Symptoms of punya and paap

The root cause of all good and bad experiences of life is the measures of punya (merit) and paap (sin). As per theory of karma, one carries these savings from birth to birth. Punya gets consumed through pleasures whereas paap gets consumed through suffering. So if we want to always experience pleasures or happiness it is important to earn punya.

However it is not in human capacity to measure punya and paap. So how do we know if we are adding to punya or paap. It is through symptoms.

On a very broad level, if the mind is filled with craving for material things – material pleasures, wealth, fame etc. – it indicates the predominance of paap. It is really about state of mind. There is a subtle difference between enjoying material pleasures or being content and being passionate about material pleasures. Saints, from their experiences, advise to put ceiling on material desires, because if one runs behind material desires there can never be an end to it. And they say it is easily possible to put this ceiling if mind is gradually diverted to devotional service to god while performing duties towards family and fulfilling desires.

Punya results from good actions – sukrut - in past and present birth. Though the root cause of all material pleasures of life is punya, at a mental level the absence of craving for material pleasures and liking towards devotion to god indicates real fruition of punya. And so, the absence or reduction in craving for material desires is a symptom of punya.

Since it is not in human capacity to measure punya and paap, it is up to individual to first engage into sincere self-interrogation to recognize symptoms and then take appropriate measures to increase measure of punya.

The easiest way to engage into good actions is to act as per instructions of Guru. However if one does not have access to Guru in physical form, reading stories of saints or chanting the name of god and stotras that glorify god can help in transforming oneself to perform good acts.

Upasana – upa near and asana seat. Continuous effort of focusing mind on higher goals of life is the upasana. The life becomes worthwhile when time is spent in achieving higher goals of life. Saints are the people who can guide us in this journey and so it is very beneficial to establish good relationship with saints and engage into work started by them for example supporting construction and operation of temples and charitable hospitals etc. The beauty of such engagement is that it helps in all – fulfillment of material desires, reduction of craving for such desires and achievement of higher goal.

Visit to divine places in divine company

Between Mar 4 to Mar 12 of 2015 we had a great opportunity of travelling with Shri Sir to three interesting places in south India. One is Velliangiri, second Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple and third Seven Great Shiva Temples of Mylapur, Chennai

Velliangiri:

As mentioned in this link, this place is considered as Kailash of South, abode of Lord Shiva. Based in mountains, the temple is located at 6000 ft high from sea level and 6 km from Poondi village which is at foothills of mountains. One has to cross seven hills to reach the main temple. The darshan of Lord Shiva here is considered as equivalent to darshan of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailash. Devotees of Shiva believe that there are three Kailash on earth. Uttar Kailash which is in subtle form. Madhya Kailash which is located in Tibet (Mount Kailash) and Dakshin Kailash (Velliangiri).

Each hill on the path of Lord Shiva temple is considered as a chakra in the body. On each hill there is a small temple accordingly. More information about these temples on each hill can be found on this link.

It is believed that because these mountains carry such a great spiritual importance many siddha purushas (enlightened souls) chose these mountains as their place for performing penance. 

While chatting with one of the priest from Vinayaka temple on the first hill, we got to know a very interesting story of how this shiva linga on mountains became known around couple of hundred years back. There was a merchant in the village who maintained many cows. Daily, these cows used to go to mountains for grazing. On return, cows would refuse to give milk. Merchant was wondering about this strange act of cows. So to find out the reason, on one day he chased cows and to his surprise he discovered that the cows were actually offering milk to shiva linga, in essence performing abhisheka of milk on the shiva linga. This story is also one of indications of why this place carries such a great spiritual significance. 

Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple:

After Velliangiri we went to Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple. This is a very beautiful temple with a great history behind it. It is believed that the idol worshiped here is more than 5000 years old. This place is often referred as "Bhuloka Vaikuntha" i.e. "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth". More information about this temple can be found here.

Seven Great Shiva Temples of Mylapur:

After Guruvayur we visited Seven Great Shiva Temples of Mylapur, Chennai. The seven temples are as follows

1. Sri Karaneeswarar Temple
2. Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple
3. Sri Velleeswarar Temple4. Sri Virupaksheeswarar Temple 

5. Sri Valeeswarar Temple 

6. Sri Malleeswarar Temple 

7. Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple 

As per information in this link, the visit to these temples, that too in particular sequence, carries a lot of spiritual significance.

What is Dharma and what is not?

The fundamental principles of dharma were visualized by the Sages and laid down in 'Vedas'. Hence Veda can be considered to be the root of Dharma. The principles laid down in Vedas help us decide what is right and what is wrong. This analysis of what is right and what is wrong has to be done in each particular case by analyzing particular context with a reference to the fundamental principles. In the episodes of Mahabharata we come across this analysis as explained by Lord Krishna.

Human actions have to be chastened (purified), controlled and guided along proper channels, otherwise it will bring disaster, just like a flooded river. The human tendency to secure a short term advantage in a hurry has to be curbed. A tendency to secure long term advantage may be more lasting and more healthy for the human race. Individual benefits have to be sacrificed for the benefit of human race as a whole. Ideals, principles, laws, customs, codes, habits, actions are to be judged on the intention and consequence. The intention should be pure, born out of love and should be based on the Truth. This will result in everlasting peace.

How are we to decide in any particular case, what is dharma and what is not? First, that which does not inflict pain on you and on others is right i.e. dharma. So we should act in such a way that we give joy to others and in return we get joy in the form of satisfaction.

Two, we should make our thought, word and action (manas, vacha and kaya) to agree in harmony and work together i.e. we must act as we say, say as we feel. We must not cover our thoughts in falsehood, we must not play false to our own conscience and we must not suppress our conscience by embarking on actions that are not approved by it. Frequently doing right things makes it easier. This develops into a habit which in turn grows into conscience. Once we are accustomed to doing right conduct, automatically our actions and thought follow the right path.

Doing right thing and thinking of right thing i.e. Dharma, makes us calm, level-headed, and secure in equanimity. We firmly get the conviction that success or failure, riches or poverty, joy or grief, elation or disappointment are only transitory i.e. not everlasting. Hence we do not get affected by them. We are secured and unmoved. Anything that helps to reach this unruffled stability is Dharma.

In short we can say sensual life is adharma and spiritual life is Dharma. Dharma is that which sustains, saves and sanctifies. We should not have double standards. We should treat others as our own self. Unless we have faith in us we can't have faith in others. We must respect ourselves and others. Treat mankind as one community. The vedas, upanishads and the Upasana section of Sanathana Dharma are the best guides to the path of dharma for mankind. It is the responsibility of every Indian to demonstrate in their lives that Dharma confers peace and happiness so that the whole world gets inspiration to follow the same path.