Hi everyone!
I'm Dr. R. A. Raaj (Psychology) from Singapore & am thrilled to have found this community. I was completely unaware of this website until recently! My first brush with it was actually an attempt to reply to a post by the well-known member, Ms Renuka, on August 12, 2016, which I discovered while researching for my upcoming books on Hinduism & mysticism. I'm looking forward to connecting & engaging with all of you.
The thread’s link:
https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/should-we-say-our-wish-in-which-ear.33125/.
However, I discovered the thread was closed to further replies. This prompted me to join the community & share my response here. My goal is simply to contribute intriguing details about Hindu mythology gleaned from my research & experiences.
In case you’re unable to view the thread, this was the post I wanted to reply to:
“What is the significance behind Nandi having unilateral hearing loss of left ear?
So far I know Adisesha's too is hearing impaired cos he swayed each time he heard praise of Lord Vishnu & caused High Richter Scale instability to the planets he holds on his hood...so his hearing capacity was removed.
But in the case of Nandi why is he having unilateral loss of hearing?
Anyone?”
What I found out:
Nandi being deaf in his left ear is a part of Hindu mythology & folklore. According to some legends, it is said that Nandi lost his hearing in his left ear due to a curse. The specifics of how this curse came about can vary in different retellings of the tales.
In some versions, the curse is attributed to a sage or deity (unable to verify their names for now) who, for various reasons, placed the curse upon Nandi, resulting in his left ear becoming deaf. This aspect of Nandi being deaf in his left ear is often portrayed as a unique trait that adds depth to his character in Hindu mythology.
However, the general idea behind the curse often revolves around the theme of hubris or pride. Nandi, being the loyal mount & devoted servant of Lord Shiva, might have been cursed due to his perceived arrogance or excessive pride in his abilities. This curse, as a result of his pride, could be seen as a reminder of the importance of humility & modesty in the face of divine power.
While the idea of Nandi being cursed for pride is a common theme in mythology, I haven't been able to find any specific stories that directly illustrate this.
It's important to remember that these stories are part of ancient myths & folklore, & the specific details & interpretations can vary across different sources & traditions.
I have a few more interesting mythological tidbits to share with fellow enthusiasts, which I'll post when I have more time.
A short introduction:
There was a field for “Gothram” at sign up. I filled it with “Unavailable”.
While often used interchangeably, my understanding from Indian Purohits who conduct my Pujas & Homams in India regularly informed me that "Gothram" & "Kulam" are distinct. My "Gothram" seems to denotes a lineage traced back to the revered sage Bhrigu, which makes me part of the Bhargava Gothram.
Kulam, in contrast, is a broader term encompassing a social group, often linked to occupation or tradition. It's essentially synonymous with "Parkavakulam," which references the prevailing caste system. My "Parkavakulam" or sub-caste identity appears to be used interchangeably with these terms. I've known since childhood that my paternal grandfather was a Servai (Thevar), originally from a village between Madurai & Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, about 147km apart.
Now that I’ve cleared that up, more about me.
I'm the eldest of four siblings (three sisters), born in Kuala Lumpur to a Malaysian mother (now a Singaporean citizen) & a Singaporean father who passed away in 2011 at the age of 73. Since completing my National Service in the army & receiving full Singaporean citizenship, Singapore has been my home.
At 61, I'm a Hindu Tamilian, with paternal grandparents hailing from Tamil Nadu, India. My grandfather's village is just a two-hour drive from Madurai.
I'm married with three adult sons; two are married, & my youngest is planning a wedding as soon as he secures a HDB flat. My wife & I, live with my eldest son. My second son lives in Melbourne with his wife & my three-year-old grandson born on my same birthday in 2021.
Since 1980, I've been an Astro-Numerologist. My fascination with numbers, mysticism, spirituality, & Hindu concepts began when I was around 10-12 years old. This passion led me to pursue a Master's degree in Mathematics after my Bachelor's in Business Management.
I'm also a consummate Psychic, though I ceased practicing after suffering a double heart attack (my heart stopped for 6 minutes), a stroke, & a seizure in September-October 2023. The stroke left a massive blood clot in my frontal lobe. I'm incredibly fortunate to have been in the hospital after an angiogram when the attacks occurred consecutively over two weeks. I've literally been given a second chance at life.
My 44-year career as an Astro-Numerologist left little time for writing, but my family had constantly encouraged me to share my unique perspectives by writing my planned books which had been put on hold. This Near-Death-Experience (NDE) has highlighted the urgency to complete my books & share my knowledge as my runway is getting shorter by the second. I'm semi-retired & plan to conduct free webinars & workshops alongside my writing. I'll share more updates as my health improves.
Thank you for reading! God bless.
