Humanity

We see humans… but humanity? Hmmm.... Perhaps,  not a common sight.

"Being Human is Given, But 

Humanity is a Choice." - anonymous. 

A common notion that humanity is exclusive to Homo sapiens prevails; nonetheless to define a universal emotion based on morphological characteristic is questionable. Animals, birds, tress, streams, oceans and mountains are not mere objects but they are living entities capable of showering love which many blind hearted fails to feel.

Humanity is love and kindness without any boundaries… towards the life in every being, Mother Nature and the Almighty. It’s the ambrosia of our life.- Kumerain

All pictures were taken from Google search.

Sharing a meal with the Homeless.

We had this idea of sharing of meal with needy and homeless.  We planned to do it on Fridays nights, decided the menu, each of us chips in a bit of cash, bought the items and there we go. We managed to share 40 food packets of Vegetarian Nasi Lemak. When there is will, there will be a way.

Ingredients ; Tofu,  Grind Ginger, Long beans, roasted Peanuts, Tamatoes & serai, fresh coconut milk (santan) squeezed from grated coconut, pucuk, pandan leaves, dried chilli, fresh chilli & cucumber.

Measuring rice by chief chef Gana! 

Again, Chef Gana in house! Sambal Nasi Lemak in progress.

Banana leaves is a must when it comes to Nasi Lemak, isn't? 

Organic waste for composting. :) 

Meals ready to be packed! Rice, Sambal, Peanuts, fried Tofu, Steamed long beans, cucumbers, and water packets.

But wait, let's do food tasting first! Kita makan dulu.

Finally packing. Biodegradable food packet used. 

There are many organizations and individuals who have been doing this dedicatedly for many years. But we are different in our own ways. Admit that we a have long journey to… I’m whispering my prayers so that this mission shall continue.

Outstanding Principles of our Sharing

• Menu is enriched with nutritious and healthy ingredients.
• All food are freshly cooked, no MSG, artificial colouring, preservatives used.
• Canned/ preserved ingredients are avoided.
• Cooking training for those who get involved!
• Kitchen waste segregated to be composted.
• Food is packed in biodegradable food packets (Polystyrene/Styrofoam is banned)
• Environment friendly practices are strictly abided right from scratch to tip. 

Now,  I just need to say that we don’t wish to pretend that “this is a selfless noble work that we gain nothing and bla bla bla.. “. Honestly, this is indeed an opportunity for us to share our meal with needy. How often someone get such a chance?  When we witness someone grabbing the food packet in hunger and stuffing their face into it... That moment taught us the value of every single meal that we are blessed upon. My friends and I have driven and walk through Pudu area so many times… but when we walked to give away the food packages, we saw an entire different set. Perhaps, we have start seeing from our little hearts.  There is joy, love, kindness and lessons that we reap from this little act of altruism. It’s indeed a divine ecstasy!

With Almighty’s grace, we plan to gradually increase the serving size and most importantly to be consistently. Our arms and doors are wide open for those who like to join us. 

_________________________________________________________________

Ques: What do you really need to contribute something to community?

Ans: To realise service is not optimal but OUR inherent RESPONSIBILITY

We have seen people are who get excited and say that they “really really” want to do something but they have NO TIME… or every time they plan to help out, another personal event pops up. Family and personal commitments, carrier and the list could be endless. Yes. Time may seem to be a restrain. We have also heard other factors such as money, no platform, networks, I don't know any big shots, 'I am too young' (WTH??) and of course ‘I don’t know’.

To be simple and fair, ask the man in the mirror, did we really give priority and commitment towards it. If we truly did, none of the excuse of above could stop US. We don’t need an international charitable organization with multi billion dollars sponsorship to spread a simple act of kindness. EVERYONE, regardless of social status, is capable of contributing in their unique way. No matter how little it is, it does make a difference. The ball is back to our hands, are we ready to roll?

WHY you no study HINDUISM???

The most prevailing misconception about Hinduism, "Hinduism has many Gods, and that we worship all sorts of things ranging from trees, snakes, rocks... everything under/above the sun and the SUN too! " Saddening...  

Adding to that, the introduction given to Hinduism by Ang Lee in his latest movie 'Life of Pi' does not seem to help much. The protagonist, Pi says " Hinduism has 330 million Gods". Two thumbs up for the movie minus this blunder! 

And today, I was served this on the internet! 

           Source:  http://ragedindian.com/2009/09/13/macam-macam-ada-la-hinduism/  "Macam macam ada la Hinduism"  It's an old post, but better late than never right?

*TING TING TING TING! Mandaikku mani adichathu! 

Then I go like this....

I read that blog post several times, trying to comprehend what the penulis trying to convey... then gave up. :(  I understand very well, writing  on such an issue will drag me into lots of nonsense.. perhaps un-intellectual arguments or worse the agony of personal attacks from hardcore fans of that particular blog. Thinking  again, screw that! I should stand up for my faith, just how I will back up my parents!

Back to  the issue. As a young  Hindu, I always feel annoyed when such thoughts were imposed on our faith by both followers and others.  I look at it this way, it's like making a peacock believe that it's actually a crow, worse still when the peacock itself so foolishly believes that assertions.

Basic concept of Hinduism. -[ Hinduism, Course Code :0001 ]- Hindus believe in the one all pervasive Supreme who energizes the entire universe. We see God in the life shinning out of the eyes of humans and all creature. Hindus adopt the all-encompassing concept. It says that God is both above the world and beyond it, both immanent and transcendent. What is confusing about Hinduism is the various  names and forms according to their denomination or regional tradition.

Let's take a look into bona fide scriptures to have a better understanding.

ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti (RV 1.164.46)

Truth is one; sages call it by different names.
                                                                                 Rig vedham

ஒன்றவன் தானே இரண்டவன் இன்னருள்
நின்றனன் மூன்றினுள் நான்குணர்ந் தான்ஐந்து
வென்றனன் ஆறு விரிந்தனன் ஏழும்பர்ச்
சென்றனன் தானிருந் தான்உணர்ந் தெட்டே. 

                                                                                 திருமந்திரம் 

The One is He, the Two His sweet Grace,

In Three He stood, in all the Four witnessed,

The Five He conquered, the Six He filled,

The Seven Worlds pervades, manifests the Eight,

And so remains.  
                                                                                 Thirumanthiram

To simplify matters, classic analogy for this are as below;

 1. A man is a faithful son to his parents, then a loving husband to the wife, a responsible father to his children. When he gets to work he becomes a staff. Among his peers, he is a friend. What he wears at home, at the office and the gym varies.The same man carrying out different roles,with different costumes, with different designations.  Now, does it make him a different person? Absolute NO. 

 2. What we are today is not similar to what we were... dig out your childhood picture and see. All your cells have been replaced. So, does that make you a different person? Again, NO!

Things will be much easier/better if people stop listening to any "Muthu, Raju and Gopal" blabbering about Hinduism and read our scriptures. We have allowed others to mould the perception of Hinduism into something barbaric. TELL ME NOW, where in the world did this "drinking goats blood make you close to God' come from? 

And about on trees being God,  Our ancestor practised  the circumambulating  of bodhi/neem trees so that we could absorb the 'healing power' from these trees.Not simply any trees. Then it was distorted to worshipping the trees itself.  Now explain, how in earth  a tree become God? 

We should once and for all stop making a mockery of ourselves. If you know nuts about Hinduism, take some initiative to learn rather than writing according to your whims and fancies. If one has intention to rectify things at the grassroot level, by all means, start from within. 

Originally, every Hindu rituals and practices had it's rationale, through time, many exploited the freedom given by Hinduism leading to what is left today. The sole cause of this predicament  is the people, Hindus, WE, who blindfolded our eyes. NOT HINDUISM, nothing wrong in it's core and philosophy. 

By the way, I can't sleep today if I miss to elaborate on the 330 million Gods here. The figure  33 is derived from  the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad.  Based on my research, Scholars suggest that the Upanishads actually mentioned 33 parts which was then misinterpreted as 33 millions.

1 Prajapati 

1 Indra, 

12 Adityas, 

11 Rudras  

and 8 Vasus 
when you add it all,  you'll get  33.

Again, remember that the Supreme God is One. In a simplified manner, Prajabathi is 'the one'. Indra represents power. While the 12 Adittyas refers to different facets of time. When "time" and "energy" combines it produces 11 types of energy currents and 8 cover elements, the Rudras and Vasus respectively.The 11 Rudras consists of 5 direct currents, 5 indirect currents and 1 cumulative. While the 8 Vasus are water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect and ego. Our subtle body is made up these elements. In short, it talks about science of life. 

I admit that it is tough to explain due to my own limitations, I am no expert on it. Don't want to drag you into the "confusion of the loose motion" any more. Nevertheless, it is sufficient for us to refrain from fooling ourselves that Hinduism has 330 million Gods! 

My final thoughts, if you are reading this, chances are you are a youngster.Kindly use your potential to discover on what the oldest faith of this universe is all about. Stop relying on our SPM Sejarah Text Book or Wikipedia as your recourse on Hinduism. There are plenty of simplified bona fide  books/ virtual discourses and lesson available even online. Take one step ahead at a time, soon you will discover the nectar of life. Ultimately, a Hindu should always think and ask questions, leading to self discovery. 

Hinduism is never a religion of faith, but the way of life. 

ps: I don't wish to be an Instant Online Guru of Hinduism :P Hence, I am sharing this article if  you have further questions on the basis of Hinduism. 

Ten Questions About Hinduism (PDF)  <---- Click Here to download a copy. 

Guide to an Environment Friendly Kiriyai (Rituals)

Performing thirumanjanam (ahbishegam) and alangkaram for Shivaperuman is indeed a great blessing in our birth. As Manikkavaasagar emphasized in Sivapuranam, Avan arul'le avan thal vannagi", One could dive into immense divine bliss as  He bestowed grace upon them to worship Him. The joy of performing shiva aaradhanai is truly beyond expression and to certain extent it's personalised. Scriptures asserts while performing the Kiriyai's (rituals), The Almighty  resides  as a King  while the Poojari impersonates a humble servant. Nevertheless, we have learnt that we could look up to Him as our father, mother, guru, friend, lover, child and so forth. Empiran would manifest to us, the way we adore Him.

Empiran Arul, I'm attempting to elaborate ways to make our rituals and  worship environment friendly. Mind  you, our tradition and scriptures  taught us NOT TO  HARM but exist in harmony with the nature. We are ain't any better than an atheist if we create so much of thrash through our rituals and prayers. I do hope this will be a useful read especially for those who have  deities/ shrine at home. 

Starting with thirumanjanam... 

• Water alone is sufficient.(Recall Appar Thevaram - Salam poovodu thubam maranthariyen).
• Water is a precious resource, use it wisely. Avoid  'splashing' water  unnecessarily.
• Need not emulate temples that conduct lavish thirumanjanam and drain everything out.  
• Milk, Honey, Fruit juices and other items may be used.Limit them accordingly. 
• Be sure to recapture the thiraviyam  used and offer it as thirumanjanam theertham. 
• Minimize wastage. Be creative to make something edible and share with family and friends.  Eg; Milk can be boiled and used for coffee/tea making, honey for pasty toppings and fruit juice to make fruit punch!  

Next, alangkaram and poosanai...

• If feasible,pluck flowers, betel/bilva/basil leaves yourself rather than purchasing it.Start planning for your own garden for Empiran now. :) 
• The amount of camphor/insence stick used doesn't indicate our level of devotion, use them reasonably. Excessive use is a waste of money ( shall I say it's a disregard to Laksmi Devi :P ) and worse it pollutes the air since most commercial camphors/insence are full of hazardous chemicals. - resulting in negative health effects! 
• You may resort to ghee lamp, charcoals, and paal sambrani as an alternative. 
• If you have no plans on what to do with the items after the poosanai,  just avoid/reduce  using them. Eg: Betel nuts and betel leaves. 
• Coconut flash can be eaten , chewing it will strengthen your teeth and gums, the raw coconut milk is good to heal internal wounds. Or else simply make use of it for coconut chutney!
• Dried coconut shell could also be used in place of charcoal for thubam, it gives out natural aroma and sambrani powder may be sprinkled on it too! ***

Aftermath of poosanai... 

• If you are serving prasadham, use banana leaves/biodegradable materials. NEVER Polystyrene!
• Dumping the garlands, flowers etc  in the rivers/sea seem to be convenient, yet it's the WORSE you could do. Waters resources are deemed to be sacred in our culture and we are in due  responsibility to take protect it.  
• If you don't do composting at home, start now... give it a try. A simply composting method is to leave the flowers, garlands around grown plants/tree to degrade itself. Simple enough for a 5 year old kid. 
• If not feasible, past it over to someone who does it, many NGOs are doing it. Make use of your internet! Take responsibility to the waste you created, there is no such thing as throwing away, since there is no 'away' unless you bring them to some other planet. 
• More waste you create, tougher it is to manage. Hence, the trick is to keep things simple. Remember spirituality is about "simple living, higher thinking." 

Final words , devotion is not always about how much money/material you use for you prayers  but thoughts. Yes, you have the money and you are entitled to spend. But remember, you are also entitled to the karma of harming mother nature. Hence, plan and manage you kiriyai's well just like how a multinational  company would carry out their projects. 

This article may not be solid enough for you to take a paradigm shift, perhaps it  requires more substantial research to be more convincing. Especially on how we, carry the responsibility to protect the environment.  Nevertheless, I believe it's sufficient for a baby step. 

Change should begin from within, it may be small but soon it will be become inevitable. Similarly, let's make our house prayers sustainable and environment friendly... and soon most Temple Committee's will adopt such mandatory practices. Lets pave the way... for a brighter future.

All picture used above belongs to kumerain.blogspot and all poosanai were environment friendly! 

_/\_

ஓம் நாம சிவாய 

Aum Nama Sivaya

Kumerain - So much of DRAMA!

There is so much passion for theatre and performing arts in my heart and soul. (But I am worse than  piece of rock when it comes to any kind of dance). Sadly, I never really had a proper chance to indulge in it. Regretted not taking up any formal lessons since my childhood times. But mind you, If I smell any slight possibility of meddling with it, I will never give it miss. I am naturally very expressive. I spill out my emotions just like that... Angry, Sad, Happy, Insanity, Disappointment,Disgusted ( yukksss). I hardly hide my feelings. Poor friends of mine,  they are common victims to this "God gifted" talent of mine.  :P  

Guess that's why I like theatre and performing arts so much. Something like Vishal's Character in Avan Ivan. Ok okay.... puriyithu! Konjum overu thann. Sorry ya.  :)

My field of study was not anything related to it. In case you don't know, I am suppose to play with fungus, bacteria and virus and memorize all the funny Latin names! Don't mean to  underrate microbiology though... 

3 years in USM, managed to get some "orgasmic" satisfaction in taking part in several stage shows. Pictures would do the rest of the typing.

Kumerain as Paramasivan 

Kumerain as Lodukku Pandiya Mannan

Kumerain as Kodanggi also known as Samyaadi

Again the same Kodanngi :P

"Perhaps, K.Balachander. Maniratnam, Bharathiraja or Shanker  might come a cross this blog and fix me for their next movie, so you might want to get my autograph before it's too late babeh!"  

This post don't meant to serve any purpose and please don't ask for the moral of the story. Nandri vanakam!

அடியார்க்கும் அடியேன் - adiyArkkum adiyEn

Lord Muruga once posed some questions to Avvaiyar. On being asked, Avvaiyar said. O Lord Muruga, you know everything. Even then you have asked me these questions. In obedience, I shall explain.

Lord Muruga: Which is the biggest in the world?

Avvaiyar : The world itself is biggest

Lord Muruga: Is this universe the biggest?

Avvaiyar : No, the universe was created by brahma. Hence Brahma is great.

Lord Muruga: If so, is Brahma alone great?

Avvaiyar : No, Brahma was born in the umbilical (navel) of Vishnu.

Lord Muruga: If so, is Vishnu alone great?

Avvaiyar : No, Vishnu slept in the waves of the ocean.

Lord Muruga: If so, is the ocean alone great?

Avvaiyar : No, Agathiyar the great saint drank the ocean.

Lord Muruga: If so, is Agathiyar alone great?
Avvaiyar : No, Agathiyar was born in a pot.
Lord Muruga: If so, is the pot alone great?
Avvaiyar : No, the pot was made up of a little sand of the earth.
Lord Muruga: If so, is the earth alone biggest?
Avvaiyar : Not so, it is only a partial for Aadhisheshan (snake) who carries the world.
Lord Muruga: If so, is Aadhisheshan the snake alone great?
Avvaiyar : Not like that, this great snake is a small ring worn in the little finger of the beautiful hand of Eswari. 
Lord Muruga: If so, is Eswari alone great?
Avvaiyar : No, Lord Siva has given half of His body to Eswari.
Lord Muruga: If so, Lord Siva alone great?
Avvaiyar : No, the Lord Siva Himself lives in the hearts of His devotees. Therefore the devotees are the great ones in the world and their glory is immeasurable.

Aum nama shivaya!

In praise of all the 63 Nayanmars and other great Shaivites!

Nayanmargal - The 63 Shaiva Saints 

The Four Saiva Acharyas - Samaya Kuravar