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Frequently asked questions on Dharmik kruti

 

 

1. According to hindu culture how to do inaguration of new shop or likewise things?

 

Nariyal phodkar udghatan kyon kiya jata hai? (Hindi Article)

 

 

१. उद्‌घाटन

 `उद्' अर्थात् प्रकट करना । देवतातरंगोंको प्रकट करना अथवा कार्यस्थलपर उन्हें स्थान ग्रहण करने हेतु प्रार्थना कर कार्यारंभ करना अर्थात् उद्‌घाटन करना । हिंदू धर्ममें प्रत्येक कृति अध्यात्मशास्त्रपर आधारित है । किसी भी समारोह अथवा कार्यको पूर्ण करनेके लिए देवताके आशीर्वाद आवश्यक हैं । शास्त्रीय पद्धति अनुसार उद्‌घाटन करनेसे दैविक तरंगोंका कार्यस्थलपर आगमन सुरक्षाकवचकी निर्मितिमें सहायक होता है । इससे वहांकी कष्टदायक / अनिष्ट स्पंदनोंके संचारपर अंकुश लगता है । इसलिए उद्‌घाटन विधिवत्, अर्थात् अध्यात्मशास्त्रपर आधारित विधियोंके अनुसार ही करना चाहिए ।
उद्‌घाटनकी पद्धतियां: नारियल फोडना और दीपप्रज्वलन, ये विधियां वास्तुशुद्धिकी यानी उद्‌घाटनकी महत्त्वपूर्ण विधियां हैं ।
व्यासपीठके कार्यक्रमोंका उद्‌घाटन: परिसंवाद, साहित्य सम्मेलन, संगीत महोत्सव इत्यादिका उद्‌घाटन दीपप्रज्वलनसे किया जाता है । व्यासपीठकी स्थापनासे पूर्व नारियल फोडें और उद्‌घाटनके समय दीप प्रज्वलित करें । नारियल फोडनेके पीछे प्रमुख उद्देश्य है, कार्यस्थलकी शुद्धि । व्यासपीठ ज्ञानदानके कार्यसे संबंधित है, अर्थात् वह ज्ञानपीठ है । इसलिए वहां दीपकका महत्त्व है ।
दुकान, प्रतिष्ठान इत्यादिका उद्‌घाटन: दुकान, प्रतिष्ठान इत्यादि अधिकांशत: व्यावहारिक कर्मसे संबंधित होते हैं । इसलिए उनके उद्‌घाटन अंतर्गत दीपप्रज्वलनकी आवश्यकता नहीं होती । इसलिए केवल नारियल फोडें ।

२. संतोंके कर-कमलोंद्वारा उद्‌घाटन व दीपप्रज्वलन करवानेका महत्त्व

संतोंके अस्तित्वमात्रसे ब्रह्मांडसे आवश्यक देवताकी सूक्ष्मतर तरंगें कार्यस्थलकी ओर आकृष्ट व कार्यरत होती हैं । इससे वातावरण चैतन्यमय व शुद्ध बनता है और कार्यस्थलके चारों ओर सुरक्षाकवचकी निर्मिति होती है व जीवोंकी सूक्ष्मदेहकी शुद्धिमें सहायता मिलती है । इसलिए संतोंके करकमलोंद्वारा उद्‌घाटन अंतर्गत नारियल फोडनेकी आवश्यकता नहीं होती । (उद्‌घाटनके लिए संतोंको आमंत्रित करनेका महत्त्व इससे ज्ञात होता है । दुर्भाग्यकी बात यह है कि आजकल राज्यकर्ताओं, चित्रपट-अभिनेताओं, क्रिकेटके खिलाडियोंको उद्‌घाटनके लिए आमंत्रित किया जाता है ।)

३. पश्चिमी संस्कृतिके अनुसार फीता काटकर उद्‌घाटन क्यों न करें ?

किसी वस्तुको काटना विध्वंसक वृत्तिका दर्शक है । फीता काटनेकी तामसी कृतिद्वारा उद्‌घाटन करनेसे वास्तुकी कष्टदायी स्पंदनोंपर कोई प्रभाव नहीं पडता । जिस कृतिसे कष्टदायी तरंगोंकी निर्मिति होती है, वह हिंदू धर्ममें त्याज्य (त्यागने योग्य) है; इसलिए फीता काटकर उद्‌घाटन न करें ।

 

व्यासपीठकी स्थापनासे पूर्व भूमिपूजनके समय नारियल फोडा जाता है । जिस भूभागपर व्यासपीठकी स्थापना करनी होती है, उसके शुद्धिकरणसे वहांकी कष्टदायी स्पंदनोंका निराकरण किया जाता है । जहां व्यासपीठ पहले ही स्थापित हो, वहां उसके सामने धरतीपर एक पत्थर रखकर, स्थानदेवतासे प्रार्थना कर नारियल फोडें । व्यासपीठपर किसी भी समारोहकी तैयारी आरंभ करनेसे पूर्व स्थानकी शुद्धि आवश्यक है, अन्यथा अनिष्ट शक्तियोंकी बाधासे कार्यक्रमका आरंभ निर्धारित समयपर न हो पाना, कार्यक्रम-स्थलपर अस्वस्थता, तैयारी करनेमें थकान इत्यादि कष्टोंकी आशंका रहती है । प्रार्थनाद्वारा स्थानदेवताके आवाहनसे उनकी कृपास्वरूप नारियल-जलके माध्यमसे स्थानदेवताकी तरंगें सर्व दिशाओंमें फैलती हैं । इससे कार्यस्थलमें प्रवेश करनेवाली कष्टदायी स्पंदनोंकी गतिपर अंकुश लगाना संभव होता है । उस परिसरमें स्थान-देवताकी सूक्ष्म-तरंगोंका मंडल तैयार होता है व समारोह निर्विघ्न संपन्न होता है ।

नारियल फोडना अर्थात् अनिष्ट शक्तियोंके संचारपर अंकुश लगाना व दीपप्रज्वलन अर्थात् ज्ञानपीठपर कार्यरत दैवी तरंगोंका स्वागत कर, उन्हें प्रसन्न करना । इसलिए प्रथम नारियल फोडकर स्थानदेवताका आवाहन कर वहांकी स्थानीय अनिष्ट शक्तियोंको नियंत्रित करने हेतु उनसे प्रार्थना की जाती है; तदुपरांत दीप प्रज्वलित कर दीपद्वारा प्रक्षेपित तरंगोंके कारण वरिष्ठ (अधिक क्षमतावाली) अनिष्ट शक्तियोंके संचारपर अंकुश लगाकर व्यासपीठसे ज्ञानदानका कार्य किया जाता है ।
दीपप्रज्वलनका महत्त्व:

४. दीपप्रज्वलनके लिए प्रयुक्त दीपस्तंभमें घीकी अपेक्षा तेल डालना अधिक योग्य क्यों है ?

दीपप्रज्वलनके लिए प्रयुक्त दीपस्तंभमें तेलका प्रयोग करें । तेल रजोगुणी तरंगोंके तथा घी सात्त्विक तरंगोंके प्रक्षेपणका प्रतीक है । किसी भी कार्यको गति प्रदान करने हेतु रजोगुणी क्रियातरंगें आवश्यक होती हैं । तेलकी ज्योति ब्रह्मांडमें विद्यमान देवताओंकी क्रियातरंगोंको जागृत कर उन्हें कार्यरत रखती है; इसलिए दीपप्रज्वलन हेतु प्रयुक्त दीपस्तंभमें तेलका प्रयोग श्रेयस्कर है ।

५. दीपप्रज्वलन मोमबत्तीसे नहीं, अपितु तेलके दीप (सकर्ण दीप) से क्यों करें ?

मोमबत्तीद्वारा प्रक्षेपित तरंगें तम-रजयुक्त होती हैं । इन तरंगोंके कारण वातावरण तामसी बनता है व सात्त्विकता नष्ट हो जाती है । मोमबत्तीद्वारा दीप प्रज्वलित करनेपर दीपस्तंभके चारों ओर तमकणोंका मंडल तैयार होता है । इस कारण दीपस्तंभकी ज्योतिकी ओर आकृष्ट ब्रह्मांडमें विद्यमान देवताकी क्रियातरंगें बाधित होती हैं । इसके विपरीत, तेल रजोगुणका प्रतीक है । तेलकी ज्योति ब्रह्मांडमें विद्यमान देवताओंकी क्रियातरंगोंको जागृत कर कार्यरत करनेमें सहायक होती है; इसलिए दीपप्रज्वलन हेतु प्रयुक्त तेलके दीप (सकर्ण दीप)का प्रयोग श्रेयस्कर है ।

 

 

2. What is Importance of Tulsi in Hindu culture?

 

Namaskar! We heartily welcome you all for this Satsang (spiritual meet)! Before we commence this Satsang let us pay obeisance at the Holy feet of Sadguru (spiritual master) so that by His grace the very objective of this Satsang is fulfilled. Please pay mental obeisance to your personal icon of faith and recite as follows:
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्‍णु गुरुर्देवो महेश्‍वर: ।
गुरु साक्षात्‌ परब्रह्म तस्‍मै श्री गुरवे नम: ।।
Path of devotion describes nine types or modes of devotion unto God. The ritualistic worship of a deity is one of them. Just as the flowers have an important place in the ritualistic worship of deities, various leaves also have a significant place. Besides if we offer them with devotion and spiritual emotion then their significance is even more enhanced. Therefore in Srimad Bhagavadgita Lord Krushna says ‘if anybody offers me even a leaf with full devotion and bhav then I accept it by manifesting myself in gross form. This declaration by the Lord brings two things to our notice. First is that devotion and spiritual emotion have important role in our life and secondly every action of ours should be performed with full understanding of the science underlying it. In this satsang we will try to understand the science of offering leaves to deities and their effects.

1. Importance of patri in puja ritual

Patri is related to the coloured particles. The deities’ principles get attracted to the leaves because of coloured particles. The leaves or patri have the capacity to attract and emit the deity principle. Some of the patris constantly emit the deity principle which helps in continuous purification of the surrounding atmosphere. Only that patri which has more capacity to absorb the respective deity principle should be offered to the deity. That is the reason it is said that only that patri which is ‘liked’ by the deity is to be offered to Her / Him.
Generally five types of patri or leaves are to offered to deities during a puja ritual. The five patris represent the five great cosmic elements of the Universe namely earth, water, fire, air and ether. The deities are in the form of light. The principles of deities get activated with the help of the five elements. These deity principles are rapidly attracted towards patris when they are offered to a deity.
Patris of Tulsi are mandatory in the ritualistic worship of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krushna and Pandurang, Bilvapatri is mandatory in the ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva and durvas in the ritualistic worship of Lord Ganapati. In karmakanda (spiritual practice with physical body) the availability of tulsi, bel and durva is mandatory. In addition the place of worship is decorated with some special leaves. For example the bough of mango leaves tied on the entrance of a house is a very common sight. Ritualistic worship of a deity is incomplete without the use of patris. The leaves of five trees namely Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Audumbar (glomerous fig tree), Ashok (Jonesia Asoka), mango, and Vat (ficus indica) are of special spiritual significance in religious rituals. They are known as Panchpallav (pancha=five, pallav=leaf).
In some special worships of a deity, various types of leaves are offered to a deity and this particular worship is known as patrapuja. Among the various types of patris which are mandatory in the articles of puja, tulsi is one.

2. Tulsi

Tulsi is a sacred plant. It has been mentioned in Skandapuran that some of the drops of nectar fell on the earth during the process of Samudramanthan (churning of ocean). Tulsi was formed out of them. It was handed over to Lord Vishnu by Lord Bramha. Tulsi is liked by Lord Vishnu and hence it is specially offered to Lord Vishnu. While citing the importance of Tulsi it has been mentioned in Padmapuran that offering flowers made of gold, stones and pearls do not have even one sixteenth of the importance of Tulsi! Sins of even many eras are destroyed by sight, touch, meditation, obeisance, planting and use of Tulsi. All deities reside in the plant of Tulsi from its roots to the tip. It constantly emits the principles of deities and purifies the surrounding atmosphere. It is even said that whoever has a garden of Tulsi in the front yard of his house makes the surrounding nine miles area (yojan) as pure as river Ganga. Let us understand this further in subtle dimension.

 

Now our readers must have realized the spiritual benefit of offering Tulsi leaves to a deity during puja ritual. The effect of plucking such sacred Tulsi leaves has been described thus in Skandapuran, तुलसीं ये विचिन्‍वन्‍ति धन्‍यास्‍ते करपल्‍लवा: ।- Tulsi ye vichinvanti dhanyaste karapallavaaha’ means blessed are those hands who pluck tulsi leaves for the puja. Thus by knowing the importance of gathering the tulsi leaves for puja our faith in tulsi must have been enhanced to a great extent.
So let us now see some useful precautions to be taken while gathering Tulsi leaves.
If we pluck the tulsi leaves while simultaneously chanting the name of our favourite deity and with utmost respect and with proper method, the benefit received through the puja ritual multiplies a million times.

2.1 Why are women prohibited from gathering tulsi leaves?

Women have a high proportion of raja component when compared to men. There is generation of heat energy in the dormant and serene sattvik frequencies present in the tulsi plant by the touch of women which leads to decrease in its sattvikta (sattva quality). Hence they are prohibited from gathering or plucking the tulsi leaves.

2.2 Why are tulsi leaves used while offering naivedya to a deity?

Thus we have learnt about the gathering of tulsi leaves which imparts spiritual benefits. We often see that while offering naivedya (food offering) to a deity it is offered with the help of two leaves of tulsi. One of them is kept on the naivedya while other is offered to the deity. Let us now understand as to why tulsi leaves are used while offering naivedya to a deity.
Tulsi has the greater capacity to absorb and emit sattvik and Krushnatattva frequencies present in the universe. Therefore use of tulsi while offering naivedya imparts two benefits.
Thus the tulsi leaf is used for offering naivedya for receiving the grace of the deity by pleasing Him/Her. Therefore there is a rich tradition of offering prayerful obeisance to tulsi plant loved by Lord Vishnu every morning and evening as mark of gratitude because it is a destroyer of negative energies and a purifier of the atmosphere.

3. Durva

Durva has greater capacity of attracting and constantly enhancing principles of three deities namely AadiShiv, AadiShakti and AadiGanesh. The combined flow of all these three principles in durva is called Durvas. When this flow enters the idol of a deity its vital energy becomes manifest. This is called ‘awakening of idol’. In order to sustain this awakening, durva are offered on the idol of Lord Ganesh three times in a day in quantity of 21 or its multiple during ritualstic worship of Lord Ganesh. The number 21 is made up of two complete numbers namely 2 and 1. The addition of 2 and 1 gives number 3 which is symbolic of three primal principles (aaditattva).
Generally tender shoots of durva are used in puja ritual of a deity. These tender shoots have highest capacity to absorb principles of deities present in the dew drops fallen on their leaves. This benefits the worshipper. If durva bear flowers, they are not used in puja ritual. Flowering plant denotes the ripeness. Ripening causes decrease in the vitality of the plant. This further reduces its capacity to attract the frequencies of deity principle. To further know durva from a spiritual standpoint let us understand it in the subtle dimension.
The speciality of durva is that the process of receiving the principles of deities starts from the roots.

3.1 What is the difference between durva and common grass?

We just saw that durva has maximum capacity to absorb and emit three primal deity principles. Common grass does not have such capacity and therefore it is not helpful to increase the sattvikta. The vibrations entering and leaving the common grass are illusory that is they appear just like common vibrations but are deceptive. To understand this point let us see it in the subtle dimension.
Some people offer common grass to the deity mistaking it for durva. This does not accrue any benefit to the worshipper. If durva is not available every time then akshatas (unbroken rice grains) having the all encompassing property should be offered to the deity. Even scriputures say, ‘सकलउपचारार्थे अक्षताम्‌ समर्पयामि’ ‘Saklopchararthe akshtan samrpayami’ meaning akshtas can be offered in place of all substances. When akshatas are offered with full faith and spiritual emotion then we can get the benefit of frequencies of deities.
Let us proceed further with same faith and spiritual emotion towards one more patri and that is bilva patri or bel leaf.

4. Bilva patra (leaf of aegle marmelos)

There is mention of bilva tree in such ancient scriptures as Atharvaved, Aitereya Bramhan and Shatpath Bramhan. It is a sacred tree having sacrificial importance. The leaves of this sacred tree is generally trifoliate. This trifoliate leaf is symbolic of Trikal (three states in time), Trishakti (Volition, action and knowledge), three lingas and three syllables of Omkar. It is offered to Lord Shiva.
The proportion of sattva component is more in bilva patra and hence it has more capacity to absorb and emit sattvik frequencies. This has various effects. One of them is the reduction of raja-tama particles present in the atmosphere. A sattvik leaf like bilva patra when brought in proximity of a person suffering from negative energy distress then the black energy present within him is reduced.
Whenever a person is affected by the distress due to negative energies then his control over his physical body, mind and intellect is reduced and control of negative energy increases. Such a person when comes in contact with an environment not conducive for negative energy for instance in a sattvik environment then there is a battle between the negative energy and the satva predominant environment. This battle can manifest at various levels. The manifestation can vary from such simple thoughts like running away from the place to destructive thoughts also. Sometimes the negative energy may manifest in gross form like sudden burst of anger, shouting, throwing articles and may indulge in any type of destructive act like actually breaking and plundering articles etc. To understand this further let us see the effect of keeping a bilva patra in front of a person affected by negative energy distress.
The person is visibly distressed when the bilva patra is taken in hand and applied to the neck and head. Thus we have seen the gross effect of bilva patra on the affected person affected by negative energy.
Thus up till now we have been introduced to the subject of sacred leaves like tulsi, durva and bilvapatra. Similarly we also became acquainted with the effect of sattvik leaves on individual and the environment. Let us pray that whatever things we have been introduced to in this satsang will be remembered and applied correctly during a puja ritual so that we can obtain the blessings of deities and thus spiritually benefitted.

 

 

 

 

3. Do you have any information on rituals after childbirth? For e.g. why do we wait over a month before taking baby for darshan etc?

First 1.5 months after the birth, the child is very sensitive and can absorb the frequencies in external environment very easily. The child has very less impressions on its subconscious mind. Therefore it is not advisable to bring him / her to outside world during initial period. The first place to take the child is to temple to give it a divine protective sheath.
The mother, after the delivery of the child, also becomes very sensitive internally. Her menstrual periods stop after 15-20 days but even after that she remain sensitive for few weeks. She is susceptible to attacks from negative energy due to this. Hence for mother also, it is not advisable to go into external environment for 1-1.5 months after delivery.

4.  Can you please advise me on the use of a three wick Ghee Lamp? I recently was given one as a gift and I was wondering is it was suitable for worshipping Bhagavan? Do you know why lamps are made with three places for wicks?

As per dharma shastra we should use single wick (preferable) or 5 wick lamp. If we have a 3 wick lamp, instead of not using that lamp we can use only 1 wick out of the 3 wicks for lighting the lamp. Also more important than number of wicks is the Spiritual emotion (bhav) while doing upasana.
Altough lamp with 3 wicks have no spiritual significance, the particular lamp may have been manufactured for beautification from worldly point of view.

As per spirituality odd number is important therefore it is a practice to have lamp with 5 wicks or 1 wick. From this point of view too the above lamp could have been made with 3 wicks.

Lamp with 1 wick denotes oneness with God and with 5 wicks denotes duality. Finally bhav is utmost important than the number of wicks used.

5.  During the Thread ceremony, the Brahamchari asks for 'Bhiksha' from his mother, father, relatives & well wisher. Is there any rule that the person, who will offer 'Bhiksha' to Brahamchari, has to be a Brahmin or must marry a Brahmin (for ladies only)?

It is not necessary that the the person (from whom Bhiksha is to be obtained) needs to be brahmin, he/she can be non-brahmin too.

6.  How to perform sith day puja of goddess in navratra? What is the significance of sith day? I have been advised by an astrologer to perform sixth day puja as an utpata yoga exists in my chart?

Looking at the patrika and doing the puja etc based on a particular yog gives a person a mental relief and since he / she believes in it he/she performs the act with complete faith.

However one should live in present and leave rest on God. Since we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow or even in the next moment, there is always a curiosity and interest in living. If He discloses it then there there is no suspense. By performing correct sadhana, and by listening to one's Guru one can become a Sadhak and thereby one can sustain in difficult times and even change one's future.

7.  How important it is to name a daughter according to moon sign (rasi) in todays age. what are the implications if one chooses a name outside the rasi?

Frequencies (spandan) of the name choosen as per the Rashi letter matches the prakruti of the baby. Choosing any other name might not suit the prakruti of the baby.

 

Just as a child’s sex is decided in the womb, so is its name. A sound, touch, form, taste and odour coexist. Hence a child’s name corresponds to its appearance. Only one is unaware of it. Only the spiritually evolved know the matching name. If one cannot get advice from a spiritually evolved person the science of astrology can give guidance on the suitability of the name.

 

 

 

8. Can we water the bath-water to the tulsi plant? I heard that it is not good to offer the water to tulsi used for bath of god-godess idol.

We can pour the bath water of deity idols (collected in the platter) in the tulsi plant, except the Nirmalya.

9.  Could you please advise why there is a restriction on the use of tulsi leaves in Ganesh puja?

One of the objectives of ritualistic worship is that the idol which is to be worshipped should get charged with divine consciousness (chaitanya) and that it should help one in making spiritual progress. In order to generate that divine consciousness, the substance which is offered to that idol has more ability to attract the pure particles (pavitrakas) [most subtle spiritual particles] of that deity, from as far as the maha region as compared to other substances. Red flowers have the ability to attract the pure particles of Ganapati, bel of Shankar, tulsi of Vishnu, etc. Hence tulsi leaves are offered to Vishnu. A tulsi plant is planted on a pedestal in front of the house and tulsi is even wedded to Krushna.
Offering tulsi to Ganapati is prohibited because Ganapati mostly favours devotion with expectation (sakam bhakti) while tulsi denotes detachment (vairagya). Thus devotees of Ganapati would not even grow tulsi plants in their compound unlike most Hindus.

 

10. What is significance of "Achaman", and related shlokas, Significance of "Naivedya", how to offer and related shlokas for the same. How and when to change "Yagnopavit"? How many times to chant the "Gayatri Mantra"

1. Achaman is done for internal purification of self before starting puja. By doing bath only external purification is already achieved. The 24 names of Vishnu are chanted followed by few other mantras e.g. gayatri mantra.

2. Offering sacrament (naivedya) to a deity pleases Superior deities, deity of premise and deity of a place faster. Also, any food that we consume is obtained by the grace of God. Hence it is a practice to offer food to God and pay gratitude before consuming it (so that we obtain His chaitanya while consuming it). We pay the obeisance along with 5 vayus (pran, apan, vyan, saman, udan) present in us to the deities while offering naivedya.

3. Yagnopavit is changed during Shravani (in Shravan month). There is a specific mantra which is chanted and also the gayatri mantra is chanted 108 times. It can also be replaced when the existing one breaks.

One can refer to the book for ritualistic worship for the respective mantras and how to chant them.

11. Sometimes after praying the burning lamps turn black at the time of extinguishing! Why does this happen? I pray everyday with diyas lighted in front of deities but it so happens that on rare occasions the diyas turn black, though I use the same oil/ghee and wick every time. I have also noticed that they turn black after burning when I do special mantra jaap as an astrological remedy! What is the reason for this?

As the flame of the lamp is related to the fire element it immediately responds to the vibrations in the environment. Whenever you pray with devotion, the negative forces in the vastu (premise) attack you in order to prevent you from getting the blissful vibrations. The process of the lamp turning black is seen as the result of this attack. The same reason applies when the pooja occurs with devotion.
As your vibrations and the vibrations in the vastu are same, whenever there is argument at your workplace or outside, the lamp turns black due to the attack on you. The remedy for this is to increase the satvik component in your vastu by sprinkling cow urine (Gomutra), burning incense sticks, blowing holy ash (vibhuti) in the morning and evening, playing the God's chant in the house and increasing one's spiritual practice. As the satvik component in the vastu increases, you will be purified.

12. I regularly light a single wick ghee lamp at home. I use long cotton wicks and I find that when I light the ghee lamp, all the ghee is used up however, the wick is not fully used up and I tend to push the wick up so that the wick can be fully used up. Should the wick be fully used up and if not, can I re-light the wick the next following day?

The wick in ghee lamp need not be used up fully. You can re-light the wick the next following day. You can move the wick up to the top of the lamp.

13. How to identify the two types of shankas (Vamavarta and Dakshinavarta), one being used to blow and other for puja rituals?

Vamavarta Conch: When we hold the conch in our hand with the part through which it is to be blown facing us and if the inward curving portion of the conch is towards left (anti-clockwise), then it is called as Vamavarta conch. This conch is easily available.
Dakshinavarta Conch: When we hold the conch in our hand with the part through which it is to be blown facing us and if the inward curving portion of the conch is towards right (clockwise), then it is called as Dakshinavarta conch. This conch is rare.
Both Vamavarta and Dakshinavarta conches can be used for blowing during puja ritual.
Female Conch: The curves on the surface of this conch are irregular. Negative energies are attracted when this type of conch is blown. Therefore, it should neither be blown nor used in puja ritual.

14. What happens when a person dies and leaves idols, used for daily worship, to his or her heirs? What if the heirs don't want them? The person may not want the idols to be sold. Are they supposed to be placed in a river where the ashes of the deceased person are scattered? What happens if more than one child wants the sacred murthis?

If the deities idols are installed by parents and children do not want them then they can either immerse them in water or give it to a temple. In case of the idols which are part of the Family tradition (Kulaparampara) which has been carried forward then immersion or giving to temple is not possible. In case of more than one child wants the sacred idols then they have to decide among themselves who will keep them

15. Recently in our building society a rule is being passed to remove all the plants being kept in window grills. I respect my Tulsi plant and worship it daily. I cannot keep it downstairs in the vehicle parking space and worship it there. Please guide me on this.

You can keep the Tulsi pot in your house saying that it is not a plant but God which you worship everyday and it is not practical for you to go down everyday. Before doing this you can pray to Sri Krushna to help you and guide you.

16 On the Pournima day I had kept green coconut, with a stick attached to it, on the kalash. Today I find the that the stick has detached from green coconut on its own. Please tell me, is this auspicious or inauspicious?

It does not have any spiritual base. So you need not worry.

17. In the article on Rangapanchami the paragraph on celebrating holi in traditional way mentions about worshipping Holika. How can one worship Holika and burn it later? Holika was sister of Hirankashipu and a demoness, therefore how can one worship her for creating a sattvik atmosphere?

Just as we worship the dead body before its cremation and offer obescience so also before burning the demoness Holika we worship her and by saying 'Holikaay Namah' then we light her.

18. Should punchagavya abhishek be performed on Shivling?

Panchagavya abhishek should not be performed on Shivling, however panchamrut abhishek can be performed.

19. Where should we place Panchmukhi Hanuman in our house?

There is no need to keep Panchmukhi Hanuman in the house unless adviced by some spiritual authority and it is to be kept in the place suggested by him.

20. I do meditate daily and would like a ghee lamp for my meditation practice. Would this be safe? Can I use oil in the same lamp if I am out of ghee? I presently use candles for meditation.

Read more about ritualistic worship at Why is ghee lamp preferred to oil lamp during puja ritual?. Lamp is better than candles and ghee is better then oil.

21. When does one install idols of deities? When should the debt of idol be fully paid? Can you do pratishthapana of idol without paying for it? How can you deny payment for idol you have purchased?

Installation of an idol: You can bring home an idol of any Deity and install it; however when it is to be installed in society it requires a spiritual basis. If a Deity through a dream tells a devotee ‘install my idol at so-and-so place’ then he can fulfil the request. A Deity appears before some devotees and tells them, ‘I am buried in the ground in so-and-so place. Take me out from there and install me’. Here too the idol of the Deity can be installed. If a Saint instructs to install an idol of a Deity then also the idol can be installed. Contrary to this you should not install the idol of a Deity just because you felt like doing so, because it does not endow spiritual benefit to society. If you happen to take a loan for installation of an idol then a promise to repay it honestly should be made. Refusing to repay such a loan amounts to cheating. That will not endow the benefit of installation of the idol.

22. Can a female wear a locket with Shri Hanuman's picture, provided she maintains absolute discipline of celibacy, non consumption of meat, alcohol etc. Will this give her protection from all negative people and negative vibrations around her?

A female can wear a locket with Shri Hanuman's picture. This only is not enough to give protection from negative vibrations. For obtaining protection from negative vibrations one has to do spiritual practice regularly and by putting full efforts with bhav i.e. with spiritual emotions.

23. Where should we place a picture of Punchmukhi Hanuman inside the house?

Has this been advised to you by anybody then the person will also tell you the place? Otherwise there is no need to keep and if at all you have to keep then you can keep along with the other deities. Read more detail at How should one arrange deities in the temple at home?

24. Is giving milk to Naag Devata appropriate? Can you please provide guidance on this?

Offering of milk to Naag is part of ritual. Naag does not drink milk. Shiv tatva is present in Naag. Bhagvan Shiva likes milk. The abhishek of milk is offered to Shivpind, hence milk is offered as naivedya to Naag.

25. I think that Silk saris should not be offered to Goddess because silk is obtained by boiling silk worms. This is against the principle of ahimsa (non violence) towards other living beings. It is better to only offer cotton since this is a plant and does not suffer when turned into a sari. Please clarify.

 

 

26. Why is it that women should not apply kumkum to her forehead after the death of their husband? Mangal sutra is tied by the husband, hence after his death it can be removed. But a women may be applying kumkum from her childhood. Also in the article it has been clearly mentioned that wearing kumkum is to remove the negative vibrations from body. Does it mean that if a man dies his wife has to suffer in negative energy by not wearing the kumkum? Please clarify.

Kumkum is the substance which activates the Shakti (energy) in a woman. As long as the husband is alive, there exists an inseparable bond between the husband and wife on the physical plane. After the death of the husband as the physical relationship with the spouse culminates, so does the need for the Shakti Principle. If a widow applies kumkum, then the amount of activated Shakti in her increases. After the death of her husband her only duty as a wife is to sacrifice everything and merge into Shiv. If she does not apply kunkum, then the amount of manifest energy remaining unmanifest in her is more and her further progress is hastened, that is, she is able to develop detachment through this unmanifest energy. When a widow applies kunkum she always remembers her husband and hence he is forced to return to the earth. This hampers his subtle body from attaining gati (status after death). The rationalist widows of today continue to apply kunkum saying, “So what if the husband is dead ?” This action may cause their late husbands and consequently them, a loss on the spiritual level. So instead of using your intellect follow the norms of Dharma meticulously believing that ‘following ritualistic, scientific sanskars (subconscious impressions) stipulated in the Hindu Dharma are meant for human welfare.’ Politicians from the Congress Party like Janardan Pujari make an intellectual farce only to seek publicity but in reality they are going against Dharma. O Hindus protest vehemently against such anti-Hindu moves, but in a peaceful manner. – (Hindu Jagruti)