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Happy Fasting to those fasting :)

Saturday, January 31, 2009

I won't be blogging till Thaipusam's over :)

I am so happy my favourite festival is coming.
And the thing to look forward this year for me would be, my very own cousin's carrying an actual kavadi, and so all of us are going to be there giving our presence as a support. And I was reading through a few articles which answered my questions, and should answer yours too.

Why Fast?

While checking one's weight, keeping the body supple, reflexes sharp, and the mind alert, fasting helps him to gain greater control over his involuntary muscles. Through fasting one can improve his discipline and increase his will power. It also helps him to be pure in thought.

The person who carries the kavadi should be in a state of extra ordinary purity attained by means of fasting for a certain period of time. It is often said that a forty-eight day (mandalam) fast is required but most devotees fast for lesser periods. The devotee should be on a strict vegetarian diet abstaining from all kinds of pollution (theetu) such as abstaining from sex, sleeping on the floor and eating from his own private utensils. He should not shave and if inauspicious events such as death were to occur he should not even participate in the function as the pollution would cling to him however vigorous his fast had been.

Fasting is thus not just limited to the intake of food but include the temporary renunciation of all physical pleasures and luxuries. Through his abstinence the devotee disciplines his body and mind and enters into a whole realm of spiritualism. It is a personal experience between him and Lord Murgan.

Why Light Camphor?

Hindus have great faith in light as the supreme symbol of God who dispels darkness, which is associated with evil, fear and ignorance.

The light of the camphor, as it dispels this darkness, signifies the overcoming of evil through virtue, fear through courage and ignorance through knowledge. As the camphor burns itself out, so we pray that our own ego is burnt up likewise and that we should be redeemed from all our sins, problems, mental and physical stress and shall be left with everlasting peace, joy and bliss.

Why Do Hindus Break Coconut?

The Hindus believe that the coconut is the purest form of offering that one can render unto God. The fruit is unique in many respects.

The sweet, nectar-like water that it holds is pure and untouched by the human hand. The tree draws from its very base to its highest level.

The coarsely knit outer fibers of the coconut represent the jealousy, greed, lust, selfishness and other vices of man, which must be broken up and removed if one is to penetrate and reach the white inner purity and thereafter taste the sweet untouched nectar of spiritual purity and bliss.

No other fruit has the three distinct eyes of the coconut. These symbolise the Trinity of Evolution - Creation, Preservation and Dissolution.

The eyes also represent the three eyes of man - the two physical eyes plus the third or 'inner eye' can penetrate the false, outer facade and reach the ultimate truth. It alone distinguishes right from wrong.

The composition of the coconut is characteristic of the three elements of man. The hard, outer shell, with its coarse fibers, represents the physical composition. The inner white fruit represents man's psychological element, and the untouched water signifies his spiritual composition.

Having been offered to God by way of prayer, the coconut is then eaten by Hindus as blessed food or prasadh in the belief that it has now received divine vibrations from God and will therefore give us good health and prosperity.

Why Do Hindus Use Ashes?

Nothing in this world is everlasting. Everything is perishable. Even this physical body of ours ceases to function some day and is said to be dead. Our mortal remains are then cremated and turn to ashes, or buried, which then rot and become dust.

The Hindus place ashes on their foreheads to remind themselves, of this universal truth - nothing is everlasting ... the ultimate is dust.

The Ashes serve to remind one to cast aside his petty jealousies, suspicions, selfishness and other evil qualities, and to live in harmony with one another - to love, respect and serve his fellow beings while he can.

The holy ash is so prepared that it richly abounds in medicinal properties and contains high curative qualities. It can be placed on the forehead, rubbed over the body or taken internally to relieve pains, illnesses and anxiety.

When used in prayer with the manthras, it becomes highly potent, wards off evil, overcomes problems and brings happiness, peace and harmony to the individual as well as the household. Its power is truly dynamic.

Well said, I am truly happy being a Hindu,and nothing beats the happiness of realising that. :)

And you Hindus should watch this if ya'll haven. Simply breath-taking.