THOUGHT
OF THE DAY APRIL--MAY 2019
PAKISTAN PLANS TO RESTORE 400 ANCIENT RUINED TEMPLES
PAKISTAN PLANS TO RESTORE 400 ANCIENT RUINED TEMPLES
News Report
In a bid to fulfill its long standing demand and commitment
towards Hindu community living in Pakistan, the federal government has decided
to restore and reopen over 400 Hindu temples across the country in phases and
hand it over to minority Hindus.
Temple converted into Madrassas
As history tells us, majority of
Hindus dwelling in Pakistan crossed the border and settled in India during the
partition. Although, Hindus who stayed back, failed to visit temple as the
lands where taken over by locals. Some temple lands ended up turning into
Madrassa.
For the betterment of Hindu- community, The Imran Khan-led Pakistan government announced that they will reclaim the temples, restore them and give them back to the Hindus--A gesture of social harmony & peace
For the betterment of Hindu- community, The Imran Khan-led Pakistan government announced that they will reclaim the temples, restore them and give them back to the Hindus--A gesture of social harmony & peace
Two temples per year
As Pakistan government has shown its interest in restoring
400 temples, since there are large number of temples, they will restore two
temples per year, and will start with the temples in Sialkot and Peshawar.
Sialkot has a functioning Jagannath temple and a 1000 year old Shivalaya Teja
Singh temple. Soon after the Babri Masjid demolition, The Shivalaya Teja
Singh temple was attacked by a mob and is still abandoned.
A survey conducted by All-Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement
(APHRM) across the country found that while 428 Hindu temple existed on
the soil of Pakistan, however, 408 of them were converted into restaurant,
schools, government offices, and toy stores post 1990.
As per Pakistan government survey recently, at least 11
temples in Sindh, four in Punjab, three in Balchistan and two in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa were operational in 2019.
Attempt to improve relationship with neighbors
Experts believes that these latest attempts are made to mend
the bridge between Indian and Pakistan. Imran Khan further nodded to open the
gates for Karatarpur Sahib Ciorridor to aid Indians to visit Guru Nanak’s
birthplace.
As per India Today, Pakistan is also considering plans
to allow Pakistani Hindus to visit the Sharda Peeth, an old temple situated in
Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
May 28, 2019
Comments:
Great information! Hope these
ancient temples will be restored and made functional. At least our future
generations should be able to visit. Thanks for sharing.
--A.S. Narayana
JNANAYOGA AND
BHAKTIYOGA NEED TO BE PRACTICED TOGETHER SO ALSO KARMAYOGA
Sanksara’s Advaita philosophy is
based on Jnana (knowledge of Parabrahman). He has however emphatically declared
on the basis of Vedic Wisdom that such Jnana can be obtained, not by learning,
or intellectual exercise but only by the grace of GOD and such Grace can
be obtained only by Bhakti through worship of GOD.
The eminent scholar statesman Rajaji
said “The way of devotion is not different from the way of knowledge or Jnana.
When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the mind, it becomes wisdom.
When wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in action, it becomes
Bhakti. Knowledge, when it becomes fully mature, is Bhakti. If it does not get
transformed into Bhakti, such knowledge is useless tinsel. To believe that
Jnana and Bhakti - knowledge and devotion - are different from each other is
ignorance.”
I have explained this in detail in
my discourse on BHAKTIYOGA. You may be wondering why I have not spoken at the
same wavelength on Jnanayoga and Karmayoga. My several discourses on Vedas, Upanishads
and Gita take care of Jnanayoga and Karmayoga in detail, Even
superior to Jnanayoga is Sanyasyoga that calls for self-sacrifice
followed by some modern Gurus like Swami Chidananda, Sadhvi Bhagavati of
Paramartha siketan and Chinna Jeer and others. MNU describes; Sanyasayoga
thus about which I had talked before:
na karmaṇā na prajayā
dhanena tyāgenaike amṛtatvamānaśuḥ | pareṇa nākaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ bibhrājate
yadyatayo viśanti (MNU)
Not by work, not by progeny, not by
wealth, they have attained Immortality. Some have attained Immortality by
renunciation. That which the hermits attain is laid beyond the heaven; yet it
shines brilliantly in the (purified) heart.
This
passage, does not imply that work, progeny and gift of wealth are condemned as
futility. To think so would be discarding the wisdom of the Vedas. The purpose
of the passage here is to stress the supreme importance of renunciation (Tyaga)
for the attainment of Divine knowledge for attaining Immortality by
practicing Sanyasayoga. It teaches renunciation (tyaga) associated
with sannyāsa which is necessary for the attainment of Immortality.
Our
modern Gurus like Chidananda, Sadhvi Bhagavati of Paramartha Niketan and Swami
Chidananda of Fowai Forum have not retired to forests for
meditation sitting in a lotus posture but have given a new meaning to this word
tyaga sacrificing their personal time and wealth received as dakshina
from followers for serving the society focused (ever focused on
Sevadharma) by concentrating on the all-round development of Body, Mind
and Spirit for all--imparting higher knowledge, yoga practice, Ayurveda and
improving not only their health but also the surroundings they have to
live with. Their motto is “sadaa sarvaprakarena sukhino bhavantu” which
may delay their own goal of attaining Mukti or may be not, for the
good Lord knows their spirit of Tyaga and still may not delay Mukti for
them. He has a special provision for them! This is my own thinking
about the mantra. We should pay our obeisance to them on Guru Purnima Day!
Please go through the wise thoughts
of David Frawley on the Subject. Your comments are welcome!
JNANAYOGA AND BHAKTIYOGA ARE NOT
DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER
By David Frawley
Knowledge gives depth to devotion.
Devotion gives beauty and fragrance to knowledge. Knowledge without devotion is
intellectual gymnastics and purposeless verbal warfare, while devotion without
knowledge is mere superstition and a fairy tale.
Narada Bhaktisutras is a popular and
simple text containing 84 Sutras on Bhakti or devotion. The date and authorship
of this work are not quite clear though it is generally ascribed to Devarshi
Narada. He is typical in his Three-in-One approach integrating Jnana, Karma and
Bhakti into a single unified spiritual experience. Although in their full
maturity Jnana, Karma and Bhakti merge into one another; in the early stages
they do appear to be different methods to reach the Absolute. He deals with
Bhakti as the easiest and most efficient of all the paths or Yogas available to
everybody irrespective of caste, creed, color or sex.
All the three spiritual paths lay
down the one condition of purity of mind, with its functions of intellect,
emotion and will having been cleansed of the muck of Ego for knowing the
Godhead. Jnana Yoga purifies the intellect, Karma Yoga the will and Bhakti Yoga
the emotions. The seeker is free to adopt any one of these according to his
interest and temperament. But he would do well to attempt a synthesis of all
these three paths for achieving the end more effectively. We find in the Narada
Bhakti Sutras which primarily deal with Divine Love that the author achieved a
happy synthesis of all the three Yogas treating them all as aides to achieve
the final goal, as was done by the Yogeswara, Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.
Sutra or aphorism means a cryptic
statement containing vast ideas within the compass of a very few words. A sutra
also means a thread or a string - a support
- in which great ideas are strung together like flowers in a garland or pearls in a necklace.
- in which great ideas are strung together like flowers in a garland or pearls in a necklace.
Although the original text does not
contain any divisions it is grouped here under different sections for a smooth
thought-flow.
Nature of Divine Love (Sutra 1)
Any study of spiritual practices can
appeal only to those who have an intense desire for knowing the subject coupled
with deep faith in the teacher and the scripture whose help he seeks. While
each scripture prescribes certain specific qualifications for attaining the
goal, the scriptures of Bhakti declare that the path of Divine Love is open for
all. A belief in the grace of God and faith in the possibility of escape from
the cycles of birth and death with the help of God is the only qualification
required for the study of Bhakti Sutras and the practice of Divine Love.
Bhakti can lead to God-Realization
and escape from Samsara as an independent means all by itself. It is the
easiest of all paths available to any one. It is of help even to those who
aspire for Jnana for the sake of maintaining their loving relationship with
God.
This may probably be the reason that
prompted Narada to write on Bhakti in preference to Jnana or Karma. These
Sutras or aphorisms should be construed not as a commentary on Bhakti as a
speculative philosophy based on reason but as an exposition on the author’s
actual personal experiences, supported by scriptures.
Definition of Bhakti (Sutra 2 &
3)
The term Bhakti comes from the root
‘Bhaj’, which means ‘to be attached to God’. Bhakti is divided into two types
viz. Apara Bhakti or Gauna Bhakti and Para Bhakti. Apara Bhakti is the initial
stage of devotion of an aspirant in the path of Bhakti while Para Bhakti is the
highest stage in that path.
Bhakti Yoga is the path of loving
devotion to God. It is expressed by means of ritual worship, prayer and japam. It
is the cultivation of a direct, intense personal relationship between the
worshipper and the worshipped. In the practice of Bhakti Yoga some special
aspect of God or some Divine incarnation is chosen so that the devotee’s love
may become more easily concentrated. For those who are naturally drawn to this
approach, it is the simplest of all. There is no doubt that the great majority
of believers, in all the world’s major religions, are fundamentally Bhakti
Yogis.
Bhakti can be defined as an
exclusive love for God, love for love’s sake. The devotee, with indifference to
the pleasures and affairs of the world and no selfish expectation, reward or
fear, wants God and God alone. Faith in God, attraction, adoration, suppression
of mundane desires, single-mindedness and attachment are the stages through
which the devotee develops the supreme love towards God. At the last stage of
Bhakti (supreme love - Para Bhakti) all sensory attractions towards objects of
enjoyment are transferred to the only one dearest object viz. God. It is an
eternal union of the devotee with his beloved culminating in oneness between
the two. The devotee drinks the real nectar of supreme devotion securing
freedom from the wheel of births and deaths.
We can appreciate the experience of
this love by looking at the following statement of Hanuman to Sri Ram. “When I
think of myself as an embodied being, I am your servant; when I think of myself
as an individual soul, I am part of you; but when I realize ‘I am Atman’ I am
one with you. This is my firm conviction.” -
--David Frawley
--May 25, 2019
Pranam.
Thanks for yet another good article.
--Bala from Atlanta
THE MYTH OF 33 KOTI (33O
MILLION) DEITIES AND 33 DEVATAS IN HINDUISM
Rigveda Samhita forms the basic scripture of Hinduism and
tradition that accords it the highest place, This Samhita or
Compilation is full of hymns, Suktas as they are called. A
major part of this work is devoted to prayers to Devatas (subordinates to the
Supreme) like Indra, Agni, Varuna and others. These Vedic Devatas are
usually enumerated as thirty three; eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas,
Indra and Prajaapati. These Devatas are assigned to the three regions of the
Earth (Prithvi, the Heaven (Dyaus) and the intermediary space (Antariksha).
Apart from these Devatas, we also find many inanimate objects like grinding
stone, qualities like faith, emotion like anger, aspects of nature
like dawn, deified and described. They represent limited manifestations of the
Supreme like the cult deities of the Supreme--Brahma, Vishnu and Siva along
with their consorts. Vedic deities are also portrayed as inferior to Trinity of
Puranas.
The Vedas present a vast pantheon of deities (devatas) on many
different levels, often said to be innumerable or infinite in number. For a
specific number the Gods are said to be 3339 in total. This number is clearly a
play on the number three. One of the main early efforts to classify the Vedic
Gods (as in the Brihad Devata of Shaunaka) was to reduce them to the three
prime deities for the three worlds.
The Rigveda starts
with the hymns to Agni generally (Agnimeele purohitam) coming
first in most of its ten books, then the hymns to Vayu and Indra,
and finally the hymns to the Sun.
These three deities are
three aspects of the One God or the Purusha, the supreme consciousness
principle and higher Self that is pure light. Vedic deities
represent the main forms of light (Jyoti) in the universe. These three lights
also reflect the three gunas. Agni is the tamasic form of light, the fire that
is hidden in darkness. Vayu is the rajasic form of light, light in its active
and energetic mode as lightning or electrical force. Surya is the sattvic form
of light, light as pure illumination (prakasha).
Of all the information
available, the details available in the dialogue between Saakalya and
Yajnavalkya in Saakalya Navama Brahmanam is most convincing All 33
Devatas referred in this conversation are the facets of the One
Supreme Brahman that complies with the Vedic dictum of Tadekam; Eko
Devah--GOD is ONE.
He is Manojyoti
because His mind is functioning in making various Sankalpas and Vikalpas
(Resolutions) and thinking of Pros and Cons. From all these three,
namely, having the Earth as the body, having fire as the instrument of vision
and having the mind as the maker of resolutions in respect of all Atmans
(individual souls) it is established that Paramaatma is the goal of all
sentient.
The
three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) are the abode of all the devatas-- 1)
the earth is the body, 2) Fire (Bhuvah) is the
instrument of vision and 3) Mind (Suvah) is the maker of resolutions in respect
of all Atmans.
The Vedic Devatas are
thirty three: eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Indra and Prajaapati.
These Devatas are assigned to the three regions of the Earth (Prithvi, the
Heaven (Dyaus) and the intermediary space (Antariksha).They are not Ishta
devatas and no temple needs to be raised for them but they are all invoked in
Pooja Vidhanam, worship of the Supreme.
Hinduism is both
Monotheistic and Henotheistic. Hindus were never Polytheistic or Pagan. In the
sense that there are many equal Gods. Henotheism (literally “One GOD”) better
defines the Hindu view. It means the worship of one GOD (Deva) without denying
the existence of other gods (Devatas). Hindus believe in the one all-pervasive
GOD who energizes the entire Universe. We can see Him in the life shining out
of the eyes of all human beings and all creatures. This
view of GOD existing in and giving life is called Panen-theism. It is
different from Pantheism that is the belief that GOD is the natural Universe
and nothing more. It is also different from strict theism that says GOD is only
above the world, apart and transcendent. Panen-theism is in an all-encompassing
concept. It says that GOD is both in the world and beyond it, both immanent and
transcendent.
Please go through the
detailed discourse posted on the Blog Hindu Reflections:
--May 25, 2019
WHY WE
CALL OURSELVES BHARATIYAS
\
I was wondering what inspires you to call ourselves (Hindu Americans) Bharatiyas while Government of India has refused to grant us dual citizenship that Europeans enjoy and pride in. But on the other hand nobody can question our ethnic South Asia origin and the following of Santana Dharma which is also true for present Hindu Indians and citizens of India. In the beginning the Vedic religion was prevalent all over the world. Later, over the centuries, it must have gone through a process of change and taken different forms. These forms came to be called the original religions of these various lands which in the subsequent period--during historic times--came under Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam as the case may be:
I was wondering what inspires you to call ourselves (Hindu Americans) Bharatiyas while Government of India has refused to grant us dual citizenship that Europeans enjoy and pride in. But on the other hand nobody can question our ethnic South Asia origin and the following of Santana Dharma which is also true for present Hindu Indians and citizens of India. In the beginning the Vedic religion was prevalent all over the world. Later, over the centuries, it must have gone through a process of change and taken different forms. These forms came to be called the original religions of these various lands which in the subsequent period--during historic times--came under Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam as the case may be:
According to the Puranas, India is
known as Bharatavarsha after Bharata,
the son of Rishabha.
This has been mentioned in Vishnu Purana (2,1,31), Vayu Purana (33,52), Linga
Purana (1,47,23), Brahmanda Purana (14,5,62), Agni Purana (107,11–12), Skanda
Purana, Khanda (37,57) and Markandaya Purana (50,41), all using the designation
Bharata Varsha.
Vishnu Purāna mentions:
ऋषभो मरुदेव्याश्च ऋषभात भरतो भवेत्
भरताद भारतं वर्षं, भरतात सुमतिस्त्वभूत्
Bharatavarsha (India) arose from
Bharata and Sumati arose from Bharata.
—Vishnu Purana
(2, 1,31)
ततश्च भारतं वर्षमेतल्लोकेषुगीयते
भरताय यत: पित्रा दत्तं प्रतिष्ठिता वनम (विष्णु पुराण, २,१,३२)
This country is known as
Bharatavarsha since the times the father entrusted the kingdom to the son
Bharata and he himself went to the forest for ascetic practices.
—Vishnu Purana
(2, 1, 32)
uttaraṃ yatsamudrasya himādreścaiva
dakṣiṇam
varṣaṃ tadbhārataṃ nāma bhāratī yatra santatiḥ
varṣaṃ tadbhārataṃ nāma bhāratī yatra santatiḥ
उत्तरं यत्समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रेश्चैवदक्षिणम्
।
वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम भारती यत्र संततिः ।।
"The country (varṣam)
that lies north of the ocean
and south of the snowy mountains is called Bhāratam; there dwell the
descendants of Bharata."
—Vishnu Purana
The Srimad Bhagavat Purana mentions (Canto
5, Chapter 4) "He (Rishabha)
begot a hundred sons that were exactly like him... He (Bharata)
had the best qualities and it was because of him that this land by the people
is called Bhârata-varsha"
The Bhāratas were also
a Vedic tribe mentioned in the Rigveda, notably participating in the Battle of the
Ten Kings.
The realm of Bharata is known as Bharātavarṣa
in the Mahabhārata
(the core portion of which is itself known as Bhārata) and later texts.
According to the text, the term Bharata is from the king Bharata,
who was the son of Dushyanta
and Shakuntala and
the term varsha means a division of the earth or a continent]
Bharata Khanda (or Bharata Ksetra is
a term used in Hindu texts,
including the Vedas, Mahabharata,
Ramayana and
the Puranic, to
describe the geographic region that encompassed the modern countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar—that is, South Asia at
the term's furthest extent.
--May
24, 2019
BUDDHISM
IS INDIA’S GREATEST GIFT TO THE WORLD
In the popular imagination Buddha promoted the
doctrine of anātman or anatta, and he took the ground stuff of reality to be
nothing, what came to be called śūnyatā or emptiness. Surprisingly on the last
day of his death he said: “This dichotomy of ātman versus anātman is wrong”. He
told the gathering of disciples that the doctrine of No-self was advanced by him as an upāya (means) to get his
followers off from attachment to old ideas.
But
now orthodox Hindus believe Buddhists are attached to impermanence and
emptiness, though he left the world
revealing the secret of the doctrine of the Self. I believe Buddha should have
been influenced by Vishnu Sahasra Nama that describes Vishnu as Sunya and
Ananta--Zero as well as Infinity.
In Vishnu Shasraanama Vishnu
is prayed up on as “shunyah” in sloka No. 79: He is also prayed up on as “anantha”
the Infinite, in verse 70:
Since
God is Immeasurable it is appropriate to address Him “Ananthaha” the Infinite.
But how can we glorify the Almighty as “shunyah” the Cipher?
If Infinity is immeasurable, so is
Zero. Mathematically speaking, one could define zero to be anti-infinity.
If “Infinity” is immeasurable plenitude, “Zero” is immeasurable emptiness. If
we were to think of an interminable series of values, from zero to
infinity, floating somewhere out there in endless space, then, surely, Zero
would be at one end of it while Infinity would be found at the other end,
wherever, that is, the two ends may be found, if at all.
“Zero” and “Infinity” are thus the two sides of the same un-graspable
coin. If we visualize GOD as ruler of
this ever expanding world, we should realize Him also when there was nothing
and He himself was that Nothing.
His followers believed in this and so
built temples for Him and worshiped Him as Sunya or GOD of Nothingness. It is
no wonder Jayadeva glorified Buddha as an Avatar of Vishnu and Nirguna Brahman or Anatma. Unfortunately
these facts are not propagated and doubt remains on the minds of Hindus as to
worship him or not as an Avatar of Vishnu in Hindu temples?
Buddha
did not break away from the spiritual ideas of his age and country. Hindus show their gratitude to Him by
recognizing him as an Avatar of Vishnu dismissing Puranic Bauddha, who misled
Asuras in Puranas, for having destroyed a system of iniquity and oppression and
fraud that crept into Hinduism later moving away from Vedic
Religion. Gautama was born, and brought up, and lived, and died a Hindu. Buddha was a radical religious reformer, like
Sankara who consolidated Hinduism weeding out many, fraudulent practices and
promoting Panchayatana worship and gradually brought them to Vedic fold by his
Advaita philosophy. Nowhere did Buddha repudiate the Upanishad conception of
Brahman, the absolute or Nirguna and accepted the Upanishad's position. Buddha's anatta
theory does indeed extend to the
belief expounded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.--The Self is the dearest of
all things, and only through the Self is anything dear. The Self is the origin
of all happiness and miseries. At the time of Pralaya all individual Selfs are
drawn into Sunyata or Nothingnes or Nirvana when all miseries end. Absence of
miseries is the seed of Happines. That is the sunyata that VSN explains as
Vishnu all-pervading Nothingness. Alagaddūpama-sutta
Buddhism states that an individual cannot experience the suffering of the
entire world and that everyone is
responsible for his own action.
Dr.
Lobsang Sangay says Buddhism
is India’s greatest gift to the world. [I would add “to Hnduism also”]. He is right if
we consider Buddhavatara in the right perspective. Jayadeva’s great poem
includes Buddha as the ninth Avatar, which articulates the wide-spread
Vaishnanava ideology in Bengal, Odisha and the South, Buddha is identified as
the historical Buddha in Gita Govinda.
The Dharmachakra
in Sansakrit meaning Wheel of Dharma is that all Hindus or more aptly Sanatana
Dharma followers must practice that Buddha also should have practiced born as a
Sanatana Dharma follower or at least got influenced in his earl life. In
Sanskrit, the word Dharma comes from the word dhr, which means 'to
hold and maintain' and 'what is established or firm'. Therefore it means
'law'.
The
Dharma Wheel is commonly found in depictions of Vishnu, the GOD of
preservation. Vishnu is one of the Hindu Triumvirate and is the aspect of GOD
responsible for protecting humans as well as restoring and maintaining order in
the world. He is often depicted carrying a wheel or discus, which is regarded
as a very powerful weapon that can conquer passions and desires.
Buddha did not start a new religion but his
thoughts were focused on Sunya of Vishnu Sahasranama and the Dharmachakra
that rotates round the head of Vishnu and also around Lord Krishna,
his previous Incarnation, as the teacher of Bhagavad Gita and upholder of Dharma, usually
called Wheel of Dharma.
After
attaining enlightenment, Buddha gave his first teachings and gave a sermon
on the first Wheel of Dharma. He gave this sermon in a deer park,
Saranath, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Buddha spoke about the Sutra of
the Four Noble Truths, the Perfection of the Wisdom Sutras and the Sutra
Discriminating the Intention. These three teachings are known as the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma.
This Wheel of Dharma is now displayed on the National Flag of India.
CTA
President Dr. Lobsang Sangay , Chierf guest ,paid his homage before the 50 feet
statue of Tathagat Buddha at its grand inauguration ceremony. Aurangabad:
“Of all the things, Buddhism is the greatest gift India has given to the
world,” the President of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay
said on Buddha Purnima day celebration at Aurangabad. More
than ten thousand Indian Buddhists attended the grand unveiling of the Buddha
statue that is said to be the tallest in the area where a sizeable local
population adheres to Buddhist faith.
“At a time when India lays so much emphasis on
maximizing exports to strengthen the economy, Buddhism, which is India’s
home-grown spiritual tradition, is one area that can be invested in and carve a
niche for a global Indian brand. In fact, Buddhism has not only grown in terms
of devotees around the world, but has also proven to be a factor bringing in
positive impacts and creating a more peaceful society,” Dr. Sangay opined.
Dr.
Sangay also paid homage to Dr. Ambedkar for his efforts to uplift and empower
the lower-rung in the Indian caste system and attributed him for the growth of
renewed interest in Buddhist study and Neo-Buddhists in the country.
Dr.
Sangay also drew attention to the struggles Tibetans went through at the hands
of China in terms of destruction of Buddhism in Tibet and the remarkable
success achieved at reviving them in exile.
“Despite
China’s brutal and systematic attempt to wipe out Buddhism in Tibet, it however
didn’t succeed and Buddhism is now being preserved very well by Tibetans in
exile and in the Himalayan region under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama. In fact, China is now the largest Buddhist country with over 300 million
following the faith.”
“Buddhism
began 2600 years ago and in the passage of time, it has encountered so much
destructive forces and yet, it has stood the test of time and continue to
spread across the world. Indians and Tibetans, sharing a common spiritual
tradition, must make efforts to spread peace and compassion to the world
drawing from the teachings of Buddha,” Dr. Sangay signed off his speech drawing
an extended applause from the audience.
Lokuttara
Mahavihara Bikkhu Training Center
is headed by Venerable Bodhipalo Mahathero and is situated in Chowka village,
about 14 kms from Aurangabad in Maharashtra state. Ajanta caves, a set of about
30 rock-cut ancient Buddhist monument caves, is situated in Aurangabad and is a
major pilgrimage attraction for Buddhists from around the world. The 2011
Census of India states there are 8.4 million Buddhists in India and the state
of Maharashtra accounts for the highest number of Buddhist population with
5.81 % of the total population.
-Filed by staff correspondent Tenzin Wangchuk
Orthodox Hindus in India are sitting on a wall avoiding worship of
Buddha in Hindu temples while stealthily paying obeisance to him in
Buddhist temples. Hindu Americans have boldly installed Buddha and Vardhamana
idols in Hindu American Temples and have extended 16-step puja. Why Hindus
cannot worship Buddha if they can Saibaba, Swami Narayan, Navagrahas,
Nayanmars, Azhvars etc.? My only suggestion is they should install the idol of
Rishbha that is Adinatha instead Vadhamana, who is the incarnation of Vishnu who
gave the Jain philosophy of Ahimsa paramo Dharmah!
--May
22, 2019
FORGOTTEN BUDDHA
PURNIMA DAY IN HINDU AMERCAN TEMPLES
Here is an inspiring message for the Buddha
Purnima Day which is a National Holiday in India. Buddha Purnima is usually the
most important festival of the year for Buddhism followers. It falls on May 18
this year. Though Buddha has been glorified by all Hindus in India as an
Avatar of Vishnu except for a few orthodoxy Hindu Americans also blindly
follow the orthodoxy in not making Buddha Purnima a Special Religious Event in Hindu American Temples. And so
Last Saturday went without celebration many Hindu American Temples. Our
Spiritual Gurus have not forgotten Buddha. I too have been inspired by Buddha
and sharing my knowledge with you all and many others globally for more than a
decade. I am happy to receive many
appreciations especially from great spiritual readers and religiously
devoted. Please find some of them in my classified list
The Divine Buddha incarnated on Earth to bring wisdom,
inspiration and blessings to humanity. There are so many beautiful
lessons to learn from the life of the Buddha. His life is the epitome of
enlightenment in action.
The Buddha went to forests to seek
enlightenment and to find the Truth. Thus, people ask, “So, must we also leave
everything to see the Truth?” No. Once Edison discovered the laws of
electricity, we merely have to use these laws and apply them in our daily
lives. We do not have to rediscover them. Once Newton developed the laws of
physics, we use these laws in our lives and in our work. We do not have to
re-discover these laws. We only need to use them and apply them.
Similarly, the Buddha went to the forest and
discovered the Truth. We don’t have to leave everything, go to the forest and
re-discover this. We only have to take the Truth that he discovered and apply
it in our lives
After many years of sadhana in the forest, the
Buddha attained enlightenment. However, once he attained this state, what did
he do? Did he stay in the forest and continue only to enjoy the divine ecstasy
of union with God? Did he spend all of his time in meditation, puja and
silence? No. He immediately came back to the world and started serving. He
immediately started to share this treasure chest of wisdom with all. Whatever
he knew, whatever he had realized, he spent every minute of his life sharing it
with everyone who would listen.
\The Buddha’s gift was his wisdom. So, he
spent the rest of his life sharing this knowledge with all. Our gifts may be
different. Our gifts may be certain talents or may be our financial wealth or
may be something else. But, we must take this message to heart. We all must
spend our lives sharing our gifts with the world. Whatever gifts God has
bestowed upon us – whether divine knowledge, expertise in a certain field,
a particular talent, or financial wealth – must be shared with all.
Let us realize the true, temporary and
illusory nature of the material world, and instead dedicate ourselves to Truth,
to God, to spirituality and let us give, give and give whatever we have to
others. This is the message of the Buddha."
- H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
--May 20, 2019
ITIHASAS ARE NEITHER
HISTORY NOR MYTH AND THEIR PURPORT IS NOT EASY TO TEACH
Mahabharata is an
Itihasa. The literal meaning of an Itihasa is iti ha aasa meaning thus
we have heard by tradition. We have not witnessed it as it was in the ancient
past. Haasa could also mean laughter and iti can mean death or
end. Who could have last laugh? Lord of death of course! Lord of
Death always wins out at the end. Everyone else’s version of life is only a
make-believe story! History in English may also mean his story. We are
only a tool in the hands of GOD and everything seems to be nothing but His
sport or Lila. Therefore, when we study Itihasa, it is not for the usual
purpose of merely learning dates, times, place, and events like what we see
like the planetarium studies of the date of Mahabhara War or Rama’s actual
birth date. We should not be interested in these minor things in
themselves, but through history we want to discover what the ultimate Truth is!
So mere teaching Mahabharata as history or making it a theme for a colorful
drama or dismiss it as mythology will not bring home the real Truth as an
alternate fifth Veda.
Puranas portray Draupadi
as a chaste woman living with five husbands and children are made to learn a
sloka after elaborately describing her questionable and complicated
married life:
Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Thara, Mandodari thatha, Panchakanya
smaren nithyam maha pathaka nasanam
It is said that one recites or chants the holy
names of Pancha kanya, it will wash away all their sins.
Let us think of Draupadi
as an ideal woman portrayed in Mahabharata. Draupadi is not only as an
unsung heroine in the Hindu epic Mahabharata but also a paragon of gender and
resistance in the wake of the injustices meted out on her that is most
experienced in modern times. It is her ability to overcome adversity in a
venerable manner that sets her apart from other women. As a result Draupadi
becomes the most complex and controversial female character in the Hindu
literature. On the one hand she could be womanly, compassionate and generous
and on the other, she could wreak havoc on those who wronged her. She was never
ready to compromise on either her rights as a daughter-in-law or even on the
rights of the Pandavas, and remained ever ready to fight back or avenge with
high handedness any injustices meted out to her. She can be termed a pioneer of
feminism Draupadi ‘s life demonstrates how in the midst of suffering
she manages to overcome the predicaments she faced and continue to strive
where most women would have given up. Her Shraddanjali (absolute
obeisance) to her adopted divine brother Lord Krishna never went
unanswered.
When children are not
convinced to accept Draupadi as role models as ideal woman they are
silenced by saying “it is all mythology” or “we are not to question Holy
Scripture when it says these are Pativratas. It is therefore necessary, we as
learned elders teaching stories contained in Itihasas and Puranas to children
or teaching a sloka and the moral should find out the Truth or the purpose
behind it and convince them with proper explanation. As an example, let
us examine why Mahabharata presents Draupadi as Pativrata. Learned historians
dismiss it saying Polyandry was prevalent in Dwapara yuga like polygamy
(Krishna having 16008 wives and a life time love Radha) and it was all
Yugadharma.
For many years Drupada, the king of Panchala had
no children. So to have children he performed tapas (austerities). He
thought only of God, day and night and prayed to him. God blessed him, and two
children were born out of the haven fire lit by Drupada.
In order to obey their mother's order, the five
Pandava brothers accepted Draupadi as their wife, without discussing it with
her or asking for her consent--a Vedic command Matru devo bhava.
Preeti Chaudhary (2014) describes Draupadi as
"not a human ... a super human, worshiped as a cult Goddess in many
temples of South India".
Draupadi did not
exchange garlands with Arjuna to live with five husbands, but yet there is a
meaning and purpose in leading such a life with Pancha-pandavas. Draupadi
lived with each husband one full year. After that she entered into the fire,
purified herself as a virgin like how she was born before to Drupada. She was
not a normal womb-born child but divine. That is why she is worshiped as a Devi
in some temples. These facts are not brought to focus while describing
the married life of Draupadi?
Even today you may witness that both married
woman as well as widows go through the fire walkway before entering the temple
of Draupdi Devi in order to purify them symbolically.
When Pandavas were
leading a secret life in the forest Lord Krishna suddenly paid a courtesy call
once. It was the time when Draupadi had to start her life with Bhima after
having spent one year with Yudhidhtira. Bhima doubted her
character and was questioning himself how she could feel guilt -free
after sleeping with his brother for one year and now prepared to seep with him
for one year? And also then Krishna was also there that baffled him.
Krishna was the adopted
brother of Draupadi. Krishna could guess what was troubling Bhima looking
at his worried face. He looked at Draupadi and smiled. She also returned his
smile.
Bhima was upset and
annoyed but yet composing his demeanor waited for privacy and met
Krishna when he was alone and asked “Oh Krishna! Is it befitting you to behave
like this while I am upset? Till yesterday she was my respected sister-in-law
almost like my mother and from today onwards she is willing to be my wife for
one year? How can I accept her as my beloved wife? On the other
hand you are mocking at me with a smile?
Krishna replied: “Things
do not happen asking your opinion. It is all pre-destined and happens as
it should be! Therefore there is no reason for you to worry in this! Sill just
to comfort you I will tell you one thing, listen”
“Tonight Draupadi will
go out alone, in the midst of dark night, is it not?” Asked Krishna.
“Yes, I have witnessed this. After one year everyday she goes out during the
dark midnight and returns back in the early morning” replied Bhima. “Then how
did she look like?” asked Krishna. Bhima said:”she looks like radiant
gold that comes out of fire”; she looks like glittering gold”
“Please follow her
tonight without her noticing when she goes out” said Krishna.
That night when she went out both Krishna and Bhima followed her without her
noticing. When they were thus observing her without being noticed by her, she
lit the fire and jumped into it. Shocked by it Bhima tried to rush to her to save
her but Krishna prevented him from doing so.
“Behold! Look at the
flame” he said. What a surprise! Did he see Draupadi there? No, It was
Universal Mother who rules the entire world who showed her true original form.
Can the flamers dare touch her? She is herself the flame! She is the Water! She
is Air! She is the Heaven! She is the Earth! Thus appeases the Lord Vasudeva
bringing Bhima with him!
“Oh Bhima! If you
five Pandavas are Panchbhootas, She is Parasakti Draupadi who rules all!
You are all contained in her and she is not contained in you five like the five
elements of the world that are shown out to rule the world.
The power that rules the world is She alone! You five are five
elements. That means she is the Jivatma, in all of you! Just like
Jivatma is contained in Paramatman you are all contained in her.
To reveal this Truth to
you I have shown you this scene. Let this truth be contained in you! There is
no Virgin or Married woman comparable to her in this world! She is everything!
This truth is revealed by the marriage of you five with her! Whosoever
understands this will indeed understand Me! So carry on your duty without any
worry” says Lord Krishna.
Mahabharata reveals the
history of humanity as a whole and is not about one particular time-period
alone. Therefore if you read this epic, you will know about World War I, II and every other war because
it is actually the same story being repeated over and over again throughout
history.
Teaching Itihasa that
contains Vedic wisdom is not easy It requires an in depth study and all effort
to influence the young mind with the truth contained in it. We often dismiss it
as a potential drama material or Mythology.
Gayatri Mantra
recited before a boy is initiated into studentship has 3 feet of 8
syllables each, 6 sheaths or auxiliaries to the Vedas which protect the Vedas
represented by Gāyatrī like a sheath, 5 heads consisting of 4 Vedas and Itihāsa
and Purāṇa known as fifth Veda (Ojoci sahoci balamaci…
.panchaseersha upnayane viniyogah)
While teaching Ramayana and Mahabharata the
following purport that raises their status to fifth Veda (panchaseersha
upanayane viniyogah) should always be kept in mind:
In the Mahabharata,
Dhritarashtra is the ego, Vidura is discriminating intelligence, the Kauravas
are the physical desires, Krishna is the transcending atman, Arjuna is the
empirical atman; the higher faculties are the Pandavas, and the lower faculties
are the Kauravas. The characters of the epics and the Puranas do not only act
in the outer world; they play out our own private battles. Mahabharta War was a
fight for Dharma in the Battle of Action (dharmakshetre kurukshetre)
In the Ramayana, Sita is
the intuition who has been abducted by the demon within, who must be set free
by Rama, the inner sun. The demon, representing the urge to dominate and
possess, has ten heads that represent the sense and action organs of the body.
In the struggle between the asuras and the gods, Hanuman, representing the
human mind that has devotion, provides critical assistance.
Please go through my discourse:
--May 19, 2019
MATHS, MESSAGE AND DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE CONTAINED IN NUMBERS IN VEDAS AND HINDU SCRIPTURES
Mysticism and Knowledge of Numbers as well Mathematics
contained in Hindu Scriptures is amazing. I have come across few
mantras and slokas that reveal this fact which I would like to
share with you. This needs a thorough study of all the research work done on
Vedas, Puranas and other scriptures and hence not
adequate or complete compilation.
It may be surprising to know that Indian sages used large numbers
up to power of 10 raised to the power of 62 and that too millions of years
ago.
Skanda Purana says that when Brahman made this whole creation and
its living beings, he also created a circle dividing the entire sky. This
Chakra is called Rasi-chakra which has twelve Rasis or zodiac signs of 27
constellations. The whole universe pulsates by the influence of these planets,
stars and constellations which is also the cause of any creation, birth,
sustenance and death.
The Sulbasutras
and the Sathapatha Brahmana contain valuable information about
the geometry of ancient India, including instructions for constructing
sacrificial altars (vedi) and locating sacred fires (agni).
The altars used during Agnicayana, a 12-day ceremony, are
especially interesting in terms of geometry.
The Rig Veda has a cryptic verse that contains the secret of
cosmic numerology. According to it the Cosmic Bull has four horns, three feet,
two heads and seven hands (Rig Veda IV.58.3). This sounds like a symbolic way
of presenting the great Kalpa number of 4,320,000,000 years.
In Hanuman Chalisa "Yug sahasra yojan par Bhanu! Leelyo
taahi madhur phal janu” reveals the distance
to Sun from Earth is 96,000,000 miles. NASA says that, this is the
exact distance between Earth and Sun (Bhanu).
Indian researcher R. N. Narasimhan has found a
relationship between the geometric design of Sri Chakra and
Pyramid, and from the maze of data of enmeshed
triangles identifies three basic triangles from which the
Srichakra diagram can be drawn. Srichkra is mainly composed of a set of five
(Sakti) triangles, altitude falling upon a single vertical line, bases neatly
coming up horizontally parallel and enmeshed with another set of four
(Siva)iangles, similarly arranged about the same vertical axis of symmetry,
serving as the diameter of the circle enclosing all the nine triangles. The three triangles of Pyramid identical with three triangles of
Srichakra.
Rudra Namkam-Chamakami from Yajurveda encompasses
mathematical concepts of number theory and progression combined.
A Sloka in the 10th book of Rig Veda translation
gives the value of Pi up to 28 digits accurately.
Vishnu Sahasranama surprises us that Lord Vishnu is both Sunyah or
Zero as well as Anantah or Infinity revealing the Truth contained in Veda
mantra Isavasyamidam sarvam, the whole world is pervaded by Brahman in
his role as Vishnu (vyaapyate iti Vishnuh) --From 0 to infinity, it is
all Vishnu alone.
It is obvious there are many secrets in the Vedic and
Post-Vedic civilizations just as we have deciphered in numbers. The
knowledge of our past civilization, well researched by present day
scholars should be given greater attention, not only found in the Vedas
but also the Puranas and various scriptures.
Please go through my
detailed discourse on the subject that I have compiled from my periodic
E-mails sent HR Forum Participants;
--May
18, 2019
COMMENTS:
I am interested in true life story
of sage Vedavyasa for my personal information. If you can enlighten me how he
authored so much and how he ended up as incarnation. I want to meet him at
Badarinath when I go.
--Vedavyas
INDUS
VALLEY CIVILIZATION TO BE RENAMED SARASVATI RIVER CIVILIZATION
The Haryana Sarasvati
Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) has decided to rename the Indus Valley
civilization as the Sarasvati river civilization.
In a major development, the
Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) has decided to rename the
Indus Valley civilization as the Sarasvati river civilization. The board
believes that it would be the right thing to do since the river is no more a
myth and its existence has been proved. “Considering the state of knowledge
regarding the Sarasvati river in presentations by international and national
experts, it was felt by experts that the Sarasvati river is no more a myth, its
existence is a reality. Further, the name of the Indus Valley civilization in
our country be rechristened as Sarasvati river civilization,” said the board.
Speaking
on the matter, Sumita Misra, Principal Secretary, Archives, Archaeology and
Museums Department of Haryana said that she totally agrees with the idea and
the renaming should be done as early as possible. “A large number of Harappan
sites have been found in Haryana over the years. The nomenclature of the Indus
Valley civilization should now be changed to the Sarasvati-Indus civilization,”
she said.
Prashant
Bhardwaj, Deputy Chairman of the HSHDB, said, “We passed a resolution on the
concluding day of the conference held during the Sarasvati Mahotsav to rename
the Indus civilization as the Sarasvati civilization. There are 1097 sites
in India associated with the Indus Valley civilization, while in Pakistan there
are only 70 to 80 sites.”
You
may also want to watch:
“No
one should call Sarasvati a myth since it has already been proven that the
river was present. No one should also use the word mythology in association
with the river. By using this term, we are negating out own culture and
heritage. We will raise an objection if anyone uses this word,” he added. The
experts have also demanded a fresh survey of Sarasvvati basin from the
Himalayas to Rann of Kutch should be done by the Archaeological Survey of India
and related organizations.
All
these points were kept in the two-day international conference on the Sarasvati
River which was held at the Kurukshetra University. The renaming of Indus
Valley civilization id one of the few recommendations that the HSHDB will send
to the government. The HSHDB is currently being chaired by Chief Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar himself.
--May 15, 2019
Comments:
The
study of ancient and extinct civilizations always fascinates me. I enjoyed
reading about this commendable resolution passed by HSHDB. I hope ASI conducts
a survey of Sarasvati River basin as demanded by this group. Thank you very
much for composing this news article and sharing it with us.
--Nil Bisoi
SOUTH
INDIAN SETTLERS IN MALAYSIA
"MALAYSIA, May 5,
2019 (Tribune): Some 500 years back, a trading community from South India
settled in Malaysia. They married native women and adapted to the local
culture. Yet, the Chettis continue to hold on to their Indianness -- they still
have Hindu names and celebrate Diwali and Pongal. They carry Indian names but
don't look Indian, they speak no Indian language but are Hindus. Most do not
have a familial connection to India yet their race is listed as Indian on their
identity cards. These are the little known Chettis of Melaka (formerly Malacca)
in Malaysia. Melaka, with its sheltered harbor and strategic location, became a
major trading hub in the heyday of the spice trade attracting Indian traders to
the Malayan archipelago. Away from their families for several months at a time,
these men began to develop relationships with local Malay, Javanese and Chinese
women. Many settled down in Melaka, started families and became part of the
local community. Thus, around the 15th century, an entirely new community known
as the Chetti Melaka was born.
Unaware about the place their forefathers originally came from in
India, the Chettis settled down at Kampung Chetti (Chetti village in Malay) at
Gajah Berang in Melaka. By 18th century the community had become so influential
that Dutch colonizers assigned land to them in 1781. In the same year they
established the Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple, which is the oldest Hindu
temple in Melaka, Malaysia. Kampung Chetti continues to be the spiritual and
cultural base of the Chettis and this is where they gather to celebrate all
their major festivals. Today, only 20 to 30 families live at Kampung Chetti.
Many members of the community migrated to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore in
the early part of the 20th century. An estimated 5,000 Chettis live in Singapore
at present. In recent times, there has been a growing awareness about the need
to save the Chetti culture before it disappears. Despite dilution of their
Indian ethnicity, the Chettis have survived for so long because of their
flexibility and willingness to adapt"--Hinduism Today,Hawaii
--May 14, 2019
Nice article!
--Aparna Arcot
MOTHER’S
DAY 2019
Mother’s Day is celebrated on
various days in many parts of the world on different days. It is officially
celebrated in the month of May on second Sunday in USA and India. In
Orthodox and cultured Hindu families children after completing
Nityakarma in the morning start their working day only after paying obeisance
to mother first and then father as ordained by Vedas “Matru devo bhava”;
“Pitru devo bhava”. Indian Schools celebrate Second Sunday of May
as Mother’s Day. Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the
family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in
society. More often than not Mothers of young kids join this celebration at
schools and distribute sweets to children showing their affection
Mother’s Day celebration was first
started in the ancient era by the Greek and Romans. However, its celebration
was also noticed in the UK as a Mothering Sunday. The celebration of mother’s
day has been modernized everywhere. It is celebrated in modern ways and not as
in old religious ways.
It is being celebrated in almost 46
countries of the world on different dates. It is a big event for everyone when
they get chance and opportunity to honor their mothers. We should pay our
tributes to the history that inspired of mother’s day celebration as a
national event.
Ancient Roman people were also
celebrating a spring festival named as Hilaria which was dedicated to the
Cybele (means a mother goddess). At that time, devotees made
offerings to the mother Goddess Cybele in the temple. The whole celebration was
organized for three days with lot of activities like variety of games, parades
and masquerades.
Mother’s day is also celebrated by
the Christians on fourth Sunday in order to respect the Virgin Mary (Mother of
Christ). Christians worship the Virgin Mary, offer some gifts and flowers and
pay obeisance to Her.
Mother’s day in the US was decided
to be celebrated as an official event by the ideas of Julia Ward Howe (a poet,
activist and writer) in the year 1872. She had suggested mother’s day as a
peace event to be celebrated on 2nd of Juneas Mothers’
Peace day on 2nd Sunday of June.
Anna Jarvis, known as the Founder of
Mother’s Day (also famous as Mother of all Mother’s Day) in the US though she
was an unmarried woman and never had kids. She was highly inspired by her
mother’s (Mrs. Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis) care and love after death and decided
to suggest a day for mothers to honor them and glorify their true love.
Now-a-days, it is being celebrated
in many countries such as UK, China, India, US, Mexico, Denmark, Italy,
Finland, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Japan and Belgium.
Please go through my exhaustive
discourses on the subject;
Hindus obligated by Vedic dictum to
treat Mother as the first god draw their inspiration from
the life of Lord Rama who showed equal respect and love even to his
step mothers Sumitra and Kaikeyi
"Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi" is a Sanskritshloka and the national motto of Nepal meanijg "Mother and
motherland are superior to Heaven." This verse is from the Hindu epic Ramayana 6:124:17 in Sanskrit composed
by Adi Kavi (Primordial Poet) sage Valmiki.
Other versions of the shloka are as follows.
Mitraani dhana dhaanyaani prajaanaamsammataaniva
jananee janmabhoomischa svargaadapi gareeyasi.
Sage Bharadwaja
said, "The friends, the riches and the grains are highly honored in this
world. Mother and mother-land are far superior to even the heaven."
Api svarnamayee lankaa na may Lakshmana rochate \
jananee janmabhoomischa svargaadapi gareeyasi “||
"Lakshmana, even
this golden Lanka does not appeal to me, mother and motherland is greater than
heaven."
I recently witnessed a Kolam Art
competition at Sri Ganesha Temple in Nashville where Tamil ladies were rushing
to participate in it after participating in group chanting of Hanuman Chalisa
on hanuman Jayanti day. I was wondering the relevancy of these two events
at the same time? May be Hanuman Chalisa is a loud Prayer and Concentration on Kolam is silent meditation.
December and January, woman folk
from Tamil Nadu take to the streets in front of their homes, drawing elaborate
kōlams on the main thoroughfare, defiantly taking up the road and stooping low
for hours.The making of the kōlam itself is a performance of supplication. The
artist folds her body in half, bending at the waist, stooping to the ground as
she fills out her patterns. Many kōlam artists see the kōlam as an offering to
the earth goddess, Bhūdevi, as well. But the kōlam is not just a
prayer; it is also a metaphor for coexistence with nature. A Hindu lady begins her day with “a
ritual of generosity,” with a dual offering to divinity and to nature.
Hindu Women have been teaching each
other these traditional designs for centuries. They learned them from their
mothers, and mothers have been teaching daughters for centuries. The kōlam is a
powerful vehicle for Tamil women’s self-expression, a central metaphor and symbol
for creativity. It displays her concerns, sensibilities, and suffering,
and ultimately it affirms the power of women’s blessings to create a desired
reality--a healthy, happy household.” says a researcher of this Ancient art.
Even boys Used to learn this art from their mothers in ancient days though it
is now confined to girls.
Mother Earth is the most celebrated deity in Vedas and
Upanishads. I often
wonder why Bhoodevi who is so glorified in Vedas (MNU) as Mother of all
Mothers and as Isvareegam sarvabhootanaam-- Mother of all entities is not
even remembered on this day leaving behind the fact there are very few temples.
“Mother Earth is mother of all beings such as gods,
Gandharvas, human beings, Pitrus or manes, Asuras and she is signified by names
such as Medhini, Mahati, Mahee, Saavitri, Gaayatri, Jagati, Urvee, Prithvee,
Bahulaa, Viswaa, Bhootaa, Katamaa, Kaa, Yaa, Satyaa, Saa, and
Amritaa. Her greatness is so great that it can’t be adequately
described; thus did sage Vasishtha praise Mother Earth--Aditirdevaa
Gandharvaa manushyaah piturah asuraas-teshaam sarvabhootaanaam maataa medinee
mahatee mahee saavitree gaayatree jagtyurvee prithvee bahulaa viswaa bhootaa
katamaaa kaayaa saa satyam amriteti vaasishthah ||”[MNU]
It will be appropriate and
proper to dedicate this day to Goddess Bhudevi and also propagate the ancient
art of Kolam dedicated Bhudevi on Mother’s Day by conducting Kolam
Demonstrations, Exhibitions and Competitions.
Happy Mother's Day to all of you!
--May
11, 2019
Mother’s Day text is really nice. I have
forwarded to some of my relatives and friends
--Sridhar Audit
Many thanks for the exhaustive
information on mother's day. For every one of us mother is the nearest God. For
all the love she showers on us, our one loving word pleases her the most.
--Sapthagireesan
BETTER
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARYAN-DRAVIDIAN CONFLICT MYTH
Dravida is a Sanskrit word that actually means Southern group of
Brahmanas based on Sankara’s announcement of himself as
Dravida-sisu. It got distorted after Robert Caldwell (Missionary
Linguist) who wrongly quoted it for all group of people who lived in South
India.
\Dravidian Parties of Tamil Nadu chose the word “Dravida”
quoting Caldwell as Indian Historian of repute and misquoting eother
Tamil literature thinking that it would cover entire South Indians and South
Indian languages that would be helpful for them to hide their non
-Tamil identity under “Dravida Banner” in Tamil Nadu, but they never
knew that it meant only Southern Brahmins whom they oppose all the time!
They could never unite South Indians as Dravids?
The British earlier and Congress supported left historians later
focused mainly on the history of the continental land mass. Again, the reading
was, unfortunately, that of invasions only. The Aryan invasion, followed by the
Islamic invasion, followed by the civilizing invasion of the British. Delhi
became the center-point of all Indian history. 6000 years of an uninterrupted
civilization has never been of conquests outside its boundariesI
ndian culture was rich in both spiritual and material aspects. The acceptance
of the higher and the lower truths allowed science to progress without any fear
of persecution. The internal wars had certain principles of warfare. These never
became a part of history taught to us.The history of the country to the South
of the Vindhyas was almost non-existent and the North-East was invisible.
Coastal India, North-East India, and the Southern states have an equally rich
history, if not more.
The pre-recorded history
consisted of mythical humans called ‘Aryans’ from Central Asia who
invaded India in 1500 BCE riding on horses. In the next 500 years, they drove
out all the equally mythical dark people called ‘Dravidians’ to South
India. They also enslaved them and converted them into ‘Dasas’, ‘Sudras’, or
the ‘untouchables’ in the powerful caste-system devised by the devious priests.
During this time, these Aryans could write the Vedas and the Upanishads and
develop the complete language of Sanskrit. In fact, the waters of Ganga were so
pure that in a span of 300-500 years, they became completely civilized and
highly philosophical from being barbarians. The Aryan-Dravidian divide is the
biggest hoax perpetrated by our historians and the sooner it disappears, the
better. However, it has sunk into the deepest recesses of our collective
psyche; and perversely, our accomplished academia fights tooth and nail against
any attempt of a counter-narrative. Persistent efforts holding on to minuscule
and dubious straws of genetic evidence are hailed as proof galore for the
Aryans instead realizing the fact that Vedic culture prevailed all over
the world before the word Arya was coined to promote Aryan-Dravidian
conflict myth..
The modern narrative
starts with the invading Turks and Mughals from Central Asia in the 10th and
11th centuries, just when Islam was becoming popular. The invasions were
brutal, but to be fair; the Islamic invasions never did convert the population
wholesale. They probably could not, and Islam did get some assimilation into
Indian culture. Europeans followed, who believed it was their divine right in
the name of trade, or Christ, or white supremacy to invade lands and set up
colonies. Dutch, French, English, and Portuguese colonials could set up forts
and colonies in India creating havoc and destruction. Unbelievably, even the
Danes managed to set up colonies (Tranquebar) in India!
There was nothing benign
about their rule as it was systematic loot and plunder. The first
colonies of India were set up in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta; and mostly
through deceit. For the control of some areas in their expansion; the Europeans
fought each other (for instance the Deccan wars) with the help of Indian
soldiers and Sepoys on both sides. And as peace formulas, areas were handed
over as their own.
We are largely unaware
of the glorious maritime Indian history off the Eastern and Western coasts for
thousands of years before the invasions which is now evident to us. The period
of Indus-Sarasvati civilization (starting 7000 BCE and stabilized by 2500 BCE)
was rich in maritime trade. There was a constant transport of
cultures and traditions by migrations and oceanic trade. The maritime history
of Africa, the Arab world, Indian coastline, Sri Lanka, and the Far Eastern
islands was extremely rich since Harappan times.Thousands of years back, we had
an active trade with Romans and Greeks by the sea route. The present-day Lothal
in Gujarat was a thriving port.
A few gods of the Vedic
era transformed into some pagan gods. A fascinating anecdote is how the
Vedic-Mittani god Mitra was a popular deity in the Middle East and later
became the solar God Mithras during the Roman rule. The cult of the
Mithras was seriously competing with early Christianity. The pagan Romans
celebrated a week-long festival called Saturnalia starting December 17 and
ending December 25 with a grand feast for the Mithras of the Sol Invictus
(unconquered Sun).
\When the Christians
came to dominate the Roman empire, they simply took over the pagan festival and
fixed December 25 as Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Puritans
still celebrate January 7 as the Christmas day because they do not agree with
this date.
On the other side-
the Eastern side- there was a very active to-and-fro movement from Odisha,
Bengal, and South India to the Far Eastern countries like Indonesia, Java,
Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. There was a huge Hindu and
Buddhist influence in these countries before their conversion to Islam. The
largest Hindu temple complex in the world is at Angkor. The Sinhalese of Sri
Lanka were the people from Odisha. Hinduism and Buddhism thrived in harmony at
most places of the Indian sub-continent, Far East, Sri Lanka, and China.
The clash of these
religions is a big myth. Many Buddhist temples have Hindu deities in their
complexes, and Hindus consider Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu. The
so-called greatness of Ashoka, which we were and are still feeding upon,
is false. The various inscriptions still existing for anyone us there to
counter-check. Ashoka was a brutal tyrant who killed in plenty after converting
to Buddhism. The story of his converting to Buddhism after the Kalinga war is
pure myth initiated by the English historians and strengthened by the post-Independence
Indian historians. The aim was to show the weakness of Hinduism. Ashoka’s
brutality and tyranny had nothing to do with religion. He converted to Buddhism
purely for political reasons.
An interesting anecdote
concerns the East India Company, where individuals often made huge profits
illegally at the expense of the company; and one was a certain Mr. Yale.
He was a corrupt official who made millions, migrated to the USA, and started a
University with his ill-gotten wealth! So, we know the roots of Yale
University, a highly ranked Ivy League University now.
The South Indians were
fantastic naval warriors, and the author gives a few fine examples. They
resisted the Europeans fiercely and it was not always a cakewalk for them in
the march of colonization. Many times, the Colonials lost very badly. There was
a great ruler of Kerala called Marthanda Verma (1705-1758) who resisted
the Dutch and defeated them decisively. The author goes to the extent of saying
that if Marthanda Verma had not defeated the Dutch, we would have been using
the Dutch language instead of English in the country today.
Similarly, the Marathas
were great warriors and they had an equally important role to play. Their naval
power was indeed a force to contend with. Kanhoji Angre was a Grand
Admiral of the Maratha navy who challenged the Europeans at sea with his fleet
of fast and maneuverable ships. He was quite successful in fending off the
European threat in the early part of the 17th century. However, the European
writings dismissed him off as a pirate! The English could not defeat Kanhoji
till his end.
Not only on the
coastline, but there would be the brave Ahoms of Assam who fought and never
allowed the Mughals to enter their terrain for 400 years. They were great
shipbuilders and the Battle of Saraighat is an example of their naval
skills on the Brahmaputra which permanently deterred the Mughals. Lachit
Borphukan’s story is the stuff of legends. There would be very few in the
country who would have heard of these great naval heroes.
Our standard story
is, of course, Nehru, Gandhi, and the Congress got us Independence in a unique
non-violent manner. other freedom fighter like Aurobindo, Subhash Chandra Bose,
Kattabomman etc’. should get their due place in history. However,
the Congress and Gandhi went around recruiting Indian soldiers to fight for the
British in the name of cooperation, and sacrificing non-violence for the larger
good! Yes, the apostle of non-violence was recruiting soldiers for the British
army!
The prime reason for the
British giving up India was that they were facing immense pressures from the
Indian soldiers who were on the verge of mutiny. The Quit India
movement collapsed in 1942, and it had perhaps nothing to do with the
achievement of independence five years later.
However, after
independence, the entire credit for independence went to the Congress.
Post-colonial secular, liberal historians scripted a history which showed the
ruling political leaders in favorable light. Pundit Nehru wrote a book called
‘The Discovery of India’ as a series of letters from memory and without a
bibliography or referencing of any kind. This became a standard reference for a
few generations of Indian students. The left-dominated institutional history,
ably supported by the socialist regime of Nehru, fit the vast theater of Indian
history into simplistic paradigms of the exploiter and the exploited. Hence,
Aryan conflict, caste conflicts, regional conflicts took center-stage in the
discourse and interpretation of Indian history. It was a parroting of the
biased narrative of the English colonial history of Indians that is taught in
schools ion India And make Indian Americans believe in it. unfortunately this
is also taught in our VEDIC HERITAGE CLASSES AND DISCOVER INDIA CAMPS.
One should be proud of
the country’s past and simultaneously become sad at our continuous exploitation
over so many centuries. One should get a clear idea of an ancient and
prosperous country which could not handle the machinations of foreign invaders.
But despite all this, it is heartening to note, there is no
creation of anger and hatred. And that is a good thing. One can look at the
past of India and be justifiably proud of it to create a new future by
correcting some wrongs; and most importantly, without hating any country,
culture, or religion in the present.
Please go through
the collections in the attached document that describes in detail our History
of the Ancient Past and Present; It needs time and patience to go through
nevertheless makes you proud our ancient culture an universality to
educate our children in our Baal Vihaar/Vedic Heritage classes with True
History of India and Hinduism.
The Churn of the ocean
The Riddle of India’s Ancient Past --An Overview
of the Aryan Problem
Aryan Dravidian Divide is A Political Myth
We All have a
Mixture of Genetic Material, Why then we fight as Aryans and
Dravidians?
How ancient DNA may rewrite prehistory in India
Aboriginal archaeological discovery in Kakadu Rewrites the History
of Australia
Aristotle on the Origin of the Jews in India
Vedic Roots of Early Tamil Culture
The 2004 Tsunami of
Mahabalipuram Reveals Facts about Ancient Past
Dravidians are Brahmins!
Brahmins are Dravidians!!
Recent Excavations
Around the Temple City of Srirangam
--May 11, 2019
MATHS,
DEDICATION & DEVOTION EXPOSED IN KOLAM AND HANUMAN
CHALISA
My thoughts went to divine heights
as I joined the Hanuman devotees on Sunday April 21 reciting Hanuman Chalisa at
Sri Ganesh Temple in Nashville. Hanuman taught us that through chanting God’s name with true devotion, we can
achieve anything. The power of God’s name gave Hanumanji the ability to fly
across the ocean and to carry mountains. We must have that faith and that power
will also work for us. Hanuman Chalisa sloka "Yug
sahasra yojan par Bhanu! Leelyo taahi madhur phal janu!”--reveals the mathematical
calculation of 96,000,000 miles to the Sun. NASA says that, this is the
exact distance between Earth and Sun (Bhanu).
Eager to watch the drama, by the
famous Tamil Cine-director Y.G. Maheendran, in the evening
dedicated to our Motherland or Janma-bhoomi I went up to relax in the Library.
On the way I was surprised to find lot of enthusiastic Tamil ladies
and girls busy in taking part in a Kolam Competition organized by the Tennessee
Tamil Sangam. What inspired Tamil ladies rush to Kolam Competition after
Chanting Hanuman Chalisa? It is the Sraddha (dedication) and
Bhakti dedicated to GOD. No act of Hindu goes without dedication to the
Supreme.That explains the divine display of Kolam beginning with a Dotat
the temple after chanting Hanuman Chalisa/
The making of the kōlam itself is a
performance of supplication. The artist folds her body in half, bending at the
waist, stooping to the ground as she fills out her patterns. Many kōlam artists
see the kōlam as an offering to the earth goddess, Bhūdevi, as well. But the
kōlam is not just a prayer; it is also a metaphor for coexistence with
nature. It is the “karmic obligation” to “feed a thousand souls,” or
offer food to those that live among us by providing a meal of rice flour to
bugs, ants, birds, and insects. The Hindu householder begins the day with “a
ritual of generosity,” with a dual offering to divinity and to nature called
Bhoota Yajna. The Tamil Drama dedicated to Mother India
later was highlighted by the traditional Tamil festive dinner on
banana leaves focused on Eco-friendliness and Bhoota Yajna.
Kōlam festivals are one of the few
remaining opportunities to showcase this slowly fading tradition. During the
festival month of Margazhi on the Tamil calendar, which falls between December
and January, woman folk from Tamil Nadu take to the streets in front of
their homes, drawing elaborate kōlams on the main thoroughfare, defiantly
taking up the road and stooping low for hours. There is almost an urgency to
their work, their need to preserve a disappearing tradition, even in cities as
passing cars cover them with dust in a busy city like Chennai or Madurai with
back-breaking pursuits. It’s a great exercise in concentration
promoting health while nurturing one’s creativity.
Taking a clump of rice flour in a
bowl (or a coconut shell), the kōlam artist steps onto her freshly washed
canvas: the ground at the entrance of her house, or any patch of floor marking
an entry point. Working swiftly, she takes pinches of rice flour and draws
geometric patterns: curved lines, labyrinthine loops around red or white dots,
hexagonal fractals, or floral patterns resembling the lotus, a symbol of the
goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, for whom the kōlam is drawn as a prayer in
illustration. The making of the kōlam itself is a performance of supplication.
The artist folds her body in half, bending at the waist, stooping to the ground
as she fills out her patterns. Many kōlam artists see the kōlam as an offering
to the earth goddess, Bhūdevi, as well.
But the kōlam is not just a prayer;
it is also a metaphor for coexistence with nature. it is the belief
in Hindu mythology that Hindus have a “karmic obligation” to “feed a thousand
souls,” or offer food to those that live among us. By providing a meal of rice
flour to bugs, ants, birds, and insects. The Hindu householder begins the day
with “a ritual of generosity,” with a dual offering to divinity and to nature.
The
word kōlam means beauty. What it also embodies is a perfect symmetry of
straight or curved lines built around or through a grid of dots. Nearly always,
the grid of dots comes first, requiring spatial precision to achieve symmetry.
The dot in Hindu philosophy represents the point at which creation begins. It
is a silent meditation in art invoking the Creator of the Universe
who sustains the thoughts and deeds of us —it is a symbol of the cosmos. No
tools other than the maker’s deft fingers, and the rice flour, are used.
Sometimes the designs are one continuous line that loops over itself, snaking
to infinity. Intersecting into infinite figure eights, in a style known as pulli
kōlam, the kōlam is also believed to be a representation of infinity, of the
infinite cycle of birth and rebirth that forms a foundational concept in Hindu
mythology.
Mathematicians and computer
scientists have keenly studied the kōlam. The kōlam is “an unusual example of
the expression of mathematical ideas in a cultural setting. .com
that rules the Internet Domain is a tribute that computer pays to this silent
meditation of inner-net dot Kolam that also inspired
mathematics. It’s actually helping computer scientists understand something
elemental about their own work, a presentation on the geometry of kōlam.
The
traditional kōlam continues to be made with rice flour and kavi, red
ochre considered sacred. This is the kōlam drawn within the temple sanctum
sanctorum to catch the eyes of the gods. But the elaborate kōlam
displays entered in competitions and drawn on the streets of Tamil Nadu during
the Pongal festival use a variety of colored powders, to the consternation of
traditionalists who rue that kōlam is becoming more like the rangoli of
North India—similar floor art made with colored rice flour, stone powders, or
flower petals popular in Kerala that follows different set of design principles
focusing on Bootha yajna
Woman have been teaching each other
these traditional designs for centuries. They learned them from their mothers,
and mothers have been teaching daughters for centuries. The kōlam is a powerful
vehicle for Tamil women’s self-expression, a central metaphor and symbol for
creativity. It displays her concerns, sensibilities, and suffering, and
ultimately it affirms the power of women’s blessings to create a desired
reality--a healthy, happy household.” says a researcher of this Ancient art.
Although some men engage themselves in Kolam designs it remains purely in
women’s domain. Skilled kōlam makers will maintain a ledger of their own
designs that becomes a family heirloom. No activity in Hindu philosophy
goes without dedicating their work to the Supreme!
Prajnanam
Brahman (Aitareya Upanishad
3.1.3)
Satyam
Jnanam Anantam Brahman (Taittariya Upanishad 2.1.1)
Vijnanam
Anandam Brahman (Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad 3.9.28)
(Jnnam, Vijnanm,
Prajnanam--Isavasyamidam sarvam--Everything is Supreme alone)
Na
hi Jnaanena sadrisam |Sraddhaavaan labhate Jnaannam | Jnaanena Vijnnaanam
visvaasayayati | Vijnaanena Aatmanam vedayati | Atmanaa Vindate
Prajnaanam | sah Salokataam aapnoti Sayujamaapnoti ||
There is nothing equal to knowledge
(Jnaana). One acquires knowledge with steadfast desire. Knowledge leads
to Deep-researched Knowledge Vijnaana (or Science). Vijnaana acquires
Supreme Consciousness. One that attains Supreme Consciousness lives in the
world of Brahman; one even merges with the Brahman.
--May 10, 2019
Comments:
Thanks for sending this. I will
forward it to TN Tamil Sangam board for benefit of its members. Thanks
again.
--Nashville Naga
I went through your
mails today. I cannot adequately thank you for the words of wisdom and the
extraordinary information pool. Going through your notes really rejuvenates the
mind.
--BRG Iyengar
CORONATION
CEREMONY OF THAILAND BUDDHIST KINGDOM
The Coronation Ceremony of Thailand Buddhist Kingdom (once
ancient Tamil Kingdom) is today a blend of Hindu and Buddhist cultures
with special reference to Tamil culture. I had explained to in
detail a big festival held in Thailand corresponding to the Margazhi festivals
of Tamil Nadu called Triyampavai-Trippavai (celebrating Tamil scriptures
of Tirippavai and Tiruvembavai ) during December-January. This takes your mind
back to three or four thousand years back to imagine how a religion or a
culture would have changed after its passage to foreign lands. This also
reveals that in the beginning Vedic Religion and culture was prevalent all over
the world, over centuries, it must have gone through a process of change and
taken different forms. The details of present day Thai Coronation
Ceremony is a glowing example of the same.
Recently 3 day long coronation ceremony of Thailand's monarch Maha
Vajiralongkorn was in news. Do you know that these ceremonies were based on
ancient Brahmana texts (Shatapatha and Aitareya)? Buddhism was mainly
introduced in these ceremonies only in 1851s by Rama IV under huge pressure of
colonial vested interests. The 'Bhadrapitha' throne of Thai monarch has
been described in various Puranas and Shilpa-Shastra (canonical Hindu
architectural texts).
The Indian roots of the
Thai king’s coronation ceremony is reflexive of the rich, long relationship
that South East Asian countries have shared with Hindu and Buddhist communities
in India. Thai society being historically located around rivers, water is of huge
ritualistic significance in the coronation ceremony. Preparations began in
April with the collection of water from across Thailand to be used in this
weekend’s ceremonies. The water was then blessed in Buddhist ceremonies at
major temples. The water is used ritualistically first to ‘purify’ the king and
then to anoint him as monarch.
Thailand King Coronation
Highlights
This is the first such
ceremony in 69 years since Vajiralongkorn father Bhumibol Adulyadej died two
years ago, Adulyadej became Thailand's monarch in 1950.
The Indian roots of the
Thai king’s coronation ceremony is reflexive of the rich, long relationship
that South East Asian countries have shared with Hindu and Buddhist communities
in India. Thai society being historically located around rivers, water is of
huge ritualistic significance in the coronation ceremony. Preparations began in
April with the collection of water from across Thailand to be used in this
weekend’s ceremonies. The water was then blessed in Buddhist ceremonies at major
temples. The water is used ritualistically first to ‘purify’ the king and then
to anoint him as monarch
Vajiralongkorn was
formally crowned as divine Monarch on Saturday. The king donned the 7.3 kg (16
lb) Great Crown of Victory as part of the elaborate coronation ceremonies
mixing Buddhist and Hindu Brahmin traditions.
The coronation, which is a three-day ceremony
began today. He was crowned king after an extended mourning period for his
revered father. This will be the first such ceremony in 69 years
since his father Bhumibol Adulyadej died two years ago, Adulyadej became
Thailand’s monarch in 1950.
The ceremony which is expected to cost more than
$30 million is an interesting mix of Buddhist and Brahminical rituals,
symbolically declaring the king as devaraja (God-king) and upholder of Buddhism
in Thailand.This is the 12th coronation for kings of the reigning Chakri
dynasty.
Newly crowned king King Maha Vajiralongkorn
began the procession Thailand's newly crowned King Maja began his seven km (four-mile)
procession from the Grand Palace to three Buddhist temples in Bangkok. The
monarch paid homage to each temple's main Buddha images. Crowds of well-wishers
clad in yellow, a color associated with the monarch, lined the procession route
in a spectacle not seen for nearly seven decades.
King Vajiralongkorn's coronation took place
after an official mourning for is father Vajiralongkorn, who is the tenth
monarch of the reigning Chakri dynasty, ascended the throne after the death of
King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016 and has since been dispatching his duties as a
king.
The King's 86-year-old mother, known as Queen
Sirikit, was granted a new official title of Queen Mother. Vajiralongkorn's
son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, was one of the family members granted a fresh
name for the new reign. He turned 14 on April 29 and is the heir presumptive.
Later on this Sunday, there will be a
7-kilometer (4.3-mile) royal procession in which the king will be carried on an
elaborate palanquin through nearby city streets to visit four important temples
and allow the public to pay homage to him. The King pays respect to his father,
mother The 66-year-old Vajiralongkorn began Sunday morning's event before
dignitaries in a hall at Bangkok's Grand Palace by paying respects in front of
portraits of his late father and mother, who has been hospitalized for an
extended period. His mother, who was Bhumibol's queen, was granted a new
official title of Queen Mother.
Seven kilometer long royal procession scheduled
for Sunday
On Sunday, there will be a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile)
royal procession involving 343 men, in which the king will again be carried on
his palanquin through nearby city streets to visit four important temples and
allow the public to pay homage to him. (AP)
04 May 2019
Maha Vajiralongkorn crowned as divine monarch
Vajiralongkorn took the crown on Saturday, in the third rite of his coronation
ceremony. The crown was handed to Vajiralongkorn by the chief Brahmin,
a Hindu priest, who has played a guiding part in Saturday's mixed
Buddhist-Hindu ceremony.
Vajiralongkorn underwent
intricate Buddhist and Brahmin ceremonies
As intricate Buddhist and Brahmin ceremonies
began for Vajiralongkorn to symbolically transform him into a living God
as the Southeast Asian nation officially crowns its first monarch in nearly seven
decades. The country's Buddhist Supreme Patriarch also poured sacred waters
over the king's body, followed by Brahmin priests and royal family members.
THAI CORONATION CEREMONY IS AMAZING
EXAMPLE OF BLEND OF HINDU AND BUDDHIST CULTURES WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO TAMIL CULTURE!
--May 4, 2019
WHAT
IS AKSHAYA TRITIYA OR AKHA TEEJ?
“Donate to earn more”-this is going to be the mantra of
Akshaya Tritiya May 7, 2019.
The word "Akshaya" means
immortal or everlasting. So go ahead for the new investment on Akshaya Tritiya
or Akha Teej. Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is one of the most auspicious days
if you are planning to buy gold.
Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is the
Hindu auspicious day to start new activities and has a special significance in
Hinduism. It is believed that any new venture or any furniture or vehicles
brought on Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej will grow forever. Lord Ganesha and
Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped on the day of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej.
According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the third day of month
Vaishakha (April-May) every year. Donating to the poor is considered truly
auspicious.
Astrological Significance of
Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej:
Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is
celebrated once in a year when Sun and Moon are exalted and at the extreme
point of brightness on this day. This rare event takes place on the third day
of bright fortnight of Hindu month Vaishakha (April or May).
According to Vedic Astrology, three
lunar periods are considered auspicious in a year. These periods are known as
Sade Teen Muhurat. The first lunar period of the Shukla Paksha (bright
fortnight) of Chaitra, the tenth phase of Ashvin month, the third phase of the
month of Vaisakha, and the first phase of Shukla Paksha of Kartika month. The
first three periods are considered the full phase of lunar month whereas the
last lunar period is considered as the half phase.
Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej is
considered truly auspicious for conducting a new business activity, for buying
lands, bringing furniture or vehicles at home and for an auspicious Hindu
marriage.
Legend of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha
Teej:
Do you know Akshaya Tritiya is
associated with Lord Krishna and his childhood Brahmin friend Sudama? On the
day of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej, Sudama visited Lord Krishna in Dwarka just
to ask for some financial help. Lord Krishna welcomed Sudama with kindness and
believed in ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Discovering the richness of Lord Krishna
Sudama was ashamed to offer his gift.
It was a bowl of Poha that Lord
Krishna received sincerely from Sudama. He relished this gift as a tribute to
friendship, hospitality, and care. Sudama felt ashamed of asking any financial
favor from Lord Krishna and returned home with a peaceful heart. After reaching
home, Sudama got surprised to discover his poor hut was transformed into a
palace. Sudama’s honesty and simplicity were taken by Lord Krishna as the token
of unconditional trust, friendship, and kindness.
The Most Important Mantra of Akshaya
Tritiya: “Remember the Kind act of Giving is Thousand Times More Powerful than
that of Receiving”, says the Lord.
“Sraddhayaa
deyam” --donate with whole-heartedness!
Thus, the day of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej got also associated with material gains and wealth.
Thus, the day of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej got also associated with material gains and wealth.
Rituals of Akshaya Tritiya
You should wear piousness and
austerity on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, says Ganesha. Follow the
simple rituals and see the results.
- Wake up early in the morning and take an auspicious bath.
- Observe fast.
- Offer sandalwood paste and flower to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Parvati
- During Akshaya Tritiya, you should also pray to Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera (Lord of Wealth).
- Offer wheat, chana dal, milk, gold, clothes.
- Recite ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’ and mantra.
- Prepare Poha as prasad and offer to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna.
- Donate to needy all living beings
Benefits of Akshaya Tritiya or Akha
Teej:
Whatever you offer on the day of
Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej will enhance the auspiciousness of Akshaya
Tritiya. Believe you can achieve wealth, prestige, and success on Akshaya
Tritiya if you follow the above rituals with a pure heart.
- You and your family members will gain happiness and prosperity.
- Want your business or job get flourished? Then start any new activity, project or business on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.
- You will get free from all your sins.
- You will be blessed with health, wealth, happiness and prosperity
- Goddess Lakshmi provides knowledge and courage.
Akshaya Tritiya Puja Mantra or Akha
Teej Puja Mantra:
To get peace of mind and good
health, pray to God and utter the following mantra:
“Jamadagnya
mahaveera kshatriyaantha kara prabho
Gruhanarghyam mayadattam krupayaa parameshwaraa”
Gruhanarghyam mayadattam krupayaa parameshwaraa”
To get free from any wrong deeds,
donate clothes and feed the poor with a good heart and chant the mantra:
“Sri parameshwara preethyartha muda kumbhadaanoktha
phala vaapyartham
brahmana yodakumbha daanam karishye thadanga kalasha pujyadhikam cha karishye”.
brahmana yodakumbha daanam karishye thadanga kalasha pujyadhikam cha karishye”.
To create and enhance wealth this
auspicious Akshaya Tritiya, chant this mantra:
“Kubera
Twam Danadeesam Gruha Te Kamala Sthitaa
Tam Devem Prehayasu Twam Madgruhe te Namo Namah”
Tam Devem Prehayasu Twam Madgruhe te Namo Namah”
--May 5, 2017
COMMENTS:
That’s such a powerful message! “Remember the Kind act of Giving is Thousand
Times More Powerful than that of Receiving”
--Aparna
Arcot
THE
MYTH OF 33 KOTI (33O MILLION) DEITIES AND 33 DEVATAS IN HINDUISM
Rigveda
Samhita forms the basic scripture of Hinduism and tradition that accords it the highest place, This Samhita or Compilation is
full of hymns, Suktas as they are called. A major part of this work is devoted to
prayers to Devatas (subordinates to the Supreme) like Indra, Agni, Varuna and others. These Vedic Devatas are usually
enumerated as thirty three; eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Indra
and Prajaapati. These Devatas are assigned to the three regions of the Earth
(Prithvi, the Heaven (Dyaus) and the intermediary space (Antariksha). Apart
from these Devatas, we also find many inanimate objects like grinding stone,
qualities like faith, emotion like
anger, aspects of nature like dawn, deified and described. They represent
limited manifestations of the Supreme like the cult deities of the
Supreme--Brahma, Vishnu and Siva along with their consorts. Vedic deities are
also portrayed as inferior to Trinity of Puranas.
The Vedas present a vast pantheon of
deities (devatas) on many different levels, often said to be innumerable or
infinite in number. For a specific number the Gods are said to be 3339 in
total. This number is clearly a play on the number three. One of the main early
efforts to classify the Vedic Gods (as in the Brihad Devata of Shaunaka) was to
reduce them to the three prime deities for the three worlds.
The Rigveda starts with the
hymns to Agni generally (Agnimeele purohitam) coming first in
most of its ten books, then the hymns to Vayu and Indra, and finally the
hymns to the Sun.
These three deities are three
aspects of the One God or the Purusha, the supreme consciousness principle and
higher Self that is pure light. Vedic
deities represent the main forms of light (Jyoti) in the universe. These three
lights also reflect the three gunas. Agni is the tamasic form of light, the
fire that is hidden in darkness. Vayu is the rajasic form of light, light in
its active and energetic mode as lightning or electrical force. Surya is the
sattvic form of light, light as pure illumination (prakasha).
Of all the information available,
the details available in the dialogue between Saakalya and Yajnavalkya in
Saakalya Navama Brahmanam is most convincing
All
33 Devatas referred in this
conversation are the facets of the One Supreme Brahman
that complies with the Vedic dictum
of Tadekam; Eko Devah--GOD is ONE.
He is Manojyoti because His mind is
functioning in making various Sankalpas
and Vikalpas (Resolutions) and thinking of Pros and Cons. From all these three, namely, having the
Earth as the body, having fire as the instrument of vision and having the mind
as the maker of resolutions in respect of all Atmans (individual souls) it is
established that Paramaatma is the goal of all sentient.
The three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah,
Suvah) are the abode of all the devatas-- 1) the earth is the body, 2) Fire (Bhuvah) is the instrument of vision
and 3) Mind (Suvah) is the maker of resolutions in respect of all Atmans.
The
Vedic Devatas are thirty three: eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas,
Indra and Prajaapati. These Devatas are assigned to the three regions of the
Earth (Prithvi, the Heaven (Dyaus) and the intermediary space (Antariksha).They
are not Ishta devatas and no temple needs to be raised for them but they are
all invoked in Pooja Vidhanam, worship of the Supreme.
Hinduism
is both Monotheistic and Henotheistic. Hindus were never Polytheistic or Pagan.
In the sense that there are many equal Gods. Henotheism (literally “One GOD”)
better defines the Hindu view. It means the worship of one GOD (Deva) without
denying the existence of other gods (Devatas). Hindus believe in the one
all-pervasive GOD who energizes the entire Universe. We can see Him in the life
shining out of the eyes of all human beings and all creatures. This view of GOD existing in and giving life
is called Panen-theism. It is different
from Pantheism that is the belief that GOD is the natural Universe and nothing
more. It is also different from strict theism that says GOD is only above the
world, apart and transcendent. Panen-theism is in an all-encompassing concept.
It says that GOD is both in the world and beyond it, both immanent and
transcendent.
REINCARNATION--IS IT NOT
DISMISSED BY UPANISHADS?
WEBINAR-148 presents a
telecast on REINCARNATION, Is it not dismissed by the Upanishads? by Pujya
Swami Chidanandji on Sunday, May 5, 2019.
Gist of the Presentation:
The Self-knowledge taught by
the Upanishads, the ultimate source of wisdom in the Vedic tradition, maintains
that the Self (ātmā) is never born and it never dies. It is changeless,
and is the only truth! Readers get confused, all the same, when many scriptures
talk of reincarnation (punar-janma). Geetā speaks of a yogi, who
does not get enlightened in one life, being born in a good family in his next
life, and picking up from where he had left.
This webinar examines if the
Upanishads also endorse reincarnation. If they don’t, how we do reconcile their
stand with that of Geetā? If they do, how do we carry both the viewpoints –
that there is no birth at all and that there are repeated births?
This intelligence (the
soul) has neither birth nor death. na jāyate mriyate vā vipaschit
Kathopanishad – 1.2.18
The man who falls from yoga on
the way is reborn at a home of merit. shucheenām ..gehe.. yoga-bhrastho
..jāyate Geetā 6.41
My
Reflections on the subject:
Rigveda
in 1/64/38 says: “Apaangprangeti
svadhayaa gribheetoe amartyoe martyenaa sayoeni-h | taa sasvantaa vishoocheenaa
vinyantaanyanyam chikyurna chikyuranyam || Soul is immortal. Physical body is destructible. The soul
controls all the functions in the body. The body functions as long as soul
resides within it. The most learned people do not understand the mysteries of
the soul. The principal aim of life should be to understand it to the best of
one’s ability”. Bhagavaan says in Bhagavad Geetaa, in 2/20: “Na jaayatae mriyatae vaa kadaachi-nnaayam
bhootvaa bhavitaa vaa na bhooya-h | ajoe nitya-h saasvatoe ayam puraanoe na
hanyatae hanyamaanae sareerae || The soul was never born, nor does it die.
It will not emerge again. It is unborn, eternal, eve
rlasting,
and without age. Even when the body is destroyed the soul remains untouched”.
In 2-18 Kathoepanishad says: “Na jaayatae
mriyatae vaa vipaschit naayam kutaschinna babhoova kaschit | ajoe nitya-h
saasvatoeyam puraanoe na hanyatae hanyamaanae
sareerae || The intelligent Self is not born. Nor does it die. It is not
produced from anything nor was he born. This unborn, eternal, everlasting,
ancient, is not destroyed when the body is destroyed. Even before, it was bereft of the form of
human being and others”. Geeta just
repeats after Kathoepanishad.
In the
practical effect upon the life problems, the apparent soul or spiritual
individuality of the human being is not immortal, in the sense of eternity of
time but has a beginning and an end. It is at best a creation by Nature Force
or by Karma or Maaya or Cosmic Will out of the original In-conscientious or
Super-conscientious and is therefore intrinsically impermanent, in its
existence. It therefore follows rebirth of the individual is either unnecessary
or else illusory. Therefore a single birth is all that can be asked for by a
“conscious Being”. It is thus a part of purposeless creation like the wave,
which rises on the surface of the sea, remains in existence for a while, and
then disappears into the undifferentiated waters of the sea.
The
universe is a self-creative process of a Supreme Reality whose universal
presence makes Spirit the sustainer of all things in existence. All things are
there as this Spirit’s powers and means and forms of manifestation. An infinite
and absolute Existence, an infinite and absolute Consciousness, an infinite and
absolute Force and Will, an infinite and absolute Delight of Being, is the
supreme Reality secret behind all appearances of the universe, which Upanishads
refer to as Sat-Chit-Aananda. The Divine mind or Gnosis, the absolute Knowledge
or the Supreme mind is the real creative agent, responsible for the cosmic
order not directly as such but indirectly through the three limiting terms of
Matter, Mind and Life. The material universe is the lowest stage of a downward
plunge of the manifestation leading to the involution of the manifest being of
the Supreme Mind into an apparent nescience (lack of knowledge or awareness) of
itself. Out of this starting nescience the evolution of the manifested being
into a recovered self-awareness was from the beginning inevitable and that is
what is happening on earth. This recovery is possible through a conscious
individual being. It is in him that the evolving consciousness becomes
organized and is capable of awakening to its own Reality. Individual being is
of immense importance, which importance rises in the scale of evolution.
It is
the most remarkable and significant fact of a universe which started
without consciousness and without
individuality in an undifferentiated universe, the material universe. This
importance justifies the Upanishadic approach that Self as Cosmic Being or
Spirit. The necessity for the growth of the individual and his discovery of
condition for the discovery of the Cosmic Self and consciousness of the Supreme
Reality may be explained if both are powers of the Eternal Transcendent. Thus
the world is real, the individual is real and the manifestation is real as
Ramanuja says and not illusory without any purpose and that great purpose is to
usher in the full manifestation of the Transcendent Divine in time and space.
This
reasoning leads to two important inferences: 1) The reality of the persistent
individual, and 2) the necessity of rebirth of some kind of the individual for
the unfolding of the intended cosmic purpose. This follows that human birth of
the individual is a term, which the soul must arrive in a long succession of
rebirths. It must have had previous and preparatory terms in this succession,
the lower forms of life upon earth. It has passed through the whole chain that
life has strung in the physical universe based on the body, the physical
principle.
The
question now is whether the necessity of rebirth still continues, if so, how
and by what series, once the human birth is attained by the individual soul?
Why a succession of human births and not one alone? The answer to this question
is quite simple. For the same reason
rebirth continues that has made human birth itself a culminating point of the
past successions, the previous upward series. It is because of the inexorable
necessity of the always ascending spiritual evolution. The soul has not
certainly finished what it had to do, by merely developing into humanity; it
has still to develop that humanity into its higher possibilities. Even great
souls like Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Ramakrishna etc. might not have made the
crown of human birth, signifying the end of the out-flowering of the Spirit in
man! Every individual soul must at least
reach the present highest point by the example set by these noble souls, before
we can aim at the call off the recurrence of human births for the individual.
Bhagavad Gita 6-41 gives the
reason for such a rebirth erven to a yogi who does not realize the goal in his
present life:
praapya
punyakritaam lokaanushitvaa saasvsateeh samaah | sucheenaam sreemataam gehe
yogabhrtashtah abhijaayate || 6-41||
The unsuccessful Yogi, after
very many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities is
born into a family of righteous people or into a family of rich aristocracy,
The Yogi who falls after a short of practice goes to the higher planets where pious living entities are allowed to enter that Puranas call as Svarga. After prolonged life there, he is sent back again to this planet, to take birth in the family of righteous parenthood or aristocratic rich families. The real purpose of Yoga practice is to achieve the highest perfection of Supreme Consciousness. But those who do not preserve to such an extent and fail due to material allurements are allowed, by the grace of the Lord, to make full utilization of their material propensities, and after that, they are given opportunities to live prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families (as a result of the benefit of previous meritorious life). Those who are born in such families may take advantage of the facilities and try to elevate themselves to full Supreme Consciousness to attain Mukti.
Holy Bible deleted all
reference to reincarnation in the official James version moving away from
earlier St. Thomas version though believes in resurrection of Jesus Christ
after crucifying on the cross. Christianity believes in Life as a linear
function of one time death with punishment in Hell or reward in Heaven
perennially as in other Abrahamic religions. They also consider all
lower beings as almost non-sentient in the service of humanity either to harm
or benefit.
RAMAYANA
OF INDIA, LOVED IN INDONESIA
How the great Indian epic ties India to Asia and ASIAN in an
unbreakable bond
Being a Muslim-majority country has not prevented Indonesia
from embracing the Ramayana fully. India should leverage the great love Asia
has for this epic through creative diplomatic and strategic ways.
To mark 70 years of diplomatic ties
between India and Indonesia, Jakarta released a special commemorative stamp —
what is unique about this gesture is the fact that the stamp was premised on
the Ramayana, India’s legendary epic
The play that had a Balinese
translation at the end of each scene was warmly received by the native
population. The festival had participation from the US as well and it was
heartening to see the participants of the ensemble from the US were also
non-resident Indians. That is perhaps the impact Ramayana has from a global
perspective.
Indonesia’s fascination towards
Ramayana is not new — the country has taken inspiration from both Sage
Valmiki’s Ramayana and Tamil poet Kamban’s Ramayana and thus, the Ramayana
remains in the imagination and cultural milieu of the country.
Indonesia has also hosted the
International Festival for Ramayana, inviting countries from the Indian
subcontinent and Southeast Asia to perform in the field of theatre. I vividly
remember 13 years ago, in 2006, a theatrical team visited Bali Island to represent India at the
International Festival of Ramayana. They were an ensemble from the Chinmaya
Yuva Kendra that performed Kamban Tharum Katchi , Ramayana from the eyes of the
Tamil poet Kamban. The sound and light show had playback songs by inspirational
singers SP Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam, among others.
--May 1, 2019
MAYDAY
May Day, Labor Day or International
Workers' Day, call it as you may, the first of May is the day observed by the
blue-collared around the globe to assert their rights and dignity. The
observance started as a protest campaign to support the eight-hour workday (as
opposed to the existing 15 hours per day of work) in 1886 and turned into a day
to honor those who died in the protest. On May 1, 1886, activists organized a
national strike seeking an eight-hour workday in Chicago's Haymarket Square.
The workers united on the streets of Chicago, and the peaceful protest turned
violent with a bomb blast and clash between policemen and workers. Nearly 15 people died in the clashes. To honor the workers
in the Haymarket riot, the International Socialist Conference declared May 1
would be a day designated for labor, to be called International Workers' Day.
The holiday was established at a meeting in 1889 and eventually spread to many
parts of the world.
An estimated 522 million laborers, India observes a
public holiday on May 1 every year. The observance, however, did not reach
India until 1923.
ON May 1, 1923, a Communist named
Singaravelu Chettiar — the leader of the Labor Kisan Party — organized the first May Day observance in
Chennai (then Madras) at two places — one meeting was held at the beach
opposite to the Madras High Court and the other one was held at the Triplicane
beach.
The red flag — now synonymous with May Day in
India — was also used for the first time at this meeting.
May 1, 2019
Comments:
Thank you mama these are very
informative
--Aparna
Arcot
RETIREMENT CANNOT WEAKEN THE SOUL; RE-TYRE YOURSELF IN SEVADHARMA
Inspired by WEBNAIR--147 Retired
Life Guidance from Gita and enlightened by the Upadesa “yuddhyasva
vigatajvarah”--Act without lethargy to the end like a petal engaged
in Sevadharma and silently wither away, I worked hard on
this subject that I am now presenting to you. From the comments I
received in the preview of the topic I believe there is some divine power
behind all this and it can neither be my battle-field document in my
agitated state of mind nor I am instrumental. Please go through this
lengthy document since the topic is of vital importance to all of us and
xcarries lot of Vesdic Wisdom and Gita Magnetism.
Being Born in this world as
per the whims of Prajapati, we look up to eleven Rudras in our agony all
through Twelve Adityas (all 12 months in the year) and need
eleven Commandments for the control of five Karmendriyas, 5
Jnanendriyas and Buddhi that makes eleven controlled by Indra our
own Self. My article deals with these Eleven Commandments to engage
ourselves in Seva-dharma associating ourselves with Satsanga
and focused on Svaadhyaaya (Self-study) and act without lethargy
in our retired life to enter the Kingdom of God either as a servant,
associate or master. Incidentally what I meant about Eleven Rudras, Twelve
Adityas, Eight Vasus, Prajapati and Indra and those 33 are the facets of
Parabrahman and not 33 Koti Devatas we need to focus on guided by Puranas whose
number is increasing in Hinduism. I will soon talk about it as to where we have
gone wrong and are labelled as Polytheistic or Pagans.
Let us learn our lessons from the
retired lives of very active people like Missy Franklin,
Sureshanandji and Scientist Statesman and Philosopher A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam Azad.
Missy
Franklin the five-time Olympic gold-medalist swimmer announced a shock
retirement in December last year to call time on her career but on the bright
side; it allowed her to do things that she couldn't do as an active athlete.
Besides a champion athlete, Franklin who is a Christian also knows quite a bit
about Hinduism. She is fascinated by the Ramayana and Mahabharata. She plans to
visit India and study the most beautiful aspect of Hinduism,
the idea of Karma and of being good to one. Thanks to her
time as a student at the University of Georgia, she also knows a lot more about
the history of Yoga. She plans to learn about the true roots
of yoga and its process, and feels how sad it is that the Western practitioners
of Yoga have completely neglected the essential spiritual aspect of
Yoga in Hinduism. She wants to learn about what Yoga is all about and how it is
about that connection with the divine and creating that Oneness! Sometimes
we have to retire from one active life to another but that comes from life
experience from previous active life and the level of attainment. Missy
Franklin had become rich and famous but it is highly
commendable that she wants to focus on Apara Vidya instead of leading
a luxurious life for physical enjoyment alone and lead a retired
life of egoism.
Swami Sureshanandji was a monk
living at the Ramakrishna Institute of Moral and Spiritual Education (RIMSE) in
Mysuru. Swami Sureshanandaji was thoughtful and concerned about others.
He passed away last March after all the day-long festivities were
completed at Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama and the last guest was fed. And in his own
way, he seemed to be letting all of us know that death is a merely an event, but
life needs to go on forever. People like Swami Sureshanandaji come along
rarely. It is indeed a great fortune that some of us had the privilege of
having come in contact with him. He was a great
Jnaanayogi and Karmayogi. Swami Sureshanandji was a modern combination
of both Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda in his life-style!
“See the flower, how generously it distributes perfume and
honey. When its work is done, it falls away quietly. Try to be like the flower,
unassuming despite all its qualities” --APJ Abdul Kalam.
Sometime
back I circulated to you the Wisdom thoughts on Retirement of
WEBNAIR--147 titled “Retired Life Guidance from
Gita” with my customary introduction
telling how true it was to my own retired life and how
important it is to many of you who are preparing for a
retired life. All active people in life need a retirement plan to live in Peace
but not Pieces. Why not extend it to have a pleasant journey after
death? Inspired by the comments received from H. H. Chidananda: reacting to my
E mail: “You are indeed practicing “Yudhyasva vigatajvarah”,
the Lord's advice in the Geeta (3.30). WE (in FOWAI Forum)
appreciate the vibrant and active "writing life" that you always
enjoy. Your spiritual sharing has been valuable to a very large number of
people. The wide range of topics you cover has been unparalleled." I
then started working on the Philosophy and Dharma of Retired Life
drawing strength from our scriptures. Then finalizing this
exhaustive discourse on "Retirement Cannot Weaken this Soul" I sent it to Swamiji for his
opinion. He was gracious enough to glance through all the
pages and blessed me with the following words: “I glanced at the 27 pages
document you have created, giving a nice introduction to the topic and then
commenting on and elaborating upon the ten pointers that I had supplied
on Retired Life, Guidance from Geeta. I very much appreciate the number
of enhanced explanations that you have supplied, drawing from Gayatri Mantra,
Swami Sureshananda etc. Thank you, and keep up your good work". This
subject needs no further introduction as I have talked enough on it.
I am happy to present it to you as
well as posting it on the Blog for a detailed study to
make your Retirement Plans.
"Everyone must engage in some sort of activity in
this material world. But actions can either bind one to this world or liberate
one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish
motives, one can be liberated from Karma" says Chapter 3 of
Gita.
PRE-REVUE COMMENTS:
*I glanced at the 27 page document you have created, giving a
nice introduction to the topic and then commenting on and elaborating upon the
ten pointers that I had supplied on Retired Life, Guidance from Geeta. I very
much appreciate the number of enhanced explanations that you have supplied,
drawing from Gayatri Mantra, Swami Sureshananda etc. You are indeed practicing YUDHYASVA VIGATAJVARAH, the
Lord's advice in the Geeta (3.30). Your spiritual sharing has been
valuable to a very large number of people. The wide range of topics you cover
has been unparalleled.
--Swami Chidananda
*It is a wonderful note on Self as I continue to ponder and your
note seems to reinforce. I also wish I had the opportunity to learn some
spiritual texts early on but caught up with quagmire of life and staying with
head out can be a challenge at times but I tell myself Karma Yoga is important
as well knowing fully well I may be giving excuses at times. Satsangam is so
important and I am fortunate to be in your mailer to read your perspectives.
Glad I learnt the meaning of the Gita Sloka - hope to get there to understand
all the slokas soon and get more clarity.
--Maheshwari Sankaran
*I find wonderful and great insight from you in your blog posts.
I am now living in South America. I’m a “devout” reader of J.
Krishnamurti for last 10 years. From my understanding of these teachings, I
don’t subscribe to any tradition or ideology. But at the same time, I find
profound and timeless truth in many paths. I feel fortunate and extremely happy
to have found Sanatana Dharma. Another source of inspiration for me continues
to be the Tao Te Ching.
I don’t remember exactly how, but I ended up reading Sankara’s
Vivekachudamani, and Swami Chinmayananda’s talks on this. Also I’ve been
reading Swami Chidananda - his connection to K, and to know he reads your blog
and you both have collaborated in scholarly and spiritual traditions... makes
me smile with extreme gratitude and love at life for pointing me in this
direction.
Your body of work is a great gift to others, and I only hope to
grasp at least parts of it so that I live the positive effects of the awareness
coming from self-knowledge.
I was just reading one of your discourses I had saved, about
Unitarianism Universalism (UU). Reminds me a bit of the brotherhood of
theosophy that united many/all beliefs. I think this is positive for mankind,
since leaves no room for discrimination, racism etc. How can one measure
the instincts and objectives of fellow man if one never fully knows oneself?
Many things unanswerable I think, only a silent mind can see with clarity.
--Gerard Janetzko from
Latin America gerard.janetzko@gmail.com
|
RETIREMENT CANNOT WEAKEN THE SOUL--ELEVEN
COMMANDMENTS FROM OUR SCRIPTURES TO SERVE AND NOT TO SECLUDE (Tele-lecture
Notes by N. R...
nrsrini.blogspot.com
|
--MAY 1, 2019
Thank you so much for compiling
this. Very useful, informative, and written in an easy way to understand and
implement. Yes, this is relevant to all.
--Santosh Venkatraman
I hope your blog will be read by many Hindus
and Non Hindus alike,,, God Bless you with fountain of knowledge to sprinkle on
thousands of souls.
--Dr. Ram
Prasasd
ROLE
OF GUNAS IN YOGA
A yogi knows that the path towards satisfaction of
the senses by sensual desires is broad, but it leads to destruction. He knows
also that vast majority follow that path. The path of a yoga practice is like
the sharp edge of a razor, narrow and difficult to tread, and there are very
few who can follow it. A yogi is fully aware the paths of ruin or of salvation
lie within him. The Yogi who is also human is also affected by the three gunas.
By his constant disciplined study of himself and other objects which his senses
tend to pursue, he learns which thoughts, words and actions are prompted by
tamas and which by rajas. With unceasing efforts he weeds out and eliminates
such thoughts as are prompted by rajas and tamas and he works to achieve a
saattvic frame of mind. When the Sattva guna alone remains, the human soul has
advanced a long way towards the final goal of liberation.
Pull of Gunaas can be compared to pull of gravity.
The discipline perfected by Yoga enables the practitioner (Saadhaka) to be
freed from the pull of Gunaas. Once the Yogi experiences the fullness of
creation or the Creator, his thirst for objects of senses vanishes and he looks
at heat or cold, pain or pleasure, in honor or dishonor, in virtue or vice with
dispassion ever after. To him triumph and disaster look the same. He then
liberates himself from the pairs of opposites and passes beyond the stage of
pull of Gunas. He is then called Gunaateeta, one who has transcended the
Gunaas. He is free from the shackles of birth and death, from pain and sorrow
and becomes immortal. He no longer has any self identity as he lives
experiencing the fullness of the Universal Spirit. He thus attains Liberation
or Kaivalya as mentioned by Patanjali in his Rajayoga. Please see below what
yoga master David Frawley has to say:
VEDIC YOGA AND THREE GUNAS
By David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)
Vedic Deities
The Vedas present a vast pantheon of deities (devatas) on
many different levels, often said to be innumerable or infinite in number. For
a specific number the Gods are said to be 3339 in total. This number is clearly
a play on the number three. One of the main early efforts to classify the Vedic
Gods (as in the Brihad Devata of Shaunaka) was to reduce them to the three
prime deities for the three worlds.
Agni or Fire on Earth (Prithivi)
Vayu or Wind in the Atmosphere (Antariksha)
Surya or the Sun in Heaven (Dyaus)
Vayu or Wind in the Atmosphere (Antariksha)
Surya or the Sun in Heaven (Dyaus)
The Rigveda is organized in this way with the hymns
to Agni generally coming first in most of its ten books, then the hymns to Vayu
and Indra, and finally the hymns to the Sun.
These three deities meanwhile are three aspects of the One
God or the Purusha, the supreme consciousness principle and higher Self that is
pure light. The term Deva for deity itself means ‘a shining one’ or form of
light. It is related to the term Dyaus, meaning heaven and so refers to the
heavenly or celestial lights. Vedic deities represent the main forms of light
(Jyoti) in the universe.
Relative to this principle of light, we can equate the three
main Vedic deities of Agni with heat, Vayu with electrical force, and Surya
with pure light. These forms of light, however, do not only represent the
corresponding forces of nature. They also represent the inner light or the forms
of consciousness. They are the three aspects of the Purusha or Cosmic Person.
Each has its psychological significance, with Agni or fire as speech (Vak),
Vayu or wind as breath (Prana) and Surya or the Sun as the perceptive aspect of
the mind (Buddhi).
Vedic deities and the Vedic Yoga follow the threefold law of
manifestation in the universe. Naturally the question arises as to what extent
this correlates with the three guna theory of classical Samkhya and Yoga.
The Three Gunas
Any student of classical Yoga is well aware of the
importance of the three gunas in yogic thought and practice. Few, however, are
aware of their Vedic background and the deeper understanding that a Vedic
perspective brings to them.
In the philosophy of Yoga, derived from the Samkhya system,
all matter in the universe is reducible to one primary substance called
Prakriti. Prakriti literally means the original power of action. It does not
refer to substance in the physical sense but to the potential from which all
forms of matter, energy and mind can arise. Prakriti is the original state of
pure potential out of which all things become possible. Prakriti is the latent
state of substance, like the seed that holds the potential for a great tree. It
is the prima materia of the world of which matter, energy and mind are
manifestations. Prakriti, we could say, is the causal or original form of all
substances, from which their subtle and gross forms arise. It is extremely
subtle, ethereal and transcendent, forming the basis for space that is its
first material form. It is the basis of all manifest qualities.
Prakriti itself is said to be a composite of three prime
qualities as sattva, rajas and tamas.
Sattva is the power of
harmony, balance, light and intelligence – the higher or spiritual potential.
Rajas is the power of
energy, action, change and movement – the intermediate or life potential.
Tamas is the power of
darkness, inertia form and materiality – the lower or material potential.
Perhaps the simplest way to understand the gunas for the
modern mind is as matter (tamas), energy (rajas) and light (sattva), the main factors of our physical universe.
The three gunas reflect the three worlds of Vedic thought.
Earth is the realm of tamas or darkness, physical matter.
The Atmosphere, also called rajas in Vedic thought, is the
realm of action and change symbolized by the storm with its process of
lightning, thunder and rain, but it indicates energy or subtle matter on all
levels.
Heaven is the realm of harmony and light, sattva. It
indicates light as a universal principle which is the causal or original form
behind the gross and subtle elements or forms of matter and energy.
The entire universe consists of light that moves in the form
of energy and gets densified in the form of matter. The three great lights of
Agni, Vayu and Surya energize these three worlds as the spirit within them.
The first is Agni or Fire on the Earth. Fire is hidden in
our bodies, in plants, in the rocks, and in the very core of the Earth itself.
The second is Vayu or Lightning in the Atmosphere. The power
of the wind, which creates lightning, circulates through the atmosphere.
The third is Surya or the Sun in Heaven. The Sun represents
the cosmic light of the stars that pervades the great space beyond this world.
These three lights are interrelated. We could say that
lightning is the fire in the Atmosphere and the Sun is the fire in Heaven. Or
fire is the Sun on Earth and lightning represents the solar force in the
atmosphere. Or lightning on Earth creates fire and in Heaven it energizes the
Sun.
These three lights also reflect the three gunas.
Agni is the tamasic form of light, the fire that is hidden
in darkness.
Vayu is the rajasic form of light, light in its active and
energetic mode as lightning or electrical force.
Surya is the sattvic form of light, light as pure
illumination (prakasha).
The movement from tamas to sattva is a movement from Earth
to Heaven. It occurs through bringing the light out of the Earth (Agni) and
raising it to Heaven (Surya). This requires crossing the Atmosphere through
using its forces (Vayu).
The Threefold Purusha
In the Vedic view these three forms of light (Jyoti) are the
three forms of the Purusha or the higher Self that is also defined in terms of
light. In the Vedic view light is consciousness, not simply a material force.
These three lights are also the three aspects of our being. These visible
lights are manifestations of the invisible divine light of consciousness that
illumines all things, including visible light and darkness. The three gunas and
three worlds exist within us, as do their light forms as our powers of our own
awareness.
Agni – Earth – tamas – body – speech (vak)
Vayu – Atmosphere – rajas – breath (prana)
Surya – Heaven – sattva – mind (manas)
In this sense sattva as light is also mind, rajas as energy
is also the vital force and tamas as matter is also our bodily expression the
foremost of which is speech.
Sattva – light – mind
Rajas – energy – prana
Tamas – matter – body
As matter, energy and light, the three gunas prefigure the
insights of modern physics that equates mass, energy and light.
These three aspects of the Purusha or consciousness
principle reflect the three aspects of Prakriti or the material principle. In
the Vedic view, therefore, the science of the three gunas connects not only
with Prakriti but also with the Purusha. The gunas are not simply the powers of
Prakriti; they reflect the nature and presence of the Purusha as well and its
reflection into the world. The Purusha is threefold in its human manifestation
as speech (body), breath and mind, just as Prakriti or the world is threefold
as earth, atmosphere and heaven or as matter, energy and light.
Agni is light or the Purusha in the realm of matter or the
earth. Vayu is light or the Purusha in the realm of energy of the atmosphere.
Surya is light or the Purusha in the realm of light or heaven. In the Vedic
view, the Purusha or consciousness principle is not limited to embodied
creatures but pervades these great forces of nature as well.
Understanding these light forms of the gunas helps us use
the science of the gunas not only to understand Prakriti but also to understand
the Purusha. The Vedic Yoga works with these three light forms or three forms
of the Purusha in order to master and transform the three forms or aspects of
Prakriti.
Agni – physical body
and internal organs – speech – mantra yoga – tamas – matter – five gross
elements
Vayu – vital body and
motor organs – breath – prana yoga – rajas – energy – five pranas
Surya – mental body and
sense organs – mind – Dhyana yoga – sattva – light – five subtle elements
Agni as the power of speech is the means of purifying and
controlling both the physical body and physical matter and mastering the guna
or quality of tamas. Through it we can control our internal organs and the
gross elements. The Yoga of speech involves chanting, singing, internal
repetition of mantras and meditation on mantras. Through it we gain control of
the subconscious mind.
Vayu as the power of the breath is the means of purifying
and controlling the vital body and the realm of energy and mastering the guna
of rajas. Through it we can control our motor organs and the five pranas (five
motor actions). The Yoga of the breath involves pranayama. Through it we gain
control of our emotions.
Surya as the power of thought is the means of purifying and
controlling the mental body and the realm of light and mastering the guna of
sattva. Through it we can control our sense organs and the subtle elements. The
Yoga of the mind is meditation. Through it we can control of the rational mind
and direct it towards knowledge of the higher Self.
This information should provide the reader a sense of the
vastness of the Vedic Yoga and how much later traditions relied upon its
insights, even when using an apparently different language.
I will elaborate soon on 3339 gods or 33 Koti
Devatas (33 kodi devarhgalum amararhgalum) that Puranas play on
Three,, nay One by which our Temple Traditions
thrive and guide us that Vedantins
and Gita caution us!
Related Discourses delivered in the past;
--April, 28, 2019
YOGOPANISHAD GITA AT A GLANCE
What did HE Show in
Gita?-18 High-steps to Heaven
What did HE Say in
Gita? tat --THAT ; tvam--I; Asi--AM in chapters 1
to 6; 7 to 12; 13 to 18
The Bhagavad Gita is the
essence of all the 108 great Upanishads that deal with the ultimate reality of
life and death. They contain discussions between a highly learned teacher
who has attained Realization and some seekers who are eager to know the Path of
Eternal Bliss. The language and the contents of the Upanishads are
too intricate and complex for the understanding for ordinary person,
besides many of the subjects, too, are abstruse deep to appreciate
without proper guidance. Whereas the Gita is within the comprehension of the
common man. The first six chapters of the divine gospel dwell on the tvam, the
Soul. The next 6 explain the tat-- GOD and the last six teach the union of
the Soul and God-- Tatvamaci. In Common man’s language, it
conveys: I am His; He is Mine; He and I are one!
In Gita Krishna is
mostly represented as a teacher of great wisdom and a Yogi. Bhaagavata records,
Krishna sat up every morning for meditation merging himself with the
Transcendental Self as prescribed in Yogasaastra Samaadhi, the eighth stage.
Mahabharata also states Krishna was in the habit of meditating on Brahman in
the early hours before sun-rise. If he is an Avatar why he needs such meditation
on the Transcendent? Krishna in all probability was historical in character and
was a philosopher who harmonized the Sankhya-yoga with Brahmavada of
Upanishads. The Song of the Celestial is in the form of dialogue between the
Paandava prince Arjuna who was in mental agony and emotional conflict, and his
friend Krishna who in this work appears as a philosopher and teacher, and not
as popular god of later Hinduism, though Viswaroopa scene is brought in.
Vedavyasa who was also very dark was nicknamed Krishna Dwaipaayana. He is the
author of all Upanishads. Probably he is none other than Bhagawan (being
an avatar of Vishnu) who out of modesty did not want to reveal his true
identity, which was a common practice in those days. So he is also the compiler
of this compendium of Upanishads (Yogopanishad) bringing conflicting ideas
together to guide uniformly followers of the then popular Bhaktimarga. He in
all probability dramatically introduced this as a philosophic and spiritual
guide while two opposing forces were facing each other and gave a
Puranic twist and popular appeal of those days. This may be the
re-edited version of the original Yogopanishad made more elaborate and
appealing bringing in Viswaroopa Darsana and others for its successful
religious promotion. The first 9 chapters reveal it is Holy
Scripture ending with Manmanaabhava maamm namaskuru--Engage your mind
always in thinking of Me (GOD), offer obeisances to Me and worship Me!
Chapter 1: Vishada Yoga, The Yoga
of the Dependancy of Arjuna: Battlefield scene of
Kuruksetra-- War to establish Dhrama and make Kurukshetra, (Field of Action)
Dharmaksahetra (Field of Dharma)--As the opposing armies stand poised for
battle, Arjuna, the mighty warrior, sees his intimate relatives, teachers and friends
in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice their lives.
Chapter 2:
The Samkhya Yoga-- Yoga of The Transcendental Knowledge-- A summary of
the entire Bhagavad-Gita. Many subjects are explained such as: Karma yoga,
Jnana yoga, Sankhya yoga, Buddhi yoga and the Atma-Yoga which is the soul and
the Supreme Consciousness.
Chapter 3: Karma
Yoga, the Yoga of Action--Everyone must
engage in some sort of activity in this material world. But actions can either
bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of
the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from Karma.
Chapter 4: Jnaana
Karma Yoga, The Yoga of Action and Transcendental Knowledge--The spiritual knowledge of the soul,
God, and of their relationship that leads both to Mukti
(Liberation) through Moksha (Moha+Kshaya). Such knowledge is the fruit of
selfless desire-free devotional action.
Chapter 6:
Dhyaana Yoga, the Yoga of Meditation--Ashtanga yoga, Dhyana yoga, a
mechanical meditative practice, controls the mind and senses and focuses
concentration on Paramatma (the Super-soul, the form of the Lord overruling
the heart). This practice culminates in Samadhi, full consciousness of
the Supreme Being.
Chapter 7: Jnaana -Vijnaana Yoga, the Yoga of Wisdom
and Knowledge of the Absolute- Paramatman is the Supreme Truth, the supreme
cause and the sustaining force of everything, both material and spiritual.
Liberated souls surrender unto Him in devotion (saranaagati) , whereas
impious souls divert their minds to other objects of worship.
Chapter 8:
Akshara-Brahma Yoga, the Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman--By remembering
Paramatman in devotion throughout one's life, and especially at the time
of death, one can attain His supreme abode, beyond the material
world.
Chapter 9:
Rajavidya-Rajaguhya Yoga, The Most Confidential Yoga of Wisdom and
Knowledg-- Paramatman is the Supreme Godhead and the supreme object of worship.
The soul is eternally related to Him through transcendental devotional service
(bhakti). By reviving one's pure devotion one returns to Paramatman in the
spiritual realm.
Chapter
10: Vibhuti Yoga, The Opulence of the Absolute, The Yoga of the Divine
Manifestation-- All wondrous phenomena showing power, beauty, grandeur or
sublimity, either in the material world or in the spiritual, are but partial
manifestations of Paramatman’s divine energies and opulence.
Chapter 11: Viswaroopadarsana Yoga, The
Yoga of the Vision of The Universal Person--the Universal Form of Saguna
Brahman-- Bhagavan grants Arjuna divine vision and reveals His
spectacular unlimited form as the cosmic universe. Thus He conclusively
establishes His divinity. Bhagavan explains that His own all-beautiful
human-like form is the original form of God.
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga-- The Yoga of Devotional
Service-- Pure devotional service to Bhagavan is the highest and most
expedient means for attaining pure love for Supreme Being, which is
the highest end of spiritual existence.
Chapter 13: Kshetra-Kshetrajna-Vibhaga-Yoga, The
Yoga of the Knowledge of the Field and the Knower of the Field--Nature, the
Enjoyer, and Consciousness--One who understands the difference between the
body, the soul and the Super-soul beyond them both attains liberation from the
material world.
Chapter 14: Guna-Traya-Vibhaaga Yoga, The
Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas, The Three Modes of Material
Nature--All embodied souls are under the control of the three modes, or
qualities, of material nature; goodness, passion and ignorance. Lord Krishna explains
what these modes are, how they act upon us, how one transcends them, and the
symptoms of one who has attained the transcendental state.
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga, The Yoga of
the Supreme Person, The Yoga of the Universal Person--The ultimate
purpose of Vedic knowledge is to detach oneself from the entanglement of the
material world and to understand Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. One who understands Krishna's supreme identity surrenders unto Him and
engages in His devotional service.
Chapter 16: Devaasurasampatti Vibhaaga
Yoga, The Yoga of vthe Distiv ction between the Diviner and Demoniac
Endowments, The Divine and Demoniac Natures--Those who possess demoniac
qualities and who live whimsically, without following the regulations of
scripture, attain lower births and further material bondage. But those who
possess divine qualities and live regulated lives gradually attain spiritual
perfection.
Chapter 17: Sraddhaatraya Vibhaaga Yoga,
The Yoga of Three-fold Division of the Faith, --There are three types of faith,
corresponding to and evolving from the three modes of material nature. Acts
performed by those whose faith is in passion and ignorance yield only
impermanent, material results, whereas acts performed in goodness, in accord with scriptural injunctions, purify the heart.
Chapter 18: Mukti Sanyaasa Yoga, The Yoga of
Liberation through Renunciation and Moksha (Moha+Kshaya, attaining Gunaateeta,
Desire-less-ness state), The Perfection of Renunciation-- Bhagavan explains the
meaning of renunciation and the effects of the modes of nature on human
consciousness and activity. He explains Brahman realization, the glories of the
Bhagavad Gita, and the ultimate conclusion of the Gita: the highest path of
religion is absolute, unconditional loving service unto the Universal Person.
--April 27, 2019
Comments:
This is truly very
good. I have read the writing in full. I have been trying to get a good grasp
of Bhagavath Geetha and you have given an excellent summary chapter by chapter.
Thank you very much Sir.
--Nashville
Naga
SHOULD I BE A VEGAN OR LACTO VEGETARIAN TO BE A SATTVIK
HINDU
WHERE DID OUR
SAGES GO WRONG?
There is an ongoing debate in the natural food movement
about the value of milk products. Occasionally dairy is lumped together with
meat as an unhealthy food for humans, and some vegans, or pure vegetarians,
even claim that dairy foods cause disease. While there is a degree of truth in
such statements, dairy products themselves are not wholly at fault. Improper
methods of raising dairy animals, incorrect processing of milk, and lack of
understanding about how to use milk products are largely to blame.
The Hindu and Buddhist traditions of India regard dairy
products as excellent foods, particularly for individuals on the spiritual
path. While dairy is not recommended for all physical types, it has an
important role for most of us, not only for maintaining health but for
promoting longevity. Ancient Vedic civilization grew up around the cow, which
provided milk, cream, butter, and yogurt. Throughout history, these foods have
been favorites of the yogis, who did not find dairy products harmful to their
health. In his childhood Krishna, one of India’s greatest sages, was notorious for
helping himself to the freshly churned butter any unsuspecting housewife left
unattended. Interestingly, the Vedas mention a greater variety of dairy
products than any other food source, including grains, fruit, or vegetables.
One mistake most of us would have done during the fast-paced
life before retirement is surely eating carelessly. Geetā is insightful
in advising us to take ‘saattvik food,’ which will ensure better health,
physically and mentally. We must reduce, if not completely stop, spicy food,
stimulants like coffee and tea and so on. Geetā says our food should promote,
“long life, balanced outlooks, inner strength, true health, contentment and
loving disposition”! We must find out such healthy food that take us in the
direction of these pointers.
Aayuh
sattvabala-arogya-sukha-preeti-vivardhanah |
rasyaah-snigdhaah-sthiraa-hridyaa-aahaaraah-satvika-priyaah || 17-8 ||
Aahāra-shuddhau sattva-shuddhih- The inner equipment
gets purified upon taking pure food--(Chāndogya 7.26.2)
The purpose of food is to increase the duration of life,
purify the mind and aid bodily strength. In the past great
authorities selected those foods that best aid health and increase life’s
duration, such as milk products, sugar, rice, wheat, fruits and vegetables. These
foods are very dear to those in the mode of goodness (Sattvaguna). Some other
foods, such as baked corn and molasses, while not very palatable in themselves,
can be made pleasant when mixed with milk or other foods. They are then in the
mode of goodness. All these foods are pure by nature. They are quite
distinct from things like meat and liquor. Gita says people can
be gentle (saatvik), passionate (rajasik) or lethargic
(tamasik) largely influenced by the food they consume.
Austerity of the body, Austerity of the speech and Austerity of mind practiced
by people whose aim is not to benefit themselves materially but to please the
Supreme are always in the Mode of Goodness or Saatvik. Austerity of
the body calls for Saatvick food. Religious people are by nature Saatvik
and by nature non-violent. The threefold austerity, practiced by people
whose aim is not to benefit themselves materially but to please the Supreme, is
of the nature of goodness. Jainism originating from Hinduism therefore teaches
against the consumption of meat and eggs, but dairy consumption is allowed to
please Jina.
The mountainous town of Palitana is the world’s first
vegetarian city, where the sale of meat and eggs, as well as animal slaughter
are banned.
From compassion point of view, under the current
environment, the American Jain youths can be made to understand that strict
vegetarian (Vegan) food is more compassionate over any animal base foods such
as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice-cream, sweets and ghee. All commercial
dairy product consumption involves significant violence and killing of five
sense (Panchendriya) animals. Hence all YJA conventions serve mostly vegan
foods and use environment friendly products.
There are a number of health issues relating to milk products
which we must understand in order to use dairy correctly. Some people lack the
enzymes necessary to digest dairy products because their ethnic group has no
history of consuming dairy products. Adults who weren’t breastfed as children
may also have trouble digesting dairy. Yet most problems we experience
digesting milk are not from dairy products themselves but from their improper
preparation. We cannot blame potatoes for the difficulties caused by eating
French fries nor can we blame dairy products for the problems people have with
them today. Just as whole-wheat flour is quite different from bleached white
flour, so naturally prepared dairy products are quite distinct from the overly
processed dairy products commonly sold in supermarkets.
In India the cow is allowed to give its milk to its calf
first. Only the leftover milk, which is often considerable, is taken by humans.
If the calf is taken away from its mother, her milk loses much of its
nourishing quality. The dairy industry removes calves from their mothers and
slaughters them. We kill the animal’s child and then drink its milk. How would
a human mother feel under such circumstances? When a cow hears the call of her
calf, she immediately begins to secrete milk. When her calf is taken away, her
distress causes toxins to be secreted into her milk.
With increased consumption of
alcohol in India and with people turning affluent it is hard to keep Hindus
Lacto-vegetarian leave alone Vegan! I am not sure how Jains in America
can keep their youth Vegan while they can’t avoid their youth from choosing
his/her partner from a Western culture by fatal attraction of White race
and universal binding urge of love living with mixed culture. When a person of
Indian origin chooses the partner from different culture he/she loses the link
with family, culture as well as India. Probably they hope a Western Vegan
Christian will be attracted to Eastern Vegan Jain that chance being few and far
between. Jains marry lacto-vegetarian Hindus often. Anyhow let us
wish them all success in their endeavor as they want to separate from Hindu
association also, though some temples consecrated the idol of Mahabir
Vardhamana and worshiped him with other Hindu deities with the philosophy of Eko
Devah and Sanghacchadvam sam vadavam!
Ayurveda explains in great detail
the properties of various dairy products, including those of cows, goats,
buffaloes, and other milk-producing animals. However,
these properties may not be the same in dairy products produced by modern
methods of factory farming. Ayurveda texts tell us that the quality of
meat or dairy products from tethered or confined animals is much poorer than
that from animals who are able to graze freely.
Please go through various detailed articles related the
subject for fuller and better understanding as attached as well as my
discourse on the subject pf Food long back whenever you find
time as it is a very important subject in our Body-Mind- Spirit
progress for spiritual education. and glorified as Brahman in Upanishads.
--April
21, 2019
Comments:
Excellent article. We consume
dairy milk without sparing a thought to the torture to which cows and buffaloes
are subjected. In India it is common to see cows left to roam around on roads
to eat whatever garbage they can. The dairyman absolves himself of the
responsibility to take good physical and mental care of his cows. Obviously
dairy products that we consume are lacking in nutrition and can even be hard to
digest.
--A. S.
Narayana
INTERNATIONA
EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, 2019
Today is International Earth Day
(IED). Please recall my discourse on the
subject last and rededicate yourself to
ennoble our planet and revivify our planet. We have One Planet to Live and
Love, Please go through the following messages and get charge. No civilization lasts when its citizens
depend solely on Internnet but refuse
to turn to it INNERNET (soul).
“jananee Janmabhoomischa praanaadapi gareeyasi
In nature, nothing exists alone.” ”-- Mother and Mother Earth are derer than
our own lives--Ramayana
Small changes can make a big impact on
our planet
We
all want a healthy planet for today and tomorrow. The small choices we make
each day can help us get there. Learn simple tips from Google, the California
Academy of Sciences, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to help people and the
planet thrive together.
Uttishtata!
Jagrata! This Day!
Plan
Balance of Nature Gift to our Planet
Nature’s
gifts to our planet are the millions of species that we
know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. Unfortunately,
human beings have irrevocably upset the balance of nature and, as a result, the
world is facing the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs
more than 60 million years ago. But unlike the fate of the dinosaurs, the rapid
extinction of species in our world today is the result of human activity.
The
unprecedented global destruction and rapid reduction of plant and wildlife
populations are directly linked to causes driven by human activity: climate
change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable
agriculture, pollution and pesticides to name a few. The impacts are far
reaching.
If we
do not act now, extinction may be humanity’s most enduring legacy. Here are some quick facts on the current wave of
extinction and additional information about this problem here.
All
living things have an intrinsic value, and each plays a unique role in the
complex web of life. We must work together to protect endangered and threatened
species: bees, coral reefs, elephants, giraffes, insects, whales and more.
The
good news is that the rate of extinctions can still be slowed, and many of our
declining, threatened and endangered species can still recover if we work
together now to build a united global movement of consumers, voters, educators,
faith leaders, and scientists to demand immediate action.
Earth
Day Network is asking people to join our Protect our Species campaign. Our
goals are to:
- Educate and raise awareness about the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and the causes and consequences of this phenomenon.
- Achieve major policy victories that protect broad groups of species as well as individual species and their habitats.
- Build and activate a global movement that embraces nature and its values.
- Encourage individual actions such as adopting plant based diet and stopping pesticide and herbicide use..
- [Prevent Prithvee (Earth) from Plastic Pollution]
—
Rachel Carson, 1962
Message From HH, Chidananda on IED
We have worshipped the Creator
for so long, but at the same time, we have to preserve, protect, serve, save,
and respect the Creation. Protecting the environment and water
is not just important for the earth, but for peace itself, as when we run
out of water there will be war and suffering. By 2030, India will have half of
the water that it needs, and by 2040, the world will have half the water it
needs.
Let us also vow to protect our
sacred rivers, Mother Earth and Mother Nature, just as we would our own family,
as without them there is no life. I often say that there can be a Plan A
and Plan B - there can be many plans - but there is no Planet
B! We have only one planet and we have to protect, preserve and serve it.
Let us make this Earth Day a Worth Day by pledging to protect, preserve, and
serve our home - Mother Earth - for all beings and all species. Let us
pledge to protect all of Mother Nature, for it offers us divine protection
through the clean air, water, and soil it provides us.
Nature thrives in diversity
and oneness. Let us celebrate and actively contribute to protecting this
diversity. Let us put our meditation into action and take yoga off the
mat and into the world, to be and do the change that the planet needs
today."
-
H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
--April
22. 2019
Comments:
Thank you for reminding
everyone about the need to live harmoniously with Nature (it is for our own
good)
‑‑Dr.
Santosh Venkatraman
RETIREMENT & SANYASA
SEVADHARMA says;
Retirement Can't Weaken SOUL;
SANYASA
Can't Retire to SECLUSION.
"Sevadharmah paramagahano yoginaamapi
abhyagamyah"-- SERVING Humanity and Supreme is very
difficult to comprehend for even Yogis and Sanyasis-- not at Pramartha
Niketan or
FOWAI Forum.
Sanghacchadvam,
Samvadadvam, Samsevadhvam-- Come Together; Speak Together; Serve Together
Protecting
the Future through Culture & Nature: India & Indonesia
Padmasana to be established at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
RISHIKESH: Resonating with the message of oneness and harmony, one of the
largest ashrams in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, welcomed a high level
delegation from Bali, Indonesia. Leading the delegation of mostly
Parliamentarians was Head of the Parliament, Dr Putu Parwata and Indra Udayana,
Founder and Chairman, Ashram Gandhi Puri, Indonesia, who were welcomed by HH
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Pujya Swamiji), President of Parmarth
Niketan, and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, President of the Divine Shakti
Foundation, to their Himalayan home with a sacred Rudraksha sapling, mala and
shawl. During the delegation’s more than a week-long visit, they discussed
setting up a sacred Padmasana* (in Kawi and ultimately derived from Sanskrit
term for "lotus pose"), which is a type of shrine in Balinese temples
reserved for the seat of Supreme God that holds great spiritual and religious
significance to the Balinese people. The Padmasana would be located in the
Parmarth Niketan’s premises and would serve to not only welcome Balinese and
Indonesian people to India but also further strengthen the over 70 year old
relationship between Indonesia and India. Pujya Swamiji graciously blessed the
initiative and even shared the perfect location for the placement of the
Padmasana. A beautiful lamp lighting and water blessing ceremony was done by
the group on the first day of their visit to symbolize this beautiful
beginning. Work was started soon thereafter to complete the first phase of the
project. On the occasion of the first pooja and thanksgiving ceremony today,
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji shared, “Our mantra should always be to
meet, greet, respect and accept all. This establishment of the Padmasana in
Rishikesh, India puts this mantra into action. India and Indonesia are like
two bodies but one soul. We are not separate at all and this is a great
beginning to deepen our connection. I often share that India is not a piece
of land but rather it’s a land of peace. India has always worked for maintaining
peaceful relationships with other nations. Hence, both countries coming
together in this beautiful cultural exchange is a powerful symbol of greater
harmony, love and peace in the world.” Agus Indra Udayana, Founder and
Chairman, Ashram Gandhi Puri, Indonesia, “Pujya Swamiji is always bringing
people together, across diverse communities, from all over the world, more than
15 years ago the initiative had been conceptualized and now thanks to Pujya
Swamiji’s leadership these plans are coming to fruition. Pujya Swamiji’s heart
is very kind, compassionate and he is incredibly action oriented. Hence, when
we asked Him for space for the installation of the Padmasana He gave the space
immediately within the gorgeous and sanctified space of the Parmarth Niketan
Ashram, accepting our request and the next day work had begun.” He added, “The
people of Bali, Indonesia love to come to banks of Ganga. Now our sisters and
brothers will have yet another reason to visit and have a beautiful space to
call their home away from home.” A special thanksgiving pooja was done today
with devotees and pilgrims from all across the world, signifying the completion
of the first phase of the two phase installation, and the official inauguration
will take place with the Hon’ble Governor of Bali and other eminent dignitaries
in April, when artists and more of sisters and brothers from Bali, Indonesia
will join us here on the banks of Maa Ganga in celebration and union. Talks
about such cultural exchanges between the two nations have been taking place
since Hon’ble Former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji
visited Bali, Indonesia in 2003 and thereafter when Pujya Swamiji spoke to the
former Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand over 15 years ago to establish a
space for the Balinese people, for whom the River Ganga holds a very special
and sacred place in their hearts and minds. *Padmasana is a Balinese Hindu
temple. It is a shrine to Hindu people of Bali to worship Ida Sang Hyang
Widhi Wasa (God). Padmasana is the symbol and image of macrocosm or the Bhuana
Agung (the universe). Padmasana can be found in many Buildings all around
Indonesia. Padmasana comes from Kawi language (old Javanese) it is derived by
two words, Padma means lotus flower or center and Asana means seat or throne.
The meaning of Padmasana is the image of universe (macrocosm) which is
Sthana (a place to stay) of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God). The main
function of Padmasana is is a place to worship Almighty God. The symbols on a Padmasana
represents the natural levels that Hindu people believe as Tri loka. Tri
Loka consists of Bhuha Loka (earth), Bhuvha Loka (atmosphere) and Swah Loka
(heaven). This symbol can be seen from Bedawang Nala (big turtle in Hindu
mythology) with Antaboga and Basuki (two dragons). Padmasana consists of 3 main
parts. The foot is called Tepas, the body is called Batur and the Head is
called Saris. The foot (as the base) there are Bedawang Nala, Antaboga dragon
and the Basuki dragon carving. There are also carvings of lotus flowers. The
body (as the center) there is a many types of carvings. The main carving is The
Astadikapala Gods (guardian of 8 cardinal directions). The Head (Sari) there is
a throne made out of carved stones. Based on the location, Padmasana is
distinguished by direction of winds into 9 types.
The “Supreme knowledge and the big Mystery” of the Upanishad of
the Bhagavad Gita, the scripture of Yoga, dealing with the Science of the
Absolute in the form of dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna ends with this
sloka of worship "mayyajee maam namaskuru'' (obeisance at the feet
of the Supreme Consciousness) exactly in the middle of the text. Please
remember nine is a mystic holy number as also 18 that I have discussed. Padmasana is
distinguished by direction of winds into 9 types. One must engage in the nine
different
process of vdevotional
service--Sravanam, Keertanam, Smaranam, Paadasevanam, Archanam, Vandanam.
Daasyam, Saakhyam and Aatmanivedanam about the Supreme
Consciousness says Prabhupada.
Vaanaprastha Ashrama in
Hinduism was virtual detachment from family affairs, the last phase i.e.
Sanyaas Ashrama, starting at 75 is complete detachment from family as well as
society as a whole along with all Karma. A Sanyaasi in the past
abandoned the world and retired alone to forest in spiritual quest; to find and
achieve the life purpose; to concentrate on the unseen; to redeem oneself; and
to achieve Moksha and retire to the ultimate nether world. What a
graceful individual retirement it used to be! What a fine way to complete the
full circle of life!! But not Modern Sanyasis like
Swami Chinmayananda, Dayananda, Chidanandas, Sadhvi Bhagavti Saraswatiji
etc., whose guidance is needed in this changing world in troubled waters of
hatred and killings. They live with the world, guide the world and shape the
world to live in PEACE but not in PIECES. I have come across rare few
retired doctors and professionals in USA who are philanthropists who have
raised the institution of Hindu Temples and struggling hard to keep the
continuity of Hindu culture in this land but somehow they have not
developed united thinking with the visiting as well as resident modern Gurus
who have not retired to the forests! They are busy too to run these religious
institutions they created on commercial lines with minimal focus on spiritual
management or uplift having missed focus on it in their ambitious busy early
life. Please go through buzzling activities of Parmarthaniketan
below and convince yourself.
Adarsa Sanyasis of Today like Chidananda of Paramartha
Niketan, Sadhvi Bhagavati Saraswati, Chidananda of Fowai Forum, Chinna
Jeer etc., besides sitting in lotus posture and meditating X
number of hours in a dark room, not only take you out of the world
but also allow you to be in the world in such a way that every minute,
every moment you are achieving excellence, because the fullness of who you are,
your intention, attention, sincerity and commitment to serve the society you
are in, is there. Spirituality taught by them enables and keeps
you connected to the depth and truth of your Inner-net and the Society
Internet you live with so that you can truly bring the fullness of yourself
to every move and every one that needs. Life and excellence are not just about
connecting to the internet and getting the fastest speed but we must remember
to connect with the inner-net and get the right direction following the
principles of Svadhyaaya, Satsanga, Satseva.
Inspired, guided and initiated by Swami Chidananda of FOWAI
Forum I will soon be presenting to you a discourse so essential to
Hindu Americans who retire after a stressful life titled: Retirement Cannot
Weaken the Soul--Eleven Commandments from Our Scriptures to Serve and Not
to Secluden. I implore your patience to go through the very detailed and
lengthy discourse and request your patience and time and most importantly your
reaction to it.
“See the flower, how
generously it distributes perfume and honey. When it's work is done, it falls
away quietly. Try to be like the flower, unassuming despite all it's qualities
(AJP Kalam) " leave behind a sweet fruit for others to
enjoy and seed to propagate!
Please go through Special Highlights & Updates from Parmarth Niketan
- March 2019.
--April
20, 2019
CHILDREN OF
SHAMBHALA & THE FAKE MAINSTREAM HISTORY
What are some of the things you know about humanity’s true
history that have been hidden or erased? Please share in the comments.
I don’t have all the answers. But I have seen so much
interesting information which may be true... Such as: In the last 100 years
much of the power, resources, money and ownership is controlled by fewer &
fewer people. Someone out there wants to control us & keep our
consciousness at a low level. But KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. And SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
IS POWER. We are descended from a spiritually, morally, artistically &
technologically advanced worldwide civilization. Right now we can still see
traces of our ancient Spiritual Culture. You can still see many ancient
Spiritual temples in the world that seem too advanced even for modern people to
build. The Spiritual knowledge is still available to us, this is the great
legacy left to us by our Spiritual ancestors. Our True history is much more
amazing than the mainstream sources have told us! Love & God Bless Please look at the Borobudur Temple, Java on the Internet.
HERE IS MY ANSWER
Please go through my discourses on Balaji and Subhramanya.
Sanatkumsara is Skanda and Skanda is Santkumra says Chhandogya Upanishad. I am
unable to reproduce photographs in this E-mail to make it believe due to my
poor IT skills. Please see attached text.
Sanat Kumara in Buddhism
Adibuddha
Sanat Kumara is Dipankara, the lamp lighting buddha said to
predate the historical buddha in a world cycle long past. He is sometimes
equated with Adibuddha, the original Buddha and is the being Gautama Buddha
pledged himself to.
The kingdom of Shamballa plays a central role in Tibetan
Buddhism. Sacred Tibetan texts speak of Shamballa as “a mystical kingdom hidden
behind snow peaks somewhere north of Tibet. There a line of enlightened kings
is supposed to be guarding the most secret teachings of Buddhism for a time
when all truth in the world outside is lost in war and the lust for power and
wealth. Then, according to prophecy, a future King of Shambhala will come out
with a great army to destroy the forces of evil and bring in a golden age.
Under his enlightened rule, the world will become, at last, a place of peace
and plenty, filled with the riches of wisdom and compassion.”
Shamballa is better known in the West as Shangri-la, made famous through the
1930s book and movie, Lost Horizon. This theme of Shamballa was taken up
in many of the beautiful paintings of Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, who
also wrote a book by that name.
--April
15, 2019
THE WEAKENING OF EARTH’S MAGNETICFIELD HAS GREATLY
ACCELERATED
May I draw your kind
attention to the following message about our planet we live in! Will Kaliyuga
or whatever Yuga we are in is threatening our planet as such apart from the
insurmountable internal threats and calamities? Judge for yourself. We
may be safe but think of our future generations. of course we get confidence
chanting "paritranaya
sadhoonaam.../" and "yad
bhadram tanma aasuva" He knows what is good for us
Back
in December, we were exposed to an
essay by Kate Aronoff that imagined the world in 2043 not as an
apocalyptic hellscape, but as what it could be if humanity decided to come
together and rise to the challenge of climate change, meeting it with an energy
that matched the scale of crisis. Her hopeful story was widely read, as it
clashed with the doom and gloom that is typically associated with coverage of
climate change. It confronted one of the greatest challenges of our era: an
inability to imagine a better world.
Now
an artist and a politician have teamed up to turn that essay into an
illustrated short film that is extraordinarily powerful. It’s the first op-ed w
that has been published by freshman Rep. Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, and it accompanies illustrations by the great Molly Crabapple.
Fri, 04/12/2019 - 23:05
Earth’s magnetic field is getting significantly
weaker, the magnetic north pole is shifting at an accelerating pace, and
scientists readily admit that a sudden pole shift could potentially cause
“trillions of dollars” in damage. Today, most of us take the
protection provided by Earth’s magnetic field completely for granted. It
is essentially a colossal force field which surrounds our planet and makes life
possible. And even with such protection, a giant solar storm could still
potentially hit our planet and completely fry our power grid. But as
our magnetic field continues to get weaker and weaker, even much smaller solar
storms will have the potential to be cataclysmic. And once the
magnetic field gets weak enough, we will be facing much bigger problems.
As you will see below, if enough solar radiation starts reaching our planet
none of us will survive.
Previously, scientists had told us that the
magnetic field was weakening by about 5 percent every 100 years.
But now we are being told that data collected
from the SWARM satellite indicate that the rate of decay is now 5 percent per decade…
It’s well established that in modern times, the
axial dipole component of Earth’s main magnetic field is decreasing by
approximately 5% per century. Recently, scientists using the SWARM
satellite announced that their data indicate a decay rate ten times faster,
or 5% per decade.
In case you didn’t quite get that, 5 percent per
decade is 10 times faster than 5 percent per century.
If the rate of decay continues at this pace, or
if it speeds up even more, we could be looking at a mass extinction event that
is beyond what most people would dare to imagine.
As more solar radiation reaches Earth, we would
expect to see a rise in cancer rates, and this is something that even National Geographic has acknowledged…
However, if the magnetic field gets
substantially weaker and stays that way for an appreciable amount of time Earth
will be less protected from the oodles of high-energy particles that are
constantly flying around in space. This means that everything on the planet
will be exposed to higher levels of radiation, which over time could
produce an increase in diseases like cancer, as well as harm delicate
spacecraft and power grids on Earth.
Of course we are already seeing this.
Cancer rates have been rising all over the world, and if you live in the United
States there is a one in three chance that you will get cancer in your
lifetime.
But as the magnetic field continues to weaken,
things will get worse.
A lot worse.
The weaker the magnetic field gets, the amount
of solar radiation that will reach us will rise, and eventually it would get so
bad that the entire human race would be in jeopardy. The following comes
from Futurism…
Radiation and cosmic rays are a real concern for
NASA, especially when it comes to long-term spaceflight. Astronauts on a
mission to Mars could undergo up to 1000 times the exposure to radiation and cosmic rays that they would
get on Earth. If Earth’s magnetic field disappeared, the entire
human race – and all of life, in fact – would be in serious danger. Cosmic
rays would bombard our bodies and could even damage our DNA, increasing worldwide risk of cancer and
other illnesses. The flashes of light visible when we close our eyes
would be the least of our problems.
And even if some of us found a way to survive
underground for a while, we still wouldn’t be able to survive because solar
winds would strip away our planet’s atmosphere and oceans…
Without Earth’s magnetic field, solar winds — streams of electrically charged particles that
flow from the sun — would strip away the planet’s atmosphere and oceans.
As such, Earth’s magnetic field helped to make life on the planet possible,
researchers have said.
So could such a scenario actually happen?
Well, some scientists are saying that our
magnetic field “could be gone in as little as 500 years”, but they are telling us not to worry because
Earth’s magnetic poles will “flip” and things will eventually return to normal…
The magnetic field surrounding Earth is
weakening, and scientists say it could be gone in as little as 500 years.
The result? Earth’s magnetic poles could,
literally, flip upside down.
Of course most scientists believe that a pole
flip takes hundreds or thousands of years to happen, but they don’t actually
know because they have never seen one take place.
They also believe that we would potentially be
facing “trillions of dollars in damage”to our power grid and electrical infrastructure
because the magnetic field would be so weak during a flip…
Storms far less powerful than these could cause
much more damage if they happened to hit while Earth’s magnetic field was in the midst of a reversal, Roberts said. The result would likely be trillions of dollars in damage to our electrical infrastructure, and
right now, there’s no plan for dealing with an event of that magnitude.
“Hopefully, such an event is a long way in the
future and we can develop future technologies to avoid huge damage,” Roberts
concluded. Keep your fingers (but not your magnetic-field lines) crossed.
Most of the experts also believe that a pole
flip is still a long way off, but what everybody agrees on is that the magnetic
north pole is moving toward Russia at an accelerating pace…
But what’s really catching attention is the
acceleration in movement. Around the mid-1990s, the pole suddenly sped
up its movements from just over 9 miles (15 kilometers) a year to 34 miles (55
kilometers) annually. As of last year, the pole careened over the
international date line toward the Eastern Hemisphere.
And earlier this year, authorities had to issue
an emergency update to global positioning systems because “the
magnetic field is changing so rapidly”…
The most recent version of the model came out in
2015 and was supposed to last until 2020 — but the magnetic field is
changing so rapidly that researchers have to fix the model now. “The error
is increasing all the time,” says Arnaud Chulliat, a geomagnetist at the
University of Colorado Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Centers for Environmental Information.
I know that I must sound like a broken record by
now, but this is important. Our planet is becoming increasingly unstable, and we are seeing things happen that we have
never seen before.
Everyone agrees that the Earth’s magnetic field
is rapidly getting weaker, and that is making us more vulnerable with each
passing day.
Most of the experts are trying to put a happy
face on things and are assuring us that everything is going to be okay.
Hopefully they are right, but I wouldn’t count
on it.
--April
14, 2019
Comments:
Very interesting and alarming.
While people in admin do not want to admit, this is happening - with proof by
scientists. Kali Yugam .... Pralayam...
Kalki Avatharam ...True.
--Nagarajan from Nashville
VEDA MANTRAS THAT
PROMPTED HINDU UPANAYANA, SANDHYAVANDANA & UPAKARMA
Sraddhāṃ prātai havāmahe śraddhāṃ
madhyandinaṃ pari | śraddhāṃ sūryasya nimruchi
śraddhe śraddhāpayeha naḥ || (Rigveda 10-121-4)
Faith in the early morning, Faith at Noonday will we invocate, Faith at the
setting of the Sun. O Faith, endow us with beliefs.
Sandhyavandanam is an
upasana (prayer) to be performed at Dawn, Mid-Day and Dusk.
Sandhyavandanam signifies daily debt, which is karma to be performed
without any expectation, the sole objective of which should be repayment of
debt. This is a universal duty and is applicable to all castes, sexes and
races. No one need to think that this is only for Brahmins and therefore we
have nothing to do with it. Brahmins use Vedic Mantras for this. Muslims
do NAMAZ, Christians PRAY and Hindus do PRARTHANA.
Some people who are
ignorant and perplexed say that they are not aware of any such prayers among
their caste / language. How did then sixty-three Saivaite saints
(Nayanmars) or N\on Brahmin Vashnavaite Saints (Azhwars)achieve greatness? We
may not go to their extent but we need to pray to the Almighty at
dawn and dusk without anticipation of any desire fulfillment and that
is Sandhyavandanam.
All the important mantras of Sandhyavandana are found in
various Upanishads and particularly in Mahanarayana Upanishad which is
otherwise known as Yajniki Upanishad as it contains almost all ritual mantras
used in Hindu worship. Also Kesavaadi Tarapana, Japa and Achamana are based on
Paanchraatra Doctrine of Bhaagavata Tradition which has found favor with all
later sectarian traditions. Pandavas performed it even in the
battlefield.
Several mantras contained in
Mahaanaaraayana Upanishad (MNU) formed the basis for Sandhyaavanadana
Prayer Mantras without making any reference to Upanayana
Samskara, compiled by Smritis later where these mantras along with
Gayatree mantra are inducted during Upanayana Ceremony—Aaachamana mantra
(sipping water for purification);Invocation of Gayatree (Aayaatu); Three types
of Pranaayaama (Gayatree) Mantras and Upasthaana Mantra of Gayatree (Farewell
to Gayatree). MNU also says the Supreme Power of Vishnu is signified by the
names Rik, Yajus and Saaman; this trinity burns all sins and that resides
resplendent in the Sun that should be meditated upon as Brahman.
Sandhyavandanam well
done gives the benefits of study of Vedas,
of performance of Sacrifices (Yajna) etc., and is essential to
get rid of debts towards Devtas and Rishis as also of various sins
committed by them thus purifying them, and promoting their
Welfare. The incantation (japa) of Gayathri in sandhyavandanam is
extremely powerful and by doing Gayathri Japa (essence of three Vedas) in large
numbers rids a person of Sins for not having done Veda adhyayana (studies).
Even though a person might have done large sacrifices (yaaga) one cannot give
up doing Sandhyavandanam as long as one lives. It is such an important daily
ritual. Gayathri Japa rids us of all our debts and can give us all the
benefits. Some may argue: Agreed Gayathri japa is great. Will it not suffice to
do japa of Gayathri Mantra in isolation? Why the hassle of Sandhyavandanam and
the attended rituals prior and post Gaythri Japa in today’s world when
time is at a premium? Therefore why not do Japa whilst traveling, standing in
que, walking etc. Will this not suffice?
Gayathri is definitely
a powerful mantra but for it to be effective some preconditions have to be met.
A Diamond will glitter only when polished due proper processing. Similarly one
should get initiated
into Gayatri mantra properly in a prescribed manner from a Guru and after
self-purification through mantras and Aachamana (purification by water before
Sandhyavandanam). The Gayatri japa should be performed with due faith,
dedication and discipline and associated restrictions. Then alone, will it pave
the way for cutting through the bindings of karma, and promote progressive
welfare. We have to perform it, and we have no authority to ask for its
benefits, but if undone punishment will follow, in a similar manner to our
inability to ask for interest on our repayment of monthly installments
toward our debts.
If we aspire to enjoy
comforts it will only invite troubles. Hence along with Sandhyavandanam if
other devata upasana (to propitiate devatas ) are done it will bring in lots
of benefits. But other karmas done to propitiate Devatas will be of no
use without Sandhyavandanam. Many feel lazy to do Sandhyavandanam.
They will have photograph of some God or some Baba and thinking that praying to
that particular Baba or God is enough to propitiate all devatas, do some sort
of pooja, but not without selfishness asking for fulfillment of so many
desires. If the results are not forthcoming then he will discard that photo and
go running after some swamijee or some cult figure (Manthravaadi). If we go on
like this, how will there be any progress in our lives? No one should desire
for anything, as it is TRUE that desires alone are cause of all our miseries.
Good Lord knows what we deserve and what is beneficial to us and so just pray
and leave the choice to Him ( Visvaani deva savitar duritani paraasuva
yadbhdram tanma aasuva)
Thinking only about us
at all times cannot give us happiness and peace. We have to strive for it in a
proper way. In twenty-our hours, for at-least Twenty four minutes we should
pray to God unselfishly without any expectation, application for any desire
fulfillment etc. This is why Sages and saints have found ways and means after
performance of strenuous penance, discovering Sandhyavandanam and Gayatri Japam
which when performed diligently as per rules frees a man of debts thus
promoting his welfare. We have to bear in mind that had they not discovered a
way of making us debt free how much of trouble we would have had to undergo to
discover such ways and means by ourselves. Probably because we received this
discovery painlessly many are careless. Instead of selfishly running around all
the time, if we gratefully pray, desire-less without any anticipation, as a way
of repayment of debts, lots of benefits will be accrued. We should only perform
it after due initiation in a proper manner from a competent Guru.
If only we have faith and dedication this is possible. Sandhyavandanam and
Gayathri Japam performed unselfishly can also give us prosperity. Though we
have no right to ask for fruits yet Sandhyavandanam thus performed will help
towards our progress i.e. there will be definite all round improvement and
mental clarity. Progress
does not mean only economic progress. All round progress that of improvement in
our mental and intellectual capability in particular alone can be beneficial.
Money is also required. But money alone is not enough.
We go with our
children to Amusement Parks. Once inside there are lot of items for
entertainment for all age groups to experience, which we will have to pay
for each item individually. But we can only enter the park on payment of
entrance fee. Similarly an Amusement Park called Prosperous life contains lots
of various attractions. We can
experience desired, needed entertainment through individual efforts (Merits
acquired through various upasana, rituals etc). But the entrance Fee, to this Amusement Park is daily duties
performed at dawn and dusk called Sandhya Vandanam. That is to return the debts
incurred to Devtas, Rishis and ancestors. Once inside as long as we have money
in the form of past and present merits we can enjoy different entertainment
facilities. But even though we may have money in the form of merits, we still
have to get the entry permit to enter through the ONLY WAY in to the Amusement Park called Prosperous Life. Thus there is only one way for
prospering in life.
--April 14, 2019
RETIRED LIFE – GUIDANCE
FROM GEETĀ
ARANI
SERIE Spark
52
I
was surprised to receive another detailed E-mail on the same subject of
Retirement from H.H. Swamiji today which would go well with my E-mail
sent this morning while you are still focused on the subject. May be I
will develop a detailed discourse on the subject for posting on the Blog Hindu
Reflections linking it with my discourse “Twelve Tips of Magnetizing
Spiritual Wisdom from Upanishads”. My immediate reactions are
below:
Missy Franklin, the five-time
Olympic gold-medalist swimmer announced a shock retirement in December last
year to call time on her career but on the bright side; it allowed her to do
things that she couldn't do as an active athlete. Besides a champion athlete,
Franklin who is a Christian also knows quite a bit about Hinduism. She is
fascinated by the Ramayana and Mahabharata. She plans to visit India and study
the most beautiful aspect of Hinduism, the idea of Karma and of
being good to one. Thanks to her time as a student at the University of
Georgia, she also knows a lot more about the history of Yoga. She plans
to learn about the true roots of yoga and its process, and feels
how sad it is that the Western practitioners of Yoga have completely neglected
the essential spiritual aspect of Yoga in Hinduism. She wants to
learn about what Yoga is all about and how it is about that connection with the
divine and creating that Oneness!
Vanaprastha Ashrama in Hinduism is virtual detachment from
family affairs, the last phase i.e. Sanyaas Ashrama, starting at 75 is
complete detachment from family as well as society as a whole along with all
Karma. A Sanyaasi abandons the world and retires alone to forest in
spiritual quest; to find and achieve the life purpose; to concentrate on the
unseen; to redeem oneself; and to achieve Moksha and retire to the ultimate
nether world. What a graceful retirement! What a fine way to complete the
full circle of life!! But not Modern Sanyasis like Swami Chinmayananda,
Dayananda, Chidananda etc. They live with the world, guide the world and shape
the world to live in PEACE but not in PIECES. I have come across rare few
retired doctors and professionals in USA who are philanthropists who have
raised the institution of Hindu Temples and struggling hard to keep the continuity
of Hindu culture in this land but somehow they have not developed united
thinking with the visiting as well as resident modern Gurus who have not
retired to the forests! They are busy too to run these religious institutions
they created on commercial lines with minimal focus on spiritual management or
uplift having missed focus on it in their ambitious busy early life.
Modern man,
basking in the reflected glory of some Institution, Designation or Enterprise, shudders
at the very thought of retirement. He feels insecure without the powers
that he wields in active life. For him the very word “Retirement” is nothing
less than a bolt from the blue, something abhorrent that will render him a
useless nut, a nameless and faceless old hag. He wants to avoid retirement and
cling to power till last breath of his life, if possible. There are people who
take pride in announcing that they will never retire from their company and
would like to take their last breath on Chairman’s seat. What a poor and
colored view of life! These gentlemen never think that they are depriving at
least two next generations of precious experience. Betty Sullivan is right on
point when she emphasizes—“There is whole new kind of life ahead, full of
experiences just waiting to happen. Some call it ‘retirement’ I call it
‘bliss’.” And surely, bliss it is, at least for the men of sound mind and body.
Modern man does not bother even to attend these temples and religious forums
raised with so much effort and personal sacrifice.
Retirement is
not something to detest, but to welcome with an open heart and mind. It is an
elevation in the hierarchy of social standing, a beautiful practical twist to
otherwise stressed life; a virtual return to the carefree times of childhood;
and a pronouncement of freedom from the annoying tantrums of the boss or
customers. It is a time to fulfill one’s dreams; to follow hobbies; to pursue
passions and order the clock on the mantle to click to one’s dictates. The
myriads colors and scents of flowers; the sweet chants and chirpings of
beautiful birds; the fascinating song of the circulating air; the soothing
murmur of the running river—all these gifts of the nature that you missed
throughout your life—are yours for asking. You can enjoy the different hues and
colors of sand, as well as the ethereal melodies of stones, when they are
caressed by the passing winds.
One should
retire happily and gracefully, not from gainful employment only, but from the
grinding ways of life; from unwanted meddling in the life of matured
off-springs; from worries and problems of ever entangling family affairs, but
certainly, not from the life itself. Work for some social, religious
or spiritual cause of your liking; make friends with the like-minded; enjoy
theatre or cinema with your spouse. Go to a river bank and have a nap
under the shade of a tree on carpet of green grass, if you so like. It is no
waste of time, it is being with the nature, with yourself. Besides, it’s
nobody’s time but your very own that too earned with sweat. Engage yourself in
Svaadhyaaya (self-study of scriptures), Satsanga (good company) and Satseva
(Serving society as per your ability and resources) by caring and sharing with
others.
Message from Swami Chidananda:
With warm
best wishes to all on the auspicious day of Shri Rāma Navami, we present this
Spark 52.
Geetā
is never tired of guiding us; we should not be tired either, just because we
retired from work! Geetā supplies valuable guidance to us till our last breath,
as long as we have the capacity to think, reflect and receive. Retired life
therefore is as much a good time to study the holy text as any other period of
life. Not going to the same work place, where we had gone for 30 to 40 years,
really speaking, is a mere superficial change. The inner psychological life is
no different after the so-called retirement. Here are 10 pointers to possible
applications of Geetā to life after the age of 60 years, which is the
typical age group of retired people.
The
topic is surely akin to the traditional concept of vānaprastha, the
third among the four stations of life as envisaged by Sanātana Dharma. [The
other three are, as everyone knows, brahmacharya, grihastha and sannyāsa.]
Let me state that vānaprastha today has little to do with going to a forest; it
is major changes in lifestyle and important shifts in outlooks or priorities
that bring about the third stage, no matter where you live.
~
Comments:
It is
uplifting to know about Missy Franklin. Nice sharing indeed from you.
--Swami Chidananda
My Reply:
Inspired and blessed by
you I have prepared this exhaustive discourse on "Retirement Cannot
Weaken this Soul" for circulation to my Participants and posting it
on the blog which I would dedicate to you.
Reply from HH Swami Chidannda:
I'm thrilled to note your proactive
gesture. Will get back after I read it.
--Swami Chidananda
It is
a wonderful note on Self as I continue to ponder and your note seems to
reinforce. I also wish I had the opportunity to learn some spiritual texts
early on but caught up with quagmire of life and staying with head out can be a
challenge at times but I tell myself Karma Yoga is important as well knowing
fully well I may be giving excuses at times.
Satsangam is so important and I am fortunate to be in your
mailer to read your perspectives. Glad I learnt the meaning of the Gita Sloka -
hope to get there to understand all the slokas soon and get more clarity.
--S.
Maheshwari
WEBNAIR--147 RETIRED LIFE GUIDANCE FROM GITA
TELE-LECTURE BY SWAMI CHIDANANDA ON APRIL 14, 2O19
Gist of Lecture:
Geetā supplies valuable guidance to us till our last breath, as long as we have
the capacity to think, reflect and receive. Retired life therefore is as much a
good time to study the holy text as any other period of life. Not going to the
same work place, where we had gone for 30 to 40 years, really speaking, is a
mere superficial change. The inner psychological life is no different after the
so-called retirement. This webinar will supply 18 pointers to possible
applications of Geetā to life after the age of 60 years, which
is the typical age group of retired people.
Weapons cannot cut this SOUL!
Nainam Chhindanti sastraani
nainam dahati paavakah | na chainam kledayantyaapo na soshayati maarutah ||
The soul can never be cut into
pieces by any weapon nor can he be burned fire, nor moistened by water, nor
withered by the wind--Gita.
I started my self study of Gita and
Upanishads in 2000. As I was lying in bed recouping after my heart surgery
in 2002 that came as a shock I was thinking of my
future plans. I had no financial problem and also blessed with a
caring family for the Good Lord has been guiding my destiny as I deserve--yad
bhadram tanma asuva. In preparation for my last retreat, I decided
to write my life’s story. I thought it would be few pages,
because I am neither Bill Gates nor Einstein nor
Chinmayananda, but I ended up writing 350 pages. It turned out
to be a success story coming from rags to the midway to richness. Then I felt
this was not my doing. I was not responsible for my success. There was a
hand behind it. This thinking allowed me to turn inwards and see how Self
within me is guiding me to bring all the memoirs of more than 70 years of
active life’s struggle for success to enliven my family. I did
fulfill all my obligations before I retired and helped many countries to
improve their economy by my know-how, show-how and do how and improving the
lives of many by creating job opportunities. Yet why am I not happy?
My physical body is getting weaker than in the past. I try to
improve physically but not comparable to the past. It is a natural
phenomenon--janma mrityu jaraa vyaadhi. Influenced by a group of
philanthropists in Nashville, inspired by visiting Gurus and turning
inwards and going deep I felt my inner-net was as in-tact with no
damage caused even when I was lying in in bed struggling for life
affected by cerebral meningitis at the age of 14 or even after
retirement. Only my realization was late! Why not then turn to inner-net
and lead a healthy spiritual life sharing with others. After all I am on a
journey and there is a hand directing it. I recalled the advice given to me by
three Sankaracharyas-- svaadhyaya, satsanga, satkarya after retirement and also
later by Swami Chidananda. Then why not allow my
mind-body-spirit to define who I am now and how to become my ideal
Self in the future till He decides to withdraw me from this physical
world. After all I am human and it has several constraints. Once has to cross
18 steps they say to overcome all constraints to spiritually succeed! My
spirit can never die here or elsewhere and it is safe in his hands directing
all the time as Gita Says. It has a better choice. It is for my blog
readers and HR Forum Participants to verify the fact. Even this last
Sunday I felt my physical heart was too weak to serve further
but not my spiritual heart and made bold to teach Vedanta class fully
prepared, for the soul can never go weak or can be disturbed as Swamiji
says!
The famous psychologist Viktor Frankl knew a lot about
looking for meaning of life. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl
wrote, “Happiness cannot be pursued, it must ensue. One must have a reason to
be happy.”
Frankl believed that the very pursuit of happiness is what
thwarts happiness, but once you have a reason to be happy – i.e. a meaning –
happiness comes automatically.
- Happiness is about looking inward. It’s about satisfying your needs and wants. Happiness without meaning results in a shallow, self-absorbed life. When things go well, when your needs and desires are satisfied, you’re happy. When things get difficult, watch out.
- Meaning is different. It’s focused outwards, on others. It’s about taking care of others and contributing to your community or society as a whole. When we see our purpose as larger than ourselves, we no longer need to pursue happiness. It comes naturally, even in the face of temporary setbacks and discomforts.
After all the living entities are
described as separated parts and parcels under the care of the Supreme Bhishak
(Vaidyo Narayano Harih) as Gita teaches us. “What is born must die
someday, and death does not mean total extinction of the being. Such a
succession of states does not imply either the creation or destruction
of the substance, whose states they are, but merely its passage from one
specific condition of actuality to another condition of actuality. Such is the
view of causation. The fundamental material is inoriginated and indestructible.
It passes through varied conditions of existence" says Ramanuja. Of course
Hindus believe in going circular unlike other faiths who believe in
"One Linear Life to Live"
So let us dedicate our work unto Him
without desire for gain or glory and free from egoism without lethargy as long
as we can. Our retired life should not weaken it or slow it down by the
impediments that we face!
But Swami Chidananda will supply 18
pointers to possible applications of legacy of yoga in Bhagavad Gita
to life based on 18 Chapters, after the age of 60
years, which is the typical age group of retired people. May be some
points works for me too at 90! My spiritual awakening was a late realization
caught in the whirlpool of material world for existence and success. Better
late than never! Many of you are at
the right age and therefore do not miss the opportunity to listen the wisdom
thoughts of Guruji.
But
what could be peaceful for those who lead a retired life not going to the same
work place or places, where we had gone for 30 or 40 years as Swamiji says: go
deep into the study of the holy texts that you might have studied earlier
casually; then “veeta-raaga-bhaya-dvesha-krodhah vigatajvarah om-itya-atmmaanam
yunjeeta” getting rid of desire, fear, hatred, anger without
lethargy unite your Self with the Supreme that is Om in Trikala
Sandhyavandana about which I will talk to you tomorrow. Of course I too need
it. To preach is easy, practice difficult. Only Swamijis can! I worked
for 44 years after completing college education. In fact I started working in a
printing press at the age of 10 too, while studying and helping the family
in daily routines. It had been a long and winding path and time for
getting ready for further journey through unknown worlds that He only
knows!
--April 13, 2019
Comments:
You are indeed practicing
YUDHYASVA VIGATAJVARAH, the Lord's advice in the Geeta (3.30).
We wish you speedy
recovery and a smooth return to the vibrant and active "writing life"
you have always enjoyed. Your spiritual sharing has been valuable to a
very large number of people. The wide range of topics you cover has been
unparalleled.
With lots of loving
regards, appreciation and best wishes,
-- Swami Chidananda
Great. Very Happy to know your inner
strength, gathered through abhyaasa of Saastra with Shraddhaa
in guru vaakya. Yes you are dhanyah. May God keep you in His
Arms! You are the inspiration to many like us.
---Vibha Chaitanya of
Chidanand Ashram
WELCOMING VIKARI WITH RARE RAMA STOTRA BIDDING GOODBYE TO RARE
VILAMBI RAMA NAVAMI
Nature
is inherently non-discriminatory and equality is the cornerstone of life"
be our resolve for the New Year Vikrama says JIVA of HH Jeer Swami. This Year
the rare Vilambi Rama Navami is being celebrated on the New Year Eve of
Souramana Vikaari Year a rare and strange coincidence when two years greet each
other focused on Rama. Enjoy the rare sloka (refer to my collections) sent for
the occasion by our friend Muralidharan Iyengar from Singapore with his well
wishes and greetings. On your behalf I express our gratitude for this fine
gesture and reciprocate the warm wishes, greetings and divine blessings
throughout the Year Vikari! Let me ennoble your thoughts with the following
wisdom from Vedas that reflects the above Vikari New Year Resolution:
Wisdom
of Vedas says "Let us stay united, speak united and act united promoting
peace and harmony. The Vedas teach equality among the people in society. No one
is superior or no one is inferior. We find Samaanatha Equanimity in the Vedas
that leads to tranquility and happiness:
Te ajyesthaa akanisthaasa udbhido
amadhyamaaso mahasaa vivavridhuh | sujaataaso janushaa prishnimataro divo marya
aa no achaa jigatana ||
(Rig: 5-59-6)
Among
these men there are no superiors or no inferiors, no middle ones either. They
become great from small beginnings. They make progress in different ways by
dint of their merits. By birth they are all highborn because they are all
children of Mother-Earth. O you men of the Lord Refulgent! Be available to us
in a loveable manner or grow into praise-worthy souls in fair ways.
Ajyesthaaso akanislliaasa ete sam
bhraataro vaavridhuh saubhagaaya|yuva pita swapaa rudra eshaam sudhughaa
prishnih sudinaa marudbhayah ||
(Rig: 5-60-5)
These
men are without superiors and without inferiors. They are mutually brothers.
They march onwards for prosperity. The eternally youthful, the soul protecting,
grief alleviating GOD is their father.
The richly feeding Mother-Earth produces happy days to these mortals.
Sam samidyuvase vrishannagne
visvaanyaarya aa | Ilaspade samidhyase sa no vasoonyaa bhara – Rig: 10-191-1
Oh
Almighty and Adorable GOD! In the whole universe Thou dost the work of
harmonizing and uniting, and most fully reveal thyself in the world. We
therefore, beseech Thee to bestow upon us in every way all the means that will
enable us to live in peace and harmony.
The
following Atharveda mantras also give a candid proof about Equality: –
Sahridayam saamanasyam avidvisham
krinomi vah I Anyo anyam abhi haryata vatsam jaatamivaaghnyaa || (Atharva: 3-30-1)
Oh
Men! I ordain for your concord of heart, unanimity of mind and freedom from
hatred in dealings with each other. Love one another in every way even as the
inviolable her new-born calf.
Samaanee prapaa sahavoanna bhagaha
samaane yoktre saha vo yunajmi | samyanchognim saparyataaraa naabhimivaabhitah | (Atharva: 3-30-6)
O
you men! May your water reservoirs be common; may the shares of food be enjoyed
jointly. Unite you all under the yoke of common code of conduct with one
another. Worship the Lord of Luster congregationally, just as the spokes touch
the hub from all sides.
Sadhreecheenaanvah
sammanasaskrinomyekasnushteentsamvananena sarvaan I Devaa ivaamritam
rakshamaanaah saayam praatah soumanaso vo astu || (Atharva: 3-30-7)
May
I enjoin on all of you to be mutually helping one another, to be united in your
mind and to have one goal in life! You should, like the wise of all ages, ever
cherish the idea of the liberation of your souls from the trammels of the world
and to this end may peace of mind increase among you evening and morning.
Samaano mantrah samithih samaanee
samanam vratam sahachithameshaam|
samaanena vo havishaa juhomi samaanam cheto abhisamvishadhvam || (Atharva: 6-64-2)
samaanena vo havishaa juhomi samaanam cheto abhisamvishadhvam || (Atharva: 6-64-2)
May
your thoughts and hymns be common; may your assembly be common; may your
austere vow, spiritual resolve be common; may all your minds be alike and be
united. I provide you with common food, drink and needs of life. All of you
strive for a common objective.
Sam vah
prichyantaam tanvah sam manaamsi samuvrataa I Sam voyam brahmanaspatirbhagah
sam vo ajeagamat || (6-74-1)
Let
your bodies (or learning and other attainments) and minds work together in
harmony for the achievement of the common ideal. It is for this that the
Majestic GOD (G=generator; O=Operator; D=Dissolver) the Protector of the
universe, has brought you together in life.
Sam jnapanam vo manasotho samjnapanam
hridah | Atho bhagasya yachchraantam tena samjnpayaami vah ||( Atharva 6-74-2)
Let
your heads (minds) work in calm and precision and let your hearts join them in
contented co-operation. In addition to this for the trouble you have taken to
realize the majesty of GOD, I invigorate you (that you proceed on and reach
your goal.)
Sangacchadhvam
sam vadadhvam; Samaano mantrah samitih; Samaano vaa aakootih:
[These
mantras say that a person not only should take care of himself but also look
after the welfare of the society he lives in].
Sangacchadhvam
sam vadadhvam sam vo manaamsi jaanataam/ devaa bhaagam yathaa purve sanjanaana
upaasate // (X-191-20)
Come
together! Speak together! Let our minds be all of one accord like the divines
that sat together in the past in harmony to worship.
[All
people should live with one mind without enmity and this can be achieved only
by the divine grace says the mantra]
Samaano mantra: samiti: samaani samaanam
mana: saha chittamesam | samaanam mantramabhi mantraye va: samaanena vo havisha
juhomi // (Rigverda
X-191-3)
Let
our speech be one; united be our voices! May our minds be in union with the
thoughts of the wise people! Sharing a common purpose; we worship as one.
[Vedanta
Religion is universal. It did not promote walled religions. Bhagavad Gita later
said these religion need bridges to connect to the Supreme. All rivers seek
refuge in the vast Ocean. All religions seek universal Lord Brahman only who is
ever expanding and indescribable to accommodate all]
Samaani vaa aakootih samaana hridayaani
vah / Samaanam astu vo mano yathaa vah susahaasati // (X-191-4)
United
be your purpose, harmonious be your feelings, collected be your mind, in the same way as all
the various aspects of the universe exist in togetherness, wholeness.
[We
should act in a manner with no ill-will towards others, causing no harm and
causing no pain. Let us learn from the nature as to how to live in peace and
exist together in harmony that pleases the Lord says the mantra]
--April
7, 2019
Comments:
Thanks for the highly enlightening
shlokas!
--A.S. Narayana
HOW FAR ARE WE FROM RAMA’S BIRTH
DATE And where are we in kaliyuga?
The
Viṣṇu Purāṇa Time measurement section of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Book I Chapter III
adds:
- 2 Ayanas (6-month periods, see above) = 1 human year or 1 day of the devas.
- 12,000 divine years = 4 Yugas (= 4,320,000 human years) = 1 Mahā-Yuga (also is equal to 12,000 Daiva (divine) Yuga).
- 2*12,000 = 24,000 divine year = 12000 revolutions of sun around its dual.
While the long yuga count is the most popular, it does not
correlate to any known celestial motion found in the Astronomical Almanac. The value of
24,000 years fits relatively close with the modern astronomical calculation of
one full precession of the equinox. Long
Yuga of Puranas popular with us : Satya Yuga equals 1,728,000 Human years;
Treta Yuga equals 1,296,000 Human years; Dvapara Yuga equals 864,000 Human years
and Kali Yuga 432,000 Human
years.
The precession (caused by gradual rotation
of the Earth’s axis) of the equinoxes is the period of time that it takes the
Earth’s axis to pass through one complete cycle of the zodiac. It takes the
planet 72 years to pass through one degree of the zodiac and 25,920 years to
complete one full circle of 360 degrees. One half of the journey takes 12,960
years and covers the four yugas. Satya Yuga lasts 5184 years. Treta Yuga lasts
3888 years. Dwapara Yuga lasts 2592 years. Kali Yuga lasts 1296 years. These
four yugas taken together come to a total of 12,960 years.
Vishnu Purana
calculates it as 24000 years but
some argue each year mentioned in these texts point to a different math where 1
year is equivalent to 360 earth years
(Savana Manam has 360 days per year unlike (Chandra Manam). 12000x360=4320000 human years. Kalpa means
1000 years. Therefore 1 Kalpa is 4320000000 human years. One Veda Mantra says
this is of cyclic nature:
Chatvari sringa trayo
asya pada dve seershe sapta hastaso asya | tridhaa baddho
vrishabho roraveeti martyaa maho devo aavivesa || Rigveda IV.58.3.” and
MNU.
The
syllable Om or Brahman conceived as a mystic bull has
four horns, three feet, two heads and seven hands. This bull
connected in a threefold manner, eloquently declares the Supreme. The
Self-luminous Deity has entered the mortal everywhere.
This mantra contains the hidden meaning Brahman is
Kaalpurusha or Time, symbolizing the Yuga number or cosmic age of 4320,000,000
years (Kalpa) as the mantra
suggests the numbers in order 4, 3, 2 and seven zero. Brahman is described as a Mystic bull
with 4 horns, 3 feet and two heads and 7 tongues in Vedas. Brahman is
also described as Kaala or time. This could mean 4+3+7=14 contained by two
heads one dark and one bright, one head focusing on dark half of
the month and the other bright half of the month and the whole representing
4320,000, 000 years where 4, 3 and 2 appear as numerals and 7 as zeros
constituting one Kalpa like Svetavaraha Kalpa, cosmic age of Creation
and dissolution. It defines what a Kalpa is in mathematics. This Divine Bull appears roaring again and
again hinting this Kalpa is of cyclic nature.
Yukteswar clarified in
the book The Holy Science (1894), that a complete Yuga Cycle
takes 24,000 year based on Vedas and the idea
still prevalent with Jains in India. The
24,000 year duration of the complete Yuga Cycle closely approximates the
Precessional Year of 25,765 years, which is the time taken by the sun to
“precess” i.e. move backwards, through the 12 zodiaC constellations.
Interestingly, the Surya Siddhanta specifies a value of 54 arc seconds per year
for precession, as against the current value of 50.29 arc seconds per year.
This translates into a Precessional Year of exactly 24000 years.
The idea of an ascending and descending Cycle of Ages was
also prevalent in Greek myths. The
Greek poet Hesiod (c. 750 BC – 650 BC) had given an account of the World Ages
in the Works and Days, in which he had inserted a fifth age called the “Age of
Heroes”, between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
The Beginning of Kali Yuga
The story of Mahabharata needs to be seen in a
certain context. In 3140 BCE, the Kurukshetra War ended, and in 3102 BCE,
Krishna left his body. Three to four months after the war, the Kali Yuga began.
As of 2012 AD, Krishna’s era ended 5,114 years ago. If you subtract 2592, which
is the cumulative number of years of the two Kali Yugas that are at the bottom
of the ellipse which describes the axial precession, you arrive at 2522 years.
That means we have already completed 2522 years of Dwapara Yuga, and since its
total duration is 2592 years, we still have 70 years until its completion. In
the year 2082, we will complete Dwapara Yuga and move on to Treta Yuga. The
world will go through another upheaval, not necessarily in terms of war but
probably in terms of population explosion and natural calamities, before moving
on to this new era of wellbeing and upward movement of human
consciousness.
Rama was born on the Navami Tithi of
Shukla Paksha of Chaitra masa (9th day of the increasing phase of the moon in
the lunar month of Chaitra). At that time, the Nakshatra was Punarvasu, and
Sun, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus were in Aries, Capricorn, Libra, Cancer
and Pisces respectively. Lagna was Cancer and Jupiter & Moon were shining
together. — Ramayana 1.18.8 to 9.
Recent planetarium software studies presenting the sky-map
of Sri Rama’s birth fixes the date of Ramnavami as: Sri Rama Navami – 10th January 5114 BCE – Birth Day of Rama
Observation at 12.30 p.m. This is based on the Yuga cycle of 12000 years as postulated by Yukteswar.
Observation at 12.30 p.m. This is based on the Yuga cycle of 12000 years as postulated by Yukteswar.
Using Planetarium software, it is confirmed that the Winter Solstice occurred on 19 December,
7000 BC at 0735 hrs. This is the earliest reference to Vedic calendar with
year beginning at Winter Solstice, found in Rigveda (5-77-1/2; 1-46-14;
7-69-3/2). Heliacal rising of Ashwini Nakshatra (Aries) can be seen to occur on
5th January, 7000 BC, marking the year beginning. It may be relevant to cite
hear Karunanidhi made Makara Sankranti Tamil month of Thai as the beginning
Solar New Year logically instead of
Chittirai for some time which Jayalalitha reverted back.
Kali yuga started
around 600 BC and lasted till 400 A.D followed by ascending Kali Yuga that
started from 600 A.D (after a 200 year of “sandhi”) lasting till 1600 A.D. We
are now into ascending Dwapara from 1900 A.D that will last till 3900 A.D. So,
we are really not in Kaliyuga at all. We are in an era of innovation, explosion
of Scientific discoveries, information age. However, the dark forces of
Kaliyuga still exert their influence which we can see clearly in the acts of
terrorism happening around the world.
Krishna also said that after over 5000 years, there will
come a many thousand year period of time that will be fabulous. We will not
make it there, but we can set the foundations for it and have the joy of
creating an atmosphere for a stretch of thousands of years of golden time upon
the planet. This is not all predictions and conjecture – this is based on a
deep-rooted understanding about what happens with the human mind in relation to
the planet on which we live. We do not
only live on this planet – we are the planet. We live in the space exploration
age.
In an
Article on Jan 15, 2015 Sadhguru
explains the science behind the cycle of four yugas, and calculates the
timeline since the beginning of the Kali Yuga after the Kurukshetra War. Sadhguru explains the science of the four
yugas, and calculates the timeline of Kali Yuga and the coming shift in human
consciousness in 70 years. We are now into ascending Dwapara from 1900 A.D that
will last till 3900 A.D. So, we are really not in Kaliyuga at all. We are in an
era of innovation, explosion of Scientific discoveries, information age.
However, the dark forces of Kaliyuga still exert their influence which we can
see clearly in the acts of terrorism happening around the world, says Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev.
But Valmiki talks about the rule of Rama for 11000 years on
a long scale but also Vanavasa of 14 ionsignificant years on the same scale.
This makes us believe that Rama lived longer unlike Krishna who lived only for
126 years in Dwapara yuga, a Yuga phenomena.
Elsewhere in the Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara-Kanda (or Book 5), Chapter
27, verses12, an ogress named Trijata has a dream of Lord Rama, which she
describes to the other demoniac ogresses upon awakening. In that dream she sees
Rama, scion of Raghu, united again with Sita. Sri Rama was mounted on a huge
elephant, closely resembling a hill, with four tusks.
The question that supports them is how could there be a
mention of the elephants with four tusks unless Valmiki and the people of his
era were familiar with such creatures? A quick search on the Encarta
Encyclopedia will let us know that these four-tusked elephants were known as
Mastodontoidea, which are said to have evolved around 38 million years ago and
became extinct about 15 million years ago when the shaggy and two tusked
Mastodons increased in population. Now there’s something to think about? So
this would mean that the specific planetary configuration that is described in
the Ramayana, and is verified by Pushkar Bhatnagar, may have indeed happened,
but also at a time millions of years prior to merely 10,000 years ago.
Comments received on my FB Posting:
I am a member of
the Itihasa group, where eminent historians, vedic scholars, archeologists,
Hindu- mythology experts etc.,
contribute.
You might like the post
below on the dating of Nilesh
Nilkanth Oak shared a post to the group posted on March 27, 2019. “And only when I thought I had exhausted astronomy evidence
of Valmiki Ramayana via identification of 575+ instances of evidence, another
brilliant astronomer brings out ONE MORE that also points to 12209 BCE as the
year of Rama-Ravana Yuddha!
What
is interesting is, this astronomer neither believes Ramayana happened before
12,000 BCE nor has analyzed my work in 'The Historic Rama aka 12209 BCE'.
But
evidence is evidence and it is pointing, even according to him, to 13000+ years
ago!
This
exciting newly identifying evidence places 7000 BCE as the lower limit on the
timing of Ramayana (i.e. Ramayana did not happen any time after 7000 BCE)”
--A.S. Narayana
My Reply:
WHY THIS YEAR”S RAMANAVAMI IS VERY SPECIAL
Bhadrachalam Sri Rama Navami 2019 Date -
Importance - Rituals - Time Of Festival
Sri Rama Navami
festivals is one of the most important festival at the Bhadrachalam Sri
Rama Temple is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ram. Bhadrachalam Sri Rama Navami
2019 date is April 14. The temple is located at Bhadrachalam in Khammam
District in Telangana.
Sri Rama Navami is
celebrated on every the Chaitra Shukla Navami, ninth day during the waxing
phase of moon in Chaitra month as per Telugu Calendar. The day coincides with
'Punarvasu' – the Janma Nakshatra (birth star) of Lord Sri Rama.The Kalyana
Mahotsavam of Sri Rama with his consort Sita is celebrated on the holy
occasion. This divine festival is celebrated in a resplendent manner amid
chanting of hymns by priests in Kalyana Mandapam of the temple.
Thousands of devotees congregate to witness the festival.
The Kalyana mahotsavam
is celebrated on the holy occasion between 10 am and 12.30 pm and the sacred
Talambralu showered on the deities exactly at 12 noon.
Vilambi is the year in which Rama was born
according to Sauramana Calendar that ends on April 13 to all Hindu
Americans. This is also the year in which Lord Venkateswara married Padmavati.
Vilambi year comes once in 60 years in most of our life-time. hence this day is
celebrated on a grand scale in all Hindu Temples with Sita-ram Kanyanotsvam as
well as Padmavati Srinivasa kalyanotsvam in all temples where such shrines are
consecrated. Moreover Sita-Rama Kayanotsavam and Rama Navami celebration
is sacred to all traditions. HH Jeer is also concluding 27-days long Rama
Mahakratu yajna in three holy places in India on Rama Navami Day that
includes Bhadrachalam.
--April 1, 2019
Comments:
Many thanks for explaining the
special significance of this year's Sri Rama Navami!! May His Anugraham be on
all of us!
--Dr. APKN Sapthagireesan
Thanks for the information. I will
visit nearby Rama temple on that day. I have endless curiosity about
Ramayana, especially because I regularly read Valmiki's epic
poem-few chapters- everyday.
. --A.S. Narayana
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