The Darog Journal - Compute Through

Chakra pronounced in Hindi as Pali, in Chinese as Chakka and in Tibet as Khorlo is a sanskrit work meaning "Wheel".   Chakras are depicted as flower like or wheel like. When it is depicted as flower like, a specific number of petals are shown around the circle. It is said that human body contains hundreds of chakras that are key to the operation of our being. According to ancient scriptures, a chakra is where 216 nadis (energy channels) cross over each other, forming energy spirals. The 7 main chakras in human body refer to the 7 energy centers of which our consciouness and energy system is composed. The 7 chakras are aligned along the spinal column. Each of the 7 main chakras is their own intelligence center. It means each chakra is not only associated with our physical health but also controls aspects connected to our physical, emotional, mental and belief system.   1.Muladhara/Base Chakra (last bone in spinal cord) 2.Svadhisthana/Sacral Chakra (ovaries and prostrate) 3.M...

Astrology is the science of patterns and relationships – of planets in motion (moving planets), birth chart and make-up of elements (earth, air, water and fire). In Sanskrit, it is called HORA SASTRA. It is also called JYOTISHA (knowledge of light). Indian astrology is divided into 3 parts – SIDDHANTA, HORA and SAMHITA. HORA tells us information about individuals. SAMHITA tell us about happenings in the world. SIDDHANTA about the basic information on which Hora and Samhita are based. Astrology’s premise is that the planetary movements influence the MOMENTS in time. The 9 planets are, Surya or Ravi - SUN Soma or Chandra - MOON Kuja or Mangala - MARS Budha or Soumya - MERCURY Guru or Brihaspathi - JUPITER Sukra or Bhargava - VENUS Sani or Manda - SATURN Rahu or Thama - DRAGON’S HEAD Ketu or Sikhi - DRAGON’S TAIL All the planets except Surya, Chandra, Rahu and Ketu move in retrogression or vakra. The Panchanga has five (pancha) parts (anga), in...

Golden Temple and Namdroling Monastery is in Bylekuppe, Mercara. It is better known as the ‘Little Tibet’.  The Golden Temple has a 60 feet statue of Gautam Buddha, flanked by 2 other grand images of Buddhas. Namdroling Monastery was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche shortly after he came to India from Tibet .

Ratha Sapthami comes on maaga shudda sapthami. Ratha means chariot and Sapthami means 7th day. This festival is in the month of January-February. It is the day when Sun God will ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses. On this day, Sun moves from Southeast to Northeast. The day is also known as Surya Jayanthi as it celebrates the power of Sun God, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On Ratha Sapthami day, people take bath with 7 leaves of Ekka or Arka or Jilledu or Erukku (Calotropis Gigantea). Place 1 on head, 2 on shoulders, 2 on knees, 2 on foot. Perform puja to Lord Sun/Surya and do 12 surya namaskaras. The worship of Sun on Ratha Sapthami signifies the spread of energy and light from Sun God. Sun is the ruler of all planets and it is he who disburses energy. The Sun is approximately 149,600,000 kilometers from earth and sunlight takes 8.3 minutes to reach the earth. Mantra chanted while taking bath, Saptha Saptha Maha Saptha Saptha Dweepa Vasundara Saptharka Parn...

The Sudharshana Chakra spins/revolves on the tip of index finger of the right hand of Lord Vishnu, also called Narayana. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu has used the Sudharshana Chakra (carries in his right hand) to protect his devotees from danger, evil, fear and death. Sudharshana is derived from 2 words, Su (auspicious) and Dharshan (vision). Chakra means movement. Sudharshana Chakra was created by Vishvakarma, architect of Gods.  Viswakarma's daughter Sanjana was married to Surya, the Sun God. Due to Sun's blazing power, she was unable to go near the Sun and she complained to her father about this. Viswakarma made Sun shine less and thus his daughter was able to go near the Sun.  The left over Sun-"dust" was collected by Viswakarma and he made 3 things out of it. The 1st one was the famous aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana The 2nd was the Trishula The 3rd was the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu In another version, the chakra was given by Lord Shiva. On...

Sricharanam is the name given to the namam used by Iyengars (caste name given to Hindu/Tamil Brahmins who follow Visistadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya), members of Sri Vaishnava tradition. Sri could be a prefix or it could refer to Lakshmi, while Charanam refers to feet. Sricharanam consists of single, thin, vertical red or yellow line in the middle of the forehead. The full Sricharanam, also called Thiruman Sricharanam includes a white U mark. Sricharanam represents the feet of Vishnu and the red/yellow line in the middle represents Lakshmi. The Sricharanam signifies devotion to Vishnu. The red namam is made out of Sindoor, red powder. Yellow namam is Sandal wood (Chandan) paste. Thiruman is made out of clay. The two iyengar sub-sects, Thengalai and Vadagalai wear the Thiruman Sricharanam in different ways. Thiruman in the case of Thengalai extends to the bridge of the nose, forming a Y shape.  Vadagalai wear the U namam.

Hayagriva in Hinduism is considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu. Haya means Horse and Griva means Neck. The horse faced form of Vishnu is the god of Gnana (knowledge) and Prosperity. One who prays Hayagriva will be blessed with knowledge and wisdom. Legend has it that during the creation, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma and Vishnu took the Hayagriva form to recover the Vedas from the demons. Another legend says, Vishnu compiled the Vedas in the Hayagriva form and that the Hayagriva Avatara precedes the Matsya Avatara wherein he recovered the stolen Vedas from the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. There are believed to be 108 forms of Hayagriva. Hayagriva is the presiding deity of Parakala Mutt, Ahobila Mutt and Andavan Ashram. The very first stothram on Lakshmi Hayagriva is ==> Gnanananda Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatikakruthim Aadharam Sarvavidyanam Hayagrivam upasmahe. Hayagriva is worshipped in Tibet by those who own horses, because he is believed to fright...