– Coconut- water element – Haldi, Chandan, Kumkum- earth element – Akshat (unprocessed rice grains)- air element – Ghee or water – little lamp- fire element – tulsi (holy basil) leaves- ether element
Our body is made up of five elements- ether, earth, water, fire, air. We associate our identity with the penta-elemental mass, we forget the Soul. Once the penta-elements are purified, we begin losing our association with body and mind, our affinity with our true identity rises. When we move the platter in a circular manner and recite the mantra, our penta-elements are purified and the one who is being posed before the platter, also undergoes purification. The choice of coconut as a sacred fruit is hidden in its basic structure. The coconut is surrounded by hairy exocarp. The hard shell is adorned by two dots, which indicates two eyes. Another secondary dot indicates the mouth. When we break the fruit, we unveil a beautiful white fleshy pulp, which indicates the mind. When the same mind undergoes changes, treated by the catalyst of Guru, we realize the soul, which is symbolized as clear fresh water of the coconut. The ritual of breaking a coconut at the alter indicates that we crumble our ego at the Divine feet of Lord, for we can truly enjoy the ambrosia of soul. But, now-a-days, we see our friends and imitate the rites and rituals in the temple, and return with bellies full of goodies, claiming to be blessed by Lord.
The tulsi is also called Vrinda. We saw that Bali was accepted as brother by Mother Lakshmi. That event germinated as the festival of Raksha Bandhan. If we proceed from Satyug to Dwaparyug, we became aware of the place of Vrindavan (today near Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, India). Since Tulsi Plant (Holy basil) redeems us from all physical, mental and spiritual ailments. No ailment exists in the world which cannot be treated by Tusli, But, the name Vrinda, endowed to Tulsi has its roots back in Satyug.
Shiv is the Guru, amongst Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, who shows us the path towards the Self. One of the fragments of Shiv’s entirety gave rise to Jalandhar. Though Shiv is formless, but through his actions, a being named Jalandhar rose. Shiv was in superficial wrath (he was always in deep tranquility, but his wrath rose to maintain the true discipline in the cosmos). We are experiencing COVID, which is forcing us to mend our wrong ways. Similarly, Jalandhar, a demonic being rose to force the mortals to mend their ways. His Guru, Shukraacharya asked him to perform a grand yajna, for he becomes the master of the three worlds, the heavens, the world of mortals, and the underworld. He performed the yajna, and the power made him earn the heavens. As the throne of Indradev dwindled, he ran towards Kailash. Shiv Ji was unstirred by all the grievances and denied to extend any help, as that was the time for Indra to suffer for his deeds. Wars for the throne went on. After several years, Jalandhar grew older. Shukraacharya asked him to get married, for the generations could proceed. Jalandhar was married to a very pious lady named Vrinda. Her life was totally devoted to Narayan, her breaths never ran vacant. Her service for her consort was sturdy. Everyday, she used to make a garland of tulsi wood, consecrated it with Narayan’s Name, and put it around his neck. The prayers made Jalandhar invincible in all wars, no one could defeat or deceive him. His wrath was growing steadily, but his rule was yielding proper results, as discipline was descending gradually. One day, Narad Ji thought that Jalandhar should be guided by a proper Guru, and should be directed towards Narayan. So, he went to Jalandhar, and asked him that he should have true mother, though he owned every bounty a being could own. He asked Jalandhar to bring Mother Kali with her, for he is completed. Jalandhar was convinced by Narad Ji’s thoughts and consulted his wife. She asked him to pray to Mother, for She bestows Her blessings, and he could enjoy the shelter of the Divine Mother. But, Jalandhar was restless and was not ready to wait for penances. He ran towards Kailash. He stood before Shiv in a sturdy posture and asked for Mother Kali. Shiv Ji asked for the reason, but Jalandhar was adamant over his wish. He created all the nuisance he could. Shiv Ji asked him to meditate, but the unrest persisted. Shiv Ji sent Kartikeya, his elder son to deal with Jalandhar. But, he lost the interaction. Ganesh Ji also fell unconscious on the felid. Then, Mother appeared to ease the scenario, before Shiv Ji was in his true wrath. She inquired about the matter. The stubborn Jalandhar presented his wish to Her with him. She dealt with him in a polite tone, and convinced him, for he meditates to attain the love. Motherly love slackened his stiffness. He returned back home. Narad Ji was waiting for his return. Jalandhar became furious, introspecting his defeat before Mother. He narrated the incidence to Vrinda. She came to Narad Ji and asked about the pranks and also for the blessings, for she could help her consort. He justified the notion that he wished to help Jalandhar to realize his Self. Indra was quite restless, as he could not attain his kingdom. He tried all the options, but in vain. Finally, he went to Narad Ji and presented his appeal. The divine humbleness of Narad Ji sought him help. Narad Ji and Indra went to Narayan, to pursue the scenario. Seeing Narad Ji with Indra, Narayan agreed to pursue Vrinda, for she helps her consort to return the kingdom of heaven to Indra. Narayan was ready with a little trick. Jalandhar had the habit to perform holy bath in the river Ganga, every dawn. That day, he left for the banks, and soon, Narayan appeared before Vrinda in disguise, with the physique of Jalandhar. She was performing the prayers. She thought that he returned after the morning rites quite early, and with the same sequence of thought, she put the garland of tulsi wood around Narayan’s neck, considering him as Jalandhar. As she put the garland around His neck, Narayan unveiled the disguise and showed His opulent form. Vrinda was piqued by Narayan’s tricks, as her Guru tricked her. Jalandhar returned from the banks and was horrified seeing the scene. She said that she was a Sati and could not marry someone, in the presence of her consort. As she had put the garland around Narayan’s neck, she cursed Narayan that He would forced to be born on the land of mortals, as a boulder, and would have to ask for forgiveness from her. She left the physical abode and united with the Divine Oneness. Though she was guilty after she enunciated the curse, but nothing could be changed. As the garland was put around Narayan’s neck, Jalandhar lost his strengths and was finally killed by Shiv Ji. Then, Narayan was born as Shaligram and Vrinda as Tulsi. Both were married. Shaligram is worshipped as a boulder, but he was a human being, in Satyuga. When Narayan is revered, Tulsi leaves are the inevitable part of the ritual.
The spiritual importance of this entire set of events is when Narayan appears in someone’s life, though He might appear to trick or cheat people, but the divine pranks redeem the receiver. Though Vrinda was tricked, but she merged with Narayan. Jalandhar too left the physical abode after knowing the Self and he was killed by Shiv Ji himself. The road towards liberation were enlightened by Narad Ji’s presence. As his journey with Shukraacharya ended and Narad Ji began, he was said to be redeemed. We also apply the tika at the eyebrow center, during the rituals. Ajna chakra needs stimulation, for the positivities can enhance. The bindi, or little tika or the vaishnavi tilak are applied at the glabella, for its stimulation.We offer sweets so as to adorn an auspicious occasion. Though we also offer flowers at the altar, but it is wrong practice, as they are the future plants, and plucking them, stagnates their journey ahead. Thus it should be avoided. Narayan is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, if we offer our mind at the altar, we will become Narayan.
