Radha's Love

The romance between Lord Krishna and Radha is known to everyone. She was the romantic lover of Krishna. Radha was the childhood friend and lover of Krishna.

Once, Sri Krishna got very ill. Krishna asked that he would be alright if, he would get the Charanaamrit of a true devotee. All the Gopis were asked but none of them offered. They were afraid of committing a serious offense, by offering the water with which they had washed their feet to Sri Krishna. 

When Radha came to know about the situation, she said: "Take as much as you like. What does it matter if I have to go to hell as long as my Lord is released of His pain and ailment"! Radha offered the Charanaamrit with true heart. It is due to this fact; it is believed that Radha could not marry Lord Krishna. Radha loved Krishna from the core of her heart but still she offered Charanaamrit to Krishna to save him from his sickness. 

Radha and Krishna were celestial beings and their love was eternal. Whether they were married or not, their love made them united for ever.

Hey Kanna..........

To mention any other jayanthi to any other birth of any incarnations we need to qualify vamana jeyanthi, rama navami etc....BUt if we just take a name without qualifying Sri Jeyanthi what does it stand for? It goes without saying it is Sri KRISHNA jeyanthi.

                     Not only that if we do not know the name of a little boy who is playing and running here and there and if we need to call him, then how to call him without knowing his name. Automatically we'll call Hey kanna!........

Nobody calls hey vaman heynarasimha etc......This is a simple thing we use but its really a magic that we all are automatically saying God's name. He has been so common to all of us.
                                         HARE KRISHNA

Thiruneeru

Thiruneeru  is the sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism. The main ingredient of Vibuthi is a special kind of wood, but several other substances, such as milk and ghee, prescribed in scriptures are also added. These substances are burned in a sacred fire (Homa). Vibhuti is placed on the forehead as it is considered sacred and holy.
                            Sanskrit : vibhūti  विभूति; Tamil : திருநீறு

 The holy Ash has lots of spiritual meaning. Vibhuti is so named because it endows one wih prosperity.Ash is the substance that results when things are completely burnt off. In natural terms it is a final state. It is also known as Bhasma because it burns away all sins. This ash is the ultimate reality and cannot be changed any more. By applying this as a symbol of Divinity, we prepare ourselves to give up all desires, burn our attachments and temptations and make ourselves pure, holy and sacred, for liberation.

 symbolic meanings:

            Placed on the forehead of devotees, it serves as a sectarian mark (tilaka).

            In worship connected with Lord Shiva it is a symbol of purity and is one of  the             main sacraments given at pūjā in all Śaivite temples and shrine.

           It serves as a reminder to the believer to cast away selfish and worldly desires that            wrap the self in Maya.

Purana Reason:

            Man should always remember that his body is not eternal and will perish one day . That will suppress his ego and make him humble before the eternal God. Thiru neeru means ash [sambal in tamil] and thiru mann means soil [ mannu in tamil]. So a man is reminded constantly that his body is worth ash if creamated or just soil if burried'

Scientific reason:

               
            The Scientific reason behind the application of this sacred ash on forehead is that it has the ability to absorb the moisture and kill bacteria from the bones and joints. You might have noticed people applying this sacred ash on joints and elbows. This is the reason for the practice of applying the sacred ash on the forehead. It is also applied by people during a fever or illness and the reason might not be known to them or they may think that it brings up the god’s notice to cure them. The actual reason is it absorbs the moisture and kills bacteria present in the forehead. Scientifically it prevents sinus problems and other bacterial disease.
How to apply?

          Normally, the Thiruneeru is picked up with three fingers of the fight hand and applied such that three lines form across the forehead.This indicates the Trinity or the functions of Lord Shiva in his manifestation as Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra.  Brahma is the Creator of all life, Vishnu is the Sustainer and Protector while Rudra dissolves everything back into its primal energy state from which Brahma again brings forth life.

                        This symbolic act is also an indicator of the play of the subatomic particles that are involved in a constant dance – called the Dance of Siva even by by some physicists – of creation, sustenance and destruction which gives us this universe of name and form.

                           

                   While the prayer goes out to God, we have also to ralise this truth and endeavour to drop off the shackles of these three impurities.Thiruneeru is not applied simply for show or for fun.  It has deep psychological meaning.  We must always be conscious of this when applying the Thiruneeru to ensure max-mum benefit from our prayer and actions. 

                   When applying the Thiruneeru repeat the mantra “Om Namahshivaya” thrice.   Once can also just say “Siva Siva” or chant the mantra of one’s lshtha Devatai when applying the Thriuneeru.

                 Sacred ash can protect those who meditate on it,removes cruel sufferings and grants Shivagnanam, dispels meanness grants eternal bliss.

poosalar nayanar

63 Nayanmargal:

                  This is the life history of one of the 63 nayanmars. It may seem unbelievable to know that  at what extent each of the Naayanmars had gone to sacrifice anything and everything  for the Lord In the olden. And this is the life history of poosalar nayanar.

History of Poosalar Nayanar:

                 In the Thondai region (Thondai Nadu) there was a small town named “Thiruninravur”. Thiruninravur is a suburb in the north west of Chennai near Avadi (meaning dwelling of cows). 

“Poosalaar” was born and bred in the Vedic Chanting tradition of the village. Poosalaar had mastered the Vedas and excelled in devotion and wisdom. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.

Dream to build a temple:

               He had an intense ambition to build a temple to the Lord Shiva. Though he could not muster funds, he had a deep and overwhelming desire in his heart. Engulfed with the overpowering craving, Poosalaar reconciled to himself that he would not get any help from any quarters for building the temple OUTSIDE. 

Undaunted, he finally decided to build a temple for the Lord, WITHIN. Presto, within the confines of his HEART!.

Constructing the temple:

                     He knew all the agama shastras, i.e. scriptural rules to build a temple. So he sat under a tree and started contemplating about the construction of the temple within his heart. The temple gradually started growing up in his mind. The intensely sincere and well thought out work continued without any hitch and he gradually completed the inner and outer praharams, artha, vasantha and bhoga mandapams. He also erected a big tower and adorned it with various clay forms; Also dug a sumptuous pond for providing water for the daily anointments and raised gigantic walls all around the shrine.

                     Thus, the Lord’s abode was as complete like the completeness of his love for the Lord. Bear it in mind that he built the temple step by step, stone by stone and executed his masterly odyssey meticulously and with great reverential detail, all within his Heart!. Pooslaar thus built a grand temple for the Lord of Kailash with such micro level details by meditating on the Lord from within his heart, where the God was verily seated. Having consummated the sublime construction, he fixed an auspicious date for the consecration ceremony (Kumbhabishegam). He then implored the Lord of Kailash, to grace the consecration and offer His blessings.

 Kailasanathar temple at Kancheepuram:

                 The Pallava King Rajasimhan or Narasimhavarman II who ruled over South India during 6th Century was a great devotee of Lord Shiva besides being a connoisseur and patron of arts.Rajasimhan desired to bequeath a befitting legacy to the posterity in the name of the Lord of Kailash and commenced the construction of the famous Kailasanathar temple at Kancheepuram.

                Upon completion of the temple after years of hard work, he decided to have the consecration (Kumbabishekam) and fixed an auspicious date after consulting erudite Shivacha.The Kumabhishekam day was nearing and the attendant arrangements were under progress.

Lord's Divine play:

                A day prior to the  Day, the King personally supervised the arrangements for the grand function and went to bed thoroughly satisfied. However the Lord of Kailash started His divine play (Thiruvilayadal) as usual and appeared in the dream of Rajasimhan and said  Poosalar has conceived for a long time and built a big, fine temple which I will enter tomorrow; post­pone your program to a later date, so said the Lord.

               The King got woken up from his reverie and realized that in his dream, the Lord had ordered him to postpone the consecration as He had to attend a similar function slated for the same day at Tiruninravur. The king felt that if the Lord Himself had chosen then it should really be a bigger temple and decided to see the great devotee and the great temple himself.

Proceeding towards Tiruninravur:

                  The King started proceeding towards Tiruninravur along with his retinue. Upon reaching Thiruninravur the King enquired the local people about the new Shiva Temple.Nobody happened to know anything about the temple but however informed him that there is a person by name “Poosalaar” sitting under a tree in meditation. The King’s retinue said they will bring Pooslaar but the King stopped them and said he would himself will go to his place and meet him.

              Later when Pooslaar came out of meditation, the King revealed his dream to Poosalaar. The King of the region was standing in front of a poor a rare sight to see indeed. With folded hands, the King then requested Pooslaar that he wanted to see the TEMPLE built by him as revealed by the Lord Himself. Tears of love and joy started flowing in torrents from the eyes of Poosalaar as he could not believe that the Lord whose form could not be seen even by Brahma and Vishnu had decided to sanctify the consecration of the temple which he had built in his HEART.

Consecration ceremony:

                   Poosalaar then told the King that he had been constructing the temple in his heart and had fixed the consecration ceremony on that very day and that he had reached there just before the consecration. Saying so, he gently drew the Kings hands and placed them on his heart. The King felt the divine chanting of Vedas and Mangala Vadyam (Divine Musical instruments) and witnessed the consecration ceremony which was taking place inside the heart of Poosalaar!

               The great devotee that he was, King Rajasimhan was astounded to see the devotion and sincerity of Poosalaar. The king himself took all the specifications of the temple which Poosalaar had in mind and physically constructed a temple for the Lord at Thiruninravur. 

Lord Hridhayaaleeswarar:

              Since Poosalaar originally built the temple for the Lord in his Heart (Hridayam) the Lord here is known as Hridhayaaleeswarar.

 It is the belief of many that the heart related ailments will get cured by simply having the darshan of the Lord Hridhayaaleeswarar at Thiruninravur.

 

      நெஞ்சகமே கோவில்
   நினைவே சுகந்தம்
    அன்பே மஞ்சன நீர்
                           பூசை கொள்ள வாராய் பராபரமே

 Encryption at kailasanathar temple:           

                    The above incident is encrypted in the Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram by Rajasimhan himself is the proof that the King did realized what he dreamt was real.

                                               ANBE SIVAM

Damarukam

 Damaru:

                     The Damaru is a small hourglass-shaped drum which is played by twisting it so that the knotted ends of a cord tied around its waist will strike the skins alternately.It is a small drum with two sides separated from each other by a thin neck-like structure symbolizes the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest. 

Cosmic sound of aum:

                        When a damaru is vibrated, it produces dissimilar sounds which are fused together by resonance to create one sound. The sound thus produced symbolizes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation.

Nadam:

                       According to Hindu scriptures, Nada is the source of creation.It is said that when Shiva was dancing in one of the modes of dance (the taaNDavartya), he sounded his Damaru 14 times. When the Damaru is twisted in one revolution, it often makes the sounds of three successive tones. The sounds that Lord Shiva made with His Damaru were a-i-un, r-lR^i-k, etc. These sounds are know as the maaheshvarasuutras.

These 14 basic formulae contain all the alphabets in sanskrit arranged in ways to facilitate various grammatical processes. Therefore, the Damaru represents the alphabets, grammar, and language itself. It represents all words, spoken or written; all arts and sciences, sacred and secular. It represents knowledge, both sacred and secular.

Origin of Damaru

                      There have been mentions of Dimdima and Dhakka, some variations of this instrument, in the Mahasutasoma, Amarakosa and Jataka Astadhyayi, and in many other places. Damarukam has been mentioned in various Old Tamil literatures also. A few other names by which this instrument is represented are Dambru, Damru, Budbudke, Kudukuduppai and Budbudukalu, the last two names belonging to languages from South India. Although its use in more recent folk music is rare, it is commonly seen with minstrels who are wandering and soothsayers.

 According to Hindu scriptures :

                    Whole System of Sanskrit Grammer emerged from Lord Shiva's Damaru ( including sanskrit language itself ) ( Damaru or Drum , was kept by ancient Hindu Ascetics along with a kamandal (pot for drinking water ) along with a Spear or Trishul ( trident) also wrapping themselves in Tiger's Skin ) Scholar Panani in ancient India wanted to write Sanskrit Sutras on Sankrit Grammer ( a language, which incidentally , has also emerged from Shiva's Damaru ). 

He was meditating on Lord Shiva for this purpose , by his grace , he was intuned to the celestial dance of Lord Shiva during the time of Sandhya ( Sanskrit for Twilight hour ), from the sound of the Shiva's Damaru , Panani created all the necessary sutras for the sanskrit grammer.

14 sounds of Damaru:

                    Aiun,. Rlrk, Aowng, Ai ouch, Ha ya VA rat,Lan, Na ma nga na nam,Jha bhanj, Gha dha dhash, Ja ba ga da das, Kha pha chha tha tha cha ta tav,Ka pay, Sa sha sar and Hal.

Damaru-The sound of dharma:

                   The damaru is the sound of Sunyata or complete openness, a bridge that connects us to the essential source, the basis of being that is beyond name and form. It is also a unique channel for the profound blessings and power of the lineage and a portal for the mystical forces that protect the dharma. 

The damaru is thus the sound of the dharma itself and a proclamation of the fearlessness of the solitary yogin or yogini.

Damaru symbolises the creation:

                    There is also a symbolism regarding the shape of the Damaru - the top portion of the Damaru symbolizes the male creativity of procreation (the Lingam), and the downward representation symbolizes the female creativity of procreation (the Yoni). 

Symbolically, the creation of the world begins when the lingam and yoni meets at the mid-point of the Damaru, and the destruction takes place when both separate from each other.

ARDHANARISHVARA: 

                    The two triangular shapes, seen togther from the sides also explain the Ardhanarishwara concept and admixture of Linga-yoni and non-duality. Indeed the Shatkona, ‘six pointed star’ is formed by two interlocking triangles, the upper one representing Siva's transcendent Being, and the lower one Siva's manifest energy, Shakti. This shatkona is also part of Lord Karttikeya's yantra where Skanda is known as Ardhanarishvara Karttikeya.

KUNDALINI: 

                  Damaru is a balanced cosmic music. Siva is inseparable from His Shakti and therefore Mahadeva is genderless. Siva the ida - feminine and the pingala- masculine nadis. Nadis are psychic nerve currents are balanced so that sushumna is ever active. The sadhak who balances these through sadhana and yoga becomes like Siva. In the unity of Ardhanarishvara all opposites are reconciled; duality vanishes back into the one source.

Real concept of ghee coconut

 Ghee coconut:

                 The actual journey to Šabarimala commences with the Pallikettu or Irumudi kattu ceremony in which the pilgrim fills with utmost devotion, a drained and dried coconut with ghee (clarified butter) as guided by Guruswami.

                  The melted butter represents “soul” which is always transparent and pure whereas coconut represents “physical body” which contains impurities also. By taking the Irumudi with coconut filled with ghee, it symbolizes the submission of both body and soul to Lord Ayyappa.

Concept of Erumudi kattu:

               The pilgrim carries the irumudi or a cloth bag with two pouches on his head. As the name suggests it is a bundle of 2 bundles. Iru means two, mudi means pouch and kettu means knot or bundle. It is a two compartment bundle carried on the head by the pilgrims/devotees of Lord Ayyappan at Sabarimala. Irumudi is the travel kit of the devotee to the temple. This has to be carried only by those who observe the austerities or vratha of 41 days. Those who had the vratha with the Irumudi kettu only are allowed to proceed to the Sannidhanam (place of worship) at Sabarimala climbing the 18 padi kettu (18 steps stair).

The two compartments are identified as the mun mudi (bag of front side) and pin mudi (bag of back side). The front portion or mun mudi is to keep the offerings and pooja articles to the deities and the back portion (pin mudi) is to keep the personal belongings of the devotee. The puja items are needed to be taken for the pilgrimage are a cleaned coconut to fill ghee; Kaaniponnu (currency coins); raw rice and jiggery; betel leaves, areca nut pieces (supari) and coins; 2 other coconuts; turmeric powder, sandal powder/paste, vibhuthi (sacred ash), Rose water, Avil (beaten – flattened rice), Malar (puffed rice), jiggery, agarbathis (incense sticks), camphor, pepper (for Vavar and the optional items like candy sugar, small quantity of honey, dry grapes, boiled raw rice and vegetables. Towels, cloths to change after bath and bed sheets for the night are also carried by the pilgrim with the Irumudi. Some of the items are optional and not carried now a days.It is believed that these two pouches contain the effects of the pilgrim's good and
bad deeds in the past.

18 steps

Symbolism behind 18 steps in sabarimala:

              Pathinettapadi (18 divine steps) to the sanctum sanctorium is divine in all aspects. The 18 steps in sabarimala has many inner meanings. Its not just steps to go to the main temple but its the way to go to God surrender to god. One who has came through all these 18 steps can easily surrender to God.

panchaboodam:

                The first three steps depict "Bhoomi, Agni, Vayoo & Akash", 6 to 9 steps for Karmendriya, 10 to 15 for Jhanandriya, 16th for mind 17th Intelligence and 18th Jeevathma Bhava. Those who cross all these steps are believed to achieve "Punyadarshan". The steep steps are so important and holy that no one can climb them without fasting for 41 days and carrying the holy irrumudi on ones' head.

18 puranas in vedas:

                 The eighteen steps denote the 18 puranas. Some say that 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappa destroyed the evil denotes the 18 steps.

18 expressions of Ego expressing at three different levels of body:

  Body level. At body level we identify ourselves with the five sense organs of action and perception (Karma-Indriyas and Gnana-Indriyas).   Five organs of perception -  

                  Ears (sound), 

                  Eyes (sight)  

                  Skin (Touch)

                  Nose (smell) and  

                  Tongue (taste).

Mind level.  Being identified with these sense organs we develop six other negative qualities 

               6. Kama (Desire or possession),

               7. Krodha (anger when desires do not get fulfilled or when desired possession   is lost).

               8. Lobha (greed to fulfill the desire or not allowing anyone partake in one's possession),

               9. Moha (Infatuation of the obtained result or having the possession).

              10. Mada (pride of getting the desire fulfilled or having a possession) 

              11. Matsarya (Jealousy that others should not get what we have fulfilled our desire or when others have a  possession that we have.)

  Intelligence  Level.  At the intelligence level then there are three gunas that we have to transcend. They are

 12. Tamas: The Inertia (not to do action) or lazy or sluggish attitude is Tamasic. This is overcome by doing getting up early in morning having cold-water-baths doing pooja or worship. We dont want to do these because we are lazy in doing this. Only by doing these we overcome Tamasic nature.               

 13. Rajas: Action oriented with the feeling of "I". By constant mantra Japa of Saranam Ayyappa, this I doing the action feeling get diminished.

 14.. Sattva: Goodness. The feeling of I am good is also a Ego feeling. That also should be transcended as Krisha says in Gita. Feel everyone who are doing bad are doing  due to  ignorance. We should not ignore them, by by compassion help them to grow out of it.

 15. Raga: The strong likes or attachments that we use in making decisions. This is possible only by developing Bhakthi to Ayyappa. This means to surrender all likes to Lord for the common good.

 16. Dvesha: Same way  the strong dislikes also should be given up in making decisions. Also through surrender attitude (Bhakthi) we can transcend this attitude.

 17. Avidya: The Knowledge about physical material things alone is Avidya. Vidya is the knowledge of Truth. By attending satsangs of Guru alone will help to gain the highest knowledge.

 18. Ahamkara (Identity): All the attachments is summarized as this one factor, the identity felling of "I". This is the final step or block in reaching Ayyappa. Wearing black clothes and addressing ourselves and others as "Swami Ayyappa" dissolves this identity like a salt doll plunging into a salty ocean.    

The sacred 108:

                     In the story of spirituality the 18 steps has some importance. In the Hindu Dharma there is a samkalpa of one, zero, eight. This is 108, has a great spiritual effect. The one is the paramatma the zero is the maya and the eight is the eight formed natural jivatma. This is represented by a necklace having 108 pearls, 108 names of god, a totality of 4 vedas, 20 smrutis, 18 puranas, 64 Tantrasastras, two epics and so on. There are 18 chapters in the Mahabharata and also in the Gita.

                      If the zero in the middle of the 108 is removed the 1 and the 8 come close together. That reveals, if the zero – maya is removed from between the 8, the jivatma and the 1, the paramatma, they can easily rejoin together. Therefore we can understand that 18 is the number for realization of God. The 18 epics also reveal the reality. The 18 mountains around the Sabarimala and the 18 steps to reach the abode of Ayyappa also reveal the reality.

18 hills:

                      The steps represent the 18 hills existing in and around the region of Sabarimala. These are Ponnambalamedu, Gowdenmala, Nagamala, Sundaramala, Chittambalamala, Khalgimala, Mathangamala, Myladummala, Sreepadamala, Devarmala, Nilakkalmala, Thalapparamala, Neelimala, Karimala, Puthuserrymala, Kalakettimala, Inchipparamala and Sabarimala.

      

Incense sticks-Dhoop

Wonder why we light incense sticks during a religious ceremony? There is more than one reason to it. You must have noticed that among all the other things that you do during a religious ceremony, you have to light incense sticks in front of the God's idol. This is one of the Hindu customs that has been carried forward through ages. There are some definite and scientific reasons behind most of the Hindu rituals. Let us find out the reasons behind lighting incense sticks.

Origin of the  term dhoop, 

                   According to ancient history, the term dhoop  originates from the dhoop tree, found in eastern India—whose chips give out a rich fragrance when burnt. But the popular dhoop—black-colored putty—is essentially a mixture of ghee, herbs and wood chips.ord "dhoop".

 Philosophical moral:

          A philosophical moral of the burning incense stick is that, just as it burns away to ashes while simultaneously pervading the air with fragrance, an aspirant should sacrifice his life to serve others and mould it such that its fragrance inspires others.

Psychological Reasons:

                 Incense sticks are also used during several therapies. The aroma that is spread in the air after you light an incense stick has an immense healing and soothing effect on the mind. You become mentally relaxed and forget all other troubles and worries when you sit for a religious ceremony. 

This helps you concentrate and pray to the lord with all your heart and soul. When you offer a prayer with great devotion it acts like a meditative process that reduces stress and depression.

Creates Ambiance:

                As a part of traditional Hindu rituals when you light an incense it removes all foul smells from the air around. It creates the perfect ambiance for the performance of a religious ceremony or Hindu customs. The very smell of incense sticks can be related to religious rites and rituals. They are also used as natural disinfectant that drives way insects. 

Anti-septic in nature:

              Ayurveda prescribes the use of incense in room mainly due to its anti-septic nature which enables it to purify air as well as because of the curative properties. The smell imparts well being when inhaled by a sick person. 

Magical properties of different incenses:

   ALLSPICE:
Burned to attract both good luck and money.
 CARDAMOM:
Burn for mental clarity, concentration, confidence, courage, enthusiasm and motivation
 CINNAMON:
Burned for protection and to attract money, wealth, prosperity, business success, stimulate or strengthen the psychic powers, and aid in healing.
 COCONUT:
Burned for protection.
 EUCALYPTUS:
Burn for healing, purification and protection
FERN:
Burned in outdoor fires to magically produce rain. Also used to exorcise evil supernatural entities

  GINGER:

Burn for wealth, lust, love and magical power
 HIBISCUS FLOWERS:
Burned to attract love, lust and also for divination.
 JASMINE:
Burned to attract love and money, and also to induce dreams of a prophectic nature, purification, wisdom and astral projection.
LAVENDER:
  Burned to induce rest and sleep, and to attract love-especially of a man. Also burned for cleansing, healing, happiness and relaxation
LEMON:
Burn for healing, love and purification.
 LOTUS:
Burn to elevate mood, protection, spirituality, healing and meditation
 ORANGE:
Burned for divination, love, luck and money
ROSE:
 Burned to increase courage, induce prophetic dreams, house blessing, fertility, healing and attract love. Rose incense is used in all forms of love enchantment and possesses the strongest love vibration of any magickal incense.

Used to cure diseases:

       In ancient books we find that agarbatti's were used to cure many diseases. Medicinal herbs are used in incense to cure many nervous problems, sleeplessness,constipation, depression and stiffness.This is known as aromatherapy.The natural ingredients like saffron and sandal wood improves blood circulation, cure skin diseases, reduces fever and inflammation. It also soothes body aches and pain.

Others:

              Incense sticks are not only a part of Hindu rituals or customs; they have been used since centuries in Chinese, Egyptian, Tibetan and Japanese cultures.

 They use it not only as a part of their religious ceremonies but also for personal things like aromatherapy. So, next time whenever you light an incense stick, remember that it benefits you in more than one way.

AUM

Aum – The Primordial Sound:

                OM(Aum) is a Hindu sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all mantras.According to Vedic philosophy, Om is the primordial sound from which the whole universewas created. It is a sacred sound in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Om is also know as Omkāra (Aum syllable). It appears at the beginning of most Vedic chants and is said to be the essence of the Vedas.

3 letters in AUM:

          AUM is composed of the three letters A, U, M.

The letter ‘A’ symbolises the physical plane,

‘U’ the astral plane and

‘M’ the causal plane.

Purana story of 3 letters:

           In the Puranas the syllable Om became associated in various ways with the major Hindu devotional sects. Saivites mark the lingam (a symbol of Shiva) with the symbol for Om, while Vaishnavites identify the three sounds as referring to the trinity of Vishnu, his wife Sri, and the worshiper.

             When taken letter by letter, A-U-M represents the divine energy (Shakti) united in its three elementary aspects: Brahma Shakti (creation), Vishnu Shakti (preservation) and Shiva Shakti (liberation, and/or destruction).

               The three portions of Aum relate to the states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep and to the three gunas (tendencies or qualities) of rajas, sattva and tamas. They are ruled by the Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Divine in its threefold role as the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the universe.

 3 letters in sanskrit view:

1. It is the sound of creation that is heard in deep meditation

2. It is the most sacred of all Sanskrit mantras

3. It is a symbol which represents the four levels of consciousness

In Yoga:

        Om represents all time: past, present, and future; and is beyond time itself. Om represents the eternal oneness of all that is, and is the ultimate goal of yoga: to become unified in body, mind and spirit.Chanting Om is perhaps the oldest of yoga’s spiritual practices.
          
             Psychically, advanced Yogic students, by virtue of a subjective mastery over the repetition of OM, release rhythmic internal vibrations and regulate the irregular flow of the vital force, the unsteady and disharmonious vibrations of the five sheaths, restore a rare poise and balance to the mental functions, and seek to hit the plexuses and awaken the powers coiled in them.

According to music: 

              Musicologically, it constitutes the substratum of all the seven notes, and in one of the preceding higher gradations of its own self-manifestation, it presents itself as the primal music of the spheres, subtler than the one of Shakespeare's grand conception, and sweeter than the celestial music 'acoustically perceived' by the poetic genius  of  Milton, audible only to the inner audience of the perfected Yogis.

             Transcendentally, it represents itself as 'Nada-Brahman', the Melody Absolute, claiming for its devotees such supreme Indian Beethovens as Tyagaraja.

First sound Omkara:

         “Sound has three different aspects. These blend together into one whole. The three aspects areCreation, Sustenance and Destruction, which are the functions of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.The three aspects thus represent the Trinity of the Godhead. 

               These aspects are embedded in the sounds of the letters of A, U and M i.e. Akara, Ukara and Makara. The combination of these three sounds result in and make Omkara.” “Thus the three letters A, U and M make the word AUM (Om). The sound A arises at the throat, the sound U arises from the tongue and the sound M arises from the lips, when they join together, they become one sound and it arises from the navel. The navel is compared to the lotus and it is the place where Brahma resides.”
“The ‘Akara’ sound should begin in a low tone and gradually rise into a crescendo in the
course of ‘Ukara’ and then slowly soften when uttering ‘Makara’. The course is like a triangle- starting at the base, rising to a peak, descending again to the base.”

Om Symbol: 

               The three curves that are joined together stand for the three levels of reality within which man moves. 

Lowest curve: 

           The lowest curve represents the world of waking experience, corresponding to the physical body and to the material universe. 

Middle curve:

            The middle curve on the right hand side represents the dreaming state of man and corresponds to the mental life; the inner world of dreams, imagination and subjective experience.

Upper curve:

           The upper curve is said to represent the state of dreamless sleep, during which consciousness persists. It corresponds to the causal body, ‘subtler than the subtlest’ from which the other two states arise. .

Dot:

                   Above these three curves is a dot, which has an arc below it to emphasise its separation from the rest. This dot stands for that other order of reality that lies altogether outside manifestation, and can never be grasped by the mind. The dot signifies the fourth state of consciousness, known in Sanskrit as turiya. In this state the consciousness looks neither outwards nor inwards, nor the two together. It signifies the coming to rest of all differentiated, relative existence This utterly quiet, peaceful and blissful state is the ultimate aim of all spiritual activity. This Absolute (non-relative) state illuminates the other three states. 

Semi circle:

            Finally, the semi circle symbolizes maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. Thus it is the illusion of maya that prevents us from the realization of this highest state of bliss.
          The semi circle is open at the top, and when ideally drawn does not touch the dot. This means that this highest state is not affected by maya. Maya only affects the manifested phenomenon. This effect is that of preventing the seeker from reaching his ultimate goal, the realization of the One, all-pervading, unmanifest, Absolute principle. In this manner, the form of OM represents both the unmanifest and the manifest, the noumenon and the phenomenon.
OM is associated with Ganesha
               The physical form of Lord Ganesha is said to be that of OM. 

The upper curve, of OM, is identified with the head or the face of Ganesh. The Lower curve his belly. The twisted curve, on the right side of OM is the trunk.

Power of OM:

                The real understanding of the sacred word, symbol and sound ”Om” or “Aum” can only be felt by hearing it internally and then becoming one with it in all creation. Such is the Power of “Om”.

 

  Toe ring:

            Wearing of toe rings is highly practiced in India. It is worn as a symbol of married state by Hindu women and is called Bichiya  in Hindi, Mettelu in Telugu, Metti in Tamil & Kalungura in Kannada. Toe rings  are a must for married Hindu woman.

                  Tradition of wearing toe rings carries tremendous social significance for married women in India.Hindus  Women wear these Toe rings, as a symbol of Married state..

                

            This is a ring with two or three line rounds, worn in their second finger from toe. By wearing this in both feet, it is believed, that their Menstrual cycle course is regularized with even intervals. This gives good scope for conceiving to married women.  Because of this, the constant friction caused while walking and doing all sorts of chores during a day, it revitalizes the productivity organs. Silver being a good conductor, it also absorbs the energy from the polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body, thus refreshing whole body system.Toe ring deals with Acupressure and women issues.

Scientific and Ayurvedic Reason:

• Some Men frequently wore a ring on the big toe for curative purposes or to augment their masculine vigor. 
• Wearing toe ring to the second toe has sexual/erotic effect. 
• The reflexology texts also mention about treating gynaecological problems by massaging the second toe.
• There is also a belief that the wearing of toe rings press on certain nerves that pertain to the reproductive system, keeping it in balance and healthy.
• Ancient Ayuvedic medicine has long been used along side acupressure. 
• Indians believe that your "prana" or "life force" must be in balance in order for you to stay healthy. All of the paths of your "prana" run down to your toes, so the idea that a marital symbol could double up as a reproductive enhancer is not a big stretch.
• By wearing this in both feet, it is believed, that their menstrual cycle course is regularized with even intervals. This gives good scope for conceiving to married women. 
• Also it is said just because that particular nerve in the second finger from toe, also connects the uteruses and passes through heart. Because of this, the constant friction caused while walking and doing all sorts of chores during a day, it revitalizes the productivity organs. 
• As Silver being a good conductor, it also absorbs the energy from the polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body, thus refreshing whole body system.
  

  Fashion Accessory:

  

   

               Now toe rings are no more used as traditional ornaments in western culture. They are found even in western countries and have become a great fashion accessory of the modern era. In the western toe rings are mainly used as a fashion statement to decorate the feet.   
  

  Cultural belief:

  
               As toe rings are considered to be a symbol of married women.They're worn on both feet.They're usually put on the bride's foot by  the groom. 
  
  
    Pressure and moisture are usually needed to get a fitted toe ring into the right position on the toe. As most people are not initially accustomed to having a ring on the toe, it may take a day or two for the fitted toe ring to become comfortable when worn.