FEBRUARY 2017

KDN NO. PP 5004/11/2012 (031258)

Practice, Preserve & Promote

The Religion, Culture & Traditions of Hindus

FEBRUARY 2017

ANBE SIVAM,

SATYAME PARAMASIVAM

சைவ ைித்தாந்த

மன்றம் மலேஷியா

Advisor : Sanga Ratna, Thondar Thilagam N. Thiruvasagam M. Counseling (Hons) UM, B.B.A (Hons) Bolton University, UK

Dip. in Psychology, IHCA, Chennai Dip. in Saiva Siddhanta, Annamlai University, India Prof. Cert. & Trg & Dev, Sheffield University, UK Dip. In Counseling, UM, dip HRM, University New Castle, Australia Certified Trainer for PBSM, Pranic Psychotherapist Healer

Editor : Kailai A. Tamilarasi

Published by : Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia

83A, Jalan Bangsar 59200 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel: 603 – 2283 5045 / 2201 1772 Fax: 603 – 2283 2406 Email: ssmmalaysia@gmail.com

SSM STRUCTURE

SAIVA SIDDHANTA

MANDRAM MALAYSIA

83A, Jalan Bangsar

59200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603 - 2283 5045 /

Tel: 603 - 2201 1772

Fax: 603 - 2283 2406

BANK A/C NO:

8000834979 (CIMB BANK)

HEAD QUARTERS

BRANCH

Saiva Siddhanta Mandram

Malaysia, Klang

No 55A, Jalan Temenggong

Off Jln Sg. Jati,

Taman Sentosa Perdana,

41200 Klang, Selangor D.E.

Tel: 012-2321727 (Bala)

Tel: 017-3636667

(Anumanthan)

ANBU ILLAM – (Home for under privileged boys)

No 2258, Jalan Permata 22, Taman Permata,

53300 Ulu Kelang, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603 - 4107 2809, Fax: 603 - 4161 1741

BANK A/C NO:

8000 823 705 (CIMB BANK)

KARUNAI ILLAM – (Home for under privileged girls)

No 1033, Jalan E4/ 8, Taman Ehsan, 52100 Kepong,

Kuala Lumpur

Tel / Fax: 603 – 6275 5275

BANK A/C NO:

5642 0350 1704 (MAYBANK)

SUPREME COUNCIL MEMBERS

President : N. Thiruvasagam

Vice President : M. Tarmothran

Secretary : G.P. Uvaraj

Asst. Secretary : A. Tamilarasi

Treasurer : T. Murugan

Asst. Treasurer : R. Sundralingam

Committee Members : K. Sarkunamalar

: K.S. Manickam

: Madam T. Vasantha

: Dr. S. Jaya Purany

: S. Mahaletchumy

: M. Jaya Sangker

: B. Murugaya

: R.K. Anumanthan

: V. Nithya Seelan

EDITORIAL

The long awaited month of Thai ( Hindu Calendar ) has begun on the 14th

of January. One group of Tamilians

consider this day as the beginning of the Tamil New year. Those Tamilians who are Hindus will recognize April 14th

as the beginning of the New year.The Tamilians in India , has been having a conflict between two groups. and this

has effected the Tamilians world over. Firstly the question at hand is,one group claims that Ponggal is not a Hindu

festival and its a Tamil cultural festival. This group represents the non- Hindu group. Meaning every Tamilian can

celebrate this festival without any religious attachment. Sad to say the Tamilians who are Muslim and Christian by

religion do not celebrate this festival in India nor outside India. The second group of Tamilians who are Hindus by

religion consider this festival as a religious come cultural celebration.

Basically what is Ponggal festival?. This festival signifies a very important festival for the farmers .On this day the

villagers will gather together to thank the Sun god for providing the necessary climatic conditions for their

cultivation to enjoy a fruitful harvest. Hence it is a known fact that in Hinduism, Suriya worship is very important

not only for the cultivation but also for the daily supply of sunlight to mankind to lead a healthy life. That is why

the first asana in yoga is paying homage to Suria Namaskaram. Hence the farmers will do their thanks giving to the

suria god for their successful harvest. A successful harvest will determine the success of the family in all their

undertakings. Its only through good harvest, can they sell the goods for cash to use in their daily needs.The Hindus

always believe that without God’s grace nothing happens to mankind. Not an atom can move without God’s will.

Similarly we should also not forget rain, which is another important need for agriculture. We have been reading in

the news papers and TV media where hundreds of farmers in India have committed suicide due to shortage of

water. I believe this is a curse by God, because we have not recognized God’s participation in providing sun and

water.

This is an occasion where every member in the village be it small, youth

or the elderly gather together to share their joy of happiness and also to

thank the lord for their grand harvest. Hindus are the only people who

still pay respect to the animals, trees and rivers for their contribution to

mankind by way of service.

It has been for generations, the cow/bull has been a backbone provider

of transport, ploughing the field, used as a grinder for separating husk

from the rice., levering water from the well to the padi fields, providing

natural fertilizer,milk , ghee and it has never failed his master in

performing all the above needs. That is why the cow/bull is considered

the most sacred animal for mankind. The cow provides all the best for

mankind without any complaints or going on strike. In return what do we

give the cow? Unwanted copra cake, dry grass, dirty water for drinking,

badly kept cow shed. and transporting tons of goods from the village to

the city markets daily without any rest. They serve the masters in the

farm during the day and at night they carry all the goods to the city

without much needed rest. Some unscrupulous owners after sucking

everything from the cow, sell it to the Muslims for money. How can god

forgive such cruelty.

I notice in Tamil Nadu, ponggal seems to be a popular celebration

compared to Deepavali. Another aspect that is included in this festival is

called “Bhogi” To many it means to burn all unwanted household items,

which does not serve their needs. It is done on the eve of ponggal. And I

noticed our local Minnal Radio has been talking about burning things. I

think the true meaning is to burn all our negative thoughts, unwanted

hatred within us, becoming very selfish instead of sharing and caring for

the poor and needy ones is what we mean by Bhogi.The Ponggal festival

will be celebrated for three days. The first day is all prayers and

gatherings done at home and temples. The day starts with a beautiful

Kolam done outside the house and very important it is done using rice

floor. Its significant is that when we celebrate, we should also feed the

creatures on earth,insects and animals The second day is s called Mattu

ponggal. To give royal touch to all the cowsbull that has served the

farmers. They will become the special guest where they will be bathed,

decorated with colorful dressing , painting their horns, beautiful bells in

their neck and off course for once they will get the best food for one day

in their life time.

The last day is called Kannip Ponggal. This day is also called Karinal , an

inauspicious day.On this day the villages and the general public will

gather together to enjoy some sports carnival which includes all the

ancient traditional games such as kollatam, sadu kudu, selimbam, singing

of traditional songs and playing various Tamil traditional musical

instruments. It is also a place to meet up with old friends and family

members who have moved to the cities for employment. The highlight of

the day will be the taming of the bull in an open field or streets. Who

ever catches the bull by the horns will be proclaimed as a Hero and he

will be awarded with cash rewards. The champion will be recognized as a

hero of the village. All these goes with a very high risk for their life,

because unlike the Spanish bull fight which has all the rules and

guidelines and it is done in a stadium. In India it is done in the streets

where the public will watch the event with the highest risk for both the

participant and the public. Though many fighters have died in the cause

of fighting the bull, still thousand still take part in the fight. After that its

back to normal for the people in the day of a farmer. Many will return to

their towns to resume their daily life, carrying with them wonderful

memories until the next year.

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FEBRUARY 2017

(Thai/ Maasi)

02 Sasthi

04 Kartigai

08 Pradosham

09 Thaipusam

10 & 11 Pournami

14 Sangatahara Sathurthi

24 Pradosham

24 Maha Sivarathiri

MARCH 2017

(Maasi/ Panguni)

03 Sangatahara Sathurthi

04 Kartigai

06 Sasthi

10 Pradosham

11 Maasi Magam

12 Pournami

21 Sasthi

23 Sivarathiri

25 Pradosham

Members are invited to contribute articles or

share with us about the religious events, festivals and pujas taking place in your areas.

Please email your articles to:

ssmmsivaneri@gmail.com

1. Calendar

2. From The President’s Desk

3. Events

4. Saivite Practices

5. Feature - The Bilva Tree –

The Divine Embodiment of

Lord Shiva

7. Greetings 8. Activities

CALENDAR CONTENTS

HAPPY MAHA SIVARATHIRI

24-2-2017 Anbe Sivam

A

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From The President’s Desk

It’s with great pleasure and with the blessings of Lord Siva that SSMM has taken a bold step towards IT to move towards the needs of the younger generation. For the past 34 years, SSMM has been publishing a beautiful magazine without fail every month called “SIVANERI”. There were many monthly or biennial Hindu magazines published by various organizations. Most of them have either disappeared from the market or the organizations have winded up for good. I must admit that we had many shortcomings in releasing the magazine on time. The reason being we do not have sincere and dedicated volunteers. Secondly we are unable to get original articles for the publication. Thirdly there is a big delay by the printers in delivering the magazine on time. Finally with all the money spent each month most of the time the magazine reaches the home after the events are over. It was with great difficulties and challenges the Management has decided that we should flow with the development of modern needs. There were many requests from members why can’t the magazine be inserted into the Mandram’s Web page? This will allow the members and the public to get access easily anytime and everywhere. After serious discussions and brain storming, the Management decided to have its own web page. We managed to get the services of consultant Mr. Shankar Varman who was appointed as the Mandram consultant and we needed some basic helpers to ensure the magazine is placed in the web page on time. Hence after great efforts, I wish to thank

three people who have come forward to assist us in the maintenance of the web page. They are Ms Tamilarasi, the magazine editor, Mr. Shashi an engineer who has good I.T. knowledge and Mr. Sri who is our graphic designer. This is just the beginning and the web page is still under construction. But we have decided and as promised the February issue will be published in our Web page. Gradually the full outlook of the web page will be revealed once it is completed. In the mean time I urge members to surf through the web page and give positive suggestions to improve the web page. I also humbly seek volunteers who have well IT back ground to come and renderer their services because we have to update all our activities on a regular basis. I also wish to thank Mr. Sentil, the secretary of the Tamil Sangam who has agreed to assist us in providing regular Tamil articles, related to language, religion, culture, traditions and customs of the Tamil people. I also would like to thank our printers Mr. Manikam, who has been printing the magazine without much profit that was his small way of contributing towards the Mandram. The web page will have the following sections, such as Photo gallery, face book, religious articles, children corner, yoga, siddha medicine, vegetarian recipes’, upcoming events, you tube, audio section, Branch activities international section connecting with world organizations, Karunai Illam and Anbu Illam updates, Q & A on our religion. I also would like to welcome any special functions carried out by our members to be sent to the Mandram’s email so that we can include them in our magazine. This is also our preparations to organize the next World Saiva Council Conference in Kuala Lumpur. We urge all our members to make the change towards enhancing IT so that we can keep pace with the changing world. Let’s all pray that our

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mini launch on the 1st

of February 2017 will take off without any problems. Those who still feel that you want the Sivaneri to be mailed; I suggest that you can request the magazine to be sent via email by notifying the Mandram through email or by a letter.

Service is our business.

QUOTES FROM SAINT

TIRUVALLUVAR

What has learning profited a

man, If it has not lead him to

worship the Good Feet of Him

who is pure knowledge itself?

Keep the mind free of impurity

– that alone is the practice of

virtue. All else is nothing but

empty display… Virtue yields

heaven’s honor and earth’s

wealth. What is there then

that is more fruitful for a

man?

Keep yourself free for the following

activities/ events organized by SSMM.

Maha Sivarathiri

Organized by: Saiva Siddhanta

Mandram Malaysia (SSMM)

Vanakkam Members & Hindu Devotees,

With regards to the above religious

ceremony, the Mandram has moved to

conduct the above pooja from the

Bangsar, HQ to a temple premise. The

details are as follows:

Date: 24th February 2017

Venue: Sri Sidthi Vinayagar Kovil

Jalan Brunei, Off Jalan Pasar.

(Next to ICC Pudu and Pudu

Plaza.)

Pooja starts at 7.30pm

Participants Dress Code:

Ladies: Sarees/Punjabi dress

Men : Vesti and Jipa

The Mandram has conducted Maha

Sivaratheri in this temple about 20 years

ago. Now the Management has once

again invited the Mandram to host the

EVENTS

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prayers in their Temple. This temple had

just renovated the temple at the cost of 4

million and Maha Kumbaabshiegam was

completed in 2016. I urge all Mandram

members to join us and also bring along

your family members and friends to get

the blessings of Lord Siva. There will be 4

poojas starting from 9pm, 12midnight,

3am and 6am. Together with poojas,

there will be a Homa ceremony which will

be continued from 8pm to 6am next day.

All those who wish to take part in the

Homa, should observe one week of

vegetarian meals. Those between the

ages of 10 years and above are allowed to

take part. Those who wish take part will

have to pay RM 10.00 per person. Both

male and female are allowed to take part

in the Homa.

The following items are needed for the

poojas and Homa. Those who wish to

donate are most welcome.

Milk, Tumeric powder, Ghee oil, Honey,

All types of fruits, Vilva leaves,

Pomegranate fruits ,Sandle powder,

gingerly oil, ricefloor, abhishega kootu,

saffronpowder, yogurt, vibuthi scented

water incense, camphor, Paneer water,

and Young coconuts

All members, family and friends are

invited to participate in this very

auspicious pooja.

For further details:

017-2401906 (Thiru), 014-2237122

(Manikam), 03-22764466 (Vasantha)

010-7793905 (Muthiah) or (Mandram 03-

22011772 between 6pm to 10pm)

**********

Offerings of perfumed

substances, flowers, incense,

lamps and fresh fruits – these

are the five elements of the

traditional puja which

culminates with the offering of

the lamps.

-- Kamika Agama

THE PANCHA NITYA

KARMAS

Pancha Nitya Karmas means "five constant duties." These traditional religious obligations, when properly performed, bring one close to the holy feet of our Great God Siva and fulfill the basic obligation we owe to our religion and ourselves. They are listed below.

1. Upasana: Worship in the Home

Shrine and Temple The dear children are taught daily worship in the family shrine room - rituals, disciplines, chants, yogas and religious study. They learn to be secure through devotion in home and temple, wearing traditional dress, bringing forth love of the Divine and preparing the mind for serene meditation.

2. Utsava: Holy days

The dear children are taught to participate in Hindu festivals and holy

SAIVITE PRACTICES

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days in the home and temple. They learn to be happy through sweet communion with God at such auspicious celebrations. Utsava includes fasting and attending the temple on Monday or Friday and observing other holy days.

3. Dharma: Virtuous Living

The dear children are taught to live a life of duty and good conduct. They learn to be selfless by thinking of others first, being respectful of parents, elders and swamis, following divine law, especially ahimsa, mental, emotional and physical noninjury to all beings. Thus they resolve karmas.

4. Tirthayatra: Pilgrimage

The dear children are taught the value of pilgrimage and are taken at least once a year for darshan of holy persons, temples and places, near or far. They learn to be detached by setting aside worldly affairs and making God, Gods and gurus life’s singular focus during these journeys.

5. Samskara: Rites of Passage

The dear children are taught to observe the many sacraments which mark and sanctify their passages through life. They learn to be traditional by celebrating the rites of birth, name-giving, head-shaving, first feeding, ear-piercing, first learning, coming of age, marriage and death.

The Bilva Tree – The

Divine Embodiment of

Lord Shiva

Maha Shivaratri is considered the most auspicious time to please Lord Shiva to gain his blessings. What is the simplest way of appeasing Lord Shiva? Offer him Bilva leaves.

The most terrible karma is destroyed when a Bilva leaf is offered to Lord Shiva. The unbelievable merits one receives on offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva are described in the 9 verses of the sacred hymn known as Bilvashtakam.

Glory of the Bilva Tree

Scientific Name – Aegle Mermelos English Name – Golden Apple/ Stone Apple Just like Tulsi plant is sacred to Lord

Krishna and Durva grass is sacred to

Lord Ganesha, Bilva tree is sacred to

Lord Shiva. Since the Bilva leaf has

FEATURE

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such significance in the worship of

Lord Shiva, it is common to find Bilva

trees cultivated in the vicinity of Shiva

temples.

According to Shiva Purana, the great epic on Lord Shiva, the Bilva tree is the manifest form of Lord Shiva himself, while all the great tirthas (pilgrimage places) are said to reside at its base. One who worships the Shiva Linga while sitting under the Bilva tree attains the highest bliss of oneness with Lord Shiva.

For Happiness and Prosperity – Perform Bilva Pooja with flowers and incense

For Supreme Knowledge – Light deepa (lamp) before Bilva tree For Freedom from Vice – Remove new leaves from one of the branches of Bilva tree and worship the tree with them Growth of Virtue – Feed a Shiva devotee under the Bilva

Medicinal Properties of Bilva

Tree

Ayurveda (science of health) values the Bilva highly for the medicinal properties contained in its root, fruit and leaves. These are used in various Ayurvedic preparations. Root – A preparation made from the root with ginger and toasted rice cures vomiting. For the treatment of piles, dysentery and diarrhoea, a

preparation is made from the root mixed with another tuberous root. The oil extracted from the Bilva root, boiled with the juice of Bilva leaves and applied to the head is excellent for nasal catarrh and diseases of the ear.

Fruit – Its pale tawny flesh is sweet and astringent, containing tannin, which acts as an astringent to the

bowels. It has a pleasant, agreeable and aromatic flavor, and provides an excellent dietary supplement. The pulp of the dried Bilva fruit, powdered and mixed with arrowroot, is called ‘dietetic Bel’. It is both a sustaining food and a curative medicine.

Leaves – The consumption of Bilva leaves alleviates diseases caused by excess vata and kapha (mucus). They are also useful in diabetes mellitus. For this, a few leaves should be chewed daily and their fresh juice drunk. They are diaphoretic (producing more perspiration), thus reducing temperature and lowering fevers, and an aphrodisiac. A decoction of leaves is a favorite remedy for ailments that often occur during seasonal changes, such as fever, flu and fatigue.

Plant a Bilva Tree this Maha

Shivaratri

May the next tree you plant be a Bilva Tree! It will not only show your commitment towards greening the environment, but also display your

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concern for humanity, given such divine merits and medicinal value of the Bilva Tree.

A bilva sapling must be tenderly nurtured and protected until it has reached a certain height right for transplanting. Quite like a fragile baby bird that must be carefully tended until such time it leaves the nest to flourish independently.

Offering One Bilva Leaf = Dissolution of sins done in 3 births

Offering One Bilva Leaf = Merits from performance of auspicious Soma Yagna

Offering One Bilva Leaf = Merits from conducting 1 crore weddings

If such is the value of one Bilva leaf,

you can imagine the unsurpassable worth of the Bilva tree itself. It is said that merely seeing and touching a Bilva tree frees one from sins.

Source: http://astroved.com/

************

“Ignorance is the mother of all the

evil and all the misery we see. Let

men have light, let them be pure

and spiritually strong and educated,

then alone will misery cease in the

world, not before. We may convert

every house in the country into a

charity asylum, we may fill the land

with hospitals, but the misery of

man will still continue to exist until

man's character changes.”

― Swami Vivekananda

GREETINGS

Birthday Wishes to all

Members who are celebrating their

Birthdays this

FEBRUARY

May Lord Siva grant his loving, unfailing protection and may your heart be filled

only with pure thoughts. Wish you a very

“Happy Birthday”

*****

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MONTHLY SIVARATHRI POOJA The Monthly Sivarathri Pooja was held on

25th

January 2017. Following the recital of

Thirumurai, Malar Vazhlipadu and Deepa

Aarathanai, Prasadam was served to all

devotees. May God Siva’s divine blessings

enrich our lives.

GURU THIRUVADY POOJA Guru Thiruvady Pooja of Guru Maha

Sannithanam His Holiness Seer Valar Seer

Sivaprakasa Desika Paramacharya

Swamigal was held on 3rd

January 2017.

Recital of Thirumurai, Thiruvady Prayer,

Malar Vazhlipadu followed by Deepa

Aarathanai was witnessed by devotees

who attended the pooja.

ANBU ILLAM/ KARUNAI ILLAM

PONGGAL CELEBRATION The Staffs and Children at Rumah

Kebajikan Karunai Illam Celebrated

Ponggal on the 14th

of January 2016 at

their New house. Children dressed in

traditional outfits made kolam outside the

house and helped the wardens prepare

the sweet ponggal. Later, the Ponggal was

served to God and Puja was performed.

Prasadam was served to everyone.

RAHMANIAC MALAYSIA

An official fan club of the renown Indian music composer, A. R. Rahman, Rahmaniac Malaysia had organised a dinner to celebrate the 50th birthday of A.R Rahman on 6 January 2017 whereby the children of Rumah Kebajikan Anbu Illam were invited to celebrate the occasion. The dinner was held at the Moghul Mahal, Menara Kuala Lumpur and a contribution by the club was made to the home in the form of gift vouchers.

The Supreme Council members of Persatuan Saiva Siddhanta Malaysia, Mr. G.P. Uva Raj and Mr. T. Murugan together with the children attended the dinner.

ACTIVITIES

Basic Hinduism Course

Tamil/ Thevaram/ Astrology Classes

Foster Home for Underprivileged Children and Senior Citizens

Library on Spiritual & Religious Collection

Religious Camp for Children

Religious Tours (Yaathirai)

Service Centre for Culture, Education, Religious and Moral Advancement

Religious Seminars and Conferences

Personal Counseling

Religious and Spiritual Discourses

Monthly Shivarathri Poojas

Annual Maha Shivarathri Pooja

Fund Raising Projects

Volunteers to assist in SAIVA SIDDHANTA MANDRAM’s various activities

Volunteers to tutor, counsel, motivate and interact with the Foster Home’s residents

Monetary contribution (which are tax exempted) to manage our homes and activities

Sponsor meals and host of other things required at the Foster Homes

Contact us: Tel: 017-2401906 / 012-6611421 / 013-3321863

If you have monetary contribution, please issue cheque in favour of

PERSATUAN SAIVA SIDDHANTA MALAYSIA

And mail to:

*All Donations are Tax Exempted

Services/ Activities of Saiva Siddhanta Mandram

Needs of Saiva Siddhanta Mandram

How you can help?

Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia

PO Box 12926

50794 Kuala Lumpur

SAIVITE CREEDS

Lord Siva is God, whose Absolute Being, Parasiva, transcends time, form and

space.

God, whose immanent nature of love, Parashakti, is the substratum, primal

substance or pure consciousness flowing through all form as energy, existence,

knowledge and bliss.

Lord Siva is God, whose immanent nature is the Primal Soul, Supreme

Mahadeva, Paramesvara, author of Vedas and Agamas, the creator, preserver

and destroyer of all that exists.

Three worlds: the gross plane, where souls take on physical bodies; the subtle

plane, where souls take on astral bodies; and the causal plane, where souls exist

in their self-effulgent form.

The law of karma that one must reap the effects of all actions he has caused and

that each soul continues to reincarnate until all karmas are resolved and

moksha, liberation, is attained.

Religion is the harmonious working together of the three worlds and that this

harmony can be created through temple worship, wherein the beings of all

three worlds can communicate.

The Panchakshara mantra, the five sacred syllables “Namasivaya,” as Saivism’s

foremost and essential mantra. The secret of Namasivaya is to hear it from the

right lips at the right time.