La historia detrás de la foto_Días de infancia y educación.
(Caminando por el fuego)
En aquellos días era un joven de 12 años de edad, yo estaba estudiando en el grado 7 º de la escuela media, en un pequeño pueblo en Palghat (Kerala).
Vivíamos en un Agraharam, donde vivía un grupo tradicional de brahmanes. Estos son Agraharams, grupo de casas, construidas en hileras a ambos lados de la carretera.
Hay muchos templos en los alrededores de los áreas Agraharam, donde puedes encontrar templos exclusivamente para una Devi, conocida como "Mariamman".
Los aldeanos realizan cultos diarios. El método de adoración se basa en la devoción cantando alabanzas a Ammán. En muchos templos hay oráculos. Cuando se inicia el canto, este Oraculo empieza a bailar con la música y el ritmo. Se cree que Ammán se manifiesta en el cuerpo de ese oráculo. He sido personalmente testigo de impresionantes poderes sobrenaturales en estos oráculos, mientras que se supone que deben estar en trance.
En mi temprana edad, a altas horas de la noche, mientras estábamos jugando en frente de nuestra casa, veía una gran multitud avanzar por el camino de la Agraharam. El grupo de personas que estaban tocaban la Thappattai y Udukku les precedían, y un par de ellos cantaban. Iban caminando hacia atrás, mirando hacia el Oráculo que estaba justo detrás de ellos. La vista, del la que fui testigo, fue desconcertante. El oráculo estaba usando un Dhothi de color amarillo de la cintura hacia abajo. Tenía pelo largo, pero la parte delantera era calvo, y se veian algunas cicatrices por allí.
El oráculo estaba en un estado de trance, parecía ser poseído, y bailaba al batir de los tambores. Tenía en la mano una gran olla de barro, y había fuego en la olla. Estaba terriblemente caliente, y la gente cercana sudaban profusamente. Parecía que el oráculo no sentía el calor, aunque el bote se encontraba descansando en ángulo recto en las dos palmas de sus manos. Por supuesto, había un montón de hojas de Neem como aislamiento, sino habría sido gravemente quemado por el calor excesivo.
La procesión había recorrido ya 2 kilómetros, y faltaban otro tanto para llegar de nuevo al templo, había que cubrir 5 kilómetros. Fue bastante sorprendente ver una hazaña de resistencia, soportando el calor, la cual tuvo que soportar esa larga procesión, bailando hasta el final con el brasero de fuego en sus manos.
Muchas de las personas de Agraharam seguían la procesión hasta el final. Yo estaba muy entusiasmado por esta experiencia poco común, y también los seguí.
A la entrada a el templo, que estaba en las afueras de la aldea, el oráculo rodeó el templo tres veces y vació el fuego de la olla en un fogón largo, que contenía brasas a fuego lento. Algunos devotos estaban avivando el fuego con gruesas almohadillas, usándolos como ventilador, y el fuego estaba al rojo vivo.
Muchas de las personas de Agraharam seguían la procesión hasta el final. Yo estaba muy entusiasmado por esta experiencia poco común, y también los seguí.
A la entrada a el templo, que estaba en las afueras de la aldea, el oráculo rodeó el templo tres veces y vació el fuego de la olla en un fogón largo, que contenía brasas a fuego lento. Algunos devotos estaban avivando el fuego con gruesas almohadillas, usándolos como ventilador, y el fuego estaba al rojo vivo.
El hogar, la fosa que contenía el fuego, debía tener alrededor de 20 pies de largo y 6 pies de ancho. Me dijeron que una profundidad de 2 pies, todo lleno de fuego.
Ellos han quemado dos carretadas de leña para crear este fuego. Me dijeron que el oráculo iba a caminar sobre el fuego. También me dijeron que la gente también caminaría por la hoguera! Y fue así! . El oráculo me escogió para ser uno de ellos.
Nos indujeron a seguirlo. El destino era un río cercano a un kilómetro de distancia. Mi abuela estaba muy emocionada de saber que había sido bendecido, como uno de los pocos seleccionados, por el Oráculo. Tomamos un baño en el río y volvimos al templo, vestidos con ropas mojadas.
A la llegada, nos dirigieron a pie en una cola, delante de la hoguera. El oráculo se quedó un momento junto a la proximidad del pozo de fuego, y comenzó a caminar sobre el fuego. Cubrió los 20 pies de longitud, con unas 10 a 15 zancadas. Yo estaba temblando de miedo, de pensar lo que iba a suceder. Uno a uno, los devotos seleccionados se dirigieron a seguir su ejemplo. Era mi turno. Pero me quedé dudando. El Oráculo suavemente me acarició y me empujó al abismo. Yo di mi primer paso en el fuego. No sentí mucho calor, aunque bajo mis pies, era bastante el calor. En el apuro cruce el foso en tiempo record. Yo estaba maravillado al observar que no había quemaduras en mis piernas, y me sentía bastante seguro. No podía entender la razón de ser de todo el episodio. ¿Cómo es posible que no me quemara, incluso caminando descalzo tal longitud sobre un fuego ardiente?
Los devotos estaban cantando los nombres de la Diosa en voz alta, golpeando los tambores, y toda la multitud estaba histérica. Pero tengo que admitir que había realmente algo mítico y sobrenatural en el evento, que duro una hora más o menos.
Esta experiencia de caminar sobre el fuego me hizo pensar en el poder de Dios y la Diosa, y la devoción se hizo muy arraigada, en los años venideros. Tal vez, estas experiencias fueron poco a poco, preparando mi camino de peregrinación devocional.
Nos indujeron a seguirlo. El destino era un río cercano a un kilómetro de distancia. Mi abuela estaba muy emocionada de saber que había sido bendecido, como uno de los pocos seleccionados, por el Oráculo. Tomamos un baño en el río y volvimos al templo, vestidos con ropas mojadas.
A la llegada, nos dirigieron a pie en una cola, delante de la hoguera. El oráculo se quedó un momento junto a la proximidad del pozo de fuego, y comenzó a caminar sobre el fuego. Cubrió los 20 pies de longitud, con unas 10 a 15 zancadas. Yo estaba temblando de miedo, de pensar lo que iba a suceder. Uno a uno, los devotos seleccionados se dirigieron a seguir su ejemplo. Era mi turno. Pero me quedé dudando. El Oráculo suavemente me acarició y me empujó al abismo. Yo di mi primer paso en el fuego. No sentí mucho calor, aunque bajo mis pies, era bastante el calor. En el apuro cruce el foso en tiempo record. Yo estaba maravillado al observar que no había quemaduras en mis piernas, y me sentía bastante seguro. No podía entender la razón de ser de todo el episodio. ¿Cómo es posible que no me quemara, incluso caminando descalzo tal longitud sobre un fuego ardiente?
Los devotos estaban cantando los nombres de la Diosa en voz alta, golpeando los tambores, y toda la multitud estaba histérica. Pero tengo que admitir que había realmente algo mítico y sobrenatural en el evento, que duro una hora más o menos.
Esta experiencia de caminar sobre el fuego me hizo pensar en el poder de Dios y la Diosa, y la devoción se hizo muy arraigada, en los años venideros. Tal vez, estas experiencias fueron poco a poco, preparando mi camino de peregrinación devocional.
El deseo de espiritualizar mi vida había sido plantado en mi mente joven, en ese día memorable!
Con amor y saludos,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
OMSAIRAMMM...
Con amor y saludos,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
OMSAIRAMMM...
......................................................................................................
Story behind the photo_CHILDHOOD DAYS & UPBRINGING.
(The Fire Walking)
Those were the days when as a young boy of 12 year old, and I was studying in the 7thgrade of middle school, in a small town in Palghat (Kerala).
We lived in an Agraharam, where a group of traditional Brahmins live. These Agraharams are cluster of tiled houses, built in rows on both sides of the road.
There are many temples outside the Agraharam areas, where you can find temples exclusively for Devi, known as “Mariamman”.
The villagers conduct the daily worships. The method of worship is based on devotion, and singing in praise of the Amman. In many such temples there are ORACLES. When the singing starts, this Oracle starts dancing to the tune and the beat. It is believed that Amman is manifesting in the body of that oracle. I have been personally witnessing awesome supernatural powers in these oracles while they are supposed to be in trace.
In my early age, late one evening, while we were playing in front of our homes, I saw a big crowd moving along the road of the Agraharam. The group of persons who were beating the Thappattai, and Udukku preceded them, and a couple of them were singing. They were walking backwards, facing the Oracle who was just behind them. The sight, which I witnessed, was perplexing. The oracle was wearing a yellow colored Dhothi, waist down. He had long hairs, but the front portion was bald, and displayed some scars over there.
The Oracle was in a condition of trance, or seemed to be possessed, and was dancing to the beating of the drums. He was holding a big open type earthen pot, and fire was ranging high from the pot. It was terribly hot, and the people nearby were sweating profusely. It seems that the oracle did not feel the heat, though the pot was resting squarely on both his palms. Of course, there were a bunch of Neem leaves as insulation, but they have been badly burnt out due to the excessive heat. The procession had already covered a good length of 2 kilometers, and by the time, it reaches back the temple, they would have covered 5 kilometers are so. It was quite astonishing to see such a feat of endurance, braving the heat, and the stamina, which he had to withstand such long procession, dancing all the way with the firepot on his hands.
Many of the people from Agraharam followed the procession to the end. I was very much enthused by this rare experience, and I too followed them.
On the arrival in the temple, which was in the outskirts of the village, the oracle circled the temple three times and emptied the fire from the pot into a long hearth, which contained simmering fire. Some devotees were fanning the fire with thick matted pads, using them as a hand used fan, and the fire was glowing red-hot. The hearth, the pit containing the fire, should be around 20 feet, long and 6 feet wide. I was told that a good 2 feet depth had been filled with fire. They would have burnt two cartloads of firewood to create this fire. I was told that the oracle would walk over the fire. I was also told that he would pick some more people to walk on the fire pit! And it did happen! The oracle selected me to be one among them.
We were directed to follow him. The destination was a river about a kilometer away. My grandmother was very excited to know that I had been blessed by the selection as one among a few, by the Oracle. We took bath in the river and returned to temple, wearing wet clothes.
On arrival, we were directed to stand in a queue, in front of the fire pit. The Oracle stood for a moment near the approach of the Fire pit, and started walking over the Fire. He covered the good 20 feet length, with about 10 to 15 strides. I was trembling with fear, to think what is going to happen. One by one, the selected devotees were directed to follow suit. It was my turn now. But I stood hesitating. The Oracle gently patted me and pushed me into the pit. I took my first step on the fire. I did not feel much heat though under my legs, it was quite warm. In a hurry I took further steps and crossed the long pit in quick time. I was wonderstruck to note there were no burns under my legs, and I was quite safe. I could not understand the rationale behind the entire episode. How is it possible that you do not get burnt, even while walking barefoot, such a length over the simmering fire?
Devotees were chanting the names of Goddess in loud voices, beating the drums, and the entire crowd was hysterical. But I must admit that there was really something mythical and supernatural in the entire event that took place within an hour or so.
This experience of fire walking made me think of the Power of God and Goddess, and the devotion became deep rooted, in the years to come. Perhaps, such experiences were gradually preparing me in my path of devotional pilgrimage. The urge to spiritualize my life had been planted in my young mind on that memorable day!
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
OMSAIRAMMM...
Story behind the photo_CHILDHOOD DAYS & UPBRINGING.
(The Fire Walking)
Those were the days when as a young boy of 12 year old, and I was studying in the 7thgrade of middle school, in a small town in Palghat (Kerala).
We lived in an Agraharam, where a group of traditional Brahmins live. These Agraharams are cluster of tiled houses, built in rows on both sides of the road.
There are many temples outside the Agraharam areas, where you can find temples exclusively for Devi, known as “Mariamman”.
The villagers conduct the daily worships. The method of worship is based on devotion, and singing in praise of the Amman. In many such temples there are ORACLES. When the singing starts, this Oracle starts dancing to the tune and the beat. It is believed that Amman is manifesting in the body of that oracle. I have been personally witnessing awesome supernatural powers in these oracles while they are supposed to be in trace.
In my early age, late one evening, while we were playing in front of our homes, I saw a big crowd moving along the road of the Agraharam. The group of persons who were beating the Thappattai, and Udukku preceded them, and a couple of them were singing. They were walking backwards, facing the Oracle who was just behind them. The sight, which I witnessed, was perplexing. The oracle was wearing a yellow colored Dhothi, waist down. He had long hairs, but the front portion was bald, and displayed some scars over there.
The Oracle was in a condition of trance, or seemed to be possessed, and was dancing to the beating of the drums. He was holding a big open type earthen pot, and fire was ranging high from the pot. It was terribly hot, and the people nearby were sweating profusely. It seems that the oracle did not feel the heat, though the pot was resting squarely on both his palms. Of course, there were a bunch of Neem leaves as insulation, but they have been badly burnt out due to the excessive heat. The procession had already covered a good length of 2 kilometers, and by the time, it reaches back the temple, they would have covered 5 kilometers are so. It was quite astonishing to see such a feat of endurance, braving the heat, and the stamina, which he had to withstand such long procession, dancing all the way with the firepot on his hands.
Many of the people from Agraharam followed the procession to the end. I was very much enthused by this rare experience, and I too followed them.
On the arrival in the temple, which was in the outskirts of the village, the oracle circled the temple three times and emptied the fire from the pot into a long hearth, which contained simmering fire. Some devotees were fanning the fire with thick matted pads, using them as a hand used fan, and the fire was glowing red-hot. The hearth, the pit containing the fire, should be around 20 feet, long and 6 feet wide. I was told that a good 2 feet depth had been filled with fire. They would have burnt two cartloads of firewood to create this fire. I was told that the oracle would walk over the fire. I was also told that he would pick some more people to walk on the fire pit! And it did happen! The oracle selected me to be one among them.
We were directed to follow him. The destination was a river about a kilometer away. My grandmother was very excited to know that I had been blessed by the selection as one among a few, by the Oracle. We took bath in the river and returned to temple, wearing wet clothes.
On arrival, we were directed to stand in a queue, in front of the fire pit. The Oracle stood for a moment near the approach of the Fire pit, and started walking over the Fire. He covered the good 20 feet length, with about 10 to 15 strides. I was trembling with fear, to think what is going to happen. One by one, the selected devotees were directed to follow suit. It was my turn now. But I stood hesitating. The Oracle gently patted me and pushed me into the pit. I took my first step on the fire. I did not feel much heat though under my legs, it was quite warm. In a hurry I took further steps and crossed the long pit in quick time. I was wonderstruck to note there were no burns under my legs, and I was quite safe. I could not understand the rationale behind the entire episode. How is it possible that you do not get burnt, even while walking barefoot, such a length over the simmering fire?
Devotees were chanting the names of Goddess in loud voices, beating the drums, and the entire crowd was hysterical. But I must admit that there was really something mythical and supernatural in the entire event that took place within an hour or so.
This experience of fire walking made me think of the Power of God and Goddess, and the devotion became deep rooted, in the years to come. Perhaps, such experiences were gradually preparing me in my path of devotional pilgrimage. The urge to spiritualize my life had been planted in my young mind on that memorable day!
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
OMSAIRAMMM...
OMSAIRAMMM...
CENTRO SAI HISPANO...
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