Monday 16 December 2019

Gananam Tva & Prano Devi Sarasvati Word to Word Meanings And Commentary

@ Ulu Sawah ValMuni Temple, Negeri Sembilan

This gaNanaam tva mantra is recited at the start of Vedic recitation as a custom.

Thursday 5 December 2019

How Did Surgeons Perform Operation Before Invention of Anesthesia?


John Evelyn, the writer diaries : 

That morning my Chirurgeon cut off a poore creaturs Leg, a little under the knee, first cutting the living and untainted flesh above the Gangreene with a sharp knife, and then sawing off the bone in an instant; then with searing and stoopes stanching the blood, which issued abudantly; the stout and gallant man, enduring it with incredible patience, and that without being bound to his chaire, as is usual in such painefull operations, or hardly making a face or crying oh.

- 1672 

Sunday 24 November 2019

Tuesday 5 November 2019

The 5 Facets of Shiva



The Linga is the form of the absolute consciousness of the Universe - Shiva.The Linga denotes the form given to 'that which is beyond forms'.

Monday 21 October 2019

Deepavali Vs Divali : Know the Difference


An annual vocabulary dispute inevitably surfaces with the celebrative 'festival of lights'

Friday 11 October 2019

Thursday 10 October 2019

The Chola King Who Married a Naga From Patala Loka


As per Hinduism, the Nagas are beings who live in Patala - a loka that exists below the plane of Bhu Loka.

Tuesday 8 October 2019

Saturday 21 September 2019

Difference between Vedas and Puranas


Purana is an umbrella term that houses ancient literature of the Vedic tradition. Each Purana glorifies a particular principle or form as supreme - which creates  contradiction.

Wednesday 18 September 2019

Hidden Secrets And Meaning of Vinayaka Agaval


Considered to be one of Poet Avvaiyar's greatest compositions, Vinayaka Agaval contains some of the deepest revelations of the yogic system. It poetically glorifies Lord Ganapati and the science He reveals to Poet Avvaiyar.

Monday 16 September 2019

Vaithianatha Muniswaran # Mystical Temples of Malaysia



Physician in d'house 


Who would have guessed a healing hub to preside within the deep greens of Tanjung Rambutan, Perak ?

Saturday 14 September 2019

Poet Vaali Lyricised LGBT 16 years ago !


Boys (Film: 2003 ) by Shankar created a paradigm shift in the early 2000s. The movie revolves around the new-gen and an unorthodox display of the youth culture.

Wednesday 31 July 2019

Shri Rudram Namakam Lyrics With Meanings


Rudram is also referred to as Namakam. It occurs in all branches of the Krishna Yajur Veda. The common recitation done in south comes under the Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajur Veda.

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Quickest & Guaranteed Way to Access Karuppar


One of ,or probably THE quickest way to squeeze yourself under the umbrella of Karuppanaswamy's grace is selfless service.

Wednesday 19 June 2019

How Did Thirumoolar Enter A Dead Body ? # Siddha Feat Inc


 Thirumoolar holds position as a prominent figure in Shaivism.He is one of the 18 revered Siddhas of the Tamizh tradition and stands as one of the Nayaanars ( 63 revered Saints of Shaivism )

Friday 14 June 2019

Big Bang Theory in Rig Veda - Nāsadīya Sūktam

The Big Bang Model
The Big Bang theory illustrates the origin of creation.The entirety of spacetime and the elements within it has a common source of origin.

Wednesday 12 June 2019

Rhythm ( 2000 ) - A Musical On Panchabhootas


Rhythm - A musical drama that will ever be deeply engraved in the consciousness of us 90's kids

Saturday 1 June 2019

Kupang Mariamman,Kedah # Mystical Temples of Malaysia




Kupang Mariamman,the only temple in the district.
Kupang,a hamlet within the Baling district of Kedah,houses a minimal population of Malaysians of the Indian ethnicity.

Friday 24 May 2019

Kailaya Vathiyam - The Echoes of Kailasa


Video : Kailaya Vathiyam in Brickfields Kandaswamy Temple,Malaysia

The very amalgamation of instrumental echoes that energise the contemporary ether to turn any atmosphere to an experiential Kailasa - that's what 'Kailaya Vathiyam' stands for.

Tuesday 26 March 2019

Bukit Selarong Karumariamman # Mystical Temples of Malaysia


The rural landscapes that branch the surface of this nation is synonymous with mysticism.Every state in Malaysia still preserves the aura of its ancient folklore which would raise anyone's brows and even send a chilly impulse down the spine.

Monday 18 March 2019

11 Ways of Reading Vedas - Significance of Ghanapatham


History of Vedas : A Brief Introduction

The entire cosmos is a reverberation. Reverberation means sound energy. In other words, what you perceive as the cosmos is simply a hologram projected from core vibrations.

Friday 8 March 2019

Alakshmirme or Lakshmirme ? Shri Suktam Clarification


Shri Suktam is a portion of the Vedas attributed to the aspect of wealth and the expression of Lakshmi.

Wednesday 27 February 2019

The Consequence of Forgetting One's Kula Devata


 ''Staying away from worshiping Kula devata is like keeping a vessel with a hole. Nothing will stay on the vessel with a hole.

Saturday 23 February 2019

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Penang Theppa Thiruvilla : When the Beach Gets Coloured




 Singamukha Kaliamman Temple, Teluk Bahang, Penang

 This more than a century beach side temple has its vast perimeter footed by thousands during the auspicious 'magi masam Theppa Thiruvilla'.

Saturday 16 February 2019

Behind Pulwama Attack : Is China Involved ?


 The death of at least 40 paramilitary heroes is creating headlines on the international platform as thousands mourn over this emotional crisis that is backed by staunch patriotism.

Friday 15 February 2019

This Vegan Stall in Penang will make your tastebuds go frenzy


This newly erected cruelty-free stall will open a new dimension within your tastebuds and turn your pseudo-grave guts into an inhabitable botanical garden with their Middle Eastern delicacies.

Thursday 14 February 2019

Varsity Students in KL Are Rushing To The Toilet and its Reason will Shock you !


Students in the urbanised landscapes of Malaysia are lately visiting local clinics - hoping to find remedy for their bladder from ringing the pee green light too often.

Tuesday 12 February 2019

History of Datuk Gong

Image: A Datuk shrine at my hometown, Subang Jaya

Being Malaysian, it is inevitable for one to ignore shrines that resemble the one above.


My interest in Datuk Gong initiated with an intrigue when I noticed a shrine in my campus' temple ( I mistook Datuk Gong shrines to be a branch of Chinese ancestral worship earlier ). My quest explored and I finally solved the mystery behind this ubiquitous deity.

 Datuk in the campus periphery of AIMST University, my Alma Mater

Datuk Gong shrines are widespread across the width and breadth of this nation, occupying any possible space - Under trees, hotels, malls, houses, temples, forests and even by the roadside to quote a few.

A Datuk Shrine in a Muniandy temple at Sungai Lalang, Sungai Petani

Who is Datuk Gong ?

So who is this deity who actively watches over the pedestrians, as early as when dawn peels over the sky up to the wee hours ? Datuk Gong is a consciousness that is worshiped for mundane purposes. Common examples include protection, wealth and health.

For instance, people worship Datuk Gong before going for a job interview. Commoner examples of course include for the purpose of winning a lottery.

The term 'Datuk Gong' is an amalgamation of two cultures. Datuk refers to a honorable title in the Malay language while 'Gong' refers to the same in the Chinese dialect. As it is obvious-this deity represents the Malaysian culture for reasons we shall see.

A Datuk shrine or idol represents an individual consciousness. This consciousness would be that of a prominent figure ( excluding instagram public figures ) in the society who has walked the timeline of history. For instance, healers, martial artists, philanthropists across all ages.



A Datuk is not confined to a particular race or religion. For those who are aware of Dargahs in India, Datuk Gong worship is a Malaysian equivalent to it - just that we find their presence in small erected shrines rather than their actual samadhi ( grave ) 

Attankarai Dargah, Thirunelveli,India - A famous Dargah with mystical history behind it.

A Dargah is a shrine built over the samadhi ( grave ) of a Sufi Saint who has attained an eminent spiritual awakening - possibly even enlightenment. Dargahs hold a mystical ambiance and is frequented by people from different religious backgrounds.


Many seekers even opt for Dargahs as a spot for meditation.



Nagore Dargah Sheriff , Georgetown, Penang. This is a replica of the famous Dargah in Nagore, India

So to put it simple - Datuk Gong represents a saintly personality who has attained spiritual awakening, thus preserving a very vibrant consciousness upon leaving the body, which can confer help to us. One of the quickest paths to spiritual awakening is selfless service. This is one reason why most Datuks were once someone who had rendered selfless help and service to humanity.

Datuk Karpal Singh now worshiped

There are no strict regulations and protocols as to how one should worship the deity. Importantly, you should do the necessary rituals to preserve their aura in that area.

Datuk coexisting with Lord Muniandy in Ipoh. Acculturation in form.

Commonly, worshipers offer black coffee ( Kopi O ) and traditional Malay delicacies. Lamps and incense are very crucial - incense smoke in particular. The nature of the Datuk must be understood as well. If the consciousness is that of a personality who was once a Muslim, offering of pork and alcohol is strictly taboo.

Image: Datuk Hijau in Sunway Hotel, Perai, Penang

Unfortunately, we have reduced the position of Datuks to that of a mere provider of wealth. Most seek such shrines hoping to win the lottery.

What I would recommend you to do if you pass by a Datuk Shrine : 

(1) Send immense gratitude .Every Datuk functions as a protector of a particular area. Just send immense gratitude for His compassionate consciousness. None of us are aware as to who was saved from mishaps thanks to the grace of a Datuk.

Even female personalities can function as a Datuk

(2) Look at the deity and pour love with a gesture of a smile. If you are comfortable and if it is permissible, offer simple snacks or black coffee. With time, this simple act of serving will amplify within you and you will start radiating compassion to all beings around you. This is the magic of Datuk - where He can help awaken humanity in you. This is utmost important. Love all, serve all.

A shrine with a portrait of the presiding Datuk

Sultan Abdul Samad is now a worshiped Datuk in the Bao Tian Gong temple


Actual image of Sultan Abdul Samad - Sultan Selangor V