‘Bha’ refers to splendour, the principle represented by divine knowledge. ‘Self-knowledge’ is Bha. Bharatas are those who take delight in Self-knowledge. Hence, everyone who shines by his own self luminous power is Bharata.
– Mrs.Sarala Panchapakesan, Editor & Publisher, Tattvaloka
Sacred Bharatavarsha is a compilation of select articles published in the Tattvaloka magazine, over the years, authored by Smt.Padmini Natrarajan. This book is presented in three sections: Our Sacred Rivers, Sacred Seasons and Festivals and, Holistic Foods and Remedies.
Our Sacred Rivers
The author elaborates upon the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether, and their connection with the human body. She highlights the significance of water which is the very cause of the world and hence, the elixir of life as per the vedas. Briefly touching upon vedic references to the role of water and its spiritual importance, the flourishing of civilizations around rivers and our sacred pilgrimages and temples, she goes into the description of ten major rivers of Bharat.
Tracing their geographical course, important tributaries, distributaries, and confluences – the rivers are vividly described as they flow over the diverse geography of Bharat. Legends of the vedas, puranas and itihasas have been neatly woven along with the pilgrimage centers and temples linked to our divine rivers. Important festivals and auspicious periods for having darshan and taking holy dips in the rivers have been mentioned as well.
Did you know that a svayambhu natural Shivalinga becomes visible in the winter months, when the water recedes in Gangotri? This is considered the place where Bhagavan Shiva broke the intense flow of the Ganga in His matted hair. Such captivating legends from our scriptures, the inviting descriptions of the scared spaces and temples that embody this divinity, and the opportunity of self-purification and invoking the blessings of Ishvara, create a beautiful compulsion to plan a pilgrimage as you read on.
Sacred Seasons and Festivals
This section provides a simple, and very helpful introduction to understanding the vedic calendar. Explanations are given on the lunar and solar calendar, how they are aligned, as well as the six seasons that correspond with the twelve months. The concept of panchang and its relevance with respect to auspicious timings has also been given.
Reading further, we time travel through the twelve months of the vedic calendar, witnessing festivals, times for observing austerities, periods for offering respect to ancestors, and major annual events linked to temples and sacred spaces – from across Bharat. The stories from our puranas and itihasas continue to maintain the unique richness of the book, reminding us that every aspect of Hindu living is deeply enmeshed with spirituality. All our observances and festivals give us an opportunity to elevate ourselves by bringing our attention to His service, as we invoke divinity and blessings into our lives. We also offer our respect to great sages by remembering them on their jayanti.
Then, be it the relishing the Ugadi pachchadi, made with the first crop of raw mango on Ugadi day in the month of Chaitra, in Andhra, to parents offering ‘sindhara’ (a gift hamper of sweets, bangles, etc,) to their married daughters on the occasion of Hariyali Teej that symbolizes the reunion of Shiva and Parvati, or staying awake night-long on Maha Shivaratri, in the month of Magh – the diverse cultural, social and spiritual facets of Hindu living emerge impressively through this easy joyous read.
The reader is infused with enthusiasm to celebrate festivals.
Holistic Foods and Remedies
In sanatana dharma, all beings are considered sacred. Vedas and itihasas refer to several varieties of plants and trees and their importance for human beings. Ayurveda, of course, is an entire system offering the medicinal uses of plants.
There are pauranic legends around several trees and plants, and many are worshipped. Our devis and devatas are also linked with trees and plants. For example, Dhanvantri Bhagavan is associated with the neem tree and Laksmi Ma resides in the pipala or sacred fig. We have scared groves that are linked with astrology and traditions in which a certain fruit, flower or tree is associated with a specific ritual or festival, etc.
Human beings consist of a material body made up from the food they eat; those who care for this body are nourished by the universe itself.
– Taittiriya Upanishad
Quoting the above verse, the author expounds upon the importance of the purity of food, and the impact it has on the gunas or qualities of the person consuming the food.
Hereon, with the intention of preserving the holistic approach of traditional cooking and remedies, the author moves into illustrating the benefits and curative properties of 23 major herbs and spices from the Indian kitchen, along with well-known home remedies that have been tested over the ages.
Did you know that about 8,000 herbal remedies have been formally codified in India?
This section is of immense value in times when health and well-being is on a decline in general, and the sway and dependence on the western pharmaceutical industry is growing. The recipes here shall help generations to come. The book concludes with turmeric, known to be an auspicious powerful healer.
Highly recommend this well presented and illustrated book. Small doses of wisdom from the puranas given here leave you satiated for the moment but create the desired thirst for more. The book leaves you uplifted and inspired, with the right cues to take on your journey of sanatana dharma further by planning pilgrimages, celebrating festivals, observing austerities in special times, and using the great healing solutions that your tradition offers, towards health and wellness.
Written in simple English, it can be enjoyed by school going as well. It is good for all ages who wish to connect with sanatana dharma and would be encouraging for those in the process of discovering more about their heritage. Would also make an excellent gift.
Buy the book: tattvaloka.com (Unit of Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal Education Trust)