Maitreyi Paradigm- The Art and Science of Being Happy
  • Home
  • Maitreyi
  • Ancient Wisdom
  • Inner Healing
  • Wellness
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Inspired Living
  • Contact Us
    • Terms & Condtions

What is a Panchang and how it can help us?

11/23/2021

0 Comments

 
The Vedic calendar, written as panchang or panchanga, is a book that presents dates and times in a tabular format. It follows traditional Vedic timekeeping units and is commonly found in most Indian (Hindu) homes. It is a highly respected and widely used almanac in many Indian communities, in India and worldwide. 
​

The word panchang indicates that this Vedic calendar is made up of five ‘limbs’ (ang) i.e., five parts. These five parts are Vara (day), Tithi (lunar day of the month), Nakshatra (lunar constellation), Yoga (celestial combinations that indicate auspicious and inauspicious times) and Karana (which is half of a tithi). Karana indicates the time it takes for the moon to traverse six degrees in its path around the earth. Two Karana-s make up one Tithi.
Picture
So basically, Panchang are the five limbs of the Vedic almanac, which are calculated as per the movement of the moon thru the sky, i.e., thru the various lunar constellations (nakshatras) and the various resulting celestial combinations that are formed in the process. Panchang helps priests and astrologers choose the right time for important occasions like weddings and funerals. It also helps people by outlining auspicious periods for important vrats or upavas, i.e., for ritualistic fasting and prayer-sadhanas.

The Hindus as well as others who follow the Vedic tradition, use panchang to plan their daily, weekly, and longer-term activities. It can be a useful guide for all aspects of life, from personal relationships to career goals. Depending on the time of a certain day, they can determine the best time to take important decisions and conduct crucial actions.

In addition, Panchang provides valuable information to astrologers. A good Panchang is an indispensable tool for the Vedic Astrologer (Jyotishi) which they need to refer in order to determine their predictions of key occurrences and events.

Panchang is also useful to an individual to ascertain the best time for major undertakings. It can be used to decipher the auspicious times for specific activities such as pooja (ritual-prayer), register a new business, inaugurate an importance place such as home or office and so on.

In olden days, people would traditionally start the day by reading the panchang for that day in the morning… to determine specific times for their daily activities.

In our modern context, we can utilize the power of Panchang along with a scheduling application to strategize and plan our key endeavors in a way that can benefit us to the maximum extent.
​

We all know the effect moon has on our body and our surroundings. Right from high tidal waves to higher blood pressure have been linked with the moon’s motion. So, by referring to the Vedic panchang, we can harness this power of daily lunar transit to time our activities in a strategic manner to increase our chance of accomplishment and success. ​

Read further:

  • How can we benefit from utilizing Muhurta (auspicious time) when doing important activities?
  • Understanding the concept of Tithi in The Vedic Calendar (Panchang)
  • What is Panchak Yoga and why is it inauspicious to start worldly activities during the Panchak kaal (period or phase)?
  • ​Utilize the "Power of Light" to achieve your goals & ambitions​
Picture
0 Comments

Understanding the concept of Tithi in The Vedic Calendar (Panchang)

9/6/2021

0 Comments

 
Tithi in Vedic Astrology is one of the most important concepts. Tithi is one of five elements in the Vedic (or Hindu) Panchang (Five Parts of the Vedic Calendar). The rest are Nakshatra, Yoga, Vara and Karana. Each Tithi lasts between 21.5 and 26 hours. Tithi also defines almost all Hindu festivals.

Tithi refers to the first phase/portion among the 16 phases of the lunar cycle. It indicates a lunar day. The complete waxing cycle (Shukla Paksha, or the brighter phase) has 15 tithis. It begins at Amavasya, the last day in the dark half of a lunar moon month and ends at Purnima the full Moon. The other 15 tithis, are part of the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha, or the darker phase), that begins at Amavasya and ends at Purnima. These tithis for the two phases are called the same, though their actual meaning and importance varies very greatly on if they fall within the waxing or the waning phase of the moon.
​
Vedic astrology says that a person's birth Tithi can have a significant impact on their personality and life. Astrology also uses tithis to identify auspicious and unlucky muhurtas (special times) for significant occasions.
Picture
​Colloquially we find that Vedic Astrologers associate the waxing phase tithis with auspiciousness and material goodness, whereas they associate the waning phase tithis with ill-effects of a ‘malignant’ moon. Also, we find many references where these astrologers would define auspiciousness based on whether a person was born during the day or the night. BUT one needs to keep in mind, that Lord Krishna, who was the very divine incarnation on earth and was ‘sarva guna sampann’- i.e., he had all the desirable qualities and attributes, was born during the Krishna Paksha and that too at night!!

So, it is very important to consider the details mentioned within the classical texts with a bigger picture in mind. Are you simply looking to learn about the tithis and utilize them for mundane gains in life? ‘or’ are you looking to learn about the tithis and then utilize their knowledge to better your life in a conscious a-karm manner? The a-karm way, which was taught by Lord Krishna allows us to tarry thru the worst situations in life and in a way, defy what mundane astrology predicts for a person. The power of Divine Grace and Blessings is absolutely unsurpassed, and we always need to keep that in mind…
​
Now coming back to tithis, a tithi is defined according to the Sun-Moon correlation. After the new moon (or the full moon as the case may be) the first Tithi falls 12 degrees from the Sun. The next 12-degree from the Sun is the second Tithi and so on. One needs to note that these tithis are not defined at sunrise. They can change at any hour of the day or night. 
​The Fifteen Tithi-s are called with specific names and there are many famous festivals associated with each tithi. Details are as follows:
​
  1. Pratipada- This is also called as Padva and the most famous first tithi day is the Bali Pratipada which falls during the festive time of Diwali.
  2. Dooja- The most famous festival celebrated on the dooja tithi is the Bhai Dooj, which is also celebrated during the festive Diwali time and marks the special bond shared between a brother and sister.
  3. Tritiya- The most famous festival celebrated on a Tritiya is the Akshaya Tritiya.
  4. Chaturthi- The most famous festival celebrated on a Chaturthi is Ganesh Chaturthi.
  5. Panchami- The most famous festival celebrated on a Panchami tithi is Nag Panchami.
  6. Shashti- The most famous festivals celebrated on a Shashti tithi are the Skanda Shashti as well as the Surya Shashti.
  7. Saptami- The most famous festival celebrated on a Saptami tithi is the Ratha Saptami.
  8. Ashtami- The most famous festival celebrated on a Ashtami tithi is the Gokulashtami.
  9. Navami- Ram Navami is the most famous festival that is celebrated on a navami tithi. It comes towards the end (9th day) of the Chaitra Navaratri… i.e., the special nine nights festival for the worship and celebration of Ma Durga at the start of Spring.
  10. Dashami- Vijaya Dashami, which comes at the end of the Sharada Navaratri… i.e., the special festive time of nine nights for the worship and celebration of Ma Durga in the autumn months.
  11. Ekadashi- The most famous festival celebrated on a Ekadashi tithi is the Devashayani Ekadashi which is also called as the Ashada Ekadashi as it falls in the Vedic month of Ashada.
  12. Dwadashi- The most famous festival that is celebrated on a Dwadashi tithi is the Govatsa Dwadashi, which is dedicated to the worship of cows and calves.
  13. Triyodashi- The most famous festival celebrated on a Triyodashi tithi is the Dhana Triyodashi, which is also celebrated during the festive days of Diwali.
  14. Chaturdashi- Kali Chaudas and Anant Chaturdashi are the most famous festivals celebrated on a Chaturdashi tithi. Kali Chaudas is celebrated during the start of Diwali, right after Dhana Triyodashi and Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated at the end of the ten days special celebration of Lord Ganesh, which starts with Ganesh Chaturthi and ends with Anant Chaturdashi.
  15. Purnima (or Amavasya)- There are many special festivals celebrated during the Purnima and Amavasya tithi of which, Guru Purnima and Hanuman Jayanti are the most famous festivals celebrated on a Purnima tithi and Laxmi Puja and Shani Jayanti are the most famous festivals celebrated on the Amavasya tithi.

Read further:

  • Is the Wisdom of Grahas- astrology or science?
  • How can we benefit from utilizing Muhurta (auspicious time) when doing important activities?
  • ​​Karma Yoga- The Yoga of Non-action​
Picture
0 Comments

Use of Aroma Therapy in Ayurveda

7/25/2021

0 Comments

 
Aromatherapy was used in ancient Vedic science of healing called "Ayurveda" or literally the "Science of Life". The typical mode of its usage was using incense and other methods of inhalation or fumigation. 
​
The powerful fragrant scent of incense is supposed to purify the mind, body and spirit. During religious rituals and other ceremonies, the scent rising upwards is supposed to take our prayers, requests, and gratitude towards heaven.

We find a very important and surprisingly similar correlation to lighting incense and religious ceremonies all across the world across various religions and faiths.
Picture

Aromas for the various Ayurvedic Body Type

Some typical aromas for Vata types are-
Warming and pleasant aromas are best for Vata types. Care should be taken that the fragrances are not over-stimulating, since that would have an adverse effect on the already nervous Vata mental state.

Fragrances such as Sandalwood, Lotus, Cinnamon, Camphor and Basil are best for Vata types.

Some typical aromas for Pitta are-
Cooling and pleasant aromas are best for Pitta types.

Fragrances such as Sandalwood, Rose, Lemongrass, Lotus, Lavender, Lily, Gardenia and Iris are best for Pitta types.

Some typical aromas for Kapha are-
Spicy and Resinous aromas are best for the Kapha types.

Fragrances such as Clove, Sage, Cedar, Frankincense and Myrrh are best for Kapha types.

The mixed Ayurvedic body types could use aromas from either of the dosha types category, depending on which dosha is more predominant at a given time or for whose imbalance therapeutic healing is sought.
Picture
0 Comments

Determining your Ayurvedic Body Type- part 2

7/12/2021

0 Comments

 
​Doshas are helpful in defining the physical attributes of an individual, but the psychological behavior and mind set of individuals is explained by gunas only.

Sattva guna defines the purity of thoughts. On physical level its expression is in the form of calm and composed behavior and a tranquil mind set. Due to its purity sattva is always referred to as guna. It is never spoiled and hence never called as a dosha.

On the other hand, rajas and tamas are called as ‘maanas’ doshas. They are considered to be the triggering factors that cause mental illness, hence have been termed as doshas.
Picture
Physiology is interlinked with psychology. The deviation in one will affect the other.  In simple terms, Ayurveda deeply evaluates and addresses all mind and body relations and coordination.

The diseased body affects the mind which is a cause of feeling irritated and fatigued when one suffers from an ailment. Vice versa occurs when a person is not mentally fit, he tends to feel fatigued and may complain of other symptoms which are related to thought process only.

This is the main tool in ayurveda while making a diagnosis. Exploring the cause is done on the basis of doshas but elaboration of the extent of the disease is made possible by defining gunas only. Rajas guna dominant individual shows aggression in behaviour and is leads an active life. On the other hand a tamas guna individual is generally depressed and has a negative feeling about everything around.

During treatment both of these aspects are considered and applied. Physical well being is affected by mind-set and vice versa. Holistic health which is a combination of healthy mind and body can only be attained when doshas and gunas are in sync with each other and in harmony with the external environment. 
Picture
0 Comments

Determining your Ayurvedic Body Type- part 1

7/4/2021

0 Comments

 
There are numerous factors which decide the prakriti of an individual. Prakriti is the expression of dominant doshas. But it is not the sole factor responsible for carving the whole personality of an individual.

Gunas are equivalent contributors. Though, they are subtle in expression and are generally exhibited by their properties or qualities.
​
Doshas explain the physical attributes and vulnerability to various probable diseases of an individual. A regime to avoid these diseases and lead a healthy and contented life is also mentioned in the ayurvedic texts. But this is the half aspect of a wider view.
Picture
  • Aakash/ ether is dominant in sattva guna.
  • Vaayu/ air is dominant in rajas guna.
  • Agni/ fire is dominant in sattva and rajas gunas.
  • Jal/ water is dominant in sattva and tamas gunas.
  • Prithvi/ earth is dominant in tamas guna.
This clearly depicts the interaction and dependence of doshas and gunas.
​The other aspect, the mind which governs all the physiological and psychological processes is comprehensively explained by gunas only. There are certain attributes of doshas that tend to define the probable mind set of the individual but gunas provide a detailed illustration of the same.

Doshas are made up of panchmahabhootas, the five basic elements of the nature: aakash (ether), vaayu (air), agni (fire), jal (water) and prithvi (earth). These panchmahabhootas further comprises of three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas.
Picture
0 Comments

Dincharya- Daily Health Routine as per Ayurveda (The ancient Science of Health & Wellbeing)

7/2/2021

0 Comments

 
​According to Ayurveda, the ancient science of Life & Healing from India, each day we should start our morning by the following a daily routine steps, called as Dincharya. These help to maintain high energy levels throughout the day and a genuine sense of health and wellbeing. 

Daily Early Morning Routine:

  • Wake up early in the morning, preferably between 4.30 am (for Kapha) to 6.00 am (for Vata). 
  • Say a short prayer or take a moment to be conscious of your true essence before stepping out of the bed. Giving thanks for a wonderful night’s sleep and requesting guidance for the day is also a good way to start the day. 
  • Brush your teeth, rinse your mouth very well and wash your face. Scrape your tongue. Splash some cool water on your eyes. Doing this is not only refreshing, but much of digestive toxins get settled in the mouth overnight (called Ama) and washing your mouth first thing is a great way to rid one’s body of these toxins and prevent any accumulation! 
  • Drink atleast one glass of warm to room temperature water. Drinking from a copper glass where you have kept water overnight in it is the best way. But fresh spring water also works well. This helps with smooth bowel movements and gets elimination system to a good start. It gets the body ready to expel toxins and undigested materials from previous day. 
  • Swish some sesame oil in your mouth and gargle with it. It is a great way to lubricate your mouth and also help strengthen gums, teeth and arrest/heal any mouth sores or ulcers. 
  • Next chew on a handful of sesame seeds. This helps strengthen teeth and gums. Alternatively, one can chew on 3-5 dried dates and an inch of dried coconut meat. Chewing in the morning stimulates the liver and stomach and improves digestive fire. After chewing, brush your teeth again without using any toothpaste or powder. 
Picture

Other Daily Routine (Dincharya) Steps:

Add 3 to 5 drops of sesame oil in your ear. This is believed to help with maintaining good hearing and ear health. Similarly, adding 3 to 5 drops of sesame oil in each nostril is believed to help with cleansing and lubricating the nasal cavity and help with cleaning out sinuses. This is also believed to improve voice, vision, and mental clarity. 
Since our nose is the door to the brain, so nose drops nourish our overall prana and help with improved brain working (intelligence). 
​
Next massage your head and body with some good massage oil or plain sesame oil. This helps to lubricate the skin, bones and joint. Doing this before going to bed ensures sound sleep.

In addition to these daily, dincharya routine steps also conduct atleast one session of Pranayama and daily Meditation to ensure high every level throughout the day.

Note: as always, make sure that you conduct these and any other health regimen changes with due  consideration for your specific  situation AND with proper consultation with a medical doctor.
Picture
0 Comments

Concept of Gunas in Ayurveda

6/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Guna is a Sanskrit word which has different meanings. In Ayurveda, guna refers to strands of a cord. Three gunas mean the three strands of a cord. This name has been attributed since the three gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas; are intertwined with one another in a form to give rise to a strong cord- our physical existence, our body.

In the present context it can be translated that these gunas are different entities, but their existence is in such a harmony that it collectively gives an expression to prakriti. Guna is a tendency to perform action and not an action in itself. It is the underlying expression behind the actions of an individual.

Gunas are three in number and described by ‘samkhya darshan’. These are sattva, rajas and tamas...
Picture
Sattva guna: - sattva guna is buoyant, lightened and depicts contentment. It fastens any action and therefore is also termed as accelerator in nature. It aids in realization of knowledge and physical senses. Mind, wisdom, enlightenment are its attributes only. Buoyancy is its main characteristic. It leads to a feeling of free flowing and raises one above the worldly chores. As a result, all forms of contentment, happiness, fulfilment, and pleasure are abundant in sattva guna. It is mainly expressed by white color.

Rajas guna: - rajas guna symbolizes the motion. It is the main factor behind creation of any and all actions. Sattva and tamas guna are themselves unable to execute their functions without the help of rajas guna. All kinds of actions in nature are considered to be due to rajas guna only. That is why; it is also called as the initiator in nature. Rajas guna is responsible behind all the feelings of suffering, misery and all other kinds of physical and mental tension. Rajas guna is expressed in red colour.

Tamas guna: - tamas guna symbolizes the obstruction and is heavy in nature. It drags everything down wards only, which can be termed as gravity. This characteristic is an absolute opposite to the buoyant trait of sattva guna. It obstructs the light and can also be defined as inertia. Due to this factor it tends to stop everything in motion, from the very tiny cell to gross cosmic creation. It envelops wisdom and thence hinders knowledge. It leads to darkness and is represented by black color.
The relevance of these three gunas is comprehensible and applicable in medical science. As, these gunas are present in individuals and are expressed in the dominant form only. A sattva guna individual will have a calm, tranquil and meditative mindset. Rajas guna individual will be active but very much encored in worldly pleasures and may show aggression in behavior. Tamas guna dominant individual may exhibit traits like lethargy, depression, and a basic inactivity in behavior.

These three guna are characteristically different from each other but they work in unison. They are the basics of human existence as well as the whole universe and lifecycle in a larger perspective.

To simplify, Sattva guna is accelerator, rajas guna is the initiator, and tamas guna is the obstructer or destructor. All of the three functions are important and necessary to strike a balance in nature.
Picture
0 Comments

Three Doshas in Ayurveda- part 2 of 2

6/22/2021

0 Comments

 
The main properties or qualities of three doshas are enumerated below:
​Vata as defined by the name circulates in the whole body. It is also defined as the initiating power of all the functions of the body. It is the main transporter in the body. Vata is most crucial of all the three doshas and treating it is considered as half of the complete regime.  

Other two doshas- pitta and kapha are dependent on vata only for their movement. Vata controls all the organ systems of the body and help in smooth functioning. Ingestion of food, speech, respiration, digestion, and expulsion of waste material in the form of feces is facilitated by Vata only. Nervous system is also governed by vata dosha.
Picture
Pitta is a fire element and thence is responsible for digestive functions and various other functions which dissipate heat like comprising complexion of the body, etc. Pitta can be defined as controlling the functions those results in exothermic reactions, viz. Digestion, pigmentation, regulation of body temperature, formation of erythroblasts, maintaining vision etc. 

Kapha comprises predominantly of water and earth elements. It helps in smooth execution of various functions in the body, viz. Production of digestive juices, lubricating various joints and membranes in the body in the form of synovial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid etc.

Doshas are the principle metabolic forces, and they control the physiological processes and psychological behavior of an individual.  
Picture
0 Comments

Three Doshas in Ayurveda- part 1 of 2

6/14/2021

0 Comments

 
​Doshas are the basic constituents of a human body. They are three in number and are classified as: Vata (air), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm).

Doshas have a capability of affecting other constituents of the body which are termed as ‘dhatu’ and ‘mala’. Due to this capability and property of affecting/ spoiling healthy tissues the term ‘dosha’ is assigned to them.
According to Ayurveda, the whole mortal creation is standing on the foundation of five basic elements which are called as ‘pancha-mahabhootas’.  
Picture
​These five elements are: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Doshas are no exception and are made up of a combination of these pancha-mahabhootas only. Vata is combination of ether and air, pitta is comprised by fire and kapha is a constitution of earth and water. Though, all the five elements are present in differing proportions, but the dominant ones are characteristically expressed.

A balance between these three constituents of body results in health whereas any deviation from the normalcy leads to development of disease. In balanced form, doshas carry out the normal functioning of the various metabolic processes in body like normal nervous system functioning, carrying out digestion and lubricating various parts and joints to facilitate free and easy movement of the limbs.

​These three doshas are invisible with naked eyes. But they can be defined as the principles of the metabolism which are responsible for carrying out the basic functions of body.
 
Doshas define the prakriti of an individual right from the time of conception. Prakriti is the individual’s constitution of body. It is different and distinguished for every individual. Prakriti also helps to explain the vulnerability of an individual to various diseases and explains the reason behind several so-called idiopathic factors in modern science.

An individual can enjoy a disease free and healthy life by knowing his doshaj prakriti. By inculcating defined measures and precautions one can lead a healthy life and can keep the diseases at a bay.
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    ... also check out
    ​our main Blog

    Picture

    Vedic Wisdom

    Categories

    All
    Aartis And Chalisas
    Festival Celebrations
    Gods And Deities
    Help From Vedas
    Inspiring Quotations
    Jyotish For Ascension
    Myths And Beliefs
    Practical Ayurveda
    Prayers And Sadhanas
    Rishis And Sages
    Shloka For The Week
    Stories And Legends
    Tantra Mantra Yantra
    The Bhagavad Gita
    Thought Bytes
    Tools And Methods
    Vedic Archetypes
    Vedic Arts
    Vedic Living
    Vedic Maths
    Vedic Science
    Vedic Sounds
    Vedic Symbolism
    Vedic Technologies
    Vedic Texts
    Vedic Tradition
    Wisdom Bytes

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Vedic Culture, which   is the culture of the original Himalayan Masters,    is one of the most advanced ancient civilizations.  It is a tradition which has given mankind several treasures such Yoga, Meditation, Conscious-Living and Vedic Sciences such as Ayurveda, Vedic Physics & Vedic Mathematics.

    It was always a scientific culture that understood the very mechanics and workings of this Universe. Their deities, their gods and goddesses were all a way of expressing and explaining these energies and their inter-working. Modern Quantum Mechanics is just starting to understand string theory, dark matter etc. which have all been fundamental to the Vedic understanding. Because of this, they developed ways and methods which allowed one to best tap into life-energy itself.

    Vedic Culture, as it was practiced by the Himalayan Masters, was always a "way of life" and not a religion.

    Their basic view was that, there is only ONE Supreme God-head (God as our creator) and each one of us can find our path to it- experience union with that divinity (Yoga) in their own way.

    Because of this, anyone with any religious affiliations and beliefs can still benefit from their knowledgeable ways of Vedic Wisdom.

    Our attempt here is to present this ancient wisdom in a modern light, so our readers can interpret the true, essential meaning more easily and then extrapolate it to their own specific scenarios and enhance the quality of their life and being-ness.
    Check out Maitreyi's latest books...
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
© Copyright 2023 Maitreyi Gautam, Sandhya Bhat & ​Macro2Micro Media *** ALL RIGHTS RESERVED *** See Terms & Conditions for details on this site usage.