Mantralaya-2035
(Importance of Madi and its scientific approach )
Date : March 27, 2025
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
Importance of Madi and its scientific approach is described in Mantralaya (2035).
Meaning
In
Mantralaya(2033), we realized the profound benefits of Mantra, and in
Mantralaya(2034), we witnessed the significance of Pooja. Now, let us
delve into the concept of Madi and the state in which we should perform
pooja.
Madi has been a topic of much discussion and
controversy. Over time, misconceptions have arisen, with some claiming
that certain Brahmins use Madi as a means to distance themselves from
others or display arrogance. While this perception exists, it is
crucial to understand what Madi truly means and why it is essential in
spiritual practices.
Let us understand Madi in Its True Essence,
the ancient sages and Vedas emphasize that one should observe Madi
while performing pooja, cooking food meant for offering to God, and
chanting mantras. However, modern society often misunderstands Madi as
merely taking a dip in a river, becoming wet, and wearing untouched
clothes. In some cases, people angrily respond to being asked not to
touch someone in Madi, furthering misconceptions.
The real
definition of Madi goes far beyond these surface level practices. Madi
is about preparing both the physical body and mental state to receive
and retain positive energy for a longer period. Let us first explore
the role of Madi in maintaining physical purity.
Madi and
Physical Purity - To perform pooja effectively, one must ensure that
the body is clean and receptive to divine vibrations. This is why
people observing Madi take a bath multiple times a day, particularly
before performing spiritual activities. After bathing, they wear
freshly washed, unstitched, or specially designated clothes (such as
silk dhotis or sarees) that remain untouched by others. The reason for
this practice is rooted in energy principles—washing clothes removes
negative energies, and ensuring they are untouched prevents the
transfer of external impurities.
A common question arises: Why
is silk preferred for Madi? Silk is the fabric of choice for Madi due
to several scientific and spiritual reasons: Hydrophobic Nature –
Unlike cotton or wool, silk does not absorb moisture. This prevents it
from holding sweat, bacteria, or impurities, keeping it purer for
longer periods. Natural Antimicrobial Properties – Silk resists
bacterial and fungal growth, making it more hygienic compared to
cotton, which absorbs sweat and can harbor microbes. Less Static
Electricity – Unlike synthetic fabrics, silk does not generate much
static electricity, which helps it attract less dust and dirt,
contributing to its purity. Temperature Regulation – Silk acts as a
natural insulator, keeping the body cool in hot weather and warm in
cold weather, ensuring comfort during prolonged pooja rituals.
Protein-Based Composition – Unlike cotton, which is plant-based, silk
is protein-based like human skin, making it less absorbent to external
contaminants.
Madi and Mental Purity - While physical
cleanliness is important, Madi is incomplete without mental purity.
This aspect of Madi is often overlooked but is just as critical as
external purity.True purity (Shuddhi) comes from within. Just as we
cleanse our bodies and wear Madi clothes, we must also cleanse our
thoughts and emotions. This means: Avoiding Anger (Krodha) – Anger
disturbs the mind and creates negativity. A person in Madi should
remain calm and composed. Letting Go of Jealousy (Matsarya) – Envy
contaminates the mind. True Madi means being content with what we have
and not comparing ourselves with others.Not Thinking Negatively About
Others (Dvesha) – Gossiping, criticizing, or harboring ill will goes
against the essence of Madi. A pure mind sees the good in
everyone.Avoiding Desires and Attachments (Lobha & Moha) –
Materialistic cravings and attachments make the mind restless. A person
in Madi should focus on devotion and surrender.
When performing
pooja and chanting mantras, one generates immense positive energy. This
energy can only be retained if Madi is observed in both body and mind.
A fascinating incident shared by Sri Bannanje Govindacharya highlights
this: Once, an Udupi Swamiji was waiting for the cook to bring Naivedya
(food offering). The food arrived late, causing Swamiji to sit in
anticipation for a long time. When it finally came, instead of offering
it immediately, Swamiji went for a bath and meditated. Only after this
did he return to offer the food to God.Curious, the cook asked Swamiji
why he had bathed and meditated again. With a gentle smile, Swamiji
explained: "My Madi was broken when I felt anger over the delay. To
restore my purity, I had to cleanse myself physically and mentally
before proceeding with the offering."
This illustrates that Madi
is not just about physical cleanliness—it is a state of mind that must
be upheld with patience and discipline.
The Wisdom of
Purandaradasaru on Madi - Another beautiful incident highlights the
mental aspect of Madi. Once, Purandaradasaru was dining with learned
Vedic Brahmins. One of them, consumed by pride, kept shouting about how
he was in Madi. He then noticed that Purandaradasaru was drinking from
a visibly unclean copper cup and rebuked him, saying: "You are in Madi, but you are using a dirty cup! You should clean it first!". Purandaradasaru smiled and showed the inside of the cup, which was spotlessly clean. Then, he responded: "See, my cup is pure inside, even if the outside looks dirty. But what you carry is pure outside yet impure inside." The
Brahmin immediately realized his mistake. Being in Madi externally but
filled with ego and arrogance internally was meaningless.
The
Mantra, Pooja, and Madi principles are deeply scientific. They should
not be seen as rigid religious practices but rather as ways to harness
and sustain divine energy.
The sages defined Madi as a clean
mind and body, ensuring that one absorbs and retains the enormous
positive energy generated during pooja. When we perform rituals with
the right intent and purity, we truly connect with the divine. This is
the essence of Madi.Observing Madi stabilizes the body's
electromagnetic field, enhances the absorption of mantra vibrations,
and fosters a peaceful mind. When we perform rituals with the right
intent and discipline, we truly connect with divine energy. This is the
essence of Madi—an integration of science and spirituality for holistic
well-being.
Here are some of the references of Madi: From the
Vedas, Puranas, and Bhagavad Gita, it is clear that Madi is a deeply
rooted spiritual discipline that ensures both physical and mental
purity before engaging in divine rituals. Science validates these
principles, making Madi a perfect blend of spiritual wisdom and
scientific practice.
Rig Veda (10.9.1) "Apah punantu prithivim, prithivi putam punatu mam."
(May the sacred waters purify the earth, and may the purified earth purify me.).
Explanation:
This verse emphasizes the importance of water and cleanliness in
spiritual purity, which is a fundamental aspect of Madi. Taking a bath
before pooja purifies both the body and the mind, making one a suitable
vessel for divine energy.
Yajur Veda (1.5.6) - "Shuddham shuddhena samayanti."
(Only the pure can approach the pure.)
Explanation:
This highlights the necessity of being in a state of physical and
mental purity before engaging in spiritual activities like pooja and
mantra chanting.
Atharva Veda (6.120.3) - "Pavitram te vitatam Brahma varchasam."
(Purity leads to the radiance of divine energy.)
Explanation:
This suggests that maintaining purity (Madi) enhances one’s spiritual
glow and divine energy, making one more receptive to positive
vibrations.
Bhagavata Purana (10.6.10) - "Yasya smaran matrena pavanam bhavati nrinam."
(Even by remembering the Lord, one becomes purified.)
Explanation:
This highlights that not only external cleanliness but also mental
purity is crucial in spiritual practice—aligning perfectly with Madi’s
emphasis on purity of both body and mind.
Garuda Purana (2.33.44) - "Shuddhata bina naivedyam na samarpayet."
(Without purity, one should not offer food to the Divine.)
Explanation:
This supports the practice of cooking in Madi, ensuring that food
remains untouched by external influences before offering it as Naivedya
to God.
Padma Purana (4.58.30) - "Antah shuddhi bina pujanam nishphalam bhavet."
(Without inner purity, worship is fruitless.)
Explanation: This aligns with the Madi principle that rituals are effective only when performed with a pure mind and heart.
Bhagavad Gita (6.12) - "Shuchau deshe pratishthapya sthiram asanam atmanah."
(One should establish oneself in a clean and sacred place before meditation and worship.)
Explanation:
This verse affirms that external cleanliness (Madi) is essential to
create a proper spiritual environment for pooja and meditation.
Bhagavad Gita (17.16) - "Manah prasādaḥ saumyatvaṁ maunam ātma-vinigrahaḥ, bhāva-sanśhuddhir ity etat tapo mānasam uchyate."
(Tranquility of mind, gentleness, silence, self-restraint, and purity of thought—these are called mental austerities.)
Explanation:
This verse describes the mental aspect of Madi, where anger, jealousy,
and desires must be controlled to maintain spiritual purity.
Bhagavad Gita (3.11) - "Devan bhavayatanena te deva bhavayantu vah."
(By offering selfless service and maintaining purity, divine energies will bless you in return.)
Explanation: This supports the idea that practicing Madi enhances one’s ability to receive divine blessings.
In
conclusion Madi is Scientific, the hygiene benefits of washing clothes,
using silk, and bathing multiple times are backed by microbiological
studies.The mental purity aspect of Madi is supported by neuroscience
and psychology, which show that avoiding anger, jealousy, and desires
creates a calm, high-energy mental state.The spiritual energy
absorption principle of Madi is validated by research in
bioelectromagnetics, sound therapy, and mantra science.
Thus,
Madi is not just a religious ritual, it is a scientifically validated
practice that optimizes the body and mind for absorbing divine energy.
The devotion towards
Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple
and effective way to reach Sri Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE
GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be
disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||