soul by chanting the ‘Rama’ Nama  in the right ear of the ‘Jiva’.

Why is it ‘right ear’ always?

Today, scientists have proved that the right ear is more sensitive to verbal stimulus.

While numerous studies have been performed on the left and right brain-hemispheres, recent findings are startling.

In three separate real-time scientific studies conducted in Italy, researchers have found that the response was far better when the stimulus was provided to the right ear of the individual, especially in chaotic social environments.

In Srimad Bhagavatam it is said, ‘dasamasya vishudhyartham navaanaam iha lakshanam’.The 10th canto – the Story of Lord Krishna - is the ‘Ashraya’ – the one to be sought;  and all the earlier nine cantos prepare and season the devotee to read / listen to the 10th canto.One may ask what the proof of this statement is.   Parikshit is verily the proof of this statement!In the first canto, we see that a confused Parikshit asks Sage Suka what should one listen, what should one do Japa of etc. in the verge of death.In the beginning of the 10th canto, there is a verse:‘Nivrutta tarshaih upageeyamaanaat bhava aushadaat srotramanobhiraamaat…’The same Parikshit now tells his own Guru Sage Suka that Lord Krishna’s story is verily the elixir and medicine for the disease of samsara!This goes to show that the nine cantos have seasoned Parikshit and made him realize that Lord Krishna’s story is the one that one should take refuge in.[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

In Srimad Ramayana, in the beginning we see Sugreeva, who is stripped of his share of the kingdom, his wife and children by his brother Vali.  He is in a state where he does not even get proper food clothes.  Above all, he is gripped by a fear of death – that at any moment, his brother could send someone and kill him.

On the other hand, we also see Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. Even Lord Hanuman is astounded by the opulence of Lanka and wonders if it were verily Kubera’s or Indra’s  wealth.

At the end of Ramayana, we see that Sugreeva is crowned and made the ruler of Kishkinta, whereas Ravana faces utter defeat and finally loses his life.

If we contemplate on what accomplished this change, we see that even in such an adversity, Sugreeva confided in Lord Hanuman, the Sadhu and Guru .  Whereas, Ravana ill-treated Lord Hanuman and set fire to his tail, subjecting himself to ‘apachaara’.
Ramayana thus shows us that one should always be in a satsang and in the shadow of his Guru.

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

We go to Varanasi to take a dip in the Ganges.  On the way, we pass numerous small gutters filled with dirt and filth.  We are careful not to step into these gutters as we head for the river.

When in the Ganges, we take a holy dip, and also fill small vessels with water from the Ganges as it is holy.

Seldom do we realize that the gutters which we were careful not to step into indeed drain into the Ganges!

Likewise, we, mortals, commit numerous sins and are homes for all the bad qualities like greed, hatred, lust, anger and jealousy.  As long as we are alone, we stink. But the moment, we get the association of a Mahan, we lose all negative tendencies and inherit divine qualities.

That is the power of Sadhu-Sang (association with Mahans).

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

Mother Meera, in one of her kirtans says,‘Apne mandir me bait baitkargeetha bhagavat vaachoongi’(click here to see the entire kirtan).

‘I shall sit in the temple of my beloved Lord and read Srimad Bhagavat Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam’.Sri Swamiji gives yet another  beautiful interpretation of this statement – ‘ I will sit in the temple of my Lordand read Srimad Bhagavatam which is verily a commentary on Bhagavat Gita!’.

Srimad Bhagavatam is verily a commentary of Bhagavat Gita.   Every sloka in the Bhagavat Gita is expounded and illustrated in Srimad Bhagavatam with a story!For instance…Bhagavat Gita says that if a person performs his sadhana, and at some point, dies, then in his next birth, he will resume from where he left.

Jadabharata’s story is verily an illustration of this point.

Bhagavat Gita says that even if a devotee offers me a small offering, I will protect him.

Ajamila Charitram in Srimad Bhagavatam is verily an illustration of this verse.

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

In the Mahabharata, we have a situation when Bhishma is on the bed of arrows and Dharmaputra and others are around him.  That is when Bhishma imparts the knowledge about all the Dharmas – Daana Dharma, Raja Dharma, Moksha Dharma, Stree Dharma, Bhagavat Dharma – to Dharmaputra.  Speaking of Raja Dharma, Bhishma mentions that, if a king commits an offense, the subjects should boldly point out the offense without any fear or favor, come what may.

At this point, Draupadi chuckles.  When Bhishma asks for the reason for her chuckle, Draupadi says that it was funny that Bhishma mentions this, for he was verily present in the court when Dhuschasana ill-treated her in the court of Dridarashtra and Bhishma did not speak a word then!

Bhishma replied that he had been fed by Duryodhana and Dridarashtra then, and as that blood was flowing in his body, he could not oppose them.  Now, with Arjuna’s arrows piercing Bhishma’s body, all the bad blood had flown out, and the new blood in his body was devoid of any impurity of Adharma.

This shows how the effect of food consumed one one’s thoughts and actions.

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]

In Bhishma Stuti of Srimad Bhagavatam, there is a beautiful verse which starts, ‘vijayaratha kutumba…’ and Bhishma praises the Lord for protecting the family of Vijaya (Arjuna)  all the time, by any means hook or crook.

Sri Swamiji gives yet another beautiful interpretation: ‘Vijaya Ratha Kutumba’ also means that – the Lord made the chariot of Vijaya (Arjuna), His very family. He had all the amenities packed within the chariot, lest there should be a need for him to get out of the chariot, whence a harm may befall Arjuna!

[This was mentioned by Sri Swamiji in His lecture during the Bhagavata Saptaha at Sri Bhuvaneswari Amman Temple in Jafferkhanpet, Chennai between 7th & 13th June, 2009]