A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

by Seva Lamberdar Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:55 am

ALAPPPUZHA (Kerala): Ever heard of a temple where mouth-watering chocolate bars are offered by devotees to the presiding deity?

While devotees offer flowers, sandal paste and fruits to invoke divine blessing, the 'Thekkan Palani' Balasubramania temple differs as chocolate bars are offered in the sanctum sanctorum.

Chocolate bars of a leading brand are made as offering by devotees and they get them back as 'prasdam' after poojas.

No wonder, the presiding deity of the shrine located at Subrahmanyapuram on the outskirts of the the town is known locally as " Munch Murugan."

According to temple authorities, people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, come to the shrine with cartons of chocolates, seeking the blessings of Lord Muruga.

Naturally, children flock to the temple in large numbers, especially during the examination season.

No one knows for certain how or when the ritual of offering chocolate began. ...............

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-temple-where-devotees-offer-chocolate-bars-to-Lord-Muruga/articleshow/31835008.cms

by indophile Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:42 pm

Bhagavad Gita 9.26 says:
patram pushpam phalam tOyam
yO mE bhaktyaa prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahRitam
ashnaami prayata-atmanah
Meaning - If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I will accept such devotional offering of pure consciousness.
Nowadays it is modified as -
madhujaam madyam lalanaam Sayyaam
yO mE raktyaa prayacchati
tad aham raktypahRitam
prapadyaami apavitra-atmanah

Meaning – If one offers me with mischief in his heart a piece of candy, a glass of wine, a young woman and a bed, I will accept such mischievous offering of an impure mind.

by smArtha Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:24 pm

I did come across people offering pizzas, sandwiches, cakes and cokkies as prasAdam at some homes here in US. While, from a pure Bhakti view point, it is acceptable to make any naivEdyam(offering) to God and accept it back as His prasAdam. From the science behind the ritual view point, only those things that are naturally high prANic and cooked in such ways to preserve or enhance the prANa shakti are the best choices. In kshudra/vAmAchara rituals, intense negative prANic substances viz. chilies garlic, onions, meats, alcohol etc are offered but these are not often consumed again as prasAdam.

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:00 pm

And then, we have stories of Kalahasthi temple and Paramanandaiah sishyulu. In one, Shiva accepts whatever his devotee offers with "bhakti" and in the other, the king thinks of one of the boobs of the woman as Shiva and worships it (Hmm..... Him).

Amazing how free the sages were!

Just imagine a mullah writing something like this and surviving!

by Merlot Daruwala Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:52 pm

smArtha wrote:I did come across people offering pizzas, sandwiches, cakes and cokkies as prasAdam at some homes here in US. While, from a pure Bhakti view point, it is acceptable to make any naivEdyam(offering) to God and accept it back as His prasAdam. From the science behind the ritual view point, only those things that are naturally high prANic and cooked in such ways to preserve or enhance the prANa shakti are the best choices. In kshudra/vAmAchara rituals, intense negative prANic substances viz. chilies garlic, onions, meats, alcohol etc are offered but these are not often consumed again as prasAdam.

Yeah..God is a Brahmin with distinctly sattvik preferences.

by MaxEntropy_Man Tue Mar 11, 2014 6:44 pm

that's nothing. i know of a temple in chennai where they offer booze to the deity. this is roadside temple near chennai central station.

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:53 am

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:that's nothing. i know of a temple in chennai where they offer booze to the deity. this is roadside temple near chennai central station.

Have not been to the Central Station since 2007. With all the digging and construction and flyovers, that area must be totally different now. There are quite a few roadside temples in that area - which I am sure have become much grander no.

by smArtha Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:07 am

Merlot Daruwala wrote:Yeah..God is a Brahmin with distinctly sattvik preferences.

God may be whatever but we are talking of better ways to please and receive His Grace here. An individual himself may consume meat or alcohol but pAyasam may be his favorite dish and easy to please him with. Hope that helps to distinguish.

by Rekz Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:34 am

Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

by smArtha Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:43 am

Rekz wrote:Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

If you indeed do keep one -not by your own constrained, convoluted and convenient definition of 'purity'- you don't have to. Such a 'purity' will be eternal, impossible to ignore and radiates out continuously not just to 'select' few but perceivable by all who are open and come in contact with. Often this is an 'escapist' question to ignore or not to follow any paths or practices to Divinity. In your own specific case, I don't know and you are a better judge.

by garam_kuta Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:46 am

one has to be very careful with a pure heart...
at 1:03 -1:08

by ashaNirasha Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:48 am

Rekz wrote:Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

I think offering God a glass of wine everyday is probably good for his heart, not so sure about offering him a bowl of payasam.

by Rekz Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:56 am

smArtha wrote:
Rekz wrote:Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

If you indeed do keep one -not by your own constrained, convoluted and convenient definition of 'purity'- you don't have to. Such a 'purity' will be eternal, impossible to ignore and radiates out continuously not just to 'select' few but perceivable by all who are open and come in contact with. Often this is an 'escapist' question to ignore or not to follow any paths or practices to Divinity. In your own specific case, I don't know and you are a better judge.

1. lack of dirty or harmful substances

2. lack of guilt or evil thoughts

I somehow thought you are SG...participating in small talks with Aam janta but im wrong :-)

by smArtha Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:14 pm

Rekz wrote:
1. lack of dirty or harmful substances

2. lack of guilt or evil thoughts

I somehow thought you are SG...participating in small talks with Aam janta but im wrong :-)

Who is SG? Did you mean SV (Siddharth Varadarajan) that Rashmun claims is lurking here incognito?

by FluteHolder Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:19 pm

I guess Rekz meant SadhGuru Smile

Rekz, Here is the video you might look to know about volunteering at Isha..

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:37 pm

I am sold.. I am becoming a volunteer...and you know why...bcz of my Pure heart (wonly).

by Marathadi-Saamiyaar Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:38 pm

Perhaps it is Lord Muruga's blessings and Chocolate offerings, I am getting only "Milkyway" ads.

by Seva Lamberdar Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:50 pm

Rekz wrote:Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

There are two types of worship and connecting with the deity, externally and internally.
In the external (or symbolic) worship, where the deity is assumed to be situated separately or externally with respect to the devotee (including such as in the temples etc.), the worship can be by using the symbols and by making offerings etc. to the deity.
But in the internal "worship", assuming deity or God everywhere (even inside the heart of the devotee), the offering of things (including pyasam) is not necessary and the devotee can just pray and meditate to the deity through his / her pure heart.

by Rekz Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:56 pm

smArtha wrote:
Rekz wrote:
1. lack of dirty or harmful substances

2. lack of guilt or evil thoughts

I somehow thought you are SG...participating in small talks with Aam janta but im wrong :-)

Who is SG? Did you mean SV (Siddharth Varadarajan) that Rashmun claims is lurking here incognito?

Sadhguru....

by Rekz Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:01 pm

FluteHolder wrote:I guess Rekz meant SadhGuru

Rekz, Here is the video you might look to know about volunteering at Isha..

Bookmarked Smile

Upps- you should not volunteer isha... DONATE Razz

by Rekz Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:09 pm

garam_kuta wrote:one has to be very careful with a pure heart...
at 1:03 -1:08

He will be born again Gk .

by Rekz Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:10 pm

Seva Lamberdar wrote:
Rekz wrote:Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

There are two types of worship and connecting with the deity, externally and internally.
In the external (or symbolic) worship, where the deity is assumed to be situated separately or externally with respect to the devotee (including such as in the temples etc.), the worship can be by using the symbols and by making offerings etc. to the deity.
But in the internal "worship", assuming deity or God everywhere (even inside the heart of the devotee), the offering of things (including pyasam) is not necessary and the devotee can just pray and meditate to the deity through his / her pure heart.

A +

by Seva Lamberdar Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:20 pm

[quote="Rekz"]

Seva Lamberdar wrote:
Rekz wrote:Why to please god with payasam or wine if one is always successful in keeping a pure heart??

There are two types of worship and connecting with the deity, externally and internally.
In the external (or symbolic) worship, where the deity is assumed to be situated separately or externally with respect to the devotee (including such as in the temples etc.), the worship can be by using the symbols and by making offerings etc. to the deity.
But in the internal "worship", assuming deity or God everywhere (even inside the heart of the devotee), the offering of things (including pyasam) is not necessary and the devotee can just pray and meditate to the deity through his / her pure heart.

>>> Here is more on this topic in the following.

"... Note that the personality or symbol used as a deity in meditation or worship is mainly for spiritual significance and to reflect the real power (God) behind it. Physical and material aspects of the symbol used in worship are less important.

"True bhakti (devotion) and the type (method) of worship depend on a person's nature and temperament. Moreover, even if the object of adoration remains the same, there may be several ways to approach it. In addition, Brahman as Nirguna (unmanifested) is simply believed in. The direct worship of Nirguna Brahman is not possible, because it is not known (as Nirguna) and therefore can not be worshipped. The believer therefore simply recognizes the entire creation as a reflection of God and acts accordingly (Gita: Ch 12).

"In the case of Saguna Brahman, there are two types of worship -- one is of a personal God as the Immanent, and the other by using symbols. In case of the Immanent, worship usually occurs in the form of pure meditation and at the spiritual level. On the other hand, when a worshipper views God as being external to him, then the worship is symbolic. Here, symbols (objects and deities etc.) used are generally prakrit (comprising of prakrti / nature and therefore involving three modes or gunas -- sattva, rajas, and tamas). Note that the worshipper in this case needs to be careful as to what exactly the object of adoration (such as the deity) and the method of worship (yajna etc.) stand for, because that will determine the outcome (fruits) of such worship.

"Object of meditation (worship) should be beyond or above the Law of Karma. It should not become part of the sansara (world) -- as a soul or the constituent matter -- and be not existing at times in the mode of darkness or ignorance (Tamas). Note that only Brahman is above and beyond Karma, is changeless, and meets these conditions (Gita: Ch. 5 - V. 29). On the other hand, if the meditation (worship) is intended towards a secondary figure (such as a guru or a deity) who is subject to the Law of Karma, the results from such effort will also be secondary (Gita: Ch. 9 - V. 25). The meditation (worship) symbols and methods should be therefore carefully selected.

"Note also that the religious offerings and gifts, though important, are voluntary and motivated by faith and love. Moreover, worships and rituals should not be performed miserly and with a desire for vainglory (RV: Book 7 - Hymn 32.9; Gita: Ch. 9 - V. 26, Ch. 16 - V. 17, Ch. 17 - V. 13)."

http://www.geocities.ws/lamberdar/brahman.html

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A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

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Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga

Re: A temple where devotees offer chocolate bars to Lord Muruga