Tantra in daily life (Part 1)

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Flowers adorning midnight dark and velvety hair of Indian women, swaying gently to the movements of their gait may present a delightful sight, but they represent a deeper significance. More than the attractive sight they present, the fragrance they emanate holds richer promise. If incense sticks or 'sambrani' are lit in houses to attract great prosperity, equally or more exotic results are assured for the wearer of flowers containing heavenly fragrance. Jasmines attract love and guarantees spiritual elevation ( a mixture of jasmine flowers and vermillion used as offering to Goddess Mahalakshmi for the ashtothara shathanamavali pooja for 41 days is said to materialize wedlock) and roses attract love as well as material prosperity. The 'Kadambam' flowers which is a mixture of jaaji (jaadi), malli, chamanthi. mogali (thazampoo), davanam, etc. are intensely fragrant, their intoxicating fragrance instantly warming the heart as it skips many a beat with unknown excitement. We can imagine the results of the combination of all these exotic flowers!!
Fragrance is also related to the kitchen! The auspicious sweets such as payasam, chakkara pongal etc., demand the usage of camphor (pachcha karpooram) and cardamom. Their rich and divine fragrance are powerful magnets for attracting peace and prosperity into houses. That is also one reason why the stove in the kitchen is considered to be the seat of Goddess Mahalakshmi. In orthodox houses stoves are cleaned and designs with streaks of vermillion (kolam) are drawn on them. On auspicious days such as Fridays, Pournami, general festivals and birthdays of kith and kin, traditional sweets are prepared by using camphor and cardamom powders liberally. Their strong scents invoke positive energies into the lives of the household members thereby promoting peace and harmony in the environment to a great extent.
Even images of flowers known as "Centaury", "Mimulus" and "Rockrose" when hung on walls of the house act as powerful protectors, warding off negativity and enemies!
Famous 'attars' like aragaja, javvadu, punugu (civet oil), sandal paste etc. are potent fragrances meant to attract and fulfill heart's desires. A common tantra is to apply these ingredients on the 'agna chakra' ( in the region middle of the eyebrows). "Agna" means to command and also represents one's conscience. Application of any substance on this vital point yields suitable results. It is therefore recommended that one should at all times apply only auspicious things like vermillion, vibhuthi, sandal paste, raksha of a homam (havan)etc. for all round prosperity and grace of God. Application of attars on agna chakra yields material prosperity and success in heart-related matters.
Usage of meaningless 'sticker' bindis abuse the power and potency of agna chakra.
(To be continued......)