My tulsi kanthi broke!

[Poeticus]

You're probably right. I think the problem is that they are made cheap, and I never take it off, even when sleeping. I found a site Tulsi : SacredWoods.net, Malas, Beads, Jewelry, Books that has some seemingly nice items. Because they are so inexpensive (and seem to break so easily ), I would get a couple each of the 3rd and 5th that are displayed, the 22" and 18". I think, despite some things written about offending Lord Hari by removing it (mumbo-jumbo which I don't believe), I would take it off at night.

Namaste,

Nah, taking them off (especially for sleeping) will never offend Lord Shrī Hari.

Dogma has infiltrated from the Abrahamic dimension into our dharmic dimension, hasn't it? Haha.
- - - - - - - -
I, too, am looking for some affordable mālā-s. The really cheap ones aren't able to stay together for a long time. Let me know if you find any good sites...

I think the problem is this:

In India, they are extremely cheap and one can wear them till they break and get new ones from a nearby temple (sometimes even getting them for free). On the other hand:
Here, in the West, the Indians that sell them (even if they sell them for a cheap price) charge at higher rates than their counterparts back in the motherland even though they get the same ones.

I despise the "selling" of these necessities. Devotees should be able to acquire them without others profiting off of them. I can understand "selling" scriptures and books and clothes, but mālā-s? small murtis? TulsiMā plant seeds?

M.V.

 

[Jainarayan]

Namaste,

Nah, taking them off (especially for sleeping) will never offend Lord Shrī Hari.

Dogma has infiltrated from the Abrahamic dimension into our dharmic dimension, hasn't it? Haha.
- - - - - - - -

Yes, indeed it has. The irony is that as one who has run away from Christian dogma, which I refer to as superstitious silliness and mumbo-jumbo, I am seeing it in too many areas of Sanātana Dharma. I can't put my finger on it or give specific examples, because as Justice Potter Stewart of the US Supreme Court said about pornography and obscenity: "I can't describe it, but I know it when I see it".

I, too, am looking for some affordable mālā-s. The really cheap ones aren't able to stay together for a long time. Let me know if you find any good sites...

Rudra Centre Rudraksha beads, Gemstones and Rudraksha Ratna Science Therapy has some very nice items. I've gotten almost all my puja items, brass diyas, and several murthis from them. The prices are good. The site gives very personalized service, they are quite accessible. I have no financial interest in the company other than what I spend but I highly recommend them.

I think the problem is this:

In India, they are extremely cheap and one can wear them till they break and get new ones from a nearby temple (sometimes even getting them for free). On the other hand:
Here, in the West, the Indians that sell them (even if they sell them for a cheap price) charge at higher rates than their counterparts back in the motherland even though they get the same ones.

I despise the "selling" of these necessities. Devotees should be able to acquire them without others profiting off of them. I can understand "selling" scriptures and books and clothes, but mālā-s? small murtis? TulsiMā plant seeds?

M.V.

I quite agree. My temple gift shop is expanding bit by bit and obtaining items either by ordering or when people make trips "back home". But here is it virtually impossible to get Indian items or supplies. The closest Indian grocery store to me is a good 40 miles away, further than I go to work!

 

[Vinayaka]

Hemp thread is the strongest thread I know of. a person could always re-string it.

 

[Jainarayan]

Yes it is strong... especially if it can tie a boat to a dock. Hemp is easy enough to find. I think it's what's used as packing string. The fibers could be teased apart in case the string is too thick.

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste,

Rudra Centre Rudraksha beads, Gemstones and Rudraksha Ratna Science Therapy has some very nice items. I've gotten almost all my puja items, brass diyas, and several murthis from them. The prices are good. The site gives very personalized service, they are quite accessible. I have no financial interest in the company other than what I spend but I highly recommend them.

Thank you!!! I bookmarked it on the spot hehe.

I quite agree. My temple gift shop is expanding bit by bit and obtaining items either by ordering or when people make trips "back home". But here is it virtually impossible to get Indian items or supplies. The closest Indian grocery store to me is a good 40 miles away, further than I go to work!

That is a horrible journey! 40 miles?! For being Second India, New Jersey should definitely have more and more grocery stores as well as mandirs.

Hemp thread is the strongest thread I know of. a person could always re-string it.

Hemp should be fully legal. As well as it's other interesting counterparts....

M.V.

 

[Jainarayan]

That is a horrible journey! 40 miles?! For being Second India, New Jersey should definitely have more and more grocery stores as well as mandirs.

M.V.

Tell me about it. Edison and Jersey City are Little Delhi but are as hard to navigate as Delhi itself (as I understand, never having been there). Most of the large stores are in Edison and Jersey City, with Jersey City having a temple on every corner (OK, that's hyperbole ). Jersey City is a good 60 miles and a few Valiums to deal with the traffic. In the 40 mile radius from where I live, I can think of only three temples, the closest one being the one in Morganville :: Sri Guruvayurappan Temple :: It's a bee-yooti-ful temple, but it is hyooge with overlapping pujas. As one who worships Vishnu and Shiva, I find myself torn which puja to go to when they overlap or run concurrently. For example, a Sri Shiva puja will be going on during the Mangala Aarti. But this is a testament to the dearth of temples in the area, that one temple serves all of the Indian diaspora in the area (I'm the token white guy so that's why I say Indian rather than Hindu).

 

[Vayasya]

I found something you might like, Jainarayan.

Tulsi Tulasi Japa Mala Rosary Basil Bead Prayer Yoga Hindu Meditation Necklace | eBay

 

[Vinayaka]

Tell me about it. Edison and Jersey City are Little Delhi but are as hard to navigate as Delhi itself (as I understand, never having been there).

Not quite. Google Image Result for http://mikethepsych.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/delhi.jpg

 

[Jainarayan]

Not quite. Google Image Result for http://mikethepsych.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/delhi.jpg

Oh stop! That's US 9 through Freehold at a Friday rush hour!

 

[Vinayaka]

Hemp should be fully legal. As well as it's other interesting counterparts....

M.V.

Industrial hemp is fully legal here in Canada to grow. I don't know about in the US. There may still be a ban on the industrial stuff because of the Hearst decision. The twine is available here in Wal-Mart or in art stores. My single rudraksa string has lasted up to 5 years with daily wear.

 

[Jainarayan]

I found something you might like, Jainarayan.

Tulsi Tulasi Japa Mala Rosary Basil Bead Prayer Yoga Hindu Meditation Necklace | eBay

It's perfect, thanks! It's the right length, and the bead size is great. I ordered it but for some reason the seller's paypal account can't accept payment. I sent an inquiry.

 

[Poeticus]

Namaste,

Sorry for the late reply, brothers.

Industrial hemp is fully legal here in Canada to grow. I don't know about in the US. There may still be a ban on the industrial stuff because of the Hearst decision. The twine is available here in Wal-Mart or in art stores. My single rudraksa string has lasted up to 5 years with daily wear.

Go hemp! Go hemp! : hamster :: hamster :: hamster :

As one who worships Vishnu and Shiva, I find myself torn which puja to go to when they overlap or run concurrently. For example, a Sri Shiva puja will be going on during the Mangala Aarti. But this is a testament to the dearth of temples in the area, that one temple serves all of the Indian diaspora in the area (I'm the token white guy so that's why I say Indian rather than Hindu).

Haha. Which Pūjā to pick? Which one to go on another day? So many choices! So little time! New Jersey is the place to be if one wants the Second India (Little India) experience.

Also, are you the only white guy in the temple you go to? If so, do some proselytizing Dharma isn't to be monopolized by Indians...Sanātana Dharma needs as many non-Indians as it can! Always keep in mind, the anti-Hindus will propagate the falsity that only Indians can be Hindu to deter "conversion"/adoption of the Dharmic faith. When you encounter such a thing, laugh in their face, for me, will ya?

M.V.

 

[Jainarayan]

Non-Indians have little or no conception of what Hinduism is. It especially confuses them to see a white Italian-American Hindu. I've had to set a few people straight, but with love.

 

[Vayasya]

It's perfect, thanks! It's the right length, and the bead size is great. I ordered it but for some reason the seller's paypal account can't accept payment. I sent an inquiry.

No problem! It'll work out.

 

[Jainarayan]

The order went through. I should have it sometime next week. I really should have ordered one or more two (I still can). They come blessed with the puja done over them. So they come prêt-à-porter, "ready-to-wear".

 

[Vayasya]

The order went through. I should have it sometime next week. I really should have ordered one or more two (I still can). They come blessed with the puja done over them. So they come prêt-à-porter, "ready-to-wear".

There's still no reason you shouldn't offer it to Lord Viṣṇu first.

 

[Jainarayan]

Very true. I'll put it on the altar when I do my prayers, offerings and light and offer it to Him. I did that anyway when I got the other kanthis and mālās.

 

[Vayasya]

Very true. I'll put it on the altar when I do my prayers, offerings and light and offer it to Him. I did that anyway when I got the other kanthis and mālās.

I'm sure He'll receive it gladly.