Some religious Q & A

Continued from part 1 

13)Who is a true friend to whom? 

For a Sthree (woman) – Barthaa (husband)   

For a King – Manthri (Minister)   

For  Brahmins - Vedams   

For Satyam (truth) – Dharmam (righteousness) 

14)The journey of our life goes as follows: 

Sareeram - Ratham(chariot)

Jeevan - man who goes in the chariot)

Indhriam(senses) - horses

Kadivalam - Manasu-mind

Therotti - Buddhi 

All the horses should travel in the same direction and with the same speed.This is taken care of by Therotti (charioteer) with the help of Kadivalam.This shows the importance of brain-mind coordination. 

15) A noble person should avoid the following: 

a) Chowriyam (theft) b) Paisuram (backbiting) c) Mathsaram (jealousy)

d) Rajathwishtam (going against the king) 

16) Qualities of a noble soul:

Anasuyai (absence of jealousy)

Aaradhmam (Nermai)

Suddhi (cleanliness-Pushti-inner and susthi-outer)

Santhosha (kind words) Dhaanam (charity)

Sathyam (truth)

Anaayaasam (doing things with pleasure without treating them as burden) 

17) What ignoble souls do not have: 

Aathmagnanam (knowledge of self)

Sambrambam (activity)

Dhidhiksha (tolerance of difficulties)

Dharmanithyatha (decisiveness about Dharma)

Vasiva (protecting a secret) Controlled speed 

18) The destroyers: 

Desire will destroy Bravery (Dhairyam)

Jealousy will destroy Dharma

Krodham (anger) will destroy wealth (aiswaryam)

Helping ignorable fellows will destroy Seelam (nallozhukkam/character) 

Pride will destroy everything 

20) Difference between Unmai,Vaaimai and Mei 

Unmai:Truth in mind Vaaimai: truth in words

Mei:Truth in sariram(body) 

21) Whom to appreciate when 

Annam - after digestion

Pathni - after she loses her youth

Servant - after he completes the work well 

Sons - never(to prevent ego) 

Relatives –after they leave after a visit 

Sanyasi (ascetic)  - after he attains Gnanam (enlightenment)

Soldier (after he wins the war) 

25) Uththamar, Madhyamar and Adhamar:

Adhamar: like water drop falling on fire: it evaporates

Madhyamar: Drop of water on the petal of lotus - looks like pearl, but not one 

Uththamar: like Muthuchippi, becomes a pearl 

26) Difference between loneliness and solitude: 

Loneliness: Has an unhappy connotation no one to talk to 

Solitude: Has a happy association One can pursue his activities undisturbed-no one to disturb. 

27) Danger generally comes from one's own kith and kin:

 A Baby elephant once told his grandfather elephant 'there is danger. We should run for our lives.'

The grandfather asked what the matter was. The Baby elephant said, "people are coming with weapons, fire and iron chains".  

Grandfather said, "no worry.  Are there any other elephants coming?"  

The Baby said, "no".  The Grandfather said that danger generally comes from only our own kith and kin. 

28) According to Vedas, human beings have a lifespan of 100 years, but very rarely do people live up to that age.  Why? 

Excessive pride- Excessive talk

Gluttony -Betraying friends

Excessive anger-Excessive sexual desires 

29) 8 Qualities of a messenger (Dhoothan/ambassador) 

A) Humility  b_ Gift of the gab c) No procrastination  d) Intelligence e) Kindness

F) Health  g) Blemishlessness

H) Not susceptible to temptations 

30)  No one should have any commercial dealings with: 

King who does not enforce law;

Immoral ladies; Servants of the King;

Brothers/sons of the King; Widow with a small child; Soldiers;One who has lost his wealth due to loss in business 

31)  Rules for having snanam in Punyanadhis (sacred rivers) 

Do not put your leg first.  Pray and do aachamanam before entering the river 

Men should have a dip with Panchakacham and women with Madisar 

Do Sankalpam treating sacred ash as theertham.Do not apply soap.After scrubbing with bare hands, have a dip again 

Do Devarishi Tharpanam 

32)  General rules for snanam: 

No snanam before 3 AM or after 6 PM 

No snanam after Pithrukarma

Brahmachari should do one snanam, Grihasthas 2 snanams and Sanyasis 3 snanams 

33)Qualities of those who do snanam in the right way: 

a)Strength b) Roopam/Thejas

C) Kundam(pronunciation)

D) Soft complexion 

33)  Qualities of those who eat Sathvic food moderately (twice a day) 

a)Perfect Health b)Long life c)Strength

d)Children's Health 

34)  Shiva and Shakti are part and parcel of each other.

Siva's colour is white and Shakti's colour is red.  That is why we use this combination everywhere Eg: Dhoti is pure white and the border is generally red. 

Vibhuti is white and Kumkumam is red 

Abishekam, milk is white and honey is brownish red. 

Lily is white and sembarathai flower is red. 

Kolam white rice powder  + semman for decorative. 

35)  When all odds are against you and when you have reached nadir, do not despair.  You cannot go further down. You can only go up.