சித்தம் சுத்தமாவதற்கு ஆகாரம் சுத்தமாயிருப்பது மிகவும் அவசியம். பல இடங்களில் பலவிதமான வஸ்துக்களைத் தின்னுவதே இன்றைய மனக்கோளாறுகளுக்கும் ஒழுக்கக் குறைவுக்கும் ஒரு முக்கியமான காரணம். ஆசார்யாள் மகிமை கேட்டதற்கு அடையாளமாக இப்படிச் சின்ன சின்ன விஷயங்களையாவது அநுஷ்டானத்தில் கொண்டு வர வேண்டும். – ஜகத்குரு ஸ்ரீ சந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதி ஸ்வாமிகள்
To have pure mind, it is imperative that the food is also pure. Eating all sorts of things at all sorts of places, is the main reason for the several mental problems and indiscipline, nowadays. As an indication of having learnt about the greatness of Aacharya, we should put to practice at least these kind of small things. – Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswathy Swamigal
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Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara – Ceramics, Porcelain and many fancy names are nothing but crushed cow bones. As a compassionate human being one needs to look around for the source of products we are using on a daily basis. In this world of crass commercialization we may think it is a challenge but as Periyava says, if one decides to adopt a simple life style and start avoiding luxuries we can cut down on a lot of above mentioned items which will help NOT piling up several ‘doshams’ on ourselves and our progeny. We all know how and where we get the leather from but not many are aware of Ceramic, Porcelain, and Bone China products. While we should not even think of using these products once, unfortunately, many a times these products make all the way even to our Puja rooms on a daily basis in the form of Puja item containers, Thamboolam plates, etc. If Maha Periyava says even the usage of Eversilver items are bad, think about these products which are obtained from cruel killing of many Gho Mathas.
In Deivathin Kural, Sri Periyava has elaborated in detail on the evils of eating out and how much it affects our spiritual progress. In eat outs, not only we eat on plates/cups that millions have used before but the above mentioned products are also primarily used as plates, cups, and cutleries. It is very regrettable that even many Periyava devotees go freely to these eat outs and to top it off flaunt those pictures proudly in Social media. As Periyava bhakthas, let’s introspect our actions and make changes to our life style as needed. Please read the links below for more info. and also google on Bone China where we get tons of info. about the composition of these products. There are many eco friendly foam substitutes available for leather products as well.
As a first step, let us do with all these above products from our homes and also share the information with like minded people and friends which will align ourselves to Periyava’s teachings and mission. Sri Periyava Thiruvadi Sharanam. Rama Rama
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-13670184
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_china
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‘ஒருத்தன் பீரோ நிறைய துணி வைத்திருந்தாலோ, கண்ட வேளையில் ஹோட்டலுக்குப் போய் கண்டதைத் தின்பதாலோ, வீட்டை ஏர்-கண்டிஷன் செய்து கொண்டு விட்டதாலோ அவனுடைய வாழ்க்கை தரமாகி விடாது. மனம் நிறைந்திருந்தால் அதுவே வாழ்க்கைத் தர உயர்வாகும்! மன நிறைவு வெளி வஸ்துக்களால் ஒருநாளும் கிடைக்காது. வெளி வஸ்துக்களைச் சேர்க்க சேர்க்க மேலும் மேலும் சௌகரியத்துக்கு ஆசைப்பட்டுக் கொண்டு புதுப்புது வஸ்துக்களைக் கண்டுபிடித்து வாங்கிக் கொண்டேதான் இருப்போம். நாம் இப்படி இருப்பதைப் பார்த்து வசதியில்லாதவர்களுக்கும் இதே ஆசை வெறியை உண்டாக்கி விடுகிறோம். இதனால் போட்டி, சண்டை எல்லாம் உண்டாகின்றன. வாழ்க்கைத் தரத்தை உயர்த்துவதாக ஏக முஸ்தீபுடன் இறங்கிய பின்தான் சகலருக்கும் எப்போது பார்த்தாலும், எதையாவது வாங்கிக்கொண்டேயிருக்க வேண்டியிருக்கிறது. நமக்கு அது வேண்டும், இது வேண்டும் என்று சதா அரிப்பு இருக்கிற வரையில் நாம் தரித்திரர்கள்தான். இப்போது கோடீசுவரனிலிருந்து எல்லோருக்கும் இந்தக் குறை இருப்பதால் எல்லோருமே தரித்திரர்களாகத்தான் ஆகியிருக்கிறோம். பணம் இல்லாவிட்டால்தான் தரித்திரம் என்பதில்லை. பணம் அதிகமாகிவிட்டதாலேயே, எல்லோரும் தரித்திரர்களாகியிருக்கிறோம். இந்த போக்கிய வஸ்துக்கள் அதிகமாக ஆக, ஆத்மிக நாட்டம், நல்ல சித்தம் எல்லாமே போய் விடுகின்றன. – ஜகத்குரு ஸ்ரீ சந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதி ஸ்வாமிகள்
Having a wardrobe full of clothes, eating out in hotels or having an air conditioned house does not indicate a high standard of living. Contentment is not obtained by hankering for material things. The more we purchase them, the more our wants multiply. We tend to aspire for newer things and purchase them too. When the rich people do this, the poor too develop the same desires. This leads to competition and jealousy. Our attempt to improve our standard of living has resulted in everybody buying some thing or the other, all the time. As long as these constant needs for things exist, we should consider ourselves only as paupers. All the people, including millionaires are in the grip of these wants, hence, all the people are paupers. Poverty is not just lack of money. It is increase in money (circulation) that has made everyone poor. With access to these luxury items on the rise, we have fallen back on virtues like seeking spiritual progress and thinking good thoughts. – Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswathy Swamigal
Categories: Announcements, Samrakshanam
While most of the depiction is accurate , the ceramic link to animal parts is dubious. A special set is made of animal bones most of the ceramics do not usually contain animal parts.
Just so as to be truthful about items we can use without polluting ourselves spiritually
Glass and normal ceramics are safe bets
Irrespective of the materials Ceramics are made of, it is better to avoid Ceramic products as they are not agreed by Sastras. Rama Rama
Do you have the source pramanam from the sastras that specifically say ceramics are not agreeable? ( I am not interested in your interpretation but the source). I would like to learn more. I understand Animal products are permitted for some uses, provided they are sourced after the natural death of the animal.
In one of the Periyava articles (authentice one) I recall reading how anacharam is ‘Peengan’ and ‘glass’ for eating, drinking, etc. Also, you do not have to take my words. I have asked these questions to our Periyava and have directly got the answers. Believing or not is upto you.
Obviously, we cannot find pramanam from “Sastras” against ceramics, for in the days those sastras were written, there were no ceramics. In the circumstances we have to go by the words of persons who by their conduct have proved to be reliable and authentic. Sabdha pramanam need not be limited to authority of old books but the Vak of Jnanis and knowledgeable persons with appropriate conduct.
But what is “Sastra” anyway? It is a body of codified knowledge. As such, any Sastra reflects the condition and products of the times. In this sense, Sastra means scientific knowledge- we have for instance sastras relating to horses, elephants, medicinal plants , music and dance,etc. And in this sense, we can go on adding to our Sastras. But this we have failed to do in several fields, in the last thousand years or so, for various reasons.
Now, coming to ceramics and other such modern products, we do have information relating to their ingredients, processes of manufacture, the chemicals used, etc. But these are lying scattered . Scientists who invent a process or product do mention their limitations or circumstances or usage, as also the contra indications but these are hidden from public knowledge in the interests of marketing. When the cell phone was invented, Sony-Ericsson did conduct lot of experiments which showed its harmful effects, but these were deliberately suppressed and the public is not aware, { These are available in a well documented book, and now can be verified from the Internet.) The person who invented Teflon coating did say that it was harmful, but DuPont suppressed this information and promoted the product. Many chemicals used in food processing are proven carcinogens, but this information is suppressed. When the process of deep frying of chicken pieces was shown to be harmful the company did not stop it but merely changed its name to simply KFC. In the same way, when smoking was proved to be harmful, ( ie when its harmful effects could no more be hidden, denied ) the company merely changed its name to simply ITC ( from Indian Tobacco Company.) Thus, if we go about systematically and collect all relevant information and compile a book, that itself will become a modern Sastra. Thus we can show that not only ceramics, but almost every modern product- be it reconstituted, packaged milk, hydrogenated/refined cooking oil, most toiletries, cooking utensils, chemically treated food grains and vegetables, even filtered water are harmful. We say it is harmful, but the conservative method is to call it ‘anacharam’. It is up to us to take the evidence and act on it.
Not sure how confident you are saying glass and normal ceramics are safe bets.
As I mentioned in one of my responses below, glass and ceramics are ‘Anacharam’ especially for cooking and eating/drinking purposes. I had got these clarified by our Periyava directly. Rama Rama
Thanks Sai for conveying Periyavas words
Sai, Nanjappa Ji – I am in agreement with what you say. Word of a Gnani is sastra Pramanam. At the same time confusion arises from RIGIDLY following with out understanding. While Samanya Dharma is eternal (Ahimsa, Satyam etc), Vishesha Dharma depends on kalam and Desam. So much browbeating happens on inessential vishesha dharma while forgetting the core samanya dharmam.
I will give one example to make to my point: In Kerala Namboodiris take bath in the puzhai and go the temple dripping with water to do pujas. This is Vishesa dharma to be followed by them for temple pujas. But Bhagavadpadal in the Badri Mutt kept these same Kerala namboodiris in charge for centuries. The same people have all kinds of layers of sweaters (with only the nose visible) after bath when they do the service in the temple ( kala desa Varthamanam).
Insisting on vishesha dharma to be followed by all with out understanding is the source of all problems. Our Sastras are like a mother compassionate and not rigid. Vishesha dharma WILL change with time and circumstances. The over enthusiastic zealots grouping both dharma and insisting they be rigidly followed create more problems.
Our Periyavas themselves exemplify it : Mahaperiyava never used motor vehicles. Pudu Periyava did use it from time to time and he was permitted by his Guru. This is the point I am trying to make.
//We say it is harmful, but the conservative method is to call it ‘anacharam’. It is up to us to take the evidence and act on it.//
Very well summarized Sir. Rama Rama
This is a good post. Animal derived substances are an insidious part of so many modern products in daily use,. It is doubtful if there is any item which is totally, really free from them., right from soap and toothpaste. Most of us become victims of the situation unwittingly. It takes conscious efforts to shun them but first we need somebody to tell us what are these products that have to be shunned.
I think we have to distinguish between usage of products derived from the cow or bull after they die naturally, and killing them for the sake of obtaining these products. In this connection, we have to ascertain first, as to how the body of the cow which dies naturally is to be disposed of. Is it to be buried, with ceremonies, or is it allowed to get the hides, horns etc after they die naturally? What is the position of Sastra here? Some pundits should clarify. If we are to totally avoid the cow hide, how do we get hides for our musical instruments like Tavil, Mridangam, etc which are used even in temple worship? Some clarification is required here.
However, there is absolutely no reason or justification for using bone china, ceramics, porcelain, leather products . It is unfortunate that in many new Hindu temples or the old ones renovated, they are using ceramic or porcelain tiles on the walls. Such usages can be surely avoided.
We have to go even a step further. Dhoties nowadays, and sarees, come mixed with synthetic yarn. It has become very difficult, almost impossible, to get pure cotton dhoties from handloom sources. Sellers resort to devious ways to market mixed stuff, putting labels such as “Cotton Rich” which in fact means that it is synthetic mixed. In sarees too, there is a generous mixture of synthetics.
While we get pure cotton dhoties from mills, I mention handloom here because it is part of our swdharma to support handloom, and thus contribute to social welfare directly. While synthetics may not involve cow killing directly, they are harmful to both our body and environment.
We have to be careful in the use of cooking utensils too. Stainless steel is very popular with our ladies, but not all stainless steel is of food grade- ie fit for cooking with. There are absolutely no standards laid down anywhere, though it is widely known that not all stainless steel is food grade. Manufactures make claims, but who knows how valid they are! Aluminium is absolutely to be discarded as its use for cooking is associated with dementia and Alzheimers . Teflon quoted and now ceramic quoted ware are also to be discarded. It is our experience that whatever scientific claims are made in respect of modern products and processes are reversed after a time.
There is need for a two-pronged approach: avoid certain things and promote the use of certain things.
//Is it allowed to get the hides, horns etc after they die naturally? What is the position of Sastra here? Some pundits should clarify. If we are to totally avoid the cow hide, how do we get hides for our musical instruments like Tavil, Mridangam, etc which are used even in temple worship? Some clarification is required here.//
Maha Periyava’s answer below.
தானாக மரித்த கோவின் சர்மத்தைத்தான் ஸங்கீத வாத்யங்களுக்கு எடுத்துக் கொள்ளலாம். ஏனென்றால் ஸங்கீதம் தெய்வ பரமானதாக இருக்கிறதனால், ஸ்வாமி கோவிலிலேயே வாத்யங்கள் வாசிக்க வேண்டித்தானே இருக்கிறது? ஆனால் அதற்காக உயிருள்ள கோவை உபயோகமில்லை என்பதற்காக வதைத்துத் தோலை உரிப்பது என்றால் அதை ஸ்வாமி க்ஷமிக்கவே மாட்டார்.
அதே போலத்தான் கோவின் வயிற்றுக்குள்ளிருந்து எடுக்கும் கோரோசனையும் ஸ்வாமிக்கே கந்த உபசாரத்தில் சேர்க்கக்கூடிய வாசனை த்ரவ்யமாக அது இருப்பது வாஸ்தவம். அதோடு மருந்துச் சரக்காகவும் இருக்கிறது. அப்படியிருந்தாலும், அதற்காக கோவை வதைப்பது நியாயமாகாது; கொஞ்சங்கூட நியாயமே ஆகாது. இயற்கை மரணம் என்று ஒன்று எந்த ஜீவனுக்கும் உண்டல்லவா? அப்படி மரித்த கோவிலிருந்து சர்மமோ, கோரோசனையோ பெறவேண்டும். – ஜகத்குரு ஸ்ரீ சந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதி ஸ்வாமிகள்
Only the skin of the cow which had a natural death and died on its own can be used for making musical instruments. As music is divine and spiritually oriented, we are compelled to play them in temples, don’t we? But then Bhagawan would never ever tolerate the act of acquiring its skin by slaughtering a cow just because it has become useless.
Similarly it is true that a thing called ‘Ghorosanai’, which is obtained from the stomach of the cow, happens to be one of the fragrance products offered to the Swamy. It is a medicinal substance too. Even then, slaughtering a cow for that sake will not be fair and just; not even a wee bit fair. Any life form is sure to have a natural death, is it not? It is from a cow which died thus naturally that the skin or Ghorosonai should be obtained. – Jagdguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswathy Swamigal
In general, to a few points in your post, if we avoid all these modern products and stick to our ancient utensils like Pitthalai and copper we can keep away many of these items. That is the reason I mentioned Periyava’s quote on simple living which will address avoid most of these fancy items. Rama Rama
Thanks a lot Sir.
Vanakkam…..unga post superb!!!!
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