Today, first thing, I wanted to tell you all, I was doing a lot of research on finding the source of this word “Ashram”. It is much later, post-Shankara, only post-Shankara I am able to get any reference for this word “Ashram” being used in Hindu tradition. But the word “Aadheenam” is used much, much pre-Shankara, in the Vedic era. It exactly means: “Temple Monastery Complex”, where there is a worship-place, and a sannyasi stays. Understand, please understand, the worship-place maintained and run by priests are called “Temples”, “Aalayaa”; but the worship-place run and maintained, headed....may be the priest will be there to assist and do rituals and all that, but headed and run by sannyasis is called “Aadheenam”. So, in our organization, I am introducing this understanding and incorporating it. If you are just a monastery, you can use the word “Ashram”. But, if you are a Temple Monastery Complex where the temple is there, and, at least a brahmachari who is going to take Sannyasa, or a Sannyasi, if they are staying and maintaining, running that place, that place should be called as “Aadheenam”. So, from now onwards, wherever the temple and monastic member, both of them exist..... For example, a place like Toronto, or Los Angeles, and wherever we have a temple and monastery – means, sannyasi – both exist, that place should be called as “Aadheenam”. As I said, the examples – Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, these are the examples where we have a temple and a sannyasi. If you don’t have a temple, only sannyasis are existing, you should call yourself only as “Ashram”. If you have both, if both conditions are fulfilled, you can call your place as “Aadheenam”. And, traditionally this word (Aadheenam) has been used much older. I am able to find the reference for this word much older than the word “Ashram”. See, the word “Akhaada” comes into existence, first on record, a little before Shankara. But, that word directly does not mean “a spiritual training centre”. It meant more like a weapon training centre, physical training centre. Later on, the Nagas adopted that and this shaasthra. Shaasthra and Shasthra, when both have been adopted.... Actually, it is Asthra, Shasthra, Shaasthra. “Shasthra” means, (the weapon) which stays in your hand and attacks people. “Asthra” means, (the weapon) which leaves your hand and attacks people. For example, arrow is “Asthra”; Gadhaayudha (mace) is “Shasthra”. Asthra, Shasthra, Shaasthra, when Nagas have started adopting all the three, they started using the word “Akhaada”. We are not “Akhaada” actually in the right sense, because we don’t use Asthra and Shasthra. We don’t have any more weapon training. We have only the Shaasthra training. (Shaasthra = “science”, “scientific knowledge”). So, I was trying to find which is the most apt, right word, and used as early as possible, which I can trace with the proper reference. I wanted a written reference in some script. So, when I traced back, even though the word “Akhaada” or “Peeta”, all these words are used in the pre-Shankara period, before Shankara itself, the most apt word I found..... Because “Peeta” means, “temple, monastic members and householders”. If all the three exist, then it can be called as “Peeta”. But if there are temple, and only monastic members, that place should be called as “Aadheenam”. And, if there are only monastic members, or only grihasthas, that place can be called “Ashram”. So, we will categorize ourselves clearly and fit into the tradition perfectly. I also insist, all our ashrams should completely overhaul themselves as per the Vaasthu, as per the Vaasthu. All our centres, ashrams, temple, should reorganize themselves as per Vaasthu, and I insist that all constructions should follow the methodology of the Pandya construction method which is kept alive by Naattucoattai Chettiaars. See, the construction style, food style, clothing style, in all the three we will be following the Pandya style. The Pandya style will be the standard format. That will be the system we will be following. So, I insist on the Pandya style construction, the stone pillars, the whole architecture and structure method, and these words. Now you can classify yourself clearly. • If you have monastic members, non-monastic members, and temple, all three staying together, you can call yourself as “Peeta”. • If you have temple and monastic members only, you should be calling yourself as “Aadheenam”. • And, if you have only monastic members, or only grihasthaas, no temple, but even if you are having monastic members and grihasthas staying in a place, that place can be called as “Ashram”. • And the word “Akhaada” cannot be used because we don’t use asthra-shasthra training. There is no asthra or shasthra training; only shaasthra training. So, we can’t use the word “Akhaada”. So, now, each ashram can classify yourself how you want to have the title, and have it for yourself. If you have a monastic member and temple, you can call yourself as “Aadheenam”. And you have the right to call yourself as “Aadheenam”! Bhagwan Paramahamsa Nithyananda, 27th October 2014 Satsang Be in completion with Advaitha
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 06:57:50 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015