22 September 2015 - QA 6

What should we do to read and understand the Vedas?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Yes, you have come to the right place. Keep learning new things here and go on attending the different programs we have.

For example, in Tamil Nadu, they fold their hands into fists and tap their temples and forehead with the knuckles. This is a symbolic way to honour and remember Lord Ganesha. It was supposed to be done 21 times in the earlier days. This custom is called Kopakarnam in Tamil. You would also have to do sit-ups 21 times after this. .
Recently, scientists performed a mapping of the human brain and found that this practice of Thoppukaranam enhances the brain. May be that is why so many brilliant people seem to come from Tamil Nadu (laughter).

You can ask our Chairman of The Art of Living, he too belongs to Tamil Nadu. Even in the Parliament Secretariat in Delhi, there was a time when most of the officials there were from Tamil Nadu. Today the scenario has changed.

In the earlier days all these customs were performed every time one visited a temple.