May 2005 Newsletter HINDU CONNECTIONS VOLUME 3 – Num. 5
Sri Karunamayi will visit Hindu Temple in Pewaukee Reporter - B. Braun
Sri Karunamayi, venerated in India as a living incarnation of the Divine Mother,
will visit Hindu Temple of Greater Wisconsin in Pewaukee on Tuesday, June 7
with an evening program and darshan. "Karunamayi" literally means,
"compassionate Mother," and she warmly receives all who approach her
as her beloved children. Before Karunamayi's birth, the great saint
Ramana Maharshi told her mother she would give birth to the Divine Mother.
In her childhood, Sri Karunamayi delighted all who met her with her intuitive
understanding of Holy Scriptures and her deeply compassionate nature.
At the age of twenty she withdrew to a sacred forest in southern India,
where she meditated in silence for ten years on behalf of all humanity.
When she emerged from this period of silence she began her mission to
share her divine wisdom and love with the entire world. Sri Karunamayi
has said that she has not come as a guru, but rather as a loving mother
who wishes to provide spiritual sustenance to her children in their quest
for self-realization. For more details, call (773) 429-7482 or
visit -
www.karunamayi.org
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Visits Iowa and Chicago in July Reporter - K. Del Sol
The Sanskrit term darshan means, "vision", and it is used to describe the
meeting with a holy person, especially a Self Realized master. The darshan
of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (known to her followers as "Amma") is unique.
As the embodiment of supreme motherhood, she welcomes every person who comes to
her, listens to their problems, offers advice and guidance, and brings reassurance
to a troubled heart. Amma will be offering free public programs, including darshan,
spiritual talks and inspiring bhajans in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa on July 6 and 7 and
in Chicago area on July 9 and 10. For more information, please see
amma tours
Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on
the forehead? By Swami Chinmayananda
The tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the
wearer and others. It is recognised as a religious mark. Its form and color
vary according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord worshipped.
In earlier times, the four types (based on varna ) Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya
and Sudra applied marks differently. The brahmana applied a white chandan mark
signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The
kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior.
The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was
a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black
bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of
the other three divisions. Also Vishnu worshippers apply a chandan tilak of the
shape of "U", Shiva worshippers a tripundra bhasma, Devi worshippers a red dot
of kumkum and so on). The tilak cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is
the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna Chakra in the language
of Yoga. The tilak is applied with the prayer : "May I remember the Lord. May
this pious feeling pervade all my activities. May I be righteous in my deeds."
Even when we temporarily forget this prayerful attitude the mark on another
reminds us of our resolve. The tilak is thus a blessing of the Lord and a
protection against wrong tendencies and forces. The entire body emanates
energy in the form of electromagnetic waves the forehead and the subtle spot
between the eyebrows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and causes
a headache. The tilak and pottu cools the forehead, protects us and prevents
energy loss. sometimes the entire forehead is covered with chandan or bhasma.
Using plastic reusable "stick bindis" is not very beneficial, even though it
serves the purpose of decoration.
Quotable Quotes
In my opinion the Sanskrit text Satyam bruyat priyam bruyat, Na bruyat
satyamapriyam means that one should speak the truth in gentle language.
One had better not speak it if one cannot do so in a gentle way, meaning
thereby that there is no truth in a man who cannot control his tongue. -Mahatma Gandhi
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