Few examples of propitiatory acts in scriptures

Propitiatory acts can be performed for the benefit of society or the community as well.

Yashoda : Unknowingly involved in a propitiatory act, she had her child swapped without her consent, participating in a cosmic plan—a sacrificial act for the greater good.

Sita : Sita’s forced journey into the forest, without her prior knowledge, was a propitiatory move to uphold dharma—a sacrificial act for the kingdom's greater good.

Draupadi : Her propitiatory marriage to the five Pandava brothers was conducted without her counsel to fulfill divine prophecy.

Sati (Rukmini and Satyabhama) : Their propitiatory act, seen as a noble sacrifice, was perhaps to ensure their husbands' eternal glory and maintain family honor.

Parvati as Sati : In an act of rebellion, she immolated herself to protest her father’s disdain for Shiva, praying to be reborn as Shiva’s wife. In later days, the practice of Sati was observed, and forced Sati was documented. After the arrival of the British, the practice was gradually eliminated through laws.

Madri : She performed Sati, believing Kunti would care for the children and feeling obligated to atone for her husband's death, which she attributed to his attraction to her. https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118372.html

Propitiatory acts have parallels in other cultures and scriptures worldwide. 

Jacob's Ladder: A Symbol of Striving Toward Higher Ideals

Jacob's Ladder is a ladder leading to heaven that was featured in a dream the biblical Patriarch Jacob had during his flight from his brother Esau in the Book of Genesis.

"He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it." (Genesis 28:12, NIV)

This ladder concept signifies a connection between the divine (heaven) and the earthly (earth), serving as a symbol of mediation between God and humanity via angels. It represents God's guidance and signifies the responsibility for moral and spiritual development, striving to ascend toward higher ideals. The ladder also symbolizes the interconnectedness of all things, with heaven and earth being linked as part of a unified cosmos.

1. Jesus referred to this in John 1:51.

2. Muslims believe the Islamic prophet Muhammad (AD 570–632) took a miraculous journey during a single night around the year AD 621 (Isra and Miraj).

3. Staircases in temples lead up to the garbhagriha, symbolizing the ascent towards spiritual enlightenment or union with the divine.

4. Various Puranas and spiritual texts describe the wisdom and stages of ascent achieved by sages and saints.

Death Ceremony similarities between Tamil/Indian culture and Egyptian culture

Death Ceremony similarities between Tamil/Indian culture and Egyptian culture

In summary, there is a belief that the deceased do not cease to exist but continue their journey into the next world.

 In Tamil Nadu (India), the death ceremony includes many rituals such bathing the dead body, anointing with oil, new dress, put a coin, and put a food in the mouth.

These rituals are common all over the world. Perhaps closest similarity is Egyptian culture. Egyptian custom includes activities such as Mummification and purification rituals, dressing the mummy in fine linen and adorning with amulets, placing a coin or offering in the tomb, and the opening of the mouth ceremony.

1. General Offering to Ancestors:

• Tamil Nadu: Rituals like Tarpanam (in Tamil தர்ப்பணம்) are performed to honor ancestors and ensure their peace in the afterlife. The word "Tarpanam" means "to satisfy" or "to satiate". These rituals are performed during Amavasya/No moon or new moon. Lunar cycle from new moon to full moon to new moon symbolizes the concepts of birth, life, and death, often seen as part of a continuous cosmic cycle.
• Ancient Egypt: Offerings and prayers were made to ensure safe passage to the afterlife.
• Chinese and Japanese Cultures: Similar offerings are made during festivals like the Obon (Japan) and Hungry Ghost Festival (China, appeasing a wider range of spirits).

2. Bathing and Anointing the Deceased:

• Tamil Nadu: The dead body is bathed and anointed with (sesame) oil as a purification ritual before the final rites.
• Ancient Egypt: Mummification involved washing and anointing the body with oils and resins to preserve it and prepare it for the afterlife.
• Hindu and Native American Cultures: Similar rituals involve bathing and anointing the deceased to purify them before burial or cremation, often using sacred oils and herbs.

3. Dressing the Deceased in New Clothes:

• Tamil Nadu: The dead body is worn with a new cloth. A symbolic gesture that the deceased is ready for their new life or journey.
• Ancient Egypt: Mummies were adorned with amulets wrapped (and in fine linen) for protection and to symbolize purity.
• Christian and Islamic Traditions: The deceased are dressed in clean garments, often white, symbolizing purity and readiness for the afterlife.

4. Placing a Coin on the Head:

• Tamil Nadu: A coin is placed on the head or in the hand of the deceased to provide for their journey in the afterlife.
• Ancient Egypt: Mummies were adorned with amulets wrapped (and in fine linen) for protection and to symbolize purity. The Egyptians believed that material possessions were essential for a comfortable existence in the afterlife. Kings/rich have elaborate rituals whereas poor simply dry the dead body in the desert sand. Same social hierarchy will be mirrored in the next world.
• Ancient Greece and Rome: Coins were placed in the mouth or on the eyes of the deceased as payment to Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, to transport the soul across the River Styx.
• Various European Cultures: Coins or small tokens were sometimes buried with the deceased as part of funeral rites.

5. Putting Food in the Mouth of the Deceased:

• Tamil Nadu: Food (in Tamil வாய்க்கரிசி) is placed in the mouth to prevent hunger in the afterlife. There's a belief that if the deceased is hungry in the afterlife, it could bring misfortune to the living family.
• Ancient Egypt: The "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony ensured that the deceased could eat and speak in the afterlife.
• Roman and Certain African Traditions: Food offerings are made to ensure that the deceased do not go hungry in the afterlife.

 

Connections between Crow, No Moon, physical and spiritual realm in Tamil/Indian culture

Crow is the most intelligent bird. It needs respect all the time not just during Amavasya (no moon day).

1. Tamil tradition, the crow is considered a messenger between the living and the dead. It is a beautiful love of the living family members, by offering food, ensure that the ancestors are well-fed and satisfied in the afterlife. In folklore, it is often associated with the ability to navigate between different worlds, making it an appropriate intermediary for communicating with the spirits of the deceased. The black color of crows, akin to the darkness of Amavasya night, symbolizes the connection between the living and the departed. 

2. During Aadi Amavasya, barriers between the physical world and the spiritual world are thinner, making it easier to communicate with the souls of the departed.  The darkness of the night is seen as a symbol of the unseen world, where ancestors reside. This makes it an ideal time to offer prayers and rituals to seek their blessings and ensure their peace in the afterlife. The dark night of Amavasya, devoid of moonlight, represents the mystery and the unknown, much like death itself. Absence of the moon enhances the connection between the physical world and the spiritual realm. 

In science, during the summer earth is far away from sun (in Thai Amavasya, Jan-Feb, in winter earth is closer the sun). So, space distance does not matter but love distance to the ancestor matter.

3. The question is not whether the soul scientifically exists; it is better if the soul exists, rather than being soulless beings.

Happy Friendship Day 2024

 

Happy Friendship Day 2024

Snippets from Thirukkural

குறள் 782:

நிறைநீர நீரவர் கேண்மை பிறைமதிப்
பின்னீர பேதையார் நட்பு.

Friendship with men fulfilled of good Waxes like the crescent moon;
Friendship with men of foolish mood, Like the full orb, waneth soon.

குறள் 783:

நவில்தொறும் நூல்நயம் போலும் பயில்தொறும்
பண்புடை யாளர் தொடர்பு.

Like learning, the friendship of the noble, the more it is cultivated, the more delightful does it become.

குறள் 795:

அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து வழக்கறிய
வல்லார்நடபு ஆய்ந்து கொளல்.

You should examine and secure the friendship of those who can speak so as to make you weep over a crime (before its commission) or rebuke you severely (after you have done it) and are able to teach you (the ways of) the world.

What is Thirukkural (திருக்குறள்)?

The Thirukkural, often referred to as the "Tamil Marai" (Tamil Veda), is a revered Tamil literary work composed by the ancient poet Thiruvalluvar over 2,000 years ago. It consists of 1,330 couplets, known as kurals, which provide concise and profound insights into various aspects of life. The text is organized into three sections: Virtue (Aram), Wealth (Porul), and Love (Inbam), each offering practical advice on ethical living, governance, and personal relationships. Renowned for its universal wisdom and moral guidance, the Thirukkural remains a cornerstone of Tamil literature and philosophy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kural 

Jesus's last words in Aramaic language are similar to Tamil

*Jesus's last words in Aramaic language are similar to Tamil*

Elloi! Elloi! Lama! Saba(c) Tha Ni

Oh God! Oh God! Oh Lama! Death Give You

எல்லோய்! எல்லோய்! லாமா! சாபக்(சாவு) தா நீ

or

Oh God! Oh God! Oh Lama! cursed (by) You

எல்லோய்! எல்லோய்! லாமா! சபித்தாய் நீ (More closer to Bible meaning. சபித்தாய் --> Cursed/forsaken)

Perhaps Jesus might have explored India before his disciple arrived in India. Perhaps Jesus well versed in Indian spiritual teachings and Buddhism during his young age.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Thomas

எல்லோய் (Elloi) --> எல்/El denotes god in Tamil (Ellamma -> எல்லம்மா,  Ellan -> எல்லன், Ellalan -> எல்லாளன்)

லாமா (Lama) --> Perhaps refers to Buddha. Perhaps Jesus a Buddhist monk, a Lama. "Lama" refers to a teacher of the Dharma. Traditionally next Thalai Lama is chosen in direction in which the previous Dalai Lama's head tilted before his death. Perhaps 3 wise people from east visited baby Jesus perhaps from India. 14th Dalai Lama was enthroned when he was 4 ½ years old and renamed Tenzin Gyatso. In the case of the 13th Dalai Lama, after his death, his body lay facing south. The search for him began soon after the 13th Dalai Lama died. https://theconversation.com/how-the-dalai-lama-is-chosen-and-why-china-wants-to-appoint-its-own-114351

சபித்தாய்(Sabithai) - Cursed/forsaken

சாபக் (sabach) --> Sabam (சாபம்) -- Savam (சாவம்,சாவு)

தா (Tha) --> Give

நீ (You)

Bible: Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

https://biblehub.com/matthew/27-46.htm

https://biblehub.com/mark/15-34.htm