Which is my nakshatra(birthstar)?

[Sudarshan]

And I am quite sure that you have (once again) completely misconstrued my words!


This is a VERY important point, which should not be ignored.

This is the very reason (which I have repeatedly stated) behind the absolute requirement in Sanatana Dharma for the unnamed to be named by one who is already named (by one already named by one already named, etc. etc.) all the way back to the source.

Sanatana Dharma requires that you are named by your own parents and/or by your Guru. And until you can grasp this one point, there is little chance that you will understand the rest.

No individual Christian (not even Jesus) can baptise or christen himself, and no Jew can perform his own circumcision !

If you get the answers you already expect you are happy, but if you don't like the answer (no matter how true) you would prefer to shoot the messenger.

Perhaps you could suggest a name for him?

[sarabhanga]

This evening I will begin to choose my future Hindu first name.

Namaste Orlando,

I am only advising that you should slow down and not get too far ahead of yourself. In preparation, it is good to have the appropriate information about your birth ready, but you should not presume to choose your own name.

Go ahead and learn as much truth as you can find, experience your life fully, as it is, while always considering (and actively applying) the fundamental principles of Yama. Strive earnestly and honestly toward your aspirations and ultimate aim. And at the appropriate time, a suitable guru will (in person) bestow your proper Hindu name.

Namakarana is a simple procedure, but it cannot be performed at a distance or over the internet. Indeed, the nameless one and the named naming one should come close enough for each one to actually feel the breath of the other.

Meanwhile, why not use the name by which you are already known? Orlando is an excellent name (evoking the radiant corona of the solar orb), so at this stage you could simply translate Orlando into some Sanskrit equivalent, as an effective Hindu “nick name”. And when the time comes for naming by a guru, that guru will decide if the name is appropriate.

[sarabhanga]

And I would suggest somAditya, or perhaps somAnanda.

[orlando]

And I am quite sure that you have (once again) completely misconstrued my words!


This is a VERY important point, which should not be ignored.

This is the very reason (which I have repeatedly stated) behind the absolute requirement in Sanatana Dharma for the unnamed to be named by one who is already named (by one already named by one already named, etc. etc.) all the way back to the source.

Sanatana Dharma requires that you are named by your own parents and/or by your Guru. And until you can grasp this one point, there is little chance that you will understand the rest.

No individual Christian (not even Jesus) can baptise or christen himself, and no Jew can perform his own circumcision !

If you get the answers you already expect you are happy, but if you don't like the answer (no matter how true) you would prefer to shoot the messenger.

Well,I should ask to a guru of ITALIAN HINDU UNION SANATANA DHARMA SAMGHA


By http://www.hinduism.it/zzinduismo.htm

Who would like to formalise his/her belonging and live fully his spiritual aspiration, making his/her faith evident and live it in a coherent way, can become Hindu with the formal ceremony called nāmakarana samskāra (to receive the name in a sacred way), preceded by the due purifications and officiated by svami o pandit from the I.H.U. In this way he/she adheres fully and loyally to the principles of Hinduism both, socially and individually.

But I don't know if I will find a Shaiva-Siddhanta guru there.

[orlando]

Namakarana is a simple procedure, but it cannot be performed at a distance or over the internet. Indeed, the nameless one and the named naming one should come close enough for each one to actually feel the breath of the other.

I don't know if it is simple.But it is very expensive.!
By http://www.himalayanacademy.com/reso.../hbh_ch-7.html

Dakshina, a love offering for the priest, is a traditional appreciation of his services in bringing the seeker into the religion. A generous dakshina, a sum of US$900 or more, is appropriate by year-2000 standards in the US, depending upon the number of priests attending. It is estimated that such a Vedic ceremony will take one to four hours and require many more hours of strict preparations. The presiding priest would be given $301 or more, his second helper $201 and other helpers $101. Traditionally, cash is wrapped in a betel leaf or its equivalent and handed personally to the priests right after the ceremony.

Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime happening, the cost of the giving should not be a consideration. Of course, when the rite is performed in a temple, the management should also be given $201 to $501 for the use of their facilities, which would be arranged with them in advance and could be paid by check. In general, generosity is preferred to miserliness when it comes to rewarding our priests for these enormously important sacred ceremonies and passages. Such appreciation in the form of equitable payment ensures the gratitude and good feelings of the priests for the life ahead. If more than one family member is receiving the namakarana samskara, the amount paid to the priests and the temple would not necessarily be increased. This depends on the protocol of the particular temple. Any reception held afterwards would, of course, involve additional costs. One may elect to give gifts to the temple, such as a picture of your guru and his books and other publications, in thanks for the assistance and services.

Regards,
Orlando.

[Sudarshan]

Dakshina, a love offering for the priest, is a traditional appreciation of his services in bringing the seeker into the religion. A generous dakshina, a sum of US$900 or more, is appropriate by year-2000 standards in the US, depending upon the number of priests attending. It is estimated that such a Vedic ceremony will take one to four hours and require many more hours of strict preparations. The presiding priest would be given $301 or more, his second helper $201 and other helpers $101. Traditionally, cash is wrapped in a betel leaf or its equivalent and handed personally to the priests right after the ceremony.

Not surprising Namakarana has become a mere business in the US - $900, oh my!! Now I understand why some westerners disagree with the version of Hinduism that is advocated in the west.

In Tamil Nadu, here , possibly it takes only Rs.1000 or less, and in many cases done entirely free. I remember directing somebody to doing this for only Rs.400. Another thing, these rates are never fixed price in India. It is based on your ability to pay. A rich may may offer to pay a hefty sum because he can afford to. A poor man may pay a small amount. Fixing a standard price of $900 is against the principles of Hindu Dharma, especially when the person concerned is not wealthy.

Everything has become mere business. Dont pay more than $100-200 on these things. It is plain cheating.

[sarabhanga]

Namaste,

Namakarana (just as every samskara) is priceless, and no particular fee can be required for this spiritual service. The process may be as elaborate or as simple as you like or can afford, but the debt is beyond mortal repayment and so any offering can only be a token.

There are traditions for the appropriate distribution of the dakshina (whatever the total amount), but in the most basic scenario only one officiating Brahman is required ~ or, in the absence of any Brahmana, just one Hindu with the knowledge and the desire to perform it.

Dakshina is always expected, but it can only ever be “as you like”.

As Sudarshan has mentioned, the basic naming is often given freely; and, when a Brahman names his own infant son, there should be no thought of any cash payment or financial debt! The debt is beyond calculation; and in this perfect case the bond is entirely spiritual, and the payment is entirely in kind.

[orlando]

Namaste all.
Shri Sarabhanga,I can assure you that I will not forget to give some money to the hindu priest who will do my namakarana.I already know that in hindu culture it is a common thing to offer something (money,fruit etc) to holy people,satgurus etc

[satay]

Not surprising Namakarana has become a mere business in the US - $900, oh my!! Now I understand why some westerners disagree with the version of Hinduism that is advocated in the west.

Outrageous! These 'hindus' that run after donkeys food like this are a shame!!

Orlando, Please...I would not pay a dime to an organization that charges 900 USD for 'any' hindu service!

As sarabhanga said the debt of namakarna can not be paid in donkey's food. Any money offering is only symbolic and "as you like" since the debt can not be repaid anyhow.

unreal!