wHAT IS BELIEF AND FAITH?
Beliefs are those, according to which customs and duties are followed. Some of the common beliefs, still prevailing in the society, are mentioned in the purāṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/purana#purana>. It has been stated that those people who follow bad customs do not live long. [Markandeya puranam 31 5]. On the other hand <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hand#hinduism>, who follow good customs and habits they live a long life Like the *Matsyapurāṇ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/matsyapurana#purana>* , the *Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/markandeyapurana#purana>* also states that serpents live in the air Some medicines <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/medicine#hinduism> are also prescribed against snake bites <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bite#hinduism> Like the Atharvavedic herbal medicine <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/medicine#hinduism> for the cure of various types of diseases, we find here the evidence of caring leprosy (*kuṣṭha <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kushtha#purana>*) and consumption (*kṣaya <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kshaya#purana>*) of the two friends of Manorama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/manorama#purana>, who were cursed by the sage Brahmamitra, by Svarocis <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/svarocis#purana>. This *Purāṇa* also mentions the power of various medicinal herbs and skill in the magic <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/magic#hinduism> art and the knowledge of understanding the speech of all animals. It also expresses the belief in the inborn power of one’s assuming another man’s shape. We find here a Gandharva <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/gandharva#purana> named Kali <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kali#purana> took the shape of a Brahmaṇa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmana#purana> to win the love of an apsaras <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/apsaras#purana> named *Varūthinī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/varuthini#purana>*. Some other beliefs are described in this *Purāṇa* which are related to day to day life. It is believed that if the floor is creamed with cow dung every morning, no calamities take place in that house. This *Purāṇa* describes the power of some magical ceremonies. For example, a brahmāṇa performs *Mitravindā <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mitravinda#purana> Iṣṭi <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ishti#hinduism>* for reviving the love between the king <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/king#history> and the queen <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/queen#history>. Even, it is stated there that the magical rites will help to reproduce offsprings of a couple who do not love each other It is believed that performing the *Sārasvatī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sarasvati#purana> Iṣṭi* one can remove stupidity and discharge debt of gratitude. It has been quoted in this *Purāṇa* that Goddess Lakṣmī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/lakshmi#purana> lives in various parts of human body, and bestow different results. Accordingly, she bestows a residence, clothes and manifold wealth, offspring and fulfils the wishes of a man while she resides in his foot, on his thigh, in his secret part and in his heart respectively. When she resides in the mouth, she bestows beautiful speech, real command and also poetic fire and when she is mounted on the head, forsakes the man and then resorts to another abode. mānuṣe sānurāgeyaṃ tatra tadrūpadhāriṇī / raṃsyate mayyasandigdhaṃ kiṃ kālena karomi tat // ātmaprabhāveṇa tatastasya rūpaṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rupa#hinduism> dvijanmanaḥ / kṛtvā cacāra jatrāste nisaṇṇā sā varuthinī // *Ibid*., 59.21-22 tvayi saṃpritaye tasyā vareṣṭirupakāriṇī / kriyate mitrakāmairyā mitravindāṃ <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mitravinda#purana> karomi tām // aprītayoḥ pritikarī sā hi sañjananī param // bhāryāpatyormanuṣyendra tāṃ tavestiṃ karomyaham // *Ibid*., 69.8-9 II The *Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa* shows the belief in the power of astrology and faith of a fortune teller of that time. The birth of a child at the termination of *revatī nakṣatra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/revatinakshatra#hinduism>*, is considered to be inauspicious for a family <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/family#hinduism>. It is found to be true when, after giving birth to a son at the termination of the constellation Revatī <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/revati#purana>, sage Ṛtavāc’s wife, suffered extreme pain of leprosy and other diseases and the sage Ṛtavāc was affected with a lingering disease. This *Purāṇa* also shows the belief in astronomy. It is found while a sage, enquired by king Uttama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/uttama#purana> about his beloved’s ill behaviour towards him, explained to him some astronomical positions of the celestial bodies during their marriage. It is believed that there are some creed of transmigration which is found in this *purāṇa*. For example, to obtain joy and happiness, foods <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/food#hinduism> were given as gifts. Also to satisfy someone who is going to be dead, tasty food <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/food#hinduism> is offered. If a man offers food and clothes as a gift, he can easily pass the road to the abode of Yama <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yama#purana>. This *Purāṇa* also holds the belief of the power of mantras <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mantra#purana> by which the *śrāddas* are protected from the rākṣasas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rakshasa#purana>. The rivers are also considered to be holy and powerful in abolishing sins.Birth and death are the two big events in the life of a person which create impurity or *aśauca <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ashauca#purana>*. In these two events, not only the person but also all the relatives have to follow some rules as duty. Because it is believed that both birth and death affect the relatives by impurity in many ways. This impurity, caused by birth and death, is mentioned in the *Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa*, as *sūtaka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sutaka#hinduism>* In the *Smṛtiśā* stras the word *sūtaka* is said to be of three type viz. birth sūtaka , both birth and death sūtaka, death sūtaka This *purāṇa* determines the periods of the death impurities to be ten days, twelve days, fifteen days and one month for Brāhmins, Kṣatriyas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kshatriya#purana>, Vaiśyas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaishya#purana> and Śūdras <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shudra#purana> respectively. Again for the impurity of birth, Brahmins <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/brahmin#history> should follow the rules for one day, Kṣatriyas for three days, Vaiśyas for six days and Śūdras for twelve days. It is mentioned that at the time of death impurity, the relatives should burn his body outside the home <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/home#hinduism> and offer him water on the first, third, seventh and days of the moon. On the fourth day of his death his relatives should collect the bones and ashes <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ase#hinduism>. After that the relatives should gather together and touch with him. After the collection of bones and ashes, the relatives i.e. sahodakas perform all the ceremonies. At that moment if the sapiṇḍas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sapinda#hinduism> are touched by sahodakas, then both are considered as *āsauca*. The *Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa* also explains the extent of some impurities in case of when a person dies directly falling from a tree <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tree#hinduism>, by the sword, by water, by hanging, by fire, by poison, by a fall, in any other unnatural way, by religious fasting to death etc. Again in the case of the death of a child in a foreign country, as a religious mendicant, purification will be effected at once. In these circumstances the impurity persists for three days only. Before the expiry of the period of impurity for one’s dead, at that time if the *sapiṇḍa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sapinda#hinduism>* dies then the later impurity must be performed during the days or period of the first impurity. The same rule of impurity is also applied on the birth of a child, in case of the sapiṇḍas, and the sahodakas. On the birth of a son, the father must bathe with his clothes on. The *Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa* mentions some things such as—alms, a workman’s hand, wares of sale, face of a woman, an infant, those are admirable for their sound, work done by old man and the sickly, kitchens when the business in them is ended, women who are suckling children, pure running water and odourless bubbles to be pure. This *Purāṇa* prescribes the purity of water and flesh also. The water collected from the earth’s natural source, water which satisfies the cattle, is pure. The flesh that has been slain by caṇḍālas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/candala#purana>, kravyādas <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kravyada#purana> and other carnivores are said to be pure. The over flow of fluids and fruits knocked down by the birds are pure. Dust, fire, horse <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/horse#hinduism>, cow, the shade, the rays of the sun and moon, the wind, the earth, water drops, mosquitoes and other insects are considered to be pure though they come into contact with impure things. It is also stated that the face of the goat and horse are pure. The ground becomes clean by lapse of time, the rubbing of bodies, passage of cattle and by smearing, digging and sprinkling water and the house is purified by sweeping and by worship <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/worship#hinduism>. Also a thing soiled by ordure is pureed with earth and water and by removing the smell and removing the colour and smell both Things which are made of mud or brick are purified by contact with the wind. Something that is infected with hair lice or sniffed at by a cow or which one is infected with flies is purified by sprinkling earth water and ashes If one touches a menstruous woman, a horse, a jackal, other animals or a woman who recently gave birth to a child, low caste people, he should bathe for his purification. In case of someone eating bad food unknowingly or unwillingly, fasting for three nights is required. If someone takes a small piece of over-maturity damaged rice food then he should rinse out his mouth with water and earth and should sprinkle the remaining food with water. The *Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa* has laids more importance on water for purifying the things like shells, stones, gold, silver, ropes and garments, vegetables, roots, fruits, wicker work vessels, leather, germs, diamonds, coral, pearls and men’s bodies and things that are injured, iron things, oily vessels. Also it is stated that winnowing baskets, grain, antelope skins, pestle, mortar, thick cloths, a store, grass, wood, medicinal herbs are cleansed with sprinkling water. All the woollen things and hair are cleansed with oily sediment of white mustard and cotton <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/cotton#history> things are purified by water and ashes. Timber, ivory, bone an horn are cleaned by scraping; earthen pots are cleaned by re burning. Bark made things are purified by water and earth. Things made of udumbara <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/udumbara#purana> wood are cleansed with vinegar, tin and lead are cleansed with salt and brass things are cleansed with ashes and water. All things are purified with the help of other things. A man, who desires to live long, is directed to avoid the shadow of a lamp-vessel and that of *bihhitaka* and *kuraṇṭa <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kuranta#hinduism>* trees <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tree#hinduism>. It is prohibited to gaze at the orb of the sun at the time of its rising and setting. and to lie down at the time of sunrise and at the time of sunset. The use of a broken seat, bed and cup should be avoided. A man should trim his beard facing east ward or northward. Reading, eating, travelling and sexual intercourse at twilight are prohibited. Again, a man should avoid scratching his head with both hands <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/hand#hinduism> and washing his heads frequently without any cause. He is also prohibited to apply oil on his body after the head bath, to rub his body with oil. A man should never stand with his foot or his leg extended nor should he throw out both his feet and he should not press one foot on the other. III So the plain readings between I & II as belief and sraddha the faith do appear as one and the same; and for a majority both are followed so faithfully, belief and faith look alike. However, there is a thin line in between. THE APPLICATION OF THE MIND. The belief is to drive people into misleading the relief only because of his magic actions and not because of the elements prescribed value. A mantra devised might make the injector pray for a better relief though the cure was effected only by the elements, more than the syllables uttered; it is in a way good and bad in the sense the good injector feels that the cure was not from him but only through HIM; but the bad without knowing anything, by mumbling may fool the crowd for the best cure also. Tjhus belief without verification is dangerous. On the contrary, Faith or shraddha has a enshrined, embedded meaning in the act though, superficially only appear as a belief, ass if there is no difference. The science then did not bother to reveal; today the modern science made out many attributes for those acts, which when completed with the sraddha, resulted in the benefits. Washing hands and legs were taught only as a shraddaha but never followed up as people never had any belief; but those who believed blindly were safer than the affected; shraddha is crossing over the floors, sifting the real from the unreal. And washed hands were advocated by the modern science as proof which was shown only as a shraddha by us. Sifted belief is faith and blind follow up without proper reason is belief. K Rajaram IRS 28 10 23 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Markendeya Yeddanapudi <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 at 06:36 Subject: The Yearning for Belief To: ggroup <[email protected]>, thatha patty < [email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Satyanarayana Kunamneni <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, viswanatham vangapally <[email protected]>, Rajaram Krishnamurthy <[email protected]>, Ramamurti PV <[email protected]>, Rangarajan T.N.C. <[email protected]>, Kunamneni Satyanarayana < [email protected]>, Ramu S <[email protected]>, Deepali Hadker < [email protected]>, Krishnamacharyulu Nanduri < [email protected]> -- *Mar*The Yearning for Belief Belief is functioning symbiosis. It is a natural feature of healthy, happy and free nature. Its growth and enlargement of expanse depends on one’s ability to smell and sense and create the smell flows into paradigms of understanding and perception. The smell exploration takes one to the smell messages of new and new organisms, creating new and new smell phrases, smell clauses and smell sentences. Every sound of nature automatically gets identified with specific smells, and when breathed in, they enter the internal hormonal communication and reach every cell. The cells learn and perform better, in their assigned roles, making the total assembly of cells or simply the organism (person in the case of humans), become healthy, active, happy and symbiotic. One converses continuously with every organism and the Biosphere, creating symphonies and symposiums of new and new perceptions. God grows continuously. Healthy nature means healthy organisms, ultimately the healthy God that administers the symbiosis, the great lord Vishnu, drawing inspiration from Luxmi the Universe of wealth in the shape of wisdom. The wealth created by Luxmi is not economic wealth but the wealth of wisdom from the continuous flow of perception and understanding. The wisdom grows continuously with every breathe and hearing as listening to the sounds of nature. The Universe expands the basically abstract universe of wisdom. The cells learn continuously and grow in wisdom in their assigned mini and specific universe. The cells become wise continuously. A cell is a mini universe,holon in the Holarchy, the Universe. Every organism continuously inhales wisdom and exhales its response with additions to the wisdom. Nature or the Biosphere grows in wisdom, creating new contributions to the evolution. Today we have taken to economic activity which is anti ecological. Ecology creates belief and trust in nature, towards every organism, including the human. Economics which is based on the Newtonian machine, the economic man champions the destruction of nature, the destruction of belief. Every bit of economic activity, harms, wound and kills some or few organisms and creates the cycle of destruction, by poisoning the land, water and air. The economic man, the machine automatically becomes the atheist, the believer in machines and technology only and who lampoons belief in nature or God. He wants the scientific proof or the Cartesian or the mechanical proof only. He simply cannot believe in breathing, smelling and sensing. It is always technology and the techno-logic or the logic of the machine, which educates. The total gamut of breathing from nature, the smells becoming hormones that educate the cells all of which exhale their participatory perception has been killed. The age of disbelief or the age of Robots has arrived. We are moving into the age of introverts, which is ultimately leading to the age of independent cells in the body, cells that need machines to coordinate and function as limbs. The ultimate residue of life is fast becoming the yearning for belief. YM -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqiK55DTWFLmWiBZ5%2B4F8xCs%3D3qLi%3Dr_HFywKW-tOpFCw%40mail.gmail.com.
