Sacred Plant - Vilvam for sale

Artha Dharma is selling Sacred Plants to raise money for up coming programs.

A  plant that is very sacred to Lord Siva .

You can buy and donate to temples or you can plant in your home too.

Every temple and every home should have this plant. 

It will be a wonderful karma yoga. RM90 per plant.

Some information about Vilvam.

Bael (Aegle marmelos) (also known as Bengal quince, stone apple), Bilva or வில்வம் (Tamil) is a species of tree native to India. It is present throughout Southeast Asia as a naturalized species.^[1] The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus. Its fruits are used in traditional medicine and as a food throughout its range.

Botanical information

Bael is the only member of the monotypic genus Aegle.^[1] It is a mid-sized, slender, aromatic, armed, gum-bearing tree growing up to 18 meters tall.

Bael occurs in dry forests on hills and plains of northern, central and southern India, southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan,Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. It is cultivated throughout India, as well as in Sri Lanka, the northern Malay Peninsula,Java, the Philippines, and Fiji. It has a reputation in India for being able to grow in places that other trees cannot. It copes with a wide range of soil conditions (pH range 5-10), is tolerant of waterlogging and has an unusually wide temperature tolerance (from -7°C to 48°C).

A ripe bael fruit in India

Bael fruit

This tree is a larval foodplant for the following two Indian Swallowtail butterflies:

• The Lime Butterfly: Papilio demoleus
• The Common Mormon: Papilio polytes

[edit]Fruit

The bael fruit has a smooth, woody shell with a green, gray, or yellow peel. It takes about 11 months to ripen on the tree and can reach the size of a large grapefruit or pomelo, and some are even larger. The shell is so hard it must be cracked with a hammer or machete. The fibrous yellow pulp is very aromatic. It has been described as tasting of marmalade and smelling of roses. Numerous hairy seeds are encapsulated in a slimy mucilage.

[edit]Uses

The fruit is eaten fresh or dried. If fresh, the juice is strained and sweetened to make a drink similar to lemonade. It can be made into sharbat (Hindi) or bel pana (Bengali: বেল পানা) or Bela pana (Oriya: ବେଲ ପଣା), a refreshing drink made of the pulp with water, sugar, and lime juice, mixed, left to stand a few hours, strained, and put on ice. One large bael fruit may yield five or six liters of sharbat.

Bili Tree

If the fruit is to be dried, it is usually sliced and sun-dried. The hard leathery slices are then simmered in water.

The leaves and small shoots are eaten as salad greens.

The Tamil Siddhars call the plant koovilam (கூவிளம்) and use the fragrant leaves for medicinal purposes, including dyspepsia and sinusitis. A confectioncalled ilakam (இளகம்) is made of the fruit and used to treat tuberculosis and loss of appetite.^[2] It is used in Ayurveda for many purposes, especially chronic constipation.

[edit]Use in religious rituals

The fruit is also used in religious rituals. In Hinduism the tree is sacred. It is used in the worship of Shiva, who is said to favor the leaves. The trifoliate leaves symbolize the trident that Shiva holds in his right hand. The fruits were used in place of coconuts before large-scale rail transportation was available. The fruit is said to resemble a skull with a white, bone-like outer shell and a soft inner part, and is sometimes called seer phael (head-fruit). However, it is quite likely that, the term 'Seer Phal' has coined from the Sanskrit term 'ShreePhal, which again is a common name for this fruit. Many Hindus have bael trees in their courtyards.

In the traditional culture of Nepal, the bael tree is part of a fertility ritual for girls known as the Bel baha. Girls are "married" to the bael fruit and as long as the fruit is kept safe and never cracks the girl can never become widowed, even if her human husband dies. This was seen to be protection against the social disdain suffered by widows.

The Bilva Tree – The Divine Embodiment of Lord Shiva

1 Comment »Maha Shivaratri, News

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 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 For 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 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. AstroVed will arrange to have your sponsored sapling cared for at Tripura Foundation’s charity project ‘HoPE Town’ in the agricultural vocational until until such time in it’s development where it will be donated to a Shiva Temple. It’s leaves will then be used in temple rituals and festivals. Your sponsorship of a sapling will benefit those who are served in the charity program by giving work, benefit the temple by providing not only the leaves but for the energy that the tree will bring to the surroundings as a place in itself for worship and the mature tree will provide a source of traditional herbal medicine. You’ll be benefited by having the grace of Lord Shiva showered upon you for this act. Shiva Bilva Ashtakam Stotra Meaning Tridalam Trigunakaaram Trinethram Cha Triyayusham, Trijanma Papa Samharam Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 1 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three leaves, Which causes three qualities, Which are like the three eyes of Shiva, Which is like the triad of weapons, And which destroys sins of three births. Trishakhai Bilwapathraischa Hyachidrai Komalai Shubai, Shiva Poojam Karishyami, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 2 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three shoots, Which do not have holes, Which are good and pretty, And worship Lord Shiva. Aganda Bilwa Pathrena Poojithe Nandikeshware, Shudhyanthi Sarva Papebhyo, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 3 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For if an uncut leaf is offered, To his steed the god Nandi, We get cleaned of all our sins. Salagrama Shilamekaam Vipranam Jatha Cha Arpayeth, Soma Yagna Maha Punyam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 4 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For it is equal to, offering a saligrama to a Brahmin, Or the great blessing got out of performing Soma Yaga, Dandi Koti Sahasrani Vajapeya Sathani Cha, Koti Kanya Maha Danam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 5 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For it is equal to gifting thousand elephants, Or the performing of hundred fire sacrifices, Or giving away billions of girls. Lakshmyasthanutha Uthpannam Mahadevasya Cha Priyam, Bilwa Vruksham Prayachami, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 6 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilwa, Which was born from the breast of Lakshmi, And which is very dear to the Lord Shiva. Darshanam Bilwa Vrukshasya, Sparsanam Papa Nasanam, Aghora Papa Samharam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 7 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, As seeing and touching of a tree of Bilwa, Washes away ones sins and also very great sins. Kasi Kshethra Nivasam Cha Kala Bhairava Darshanam, Prayaga Madhavam Drushtwa, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 8 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, After living in the city of Kasi, Seeing the Kala Bhairawa, And also visiting the temple Of Madhawa in Allahabad. Moolatho Brahma Roopaya, Madhyatho Vishnu Roopine Agratha Shiva Roopaya, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 9 I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, As Brahma resides at its bottom, Lord Vishnu lives in its middle, And Lord Shiva lives in its tip. Bilwashtakam Idham Punyaam, Padeth Shiva Sannidhou, Sarva Papa Nirmuktha Shiva Loka Maapnuyath 10 Reading this holy octet of Bilwa, In the presence of Lord Shiva, Would save one from all sins, And in the end take him to the world of Shiva Bless and Love. Om Namasivaya Sivajnani Nagappan Artha Dharma Concept Builders Contact : +6012 9259495 Email : artha.dharma@gmail.com

Sacred Tree - Nagalingam ( Cannonball Tree )

Prosperity Tree and Flower

Couroupita guianensis, whose common names include Ayahuma and the Cannonball Tree, is an evergreen tree allied to the Brazil Nut(Bertholletia excelsa), and is native to tropical northern South America and to the southern Caribbean. In India it has been growing for the past two or three thousand years at least, as attested by textual records^{[citation needed]}; hence it is possible that it is native to India also. It's part of the family Lecythidaceae and grows up to 25m (82ft) in height. The "Cannonball Tree" is so called because of its brown cannon-ball-like fruits. The majority of these trees outside their natural environment have been planted as a botanical curiosity, as they grow very large, distinctive flowers. Its flowers are orange, scarlet and pink in color, and form large bunches measuring up to 3m in length. They produce large spherical and woody fruits ranging from 15 to 24cm in diameter, containing up to 200 or 300 seeds apiece.

Flowers and pollination

Cannonball Tree flowers do not have nectar, so these flowers are mainly visited by bees in search of pollen; outside the native range of habitat,carpenter bees are considered to be the principal pollinators. Both the fruit and the flower grow from stalks which sprout from the trunk of the tree. Cannonball Tree flowers are found on thick tangled extrusions that grow on the trunk of the tree; these are found just below the foliage branches. The extrusions however, can range from two to six feet in length. The flowers are attached to an upwardly bent, white fleshy disk. The flowers have six petals, which are large, orange-red, and strongly perfumed. In pollination, fertile stamens can be found in a ring around reduced style and stamens. The sterile pollen is located in the anthers. As a bee enters to pollinate the flower, its back rubs against the ring with fertile pollen; this allows the bee to carry the fertile pollen to another flower. The differences in the pollen was noticed by French botanist Antoine Porteau in 1825. The differences in the pollen are as follows: the pollen of the ring stamens is fertile, while the hood pollen is sterile.

Flower in the Botanic Garden in Singapore

Fruits and dispersal

The tree gets its common name from the large, spherical fruits it produces. The fruit falls from the tree and cracks open when it hits the ground when mature, often causing the sound of a small explosion. The fruit emits an unpleasant aroma when exposed to the air. Individual seeds within the "ball" are coated with hair, which is thought to protect the seed when it is ingested and may also help in the passage of the seed through the intestines. The cannonball tree and it's fruit are thought by some to be remnants of the last ice age, like the "hedge apple" or "osage orane" of north America. The fruit is thought to be an adaptation provided for the giant ground sloth, a long extinct species. Today instead of seeds being dispersed by the large extinct mammal, the fruit simply rots around the base of it's mother tree. Like coconut palms, the trees should not be planted near paths or near traffic-filled areas, as the heavy nut is known to fall without notice.

]Religious Significance in Asia

The trees are grown extensively in Shiva temples in India. In Hindi it is called Shiv Kamal and also known as "Kailaspati". It is called theNagalingam tree in Tamil. The flowers are called Shivalinga flowers in Hindi; Nagalinga Pushpa in Kannada; Nagamalli flowers or Mallikarjunaflowers in Telugu. Hindus revere it as a sacred tree because the petals of the flower resemble the hood of the Naga, a sacred snake, protecting a Shiva Lingam, the stigma.

In Sri Lanka, Thailand and other Buddhist countries the tree is often planted at Buddhist temples. It is here mistaken as the Sala tree, Shorea robusta, the tree under which the Buddha passed away and under which the previous Buddha Vessabhu attained enlightenment.

]Medicinal Uses

The Cannonball Tree possesses antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic and analgesic qualities. The trees are used to cure colds and stomach aches. Juice made from the leaves is used to cure skin diseases, and shamans of South America have even used tree parts for treating malaria. The inside of the fruit can disinfect wounds and young leaves ease toothache^].

Spiritual Power of Flowers

Flowers occupy an important place in our worship. Being subtle and tender, they are receptive of the spiritual force. The Divine Mother has given spiritual names to 800 flowers and described their spiritual qualities in detail.

Flowers can intensify our concentration in all cases while those who are unable to concentrate will draw ready help using them. One who lost six ventures into which his father-in-law helped him heard of the flower PROSPERITY. In Tamil this is called Nagalingam, a red flower with four or five petals with a hood in the centre. As this flower is a favourite of God Shiva, it is generally found in Shiva temples. On offering this flower to God, this man who was bankrupt got a job and his salary was doubled the next day. He cherished the flower and collected a lot of them to be offered to God. In two years his income rose to 16 times his salary. The red flower is called selfish prosperity while the same flower of whitish red is called unselfish prosperity. Jasmine is purity, rose is surrender, Cotton rose is GRACE, Bougainvillea is protection.

            Among those who invoke the Spirit, the flower PROTECTION has become popular as nowadays people travel more than before. Carrying this flower protects from accidents. Such stories are numerous. A lady whose income was very small used Nagalingam and was frustrated as there was so results at all. Her dirty house prevented the beneficial action of the force. On cleaning the house, she saw a sudden spurt in her income which in a year led her to buy a house. If an important flower is unavailable, one can imagine the flower in his heart with the same effect. Depression is common. Chrysanthemum (Samandhi) is called Life Energy. On taking the flower in hand, after offering it to God, one can see energy entering his system.

Bless and love

Om Namasivaya

Sivajnani Nagappan
Artha Dharma Concept Builders
Contact : +6012 9259495
Email : artha.dharma@gmail.com 

Masimagam in Pulau Pangkor - 7 Mac 2012

GRAND MASSI MANGGAM FESTIVAL

ON THE

ISLAND of PANGKOR in STATE of  PERAK DARUL RIDZAUAN. PENINSULAR MALAYSIA.

On the month of March, dated 06^th.Tuesday & 07^th.Wednesday, Year 2012,

It’s a festival observed on full moon day on the month of Massi in Tamil calendar for GODDESS SHREE PATHIRA KALI AMMAN in Pangkor Island, State of Perak Darul Ridzuan. Malaysia.

This festival is celebrated for those fulfilling a vow who have in the past asked for help such as birth of baby, healing the sickness of own self or of the loved once, helping to pull through a hard times as well as achievement in studies or career.

 In return they have promised to carry a kavadi, chariot pulling or body piercing as well as hanging on the air with hooks at the back of their body if the request is fulfilled or granted.

It is expected approximately 10,000 people will be joining and taking part in this festival this year together with other Hindu devotees as far as from India, Mauritius, Indonesia-Medan & Bali, Thailand,  Singapore, Myanmar, Australia and Sri Lanka.

The participants in this festival, either carry milk pot or bearing a kavadi made of fresh flowers, peacock feathers and fruits. Other alternative are piercing their body with hooks or rods made of pure silver stainless steel as well as gold gold. Body flagellation may also practice during this festival.

On taking part in this thanks giving festival will observe a strict vegetarian diet and refrain from alcohol. The requirements are transcendence of desire and to be pure in mind thoughts, body as well as speech. That means no unpleasant words, no unpleasant thoughts, sexual abstinence and no intimate body contacts between different genders.

The kavadi and milk pot bearers and those who piercing the body would sleep on the floor using yellow dhoti as a sheet or straw plant mat, not on bed or mattress and bathing in icy cold water at dawn.

The participant usually ties yellow string at their wrist to know that they are observing a fasting and going to participate in thanks giving massimagam festival. They will spend most of their time in the temple.

It is claimed the devotees are able to enter to trance and feel no pain, do not bleed from their wound and no scars left behind from the piercing of the sharp objects into their body.

The devotees, who flock with the processions, take dips in the holy water of the sea with the faith that the immersion would actually wash away the sins. The whole of the sea shore of Pasir Bogak, Pangkor Island becomes a fair ground full of fun and festivity.

Tips: 1) There are hawker stalls set up along some of the side roads and at the temple that sell all sorts of trinkets, so bring a little money in case you want to purchase something. 2)Bring some wet wipes, preferably liquid hand sanitizer to clean your hands prior to eating. 3) Eat only in clean stalls and please drink directly from the bottle or can and don’t not take ice cubes in your drinks. 4) Put a lot of sun protection on your skin, it can be rather very hot weather. 5) Have you camera or video-cam batteries fully charged and bring along a back-up battery as well as equip them large capacity of memory/sd card.

Warnings: 1. Watch out for snatch thieves while in the crowds, if you are carrying a handbag or camera make sure to secure it to your body. 2. Don’t bring your valuables and travel documents/passports, leave them behind in safe hands. 3. There are no washrooms/toilets available along the main routes. 4. Do not consume alcohol or light up cigarettes during the procession.

Good wishes and enjoy yourself.

For more information please contact:

Mohan Kasi         

E-mail: mohankasi@hotmail.com                 

Tel: +6019 5747183

Sponsor the book - SIVOHAM

This book SIVOHAM is amazing with all the mantra , temples ,festivals , saints and gurus who propagate the worship of Lord Siva.

It is copyright and in our National Library ISBN is 978-967-10577-0-4.

The writer wants to distribute this book for free to all the of Lord Siva's devotee in Malaysia.

So those Siva Baktas who wants to sponsor the book please email to artha.dharma@gmail.com or call 016 2325664 for more details.

Om Namasivaya

Bless and Love

Sivajnani Nagappan

Artha Dharma Concept Builders

Free Prana Healing Workshop

Free Prana Healing Workshop

Date : March 3, 2012

Day : Saturday

Time : 9 am to 3 pm

Venue : 28, Jalan 5/38B, Taman Segambut (SPPK), Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan, 51200 KL

Contact : 03-6252-2213

Entrance : Free.

Learn how to heal yourself and others.



Health is Wealth.

Lead a wonderful life and at the same serve mankind.

Bless and Love


Sivajnani Nagappan

Artha Dharma Concept Builders