All humans have a purpose of life.

Everyone knows his / her purpose in life , intuitively. He

/ She need not be a learned or enlightened person to
know that. He/ She comes on to this earth with a mission
and as the life progresses, understands this.

What ever is the purpose of life, we have to be healthy
to achieve that. Body & Mind should be in excellent
condition. Right from the ancient times to the present , all
of us have the knowledge on how to lead a healthy life.
This knowledge is very ancient. It is as old as the creation
itself.

We can call this ancient knowledge as " Vedas " . They
are not written / created by anybody. They simply existed
like the laws of nature... for example, the Newton's law of
Gravity is not created or written by anybody. It simply
existed. It is only ' discovered ' by S.I Newton.

The Vedas are meant for all humans as well as nature.
They contain , among other things , descriptions of
different aspects of human activities. Be it cooking, eating
, copulating, dressing , harvesting ,or, hair cutting... just
anything. They tell us how to do things properly for a
harmonious living.

We have our tasks cutout. We have the knowhow. We
have the guidelines.. we just have to follow them to the
letter & spirit. All humans were following them religiously...
with commitment. At the same time, we also have the free
will. i.e; to think and do things differently , without deviating
the path. . As the time passed, humans started
deviating the paths. By doing so, they created some
negative energy. As the negative energy accumulated,
humans started losing some of their power. The strength
of the soul started to diminish. This did not happen
overnight . It took millions of years , but, it happened
surely.

To regain the glory, the souls have to stick to their
nature. They should follow the path already laid down .
Here comes the problem.

We started arguing , " Why should we blindly follow
some obscure methods / procedures / traditions ? They
are all obsolete. We have to use our brains and find
innovative methods to suit the present times "

True.

But before doing that, we have to analyze , what is
wrong with those traditions. To do that, we have to first
understand them.

To know the real ( inner ) meaning of the sacred
scriptures, one has to understand them scientifically.



,
,




Vedaagama Puraanaajnah Paramartham na Vetti yah,
Vidambakasya Tasyaiva, Tatsarvam Kaaka Bhashitam

One who knows the Vedas, Agamas and the Puranas, but
do not know their inner meaning, then, whatever he knew
is like the Crows chatter.

Pathanti Veda Sastrani, Bodhayanti Parasparam,
Najaananti Param Tatvam, Darvee Paaka Rasam Yatha

They read the Vedas & Sastras, and teach to each other,
But, they do not know its content, similar to the ladle (
spoon ) not knowing the taste of the Gravy.

- Sri Garuda Puranam


To know the real ( inner ) meaning of the sacred
scriptures, one has to understand them scientifically.

This is scientific era. Todays generation wants to know
everything scientifically. But there are the so called
Rational thinkers ( Hetu Vadulu ) attempt to make fun of
our religious practices, without even bothering to
understand them properly. So there is not much help from
them .

The westerners have the desire for scientific
conformance, so if and when they do research and come
out with the conclusion that, our traditions are fully
scientific, only then our so called rational thinkers pat
themselves for finding reasoning.

Until then, the youth, in the name of civilization
shun such practices, as they are conscious of being
branded Superstitious . Unfortunately, our learned
scholars mostly explain them in religious terms, being
unaware of the scientific importance of such practices.
They even go to the extent of declaring that our practices
have nothing to do with the modern science. This leads to
discontent and confusion in the young minds . It is
happening since decades.

An interesting finding by one Dr. Parpola Asko ,
Professor of Indology at Helsinki University in Finland ,
who had been doing research in Vedas and ancient Indian
Culture & Civilization for more than 20 years, told UNI in
an interview that, Vedic rituals practiced daily or on
special occasions in Brahmin homes in Kerala & Tamil
Nadu are fast declining, and, some of the rituals had been
either cut short or altogether dropped. ( PTI.- 14-1-1985 ) .
I shudder to read the latest report.

Confounding the fear of this trend, one DayaBhai
Hari , woking for RamaKrishna Vedantha Society ,
Johannesburg , wrote ,

with the improved economic conditions and
greater education and the huge impact of western culture
and way of life, the radio, TV, internet and the contact with
the other race groups, the youth and the thinking people
are questioning the validity and blind beliefs , customs and
ceremonies of the older generation. We are aware of
the publications of the Ramakrishn Vedantha Movement,
Divine Life Society , Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and
Aurobindo Ashram, but they all lack the simple practical
approach"


The reason for such tendencies is, there is no scientific
reasoning / explanation easily available.

Some of the practices will throw challenges to todays
scientific community, when explained.

Taittiriyopanishat says,

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Science ( Vijnanam ) is Brahma. All jivas ( living
things ) are born out of science. They live because of
science. After death they become one with science.
Thus learnt Bhrugu

The upanishat talks identically
about Vijnanam, Annam ( food ) Prana (life ), and Mana
( mind )

If you replace Science with either food, life or mind, still
it is correct. But finally Bhrugu learns that none of the
above match Ananda ( bliss )

Still, science and others are comparable to Ananda,
because, they all lead to Ananda.

Vishnu Sahasra Nama says,





Yoga, Knowledge , Sankhyam, , all types of
education, the actions such as Sculpture (Style ), Vedas,
Sastras and Science. All are happening ( occurring )
because of Janardana ( Vishnu )

In this context , there is nothing called invention , we
have only discoveries. Everything that seems to be
invented is not so. It existed before and only it is re-
discovered. A painter seem to create a picture. First it will
be there in mind, only then it can come on to the canvas.

All todays inventions are existed earlier and they were
given to us by our Rhushis in a different format.
Religious practices.

But there are scholars, who say, religious practices
are philosophical and not scientific. These rituals are to be
followed with reverence only, no scientific reasoning
should be drawn, and no scientific explanations are to be
sought

May be it worked in a different era. Todays youth are
not satisfied with such instructions . Thats why more
Indian Brahmins are questioning the very rituals &
practices , not getting satisfactory answers, they dump
them along with superstitions

There is a strong relation between science &
philosophy. They go hand in hand.

Lets take an example.

As per science, if a person were to be healthy, her /his
body & mind should be healthy. He must do physical and
other exercises to be fit.

Philosophy also aims at the same thing, keeping the body
and mind fit. All the rituals are meant for total health, in a
holistic way.

When it comes to health , Science has something to do
with body & mind, where as Philosophy ( Adhyaatmika
chinthana ) has something to do with the atma ( soul ).
Body and soul are great combination ( mutually not
exclusive ) for a healthy person.

There is no use for the body without soul and vice
versa is also correct. As per Garuda Purana the soul
always wants to be inside a body. That is because, the
soul alone can not do anything. It needs to use a body for
any activity.

{ Garuda purana explains thus : Even the so called Gods
are only souls with out all the five elements so they need
humans to fulfill their wishes. Some God likes Tarpana,
some likes Arghya, Homa, Japa, Abhisheka, Alankara
etc Only humans can do these things because they
have a body. We offer our services and they grant boons
to us. Any religious rite is a collaboration between humans
and Gods

When a human being dies, the soul becomes a Pretha
. To relieve the Pretha from its predicament and make it
again suitable to take birth, we do 10 days rites, as per
Garuda Purana and we are following those rituals.

If, the rituals are not performed, the Pretha remains a
Pretha, for a time period ( they have their periods like we
have our age / Ayushhu. ). Any soul does not like to
remain a Pretha . it is the duty of its living close relatives to
give it a Sadgati . If not done, it creates a negative
energy between them and it will be a Curse of the
Pretha on the person responsible.

There are nine types of curses because of which a
person will not get children. ( Sarpa Shaapa , Pitr Shaapa,
Matr Shaapa, Mathula Shaapa, Patni Shaapa, Bhraatr
Shaapa, Mitra Shaapa, Brahmana Shaapa & Pretha
Shaapa ) Pretha Shaapat Suta Kshayah }


So, it is clear , the soul has to be dependent. It wants to
reside in a body. But the soul will be happy only when the
body is healthy. For the body to be healthy, Physical &
mental health is a must. For keeping the mind & body
healthy certain Rules / rituals / traditions are prescribed by
the Sastras.

The study of how these practices help us keep our
health is done by scientific analyses. Without doing /
knowing this, if we ask youngsters to follow blindly, how
can they appreciate it ? Thats why it is said,

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After studying and learning the four Vedas, if
a Brahmana does not understand who is Vasudeva, he
is like the donkey carrying the weight of Vedas.

I am attempting to bring to light the scientific meaning
of some of the rituals so that it will be helpful to practice
them with confidence. For the humans, there are 16
Samskaras ( Shodasha Samskaaraalu ) to be performed
starting from Pumsavanam ( garbha dharanam ) i.e;
even before he is born to Anthyesti after death ritual.

Except the last one, all are meant for the development
and progress , physically & mentally , of the person.. Out
of these, Upanayanam is the most important one. This
has to be performed in the 7th or 8th year of the boy.


So I will concentrate on Upanayanam


UPANAYANAM

Upanayanam means, Coming Closer

Or, coming close to Knowledge. This knowledge is to
understand the Brahman ( oneself ) .This is done
by understanding things in a scientific way. For this, the
boy needs special eye i.e; internal eye. By undergoing
Upanayanam , studying the Vedas, / Sastras and
following the traditions , he gets the internal eyes.

As we all know, in the present times, in most of the
Brahmin families, the boys Upanayanam is done just
before the marriage , just for the heck of it because in the
marriage the groom must have the Yajnopaveetam .
That too,not to be embarrassed among the relatives &
friends. This is the result of todays quest for English
studies and modern civilization. When questioned, they
come out with all sorts of answers, the funniest one being,
What is the use of it? Moreover, the Yajnopaveetam is an
obstacle while removing the Banians . They do not know
the use of it.

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By birth, all are born Shudras, only by Samskaras, one
becomes a dwija.

So what is the use of becoming a dwija ?

Lets see

As per todays science, the human body and thinking
process undergoes complete change once in every 7
years. This is the law of nature also. At the 7th year of a
boy, the milky teeth go and permanent teeth appear. At
14, he becomes an adolescent and attains puberty. At 21
, become a complete adult, at 28 , young, at 35 , mature
young, from 42 some what declining some will have eye
problems, as optic nerves weaken, resistance decreases,
at 49, loss of interest in sex for females, ( menopause ) at
56 , reduction in enthusiasm, at 63, male menopause, at
70 , Vana Prastha ashrama.

The timings of 16 Samskaras more or less match with
these important stages.

So, Upanayanam is the most important of all. This is
also called Brahmopadesam or Starting of
Vedaadhyayanam . There are certain rules for giving
Brahmopadesam. These rules are meant for bringing
health. Health ( physical & mental ) for bringing the Vedic
practices , there by uninterruptedly completing
Vedaadhyayanam. Each of these rules have very
significant meaning. This can be understood only by
analyzing them with a special eye, i.e ; scientific view.

First of all an auspicious time ( muhurtham ) has to be
fixed for Upanayanam. This is done based on the
planetary positions. It is briefly given at the end.

Now lets see the gist of things ( rituals ) done / items
required on that day.

Rituals :
1. Mangala Snanam ( Oil bath ) / Abhyangana
Snanam
2. Chowla Homam & Vapanam
3. Yajnopaveetha Dharanam
4. Matru saha Bhojanam
5. Dwitiya Vapanam
6. Punassnaanam
7. Homam
8. Brhmopadesam
9. Agni Kaaryam
10. Matru Bhiksham

Main Items required :
1. Moduga ( Paalasa ) Samidhalu,
2. Moduga Dhandam ( Chivara aakulunna moduga
komma )
3. Yellow coloured clothes ( The dhotis should be
soaked in Turmeric water and dried )
4. A small piece of Krshnajinam ( Deer Skin )
5. Mounji
6. small Granite stone
7. Darbhalu

On the day fixed for Upanayanam, the boy ( Vatuvu )
and his parents should take a complete Oil Bath. (
Mangala Snaanam )

The significance of Oil bath is well known but, very
briefly I will explain.

In Ayurveda, Hareetha Muni said,

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To protect the Pitta, Sleshma, & Vayu in required
proportions, Abhyanjanam is important.and very easy
also.

Taapa Trayaalu ( Pitta Vaata Sleshma ) Sariraniki
entho mukhyam. So one has to preserve them by oil bath.

Charaka Maharshi said,

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Vayu ( air ) is always present in the skin, the
Sparsendriya

. To strengthen this dhatu ( vayu ) abhyanjanam is
needed.

This abhyanjanam has to be done regularly for health,
but at least on auspicious days it is a must, so that the
person will be healthy throughout the day. It is also
advisable to take oil bath one week before the D day.
This is meant for physical & mental health as, there is a
healthy mind in a healthy body.

Next is Choula Homa ( )

The boys haircut is done in this step. Some do
complete hari cut leaving a Shikha ( Pilaka ) but which
boy of today agrees to have a pilaka ? So, There is a way
of cutting more hair in the front & less in the back to give a
semblance of pilaka. But before haircut, choula homa is to
be done.

Why hair cut?

It is also called Ayush karma This should not be
done whenever one likes.. If done in inauspicious days, it
can reduce ones life span. Because, human body is a
bundle of electric energy, This electricity will be and
should be generated and dissipated regularly , to maintain
health. If there is an imbalance in the generation &
discarding of this energy, it will lead to ill health.

During Brahmopadesam the boy is initiated to
Gayatri Mantra This mantra is so powerful that, when the
boy chants it the first day, the electricity generation be
more ( than required ) in the body.. so to Pre balance
the electric energy, it has to be reduced in the body before
Brahmopadesam How ? by haircut !

It is well established ( natures law ) that by cutting the
hair, the electric energy is always reduced. ( rub a plastic
sheet on the hair and see what happens )

Then Why Choula Homa ?

Brahmopadesa is an initiation and it is to be done in the
most congenial and harmonious way. The boy should be
in the right frame of mind to receive it. He must accept it
mentally , only then it is effective. Normally the boys are at
a tender age at the initiation and he may not understand
the importance and may not be in right mood to receive
something he does not understand. The homa helps bring
him into right frame of mind. How ?

In the homa we have to only use Modhuga Samidhalu
( Paalaasa samidha ). Modhuga is related to the planet
Chandra, Or Chandra is identified with Modhuga. As per
astrology, Chandra rules the mind. He is the Mano
Kaaraka
In the homa, we add the paalaasa samidhalu & pure
ghee in to the fire, which brings out the holy smoke . when
this smoke is inhaled, it is pleasant and it influences the
mind in a positive way.

So, after choula homa, Vapanam ( Hair cut ) has
to done and then again the boy has to take bath.

Next is Yajnopaveetha Dhaarana ( Jandhyam
dharinchadam ),.

Jandhyam construction has a specific meaning , but for
the fear of lengthy description, I am not dwelling into
details. The Brhamachari has to wear only one
Jandhyam of 3 strands, each strand again made of 3 thin
threads . It is called Navathanthi ) The three strands
denote the three Rhinas ( i.e; Deva Rhina, Rhushi
Rhina & Pitr Rhina ) The knot has a special meaning. It
indiacates the presence of Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara.
It is called Brahma grandhi.

The scientific significance of Yajnopaveetham

The human body has an important nerve called Vagus
Nerve ( Jeev Nadi ). One branch of this Vagus nerve is
regulating the heart beat and also the blood circulation.
The vagus nerve is either one of two cranial nerves which
are extremely long, extending from the brain stem all the
way to the viscera. The vagus nerves carry a wide
assortment of signals to and from the brain, and they are
responsible for a number of instinctive responses in the
body.

The vagus nerve helps to regulate the heart beat,
control muscle movement, keep a person breathing, and
to transmit a variety of chemicals through the body. It is
also responsible for keeping the digestive tract in working
order, contracting the muscles of the stomach and
intestines to help process food, and sending back
information about what is being digested and what the
body is getting out of it.

Since the Yajnopaveetham is worn from neck to kidney
area, This can at times ( sitting, sleeping, walking or even
wearing some tight clothes ) , will stimulate the Vagus
nerve, thus keeping it always, in a state of activation.
To a person, who is chanting Vedas, all the above ( brain
to intestines ) organs have to be perfectly healthy.
Yajnopaveetham ensures this.

NEXT IS MAATRU SAHA BHOJANAM

There is not much scientific explanation for this, only
sentimental & psychological reasons.

Right From birth, upto Seven years, the boy is ( should
be ) always with mother. Any mistakes done by him up to
this age will not be counted, as per Dharma Sastra .(
Mandavya Muni of Maha Bharatha times, gave a curse to
Yama, because he punished Mandavya, for a mistake
done by him when he was less than 7. Yama is supposed
to be Samavarthi who knows dharma inside out. Hence
the name Yama Dharma Raja . So when he misinterpreted
it he was promptly cursed by Mandavya )

So, when the boy , after Upanayanam, at 7, has to
leave for Gurukula, the mother with all love and affection,
feeds him for one last time, she will also have food along
with him, so he remembers her all the time and does not
make a mistake. ( Gayatri Japa & Vedadhyayanam
makes it sure that he does not go wayward )

This explains, why Upanayanam is done at 7.

How can the present western culture bring such a
transformation in a boy is to be pondered here. The
present day mothers,-- western or, influenced by the west
and following their waysleave small children with
servants / day care centers / or worst, in a room where
food & Television are the only things leftbecause they
have to enjoy their life, they have to have their own
careersthey are sophisticated and modern.. etc ( except
those, for whom, there is no other way ) ..

I hope this point adds value to our culture.

NEXT IS AGAIN VAPANA ( Haircut ) & HOMA

The scientific explanation is same as earlier
After having meals with his mother, there can be some
extra generation of electric energy , Also there will be
more energy generated in the body, as the most important
24 organs of the body will be exalted and stimulated due
to the energy received in the form of Waves or
Vibrations when he gets the Brahmopadesam

So the second Vapana and immediately Homa ( with
Modhuga Samidhalu ) are done for the same reasons as
explained earlier.

Next, the boy is made to keep his foot on a small stone
Sannikallu or Silicon stone ) and the following are given to
him by the father, to wear.
1. Peetha Vastram
2. Paalasa Dhandam..( Modhuga Dhandam )
3. A small piece of Deer Skin ( Krishnajinapu mukka
)
4. Mounji

PEETHA VASTRAM

Turmeric ( Pasupu ) is used to make this Peetha
Vastram. A white dhoti is soaked in turmeric water and
dried previously. Turmeric acts a an insecticide. All Hindus
, daily use turmeric in one form or other. It is used in
cooking, Akshinthalu, (Pellilo talambraalu ) Trichoornamu (
nudhuti pai naamaalu ), Kumkuma ( is made from turmeric
).

Turmeric also prevents many skin diseases. The boy,
after Upanayanam, has to stay in Gurukulam for 12 years
to study. He has to always wear the peetha vastram so
that it keeps him healthy. Apart from that, the yellow colour
has a positive influence on the optic nerves of the eyes.

Even other colours like Green, White, Blue and Red
denote the Pancha Bhuta ( five elements , viz, Earth,
Water, Fire, Air and Ether ( space )). Even the Nine
Planets are also have these colours. Todays science also
say what our ancient Rhishis said thousand years
before that, These colours have effect on human senses
, differently. Based on this, Colour Therapy is used to
control certain types of diseases. Readers Digest,
February 1985 page 62, has an article on this colour
therapy.

In Gurukula, the boys will be always seeing the
greenery & vegetation( Green colour ) , the sky ( blue ),
Agni & Sun, during Agni Kaaryam & Sandhya Vandanam (
Red), white light during day, these colours influence us
positively.


NEXT IS MOUNJI

Mounji means , Girdle, or Kati Sutra ( Mola thaadu )
made of Munja Grass , a type of grass. Some also call
it Munja Darbha it is also called Brahma Mekhala and
its scientific name is, Saccharum Munja

After Upanayana, the boy is called Brahma Chari .
He has to be observing Brahma Charya until he gets
married. It has two meanings. One is the one who
always dwells in Brahmam , The other is, the one who
conserves his energy by observing celibacy until marriage


At 14, the boy attains puberty and his body ( Prostate
Gland ) produces Semen from this age. This Semen
when produced in more quantity, has to be released so
that more semen is produced. The body should always
produce semen and should always release it, if it is not
released, semen will not be produced, which can lead to
complications..

Normally boys at this age experience wet dreams ,
the semen ejaculating while sleeping. When it is thus
ejaculated, we can call it released but, a Brahma Chari
has to Conserve energy, not waste it.

Scientists do not know all the prostate's functions.

(
see http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostatee
nlargement/ )

They say, this is nature of the body. So, the semen has
to be released some way. Some even suggest
Masturbation saying, it is healthy, and no side effects can
happen. While it is true that it can be used as a solution
for some reasons, , the question is, it is solution to what
ailment ? If you can prevent the ailment, why will you need
the solution ? , Scientists have no answer on how to
prevent this ejaculation but our ancient Rhishis knew the
exact answer.

The wearing of Mounji is exactly for this purpose.

As per Ayurveda the Munja Darbha has a special
quality. If this Mounji is always in contact with the body,
the extra Semen produced will be automatically infused
into the blood, instead of getting ejaculated. When this
Semen ( Veeryam ) becomes part of the blood, the body
gets a special element ( Dhatu ) called Ojassu The
meaning of Ojassu is, energy with glow or radiant
energy. So the body gets this Radiant energy., which we
can call Conservation of Energy

The purpose of wearing Mounji is to get this
radiance.
In Vishnu Sahasra Namam He is called Ojasthejo
dyuthi dhara

This is called true Brahma Charyam

For the same reason, Lord Sri Krishna is called Anaadi
Brhamachari

This is a challenge to scientists. It is a potential topic
for getting a Nobel Prize

Without knowing this secret, today, Mounji is being
used only on the day of Upanayanam This is utter
foolishness. This has to be worn until marriage. Our
Rational thinkers will accept it only when a western
scientist Invents it.

It has its own cascading effects. Normally, after 40
years, a mans resistance to diseases starts declining.
But, if energy is conserved like this, this will prevent such
possibilities. May be one day, the Cure for AIDS may lie
in Mounji , who knows ?

NEXT IS KOWPEENA DHAARANAM

Kowpeenam means, Langotaa . The boy ( all men )
has to wear it his entire life . This helps prevent Hernia
and Enlargement of prostate Gland . This is nowadays
accepted.

USE OF SILICON STONE : When we keep our foot on the stone and
press it, it gives the same effect s that of ' Accu-pressure,
energizing the nerves.


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A few Important Tips on when to / not to perform
Upanayanam

1 .. When the Lords of the Vedas are debilitated (
ASthangata ) Upanayanam should not be performed. For
Rugveda Guru is the lord . For yajurveda Sukra ,
Samaveda--Kuja and for Atharvana Veda -Budha & Sani
are lords.

2. Upanayanam should not be performed on '
Anadhyayana ' days. ( Ashtami , Chaturdasi , Pournima ,
Amavasya & Padyami ( Pratipat )

3. The five months from Magha are best ( Uttarayanam ) .
In DakShiNayana Upanayanam should not be performed.

4. The person who is going to give ' Gayatri Upadesam ' (
usually the father of the child ) should have Chanted
Gayatri mantra 12, 000 times or at least 1012 times , only
for this purpose , with Sankalpam.

5 . From Birth , either 5th year or 8th year are best for the
boy to become a Dwija . max limit is 16 years . After that ,
first " Prayaschitta ' to be done .

6. The month of Chaitra ( Solar calendar ) combined with
Meena masa ( Lunar Calaendar ) is the best .

7. Upanayanam should not be performed after noon.

8 . If the mother of the boy is pregnant , Upanayanam
should not be performed after 5 months of pregancy .

9 . After Upanayanam , Chuda karma ( vapanamu
) should not be performed. Two Upanayanams should not
be performed simultaneously .

10. The Marriages of two brothers should not be
performed in a single year. Within 6 months of son's
marriage , daughter's marriage should not be performed.

11. Within 6 months of marriage , Choula &
Upanayana should not be performed.