Lô¡R UXoLs

Kaakidha MalargalTôLm - 1

Part 1

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AYoLs AÚ°V

Lô¡R UXoLs

H H MaharanyamSri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji’s

Kaakidha Malargal

TôLm - 1

Part 1

Name of the Book : Kaakidha Malargal

Author : His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Published by : Malaysia Hindu Sangam (5859-M)

Selangor State Council No. 69-C, Jalan PJS 1/48, Taman Petaling Utama 7, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: 03-7784 4668 Fax: 603-7784 7304

Contents & Design by : Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Namabiksha Kendra No.51, 7th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 600083, INDIA. Tel: +91 - 44 2489 5875

For further details : PERTUBHUHAN KEBAJIKAN NAMADWAAR DAERAH PETALING, SELANGOR (1538-1-SEL) No.59A Jalan USJ 21/11 UEP Subang Jaya, 47600 Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +601 02787457 E mail: namadwaarkl@gmail.com Facebook:Namadwaar Kl

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ôTôYj§tÏ Ht\ôtúTôp

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Lôi©lTÕ CRu R²l ùTÚûUVôÏm,

£ß ÏZkûRLs ØRp CkR ^SôR] RoUjûR Tt±

Gq®R A±ØLØm CpXôRYoLs YûW. Aû]YÚm TVuùTßm

YûL«p Ød¡VUô] A¥lTûP ®`VeLûü G°V úLs®-

T§p AûUl©p. UaôWiVm c c ØWÇRW vYôª´

AYoL°u AÚÞûWL°p CÚkÕ ùRôÏjÕ. "Lô¡R UXoLs@ Gu\ RûXl©p YZeÏY§p ûNRuV UaôlW× SôU©bô úLkjWô ªÏkR U¡rf£ ùLôs¡u\Õ,

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Namabiksha Kendra,

51, 7th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 600 083.

Ph: +91 44 2489 5875

PERTUBHUHAN KEBAJIKAN NAMADWAARDAERAH PETALING, SELANGOR(1538-1-SEL)No.59A Jalan USJ 21/11 UEP Subang Jaya,47600 Selangor, MalaysiaE mail: namadwaarkl@gmail.comFacebook: Namadwaar Kl

FOREWORD

Our Sanatana Dharma is very ancient. Like a huge banyan tree with numerous branches, this dharma stands with numerous codes, philosophies, ways of worship, traditions and customs.

The uniqueness of this dharma lies in the fact that it offers ways to each and every person to lead a righteous, happy life in this world and to adopt a spiritual path best suited to their nature and thus attain the highest and absolute Truth.

This text will be a foundation course for all who wish to learn the basics of ‘Hinduism’. ‘Kaakidha Malargal’ is a compilation of basics of Hinduism presented in ‘question-answer’ format. The contents are entirely based on the discourses of Maharanyam H H Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Namabhiksha Kendra takes immense pleasure in presenting the same to all readers.

UúX£V CkÕ NeLm

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Smf£YôV YôrL SôRu Rôr YôrL

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UúX£V CkÕ NeLm £Xôeáo Uô¨Xl

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ùR¬kÕd ùLôsYúRôÓ. NUVj§u úUp Ttß HtTÓjÕYÕ

§iQm,

SUÕ NØRôV UôQYo YoLm. CûüOoLs Utßm UL°oLûüf

NUVj§uTôp BoYm ùNÛjRÜm. A¥lTûP ®YWm ùR¬kÕd

ùLôsüÜm ùT¬Õm ERÜm GuTÕ EiûU,

Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Hindu

G]Õ úYiÓdúLôûü Htß vYôª´ AYoLs. CdLô¡R UXûWl

TûPjRûUdÏ. AYo TôRm ùRôhÓ YQe¡. ùRôPokÕ Ut\

TôLeLûüÙm SUdLôL YZeL úYiÓm Gußm Au×Pu úLhÓd

ùLôiÓ ®ûP ùTß¡uú\u,

CÕ ùYßm Lô¡R UXo ApX, U²Rû] ùS± TÓjÕm At×R UXo,

CmUXo Sm ûL«p RYZ Sôm ×i¦Vm ùNnÕ CÚdL úYiÓm,

SUÕ NUV T¦ ùRôPW. Yôrj§ YQe¡ ®ûPùTß¡uú\u, Su±,

CuTúU ãrL! GpúXôÚm YôrL!

Gußm Cû\f úNûY«p.

---------------------------------------

Ï, LúQx Tô× Wôq

RûXYo

£Xôeáo Uô¨Xl úTWûY

UúX£V CkÕ NeLm

Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Hindu

Namachivaaya vaazhga, Naathan thaazh vaazhgaImai pozhudhum en nenjil neengadhaan thaal vaazhga

“Hail Lord Siva! Hail the Feet of the Lord!Hail the Feet of One who never leaves my heart even for a moment!”

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam Selangor State Council samaya pagudhi is, for the first time, bringing forth in the form of questions and answers, the basics of Hindu religion under the title ‘Kaakidha Malargal’ (flowers in paper) authored by Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji. As the head of this organization I am highly pleased to publish it.

Flowers have a natural fragrance that has the ability to calm man’s mind. True fragrance verily is the residence of the Lord, is it not? In the same way, Sri Swamiji’s ‘Kaakidha Malargal’ not only purifies the mind but also leads to thoughts of God. This book, no doubt, offers to clarify our religious doubts: it is certain that through its lucid elucidation it will not only help us learn about Hinduism but also love and embrace it.

It is true, indeed, that this book will help our student community and the youth to understand the basics of Hinduism.

I bow down in reverence to the Feet of Sri Swamiji for blessing us with this flower in accession to my request. I, hereby place a request to Sri Swamiji to bless us with successive parts of ‘Kaakidha Malargal’.

Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Hindu

Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Hindu

This is not just a paper flower but a wonderful flower that shall discipline man. Indeed, we are all highly blessed to possess this wonderful book.

May our noble endeavor continue! My Vanakkams to all! Thank you.

May all be filled with joy! Long live all!

Always in the service of the Lord.

K. Ganesh Babu RaoPresidentSelangor State CouncilMalaysia Hindu Sangam

1. Who founded the Hindu religion?

God.

2. When was the Hindu religion born?

Hindu religion took birth at the time of creation of the world.

3. What is the Holy Book of the Hindu religion?

The Vedas.

4. Who has authored the Vedas?

The Vedas originated from God.

5. Several names of Rishis are found in the Vedas. Have the Vedas been authored by them?

RishismerelyidentifiedtheVedicsounds.Theyare not the authors.

6. Who then has compiled them all together?

Sri Vyaasa. That is why he is worshipped as ‘Veda’ Vyaasa Bhagavan.

7. Who has written the commentaries for the Vedas?

Vidhyaaranya.

8. What is the meaning of the word ‘Vedas’?

The meaning of the word ‘Vedas’ is knowledge.

12

13

1, CkÕ URjûRj úRôtß®jRYo Vôo?

LPÜs,

2, CkÕ URm úRôu±V LôXm Gu]?

EXLm GlùTôÝÕ úRôu±VúRô. AlùTôÝÕ

úRôu±VRôÏm,

3, CkÕ URj§u BRôWUô] èp GÕ?

úYRm,

4, úYRm VôWôp GÝRlThPÕ?

LPÜ[ôp,

5, úYReL°p TX ¬µL°u ùTVoLs LôQlTÓYRôp.

AYoLsRôu úYReLû[ GݧÙs[ôoL[ô?

AYoLs AkR Uk§W J~ Lû[ LiÓ ©¥jRYoLú[

R®W. GݧVYoLs ¡ûPVôÕ,

6, AlT¥Vô]ôp AûYLû[j ùRôÏjRYo Vôo?

'c ®VôNo@, AR]ôpRôu AYûW 'úYR ®VôN

TLYôu@ Guß GpúXôÚm Y¯TÓ¡u\ôoLs,

7, úYRj§tÏ EûW (úYR TôxVm) GݧVYo Vôo?

c ®jVôWiVo,

8, úYRm Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

úYRm Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ 'A±Ü@ Guß ùTôÚs,

9. What is the meaning of the word ‘Matham’ (religion)?

‘Matham’ is ideas accepted by the wise ones.

10. Who has given the name ‘Hindu’ to our religion?

Western researchers.

11. How did this religion get the name ‘Hinduism’?

Every civilization has grown along the banks of a river. This is because in olden days the chief occupation of the people was agriculture and maintenance of livestock. All western researchers are of the opinion that the civilization that existed along the banks of river Sindu is the most ancient civilization. Therefore, history refers to this civilization as ‘Indus Valley Civilization’. The researchers named the people who lived along this river Sindu as Sindhus and the country alongside it came to be known as Sindhia. Over a period of time it became Hindus and India, respectively. This is how our religion earned the name ‘Hindu’.

12. What is the testimony for the above explanation?

The name ‘Hindu’ is not found in the Vedas, Shastras, Upanishads, Bhagavat Gita, Itihasa-Puraanaas, hymns of Alwars-Nayanmars and Bhaktaas.

14

15

9, URm Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

U§ÖhTm Es[YoL[ôp HtßdùLôs[lTPd á¥V LÚjÕdLú[ URm BÏm,

10, CkR URj§tÏ 'CkÕ URm@ Guß Vôo ùTVo ùLôÓjRôoLs?

úUtLj§V BWônf£Vô[oLs,

11, AlT¥ 'CkÕ URm@ Guß ùTVo ùLôÓdL LôWQm Gu]?

JqùYôÚ SôLÃLØm JÚ S§dLûWûV Jh¥úV Y[ok§Úd¡\Õ. Hù]u\ôp. AkRd LôXjÕ UdLÞdÏ ®YNôVØm. LôpSûP TWôU¬l×m Ød¡VUô] ùRô¯pL[ôL CÚkÕ YkR], £kÕ S§dLûWûV Jh¥ úRôu±V SôLÃLmRôu ªLÜm TZûUVô] SôLÃLm GuTÕ úUtLj§V BWônf£Vô[oL°u JÚU]Rô] Ø¥Ü, BLúY. AkR SôLÃLj§tÏ '£kÕ NUùY° SôLÃLm@ (INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION) Guß N¬j§Wj§p ùTVo ϱl©PlTÓ¡u\Õ, BWônf£Vô[oL[ôp AkR S§ûV Jh¥ YôrkRYoLs '£kÕdLs@ Gußm. CkR S§ûV Jh¥V Tϧ '£k§Vô@ Gußm ùTV¬PlThÓ LôX LhPj§p AÕ UÚ®. 'CkÕdLs@ Gußm 'Ck§Vô@ Gußm YZdLj§tÏ YkÕ®hPÕ, AR]ôp CkR URj§tÏ 'CkÕ URm@ Gu\ ùTVo YkRÕ,

12, úUtT¥ T§ÛdÏ BRôWm Gu]?

SmØûPV úYReL°úXô. Nôj§WeL°úXô. ET¨PReL°úXô. TLYj¸ûR«úXô. C§aô^ - ×WôQeL°úXô. BrYôoLÞûPV AÚ°f ùNVpL°úXô. SôVuUôoLÞûPV T§LeL°úXô. TdRoLÞûPV TôPpL°úXô 'CkÕ@ GuTÕ CkR URj§u ùTVo Guß GeÏm LôQlTP®pûX,

13. If India is the name given by Western researchers what is the name found in our Puranaas for India?

Bhaarata varsha or Bharata kanda is the name found in our Puranas. It is said that India earned this name from the son of King Dushyanta and his queen Sakuntala whose name was Bharata. This, indeed, is a good elucidation. However, we should realize that this country existed even before Dushyanta and Sakuntala. The term ‘Bharata’ in Sanskrit means ‘Jnanis who ever revel in the Atman’. As India is a country with an unbroken lineage of such Jnanis, it is known as ‘Bharata kanda’.

14. What is the language of the Vedas?

The Vedas is in the language known as ‘Chandhas’. Chandhas is the basis even for the Sanskrit language.

15. What does the term ‘Sanskrit’ mean?

Sanskrit means one that has been cleansed in all ways.

16. What is the name of the main Sanskrit dictionary?

Amarakosam.

17. What is the meaning of the Tamil word ‘Kadavul’ (God)?

As one traverses beyond body, life force, mind, intellect and experiences, one arrives at the final stage wherein resides the One beyondwhich there is nothing more. That ‘One’ is called ‘Kadavul’ (God).

16

13, Ck§Vô GuTÕ úUtLj§VoL[ôp ùLôÓdLlThP ùTVo Gu\ôp. Ck§V Sôh¥tÏ Gu] ùTVo ×WôQeL°p ùLôÓdLlThÓs[Õ?

TWRYo`m ApXÕ TWR LiPm Gu\ ùTVúW ×WôQeL°p LôQlTÓ¡u\Õ, ÕxVkRàdÏm. ^ÏkRûXdÏm. ©\kR ¾WªÏ TWRu Gu\ ÏZkûR«u ùTVWôp CkR úRNm 'TWRúRNm@ ApXÕ 'TWRLiPm@ Guß ùTV¬PlThPRôL ùNôp~YWlTÓ¡u\Õ, CÕÜm SpX ®`VmRôu, B]ôp ÕxVkRu-NÏkRûX ©\lTRtÏ ØuTôLúY CkR úRNm CÚkÕ YÚ¡u\Õ GuTûRÙm LY²dLúYiÓm, YPùUô¯«p 'TWR@ Gu\ NlRj§tÏ 'BjUôàTYj§p §û[dLdá¥V Oô²Ls@ Guß ùTôÚs, AjRûLV Oô²Ls YôûZV¥ YôûZVôL YkÕ ùLôiúP CÚdÏm úRNm CÕ Gu\ LÚj§]ôp Ck§V úRNj§tÏ 'TWRLiPm@ Guß ùTVo,

14, úYRm GkR ùUô¯«p Es[Õ?

úYRm NkRv Gu\ ùUô¯«p Es[Õ, NkRv GuTÕ ^UvdÚRj§tÏm BRôWUô] ùUô¯,

15, ^UvdÚRm Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

HtL]úY GpXô®ReL°Ûm çnûUTÓjRl ThPÕ Guß ùTôÚs,

16, Ød¡VUô] ^UvdÚR ALWô§dÏ (Dictionary) Gu] ùTVo?

'AUWúLôNm@ Guß ùTVo,

17, 'LPÜs@ Gu\ Rªr ùNôpÛdÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

EPûXd LPkÕ. E«ûWd LPkÕ. U]ûRd LPkÕ. A±ûYd LPkÕ. AàTYeLû[d LPkÕ. C² LPlTRtÏ JuߪpûX Gu\ ̈ ûX«p Esú[ Vôo CÚd¡u\ôúWô AYúW 'LPÜs@,

17

18. Canyouplease,briefly,elucidateonthegloryof Hindu religion?

Hindu religion is so very ancient that no one can ascertain its founder, time of origin and author of the Holy texts. This is verily the greatest glory of this religion.

19. Who are the Gods described in the Vedas?

VedasspeakofworshipoftheGodsofthefiveelements(‘bhootas’)viz.water,fire,wind,earth,space, worship of Indra, worship of Prajapatis and several other important Devatas.

20. Who are the main Gods to be worshipped, as spoken in the Vedas?

The Vedas speak mainly of the worship of Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Surya, Shiva, Parvati and Vishnu. Saivism consisting of the worship of Shiva, Ganesha and Subrahmanya, Vaishnavism consisting of the worship of Vishnu, Sakhtam consisting of the worship of Shakti are in existence till date. Amongst these Saivism and Vaishnavism are followed all over the world popularly.

21. How many Vedas are there and what are their names?

Vedas are four. They are Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana.

18

18, CkÕ URj§u ùTÚûULû[ ÑÚdLUôLf

ùNôpÛeLú[u?

CkÕ URm. úRôtß®jRYo Vôo? úRôu±V LôXm

Gu]? URèpLû[ GݧVYo Vôo? GuTÕ ùR¬VôR

A[®tÏ TZûUVô] URm GuTúR CRu R²lùTÚm

ùTÚûU,

19, úYRj§p GkR LPÜsL°u Y¯TôÓLs

ùNôpXlTh¥Úd¡u\Õ?

¿o. ùSÚl×. Lôtß. ̈ Xm. BLôNm B¡V TgNéReL°u

úRYûRLÞdLô] Y¯TôÓLs. úRúYk§W²u

Y¯TôÓ. lW_ôT§L°u Y¯TôÓ Utßm TX

úRYûRL°u Y¯TôÓLs ùNôpXlTÓ¡u\],

20, úYRj§p ùNôpXlThP Ød¡VUô] LPÜsL°u

Y¯TôÓLs VôûY?

úYRj§p. ®SôVLo. ØÚLu. ã¬Vu. £Yu.

TôoY§. ®xÔ Gu\ Bß LPÜsL°u Y¯TôÓLs

Ød¡VUôL ùNôpXlThÓs[], ®SôVLo. ØÚLu.

£Yu Gu\ ùRnY Y¯TôÓLû[ Es[Pd¡V

ûNYØm. §ÚUôûX Ød¡V ùRnYUôL Y¯TÓm

ûYQYØm. Nd§ûV Ød¡V ùRnYUôL Y¯TÓm

NôdRØm Cu\[®p CÚkÕ YÚ¡u\], A§Ûm

ûNYØm. ûYQYØm Cuß EXLm ØÝÕm

©uTt\lTÓ¡u\Õ,

21, úYReLs ùUôjRm GqY[Ü? AYt±àûPV

ùTVoLs Gu]?

úYReLs SôuÏ - AûY ¬d. V_ýo. ^ôUm.

ARoYQm GuTûYVôÏm,

19

22. What is the specialty of Sama Veda?

Of the four Vedas only Sama Veda is recited in a musical form.

23. What are the others names of the Vedas?

Sruti, Aamnaayam, Nigamam and Thrayee.

24. What does ‘Sruti’ mean?

The term ‘Sruti’ means to hear. The Vedas were not written on palm leaves nor were they inscribed on stones; they were verbally taught to the disciple who in turn passed it on verbally to his disciples. As it has been passed on from one to another verbally it is known as ‘sruti’. The great Tamizh Poetess Avvaiyar has called the Vedas ‘yeludhaa kilavi’ which means ‘that which has not been written down’.

25. What does ‘Aamnayam’ mean?

Those who possess the power to read the thoughts of others can accurately say what a person thinks in his mind. When two such mind readers meet they exchange their thoughts mentally without speaking to one another. This is known as telepathy. The Guru who possesses greater power will pass on knowledge to his eligible disciple through the mind without teaching orally. This is how the Maharishis taught the Vedas. This method of teaching is called ‘Aamnayam’.

20

22, CYtßs ^ôU úYRj§tϬV R²f£\l× Gu]?

SôuÏ úYReL°p ̂ ôUúYRm UhÓúU CûNY¥YôL

TôPlTÓ¡u\Õ,

23, úYRj§tÏ YZdLj§p CÚdÏm Ut\ ùTVoLs

Gu]?

vÚ§. BmSôVm. ¨LUm. jWÂ GuTûYúV AûY,

24, 'vÚ§@ Gu\ôp Gu] ùTôÚs?

'vÚ§@ Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ 'úLhTÕ@ Guß ùTôÚs,

úYRjûR KûXfÑY¥L°p Gݧ ûYdLôUp.

LpùYhÓL°p ùNÕd¡Ùm ûYdLôUp. ÏÚ

ºPàdÏf ùNôp~ . AkRf ºPu RuàûPV

ºPàdÏf ùNôp~. ClT¥úV Y¯Y¯VôL

YkÕs[Rôp CRtÏ 'vÚ§@ Guß ùTVo, Rª¯p.

J[ûYVôo CûRúV 'GÝRôd¡[®@ Guß

ùNôp ~«ÚlTÕ Ï±l©PjRdLÕ,

25, 'BmSôVm@ Gu\ôp Gu]?

©\o U]ûRl T¥dÏm Bt\p Es[YoLs

JÚYo U]§p Gu] CÚd¡u\Õ GuTûR

ùNôp~®ÓYôoLs, CjRûLV Nd§ÙûPV

CÚYo Nk§jÕd ùLôiPôp Yô«]ôp úTNôUp

U]§]ôúXúV ReLs LÚjÕdLû[l

T¬Uô±dùLôsYôoLs, CRtÏ Be¡Xj§p

Telepathy Guß ùTVo, CRtÏm úUp

Nd§ÙûPV ÏÚ. Rϧ EûPV ºPàdÏ

RuàûPV A±ûY Yô«]ôp ùNôpXôUp

U]§]ôúXúV ùLôÓjÕ ®ÓYôo, ClT¥jRôu

Ua¬µLs úYRjûR ùNôp~dùLôÓjRôoLs,

ClT¥ ùNôp~dùLôÓdÏm Øû\dÏ 'BmSôVm@

Guß ùTVo,

21

26. What does the term ‘Nigamam’ mean?

Nigama means to order. The Vedas speak of ways and means to lead a happy life in this world and the next. As the Vedas order man to live in these prescribed ways it is called Nigamam.

27. Why are the Vedas known as ‘Thrayee’?

The Vedas are in three forms of poetry viz. gadhyam, padhyam, gaanam; The Vedas are made up of the three important Rig-Yajur-Sama Vedas; The Vedas contain the three parts of Karma-Upasana-Jnana. Therefore, they are called ‘Thrayee’.

28. What does ‘Vedaantam’ mean?

‘Vedam’ means knowledge. ‘Antam’ means the end – conclusion.

The experience that comes about automatically at the culmination of knowledge is Jnana. Mahatma Yogi Ramsuratkumar would say ‘INTELLECT IS GOOD, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH’. Also, as the Upanishads that expound the philosophy are found at the end of the Vedas, they constitute ‘Vedaantam’ (Veda antam – end of the Vedas). Though the Vedas have prescribed several religious rites and regulations, ways of worships, etc. since they emphasize attainment of Jnana as the highest goal of human birth. Therefore Upanishads, Brahmasutram and Bhagavat Gita that expound Jnana, in detail, are also known as ‘Vedaantam’.

22

26, '¨LUm@ Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ ùTôÚs Gu]?

'¨LUm@ Gu\ôp LhPû[«ÓYÕ (Order) Guß

ùTVo, JÚ U²Ru CqÜXLj§p GYtû\ùVpXôm

LûP©¥jÕ YôrkRôp. CqÜXLj§Ûm Uß

EXLj§Ûm CuTUôL CÚdLXôúUô. AjRûLV

Y¯Øû\Lû[ úYRm áß¡u\Õ, AjRûLV

A±ÜûWLû[ LhPû[VôL ®§lTRôp úYRj§tÏ

'¨LUm@ Guß ùTVo,

27, 'jWÂ@ Gu\ôp Gu]?

LjVm. TjVm. Lô]m Guß êuß®RUô] ùNnÙs

AûUl×Lû[d ùLôiPRôL úYRm CÚlTRôÛm.

¬d-V_ýo-^ôUm Gu\ êuß Ød¡VUô] úYReLû[

Es[Pd¡VRôL CÚlTRôÛm. LoUm-ETôNû]-

Oô]m Gu\ êuß AeLeLû[ ùLôiPRôL

CÚlTRôÛm úYRj§tÏ 'jWÂ@ Guß ùTVo,

28, úYRôkRm Gu\ôp Gu]?

úYRm Gu\ôp A±Ü, AkRm Gu\ôp Ø¥Ü, A±Ü

Ø¥®tÏ YÚm ̈ ûX«p. Rôú] úRôußm AàTYúU

Oô]m, Intellect is good, but it is not enough Guß úVô¡

WômÑWjÏUôo Gu\ UaôjUô ùNôpYôoLs, úYRj§u

LûP£«p RjÕYjûR ®[dÏm ET¨PRm Gu\ Tϧ

YÚYRôp ARtÏm 'úYRôkRm@ Guß ùTVo, úYRm

SUdÏ ¨û\V NPeÏLû[Ùm Nm©WRôVeLû[Ùm.

Y¯TôhÓ Øû\Lû[Ùm ®§j§ÚkRúTô§Ûm.

Oô]jûR AûPYÕRôu U²Rl©\®«u EVokR

ϱdúLôs Guß Y ~Ùßj§d áßYRôp. AkR

Oô]jûRl Tt± ®[dLUôLd áßm ET¨PRm.

lÚmUãjWm. TLYj¸ûR B¡VYt±tÏm 'úYRôkRm@

Guß ùTVo,

23

29. What is the meaning of the term ‘Shastra’?

The Holy Texts that show the way for all to live in good health and peace of mind and help realize God through such lives are known as ‘Shastras’.

30. What is the meaning of the term ‘Dharma’?

The prescribed way of life that one has to lead in order that there is no change in the functioning andnatureofthefivebasicelements(‘panchabhootas’), planets, stars and the innate state of all creatures is called Dharma. For example faithfulness is the inborn nature of a dog. It is the innate nature of a peacock to dance on seeing rain bearing clouds. This is a never ending list.

31. What does the term ‘Itihaasam’ mean?

Itihaasam means ‘it happened this way’.

32. How many Itihaasaas are there?

Ramayanam, Mahabharatam and Sivarahasyam are the three Itihaasaas. However, today only Ramayanam and Mahabharatam are widely known and are available.

33. Who has authored these Itihaasaas?

Ramayanam has been authored by Valmiki and Mahabharata has been authored by Vyasa.

Ramayanam contains 24,000 slokas which have been grouped into 7 Cantos while Mahabharata

24

25

29, 'Nôv§Wm@ Gu\ ùNôp~ tÏ ùTôÚs Gu]?

JÚ U²Ru BúWôd¡VjÕPàm. U] AûU§ÙPàm

YôrkÕ. AlT¥ Yôr¡u\ ¨ûX«úXúV Cû\Yû]

EQoYRtÏ Y¯LôhÓm èpLÞdÏ 'Nôv§Wm@

Guß ùTVo,

30, 'RoUm@ Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

GR]ôp EXLj§Ûs[ TgNéReL°u CVdLØm.

úLôsL°u CVdLØm. ®iÁuL°u CVdLØm.

NoY ËYWô£L°u CVpTô] RuûULÞm.

Uô\ôUp CÚdÏúUô. ARtÏ úYi¥VT¥

U²Ru YôZúYi¥V YôrdûLØû\dÏ 'RoUm@

Guß ùTVo, ERôWQUôL. Sôn Su±ÙPu

CÚlTÕ ARàûPV CVp×, A§LôûX«p

úNYp áÜYÕ ARàûPV CVp×, úULjûRd

LiPôp BÓYÕ U« ~àûPV CVp×, ClT¥

ùNôp ~dùLôiúP úTôLXôm,

31, 'C§aô^m@ Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

'C§aô^m@ Gu\ ùNôp~ tÏ 'ClT¥VôL SPkRÕ@

Guß ùTôÚs,

32, C§aô^eLs ùUôjRm GjRû]?

WôUôVQm. UaôTôWRm. £YWavVm Guß êu\ôÏm,

CÚkRúTô§Ûm. Cuß WôUôVQØm. UaôTôWRØúU

ùTÚmTôÛm GpúXôWôÛm A±VlTÓ¡u\Õ,

33, CûYLû[ GݧVÕ Vôo?

WôUôVQjûR YôpÁ¡Ùm. UaôTôWRjûR ®Vô^Úm

Gݧ]ôoLs, WôUôVQm 24000 ùNnÙsLû[

contains 1,00,000 slokas which have been grouped into 18 Cantos.

34. What is the meaning of the word ‘Ramayanam’?

‘Ayanam’ means way. ‘Ramayanam’ is the way shown by Sri Rama.

35. What does Ramayanam teach us, in particular?

A King should always be in the thought of the welfare of the people. Such a King should be worshipped verily as God by the people. Siblings should be united. A wife should be loyal. A husband should not even glance at other women. Parents should be affectionate to their children. Children should worship their parentsasGod.Oneshouldsacrificeevenhislife for the sake of friendship. A worker should look upon his employer as God. The employer should consider such a worker as God. In spite of facing all trials and tribulations in life, one should speak the truth only. One should not move away from righteousness. One should not accept things from others needlessly. In general, Ramayanam speaks of a life of courage, valour, knowledge, gratefulness, helping those in trouble, being happy in others’ welfare, skill inexecutingplansandsacrificecombinedwithrenunciation and Jnana. In brief, Ramayanam shows an Ideal Society.

26

27

7 TϧL[ôLÜm (LôiPeLs). UaôTôWRm JÚ

XhNm ùNnÙsLû[ 18 TϧL[ôLÜm (ToYôdLs)

Es[Pd¡VÕ,

34, 'WôUôVQm@ Gu\ ùNôp~ tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

AV]m Gu\ôp Y¯, WôUo YôrkÕ Lôh¥V Y¯

'WôUôVQm@,

35, 'WôUôVQm@ SUdÏ Ød¡VUôL GûRd LôhÓ¡u\Õ?

Uu]u UdL°u SXuLû[úV GlùTôÝÕm

£k§lTY]ôL CÚdL úYiÓm, AlT¥ CÚdÏm

Uu]û]. UdLs ùRnYUôL Y¯TPúYiÓm,

EPu©\kRYoLs JtßûUÙPu CÚdL úYiÓm,

Uû]® Lt× ùS±ûV ©uTt\ úYiÓm, LQYu

Uû]®ûVj R®W Ut\ ùTiLû[ HùWÓjÕm

TôodLdáPôÕ, ùTtú\ôoLs ÏZkûRL°Pm

TôNØs[YoL[ôL CÚdL úYiÓm, ÏZkûRLs

ùTtú\ôoLû[ ùRnYUôL YQeL úYiÓm,

Sh©tLôL E«ûWÙm §VôLm ùNnV úYiÓm, F¯Vm

ùNnTYu RûXYû] ùRnYUôL ̈ û]dL úYiÓm,

AlT¥ F¯Vm ùNnTYû] RûXYu ùRnYUôL

¨û]dL úYiÓm, Yôr®p GjRû] ÕVo YkRôÛm.

EiûURôu úTNúYiÓm, A\Y¯«~ÚkÕ

YÝYdáPôÕ, úRûY«u± ©\o ùLôÓlTûR

HtLdáPôÕ, Õ¦Ü. ÅWm. A±Ü. Su± U\YôûU.

©\o Cu]pLû[d Lû[Rp. ©\ûW U¡r®jÕ A§p

Rôu U¡rRp. ùNVXôtßm §\u. §VôLm. CRàPu

á¥V ®Wd§Ùm. Oô]Øm ùLôiP JÚ YôrdûL

Øû\ûVjRôu WôUôVQm ùTôÕYôLl úTÑ¡u\Õ,

ÑÚeLf ùNôpX úYiÓùUu\ôp. JÚ

ØuàRôWQUô] NØRôV AûUlûTjRôu (Ideal Society) WôUôVQm LôhÓ¡\Õ,

36. What are the three important subject matters contained in Mahabharata?

Vishnu Sahasranamam, Bhagavat Gita and Sanatsujatheeyam.

37. To whom were these expounded and by whom?

Vishnu Sahasranamam was expounded to Dharmaputra by Bhishma. Bhagavat Gita was offered by Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna. Sanatsujatheeyam was expounded by Sanatkumara to Dhritarashtra.

38. What is the meaning of the word ‘Bhishma’?

‘Bhishma’ means one who has taken a vow that cannot be taken by anyone.

39. Whose life histories (charitras) are found in Mahabharata?

1. Harischandra charitra

2. Nala-Damayanti charitra

3. Satyavan-Savitri charitra

4. Rushyasringa charitra

5. Dushyanta-Sakuntala charitra

are the important life histories in Mahabharata.

40. What is the meaning of the term ‘Aalayam’ (Temple)?

Aalayam (temple) is that place where our ‘Aanma’ (soul) gets layam (rests).

28

29

36, UaôTôWRj§p Es[Pe¡V êuß Ød¡VUô]

AmNeLs GûY?

Juß-®xÔ ^avWSôUm. CWiÓ-TLYj ¸ûR.

êuß - ^]j^ý_ô¾Vm

37, CûYLû[ Vôo VôÚdÏ ùNôu]ôoLs?

®xÔ ^avWSôUm ÀxUWôp RoU×jWÚdÏ

ETúRNm ùNnVlThPÕ, TLYj ¸ûR TLYôu

c dÚxQWôp Ao_ý]àdÏ ETúRNm ùNnVlThPÕ,

^]j^ý_ô¾Vm jÚRWôxhWàdÏ ^]jÏUôWo

ETúRNm ùNnRÕ,

38, 'ÀxUo@ Gu\ ùNôp ~tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

VôWôÛm ùNnV Ø¥VôR NTRjûRf ùNnRYo Guß

ùTôÚs,

39, UaôTôWRj§p Es[Pe¡V N¬j§WeLs VôûY?

1, a¬fNk§Wu N¬j§Wm

2, S[-RUVk§ N¬j§Wm

3, NjVYôu-Nô®j¬ N¬j§Wm

4, ÚxVfÚeLo N¬j§Wm

5, ÕxVkRu - ^ÏkRûX N¬j§Wm

B¡VûY. AYtßs Ød¡VUô]ûY BÏm,

40, 'BXVm@ Gu\ ùNôp~ tÏ ùTôÚs Gu]?

GkR CPj§tÏf ùNu\ÜPu SmØûPV BuUô.

XVm AûP¡u\úRô AÕúY 'BXVm@,

41. What is the meaning of the term ‘Rishi’?

Rishi is one who has seen the presiding deity of a Mantra face to face (Mantra devata) and has discovered the Mantra sounds.

42. What is the important point to be followed while doing japa of a Mantra?

Pronunciation and modulation are the two important things that have to be taken care of while doing japa of a Mantra.

43. Why is the direction South avoided in worship?

Yama loka where Yama resides and Pitru loka where the dead ancestors reside are in the southern direction. Therefore, southern direction is excluded in the worship of God.

44. How many Puraanaas are there? What are they? Who has authored these Puraanaas?

Puraanaas are 18 in number. They are Vishnu Puraana, Naarada Puraana, Srimad Bhagavatam, Garuda Puraana, Paadma Puraana, Varaaha Puraana, Brahma Puraana, Brahamaanda Puraana, Brahamavaivarruta Puraana, Markandeya Puraana, Bhavishya Puraana, Vaamana Purana, Matsya Puraana, Koorma Puraana, Linga Puraana, Siva Puraana, Skanda Puraana and Agni Puraana. Veda Vyasa has authored the Puraanaas.

30

41, '¬µ@ Gu\ ùNôp~ tÏ Gu] ùTôÚs?

Uk§Wj§tLô] úRYûRLû[ úS¬p LiÓ. ARtLô]

J ~Lû[ LiÓ©¥jRYo '¬µ@,

42, Uk§WeLû[ _Tm ùNnÙm ùTôÝÕ Sôm GûR

Ød¡VUôL LY²dL úYiÓm?

Uk§WeLû[ _Tm ùNnÙm ùTôÝÕ Sôm EfN¬lûTÙm.

Ht\-C\dLeLû[Ùm (Pronounciation & Modulation) LY²jÕf ùNôpX úYiÓm,

43, ùRtÏ §ûN Hu Y¯TôÓL°p CÚkÕ

®XdLlTÓ¡u\Õ?

GUu YôÝm GUúXôLØm. C\kRYoLs YôÝm ©jÚ

úXôLØm ùRtÏ §ûN«p CÚlTRôp. AkR §ûN

ùRnY Y¯Tôh¥~ ÚkÕ ®XdLlTÓ¡u\Õ,

44, ×WôQeLs ùUôjRm GqY[Ü? AûY VôûY?

AûYLû[ GݧVÕ Vôo?

×WôQeLs 18, AûY - ®xÔ ×WôQm. SôWR ×WôQm.

cUjTôLYR ×WôQm. LÚP ×WôQm. TôjU ×WôQm.

YWôa ×WôQm. lÚyU ×WôQm. lÚmUôiP ×WôQm.

lWmUûYqYoÚR ×WôQm. UôodLiúPV ×WôQm.

T®xV ×WôQm. YôU] ×WôQm. UjvV ×WôQm.

áoU ×WôQm. ~eL ×WôQm. £Y ×WôQm.

vLkR ×WôQm. Ad² ×WôQm - BÏm, ×WôQeLû[

GݧVYo úYR®Vô^o,

31

45. How many are the Upa Puraanaas? What are they and who has authored them?

Upa Puraanaas are 18. They are Sanatkumaara Puraana, Narasimha Puraana, Brhannaaradheeya Puraana, Sivarahasya Puraana, Durvaasa Puraana, Kapila Puraana, Maanava Puraana, Bhaargava Puraana, Varuna Puraana, Kaalika Puraana, Saamba Puraana, Nandi Puraana, Surya Puraana, Paraasara Puraana, Vasishta Puraana, Adhitya Puraana, Maheshwara Puraana and Owshadha Puraana. Upa Puraanaas have been authored by Veda Vyaasa.

46. What is the guiding Holy text for Temple construction, renovation and kumbabhishekam, daily worship and conduct of festivals?

All these are performed as prescribed in Agamas. They are Vaishnava Agamam and Saiva Agamam. Vaishnava Agamam consists of Paancharaatram and Vaikaanasam. Saiva Agamam is 28 in number.

47. What do the prakaaraas (corridors) in Temples denote?

A single prakaara denotes the Pranava. Five prakaaaraas denote the five kosaas, sevenprakaaraas denote the various chakraas in the body.

32

33

45, ET ×WôQeLs GjRû]? AûY VôûY? AûYLû[

GݧVÕ Vôo?

ET ×WôQeLs 18, AûY - ^]jÏUôW ×WôQm.

SW³mU ×WôQm. lÚakSôW¾V ×WôQm.

£YWavV ×WôQm. ÕoYô^ ×WôQm. L©X ×WôQm.

Uô]Y ×WôQm. TôoLY ×WôQm. YÚQ ×WôQm.

Lô°Lô ×WôQm. ^ômT ×WôQm. Sk§ ×WôQm.

^þoV ×WôQm. TWôNW ×WôQm. Y£xP ×WôQm.

B§jV ×WôQm. UúavYW ×WôQm. J[`R ×WôQm

- BÏm, ET ×WôQeLû[ GݧVYo úYR®VôNo,

46, úLô«pL°u LhÓUô]m. ÏPØÝdÏ. §]N¬

Y¯TôÓ. §Ú®ZôdLs GkR è ~u A¥lTûP«p

ùNnVlTÓ¡u\]?

CûY Aû]jÕm BLU èpL°u A¥lTûP«p

ùNnVlTÓ¡u\], CûY ûYQY BLUm. ûNY

BLUm Guß CWiÓ YûLlTÓm, ûYQY BLUm

TôgNWôjWm. ûYLô]Nm Guß CÚ YûLlTÓm,

ûNY BLUm 28,

47, úLô®pL°p lWLôWeLs GYtû\d ϱd¡u\Õ?

JÚ Ñtß lWLôWm CÚkRôp AÕ lWQYjûRÙm.

IkÕ Ñtß lWLôWeLs CÚkRôp TgNúLôNeLû[Ùm.

HÝ Ñtß lWLôWeLs CÚkRôp EP ~p Es[

NdLWeLû[Ùm ϱd¡u\Õ,

48. Would the Divine Presence of God be created in a place by mere Bhakti?

Yes, certainly. This kind of installation of the Divine Presence through Bhakti is known as Bhakti pratishta (installation). When done through Veda Mantras it is known as Vaideeka pratishta. Those done as per the rules of Agamas are known as Agama pratishta.

49. How many kinds of Devataas are installed? Who are those Devataas?

When a Deity is installed for the sake of relief fromworldlytroublesandfulfillmentofdesiresit is known as Veera Devata (valorous god). Tirupathi Srinivasa Perumal is Veera Devata.

The Deity installed for enjoying Him through singing and dancing His praise and conducting festivals is known as Bhoga Devata. Uppiliyappa Perumal is Bhoga Devata. Those who worship Bhoga Devata will enjoy all pleasures in life.

The Deity installed for the sole purpose of Realization and Liberation is known as Yoga Devata. Gunaseelam Srinivasa Perumal is Yoga Devata.

Similarly, there are also Veera lingam, Bhoga lingam and Yoga lingam.

34

48, Td§ Ju±]ôp UhÓm K¬Pj§p ùRnYj§u

AÚs HtTÓUô?

HtTÓm, AlT¥ HtTh¥ÚdÏm lW§xûPdÏ

'Td§ lW§xûP@ Guß ùTVo, úYR Uk§WeL[ôp

K¬Pj§p ùRnYj§u AÚs HtTPf ùNnYRtÏ

'ûY¾L lW§xûP@ Guß ùTVo, BLU èpL°u

A¥lTûP«p K¬Pj§p ùRnYj§u AÚû[

HtTPf ùNnYRtÏ 'BLUl lW§xûP@ Guß ùTVo,

49, lW§xûP ùNnVlTÓm úRYûRLÞs GjRû]

YûLLs EiÓ? AûY Gu]?

EXL YôrdûL«p HtTÓm Cu]pLû[d

Lû[YRtLôLÜm úRûYLû[l éoj§ ùNnYRtLôLÜm.

JÚ úRYûRûVl lW§xûP ùNnRôp ARtÏ

'ÅW úRYûR@ Guß ùTVo, §ÚlT§ c¨YôNùTÚUôs

JÚ ÅWúRYûR,

Cû\Yû] B¥. Tô¥. ùLôiPô¥. §Ú®ZôdLs

SPj§ ARuêXm Sôm B]kRlTÓYRtLôL

lW§xûP ùNnVlTÓm úRYûRdÏ 'úTôLúRYûR@

Guß ùTVo, El© ~VlT ùTÚUôs úTôLúRYûR,

úTôLúRYûRûV Y¯TÓTYoLs Yôr®p

GpXô®RUô] CuTeLû[Ùm AàT®lTôoLs,

Cû\VàTYj§tLôLÜm. Ød§dLôL UhÓm JÚ

úRYûRûV lW§xûP ùNnRôp AÕ 'úVôL úRYûR@,

ÏQºXm c¨Yô^ ùTÚUôs JÚ úVôL úRYûR,

CÕ úTôp ÅW~ eLm. úTôL~eLm. úVôL~ eLm

Gußm EiÓ,

35

50. Would itnotsuffice toworshipathome?Whyshould one visit a Temple?

Though the Sun’s rays are spread all over when it is passed through a magnifying glass the cotton placed below it catches fire. Likewise,Sages who possess great spiritual austerities (tapas) have fixed the Divine power in aparticular place, excessively. Temples are verily those places. Therefore, when our prayers are offered in a Temple they are answered faster than when done at home.

51. Does the Hindu religion accept the concept of rebirth?

Yes, Hindu religion does accept the concept of rebirth.

52. How many times does one take birth?

There is no limit prescribed for it. Until one attains Mukti (Liberation) he is born over and over again.

53. Is attaining heaven Mukti (Liberation)?

No. The place where we go for enjoying the fruits of our good deeds on earth is known as heaven. Once it has been enjoyed one has to be born again: but Mukti is a state of no birth.

36

37

50, Åh¥úXúV Y¯TôÓ ùNnRôp úTôRôRô? Hu

úLô®ÛdÏf ùNpX úYiÓm?

ã¬VàûPV J°dL§oLs GpXô CPeL°Ûm

TW®«ÚkR úTô§Ûm. AûR JÚ éRdLiQô¥

Y¯VôL Ï®Vf ùNnRôp AkR CPj§p Es[

TgÑ ¾l©¥jÕd ùLôs¡\Õ, AÕúTôXRôu.

RYY~ûUÙûPV زYoLs GeÏm ¿dLU\

¨û\k§ÚdÏm Cû\Nd§ûV ReLs RY

Y ~ûU«]ôp K¬Pj§p A§LUôL úNojÕ

ûYjÕs[ôoLs, AjRûLV CPeLú[ BXVeLs,

Sôm Åh¥ ÚkÕ ©WôojRû] ùNnYûRd Lôh¥Ûm

BXVeL°p ùNuß ©WôojRû] ùNnRôp ®ûW®p

SmØûPV ©WôojRû]Ls ¨û\úYßm,

51, Uß©\®ûV CkÕ URm HtßdùLôs¡u\Rô?

Bm, Uß©\®ûV CkÕ URm Htßd ùLôs¡u\Õ,

52, JÚYo ÁiÓm ÁiÓm GjRû] Øû\ ©\lTôoLs?

AlT¥ GkR JÚ LQdÏm ¡ûPVôÕ, JÚYo Ød§

AûPÙm YûW ÁiÓm ÁiÓm ©\kÕ C\lTôoLs,

53, ùNôodLj§tÏf ùNpYÕRôu Ød§Vô?

CpûX, Sôm EXLj§p ùNnR ×i¦V ùNVpL°u

TX]ôL CuTjûR AàT®dÏm Ko EXLj§tÏ

'ùNôodLm@ Guß ùTVo, ùNôodLj§p ×i¦V TXu

¾okR ©\Ï. JÚYo ÁiÓm ©\® GÓdL úYiÓm,

Ød§ GuTÕ ÁiÓm ©\YôR ¨ûX,

54. We speak of seven births? What does this refer to?

Devas, humans, animals, aquatics, crawling creatures, birds, creepers-plants-trees are the seven types of births spoken of frequently in Spiritual Texts.

55. Once born as a human would he take only a human birth again?

No, it need not be so. One may be born as a human or as any other creature.

56. What are the seven worlds described in our scriptures?

Bhoo, Bhuva, Suva, Maha, Jana, Tapa, Satyam are the seven worlds.

57. We also hear of three worlds. Are these worlds those mentioned above or are they different worlds?

Bhoo, Bhuva, Suva are worlds attained as a result of our karmas. Therefore, these three can be grouped as one. Mahat is a world of light and is a separate world. Jana, Tapa and Satyam are worlds that are attained through tapas (spiritual austerities), Bhakti (devotion) and Upasana (worship) and not through karmas. These three may be grouped as one. Thus, they are categorized as the three worlds (lokas).

38

54, HÝ ©\®Ls Guß Sôm ϱl©Ó¡uú\ôúU. ARu

ùTôÚs Gu]?

úRYoLs. U²RoLs. LôpSûPLs. ¿¬p YôrTûYLs.

FokÕ ùNpTûYLs. T\lTûYLs. RôYWeLs

CûYLú[ HÝ®RUô] ©\®Ls, CYtû\Rôu HÝ

©\®Ls Guß èpLs A¥dL¥ ϱl©Ó¡u\],

55, U²RoL[ôLl ©\kRYoLs ÁiÓm U²RoL[ôLjRôu

©\lTôoL[ô?

AlT¥ Jußm AY£Vm CpûX, U²RoL[ôLÜm

©\dLXôm, Ut\ GkR ËYWô£L[ôLÜm ©\dLXôm,

56, HÝ EXLeLs Guß A¥dL¥ ùNôpXlTÓ¡u\]úY,

AûY VôûY?

é:. ×Y:. ^ýY:. Ua:. _]:. RT:. ^jVm CûYLú[

HÝ EXLeLs,

57, úYß £X CPeL°p êuß EXLeLs Guß

YÚ¡u\úR. CûYLsRô]ô AûY? ApXÕ úYß

êuß EXLeLs Es[]Yô?

é:. éY:. ^ýY: - CûY êußm Sôm

ùNnVdá¥V LoUeL°]ôp AûPVlTÓm,

BRXôp Cmêu±û]Ùm úNojÕ JÚ

EXLUôLd ϱl©PXôm,

Uaj - Uaj GuTÕ JÚ ú_ô§UVUô] EXLm. CÕ

JÚ R² EXLm,

_]:. RT:. ^jVm - CûY êußm RYm. Td§.

ETôNû] êXm AûPVdá¥VûY, ùNVpLs

êXUôL AûPVdá¥VûY ApX, Cmêu±û]Ùm

úNojÕ JÚ EXLUôLf ùNôu]ôp. ùUôjRm êuß

EXLeLs Guß BÏm,

39

58. What is meant by Mokshapuri? What are they?

The holy places on earth that are filledwith divinity and are conducive to spiritual progress are known as Mokshapuris. There are 7 Mokshapuris. They are Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwaar, Kaasi, Kaanchi, Ujjaini and Dwaaraka.

59. Which amongst these is the most important?

Kaasi or Varanasi.

60. What are the seven Holy Rivers?

Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Saraswati, Sindhu and Cauvery are the seven Holy Rivers.

61. Does the Hindu Religion opine that all happenings in a man’s life are predetermined (or does one have freewill)?

Hindu Religion opines that all happenings in the life of a man are predetermined. Only because all happenings in a man’s life take place as destined (‘vidhippadi’) it is called fate (‘vidhi’).

62. What determines the happenings in a man’s life?

The effects of a man’s deeds not only from his preceding birth but also from all other earlier births determine the happenings in this life.

40

58, 'úUôb׬Ls@ Gu\ôp Gu]? AûY VôûY?

CkR UiÔX¡p GkR RXeL°p Sôm YôrkÕ

Cû\Yû] Y¯ThPôp G°§p Cû\Yû]

AûPVXôúUô. AkR RXeLÞdÏ 'úUôb׬Ls@

Guß ùTVo, AûY ùUôjRm 7 - AúVôjVô. UÕWô.

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59 úUôb׬LÞs ªL Ød¡VUô]Õ GÕ?

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60, HÝ ×iV S§Ls VôûY?

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LôúY¬ B¡VûYúV HÝ ×iV S§Ls,

61, JÚYÚûPV Yôr®p SPdÏm Aû]jÕ

NmTYeLÞm HtL]úY ¾oUô²dLlThPûY

Guß CkÕ URm LÚÕ¡u\Rô ApXÕ U²RàdÏ

ÑRk§Wm Es[Rô?

JÚYÚûPV Yôr®p SûPùTßm Aû]jÕm

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SPlTRôpRôu ARtÏ '®§@ Guß ùTVo,

62, JÚYàûPV YôrdûL«u ¨LrÜLs GRuT¥

¾oUô²dLlTÓ¡u\Õ?

JÚYu Øt©\® UhÓUpXôUp. ARtÏm

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®û[ÜLû[d ùLôiúP CkR ©\®«u ¨LrÜLs

¾oUô²dLlTÓ¡u\Õ,

41

63. Does Hindu Religion recognize Jyothisha shastra (Astrology)?

Yes. Hindu Religion does recognize Jyothisha shastra.

64. Does Hindu Religion recognize the concept of Avatar?

Yes,itdoes.TherearetensignificantAvatarsofLord Vishnu viz. Matsya (Fish), Koorma (Turtle), Varaaha (Boar), Narasimha (half-man and half-lion), Vaamana (short statured young man), Parasuraama, Raama, Balaraama, Krishna and Kalki. Further, Hindu religion also speaks of the incarnations of even those who belong to the inner circle of God and Maharishis.

65. What is the purpose of Avatar?

The purpose of Avatar is to see that Dharma and belief in the existence of God do not decline in the world.

66. Does the Hindu Religion recognize worship of Form?

Worship of Form is a very important aspect of Hinduism. The very Religion that declares God as Formless, Nameless and the inner Self – living and non-living beings – lays great importance to worship of Form too.

42

63, ú_ô§P Nôj§WjûR 'CkÕURm@ Htßd

ùLôs¡u\Rô?

Bm, 'CkÕ URm@ HtßdùLôs¡u\Õ,

64, AYRôWm Gu\ RjÕYjûR 'CkÕ URm@

HtßdùLôs¡u\Rô?

Bm, HtßdùLôs¡u\Õ, A§Ûm. §ÚUôÛûPV

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Cû\YàûPV ùSÚe¡V YhPjûRf

úNokRYoLÞm Ua¬µLÞm áP AYRôWm

ùNnYôoLs,

65, AYRôWj§u úSôdLm Gu]?

RoUjûRÙm Cû\ùS±ûVÙm EXLj§p ùRônÜ

AûPVôUp TôojÕd ùLôsYúR AYRôWj§u

úSôdLm BÏm,

66, EÚY Y¯TôhûP CkÕ URm HtßdùLôs¡u\Rô?

EÚY Y¯TôÓ SmØûPV URj§u JÚ Ød¡VUô]

AeLm BÏm, GkR CkÕ URm Cû\YàdÏ EÚYØm

CpûX. ùTVÚm CpûX Gußm. AkR TWmùTôÚú[

GpXô ËYWô£LÞdÏm Esú[ CÚd¡\Õ Gußm

ùNôp¡u\úRô. AúR CkÕ URmRôu EÚY

Y¯Tôh¥tÏ ªÏkR Ød¡VjÕYm A°d¡u\Õ,

43

67. What are the three important Philosophies (Siddhanta)?

Advaita, Visishtadvaita and Dvaita.

68. Who is the Achaarya (teacher) of Advaita siddhanta?

Sri Adi Sankara.

69. Who is the Achaarya of Visishtaadvaita siddhanta?

Sri Ramanuja.

70. Who is the Achaarya of Dvaita siddhanta?

Sri Madhvaachaarya.

71. Who has given us Naamasiddhanta that establishes the glory of Naamakirtan? (Chanting the Divine Names of God)?

Bhagavan Naama Bodendra Saraswati Swami.

72. Who are known as Alwaars?

Vaishnava devotees who incarnated with deep devotion (‘Aalnda Bhakti’) for Lord Sriman Narayana are known as Alwaars.

73. How many Alwaars were there?

Alwaars are 12 in number.

74. What are the names of the 12 Alwaars?

Poigai Alwaar, Bhoodatalwaar, Peyalwaar, Thirumazhisaialwaar, Nammalwaar,

44

67, êuß Ød¡V £jRôkReLs VôûY?

AjûYRm. ®£xPôjûYRm. jûYRm,

68, AjûYR £jRôkR BfNô¬Vo Vôo?

c B§NeLWo,

69, ®£xPôjûYR £jRôkR BfNô¬Vo Vôo?

c WôUôà_o,

70, jûYR £jRôkRj§u BfNô¬Vo Vôo?

c UjYôNô¬Vôo,

71, Cû\ SôU¸ojR]j§u ùTÚûUûV ¨ûX¨ßjÕm

SôU£jRôkRjûR Vôo AÚ°VÕ?

c TLYuSôU úTôúRk§W ^WvY§ vYôªLs,

72, BrYôoLs Vôo?

cUk SôWôVQ²Pm BrkR Td§ùLôiÓ AYR¬jR

ûYQY A¥VôoLs BrYôoLs,

73, BrYôoLs ùUôjRm GjRû] úTo?

BrYôoLs Tu²ÚYo,

74, Tu²Ú BrYôoL°u ùTVoLs VôûY?

ùTônûLVôrYôo. éRjRôrYôo. úTVôrYôo.

§ÚU¯ûNVôrYôo. SmUôrYôo. UÕWL®VôrYôo.

ÏXúNLWôrYôo. ùT¬VôrYôo. BiPôs.

45

Madhurakavialwaar, Kulasekaralwaar, Peiryalwaar, Aandaal, Thondaradipodi Alwaar, Thiruppaanalwaar and Thirumangai Alwaar.

75. What is the name given to the collection of hymns sung by the Alwaars?

Naalaayira Divya Prabandam.

76. Who collected the Naalaayira Divya Prabandam?

Sri Naadamuni.

77. What is the name given to Lord Vishnu’s Temples sung by the Alwaars?

Divya desam.

78. How many Divya desams are there?

There are in all 108 Divya desams. 106 are on Earth. Along with Ksheeraabdi (paarkadal) and Vaikuntam it becomes 108.

79. Who are Naayanmaars?

Those who incarnated as personification ofShiva Bhakti.

80. How many Naayanmaars were there?

There were 63 Naayanmaars.

81. Who are the most important of the 63 Naayanmaars?

The most important Naayanmaars are known as ‘saiva samaya kuravar naalvar’. They are Appar, Sundarar, Jnanasambandar and Maanickavaasagar.

46

47

ùRôiPW¥lùTô¥ BrYôo. §ÚlTôQôrYôo.

§ÚUeûLVôrYôo,

75, BrYôoL°u TôPpL°u ùRôÏl×dÏ Gu] ùTVo?

SôXô«W §qV ©WTkRm,

76, SôXô«W §qV ©WTkRjûR ùRôÏjRYo Vôo?

c SôRزLs,

77, BrYôoL[ôp TôPlùTt\ ûYQY BXVeLÞdÏ

Gu] ùTVo?

§qV úRNeLs,

78, §qVúRNeLs ùUôjRm GjRû]?

ùUôjRm 108 §qVúRNeLs, éÜX¡p 106-m

§ÚlTôtLPp. ûYÏiPm úNojÕ 108 BÏm,

79, SôVuUôoLs Vôo?

£Y Td§dÏ CXdLQUôn AYR¬jRYoLs

SôVuUôoLs,

80, SôVuUôoLs GjRû] úTo?

SôVuUôoLs AßTjÕ êYo,

81, 63 SôVuUôoLÞdÏs Ød¡VUô]YoLs Vôo?

AßTjÕ êYÚs Ød¡VUô]YoLÞdÏ 'ûNY NUV

ÏWYo SôpYo' Guß ùTVo, AYoLs - AlTo. ÑkRWo.

Oô]NmTkRo. Uô¦dLYôNLo Gu\ SôpYo,

82. What is the name given to the collection of hymns of Naayanmaars?

It is called ‘Thirumurai’. Of these, those sung by Appar, Sundarar and Jnanasambandar is called Thevaram; that sung by Maanickavaasagar is called Thiruvaachagam.

83. Who collected the hymns of Naayanmaars?

Nambiyaandaar nambi.

84. What is the name given to Shiva Temples sung by Naayanmaars?

Paadal pettra sthalangal.

85. Which is the Holy Text that details the lives of Naayanmaars?

Peirya Puraanam.

86. Who has authored Periya Puraanam?

Sekkeelaar Perumaan.

87. What is the name of the Holy Text that details the divine play (Lila) of Lord Shiva?

Thiruvilaiyaadal Puraanam.

88. What are the holy places of Lord Shiva that representthefiveelements(panchbhootas)?

Earth – Kancheepuram

Water – Thiruvaanaikaaval

Fire – Thiruvannamalai

Wind – Kaalahasti

Space – Chidambaram

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82, SôVuUôoL°u TôPpL°u ùRôÏl©tÏ Gu]

ùTVo?

SôVuUôoL°u TôPpL°u ùRôÏl©tÏ

§ÚØû\Ls Guß ùTVo, AYtßs AlTo. ÑkRWo.

Oô]NmTkRo AÚ°VÕ úRYôWm, Uô¦dLYôNLo

AÚ°VÕ §ÚYôNLm,

83, SôVuUôoL°u TôPpLû[j ùRôÏjRYo Vôo?

Sm©VôiPôo Sm©,

84, SôVuUôoLs Tô¥V £Y BXVeL°u ùTVo Gu]?

TôPp ùTt\ RXeLs,

85, SôVuUôoL°u §qV YWXôtû\ ®Y¬dÏm Rªr

èp GÕ?

ùT¬V ×WôQm,

86, ùT¬V ×WôQjûR CVt±VYo Vôo?

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87, £YùTÚUô²u AÚs ®û[VôPpLû[ ®Y¬dÏm

èp GÕ?

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Lôtß - Lô[av§

BLôVm - £RmTWm

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89. How many Jyotirlinga shrines are there?

There are 12 Jyotirlingas.

90. What are the Jyotirlinga Kshetras?

Somnaath, Srisailam, Ujjaini, Omkaareshwar, Kedaarnath, Bheemaasankar, Kaasi, Trayambakeshwar, Vaidhyanaath, Nageshwar, Rameswaram, Grishneshwar are the 12 Jyotirlinga kshetraas.

91. What are known as ‘Aaru padai veedu’?

‘Aaru padai veedu’ is the six important Holy Places where Lord Subrahmanya (Muruga)’s divine presence is prominent.

92. What are the six ‘Aaru padai veedu’?

Thiruparangkunram, Thiruchendur, Palani, Swaamimalai, Thirutthanigai and Palamudircholai.

93. What are Shakti peetams? How many Shakti peetams are there? What are the important Shakti peetams in India?

The important Holy Places where Aadi Parasakti blesses people are called Shakti peetams. There are 51 Shakti peetams. Paraasakti, the Mother of the Universe, as Parvati remains in 12 Holy Places (Kshetras) in India in the form of a deity. They are

1. as Kaamaakshi in Kancheepuram

2. as Brahmaraambika in Srisailam

3. as Kumaari in Kanyakumari

50

51

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90, 12 ú_ô§o~eL RXeLs VôûY?

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ÅÓLs,

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2, cûNXj§p lWUWôm©ûLVôLÜm

3, LuVôÏU¬«p ÏUô¬VôLÜm

4, Ï_Wôj§p Am©ûL Gußm

4. as Ambika in Gujarat

5. as Mahaalakshmi in Karaveera (Kolhapur), Maharashtra

6. as Mahaakali in Ujjaini, Maalava

7. as Lalitha in the Temple of Alobhibhaag, Prayag

8. as Vindhyavaasini on the Vidhya mountains

9. as Visalaakshi in Kaasi

10. as Mangalaavathi in Gaya

11. as Sundari in Bengal (near Sriparvatam which is towards southwest of Silhatti)

12. as Guhyakeshwari in Nepal

94. Where does the Ganga originate?

Gangotri in the Himalayas.

95. Which is the source of the river Yamuna?

Yamunotri in the Himalayas.

96. Which is the birth place of Lord Rama?

Ayodhya in North India.

97. Where was Lord Sri Krishna born?

Mathura in North India.

98. How many paths have been prescribed for attaining God?

GodisinfiniteandthereareinfinitewaystoreachHim. Yet, our shastras prescribe 4 important paths – Karma, Bhakti, Rajayoga and Jnana.

52

53

5, UaôWôxhW úRNj§p. LWÅWj§p

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95, VØû] S§«u EtTj§j RXm GÕ?

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YP Ck§Vô®Ûs[ AúVôj§,

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YP Ck§Vô®Ûs[ UÕWô SL¬p,

98, LPÜû[ AûPV GjRû] Y¯Ls ùNôpXlThÓs[]?

LPÜû[ AûPV GiQt\ Y¯Ls, God is infinite and there are infinite ways to reach Him. CÚl©àm

SUÕ Nôv§WeLs Lôi©dÏm 4 Ød¡VUô] Y¯Ls

- LoUm. Td§. Wô_úVôLm. Oô]m GuTûY,

99. Who are the Divine Trinity?

Brahma, Vishnu and Siva are known as the Trinity.

100. What are three Divine works (‘muttholil’)?

Creation, Preservation and Destruction are known as the three works.

Brahma is the Lord of Creation. Knowledge is needed to create a thing. Therefore, Saraswati, Goddess of Wisdom, is Lord Brahma’s Consort.

Vishnu is the Lord of Preservation. Material is needed to preserve and run the world. Therefore, Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, is Lord Vishnu’s Consort.

Shiva is the Lord of Destruction. Power is needed to destroy. Therefore, Parvati, Goddess of Power (Shakti), is Lord Shiva’s Consort.

54

99, Ømêoj§Ls Vôo?

lÚmUô. ®xÔ. £Yu B¡úVôo Ømêoj§Ls,

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55