THOUGHT FOR THE DAY JULY--AUGUST 2022
If we don’t honor the Ganas, then our every action is a
form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating
each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to their Lord, Sri
Ganesha.
The birth of Ganesha
One day Goddess Parvati was
at home on Mt. Kailash preparing for a bath. As she didn’t want to be disturbed,
she told Nandi, her husband Shiva’s Bull, to guard the door and let no one
pass. Nandi faithfully took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes.
But, when Shiva came home and naturally wanted to come inside, Nandi had to let
him pass, being loyal first to Shiva. Parvati was angry at this slight, but
even more than this, at the fact that she had no one as loyal to herself as
Nandi was to Shiva. So, taking the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body
and breathing life into it, she created Ganesha, declaring him to be her own
loyal son.
The next time Parvati
wished to bathe, she posted Ganesha on guard duty at the door. In due course,
Shiva came home, only to find this strange boy telling him he couldn’t enter
his own house! Furious, Shiva ordered his army to destroy the boy, but they all
failed! Such power did Ganesha possess, being the son of Devi Herself!
This surprised Shiva.
Seeing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he
would have to fight him, and in his divine fury severed Ganesha’s head, killing
him instantly. When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted
that she decided to destroy the entire Creation! Lord Brahma, being the
Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider
her drastic plan. She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: One,
Ganesha be brought back to life, and
two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.
Shiva, having cooled down
by this time, and realizing his mistake, agreed to Parvati’s conditions. He
sent Brahma out with orders to bring back the head of the first creature he
crosses that is laying with its head facing north. Brahma soon returned with the head of a strong
and powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Breathing new
life into him, he declared Ganesha to be his own son as well and gave him the
status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the Ganas (classes
of beings), Ganapati.
Meaning of the story of Ganesh
At first glance, this story
just seems like a nice tale that we might tell our children or a myth without
any real substance. But, it’s true mystical meaning is veiled. It is explained
thus:
Parvati is a form of Devi,
the Parashakti (Supreme Energy). In the human body, she resides in the Muladhara
chakra as the Kundalini Shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves,
ridding ourselves of the impurities that bind us, then the Lord automatically
comes. This is why Shiva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was
bathing.
Nandi, Shiva’s bull, who
Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperament. Nandi
is so devoted to Shiva that his every thought is directed to Him, and he is
able to easily recognize the Lord when He arrives. This shows that the attitude
of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the kundalini Shakti’s)
abode. One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to
become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi
alone grants.
After Nandi permitted Shiva to enter, Parvati took the turmeric paste from
her own body, and with it created Ganesha. Yellow is the color associated with
the Muladhara chakra, where the kundalini resides, and Ganesha is the deity who
guards this chakra. Devi needed to create Ganesha, who represents the
earthbound awareness, as a shield to protect the divine secret from unripe
minds. It is when this awareness begins to turn away from things of the world,
and toward the Divine, as Nandi had, that the great secret is revealed.
Shiva is the Lord and
Supreme Teacher. Ganesha here represents the ego-bound Jiva. When the Lord
comes, the Jiva, surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually
doesn’t recognize Him, and maybe even ends up arguing or fighting with Him!
Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of the Guru, to cut off the
head of our ego! So powerful is this ego, however, that at first, the Guru’s
instructions may not work, as Shiva’s armies failed to subdue Ganesha. It often
requires a tougher approach, but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His
wisdom finds a way.
ಶುಭಯೋಗ ಸುಯೋಗ ತರುವ ಚತುರ್ಥಿ/
ಬಾದ್ರಪದ ಶುಕ್ಲಪಕ್ಷದ ಗಣಪನ ಚತುರ್ಥಿ/
ಪೂಜಿಸುವ ಮಂತ್ರ ಘೋಷಗಳ ಸ್ತುತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ/
ಶುಭಯೋಗ ಸುಯೋಗ ತರುವ ಚತುರ್ಥಿ/
ಬಾದ್ರಪದ ಶುಕ್ಲಪಕ್ಷದ ಗಣಪನ ಚತುರ್ಥಿ/
ಆರಾಧಿಸುವ ಆರತಿ ಮಂಗಳಾರತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ/
ಪಾರ್ವತಿ ಪರಶಿವನ ಪುತ್ರ ಲಂಬೋದರನ/
ನಿವೇದನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಮಿಸುವ ಏಕಾಗ್ರತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ /
ಸರ್ವಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ ಯೋಗದೀಪ ವಿನಾಯಕನ/
ಅರ್ಪಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಂದಿಸುವ ಧೂಪದಾರತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ/
ವರದವಿನಾಯಕ ವೀರಗಣಪತಿಯ ಅಲಂಕರಿಸುವ
ಶ್ವೇತ ವರಗಣಪತಿಯ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುವ/
ಮಂಗಳಮೂರ್ತಿ ಮನೋಮಾಯನ ಉಪಾಸಿಸುವ/
ಬುದ್ಧಿನಾಥ ಬುದ್ಧಿಪ್ರಿಯನ ಕೋರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿನಂತಿಸುವ/
ನಾದಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠ ನಿಧೀಶ್ವರನ ಧೃಢನಿಷ್ಠೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸುವ/
ಮನದಂಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದು ಮನೋಭಾವಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆರೆಯಲು
ಯೋಗದೀಪ ವಿನಾಯಕನ ವಿಜ್ಞಾಪನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಮಂತ್ರಿಸುವ/
ಬಾಳ ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂದು ಬುವಿ ಯಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ನೆರವಾಗಲು/
TIMELESS VEDIC WAY OF KNOWLEDGE
How can
the Vedas be considered eternal since they contain many historical references?
But history is also eternal.
For example, six months ago there was summer now there is a new season, and in
another six months summer again. This calculation of one year is history but
the summer and winter seasons are also eternal. There is a saying, "History
repeats itself." Why make a distinction between history and eternity.
Things are happening eternally; this is history.
In India, Sanskrit pronunciation is
different in the North and South, and there are many different dialects. So the
Vedas may also be presented with some differences within.
How the Vedas can be 3,000 B. C. in age.
Modern historians cannot pick-up when the Vedas came into existence. From our
historical references, however, we understand the Vedic knowledge has been
current since the time of creation but the knowledge was originally accepted in
disciplined succession from spiritual master to disciple. Later, when Vedavyasa
found the peoples' memories decreasing he wrote it into language. Otherwise it
was existing by Sruti, or hearing. So
when this hearing began there is no history. He simply recorded the Sruti, and there is no question of
change. We have to understand Vedic knowledge on the authority of the
disciplined succession not from mental speculators who are simply rascals and
have no entrance into the Vedic knowledge. You mention Sankara, but Sankara hid
so many things, so it is no wonder he did not mention Bhagavatam. There are
great authorities of Bhagavatam and it is they we have to follow.
Similarly, the Bhagavatam is mentioned in
an earlier Purana means that the whole language is Sruti. Although the Bhagavatam may not have been written the
tradition was there. It is written by Sridhara Swami quoting the Puranas, that
the practice was to write out the Bhagavatam by hand and present it to a
learned man.
“Veda is a way of inner knowledge (vidya) based upon the unity of Self and
cosmos. It is not based upon mere outer information but on inner insight,
direct perception and unmediated experience.
Vedic knowledge follows a way of
inquiry, dialogue, mantra and meditation, leading to an inner vision and
realization at the level of a higher awareness beyond body and mind.
Veda is about a radical change of
Consciousness from the mortal to the immortal, from the transient to the
eternal, from the flux of becoming to the immutability of Being, from the
limited to the unlimited, from sorrow to Ananda.
Veda encompasses all aspects of
knowledge but rooted in the Transcendent beyond name and form, time and space.
It does not reject modern science but does not limit itself to any outer or
instrument based knowledge. Veda holds that the highest and most direct
knowledge is born of the silent mind merged into our core awareness within the
spiritual heart (hridaya). As such, Veda teaches us how to perceive and
transcend the entire universe within us.
Such timeless Vedic wisdom is not a
matter of mental learning but moving beyond speech and mind to pure light
without any shadow.
Reclaiming, restoring and expanding
Vedic knowledge is the most important way of knowledge for a planetary age and
to connect us to the underlying Cosmic Intelligence. Otherwise we will remain
confined to the biases, beliefs, opinions and limitations of the human mind.
Vedic mantras provide us that inner cosmic connection.”-David Frawley
Sri
Veda Purushaya Namah
--August
27, 2022
The Chola bronze for
more than a thousand years
”The Mystic
Praana Prathistha Sensuous and the Sacred"
(tadeakmavytkta nanananntaroopam) focuses on the exquisite temple bronzes
produced during the Chola period, a time of unparalleled creativity in the
history of the Indian subcontinent. By the beginning of the tenth century, Hindu
devotees began to visualize their mystic deities as having public personas not
unlike those of human monarchs. Worshipped as living entities, the deities
participated in a variety of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual rituals and
festivities; to fulfill these functions, portable images were required. Thus
were created the spectacular temple bronzes of South India. For more than four
hundred years, from the ninth to the thirteenth century, the Chola dynasty was
the dominant cultural, artistic, religious, and political force in South Indian
drama, philosophy and religious thought, and the arts of sculpture,
bronze-casting, jewelry-making, painting, and architecture reached new heights.
The temple was the center of all activity, and the Cholas built and decorated
some of the most impressive temples in South India. These were primarily Hindu,
though Buddhist and Jain shrines were also supported by Chola royalty. Vidya
Dehejia holds the Barbara Stoler Miller Chair in Indian Art at Columbia
University. Other contributors include Richard H. Davis, R. Nagaswarmy, and
Karen Paschalis Prentiss.
The domination of Shiva worship
outstrips worship of other deities. “[…] of the 311 temples in the extended
Kaveri delta (the present-day districts Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, and
Nagapattinam), 295 honor god Shiva, while only 16 are dedicated to god Vishnu.”
It seems that the sinuous lithe forms of dancing Shiva (Shiva as Lord of the
Dance, often with four arms) in bronze statues came from Chola Shiva worship
and accelerated the preference for Shiva over other gods.
The tapering torso, smooth chest, wide
shoulders and elongated face is typical of Shiva and some of the other male
statues. The figure type of the women is famous: the wide hips, sloping
shoulders, elongated torso, narrow waist and large bust (sometimes exposed).
The men exude strength and grace; the women are fecund and youthful. Faces of
gods are generally serene. Sometimes figures are accompanied by smaller
companions, children and animals. These sometimes support the main figures
structurally, as do other forms, such as halos of fire (aureole) and mandalas.
Deferral to elegance over verisimilitude is apparent, with some poses being
improbable or impossible.
The stone carvings are considered and
amply illustrated. The author sees many parallels between the stone and
bronzes. The stone (the type is not described) is weathered when exposed to the
elements and thus the bronzes are better examples of the sculpture of the
period. Most of the bronzes are kept inside the temples. The weathering and alteration
of inscriptions in stone walls – sometimes so extensive that they cover all the
ground-level walls, alcoves and pilasters – has made reading dedications and
instructions difficult. Also written on the walls are donations made by the
devout.
Dehejia discusses the co-existence of
Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists on Sri Lanka. The Cholas were Hindus but
understood the value of patronage of Buddhist temples as well as supporting the
Tamil merchants’ Hindu temples. Apparently, the sculptors also made Buddhas and
Dehejia compares holy statues of Hindu and Buddhist subjects and finds many
stylistic and technical points of overlap.
An overview of the classes of
individuals who founded the temples is assessed by Dehejia, following the known
inscriptions in Sanskrit and Tamil. She concludes that women donors frequently
donated statues of Uma. Artists in this period are anonymous. There has been an
effort to discern separate masters in certain places and eras, in order to
permit an artist-centered appreciation of sacred art, as is possible in modern
Europe. Dehejia tentatively assigns specific statues to certain single unnamed
masters.
The standard of the art is excellent.
The grace of the figures and skill of the artists are comparable to art of any
era and region. The stylized and hieratical character of the bronzes can make
them look to the uninitiated as led by formalist concerns, but Dehejia explains
the subtle psychology expressed in certain groups – for example, the shyness of
Uma before her wedding and protective but insistent guidance of her protector.
The restrained expressions belie the distinct characterize.
“Today, many small Chola-era temples,
including Vadakkalathur, Tandantottam, and Tiruvilakudi, have no bronzes at
all. In the light of the smuggling that, unfortunately, has accompanied the
thriving art market in India and overseas, all bronzes from many temples have
been removed to safe-houses, referred as “Icon Centers”. […] When sequestered
in Icon Centers, these exquisite bronzes with deep religious significance and
aesthetic reputation are not available to priests, to devotees, or to art
lovers, thereby de-activating the bronzes of their many consequential levels of
meaning.”
Dehejia’s book does much to illuminate
the meaning and importance of the holy statues of the Cholas. The illustrations
are generally very good, the level of information is appropriate for the
educated non-Hindu reader. The appendices, notes and glossary make the book a
self-contained reference work on the subject. Highly recommended.
The Thief Who Stole My Heart: The
Material Life of Sacred Bronzes from Chola India, 855–1280 is
part of the A.W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts National Gallery of Art,
Washington Center for Advanced Study in Visual Arts Bollingen Series XXXV: 65.
Vidya Dehejia, The Thief Who
Stole My Heart: The Material Life of Sacred Bronzes from Chola India, 855–1280,
Princeton University Press, 2021.
SRI VINAYAYKA
CHATURTHI
As Sri Vinayaka Chaturti falls on Wednesday
(31-Aug-2022), I am delighted to share a short and sweet 4-stanza prayer
on Lord Vinayaka by Sage Bhrigu taken
from Sri Ganesha Mahapuranam, Krishna Khandam, and Chapter 06.
To embark and achieve anything, Lord Ganesha's Anugraha is
critical as His own father Lord Shiva experienced during Tripura
Samhara. We have also seen (a few years ago) that King Ikshvaku (Lord
Rama's ancestor) did a severe penance to Lord Vinayaka seeking
His blessings to worship Lord Vishnu - and this appears
in Nrusimha Purana, a Vaishnavite Puranam.
May We Pray to Lord Vinayaka with this beautiful
prayer and get relieved of all obstacles/pains in our lives!
Sri Ganesha Maha Puranam
The following is a rare 4-stanza hymn (Chatushkam) on Lord
Vinayaka by Sage Bhrigu taken from Sri Ganesha Mahapuranam, Krishna Khanda and
Chapter 6.
bhṛguruvāca - sarve vayaṁ prārthayāmo devadevaṁ vināyakam | brahmarūpaṁ nirākāraṁ jagat-kāraṇa-kāraṇam || 1 ||
yadā sākāratāṁ yā yā lokānāṁ-daiva-yogataḥ | tadā śaṁ sarva-lokānāṁ syāt tavā'pi vasundhare || 2 ||
ityuktvā tuṣṭuvur devaṁ brahmadyarṣigaṇā mudā | nirākāraṁ ca sākāraṁ baddhāñjalipuṭās tadā || 3 |
|| śrīvināyaka catuṣkam ||
namo namaste 'khila-loka-nāthaṁ namo namaste 'khila-loka-dhāman | namo namaste 'khila-loka-kārin namo namaste 'khila-loka-hārin || 1 ||
namo namaste sura-śatru-nāśa namo namaste hata-bhakta-pāśa | namo namaste
nija-bhakta-poṣa namo namaste laghu-bhakti-toṣa || 2 ||
nirākṛte nitya nirastamāya parātpara brahma-maya-svarūpa | kṣarā'kṣarā'tīta guṇair-vihīna dīnā'nukampin bhagavan namaste || 3 ||
nirāmayāyākhila kāmapūra
nirañjanayākhila daitya-dārin | nityāya satyāya paropakārin samāya Sarvata namo
namaste || 4 ||
|| iti śrīgaṇeśa-mahāpurāṇe krīshā-khaṇḍe ṣaṣṭo'dhyāye śrībhṛgukṛtaṁ śrīvināyaka-catuṣkaṁ sampūrṇam //--K. Muralidharan
--August 28, 2022
*************************************************************************************
Personality and its development in
Veda--Sabita Dash DOI
Personality
is the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s
distinctive character. At present, personality degradation is a global serious
problem. The entire social atmosphere looks to be charged with the ambitions of
unethical, immoral and unspiritual nature. Today‘s modern formal system of
education is producing only money making machines ignoring the development of
virtuous qualities and resulting in the development of negative personality
traits.
Today‘s
modern formal system of education is producing only money making machines
ignoring the development of virtuous qualities and resulting in the development
of negative personality traits. It is said that education in India was started
during Vedic period. This system was centered to give importance for the
development of personality achieved through Gurukula system, a center which
provides practices, natural and appropriate environment, lessons on right
conduct and teaching based on life, character and ideals of great person. In
Vedic education one’s personality was developed through self-realization and
self-respect. The end goal was to build self-awareness.
A stressful mind would often lead to wrong
decision making. Hence, it is needed to master the mind.
Search
for a perfect Guru: Veda proclaims for a sadguru, the
learned Master. Before a disciple goes to a guru, he should have already read a
lot of literature on religion and practiced different methods therein.
Observing the qualities of the student right path is shown by the Guru to
advance on the ladder of personality developed.
Self-realization:
Personality includes body, sense organs, mind, intellect and the self.
Personality integration requires self -realization.Disorganization or disorder
of vrittis leads to disintegration of Right company or Satsang. Satsang
basically means being in the company of sat (truth). Company of falsehood
always leads to destruction of body and soul.
Gurukula education system:
There was no institutionalized teaching in the Vedic days. There were teachers
and they ran their own schools. It can be deduced from what we learn that
monitor system prevailed and senior students did the job of assistant teachers.
It was perhaps the best method of application for what they learn from their
teachers. Such institutions were known as Gurukuls. The students, rich or poor
used to go and live until they completed their education. The students had to
live a much dis
“Vedic
education is not simply about skills, but disciplined life. “Learning
by doing’’ was perhaps one of the prescribed teaching methods. In this way,
there institutions manufactured responsible citizens having strong personality
for the society.
Conclusion
Different theories of personality development were the foundation of
personality and personality development through Vedic Psychology areas such as Satsang, leaving bad companion, mental
purification, good manners integration of emotions are the need of the present
time. Education in Vedic era and the way of teaching was proper to accumulate
material and especially spiritual knowledge. By re-establishing Vedic culture,
we can lead to a class of properly educated person who can ignite to the whole
to be wisely developed one.
“Vedic
education is not simply about skills, information or technology, but developing
the character and higher consciousness to apply these with insight, compassion
and respect for the transcendent, learning to know our inmost Self and the Self
of the entire universe.”--David Frawley
--August 21, 2022
***********************************************************
Universal Message of the Bhagavad-Gita
vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā man-mayā mām upāśhritāḥ
bahavo jñāna-tapasā pūtā mad-bhāvam
āgatāḥ
In the previous verse,
Lord Krishna explained that those who truly know the divine nature of his birth
and pastimes attain him. He now confirms that legions of human beings in all
ages became God-realized by this means. They achieved this goal by purifying
their minds through devotion. Shree Aurobindo put it very nicely: “You must
keep the temple of the heart clean, if you wish to install therein the living
presence.” The Bible states: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see
God.” (Matthew 5.8) [v11]
Now, how does the mind
get purified? By giving up attachment, fear, and anger, and absorbing the mind
in God. Actually, attachment is the cause of both fear and anger. Fear arises
out of apprehension that the object of our attachment will be snatched away from
us. And anger arises when there is an obstruction in attaining the object of
our attachment. Attachment is thus the root cause of the mind getting dirty.
This world of Maya
consists of the three modes of material nature—sattva, rajas, and tamas (goodness, passion, and ignorance). All
objects and personalities in the world come within the realm of these three
modes. When we attach our mind to a material object or person, our mind too
becomes affected by the three modes. Instead, when we absorb the same mind in
God, who is beyond the three modes of material nature, such devotion purifies
the mind. Thus, the sovereign recipe to cleanse the mind from the defects of
lust, anger, greed, envy, and illusion, is to detach it from the world and
attach it to the Supreme Lord. Hence, the Ramayan states:
prema
bhagati jala binu raghurāī, abhiantara mala kabahuñ na jāī
“Without devotion to God,
the dirt of the mind will not be washed away.” Even the ardent propagator
of jñāna yog, Shankaracharya, stated:
śhuddhayati
hi nāntarātmā kṛiṣhṇapadāmbhoja bhaktimṛite (Prabodh Sudhākar)[v13]
“Without engaging in
devotion to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, the mind will not be clean’’
--Swami Vimalananda
On
reading the previous verse, a question may arise whether Lord Krishna is
partial in bestowing his grace upon those who absorb their minds in him versus
the worldly-minded souls. The Supreme Lord addresses this in the next verse.
The search for higher
things will be emphasized again and again in the case of human beings. That is
the line of human evolution; otherwise, it will be absolute stagnation at the
physical level. This human being, with an extraordinary instrument called the
cerebral system, has become stagnant at the sensory level, at the level of 'samsar' (संसार worldliness); what a
tragedy! That is what Vedanta says. Such a person is called a 'samsari' (संसारी worldly person), a man
or a woman getting stagnant at the sensory level. Living in the world does not
make one a 'samsari' (संसारी worldly person); but
getting stagnant at the sensory level makes one so; a whole civilization also
can become stagnant as a 'samsari' (संसारी).
--Swami
Ranganathananda- Gita 4.10.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram सत्यं शिवम् सुन्दरम्
Yoga
and Vedanta defines the Cosmic Reality in a threefold manner: Satyam Shivam Sundaram--Truth,
Auspiciousness, Beauty
“Satyam is the absolute eternal truth, the unity of all existence, our
true Self of pure consciousness that includes and transcends all name and form,
time, space and karma.
Shivam is what is supremely auspicious and fulfilling, in which there is
complete peace and tranquility beyond all disturbance, sorrow and death.
Sundaram is
ultimate beauty, bliss, happiness, contentment and delight, in which we find a
Divine light and presence in all. True Beauty is an inner consciousness
of bliss (Ananda) where the mind reflects our radiant cosmic inner Being.
Beauty unveils the dynamism of creativity, aligned with a higher mysticism,
idealism, harmony and wisdom.
When our
hearts, minds and expressions are in sync with the cosmic rhythms, we draw our
awareness into the bliss and beauty of Mother Earth and Mother Nature extending
into the unknowable Vast beyond. A contemplative heart lures the Divine into
all our experiences from the ground to the sky.
Discovering Sundaram
Cultivate
your ‘inner eye’ to see the saundarya or presence of beauty in
everything in nature around you. Meditate outside in nature open to the sky and
atmosphere. Awaken the innocent child within you to connect to the freedom of
life’s Lila or Divine play beyond the constraints of the mind.
The
Yogic perspective of ‘Beauty’ means Awakening Your Yoga Shakti, The Inner Power
of Yoga, highlighting the feminine nature, energy and grace behind the
universe. The key to this transformation rests in awakening an ‘Inner Beauty’
in whatever we do, as an expression of the Divine Ananda. Deeper Beauty
reflects a rich inner experience of life well lived, where we learn to
consecrate the sacred Shakti, awakening its intrinsic force as a continuous
flow of divine grace into all that we do.
The
transformative movement of time is the key player taking us into a sojourn in
our deeper truth, where beauty and bliss endure within us beyond all outer
appearances. Through accepting the movement of Nature, one realizes that beauty
is not merely about one’s appearance through body or face. Beauty manifests in
one’s spirit through our expression, thoughts, temperament and kindness – our
behavior overall and how we relate to others.
Beauty and Time
Human
life follows the rhythms and cycles of nature through the days, months, seasons
and stages of our lives, each which has its own place, beauty and wisdom.
Birth, growth, decay and death are part of a mystical process where we
are guided by our inner Being beyond time as measured by biological years.
Beauty must light up the sparkle in our eyes, where humor rings through our
laughter. We should not forget the beauty of the autumn leaves as we take our
pilgrimage in the realm of time.
Why
should we be embarrassed by our happiness in life? And if there is pain,
shouldn’t we help heal it instead of camouflaging it? We can experience it with
kindness as part of life, but move beyond it through life’s search for
transcendence.
The
gentle furrows between our eyebrows is a sign of character, where a deeper
wisdom comes from thoughtful contemplation. Beauty turns our inner world into
forays of intelligence from learning life’s many lessons, gentle or harsh.
Being obsessed with looking youthful through artificial means only hurts our
inner spirit. Being afraid of aging is like crushing the spirit of evolution.
Our grandmothers held a depth in their characters, despite the age lines which
marked their character of spirit.
The
Eternal Presence
Natural
beauty reflects one’s attitude in life, a sparkle of fire in one’s eyes, a
gentle and kind temperament to all. As we age, our character reflects more and
more on our faces, where love and kindness mark their luminosity and beauty,
intimating a deeper wisdom born of intelligence and compassion, the wisdom of
eternity, not the fear of time!
The
movement of life constantly enriches our existence, empowering our thoughts,
expressions and emotions to exude the sweet bliss of its divine journey. So why
should we hide behind the vagaries of the outer trappings which obscure our
inner truth. Embrace aging as a beautiful expression of life’s mystical
journey.
Look into
the mirror and embrace your inner light behind your visible form, or else you
will always look into the mirror with fear and anxiety and watch that calendar
on the wall as determining the movement of your life.”
We need
to embrace our Svashakti, our own
inner power of beauty and grace that pervades all that we see. Eternal
youthfulness is resting in the eternal presence of Being in which every moment is ever new through all of nature. Our
inner light can take us beyond death and sorrow, if we let it illuminate our
inner Self.
The
Devata of Beauty, Sundareshvara is
Shiva Mahadeva and his consort Parvati as Sundareshvari.
If we remember the Ananda that is Shiva and Shakti united within and around us,
then Satyam and Shivam, Truth and Auspiciousness with always be with us.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram (The Truth, the God, the Beauty) inspired the
famous Hindi film directed by Raj Kapoor and written
by Jainendra Jain,
starring Shashi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman.
The film's original soundtrack was composed by Lakshmikant–Pyarelal. It is a
social drama about the differences between physical and spiritual love. Satyam
Shivam Sundaram was released on 24 March 1978 on the day of Holi. The
film was dedicated to the iconic playback singer Mukesh,
who was the voice of Raj Kapoor in many films. He died two years before the film's release and his last recorded song was part of this movie.
--August 20,
2022
******************************************************
We
need to connect with Krishna Today
In everyone’s life also,
the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita happen.
Chapter 1: Visada Yoga--The first chapter is
where you regret and say, “I am powerless and I give up”.
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga--The second chapter
in your life is when someone wakes you up and says, “Hey come on! There’s
nothing to regret in life. There is something in you that doesn’t change and
you have the power to sail over all this”. Then you wake up and you felt good.
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga--The third chapter
tells you to act. Don’t sit and worry, ‘What about me? What about me? ?’ Go and
act, this isKarma Yoga.
Chapter 4: Jnana Yoga--The fourth chapter
tells you, now that you are acting you must also listen to knowledge. Don’t
become like a machine and only act, listen to knowledge as well . There is
something beyond all this.
Chapter 5: Karma Vairagya Yoga--The fifth
chapter tells you about material and spiritual knowledge. You cannot say, “Everything
is being done and there is nothing for me to do”, or you cannot think, “I am
doing everything. I did this and I did that”. This is not going to work for
you. Wake up and see, are things happening or are you really doing it?
Chapter 6: Abhyasa Yoga--Then the sixth
chapter is when you learn to meditate.
Chapter 7: Paramahamsa Vijnana Yoga--The
seventh chapter tells you, now that you’re meditating, you should know the
author of meditation and the one who is meditating in you. ‘Who am I? What is
time?’ Knowing all about science.
Chapter 10: Vibhuti-Vistara-Yoga-- you recognize
it and believe in it then it happens even more! Give a Like that it goes
on! When you meditate miracles happen in your life. Wake up and see the
miracles! Many don’t observe miracles, nor believe in it. If chance for
miracles to happen, don’t be so steeped in the material cause and effect —
‘I did this so this will happen’, or ‘I did that and only that will happen’,
no! You did it but something else can also happen out of the blue! Recognizing
that ‘something different’ is Vibhuti. Vibhuti means giving a chance for
miracles in your life, exploring it.
Chapter 11: Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga--Then after
that is knowing the universal self and knowing that everything is in me and I
am in everything.
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga--Then comes love and
devotion. You know and understand all this, but then what? It is not enough. You
should be in deep love! When you know that the divine loves you, you cannot but
fall in love with divine! That’s the 12th chapter.
Chapter 13: Ksetra-Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga--Then
you understand what are the divine qualities and what are the demonic qualities
and you realize that you have all the divine qualities in you.
Chapter 14: Gunatraya-Vibhaga Yoga--Then there
are the three qualities or Gunas (Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic) to everything:
mind, ego and food. Sattavic ego is, “I am everything and
everybody”. The Tamasic ego is knowing that you are only this body, and the
Rajasic ego is having a limited mindset and falling into craving and aversion.
Chapter 18: Moksa-Opadesa Yoga--The final
chapter is knowing that you cannot wash your own sins. Drop them and understand
what is being said, “I am here to take care of your sins. Feel that you
are mine, be connected to me and I will take care of everything. Just relax!’ This is Sanyaasa or Liberation.
For
the practice of yoga, Krishna is the Yogavatara, the incarnation of yoga in all
its aspects of knowledge, devotion and action.
If there is any single figure who represents
India, its yogic spirituality, vibrant culture and great history, it is Shri
Krishna. This is not an easy choice as India is
also the land of Buddha, Rama, Shankara and other sages and yogis of the
highest order.
Similarly,
if there is any single book that conveys the wisdom of India to the world, with
its synthesis of yogic teachings and cosmic consciousness, it is Krishna’s
Bhagavad Gita. The Gita remains the most
read and published book from India after many thousands of years.
The
Bhagavad Gita is the prime scripture of Hindu dharma and Shri Krishna is its
most visible teacher. Yet this fact has occurred not because Krishna gave us a
simple dogma or en masse prescription, or claimed to have spoken the last word
– but because Shri Krishna brings together all that is profound, beautiful and
wonderful in human thought and action, and links it with the Supreme Divine.
Shri
Krishna was a multisided personality, a renaissance man who mastered every
domain of human life according to the highest inner vision. He was not simply a
monk, a prophet or a saint, but a master of our full human potential, in the
world and beyond the world, as illumined by an unlimited Divine Light from
within the heart.
On
Krishna Janmashtami we must remember this great avatar of Yoga, who taught
Jnana, Bhakti and Karma Yoga in an integral manner.
“Shri Krishna’s Many
Teachings
For the
study of the most transcendent Vedantic philosophy of Atman and Brahman,
Krishna’s key teachings in the Bhagavad Gita remain central, unlocking the
Upanishadic wisdom of the highest Self-realization.
For the
practice of yoga, Krishna is the Yogavatara, the incarnation of yoga in all its
aspects. His Gita is one of the most important Yoga Shastras with each chapter
forming a special yogic approach of its own, covering all branches of Yoga in
more detail than the Yoga Sutras.
For Karma
Yoga and transformative action, Krishna’s counselling to Arjuna in the Gita is
the foundational teaching. As a statesman and diplomat par excellent no one
compares with Krishna.
That is
why Krishna and the Gita became the inspiration for India’s Independence
movement with Tilak, Aurobindo and Gandhi.
Shri Krishna and the
Beauty of Life
Yet
besides his towering spiritual and philosophical stature, Krishna became the
splendorous icon of art, music and dance – lauded in India’s literary and
artistic traditions and temple worship, north and south, east and west. His
flute is the basis of all music. His ras
lila is the ultimate dance. Indian painting revolves around his colorful
image.
As a
teacher of devotion, Shri Krishna reigns supreme as the ultimate image and
guide of Divine Love, as detailed in the many heart-rending stories about him.
These we find in the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vaishnava teachings.
Moreover,
Krishna has a special form and teaching for every age group and every phase of
human life. There is the infant or bala Krishna delighting his mother, the
trickster youthful Krishna fascinating his friends, Krishna as the enchanting
lover with his consort Radha, extending to Krishna as the husband, friend,
warrior, king, and supreme guru, each with its own wide dimension of experience
and wisdom.
Krishna
holds all the colors of the rainbow of human life, extending into all the colors
of the boundless universe, represented by the peacock feather that he wears,
and the all-encompassing cosmic form that he assumes in the Gita.
Krishna
reflects the beauty, diversity, abundance, paradox and profundity of India as a
whole and its many-sided dharmic traditions. On his birth date one can honor
any or all the many facets of the bejeweled light of Krishna.
The world
today needs the vast wisdom of Krishna, along with his creative inspiration,
diplomatic sagacity, and divine sense of play and delight.
Our world
is too heavy with material attachment, intellectual opinions, exploitation of
nature, and violence inciting cults in the name of God.
We should
listen to Krishna’s flute once more and open up to our own inner reality in the
divine play of consciousness and bliss.
We can
contact Krishna in any way we wish, with or without form, within or without, in
music or in silence, in dance or in stillness. He will surely respond.
The
message of Krishna is to carefully face all life’s difficulties directly and
decisively but remember to affirm that bliss is eternal, from Kurukshetra to
Vaikuntha. Though we may need to take our role as Arjuna, we must remember that
Krishna is taking us to the highest truth.
Jai
Shri Krishna!
--Vamadeva Shastri”
How can we lead a Life of Divine Contemplation-- Prashanti Nilayam
How can we lead a life of
divine contemplation even as we dispense our duties? Bhagawan lovingly coaches
us, taking an example.
Do not give up your worldly
duties, but do them with the name of God on your lips, inviting the grace of
God on your heads. Do not involve yourselves in the affairs of your neighbors
or others to the extent that you get so entangled that you cannot extricate
yourselves. Spend your time in the contemplation of the beauties of nature,
which are spread out before you in earth and sky — green expanses of the crops
you have raised, cool breezes that waft contentment and joy, the panorama of
colored clouds, the music of the birds, and so on.
Sing the glories of God as you
walk along the bunds of the fields and the banks of the canals. Do not talk
hatefully in the midst of all this evidence of love, do not get angry in these
placid surroundings; do not disturb the sky with your shouts and curses, and do
not pollute the air with vengeful boasts.
- Divine Discourse of Satya
Saibaba, Sep 02, 1958.
karmany-evadhikaras te ma phaleshu kadachana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te
sango ’stvakarmani--Bhagavad Gita
You have a right to perform
your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.
Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your
activities, nor be attached to inaction.
Do your duty, but do not
concern yourself with the results
We have the right to do our
duty, but the results are not dependent only upon our efforts. A number of
factors come into play in determining the results—our efforts, destiny (our
past karmas), the will of God, the efforts of others, the cumulative karmas of
the people involved, the place and situation (a matter of luck), etc. Now if we
become anxious for results, we will experience anxiety whenever they are not
according to our expectations. So, Shree Krishna advises Arjun to give up
concern for the results and instead focus solely on doing a good job. The fact
is that when we are unconcerned about the results, we are able to focus
entirely on our efforts, and the result is even better than before.
A humorous acronym for this
is NATO or Not Attached to Outcome. Consider its application
to a simple everyday activity such as playing golf. When people play golf, they
are engrossed in the fruits—whether their score is under par, over par, etc.
Now if they could merely focus on playing the shots to the best of their
ability, they would find it the most enjoyable game of golf they have ever
played. Additionally, with their complete focus on the shot being played, their
game would be raised to a higher level.
The fruits of your actions are
not for your enjoyment
To perform actions is an
integral part of human nature. Having come into this world, we all have various
duties determined by our family situation, social position, occupation, etc.
While performing these actions, we must remember that we are not the enjoyers
of the results—the results are meant for the pleasure of God. The individual
soul is a tiny part of God (verse 15.7), and hence our inherent nature is to
serve him through all our actions.
dāsa bhūtamidaṁ tasya jagatsthāvara
jangamam
śhrīmannārāyaṇa swāmī jagatāṁprabhurīśhwaraḥ (Padma Puran)[v40]
“God is the Master of the
entire creation; all moving and non-moving beings are his servants.” Material
consciousness is characterized by the following manner of thoughts, “I am the
proprietor of all that I possess. It is all meant for my enjoyment. I have the
right to enhance my possessions and maximize my enjoyment.” The reverse of this
is Spiritual consciousness, which is characterized by thoughts such as, “God is
the owner and enjoyer of this entire world. I am merely his selfless servant. I
must use all that I have in the service of God.” Accordingly, Shree Krishna
instructs Arjun not to think of himself as the enjoyer of the fruits of his
actions.
Even while working, give up the
pride of doer-ship
Shree Krishna wants Arjun to
give up kartritwābhimān, or the ego of being the doer. He instructs
Arjun never to chase after preconceived motives attached to his actions nor
consider himself as the cause of the results of his actions. However, when we
perform actions, then why should we not consider ourselves as the doers of
those actions? The reason is that our senses, mind, and intellect are inert;
God energizes them with his power and puts them at our disposal. As a result,
only with the help of the power we receive from him, are we able to work. For
example, the tongs in the kitchen are inactive by themselves, but they get
energized by someone’s hand, and then they perform even difficult tasks, such
as lifting burning coal, etc. Now if we say that the tongs are the doers of
actions, it will be inaccurate. If the hand did not energize them, what would
they be able to do? They would merely lie inert on the table. Similarly, if God
did not supply our body-mind-soul mechanism with the power to perform actions,
we could have done nothing. Thus, we must give up the ego of doing, remembering
that God is the only source of the power by which we perform all our
actions.
All the above thoughts are very nicely summarized in the following popular
Sanskrit verse:
yatkṛitaṁ yatkariṣhyāmi tatsarvaṁ na mayā kṛitam
tvayā kṛitaṁ tu phalabhuk tvameva madhusūdana -- (Padma Puran) [v40]
“Whatever I have achieved and whatever I wish to achieve, I am not the doer of
these. O Madhusudan, you are the real doer, and you alone are the enjoyer of
their results.”
Do not be attached to
inaction
Although the nature of the
living being is to work, often situations arise where work seems burdensome and
confusing. In such cases, instead of running away from it, we must understand
and implement the proper science of work, as explained by Shree Krishna to
Arjun. However, it is highly inappropriate if we consider work as laborious and
burdensome, and resort to inaction. Becoming attached to inaction is
never the solution and is clearly condemned in Bhagavad Gita!
Does everything in the
universe have some sort of consciousness?
Some say that everything
in the Universe have sort of Consciousness. Explaining how something
as complex as consciousness can emerge from a grey, jelly-like lump of tissue
in the head is arguably the greatest scientific challenge of our time. The
brain is an extraordinarily complex
organ, consisting of almost 100
billion cells – known as neurons – each connected to 10,000 others, yielding
some ten trillion nerve connections.
We have made a great
deal of progress in understanding brain
activity, and how it contributes to human behavior. But what no one has so far
managed to explain is how all of this results in feelings, emotions and
experiences. How does the passing around of electrical and chemical signals
between neurons result in a feeling of pain or an experience of red?
There is growing
suspicion that conventional
scientific methods will never be able answer these questions. Luckily, there is
an alternative approach that may ultimately be able to crack the mystery.
For much of the 20th century,
there was a great taboo against querying the mysterious inner world of
consciousness – it was not taken to be a fitting topic for “serious science”.
Things have changed a lot, and there is now broad agreement that the problem of
consciousness is a serious scientific issue. But many consciousness researchers
underestimate the depth of the challenge, believing that we just need to
continue examining the physical structures of the brain to work out how they
produce consciousness.
The problem of consciousness,
however, is radically unlike any other scientific problem. One reason is that
consciousness is unobservable. You can’t look inside someone’s head and see
their feelings and experiences. If we were just going off what we can observe
from a third-person perspective, we would have no grounds for postulating
consciousness at all.
We know that consciousness
exists not through but through our immediate awareness of our feelings and
experiences.
Of course, scientists are used
to dealing with un-observables. Electrons, for example, are too small to be
seen. But scientists postulate unobservable entities in order to explain what
we observe, such as lightning or vapor trails in cloud chambers. But in the
unique case of consciousness, the thing to be explained cannot be observed. We
know that consciousness exists not through experiments but through our
immediate awareness of our feelings and experiences.
So how can science ever explain
it? When we are dealing with the data of observation, we can do experiments to
test whether what we observe matches what the theory predicts. But when we are
dealing with the unobservable data of consciousness, this methodology breaks
down. The best scientists are able to do is to correlate unobservable
experiences with observable processes, by scanning
people’s brains and relying on their
reports regarding their private conscious experiences.
By this method, we can
establish, for example, that the invisible feeling of hunger is correlated with
visible activity in the brain’s hypothalamus. But the accumulation of such
correlations does not amount to a theory of consciousness. What we ultimately
want is to explain why conscious experiences are correlated with
brain activity. Why is it that such activity in the hypothalamus comes along
with a feeling of hunger?
In fact, we should not be
surprised that our standard scientific method struggles to deal with
consciousness. As I explore in my new book, Galileo’s
Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness, modern science was explicitly designed to exclude
consciousness.
Before the “father of modern
science” Galileo Galilei, scientists believed that the physical world was filled with
qualities, such as colors and smells. But Galileo wanted a purely quantitative
science of the physical world, and he therefore proposed that these qualities
were not really in the physical world philosopher Bertrand
Russell and the scientist Arthur
Eddington. Their starting point was that
physical science doesn’t really tell us what matter is.
This may seem bizarre, but it
turns out that physics is confined to telling us about
the behavior of matter. For example, matter has mass and charge,
properties which are entirely characterized in terms of behavior – attraction,
repulsion and resistance to acceleration. Physics tells us nothing about what
philosophers like to call “the intrinsic nature of matter”, how matter is in
and of itself.
The result is a type of
“panpsychism” – an ancient view that consciousness is a fundamental and
ubiquitous feature of the physical world.
It turns out, then, that there
is a huge hole in our scientific world view – physics leaves us completely in
the dark about what matter really is. The proposal of Russell and Eddington was
to fill that hole with consciousness.
The result is a type of “pan-psychism” – an ancient view that consciousness is a fundamental and
ubiquitous feature of the physical world. But the “new
wave” of panpsychism lacks the mystical
connotations of previous forms of the view. There is only matter – nothing
spiritual or supernatural – but matter can be described from two perspectives.
Physical science describes matter “from the outside”, in terms of its behavior,
but matter “from the inside” is constituted of forms of consciousness.
This means that
mind is matter, and that even elementary particles exhibit incredibly
basic forms of consciousness. Before you write that off, consider this.
Consciousness can vary
in complexity. We have good reason to think
that the conscious experiences of a horse are much less complex than those of a
human being, and that the conscious experiences of a rabbit are less
sophisticated than those of a horse. As organisms become simpler, there may be
a point where consciousness suddenly switches off – but it’s also possible that
it just fades but never disappears completely, meaning even an electron has a
tiny element of consciousness.
Physical science describes
matter “from the outside”, in terms of its behavior, but matter “from the
inside” is constituted of forms of consciousness.
What panpsychism offers us is a
simple, elegant way of integrating consciousness into our scientific worldview.
Strictly speaking it cannot be tested; the unobservable nature of consciousness
entails that any theory of consciousness that goes beyond mere correlations is
not strictly speaking testable. But I believe it can be justified by a form of
inference to the best explanation: panpsychic is the simplest
theory of how consciousness fits
in to our scientific story.
While our current scientific
approach offers no theory at all – only correlations – the traditional
alternative of claiming that consciousness is in the soul leads to a profligate
picture of nature in which mind and body are distinct. Panpsychism avoids both
of these extremes, and this is why some of our leading neuroscientists are
now embracing
it as the best framework for
building a science of consciousness.
I am optimistic that we will
one day have a science of consciousness, but it won’t be science as we know it
today. Nothing less than a revolution is called for, and it’s already on its
way.
Editor’s note: Professor Goff
suggests that "panpsychism lacks the mystical connotations of previous
forms of the view." Here I'd like to just add that whatever the word
"mystical" refers to I don't believe that the Jewish view ever considered
mind and body to be made from anything but the same primal substance. Much as
Einstein demonstrated that light (energy) and matter are ultimately one and the
same, so too is physicality a "condensed" aspect of
"spiritual" energy. There need not be any conflict. What was once
called mystical is today's scientific fact and I believe that as time goes by
there will be more and more of a convergence of thinking in the scientific,
philosophical, and theological worlds. Indeed, from my vantage point, the
contemporary re-discovery of is one positive step in that direction.
*************************************************************
Some Philosophers and
Scientists say that Every Thing in the Universe have Some Sort of
Consciousness
Explaining how something as
complex as consciousness can emerge from a grey, jelly-like lump of tissue in
the head is arguably the greatest scientific challenge of our time. The brain
is an extraordinarily complex organ, consisting of almost 100 billion cells – known as neurons – each
connected to 10,000 others, yielding some ten trillion nerve connections.
We have made a great deal of progress in understanding brain activity, and how it contributes to
human behavior. But what no one has so far managed to explain is how all of
this results in feelings, emotions and experiences. How does the passing around
of electrical and chemical signals between neurons result in a feeling of pain
or an experience of red?
There is growing suspicion that conventional scientific methods will never be able
answer these questions. Luckily, there is an alternative approach that may
ultimately be able to crack the mystery.
For much of the 20th century,
there was a great taboo against querying the mysterious inner world of
consciousness – it was not taken to be a fitting topic for “serious science”.
Things have changed a lot, and there is now broad agreement that the problem of
consciousness is a serious scientific issue. But many consciousness researchers
underestimate the depth of the challenge, believing that we just need to
continue examining the physical structures of the brain to work out how they
produce consciousness.
The problem of consciousness,
however, is radically unlike any other scientific problem. One reason is that
consciousness is unobservable. You can’t look inside someone’s head and see
their feelings and experiences. If we were just going off what we can observe
from a third-person perspective, we would have no grounds for postulating
consciousness at all.
We know that consciousness
exists not through experiments but through our immediate awareness of our
feelings and experiences.
Of course, scientists are used
to dealing with un-observables. Electrons, for example, are too small to be
seen. But scientists postulate unobservable entities in order to explain what
we observe, such as lightning or vapor trails in cloud chambers. But in the
unique case of consciousness, the thing to be explained cannot be observed. We
know that consciousness exists not through experiments but through our
immediate awareness of our feelings and experiences.
So how can science ever explain
it? When we are dealing with the data of observation, we can do experiments to
test whether what we observe matches what the theory predicts. But when we are
dealing with the unobservable data of consciousness, this methodology breaks
down. The best scientists are able to do is to correlate unobservable
experiences with observable processes, by scanning people’s brains and relying on their reports regarding their private
conscious experiences.
By this method, we can
establish, for example, that the invisible feeling of hunger is correlated with
visible activity in the brain’s hypothalamus. But the accumulation of such
correlations does not amount to a theory of consciousness. What we ultimately
want is to explain why conscious experiences are correlated with
brain activity. Why is it that such activity in the hypothalamus comes along
with a feeling of hunger?
In fact, we should not be surprised
that our standard scientific method struggles to deal with consciousness. As I
explore in my new book, Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of
Consciousness, modern science was
explicitly designed to exclude consciousness.
Before the “father of modern
science” Galileo
Galilei, scientists believed that the
physical world was filled with qualities, such as colors and smells. But
Galileo wanted a purely quantitative science of the physical world, and he
therefore proposed that these qualities were not really in the physical world
but in consciousness, which he stipulated was outside of the domain of
science.
This worldview forms the
backdrop of science to this day. And so long as we work within it, the best we
can do is to establish correlations between the quantitative brain processes we
can see and the qualitative experiences that we can’t, with no way of
explaining why they go together.
Mind is matter
I believe there is a way
forward, an approach that’s rooted in work from the 1920s by the
philosopher Bertrand Russell and the scientist Arthur Eddington. Their starting point was that physical science doesn’t really
tell us what matter is.
This may seem bizarre, but it
turns out that physics is confined to telling us about
the behavior of matter. For example, matter has mass and charge,
properties which are entirely characterized in terms of behavior – attraction,
repulsion and resistance to acceleration. Physics tells us nothing about what
philosophers like to call “the intrinsic nature of matter”, how matter is in
and of itself.
The result is a type of
“panpsychism” – an ancient view that consciousness is a fundamental and
ubiquitous feature of the physical world.
It turns out, then, that there
is a huge hole in our scientific world view – physics leaves us completely in
the dark about what matter really is. The proposal of Russell and Eddington was
to fill that hole with consciousness.
The result is a type of “pan-psychism” – an ancient view that consciousness is a fundamental and
ubiquitous feature of the physical world. But the “new wave” of panpsychism lacks the mystical connotations of previous forms of the
view. There is only matter – nothing spiritual or supernatural – but matter can
be described from two perspectives. Physical science describes matter “from the
outside”, in terms of its behavior, but matter “from the inside” is constituted
of forms of consciousness.
This means that
mind is matter, and that even elementary particles exhibit incredibly
basic forms of consciousness. Before you write that off, consider this.
Consciousness can vary in complexity. We have good reason to think that the conscious experiences of a
horse are much less complex than those of a human being, and that the conscious
experiences of a rabbit are less sophisticated than those of a horse. As
organisms become simpler, there may be a point where consciousness suddenly
switches off – but it’s also possible that it just fades but never disappears
completely, meaning even an electron has a tiny element of consciousness.
Physical science describes
matter “from the outside”, in terms of its behavior, but matter “from the
inside” is constituted of forms of consciousness.
What panpsychism offers us is a
simple, elegant way of integrating consciousness into our scientific worldview.
Strictly speaking it cannot be tested; the unobservable nature of consciousness
entails that any theory of consciousness that goes beyond mere correlations is
not strictly speaking testable. But I believe it can be justified by a form of
inference to the best explanation: panpsychism is the simplest theory of how consciousness fits in to our scientific story.
While our current scientific
approach offers no theory at all – only correlations – the traditional
alternative of claiming that consciousness is in the soul leads to a profligate
picture of nature in which mind and body are distinct. Panpsychism avoids both
of these extremes, and this is why some of our leading neuroscientists are
now embracing it as the best framework for building a science of
consciousness.
***********************************************************************
UNITED GOVRNMENT
POLICY ISSUES
o
The US government is based on ideas of limited government, including
religious freedom, natural
rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and social contract. Limited
government is the belief that the government should have certain restrictions
in order to protect the individual rights and civil liberties of citizens.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that everyone in the United States has
the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all.
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY
We prioritize anti-corruption and seek to make it even
harder for criminality and terrorism to take root and spread, to promote
governments that are more stable and accountable, and to level the playing
field for U.S. businesses to compete in every region.
ARMS CONTROL AND NONPROLIFERATION
We work to counter threats to the United States and the
international order caused by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
and their delivery systems, advanced conventional weapons, and related
materials, technologies, and expertise.
U.S. climate and environment diplomacy aspires to realize
economic growth, energy security, and a healthy planet. The well-being of the
natural world affects millions of U.S. jobs and the health of our people, and
so we work with partners to advance U.S. interests on issues such as addressing
the climate crisis, combating wildlife trafficking, fostering resilience,
conserving nature, water security, and reducing harmful pollutants.
Bold action to tackle the climate crisis is more urgent
than ever. The record-breaking heat, floods, storms, drought, and wildfires
devastating communities around the world underscore the grave risks we already
face. Through our actions at home and our leadership abroad, the United States
is doing its part to build a zero-carbon future that creates good jobs and
ensures a healthy, livable planet for generations to come.
Effectively combating transnational criminal
organizations requires a comprehensive, committed, and well-coordinated
approach between us, other federal agencies, and our partners around the world.
COVID-19 is a global challenge that requires a
global response. Together, we will lead the world out of this pandemic.
The United States is exercising diplomatic leadership to
mobilize an international response to the COVID-19 pandemic and
its secondary impacts while strengthening global biosecurity
infrastructure to address both the current crisis and future health-related
threats.
As the threats posed by terrorist organizations continue
to evolve, we work to build global consensus to degrade and defeat these
adversaries. We also work closely with the Departments of Defense,
Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, and the Intelligence Community to lead an
integrated whole-of-government approach to international counterterrorism.
In partnership with other countries, we lead the U.S.
government’s efforts to promote an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable
information and communications infrastructure that supports international trade
and commerce, strengthens international security, and fosters free expression
and innovation.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND TRADE POLICY
Our economic officers’ focus on building a strong U.S.
economy that creates jobs and underpins national security, highlight economic
considerations in policy formulation, and build the relationships needed to
expand commercial ties that drive American prosperity.
We promote U.S. interests globally on critical issues
such as ensuring economic and energy security for the United States and its
allies and partners, removing barriers to energy development and trade, and
promoting U.S. best practices regarding transparency and good governance. We
also work to deny terrorists and rogue nations access to funds derived from
energy production.
Outbreaks of infectious disease do not respect national
boundaries. Halting and treating diseases at their points of origin is one of
the best and most economical ways of saving lives and protecting Americans. We
actively work to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.
The United States is committed to advancing gender
equality and the empowerment of women and girls through U.S. foreign policy. We
have identified four key priorities to advance gender equality and the status
of women and girls around the world: women, peace, and security; women’s
economic empowerment; gender-based violence; and adolescent girls.
The United States uses a wide range of tools to advance a
freedom agenda, including bilateral diplomacy, multilateral engagement, foreign
assistance, reporting and public outreach, and economic sanctions. We work with
democratic partners, international and regional organizations, nongovernmental
organizations, and engaged citizens to support those seeking freedom.
We lead U.S. global engagement to combat human
trafficking and support the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts across the
U.S. government. The United States follows the widely used “3P” paradigm —
prosecution, protection, and prevention — to combat human trafficking
worldwide. We also employ a “4th P” — for partnership — as a complementary
means to achieve progress across the 3Ps and enlist all segments of society in
the fight against modern slavery.
The United States works to efficiently and effectively
develop and manage ocean resources with neighboring countries and the
international community to preserve their health and wealth for many
generations to come. The changes today in the Arctic — economic, social, and
environmental — transcend national borders, opening new opportunities and
making international cooperation critical for the Arctic’s continued
sustainable development.
REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
The primary goal of U.S. humanitarian assistance is to
save lives and alleviate suffering by ensuring that vulnerable and
crisis-affected individuals receive assistance and protection. U.S.
funding provides life-saving assistance to tens of millions of displaced and
crisis-affected people, including refugees, worldwide.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION
We execute public diplomacy programs that promote the
value of science to the general public. We also implement capacity-building
programs in emerging markets that train young people to become science and
technology entrepreneurs. Our efforts contribute to scientific enterprises that
hasten economic growth and advance U.S. foreign policy priorities.
TREATIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Treaties and other international agreements are written
agreements between sovereign states (or between states and international
organizations) governed by international law. The United States enters
into more than 200 treaties and other international agreements each year.
**************************************************************
THE ANCIENT SAGES, EARLIER CIVILIZATIONS AND A NEW HUMANITY
Know the Rishis and Rishikiis, the
early creations and their descendants, the wise men and women of the unknown
and unfathomable eons that were the embodiments of knowledge and sublimity,
purity and humanity and compassion and humility. They were great scientists,
discoverers, and research guides; and inventors of food-grain to fruits and
flowers; of ploughs and yoke to Ayurveda and herbal medicines; from boats and
ships to road-transports and planes; of everything that we possess today, from
celestial bodies to metaphysics, geometry, trigonometry, algebra and
photography, and numerous other things. We are proud of them and their gifts.
Know thd Ashramas to temples-and
palaces, and made us know the physical bode Rishis and Rishiikas that knew and
taught all about the earth and universe; planets and constellation; climate,
seasons and meteorology, clouds, rain, water, fire, space and soil. They gave
us the ways of constructing huts any and spiritual self, the outer reality and
the inner truth, and taught us the ways of health, wealth, peace, pleasure and
prosperity.
Prof. Shrikant Prasoon believes that all religions are integral and
inseparable, living and developing parts of one basic religion called Humanism;
and all the systems are an outcome of the greatest celestial system, which is
devised and regulated by the Unseen and Unknown Creator. A retired Professor of
English, Prof. Prasoon writes in Hindi and also in Sanskrit with equal ease.
His recent books are Knowing Buddha, Knowing Guru Nanak, Indian Scriptures,
Panch Mahabhuta Tatwa and Sharira, Chanukah, Netaji Subhas Bose, Absorbing
Buddha, On Management, Knowing Kabir, Hinduism: Clarified and Simplified,
Indian Saints and Sages and 16 Hindu Samskaras.
Rishis and Rishlkas will make people
understand those sublime, divine and illuminated scholars; and awaken and
encourage them to imbibe their power, purity, universality and other qualities
for peaceful sustenance of life on the Mother Earth.
“All great ancient
civilizations of Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe looked back to earlier
civilizations connected to great sages and seers, usually seven in number. The
Vedas preserve their teachings in their own voice. Hold the keys to our
spiritual origin and goal.
We find teachings about
earlier humanities and their spiritual accomplishments not just in the Vedas
but in the Taoists of China, the Maya and Incas of the Americas, the Druids of
Europe, Babylonian and Sumerian records, ancient Egypt and Iran, the
Polynesians and many more.
In our time of
civilizational crisis today, we must recognize that our current high tech
civilization is neither the first, nor the last, nor the highest.
We must once more honor
the ancient sages and yogis and promote an evolution or universal Consciousness
in humanity, not just material powers or outer resources. That is the challenge
of civilizational transformation for this century and more.
May the wisdom and
vision of the Rishis awaken in all!
Sri Veda Purushaya
Namaha- David Frawley”
--August 15, 2022
***************************************************************
Significance Sri Krishna’s Birth in the Darkness of Night
“yadekamavyaktamanantarūpaṁ viśvaṁ purāṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastāt “--MUN.
Here some details are given in
the order of evolution, namely, the Prakṛti, the five elements consisting of water and
the rest, the terrestrial region, plants, animals and men. Paramātman dwells as
the innermost Spirit of all creatures: It
is asserted that in spite of the transformation of the Paramātman into the
gross universe and His residence within the smallest of created beings, He is
still greater than the greatest, higher than the highest, subtler than the
subtlest and older than the oldest. Though he has become the manifold universe of variety and
multiplicity as Avatars, yet, He remains one and undivided. He
is beyond the taint of darkness and sensuous knowledge.
"A dark and stormy night
led to the birth of Devaki’s eighth child at midnight. With the
baby as dark as night, the sky was overcast that night. Accordingly, he was
called Krishna, which means he had darker skin or skin that black. As Vasudev
and Devaki waited in anxiety for Kansa to show up, all of a sudden there was no
response.
Shri Krishna is today one of
the most widely revered and most popular of all Hindu Gods. He is worshipped as
the eighth incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna is also
worshipped as a supreme god in his own right by numerous sects around the
world.
South Indian states of Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh celebrate Sri Krishna Jayanthi on August 18, however
in North India Janmashtami is celebrated on August 18, 2022 Thursday.
Sri Krishna was born, in the
darkness of night, born into the locked confines of a jail cell where His
mother and father were being held prisoners. However, at the moment of His
birth, all the guards fell asleep, the chains were broken, and the barred doors
gently opened.
There is a beautiful message
here, even from the first moment of the life of Sri Krishna: We may be living
in the darkness of midnight; we may be bound and chained by so many
attachments, temptations, angers, grudges, pains and by the binding force of
Maya. We may feel ourselves locked into the prison of our own bodies, the prison
of duality. However, as soon as Krishna takes birth in our hearts,
all darkness fades, all chains are broken and all prison doors open freely.
Wherever Krishna is, there are no locks.
Also, we can see that the door
to Krishna – from any direction, inside or outside – is always open.
The only lock is the lock of our own ignorance, our own illusions. As soon as
that ignorance is dispelled, as soon as we see His glowing form, all the doors
in this life and in all lives open to us. "
--Swami Chidananda Saraswati
Lord Krishna descends to this
material world to attract the fallen souls, who are struggling hard in this
material world due to spiritual amnesia. Krishna thus tries His best to make us
remember our real identity, by attracting us through His beautiful pastimes.
Krishna instructs Vyasadeva, an avesha incarnation of Lord Narayana, to record
these pastimes in books such as Srimad Bhagavatam. It doesn’t stop there.
Krishna then personally appears in Kali Yuga in the form of Lord Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu to distribute the love of God freely to anyone and everyone. It
doesn’t stop there either. Then Krishna sends His Senapati Bhakta (eternal
associate) such as Srila Prabhupada to write a commentary on such
transcendental books. It doesn't stop there still. Krishna keeps on sending His
eternal associates so that we may get the opportunity to associate with
devotees and may finally return to Him. Such unsolicited compassion is never to
be seen in this material world. Thus, it is understood that it is only due to
Krishna’s all-merciful nature, He descends repeatedly in this material world (sambhavāmi
yuge yuge- I appear in every Millennium- Bhagavad Gita 4.8)
|| śrīkṛṣṇa navakaṁ - śrīgarga saṁhitā ||
The following is a rare
9-stanza hymn (Navakam) on Lord Krishna by Gopikas taken from Sri Garga
Samhita, Vrindavana Khanda and Chapter 22.
gopya ūcuḥ -
lokābhirāma janabhūṣaṇa viśvadīpa kandarpa mohana jagad-vṛjinārti-hārin | ānanda-kanda yadu-nandana nanda-sūno svacchanda
padma makaranda namo namaste || 1 ||
go vipra sādhu vijaya-dhvaja
deva vandya kaṁsādi-daitya-vadha-hetu-kṛtā 'vatāra | śrīnanda-rāja-kula
padma dineśa deva devādi mukta jana darpaṇa te jayo'stu || 2 ||
gopāla sindhu
paramauktika-rūpa-dhārin gopāla-vaṁśa giri nīlamaṇe parātman | gopāla maṇḍala sarovara kañjamūrte gopāla candana-vane kalahaṁsa mukhya || 3 ||
śrīrādhikā-vadana-paṅkaja ṣaṭ-padastvaṁ śrīrādhikā-vadana-candra cakora-rūpaḥ | śrīrādhikā-hṛdaya sundara candrahāra
śrīrādhikā madhu-latā kusumākaro'si || 4 ||
yo rāsa-raṅga nija-vaibhava bhūri līlo yo
gopikā-nayana jīvana mūlahāraḥ | mānaṁ cakāra rahasā kila mānavatyāṁ so'yaṁ harir bhavatu no nayanā 'gragāmī || 5 ||
yo gopikā sakala yūthamalaṁ cakāra vṛndāvanaṁ ca nijapāda rajobhiradrim
| yaḥ sarvaloka-vibhavāya babhūva bhūmau taṁ bhūrilīla muragendra
bhujaṁ bhajāmaḥ || 6 ||
candraṁ pratapta-kiraṇa-jvalanaṁ prasannaṁ sarvaṁ vanāntamasi patra pavana
praveśam | bāṇaṁ prabhañjanaṁ atīva sumandayānaṁ manyāmahe kila bhavantamṛte vyathārtāḥ || 7 ||
saudāsa rāja mahiṣī virahād atīva jātaṁ sahasra-guṇitaṁ nalapaṭṭarājñāḥ | tasmāt tu koṭi guṇitaṁ janakātmajāyās tasmād anantaṁ atiduḥkhamalaṁ hare naḥ || 8 ||
śrīudbhavaḥ sakala bhakta-śiromaṇīśas tvat-pāda-padma
vara-mukhyadhikāra-kārī | tasmād vayaṁ ca caraṇau śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ smaḥ śrīman kṛpāṁ kuru śaraṇyapade śaraṇye || 9 ||
|| iti śrīgārga-saṁhitāyāṁ vṛndāvana-khaṇḍe rāsakrīḍā-nāmā'dhyāye gopyaḥ-kṛtaṁ śrīkṛṣṇanavakaṁ sampūrṇam ||
Four other countries
celebrate their independence day on 15 August, along with India
Four other countries that celebrate their
independence day on 15 August along with India – Bahrain, North Korea,
South Korea, and Liechtenstein.
INDIA
In India, 15 August is celebrated as Independence Day every
year. This year, the nation will be celebrating its 76th Independence Day, marking 75 years of the country's
independence from British rule. A special event called 'Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav' will be organized by the Indian government to pay tribute to the
freedom fighters. The programs at the event will also honor the history,
culture, and achievements of the nation as a whole.
Indian Independence Day
Satsang - Dhruv Chhatralia BEM in Conversation with Dr. David Frawley and Eve
Mendoza on Bharat (India) and why we love the Motherland on 14 August 2022.
Healing Our Earth are delighted to invite you to a Live Online Video session on
Sunday 14 August 2022 to celebrate Indian Independence Day 2022.
Dhruv Chhatralia BEM
will discuss with Dr. David Frawley and Eve Mendoza about the beautiful
qualities of Bharat (India) and why we love the Motherland.
Dr. David Frawley is a
Padma Bhushan Indian National Award recipient, Author of over 20 books and
renowned speaker on Hinduism. Eve Mendoza is renowned speaker, broadcaster and
teacher on Mantra Shastra, the Vedanga and the Vedic Sciences. Dhruv Chhatralia
BEM is a Queen’s New Year’s Honors List Award Recipient, Author of 21 books and
prominent speaker on Hinduism.
LIECHTENSTEIN
Celebrated as National Day in
Liechtenstein since 1940, it also includes a traditional fireworks ceremony
that takes place at 10 pm CEST on the day. August 15 was officially declared a
National Holiday by law in 1990 and for two reasons- first, it was already a
bank holiday and second, the birthday of the ruling prince in 1940, and Prince
Franz Jose II was on August 16. Even after his death in 1989, the tradition
continued.
The huge celebrations are attended
by thousands of Liechtenstein citizens, followed by the State Act held on the
front lawn of Vaduz Castle that includes speeches by the Prince and the
President of the parliament. Citizens are invited for a reception in the
gardens of the castle as it is the only day when the gardens are open to the
public.
BAHRAIN
Bahrain gained independence from the
British rule on August 15, 1971 and was one of the first Gulf States to
discover oil and build a refinery in 1931. Although Britain and the Ottoman
government signed a treaty recognizing the country’s independence in 1913, it
still remained under British administration. In 1971, Bahrain declared its
independence and signed a friendship treaty with the British. August 14
is said to be the actual date of independence, however, the nation recognizes
August 15 as its Independence Day.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Also known as the ‘Congolese
National Day’, the Republic of the Congo received its complete independence
from France in 1960, exactly 80 years after it came under the French rule. It
was a Marxist-Leninist state from 1969 to 1992 and has had multi-party
elections since 1992.
SOUTH KOREA AND NORTH KOREA
The
day is called Gwangbokjeol, which means Time of the Restoration of Light, and
marks Korea’s independence from 35 years long Japanese colonization since 1945.
It is the only common public holiday celebrated by both countries and is also
known as National Liberation Day of Korea. On this day, Imperial Japan
surrendered in the Second World War and three years later, Korea was divided
into the Soviet-backed North and the US-backed South.
Comments:
Thank you, Mama. Your emails are
full of great info. Thanks again,
--Raj Arcot
I did not know this! Thank you very much!
--Aparna Arcot
“INDIA AS BHARAT: FOR
INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY
India's constitution
speaks of the "India that is Bharat." The main traditional name for
India is Bharat or Bharata Varsha. The Bharatas were the dominant people of the
Rigveda whose central land was the Vedic Sarasvati River in the Kurukshetra
region.
Bharatas were a branch
of the Purus, one of the five Vedic peoples along with the Yadus, Turvashas,
Anus and Druhyus. Bharatas were also closely connected with the Ikshvakus.
The Kurus and Panchalas
were branches of the Bharatas. The great epic Mahabharata reflects the history
and teachings of the Bharatas and a civil war in the Kuru dynasty.
Bharata Varsha had
sixteen janapadas or kingdoms from South India to the Himalayas from
Afghanistan to Southeast Asia mentioned in Vedic, Buddhist and Jain texts.
The people of India are
called Bharatiyas. The traditional term for Indian civilization is Bharatiya
Samskriti, with the term Samskriti referring to culture.
The term India derives
from the term Sindhu or river in the Vedas in which India was also called Sapta
Sindhu or the land of the seven rivers. The same term occurs in the ancient
Zoroastrian Zend Avesta as Hapta Hindu, and in the later name for India as
Hindustan, the land of the rivers. The term Hindu derives from this as well,
though the traditional name for Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma or the Eternal
Dharma, which better describes it.
To reclaim India's
ancient civilization one must honor India as Bharat and its civilization as
Bharatiya Samskriti, which is also rooted in the Sanskrit language and its
terminology. This would put an end to the confusion of when India began and
which peoples created it and were part of it. All of this precedes the British
and Muslim periods in India by thousands of years. India's independence is
Bharat rising again today.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!--Dr. David Frawley”
Comments:
Thank you mama
Happy Indian Independence day!
--Aparna Arcot
For those who know Kannada:
ಏಳೆ ಮಾವಿನ ಎಲೆಗಳ ತಳಿರಿನ ನಡುವಿನಲ್ಲಿ/
ಎಲೆ ಕೋಗಿಲೆಯೇ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕವಿ ಕೋಗಿಲೆಯೇ/
ಕೊಳಲಿನ ಸ್ಪಂದನದಲಿ ವೀಣೆಯ ಕಂಪನದಲಿ
ಹಾಡುವೆಯ ಆಲಾಪಿಸುವೆಯ ದೇಶಭಕ್ತಿ ಗೀತೆಯ/
ಏಳೆ ಮಾವಿನ ಎಲೆಗಳ ತಳಿರಿನ ನಡುವಿನಲ್ಲಿ/
ಕುಳಿತು ನೀ ಹಾಡು ಪರವಶದಲಿ ದೇಶ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಗೀತೆಯ/
ಕುಹಕುಹವಿನ ಸಿರಿಕಂಠ ಧ್ವನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂಚರ ಇಂಪಿನಲ್ಲಿ/
ಎಲೆ ಕೋಗಿಲೆಯೇ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕವಿ ಕೋಗಿಲೆಯೇ/
ದೇಶಾಭಿಮಾನದಲಿ
ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಲಿ ಸ್ವಾಭಿಮಾನದಲಿ/
ಸ್ವರಗೊಳಿಸುವೆಯ
ಶೃತಿಗೊಳಿಸುವೆಯ ದೇಶಪ್ರೇಮ ಗೀತೆಯ
ಎಳೆ ಮಾವಿನ ಎಲೆಗಳ ಚಿಗುರಿನ ನಡುವಿನಲ್ಲಿ/
ಕುಳಿತು ನೀ ಹಾಡು ದೇಶ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಗೀತೆಯ ಆವೇಶದಲಿ
ಕುಹಕುಹವಿನ ಸಿರಿಕಂಠ ಧ್ವನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಂಜುಳ ಗಾನದಲ್ಲಿ/
\ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದಮೃತ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರೊತ್ಸವ ಸಂಭ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ/
ಹೊಸ ರಾಗದಲಿ ಮಾದುರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀ ಹಾಡುವೆಯ
ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕೆ ಸಾರಲು ಭಾರಾತಾಂಬೆಯ ಭವ್ಯ ಚರಿತ್ರೆಯ/
ಹಾಡು ನೀ ಹರುಷದಲಿ ಭವ ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದ ಔನತ್ಯವ /
ಹೊಸ ರಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಸ್ವರಗಳ ವೈವಿದ್ಯತೆಯ ಸಂಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ/
ಹಾಡು ನೀ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಲಿ ಭವ ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದ ಮಹತ್ವವ/
ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದಮೃತ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರೊತ್ಸವ ಸಡಗರದಲಿ/
ಹೊಸ ಭಾವದಲಿ ಸುಮಧುರತೆಯಲಿ ನೀ ಹಾಡುವೆಯ/
ಲೋಕಕೆ ಘೋಷಿಸಲು ಭಾರತಾಂಬೆಯ ಸಿರಿ ಹಿರಿಮೆಯ/
ಹಾಡು ನೀ ಆಹ್ಲಾದದಲ್ಲಿ ಭವ ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದ ವೈಭವವ/
ನವ ನೂತನ ಶ್ರುತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿವಿಧ ಲಯ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ/
ಹಾಡು ನೀ ಅಭಿಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದ ಅದ್ಬುತವ/
--Asha and Ram
--August
15, 2022
******************************************************
Importance of Music Education in Our Schools like
Mantras by Sages
Earlier this month, Executive Director Janice Weinman joined Errol
Louis on “Inside City Hall” to advocate for the importance of music
education in our schools and discuss the potential impacts of a class size
reduction bill being considered in Albany. “Arts and music are so critical to
the development of students’ growth, to their understanding of other subject
matter, to a sense of discipline, and most importantly, to a feeling of
independence because it gives them an opportunity to express themselves,” said
Janice.
As we prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, we are faced with an
unfunded piece of legislation to reduce class size as well as potential school
budget cuts. It is essential to ensure music education survives and
thrives, particularly for under-resourced NYC schools and their students
who, without ETM’s partnership, would receive limited access to music
instruction and its transformative benefits.
In today’s climate of school budget reductions and its
implications on sustaining music programs in NYC schools, it is ever
more critical to ensure that ETM provides access to opportunity for both
students and teachers. Essential to our model is the depth of training
and mentoring we provide ETM Teachers to support their growth as educators and
establish sustainable career pathways in the field of music education. Our aim
is for ETM Teachers to become permanent staff members at ETM partner schools by
being hired by the NYC Department of Education.
We are delighted to share that long-time ETM Teacher, Jorge
Quezada, will be starting his first full school year as a NYC Department of
Education Teacher this upcoming fall! Jorge will join the
faculty at P.S. 25 in the Bronx and build their K-5 music programs. Jorge was
hired by ETM during the 2016-2017 school year and taught at Concourse Village
Elementary School during his tenure at ETM. While teaching with us, Jorge
earned his teacher certification, received ongoing support from ETM staff and
alumni, and was able to “find his voice as an educator.”
A teaching mantra is a simple way for teachers to bring
mindfulness to teaching. By committing to a short, consistent phrase, and
sharing it with your students, this mindful act can help on days when the
classroom feels a bit off kilter.
The Influence of Indian Ancient Educational Systems of Teaching
through Mantras with Intonations on India’s Educational Strategy
The study of the nature of knowledge and philosophical traditions
is the foundation of the ancient Indian education system, which aims to enable
human life not only to improve personal economic conditions, but also to
improve the social, moral, and spiritual aspects of life. People are not only
concerned about improving human life, but also realizing the “higher truth”
from darkness to light, that is, “Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya”. Therefore,
education is not only a means of making money but also contributes to the
development of mankind along with enriching society. Therefore, our Indian
sages or masters are committed to understanding the super-smart world and the
use of spiritual power and adjusting their lives accordingly. The ultimate goal
of education appears in Chitti Vrittinirodha (controlling
spiritual activities related to the so-called materialist world). Therefore,
education is an important means to make people’s potential development in a
positive direction so that people can live in a society full of dignity. In the
latest “National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020)” issued by the Indian
government, many suggestions are made to integrate the current
education system into the ancient education system. The rich heritage of
ancient and eternal Indian knowledge and thought has always been the guiding
principle of this policy. In Indian thought and philosophy, the pursuit of
knowledge (Jnana), wisdom (Pragyaa), and
truth (Satya) have always been regarded as the highest of
mankind-- Sukanta Kumar Naskar and Sushovan Chatterjee
A chant (from French chanter, from Latin cantare, "to sing") is the iterative speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two main pitches called reciting tones. Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of notes to highly complex musical structures, often including a
great deal of repetition of musical sub-phrases. Chant may be considered speech,
music, or a heightened or stylized form of speech. In the later Middle Ages some religious chant evolved into song (forming one of
the roots of later Western music).
Kirtan (from the Sanskrit word meaning “to
sing, to praise”) is a folk form of mantra chanting that arose from the Bhakti movement of 15th
century. It
has been unanimously acknowledged that the origin of our classical music
is Sama
Veda or more
simply Saman singing.
Education through Music Organization was Finalist
With nearly 250 applications submitted for consideration in five
categories. “Education through Music Organization” was selected as one
of four finalists in the Arts & Culture category in
acknowledgement of its innovation and impact. This Organization was
honored to be considered among such dedicated, mission-driven organizations."
--August 13, 2022
Comments:
Yes, indeed! Sir it is the need of the day when youth are going awry in
all respects! Thanks for your inspiring message!
--Purushottama Rao Ravela
***************************************************************
We Know “What needs to be done for a Better
World” But Political Will Lacking
You must be
the change you
wish to see in the world -- M.K. Gandhi
We have become
a nation of sleepwalkers. We look around at the world's problems and wish they
would go away, but they stubbornly persist despite our most heartfelt desires.
So, we end up living in a kind of ethical haze.
It's not that people are bad or that evil is winning some kind of eternal
battle. The vast majority of us have good intentions when we go about our daily
lives. It's that we have been lulled into a sense of complacency about the
world's problems, as if they are less-than-real occurrences. We react similarly
to how we might normalize the strange events that occur while we're in the
middle of a dream.
People starve,
communities fall apart, violence thrives, families fade, and nature disappears,
and we continue on with our lives as if nothing is wrong. We are stuck in our
daily patterns, living on auto-pilot when it comes to the rest of the world.
But like a
whisper in the back of our minds that stays with us always, we have the feeling
that something has gone awry. We have lost our faith in each other. Politicians
are corrupt, corporations seek to make a profit at any cost, and lawyers win
cases without justice being served! It seems that everything and everyone is
for sale. Nothing remains sacred. We feel that perhaps we can only truly rely
on ourselves.
When these
negative beliefs become widespread, we disengage from the outer world,
recoiling into our own personal lives. As we withdraw, we see our society
rushing aimlessly toward an unknown future, without any sense of morality or
conscious purpose to direct it. Awash in a sea of knowledge, we lack the wisdom
to guide our own destiny.
While we are becoming
more economically powerful and resilient, our technological capabilities also
present unprecedented threats that no civilization has had to contend with. For
example, the climatic changes we face are of a different nature to what undid
the Maya or Anasazi. They are global, human-driven, quicker, and more
severe.
Assistance in
our self-imposed ruin will not come from hostile neighbors, but from our own
technological powers. Collapse, in our case, would be a progress trap.
The collapse
of our civilization is not inevitable. History suggests it is likely, but we
have the unique advantage of being able to learn from the wreckages of
societies past.
We know what
needs to be done: emissions can be reduced, inequalities levelled,
environmental degradation reversed, innovation unleashed and economies
diversified. The policy proposals are there. Only the political will is
lacking. We can also invest in recovery. There are already well-developed ideas
for improving the ability of food and knowledge systems to be recuperated after
catastrophe. Avoiding the creation of dangerous and widely-accessible
technologies is also critical. Such steps will lessen the chance of a future
collapse becoming irreversible.
We will only
march into collapse if we advance blindly. We are only doomed if we are unwilling to listen to
the past.
--August 13, 2022
******************************************************
World Sanskrit Day 2022 Special: Know How Sanskrit Used Around the
World!
Sanskrit is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan
branch of the Indo-European languages. One of the oldest and sacred languages
of the world, it has deep importance since the historical texts and religious
scriptures are found in this language. Indian Vedas and literature are written
in the classical Sanskrit language. The World Sanskrit Day or
Sanskrit Diwas is celebrated in the
Shraavan month on the day of the Poornima. It was first celebrated by the
Government of India in 1969 and coincides with Raksha Bandhan, a popular Hindu
Festival. On the special occasion of World Sanskrit Day, we bring you the
widespread use of Sanskrit around the world.
World Sanskrit Day 2022
World Sanskrit Day is being celebrated on 11 August 2022 this
year. One of the earliest ancient languages, as old as around 1500 to 500 BCE.
Sanskrit language has found resemblance in vocabulary and grammar with the
Latin and Greek languages. It has the largest vocabulary too. Since it is
such a predominant language of the second most populated country in the world,
it is essential to commemorate a day for this prestigious language. Thousands
of citizens claim it as their mother tongue.
Sanskrit, a language of India’s rich culture and heritage
depiction is not inclusive to India only. Today, the status of Sanskrit is
recognized worldwide. Its spread in the international regions has witnessed a spectacular
increase. Sanskrit Day is one of the main reasons for the rising popularity.
Besides that, there are hundreds of students in the world who are pursuing
courses in the Sanskrit language.
World Sanskrit day or Sanskrit Diwas is celebrated on Purnima day
or on the full moon day in the month of Shravana of the Hindu calendar. It was
first celebrated in 1969. An annual event that focuses on celebrating this
beautiful language of Sanskrit around the globe. It is celebrated to promote
this ancient language and to maintain its essence across the nations.
Theme & Importance of Sanskrit Diwas
Sanskrit Day is celebrated to raise awareness among the global
citizens about the richness and deepness of this language. To promote and
maintain the ancient Indian language, this day is celebrated with extra pomp
and show. Sanskrit is spoken globally and learnt in almost every country
of the world. A human-friendly and computer friendly language which needs to be
revived among people. Sanskrit Day ensures that we remember it throughout our
lives.
Sanskrit around the World
There are several South Asian countries which are familiar with
the Sanskrit language. However, India is the sole country where it is the
national language. Sanskrit is on a rise in the European and non-European
countries. Many universities have introduced Sanskrit faculty. There are
students and teachers involved in the exchange of resources available on
Sanskrit globally.
Celebrating Sanskrit Diwas around the world helps in making people
aware of this 3500 years old language. This day needs special attention from
the young people, especially the college going students. They should try to
include more people in the awareness program related to Sanskrit Day.
We hope you are enlightened by
the significance of Sanskrit day around the world. If you wish to pursue your
educational career abroad then follow our website “LeverageEdu” for more updates. You can read similar blogs on education,
career, and a scope of different fields of education. You can seek guidance
from our exports to move in the right direction.
--August 11, 2022
Comments:
Many thanks for
reminding us all.
--A N Sapthagireesan
Murti Puja is not Idolatry
Murti Puja is not
idolatry or the worship of material forms, it is the highest type of art and
devotion, bringing the cosmic eternal and infinite Divine into manifestation in
our human realm.
In Hinduism, we
practice Prana Pratishta, bringing the life and consciousness of the Devata
into the form. We should also do that in our own bodies and minds to allow our
cosmic Self to manifest within us.
Unbounded Consciousness
is present in every form, which can be a doorway to the Transcendent.
Is Consciousness Universal?
Panpsychism, the ancient doctrine that consciousness is
universal, offers some lessons in how to think about.
For every inside there is an outside, and for every outside
there is an inside; though they are different, they go together.
—Alan
Watts, Man, Nature, and the Nature of Man, 1991
We Are
All Nature's Children
The past two centuries of
scientific progress have made it difficult to sustain a belief in human exceptionalism.
None other than Charles
Darwin, in the last book he published, in the year preceding his death, set out
to learn how far earthworms “acted consciously and how much mental power they
displayed.” Studying their feeding and sexual behaviors for several
decades—Darwin was after all a naturalist with uncanny powers of observation—he
concluded that there was no absolute threshold between lower and higher
animals, including humans that assigned higher mental powers to one but not to
the other.
The nervous systems of
all these creatures are highly complex. Their constitutive proteins, genes,
synapses, cells and neuronal circuits are as sophisticated, variegated and
specialized as anything seen in the human brain. It is difficult to find
anything exceptional about the human brain. Even its size is not so special,
because elephants, dolphins and whales have bigger brains. Only an expert
neuroanatomist, armed with a microscope, can tell a grain-size piece of cortex
of a mouse from that of a monkey or a human. Biologists emphasize this
structural and behavioral continuity by distinguishing between nonhuman and human animals.
We are all nature's children.
Taken literally, panpsychism is the belief that
everything is “enminded.” All of it.
Whether it is a brain, a tree, a rock or an electron. Everything that is
physical also possesses an interior mental aspect. One is objective—accessible
to everybody—and the other phenomenal—accessible only to the subject. That is
the sense of the quotation by British-born Buddhist scholar Alan Watts.
Panpsychism suffers from
two major flaws. One is known as the problem of aggregates. Philosopher John
Searle of the University of California, Berkeley, expressed it recently:
“Consciousness cannot spread over the universe like a thin veneer of jam; there
has to be a point where my consciousness ends and yours begins.” Indeed, if
consciousness is everywhere, why should it not animate the iPhone, the Internet
or the United States of America? Furthermore, panpsychism does not explain why
a healthy brain is conscious, whereas the same brain, placed inside a blender
and reduced to goo, would not be. That is, it does not explain how aggregates
combine to produce specific conscious experience.
Integrated
Panpsychism
These century-old arguments
bring me to the conceptual framework of the integrated information theory (IIT)
of psychiatrist and neuroscientist Giulio Tononi of the University of
Wisconsin–Madison. It postulates that conscious experience is a fundamental
aspect of reality and is identical to a particular type of
information—integrated information. Consciousness depends on a physical
substrate but is not reducible to it. That is, my experience of seeing an
aquamarine blue is inexorably linked to my brain but is different from my
brain.
Any system that possesses
some nonzero amount of integrated information experiences something. Let me
repeat: any system that has even one bit of integrated information has a very
minute conscious experience.
IIT makes two principled
assumptions. First, conscious states are highly differentiated; they are
informationally very rich. You can be conscious of an uncountable number of
things. Think of all the frames from all the movies that you have ever seen or
that have ever been filmed or that will be filmed! Each frame, each view, is a
specific conscious percept.
Second, each such experience is highly
integrated. You cannot force yourself to see the world in black and white; its
color is an integrated part of your view. Whatever information you are
conscious of is wholly and completely presented to your mind; it cannot be
subdivided. Underlying this unity of consciousness is a multitude of causal
interactions among the relevant parts of your brain. If parts of the brain
become fragmented and balkanized, as occurs in deep sleep or in anesthesia,
consciousness fades.
To be conscious, then,
you need to be a single, integrated entity with a large repertoire of highly
differentiated states. Even if the hard disk on my laptop exceeds in capacity
my lifetime memories, none of its information is integrated. The family photos
on my Mac are not linked to one another. The computer does not know that the
boy in those pictures is my son as he matures from a toddler to an awkward
teenager and then a graceful adult. To my computer, all information is equally
meaningless, just a vast, random tapestry of 0s and 1s. Yet I derive meaning
from these images because my memories are heavily cross-linked. And the more
interconnected, the more meaningful they become.
These ideas can be
precisely expressed in the language of mathematics using notions from
information theory such as entropy. Given a particular brain, with its neurons
in a particular state—these neurons are firing while those ones are quiet—one
can precisely compute the extent to which this network is integrated. From this
calculation, the theory derives a single number, &PHgr; (pronounced “fi”)
[see “A Theory of Consciousness,” Consciousness Redux; Scientific American
Mind, July/August 2009]. Measured in bits, &PHgr; denotes the size of the
conscious repertoire associated with the network of causally interacting parts
being in one particular state. Think of &PHgr; as the synergy of the
system. The more integrated the system is, the more synergy it has and the more
conscious it is. If individual brain regions are too isolated from one another
or are interconnected at random, &PHgr; will be low. If the organism has
many neurons and is richly endowed with synaptic connections, &PHgr; will
be high. Basically, &PHgr; captures the quantity of consciousness. The
quality of any one experience—the way in which red feels different from blue
and a color is perceived differently from a tone—is conveyed by the
informational geometry associated with &PHgr;. The theory assigns to any
one brain state a shape, a crystal, in a fantastically high-dimensional qualia
space. This crystal is the system viewed from within. It is the voice in the
head, the light inside the skull. It is everything you will ever know of the
world. It is your only reality. It is the quiddity of experience. The dream of
the lotus eater, the mindfulness of the meditating monk and the agony of the
cancer patient all feel the way they do because of the shape of the distinct
crystals in a space of a trillion dimensions—truly a beatific vision. The water
of integrated information is turned into the wine of experience.
Integrated information
makes very specific predictions about which brain circuits are involved in
consciousness and which ones are peripheral players (even though they might
contain many more neurons, their anatomical wiring differs). The theory has
most recently been used to build a consciousness meter to assess, in a
quantitative manner, the extent to which anesthetized subjects or severely
brain-injured patients, such as Terri Schiavo, who died in Florida in 2005, are
truly not conscious or do have some conscious experiences but are unable to
signal their pain and discomfort to their loved ones [see “A Consciousness
Meter,” Consciousness Redux; Scientific American Mind, March/April 2013].
IIT addresses the problem
of aggregates by postulating that only “local maxima” of integrated information
exist (over elements and spatial and temporal scales): my consciousness, your
consciousness, but nothing in between. That is, every person living in the U.S.
is, self by self, conscious, but there is no superordinate consciousness of the
U.S. population as a whole.
Unlike classical
panpsychism, not all physical objects have a &PHgr; that is different from
zero. Only integrated systems do. A bunch of disconnected neurons in a dish, a
heap of sand, a galaxy of stars or a black hole—none of them are integrated.
They have no consciousness. They do not have mental properties.
Last, IIT does not
discriminate between squishy brains inside skulls and silicon circuits encased
in titanium. Provided that the causal relations among the circuit elements,
transistors and other logic gates give rise to integrated information, the
system will feel like something. Consider humankind's largest and most complex
artifact, the Internet. It consists of billions of computers linked together
using optical fibers and copper cables that rapidly instantiate specific
connections using ultrafast communication protocols. Each of these processors
in turn is made out of a few billion transistors. Taken as a whole, the
Internet has perhaps 1019 transistors, about the number of synapses in the
brains of 10,000 people. Thus, its sheer number of components exceeds that of
any one human brain. Whether or not the Internet today feels like something to
itself is completely speculative. Still, it is certainly conceivable.
When I talk and write
about panpsychism, I often encounter blank stares of incomprehension. Such a
belief violates people's strongly held intuition that sentience is something
only humans and a few closely related species possess. Yet our intuition also
fails when we are first told as kids that a whale is not a fish but a mammal or
that people on the other side of the planet do not fall off because they are
upside down. Panpsychism is an elegant explanation for the most basic of all
brute facts I encounter every morning on awakening: there is subjective
experience. Tononi's theory offers a scientific, constructive, predictive and
mathematically precise form of panpsychism for the 21st century. It is a
gigantic step in the final resolution of the ancient mind-body problem.
FOWAI
FORUM (INDIA) AND STEP (USA) Invite you to join the WEBINAR-226
MEDITATION IN VEDᾹNTA
(Basis: Ᾱtmabodha)
to be Presented by: Pūjya Swāmi Chidānandaji Scheduled
on Indian Standard Time: 8.30 pm, Sunday, August 7, 202Pacific Time (USA): 8.00
am, Sunday, August 7, 2022
Gist
of the Presentation:
Meditation,
called nididhyāsana, is the third and last stage of sādhanā in
the Upanishadic tradition. The first two are shravana (listening)
and manana (reflection).
Admitting
that true meditation can happen after shravana and manana only,
it is worthwhile examining the nuts and bolts of this exalted process. What do
we meditate on? What happens following such meditation? How is the vedānta meditation
unique?
This
webinar takes the verses of Ātmabodha as an example of the
basis for vedānta meditation and tries to throw light on the
erasure of the separate self that follows the abidance in the Pure Self (ātma-nisthā).
This
practice will remove all the problems caused by spiritual ignorance just as
right medicine eliminates a disease. (Verse 37, Ᾱtmabodha)-- evam
nirantarābhyastā, brahmaivāsmiti vāsanā / harati-avidyā-vikshepān rogān-iva rasāyanam
||
Concepts and Significance of Upakarma & Oher events on
This Day
Significance of Upa-karma
Upakarma is a Sanskrit word
(Upa + Karma). Literally Upa means “before” and Karma means an “action”.
Upakarma means an action performed before beginning the Vedic studies. Upa also
refers to nearness or close touch with Upanishads (Vedas). In simple terms
Upakarma refers to changing of sacred (Holy) thread called Yagnopaveetham on
this day by the three varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas and
Vysyas).
Upakarma in Sanskrit also means
the beginning or Aarambha. It is beginning of the study of Vedas and
Upanishads. In ancient days study of Vedas and Upanishads was compulsory
especially for Brahmins. One will get the eligibility to study Vedas and
Upanishads only after getting properly inducted into Gayathri Manthra through a
process of Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony). To commemorate this, even
today, the day is observed as Upakarma by symbolically changing the sacred
thread and performing certain rituals that marks the beginning of study of
Vedas.
Yajurveda Upakarma 2022
Since Avittam is one of the 27
Nakshatras, the word Avani is a reference to the Tamil month. The Avani Avittam
ceremony is observed by Brahmin communities all across the world with complete
devotion. On this day, the Yajur Vedic Brahmins start their six-month Yajur
Veda reading period. Brahmins get a holy thread on Avani Avittam, when it is
thought that the third eye (eye of wisdom) opens. In Orissa, Maharashtra, and
the southern states of India, Avani Avittam, also known as "Janeyu
Purnima" or "Jandhyala Purnima," is observed with great
fervor.
What is Yajurveda
Upakarma?
Upakarma, which means
commencement or Arambham, alludes to the ceremonial start of learning Veda. On
Upakarma Day, Brahmins perform Shrauta ceremonies along with changing their
Upanayana thread in addition to studying the Vedas. The Vedic rite of upakarma is
still carried out by Hindus of the Brahmin community. Yajurveda adherents do
the Upakarma on the day of the full moon in the Shravan month, or on Shravana
Purnima. On Shravana Nakshatra day in the month of Shravana, those who practice
the Rigveda observe the Upakarma. Therefore, the day to perform Upakarma may
vary for Yajurveda and Rigveda devotees. In Tamil Nadu, Upakarma is referred to
as Avani Avittam. It is known as Thalai Avani Avittam for people who
perform their first Upakarma.
Why is Yajurveda Upakarma
Called Avani Avittam?
Avani Avittam, also known as
"Upakramam," which means "starting" or
"commencing," signifies the start of vedic learning and is a key
ceremony for the Brahmin population in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is observed on
the old Hindu calendar's Shravan Purnima (full moon day), which is also the day
of Raksha Bandhan in North India.
A sacred vow, or
"Mahasankalpam," is made on the day of Avani Avittam to atone for the
sins committed the previous year. At this moment, sacred mantras are
sung.
At dawn, Brahmins rise and
perform a holy bath. Brahmins don a new sacred thread known as
"Janeyu" or "Yajnopavit" on Avani Avittam. Vedic mantras
are sung during this crucial rite, which takes place on Avani Avittam. It is
typically a neighborhood celebration that takes place beside a river or pond.
--August 9, 2022
*******************************************************
Yajurveda Upakarma 2022
Since
Avittam is one of the 27 Nakshatras, the word Avani is a reference to the Tamil
month. The Avani Avittam ceremony is observed by Brahmin communities all across
the world with complete devotion. On this day, the Yajur Vedic Brahmins start
their six-month Yajur Veda reading period. Brahmins get a holy thread on Avani
Avittam, when it is thought that the third eye (eye of wisdom) opens. In
Orissa, Maharashtra, and the southern states of India, Avani Avittam, also
known as "Janeyu Purnima" or "Jandhyala Purnima," is
observed with great fervor.
What is Yajurveda Upakarma?
Upakarma,
which means commencement or Arambham, alludes to the ceremonial start of
learning Veda. On Upakarma Day, Brahmins perform Shrauta ceremonies along with
changing their Upanayana thread in addition to studying the Vedas. The Vedic
rite of upakarma is still carried out by Hindus of the Brahmin community.
Yajurveda adherents do the Upakarma on the day of the full moon in the Shravan
month, or on Shravana Purnima. On Shravana Nakshatra day in the month of
Shravana, those who practise the Rigveda observe the Upakarma. Therefore, the
day to perform Upakarma may vary for Yajurveda and Rigveda devotees. In Tamil
Nadu, Upakarma is referred to as Avani Avittam. It is known as Thalai
Avani Avittam for people who perform their first Upakarma.
Why is Yajurveda Upakarma Called Avani Avittam?
Avani
Avittam, also known as "Upakramam," which means "starting"
or "commencing," signifies the start of vedic learning and is a key
ceremony for the Brahmin population in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is observed on
the old Hindu calendar's Shravan Purnima (full moon day), which is also the day
of Raksha Bandhan in North India.A
Rituals During Yajurveda Upakarma
A sacred
vow, or "Mahasankalpam," is made on the day of Avani Avittam to atone
for the sins committed the previous year. At this moment, sacred mantras are
sung.
At dawn, Brahmins rise and perform a holy bath. Brahmins don a new
sacred thread known as "Janeyu" or "Yajnopavit" on Avani
Avittam. Vedic mantras are sung during this crucial rite, which takes place on
Avani Avittam. It is typically a neighborhood celebration that takes place
beside a river or pond.
--August 9, 2022
*************************************************************
NAG-PANCHAMI HINDU
WORSHIPFUL DAY
Shukla Paksha Panchami, the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of the
Lunar month (Sawan) is celebrated as Nag Panchami. The day usually falls two
days after Hariyali Teej, and this year it is being celebrated on August 2,
2022. The day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva and Nag Devta.
It is believed that worshipping snakes will please the serpent Gods and will
eradicate evil and fear of snakes. Women worship Nag Devta to pray for the
well-being of their brothers and families. The festival is observed in India as
well as Nepal. Mansa Mata, who is believed to be the mother of all nagas,
is also worshipped.
“Nagas are not simply snakes but
represent all the transformative electrical forces of the cosmos from the
material level to that of pure consciousness. Unfortunately, today we have
forgotten how to read the symbolism of nature, such as rishis and yogis can,
and see only a literal serpent worship in the traditional honoring of the
Nagas.
As modern physics notes, the entire
universe and all of space consists of various wormholes through which subtle
currents are relentlessly flowing. These currents are all Nagas, snakes or
serpents in a metaphorical sense, powers arising out of a hole or moving
through a channel. They are all forms of lightning or dynamic energy strikes
that have their enlivening power and their danger or poison. We must recognize
that we live, breathe, speak and think in and through the serpent forces of the
greater cosmos.
The human body is composed of
numerous channels from the digestive tract to the respiratory and circulatory
systems, to the brain, from gross to subtle levels, through which the prana or
vital force flows at various vibratory frequencies as our main stimulating
lightning energy that keeps us alive and awake. All these channels within and
around us are connected in the vast fabric of life and awareness, of which we
ourselves are but a focus, a point or a transmission center.
Some of these serpent forces are
hidden and support us in the background like the electro-magnetic energies that
sustain the Earth through the force of gravity, or like Vishnu’s serpent Ananta
who holds the power of the entire universe in a state of pure potential. This
hidden contracted or concentrated state of forces is like that of a coiled
serpent. Other forces are manifesting like a moving snake and swirl around us
creating colorful force fields in a magical phenomenal display.
One of the most important of these
serpent powers is the Kundalini Shakti, the electrical force of higher prana,
mantra and awareness. Normally it is latent or coiled in the earth chakra at the
base of the spine, with our life energy resting upon its sleeping state. In
Yoga Sadhana, the Kundalini awakens and spreads its electrical currents
throughout our body and mind extending to the entire universe, propelling us
into the infinite.’:
Honoring the Higher Serpent Forces on
Nag Panchami
Nagas as powerful forces contain
profound wisdom, which is the highest transformational energy of awareness.
There are such Nagas in the Earth or earth currents holding the Earth wisdom
and power, creating various sacred sites and nature’s points of power. There
are Nagas in the atmosphere or life currents from which all weather patterns
arise through the thunder and lightning, clearing the air and renewing all
life. There are Nagas in the sky extending from solar, lunar and planetary
currents to those of the stars and galaxies – subtle winds and energies of
light in an overflowing tapestry reaching beyond time and space.
On Nag Panchami we honor all forms of
Nagas from ordinary snakes to Kundalini, to Lord Shiva who is Nageshvara or
Ahipati, the Lord of the Serpents, who holds all the electrical forces in
existence, both manifest and unmanifest. The transcendent awareness of Shiva
alone in its unshakeable stillness, calm and centeredness can master all the cataclysmic
energies of the universe, which dance around him like powerful serpents under
his control, yet can never touch him.
Today in our information technology
era, which is another kind of Naga, serpent or electrical force, we need to
contact the higher wisdom Nagas and not become victims of mere artificial
currents and commercial powers. It is important that our minds and hearts are
vibrating not just with electrical energies from the media, music, our
computers, or our instruments of communication and travel on any level.
We must allow the electrical force of
the entire universe, its secret currents of pure consciousness and bliss to
flow within us like a dance of perpetual lightning. This is the real inner
worship of the Nagas. We do this when we recognize our true nature, our inner
being, the presence of Shiva, who rules over the vast and intricate ever-changing cosmos from a point of pure unity within the
spiritual heart.
Here is an incidence in life that induces me to worship serpent
on Nag-Panchami:
My
grand-father noticed that a thorn had gone into its tongue due to which the
cobra was suffering. Moved with compassion and pity he wanted to relieve the
cobra from its pain in spite of the dangerous consequences. He prayed to God
“Oh Narayana! I am the only son to my parents and the only supporter of the
family. I am not sure whether I will be left alive, if I relieve this cobra
from its pains. Whatever may be the outcome I will take the risk and leave the
result in your hands”. So saying, he pulled out the thorn from the Cobra’s
tongue. Relieved of the pain, the cobra slowly moved away, without hurting him.
In the night the cobra appeared in my grand-father’s dream and promised that
for seven generations of his, no danger would occur for any one in his family
from snake bite, beating its head three times on the floor. My father later
recalled some instances when the family got saved from being harmed by snakes.
My father once hit a pair of snakes while they were in union. The snakes were
furious and ran after my father. He was panicky and tried to run away but fell
down. The snakes just hissed and passed around him but did not hurt him. When I
was a baby, I was once sleeping in a cradle in the village called Bellulli
(Garlic Village). My mother who had gone out to fetch some water suddenly
noticed a cobra crawling down the ropes of the cradle. She got frightened and
prayed to god for my protection, offering incense (Sambrani on fire). The cobra
slowly traced back its path to the thatched roofing of the porch, which was all
the covered place we had for our living, offered by the generous farmer’s
family. Yet in another incidence, I was sleeping with my aunt in a room
adjoining the cowshed in Narayanapura. I felt something very smooth to touch.
On opening my eyes, I saw a green viper and shrieked aloud in panic, which
wakened up my aunt. She saw the viper
moving away without doing any harm to either of us. I was fascinated by these
stories. I often felt how unlucky I was to have not born during his lifetime
and learn more about his mystic life.
The Dynamics of the Mind-- Sankalpa, Vikalpa &
Nirvikalpa
The mind is full of sankalpa and vikalpa (imagination,
fancy). Each work gets done through sankalpa. Even the act of moving one's
arm is preceded by the sankalpa in the mind. The sankalpa of a weak mind is
ineffective. We can make our mind strong by sadhana (spiritual practices) and
knowledge.
In Hindu tradition before any ritual we first have to do
the sankalpa which usually means a solemn vow or determination
to perform any ritual, declaration of purpose. A conception or idea or notion
formed in the mind or heart is also called sankalpa. Will,
volition, desire, purpose, definite intention or determination or decision or
wish for, are few other dictionary meanings of the word sankalpa.
The word sankalpa is derived from the
root klrip with the prefix sam. The prefix sam in
Sanskrit conveys the sense of perfection, completeness, togetherness,
integrality etc. The root klrip originally means to be well
ordered or regulated; to correspond with, be adapted to, in accordance with,
suitable to; to be fit for; be favorable to; to sub-serve to create. Taking the
original sense of the root klrip along with the sense of the
prefix sam we can very well say that sankalpa is
not just any resolution or vow or will to do something in particular. It has a
deeper meaning. The word sankalpa in a true sense means a
spontaneous coming together of all the movements or power of the nature to form
an aspiration or to collaborate, be in accordance with the deepest aspiration
that one has. It is in this sense that sankalpa is the power
of the concentrated Will integrating the whole being into a coherent
unity. In sankalpa there
is the unity of all movements of the being, it is free from division,
diversity, and so from the essential conflict. Doubt has no place in sankalpa.
The word opposite to sankalpa is vikalpa which
means alternative, option, difference etc. In the Tantric tradition the
differentiation-making activity of the mind is known as vikalpanam.
In sankalpa there is the togetherness, unity, in vikalpa there
is division, everything is dispersed, diversified, leading to doubt, confusion,
preference, option, choice etc.; differentiation is the principal meaning of the
word vikalpa.
Therefore in savikalpa samadhi or
absorption with vikalpa, the mind is open to all kinds of inner
experiences admitting variety or distinction on the mental plane. In nirvikalpa samadhi or
absorption without vikalpa, there is no formation or movement of
the consciousness.
“Yoga defines the
highest Samadhi or unitary state of Self-Realization as Nirvikalpa Samadhi,
Samadhi without Vikalpa. Vikalpa in the Yoga Sutras is one of the five
functions of the mind (chitta-vrittis).
Yet Vikalpa has a
broader meaning as wishful thinking overall, which colors all the movements of
the mind. Removing Vikalpa or wishful thinking is the essence or Yoga.
Such Vikalpas or false
imaginations involve the thoughts "I am the body" or "I am the mind",
which false imagination is the basis of the ego.
There are two main
types of Vikalpa. The first is wishful thinking based upon desire (kama, raga),
which is imagining getting our desires fulfilled. Our tendencies to wishful
desire-based thinking is exploited by commercial interests and anyone who wants
to manipulate us. These extend from wishful get rich quick schemes to fantasies
of instant enlightenment without any real practice on our part.
The second type of
vikalpa is based upon repulsion, fear or hatred (dvesha, bhaya). This consists
of wishing harm to our enemies or wishing that no harm comes to us, with the
mind focused on avoiding the negative. These extend from fear of pain, fear of
being dominated by others to fear of death.
As long as our minds
are reflecting some false imagination or Vikalpa, we cannot see the nature of
what things truly are. Instead of seeing What Is, we are looking for what gives
us pleasure and removes us from pain, as if the whole of life revolved around
our personal interests.
REMOVING VIKALPA
How then do we remove
Vikalpa? All false imagination and wishful thinking is based upon the ego or
ahamkara and seeking happiness externally. It reflects an ignorances (avidya)
of our true Self that is beyond time and space, body and mind--and beyond all
thought.
If we truly want to
gain enduring happiness and ananda, and avoid all sorrow and suffering, we must
approach life with a calm, clear and detached mind, seeing things as they are
rather than projected our individual desires and fears upon the whole of life.
This is the real
purpose of meditation, which takes us to the Nirvikalpa state, no longer
projected our ego-based thoughts upon life, but recognizing the same Self in
all beings and pervading the entire universe. This the Yoga of Knowledge and Vedanta.”
The Dynamics of the Mind by Swami Sivananda
I. PURE AND IMPURE MIND
Suddha Manas or pure mind
leads to liberation. Asuddha Manas or impure mind causes bondage. Suddha Manas
is filled with Sattva or purity and divine virtues. Asuddha Manas is filled
with impurities such as lust, greed, jealousy, hatred, etc.
II. FUNCTIONS OF THE MIND
It is actions of the mind
that are truly termed Karmas. The functions of the mind are Sankalpa-Vikalpa, thinking and doubting.
It is the mind that really sees, hears, smells, tastes and feels. Mind can do
the five functions of the five senses of perception or Knowledge. Mind connects
itself with the five senses of perception and enjoys all sense-objects.
III. POWER OF THE MIND
The mind had the potency
of creating or undoing the world in the twinkling of an eye. Mind creates the
world according to its own Sankalpa or thought. It is the mind that creates
this Universe, (Manomatram Jagat;
Manah-Kalpitam Jagat). Through the play of the mind, a Kalpa is reckoned by
it as a moment and vice versa. Like a dream generating another dream in it the
mind having no visible form generates existent visible.
IV. PLAY OF THE MIND
The Mind assumes the form
of any object it intensely thinks of. Through the play of the mind in objects,
nearness appears to be a great distance and vice versa. In introspection a
portion of the mind studies another portion of the mind. The senses can do
nothing without the co-operation of the Mind. It is the Mind that causes
bondage and release. Devoted to sense-objects it causes bondage; devoted to the
Lord it creates freedom and release. With the growth of the Mind, the pains
increase, with its extinction, there will be infinite bliss. Mind can do or
attend to only one thing at a time.
V. THE MISCHIEVOUS MIND
Mind is the slayer of
Atman or the Supreme Self. Mind is the birth place of desire. Mind ever whirls
far and wide in vain in sensual objects, like a strolling street dog. This
puerile mind which ever rises and falls with the ebb and flow of desires,
fancies this illusory universe to be true through its ignorance.
--August 7, 2022
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Faith aside, Spirituality
Connecting the World with the Self is the Right Way of Living
While the so
called “None” include agnostics and atheists, most people in this category
retain a belief in God or some higher power. Many describe themselves as “spiritual
but not religious,” or “SBNR,” as researchers refer to them.
American spirituality, but not necessarily religion, is on the
rise, according to the Religious Landscape Study by the Pew Research Center.
That spirituality — whether experienced through mindful practices, walks in
nature or faith — ultimately results in a greater connectedness with self and
the world.
“It’s a very misunderstood
concept,” said Deborah Angeline Laclaverie. “The process of spirituality, in my
mind, has nothing to do with religion. It’s a way of being.”
This transformational teacher
from Woodstock is not alone. Dr. Dan Siegel, an interpersonal
neurobiologist and clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine
and co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, said people
are looking inward to find new discoveries.
“When people live spiritual
lives they’ve achieved a higher level of integration,” he said. “When you
integrate consciousness … (there’s) this awakening of the mind, this
feeling of being deeply connected and awakening. Some experience God, some a
sense of vastness.”
And in times of turmoil — which
many people are feeling based on recent political and natural upheavals — the
desire for the calmness found in spiritual existence is being sought.
Siegel’s field of interpersonal
biology — which combines findings from math, physics and anthropology — builds
upon scientific data produced in the past decade. His recent program at Omega
in Rhinebeck, “Soul and Synapse,” addressed developing a “wheel of awareness.”
“In contemporary society, we
live with a view of the self as separate, as isolated, as contained within the
skin,” he said. “(But) now we understand mental health by illuminating the way
the brain gets involved. We know leading an isolated life leads to chaos and
suffering. The wheel of awareness is directly accessing one’s self to meaning
and connection.” That connection leads to a greater understanding or
spirituality.
Angeline Laclaverie has spent
the past 20 years on a journey of exploration of Spirituality. “The
most important journey any of us will ever take in life is the one most
unexplored and unknown: It’s the journey of the soul. It is a
journey inward, to reach a place of unity, consciousness and completion. We
explore this through our own connection to source, creator or some people
call it God.” “Spirituality starts with small steps of mindfulness and
observing personal thoughts and to a more vulnerable heart
space.” In her book “Word by Word: A Daily Spiritual Practice,” she explains that
actions that develop spirituality — lingering, pondering, listening, praying —
are countercultural practices. As a professor of medical humanities, she
encounters many students who do not believe in religion but who consider
themselves spiritual. Although a Christian, she understands their position,
especially in light of the abuses that have taken place in the name of
religion.
“They have a strong moral
compass and are morally compassionate — their values are respectful and
beautiful," Mc Entyre said. "God has such a wide heart — if people
need to say people are spiritual and not religious, that’s OK.” Siegel
said while some people may be challenged to develop a deeper spirituality,
the effort is always worthwhile. “The connection and the meaning happen and
it’s quite something to behold,” he said.
“INFORMATION AND
INSIGHT
Information consists of measuring superficial appearances
according to name, form and number. As information is only a selective view
based upon preconceived coordinates, it can be twisted in various ways, like
whether the cup is half full or half empty.
True knowledge arises through insight not through information, as an ability to
see through the veil of appearances to the underlying truth behind them.
Insight means to see within. Information is only the view at the surface.
To understand your true Self you need insight, not simply
information. Yet how do we cultivate insight? It is not a matter of simply
learning the right information, practicing the right method or going to the
right place or person. Insight means divesting ourselves of outer appearances
and diving into the core essence of Being.
Cultivating insight is the Vedic way of knowledge. It rests upon
introspection, inquiry and silence of mind, not reacting to superficial changes
but hold to a calm and detached awareness and observation.
Remember to cultivate insight every day, if not at every moment. This occurs
when we look at life with a silent and meditative mind, which unfolds the space
that is necessary for insight to flower.”--David Frawley
--August 6, 2022
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Significance, rituals, and
mantras for Varalakshmi Vratam 2022.
Varalakshmi Vratham is
celebrated to worship the Goddess Lakshmi. People observe fast on this day.
Varalakshmi Vratham holds great religious significance in Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
Varalakshmi Vratham is
celebrated on the second Friday of Shukla Paksha in the Sawan month. Varalakshmi Vratham will
be observed on Friday, 5 August this year. It is believed that
the eight forces of the world are known as Ashta Lakshmi and they are:
1. Aadi Lakshmi (Force)
2. Dhan Lakshmi (Wealth)
3. Dhairya Lakshmi (Courage)
4. Santaan Lakshmi
(Children)
5. Vidhya Lakshmi (Wisdom)
6. Vijaya Lakshmi (Success)
7. Dhaanya Lakshmi (Food)
8. Gaja Lakshmi (Strength)
Varalakshmi Vratham 2022: Significance
People who observe fast on this
day are blessed with prosperity, wealth, happiness, and longevity. Varalakshmi
is the consort of Lord Vishnu and one of the forms of Goddess Mahalakshmi. It is believed
that Varalakshmi appeared from the milky ocean or Kshir Sagar and had the
complexion of the milky ocean and she was dressed similarly. According to the Hindu
scriptures, Goddess Lakshmi blesses women with all the eight energies and
fulfills all their wishes if they observe a fast on this day. This fast can be
observed only by married women for the well-being of the male family members.
Varalakshmi Vratham 2022: Rituals
The people observing the fast
have to wake up early in the morning and wear clean clothes. They can place an
idol of Goddess Laxmi on a wooden plank and make sure that it is facing towards
the east. Now, place a bowl filled with rice on that wooden plank and put chandan and kumkum on
all four sides of the plank.
You will need betel leaves,
five fruits, dates, and silver coins for the puja. Put a
decorated kalash with mango leaves and coconut on it. Then,
apply haldi, chandan, and kumkum tilak on
that coconut. Now, put kumkum or bindi on
Goddess Lakshmi's face and fix that against the coconut while tying it tightly
with a thread. You can also decorate Goddess Lakshmi's idol with vermillion,
jewellery, and clothes.
Light a diya and offer prayers to Lord
Ganesha as he is the Pratham
Pujya. Offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and recite the Varalakshmi Vratham
Katha. Offer Prasad to Goddess Lakshmi and seek her forgiveness and blessings.
You can break the coconut and distribute it as prasad to all. The next day, a
small puja is performed to conclude the Varalakshmi Vratham.
1. Om Shree Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi
Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat Om॥
2. Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhayo Namah॥
--August 5, 2022
Andal Jayanti (01 August 2022, Monday)
Andal Jayanti is the day Andal achieved divine
communion with Lord Ranganatha by marrying him. It is celebrated in a grand
manner in Shrivilliputhur, her birth place.
Introduction to Aadi Pooram
Pooram Nakshatra (Purva Phalguni star) is the 11th among
the 27 stars. The day ruled by this star
during the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August) is known as Aadi Pooram. This day
is also known as Andal Jayanthi, as Pooram is the birth star of Andal, one among
the 12 Alwar saints in Vaishnava tradition. Andal is believed to be the
incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Andal, being a young
girl, attained sainthood by choosing the Lord (Vishnu) himself as her beloved.
Significance of Aadi Pooram
Aadi month is also dedicated to Goddess Shakti, as the energy of the
Goddess is very strong and vibrant during this month. It is believed that
Goddess Parvati herself descends to the earth on this auspicious day to bless
her devotees. It is also believed that Parvati attained her womanhood on this
day and rituals are conducted celebrating this auspicious event in all the
Shakti temples as Goddess Parvati is none other than
Goddess Shakti.
Mythology behind Aadi Pooram
According to legends, Periyalwar, n Alwar saint, was living in
Srivilliputhur. Being childless, he prayed to Lord Vishnu to solve his misery.
One fine day, while he was walking through a temple, he found a girl child in
the temple's garden. He decided to adopt the girl and named her ‘Kodhai.’ The
child was brought up in the Vaishnava tradition of worshipping Lord Vishnu. Over a period, Kodhai’s
devotion towards Lord Ranganathar (Lord Vishnu) grew unimaginably. She began to
wear the garland even before it was offered to the Lord. One day, when
Periyalwar was searching for the garland, he noticed that Kodhai was wearing
the garland meant for the Lord. Shocked to the core, he immediately rebuked her
for her behavior.
On that night, when Periyalwar was asleep, Lord Vishnu appeared in
his dream and said he wished to wear the garland only after Andal wore it. The
Lord also advised him to take her to the Srirangam Ranganathar Temple. Though filled
with surprise, Periyalwar’s joy knew no bounds. Andal told her father that she
would marry none other than Lord Ranganathar himself. It is believed that when
Andal entered the sanctum sanctorum, she merged with Lord Ranganathar (Lord
Vishnu).
According to another legend, the day of Aadi Pooram is observed as the festival
of ‘Valaikappu’ (bangle ceremony) for Goddess Parvati, the universal mother.
There is a tale behind this ceremony. In the Trichy district of Tamil Nadu,
there was a festival conducted for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
After the festival got over, the crowd started to disperse slowly. In the
crowd, there was a pregnant woman who while taking rest to relax her aching
body, was suddenly seized by labor pain. There was no one around and after screaming
for help for a while, she was about to faint when Goddess Parvati came to her
rescue. She came in the disguise of a midwife and helped the woman deliver the
child. But the woman recognized the Goddess and made a vow to celebrate that
day as valaikappu day (bangle ceremony for pregnant women during the seventh
month of pregnancy, like a baby shower) every year, for Goddess Parvati.
Rituals of Aadi Pooram
On Aadi Pooram, many Vaishnavite temples conduct Homas (fire labs)
and Poojas (rituals for worship). Aadi Pooram is celebrated with grandeur at
Srivalliputtur, the birthplace of Andal. This festival is also celebrated at
Srirangam Temple for 10 days. On the 10th day, the divine marriage of Andal and
Lord Ranganathar (Lord Vishnu) is celebrated. It is believed that girls who are
yet to be married or searching for the right groom, pray to Andal on the 10th
day (i.e., divine marriage day) to get married soon and be blessed with the
perfect partner.
Andal has composed many Paasurams (devotional songs) in praise of
Lord Ranganathar. Her paasurams are Thiruppavai (30 Paasurams) and Naachiar
Thirumozhi (143 Paasurams). After the marriage ceremony, the devotees chant the
Thiruppavai and other Paasurams.
In all the Shakti temples, on this day, the Goddess is beautifully
decorated, and many glass bangles are offered to the Goddess in various forms.
Later, the bangles are distributed among all devotees. It is believed that
wearing these bangles will bless couples with progeny. Also, when pregnant
women wear these bangles, it is believed to shield their child from evil
forces.
Benefits of Observing Aadi Pooram
Celebrating Andal and Goddess Shakti on this auspicious day can
bestow the following benefits:
- Happy and prosperous life
- Progeny blessings and protection of the fetus from evil
forces
- Blessing of a good
spouse
--August 1, 2022
!
OUR TRUE IDENTITY
No child is born with any particular
religious identity, which means no manmade religious identity will continue
after death. Our true identity that transcends both birth and death, and all
outer identities, is that of the Self of all. Please go through my discourse:
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2017/01/who-am-i-i-am-not-body-body-is-not-for.html
“You have
several identities. First, you have an identity which comes from your birth and
your parents. People recognize you as the son or daughter of your father and
mother or the grandson or granddaughter of your grandparents.
Next, you have
an identity, which comes from your ancestors. It is your family lineage. People
recognize you by your last name and the family to which you belong. They may
also associate you with your blood relations.
Then, you have
an identity, which comes from your future, through your children and their
descendants. People recognize you as the father or the mother or the ancestor
of so and so, and may even remember you if your descendants attain fame and
name.
You have
another identity, which comes from the people around you or from your community
with whom you share many identical social, cultural or religious values. Your
regional, national, racial, social, communal and caste identities arise from
it. Through them, you extend your influence and establish friendships and
relationships with the world. You may consider it your larger identity or
extended ego.
You have
another identity, which arises from your actions and achievements. It is your
identity as a person or individual in society as you earn name, fame, status,
and recognition. If you engage in good actions and lead a righteous life, you
earn a good name, and vice versa. It is the sum of who you are as a human being
and what you represent as your moral and ethical identity or value system.
You create
another identity, through your religious affiliation, commitment, practice and
worship of gods and goddesses. It is your religious identity which represents
you to the world as a Shaiva or Vaishnava or Vaidika or Shakta or Tantrika,
etc. People may consider you an atheist, theist, rationalist or skeptic
according to your beliefs.
Finally, you
also have an identify, which outlasts
you. It is the identity that accompanies your soul as a small attachment from
birth to birth, carrying within it, the history of your karma and latent
impressions (samskaras). It is your karmic identity or your casual self, which
acts as the seed for your next life. You may not totally be aware of it, but it
does play an important role in deciding your fate and your future. Therefore,
you should be careful about what you cherish and accumulate.
Each of these
identities binds you to the world and strengthens your ego. They deeply draw
you into the objective world and bind you through desires and attachments to
the cycle of births and deaths. You use them to seek security, fulfillment and
belongingness and enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, your peace and
happiness do not last forever, since each of the identities you create in this
world is subject to decay, change and destruction. For example, you may be a
successful professional today, and a failure later. People may respect your
status and authority today, and ignore you as you lose power and influence.
The
Bhagavad-Gita says that you have to set aside all these identities because they
are transient and the cause of bondage, delusion and suffering. As long as you
are caught up in them, you cannot know your true identity or your spiritual
identity as the eternal, indestructible and infinite Self. Each of these
identities is a layer of impurity around your true self. They do not let you
see truth or be free. To achieve liberation, you need to know your pure self or
true identity and abide in it. It is your
spiritual identity, the most important of all your identities because it is
your permanent, independent and indestructible identity which none can steal
from you or harm. It takes you beyond your mind and senses into the subtle
universe and connects you with the infinite and indestructible Self or Brahman.
You have to find it and dissolve all your identities in it, making it the sole
purpose of your life.
Your subjective
self, without the cloud of impurities, is your true Self. It is free from
modifications and turbulence. All other identities form a part of your not-self
or objective reality where you experience duality, afflictions and delusion.
You have to withdraw from it and stabilize your mind in the pure thoughts of
the Self. Withdrawing from the world, silencing your not-self and abiding in
your everlasting spiritual identity, you open the door to transcendence and
liberation. When you renounce every other identity, and remain centered in your
truest Self, you will attain the highest perfection, peace and tranquility.
--August 8, 2022
Yajurveda Upakarma 2022
Since
Avittam is one of the 27 Nakshatras, the word Avani is a reference to the Tamil
month. The Avani Avittam ceremony is observed by Brahmin communities all across
the world with complete devotion. On this day, the Yajur Vedic Brahmins start
their six-month Yajur Veda reading period. Brahmins get a holy thread on Avani
Avittam, when it is thought that the third eye (eye of wisdom) opens. In
Orissa, Maharashtra, and the southern states of India, Avani Avittam, also
known as "Janeyu Purnima" or "Jandhyala Purnima," is
observed with great fervor.
What is Yajurveda Upakarma?
Upakarma,
which means commencement or Arambham, alludes to the ceremonial start of
learning Veda. On Upakarma Day, Brahmins perform Shrauta ceremonies along with
changing their Upanayana thread in addition to studying the Vedas. The Vedic
rite of upakarma is still carried out by Hindus of the Brahmin community.
Yajurveda adherents do the Upakarma on the day of the full moon in the Shravan
month, or on Shravana Purnima. On Shravana Nakshatra day in the month of
Shravana, those who practise the Rigveda observe the Upakarma. Therefore, the
day to perform Upakarma may vary for Yajurveda and Rigveda devotees. In Tamil
Nadu, Upakarma is referred to as Avani Avittam. It is known as Thalai
Avani Avittam for people who perform their first Upakarma.
Why is Yajurveda Upakarma Called Avani Avattam?
Avani
Avittam, also known as "Upakramam," which means "starting"
or "commencing," signifies the start of vedic learning and is a key
ceremony for the Brahmin population in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is observed on
the old Hindu calendar's Shravan Purnima (full moon day), which is also the day
of Raksha Bandhan in North India.A
Rituals During Yajurveda Upakarma
A sacred
vow, or "Mahasankalpam," is made on the day of Avani Avittam to atone
for the sins committed the previous year. At this moment, sacred mantras are
sung.
At dawn, Brahmins rise and perform a holy bath. Brahmins don a new
sacred thread known as "Janeyu" or "Yajnopavit" on Avani
Avittam. Vedic mantras are sung during this crucial rite, which takes place on
Avani Avittam. It is typically a neighborhood celebration that takes place
beside a river or pond.
Speech and Mantra Can Physically and Mentally
Change Our Lives
Speech and language consume
significant portions of our brain. It is reasonable to assume — and many
Neuroscientists make this point — that sound and language influence the
majority of aspects of our lives. In fact, Neuroscientist Mark Changizi, in his
intriguing book How Language and Music Mimicked Nature and Transformed
Ape into Man, hypothesizes that when we hear certain sounds we tangibly
experience those events — for example, a scream brings instant feelings of
tension and fear. [5] Critiquing the book, The Scientist magazine
wrote that Changizi demonstrates a “…simple but striking premise to show how
language and music…harness our brains.”
When we read a novel, we ourselves become a
part of that story. Language and speech has that kind of power. Hearing the
sound of a coyote on a lonely, dark night can make us feel irrational fear. The
sound of a car crash triggers adrenalin in our bodies. The purr of a cat
soothes and relaxes us. The laugh of a baby makes us smile. Hate speech
inspires hate. Kind words generate compassion. It is reasonable to propose —
and some cognitive scientists have — that mantra also has physical and
emotional effects on our body that can even influence our health.
“Mantra meditation is not only
something one practices, but a radical re-envisioning of ourselves, our lives
and our ability to create the future we desire,” writes Thomas Ashley-Farrand
in his book Mantra Meditation.
He adds, provocatively, “Mantra meditation is not magic, but the results
can be magical.”
For example, the effect of mantra on
growth of crops, for example, is widely reported and backed by research
from the China Agricultural University.
Farmers in Fujian province increased crop yield and grain size by placing
loud speakers in the fields playing repetitive Buddhist mantras. Nearby crops,
out of reach of the sound mantras, “struggled with pests and suffered much
reduced yield.” The researchers concluded, ” Although it’s well-established
that some types of music do improve plant growth, normally assumed to be a
sound-wave stimulation, mantras are particularly efficacious.”
Stress reduction and healing benefits
of meditation are well accepted benefits of mantra. Putting aside faith and
spiritual reasons, how is it possible, that a mantra can transform energy?
Ashley Farrand proposes: “Repeating any sound produces an actual physical
vibration. Nowhere is this idea truer than in Sanskrit mantra. When chanted out
loud or silently, mantras create a single, powerful vibration… Over time, the
mantra process begins to override and absorb all the smaller vibrations, which
eventually become subsumed within the mantra.
Effect of Mantras on Human Beings — US National
Library of Medicine
The effect of mantra on plants,
living beings and humans is well documented and supported by research. The US
National Library of Medicine has a notable abstract titled, “Effect of Mantras
on Human Beings and Plants” in which: “The author during his various
experiments on plants found that these from the stage of seedling to the maturity
are effected by certain types of sound waves, especially the Mantras. This
study reveals that the plants have shown a positive response to this type of
particular sound waves regarding the growth and their efficacy in curing the
diseases etc.”
In part, some researchers assume
this benefit to be sound frequency’s effect on water. The human body, plants,
and animals are mostly water. Researcher Maseru Emoto published findings in a
peer reviewed journal (Journal of Scientific Exploration) containing results
of experiments on water. He photographically demonstrated the effect of mantras
and sound on water with striking results. Ice crystals in water exposed to
negative sounds or thoughts created predictable and negative formations, while
water exposed to mantra, prayer or positive thoughts rendered beautiful and
striking images. While scientists are divided on support for his work, in part due to insufficient
controls, no one disputed the general conclusion that sound can negatively or
positively impact humans and plants — beings made up mostly of water.
Sanskrit’s
Unique Sound Vibration
Sanskrit language in particular has
been demonstrated to be more predictably impactful on body and mind. Most
mantras are Sanskrit. This may be due to the ancient roots of Sanskrit, the
mother of all languages (most modern languages evolved from Sanskrit (with the
exception of indigenous languages of America, Africa and Australia). In part the impact of ancient Sanskrit
mantras on our unconscious minds, as suggested by Carl Gustav Jung. Sanskrit is
also very rhythmic and, to some extent, mimics nature’s sounds — which have
been proven in numerous studies to have a profound impact on our minds. (For
example, the call of a loon, or the howl of a wolf evoke specific emotions
in humans — primitive memories stored in our subconscious mind.) What
is more powerful, the printed word or the spoken word? To be able to speak
creatively and spontaneously or to repeat what someone else has said? Remember
your inmost voice that arises from the core of your own Being. That is your
Mantra which is ever resounding.
The highest Mantra arises spontaneously
beyond individual speech or mind as a self-effulgent light. The power of mantra
pervades all space, shapes all cosmic forces, and draws us to the highest
awareness in which we forget ourselves altogether and become one with all.
Note
the Paramjyoti Mantra to the Supreme Light: OṀ
Hrīṁ
(Hreem) Hamsa Soham Svāhā!
“Mantra beyond Speech and Mind
What is more powerful, the printed word
or the spoken word? To be able to speak creatively and spontaneously or to
repeat what someone else has said? Remember your inmost voice that arises from
the core of your own Being. That is your Mantra which is ever resounding.
The highest Mantra arises spontaneously
beyond individual speech or mind as a self-effulgent light. The power of mantra
pervades all space, shapes all cosmic forces, and draws us to the highest
awareness in which we forget ourselves altogether and become one with all.
Note the Paramjyoti Mantra to the
Supreme Light:
OṀ
Hrīṁ
(Hreem) Hamsa Soham Svāhā!
-David Frawley”
Please go through my previous discourse
also:
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2014/11/meditation-is-to-go-beyond-thinking_22.html
NIRAKARA-AKARA FORM OF LINGA AND SHALAGRAMA
After mental period of Brahman in Vedic Period
started Puranic Period of sectarians started due to conflicts. Shaivites did not give much importance
to Puranas as Vaishnavas who liked to Brahman in Saakara form more. It has not
much philosophical or symbolic meaning, as Shivlinga symbolizes whole universe,
similar to quasars, and also similar to shape in which universe expanded
(search big bang theory for this one). Shiv Purana says that the advanced
devotees of Shiva worship him in Nirguna form, means formless form. Shiva Linga
is a form of formless Brahman. Advanced devotees worship Saligrama and Linga in Nirguna forms,
mean formless forms reminding us, the formless Brahman.
A Shaligram,
also called a Shalagram shila, is a particular variety of stone collected
from riverbed or banks of the Kali Gandaki, a tributary of the Gandaki River in Nepal,
worshipped as a non-anthropomorphic representation of Vishnu by Hindus.
They are typically fossils of ammonite shells
from the Devonian-Cretaceous period
of 400 to 66 million years ago.
The word Linga means “the form.” We are calling
it “the form” because when the un-manifest began to manifest itself, or in
other words when creation began to happen, the first form that it took was that
of an ellipsoid. A perfect ellipsoid is what we call as a Linga. Creation always
started as an ellipsoid or a Linga, and then became many things. And we know
from our experience that if you go into deep states of meditativeness, before a
point of absolute dissolution comes, once again the energy takes the form of an
ellipsoid or a Linga. So, the first form is Linga and the final form is Linga.
-July
31, 2022
***************************************************************
The Scented History of the Ancient
Indian Perfume Industry
A brief history of the
magnificent world of ancient Indian perfumes and
Cosmetics lost in time. India
was the world leader in the perfume industry for more than five hundred years. A
17th OR 18th CENTURY MANUSCRIPT of two Sanskrit treatises with a Marathi
commentary on one of them opens a whole fragrant world diffused with a stunning
wealth of details about the Himalayan summits that the art, craft and science
of ancient and medieval Indian perfumery had scaled. The details in these two
manuscripts are just an appetizer to a thousand-course meal whose ingredients
and method of preparation we have perhaps irretrievably lost. In no particular
order, here is a partial list of aromatic ingredients that the manuscripts
provide in order to prepare an infinite variety of perfumes. The names of the
ingredients are a mix of Sanskrit and Marathi. Hold your breath.
Srikhanda, Agaru, Jaayapatri,
Sailaja, Taalisapatra, Vaala, Bhola, Paachii, Yelaa, Lavanga, Koshta, Toopa,
Phulancaa, Vaasu, Srigandha, Sevanti, Makhaa, Davana, Brahmii, Champakali,
Punaave, Haldi, Jayiphal, Geroo, Karpura, Tagara, Taalii, Punaava, Gahulaa,
Kaalaavaalaa, Champaka, Choonaa, Ketaki, Javaadi, Satapatra, Dalchini, Hingul,
Vyaghranakhii, Tamaalapatra, Guguloo, Kesari, Kachoor, Devadaroo, Surabhi,
Kumkuma, Padmaka, Damana….
However, the 17th century is
fairly recent given the fact that the art, craft, skill, and the industry of
perfumery and cosmetics dates back to at least three thousand years.
Scores of scholars and researchers during the period of the modern Indian
Renaissance invested countless hours to reconstruct this scented history, a
great endeavor that was halted after Independence. A forgotten classic in this
regard is the two-volume History of Hindu Chemistry by the
scientist Sri P.C. Ray. Then we have the justly famous, two encyclopedic
traditional works that deal with cosmetics and perfumery, among other topics:
Varahamihira’s Brihatsamhita and Someshwara’s Manasollasa.
Our eternal gratitude should
also deservedly go to the prolific scholar, Dr. P.K. \\\\Gode who tirelessly
scoured through thousands of such traditional treatises and heavy volumes and
wrote a series of papers on this most significant facet of the Sanatana
Civilization. A thriving perfume market is one of the greatest indicators of
national prosperity, and in our own times, the US is the world’s largest perfume market worth over $40 billion. India had not only occupied this premier position for unbroken
centuries but was regarded as one of the great cradles of perfumery and
cosmetics.
Gandhasastra
The Indian term for the science
and technology of cosmetics and perfumery is Gandhasastra. The
practical art and application of preparing cosmetics and perfumery is known
as Gandhayukti. Two important treatises dedicated to this
subject include the Gandhasara of Gangadhara and Gandhavada, whose
authorship is unknown. Gandhavada has an elaborate commentary
in Marathi. Gandhasara was published around 1200 CE and the
latter, sometime in 1600 CE. Both texts in turn are based on earlier texts
dating back to around 500 CE. This is how Gangadhara defines the ultimate
purpose of cosmetics and perfumery.
This science of cosmetics and
perfumery is helpful in the worship of Gods, which requires the use of
auspicious perfumes and incense; it contributes to the pleasures of men; it
leads to the attainment of Three Ends of human life (Dharma, Artha and Kama);
it removes one's own poverty; it contributes to the pleasure of the king, and
it gives the highest delight to the minds of accomplished ladies.
As we notice, some things are
both universal and eternal. Till this date, women are the most prolific
consumers of cosmetics and perfumery, and across the globe, individuals have
become eponymous with the perfumes they create. Likewise, from the ancient
times up to the late medieval period, perfumers were in huge demand throughout
India. Sri Krishnadevaraya had created a separate
government department for cosmetics and perfumes.
Equally, there are hundreds of
verses in Indian literature in all languages waxing rapturously about the
benefits and delights and pleasures that perfumes, scents, and incenses give to
the body, mind, and soul. Even Vishnu Sharma, the author of a text like Panchatantra can’t
resist the temptation of perfumes. He calls it the best of all trades, prizing
it above gold.
The other obvious and
interesting fact is that cosmetics and perfumes were manufactured entirely from
organic sources: plants, leaves, minerals, barks, shrubs, musk, ambergris, and
so on. As Sri Gode notes, a study of the art and science of making perfumes in
this manner is also closely linked with the study of Ayurveda.
The study of the Indian
Gandhasastra is only one line on the spectrum of Indian Civilization, so rich
with variegated streaks of culture of the different periods of Indian history
from the Vedic times to the advent of the Indian Independence.
Some Highlights
Whatever subject our ancestors touched,
they made sure to dive deep in and touch the very floor of the ocean, extracted
the pearls, came up ashore and then like Agastya, swallowed the ocean itself.
An important element in the traditional medical literature of India are
the Nighantus or glossaries that provide elaborate lists of
medical and botanical terms along with the names and properties of each item.
These glossaries would then be updated with new findings in the subsequent
generations. The same applies to glossaries in Gandhasastra, giving
a list of each aromatic ingredient and its properties. However, owing to the
vagaries of time and large-scale destructions of entire empires, only a few of
these have survived. Unfortunately, there is no single glossary—akin to the
dictionary of language—that lists all these aromatic ingredients.
THE THIRD CHAPTER of the
aforementioned Gandhasara contains a partial aromatic
glossary. The meticulous structure and the extraordinary attention to detail
that Gangadhara has paid while constructing this glossary is truly astounding. Gangadhara provides an eightfold
classification of aromatic ingredients as Vargas (categories).
(1) Leaves: Tulsi (Basil),
etc.
(2) Flowers: Saffron, jasmine,
Sugandhapushpa, etc.
(3) Fruits: Pepper, nutmeg,
cardamom, etc.
(4) Barks: (Barks of the)
Camphor tree, clove tree, etc.
(5) Woods: Sandalwood, Fir, etc.
(6) Roots: Nutgrass, Pavonia
Odorata (Balarakshi in Kannada, Thingai Pillai in Tamil and Sugandhabala in
Hindi), etc.
(7) Discharge of odour from
plants: Camphor, etc.
(8) Organic ingredients: Musk,
honey, butter, ghee, etc.
Gangadhara then gives elaborate
details on technical processes and recipes for manufacturing perfumes and
various types of perfumed products such as scented waters, perfumed oils,
incense sticks, and powders. Overall, he classifies the actual preparation of
perfumed products into six processes (Bhavana, Pachana, Bodha, Vedha,
Dhupana and Vaasana) to be performed in the same order
that he lists them. Happily, traditional perfumers in India even today use many
of these methods and techniques to manufacture their perfumed products.
Gangadhara, like every Hindu
scholar of the yore writing on different subjects, assigns a Dharmic and divine
goal to the making and use of perfumes. He invokes four deities before
beginning his treatise: Shiva, Ganapati, Saraswati and a Gandha Yaksha (a
demigod) who is a servant of Shiva. Needless, this Gandha Yaksha is the
presiding deity of the art, science and technology of cosmetics and perfumes.
In Gangadhara’s words, the final goal of perfumery is to “infuse semi-divinity
within us and elevate our mind by freeing it from the mundane worries of the
world.”
-- July 30, 2022
*************************************************************
KALI THE SUPREME MOTHER OF THE UNIVERSE
Ma
Kali was first introduced to the modern world by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa as the
Supreme Mother of the Universe. Through Ramakrishna - an avatar for many - the
inspiration of Ma Kali awoke India to its ancient spiritual heritage and
brought the unifying message of yoga to the world.
This
was at a time in which the world was dominated by colonial powers and the idea
of a Universal Mother was not accepted - much less a World Mother who was dark
in color and fierce in demeanor from a backward country like India!
Yet
instead of following Ramakrishna's yogic teachings about Kali, most scholars
today look at Kali in an alien and diminished light. What psychologists tell us
about Kali often reveals more about their own fascinations with the
subconscious mind, rather than the Great Goddess who looks over all of us with
wisdom and compassion.
Yogic
deities can be best understood according to meditation practices. They relate
to energies of higher consciousness beyond the dualities of the mind and the
urges of the body. As such, their appearances are dramatic and paradoxical -
mind-blowing as it were, and intentionally so.
Nature of Ma Kali
Ma Kali is kala shakti or
the power of time. She indicates the impermanence of all things, which is why
she wears a garland of skulls. Yet she is also the ultimate transforming power
of time, which is to take us from death to immortality. Along with endless
time, Kali is boundless space, the limitless void, indicated by her dark blue
color. Her magical dance of transformation is all existence.
Kali
holds the vidyut shakti, the
lightning or electrical force of consciousness that is the supreme power. All
the goddesses and the entire universe manifests from her indomitable force.
Kali's seed mantra is "kreem,"
which is the kriya shakti or power of
transformation behind the vast movement of life.
Kali is not the goddess of death and destruction
as some see her but, on the contrary, represents the complete victory of the
Divine over all death and destruction. Her warrior goddess form removes all the
illusions of the mind and reveals the undying presence of our inmost Self that
is one with all.
Ma Kali as the yoga shakti
Kali
is the inner power of yoga or yoga shakti. Yoga in the true sense is a practice
of mergence and return to the Divine source of existence. Yoga rests upon nirodha, the full concentration of the
mind and dissolution of the ego. Kali is the nirodha shakti, the power of negation, neti-neti, not this, not that, of the Upanishads.
Kundalini shakti,
the secret yogic power of transformation within us, works through Kali's grace
and motivation. Kundalini ascends and dissolves all the chakras, or energy
canters within us, back into the state of pure unity consciousness that is Ma
Kali's ultimate abode.
Kali
is the Shakti inherent in Shiva as Mahakala, the great lord of eternity. She
dances on Shiva in a prone form, showing the Divine life and joy that manifests
out of absolute stillness and transcendence. Kali reminds one of Tagore's
verses "Let me carry death in life
that I may know life in death."
Yet,
Ma Kali has a crucial social relevance today. Kali as the transforming power of
time can usher us into a new era of global peace and understanding, if we can
accept her demand for a real change of consciousness. Kali asks us to live for
eternity, not merely for fleeting enjoyments or outer material gains.
Those seeking to
bring the Divine Light into the world should worship Ma Kali.
Ma
Kali as the supreme form of the Universal Mother absorbs her children back into
her blissful embrace. She takes us across the deepest darkness to reach
the highest light.
“Kali
is the ultimate manifestation of Shakti and the mother of all living
beings. The goddess destroys evil in order to protect the innocent. Over time,
Kali has been worshipped by devotional movements and Tantric sects variously as
the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Adi Shakti, or Parvati.
Ma
Kali is the most misunderstood of all Hindu Goddesses, though she is often
regarded as the most powerful. Kali's dark and fierce form is certainly
intimidating and hard to fathom, unless one is willing to look with discernment
behind the veil of sensational images about her”--David Frawley.
Jai
Ma Kali--Shiva without Shakti is Shava
Knowest not, Mind, to
farm? In the untilled field
would golden harvest wave, so thou hadst sown.
Make of her name a fence, that so the yield
be not destroyed. Not Death himself, O Mind!
Dare come nigh Kali of the tresses free.
When forfeiture will come is all unknown -
To-day, or after many a century.
Lo, to thy hand the present time, O Mind
Haste thou, and harvest. What they gave to thee,
The seed thy teachers gave, scatter it now;
With water of love it sprinkle. If alone,
O Mind, thou canst not this accomplish, thou
Alone, take Ramprasad to be with thee.
--Ramprasad
--July 30,
2022
*************************************************************************************
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
FRIENDSHIP
International Day of Friendship was designated by the United
Nations General Assembly (U.N.). On July 30, we step back and get thankful
for these relationships worldwide, as they promote and encourage peace,
happiness, and unity. The U.N. encourages governments, community groups, and
other organizations to coordinate activities and events that celebrate the
friendships that we keep close to us. Many events focus on reconciliation,
bridging understanding and consensus, and finding comfort in those friendships
that feel like home. Its important to wish them their birthday as well, Check
out 100 Birthday Wishes for Your Best Friend.
Friends who are like family, good friends, and even frenemies
are cherished on International Day of Friendship on July 30.
We live in a tough world. Between miscommunications,
mistreatment, lack of trust, discrimination, and cultural
discord, prioritizing peace seemingly has less of a presence in the global
society. There really is no reason for the world not to exist in some
harmonious form. We have the United Nations to thank for helping to remind us
all that there is some good in this world. We were first introduced to
International Day of Friendship in 2011; this special day goes beyond
connecting people and builds bridges among cultures, countries, and even
ideologies.Friendship and connections are synonymous with bonding, and building
those common bonds goes beyond sharing a trait, characteristic, or favorite
pastime with another person or group, but also includes promoting a global
commitment and understanding of diversity and inclusion. Even in our
differences, we can find common ground. Physical appearances, differences of
opinions, political views, tastes, music, and more are not reasons to separate
people. Relationships are bigger than that, and the UN works to promote
kindness and togetherness every July.
Celebrating friendships through things as simple as a brief
note, a coffee hang out, going to a concert, or taking a trip to the mall are
all ways to find commonalities. Again, we have more in common than we all
realize. And any idea that minimizes the amount of hatred and disdain
spread throughout the world is the kind we want to be shared. We’d like to
think that something we all have in common.
Before the U.N. made its designation, the very first World
Friendship Day was proposed in 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade, which is
an international civil organization that campaigns to foster peaceful culture
through friendship.
I strongly believe and look forward that all our participants
contribute and build International Friendship--Vasuhdhaiva kutumbahkam.
BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIP SUSTAIN US
Friends make us feel
rich
When spirits down, they
add cheer
Through bridges we
reach
Let bridges be kept
shined to sheen
Rue, when friends
become 'has beans'
---tanka
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world
walks out.” – Walter Winchell. Happy friendship day to you all. Sending love and best wishes
to you on this friendship day. Love you all.
--July 30,
2022
***************************************************************
India is renowned for its unique
shade-grown coffee.
Mullayanagiri [mool-ya-na-gi-ree] is
a mouthful not only for those people who don’t speak either of the four
languages of the five Southern Indian states, but even for most Indians
who are unfamiliar with the region.
At an elevation of 1,930 meters,
Mullayanagiri is the highest mountain peak in the Southwestern Indian
state of Karnataka, in the Chikmagalur district. The peak forms a part of the
Baba Budan range of mountains, which are part of the greater Western
Ghats. The names of Chikmagalur and Baba Budan will resonate with most of
the Indian populace for its association with coffee and salubrious weather.
Chikamagalur, the lesser-known,
quaint hill town, became the first recorded place in India to cultivate coffee
when it was introduced to hillsides from Yemen around the mid to late
1600s. As the story goes, seven beans of coffee were smuggled out of
Yemen’s town of Mocha by an Indian hermit named Baba Budan.
Baba Budan then planted these in the
hills of Chikmagalur. No one is sure of how much and how well these foreign
beans grew in the time following, but coffee cultivation was seriously
undertaken in the 18th Century by British entrepreneurs who turned forests in
Southern India into commercial coffee plantations.
In fact, coffee was cultivated long
before tea, mainly in Northern India. This is a relatively unknown fact, as
India is perceived to be a tea-drinking nation and does have excellent tea
gardens in Darjeeling, Bengal and Assam.
“Coffee was an established commercial crop by the turn of the
19th Century and was exported to Europe via London,” said Anil Bhandari,
president of the India Coffee Trust, a nonprofit
organization that promotes coffee consumption. “By the early 1940s, Indian
Arabica coffee — or Mysore coffee, as it was known then — had established
itself in the European market and had a branding all of its own. However… WWII and
the loss of the European market during that phase caused the unique branding of
Mysore coffee to disappear from buyers’ consciousness.”
Coffee grown in the forests of India, the world’s sixth largest
producer of coffee, is cultivated under thick canopies in the Western
Ghats — a UNESCO World Heritage site and
one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.
In the 2016-17 season, India produced
5.5 million bags of coffee. A majority of the country’s coffee is grown in
the three southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, followed by
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which was a part of Andhra Pradesh until
recently.
Nearly 65 percent of the total
production comes from Karnataka, while Tamil Nadu contributes approximately 15
percent, and Kerala makes up around 20 percent. It has been estimated that
there are more than 210,000 coffee producers in India, the majority of
whom are small holder farmers with plots around two hectares.
As in most producing countries, India
processes coffee by the washed (or wet) method as well as the natural (or dry)
method.
India is renowned for its unique
shade-grown coffee. The two commercially important species of coffee, Arabica
and Robusta, are grown under heavy shade that is believed to contribute to the
flavor profile of the coffee to the coffee, along with other influences such as
the monsoons, spices that grow around coffee, and the various fauna that thrive
alongside it.
Within this bio-diverse growing
environment, the mixture of vegetation prevents soil erosion and fallen leaves
decompose to become rich humus, thereby retaining the forest ecosystem. The
Indian Rainforest-grown Arabica is unique in its properties and sought after
for its flavor and characteristics, as these are grown at higher altitudes.
Increasingly, the industry is shifting towards sustainable
farming practices, and more estates have become certified by Rainforest Alliance-UTZ and Fairtrade.
Organic coffee is also of increasing interest, especially for coffee grown on
tribal land, which represents about 42 percent of the coffee area in India. In
these areas, coffee is managed in traditional ways, often organically.
Most of India’s coffee exports go to
Europe, Japan and the Middle East, while many global consumers remain unaware
of the complexities and quality that fine Indian coffee from Southern estates
can offer. The name “Coffee of India” is only used as an indication of origin
at the export level, when packages are shipped from India to the country of
destination.
“Indian coffee, particularly the
Robusta parchment and cherry, continue to see good demand from Italian buyers,”
said Ramesh Rajah, the president of the Coffee Exporters Association of India.
“Of concern is the falling Arabica production due to extremely low prices
prevailing in the international market, as well as the recent flood damage, which
is still being assessed.”
Rigid control of quality and grade designations by India
Coffee Board, an agency of the Government of India,
ensures the export of only the finest and the most aromatic of India’s
hand-picked coffee beans. Encouragement for the local coffee industry comes not
only from the Coffee Board of India, but from nonprofit bodies such as the
India Coffee Trust that are working towards fortifying and intensifying these
efforts.
“The India Coffee Trust is the result
of a general consensus among the stakeholders of the Indian coffee industry to
create a nonprofit organization that discusses and promotes Indian coffee,”
Bhandari said. “Assisting the Trust with the objective of creating a wider
global outreach and visibility of India’s fine Shade Grown coffees is the
Indian Coffee Collective. Together, our primary mandate is to promote India’s
shade-grown coffees and it’s long standing history with the humble brown bean.”
With a goal of raising awareness around preserving and promoting
the values of coffee culture in India, the India International Coffee Festival —
jointly organized by the India Coffee Trust and Coffee Board of India — took place
in Bengaluru in January 2018. The four-day attracted more than 5,000 local,
national, and international visitors.
India International
Coffee Festival 2019, jointly organized by the India Coffee Trust and Coffee
Board of India, concluded today in Bengaluru. The four day long festival
attracted more than 5000 local, national and international visitors,
enthralling them with informative workshops, fireside chats with some of the
best known exponents in the trade and keynote addresses by renowned speakers representing
different industry sectors. Over 40 national and international exhibitors
participated in the festival this year. The event provided a platform to unveil
some outstanding coffees and blends, cutting edge technologies and products and
equipment for brewing, roasting, packaging, barista & coffee machines, and
farm equipment.
[Anamika Ghosh is the Director of Strategy and Operations
at the Indian Coffee Collective, based in Bangalore, India. Over the
course of two decades, Ghosh has handled various facets of marketing strategy,
business development, research, and brand building across industry
segments to help shed light on a rapidly evolving market and dynamics that
guide these transformations.]
--July 29, 2022
*************************************************************************************
Single Consciousness Pervading the Entire
Universe
There is one Universal
Mind that is the single Consciousness pervading the entire Universe. As the
first manifestation of The Absolute or God, ‘Its’ inherent nature is All-Knowing,
All-Powerful, All-Creative and All-Present. Being absolute, Universal Mind is
present everywhere at the same time and at every point, in ‘Its’ entirety.
It follows, therefore, that ‘It‘ must also be present within you in ‘Its’
entirety—that ‘It’ is your mind, that ‘It’ is you. We have to revive our consciousness that we are part and parcel of
God. And the part and parcel of God means to serve God.
What it means that Universal Mind is?
One of the most important attributes of Universal Mind that can
change your life forever once you understand it is that ‘It’ is Absolute in nature and Omnipresent or
All-Present. This means that not just one part of Universal Mind is present
within you, while another part is present within someone else, and yet another
somewhere else. If this were the case, then Universal Mind would not be
absolute, nor would ‘It’ be Omni-present or All-Present. The truth
is, therefore, that your mind is one and the same with the One Universal Mind
because ‘It’ is present everywhere in ‘Its’ entirety. This is not just a
philosophical ideal passed down to us through the ages. It is an exact
mathematical truth given the Absolute nature of the Single Universal
Consciousness. Know it, believe it, apply it and you will see your life
transform in miraculous ways.
"We Cannot Get Behind Consciousness"
The idea of a single
Universal Mind permeating the entire manifested Universe can be traced back
to the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras, who taught the cosmological theory of
‘Nous’ as the ordering force of the Cosmos, where ‘Nous’ is the Greek word for
mind. Thousands of years later, and Anaxagoras' philosophy is today fundamental
to the field of quantum physics, which is the study of sub-atomic particles.
Max Planck, who is considered the father of Quantum Theory and who received the
1918 Nobel Prize in Physics, said, “I regard consciousness as fundamental. I
regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind
consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as
existing, postulates consciousness.”
A Name for All Names
The Universal Mind goes by many names. In the scientific world
we know of the Unified Field, in spiritual philosophy we refer to The Mind of
The All, The Mind of the One or the World Soul and in religion we call upon
God, or more accurately, in this case, the Mind of God. The name is relevant
only in so far as it resonates with you. And bear in mind that since, for our
purposes, consciousness is mind, the terms ‘Universal Mind’ and ‘Universal
Consciousness’ are used interchangeably.
Whichever way you cut it, you come to the unavoidable conclusion
that there is but One Universal Consciousness or Mind, and since ‘It’ is
absolute in nature and hence present everywhere at the same time in ‘Its’
entirety, then your consciousness, as Charles Hansel said, "must be the
same in kind and quality as the whole, the only difference being one of degree".
And the degree is determined by the degree of your recognition of your oneness
with ‘It’.
The Nature of Universal Mind is Your Nature
As the Mind of The Absolute, the inherent nature of the Universal Mind is Omniscient
(All-Knowing), Omnipotent (All-Powerful), Omnificent (All-Creative) and
Omnipresent (All-Present). This is also your true nature. You have the potential for
all knowledge, known and unknown. You have the potential for limitless
power for which nothing is impossible. And you have the potential for
the limitless creativity of the One Creator.
In other words, the
attributes of the Universal Mind are
present within you at all times in their potential form
whether you recognize them or not. It is up to you, however, to harness the
true nature of your consciousness and its oneness with Universal Consciousness
by remembering who you truly are—your ‘True Self’. As your True
Self, you know your oneness with the Absolute.
Know Thyself!
It is up to you to remember, know and act as your True Self. The inscription on the
Ancient Greek Temple of Apollo at Delphi left no room for misunderstanding:
"Know thyself and thou shalt know all the mysteries of the Gods and of the
Universe". By identifying with your superconscious
mind and directing the
creative power of your subconscious
mind, you
align yourself with the Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnificence of the
Universal Mind.
The Law of One—we are All One
There is profound truth in the ancient teaching that we are all One. We are all connected—not only
to each other but to all of Nature and to everything in the Universe. This is
the Law of One. What you do to others, you do to yourself. What you think of others,
you think of yourself. The way you treat Nature, you treat yourself. The
separateness you physically experience in this three-dimensional Physical Plane
is an illusion experienced by your physical self, relayed to your brain through
your five physical senses. The true nature of your reality is non-dualistic,
meaning that while things may appear distinct they are not separate.
“EMBODIED CONSCIOUSNESS TO UNIVERSAL
CONSCIOUSNESS
We individual human
beings are mental beings. We have an embodied consciousness which we call the
mind. Our minds are rooted in our physical bodies and its resultant social
activities. Our minds reflect the biological, psychological and social
imperatives of our physical embodiment, to protect and promote our place in the
world for survival, happiness and prestige.
When science looks for
proof of intelligent life in the universe, we are looking for other forms of
mind or embodied consciousness like our own. In our fixation on consciousness
as mind or its individualized form, we fail to see the intelligence and
Consciousness that pervades the universe as a whole, the non-embodied deathless
awareness.
Besides mind or
embodied consciousness is universal Consciousness, a boundless intelligence
that pervades all space and underlies all existence. All forms of mind or
embodied consciousness are its manifestations at an outer level.
Yoga and Vedanta are
about the movement from mind or embodied consciousness to the Atman or Purusha, the universal and transcendent
Consciousness or Self beyond the limitations, birth and death of the embodied
creature.
Mind or embodied
consciousness is inherently limited by time and subject to sorrow. Its
knowledge is limited and biased according to the needs and desires of its
embodiment. It is trapped in the ignorance or avidya, the lack of transcendent knowledge inherent in its outer
orientation.
Certainly we need the
mind for our outer functioning in life, but to know our true Self and boundless
Consciousness, we must look beyond individualizes mind to the deeper light of
awareness behind it. This is the path of Universal Self-realization.--David
Frawley”
--July 24, 2022
Comments:
If you can experience what you have written in this article, I
salute you for being in absolute truth, and hope you can continue to spread
this awareness as you are doing, knowing that you have reached the place to be.
Very Many Namaskarams!
--Dr.
Vedavyas
Response:
Did we not come out from one Paramatman (Consciousness) as a
particle as Atman, struggled in Samsara and gets back to it when the Atman
realizes its position, qualities and struggles to get back. But why did it come
out and submerged in Samsara? It is ITS (so called GOD) leela and pleasure
as GOD created the Worlds also first (Prusha- Sutka)!--NRS
---------------------------------------------------------------
Webinar -225- A
DIVINE SWAN INSTRUCTS GODS
“Maharshi Dattātreya was once roaming as a
royal swan (Hamsa) and the gods (devatās) requested him for some learned
words. The result was some wonderful tips on right living. Contained in 18
verses in the 4th chapter of Vidura Neeti, the teachings begin
with emphasis on the need to have calmness of mind and control over senses.
Then they proceed to the importance of speech that does not hurt, and culminate
with a valuable insight into how we may free ourselves from bad habits and
their consequent sorrow. This portion of the ‘dharma-grantha’ can
help us make precious mid-course corrections in our journey of sādhanā.-
Take your mind off them; your bad habits will
leave you.
/ yato yato nivartate, tatas-tato
vimuchyate /
Vidura Neeti 4.14”
--Swami
Chidananda of FOWAI Forum
Dattatreya Kavacham
[Armor of Dattatreya]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Bhagvan Dattatreya is all the great trinity rolled in to one form.
He is followed by the four Vedas in the form of dogs. There is a story that
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva wanted to test the chastity of Sadhvi Anasooya and
requested her to serve them food in the nude. She made them in to babies and
took them together. That is one story about the origin of Dathathreya. In the
states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, there are large number of people who
worship Dathathreya. It is belied Sage Samarth of Maharashtra was his
incarnation. The following is datta’s kavacha. If we recite this kavacha for
28 times for 49 days, we will get Lord Dattatreya’s darshan and our
problems also get solved.
Sri pada pathu may padhou, ooru sidhasana sthitha,
Paya digambharo guhyam nara hari pathu may Katim. 1
Let my feet be protected by Sri Pada, Let he who sits on the
throne of Sidhas protect my thigh, Let him who clothes with the direction
protect my private parts, Let God Nara Simha protect my hip.
Nabhim pathu jagath srushto, dharam pathu dharodhara,
Krupalu pathu hrudayam, Shad bhuja pathu may Bhujou. 2
Let my stomach be protected by creator of the world, Let my bone
marrow be protected by he who bears the conch, Let the kind hearted one protect
my heart, Let the six handed one protect my arms.
Skakkundi soola damaru sankha chakra dhara karam,
Pathu kantam Kambhu kante Sumukham pathu may Mukham. 3
Let him who holds pitcher, trident, drum, conch and wheel protect
my arms,
Let my neck be protected by he who has a conch like neck, Let the pleasant
faced one protect my face.
Jihwam may Veda Vak pathu, nethrom may pathu divya druk,
Nasikam pathu gandathma, pathu punya srava sruthi. 4
Let he who talks Vedas protect my toungue, Let my eyes be
protected by the one with divine vision, Let the soul of sandal protect my nose,
Let my ears be protected by he who has a blessed name.
Laltam pathu hamsathma, Sira
pathu Jatadhara,
Karmendriyani Patveesa, Pathu jnanedrayan aaja. 5
Let the one whose soul is in high step of meditation protect my
forehead,
Let my head be protected by the one who has matted hair,
Let my body parts to do action be protected by God,
Let my parts participating in intellect, be protected by he who is not
born.
Sarvatharontha karanam prana
may pathu Yogi raat,
Uparishta dadathyascha prashtatha parswathogratha. 6
Let the king of sages protect all types of my inside and soul,
And Over and above whatever is left as well what is near and in the
front.
Anthar bahischa maam nithyam
nana roopa dharovathu,
Varjitham kavechenovyath sthanam may Divya darsana. 7
Let him who can take any form protect daily what is inside and
what is out,
And let the God with the divine vision protect whatever has been left out by
this armor.
Rajatha shathrutho himsrath
dushprayogadhitho gatha,
AAdhi vyathi bhaya aarthibhyo Dathathrya sadha avathu. 8
Let Dathathreya guard me from king, enemy, Cruel people and those
who misuse power, As well as worry, disease, fear and greed.
Dhana Dhanya graham kshethra
Sthri puthra pasu kinkaran,
Gnathimscha pathu may Nithya Anasuya Ananda Vardhana. 9
Let The god who increases the happiness of Anasuya, Protect my
money, grains, home, field, wife, son, cattle and servants, As well as all the
members of my clan daily.
Bala unmatha pisachabho dhuvit
sandhishu pathu maam,
Bhootha bouthika mruthyubhyo Hari pathu Digambara. 10
From powerful exuberant devils, bad paramours,let the saint
protect me,
Let The Hari who dresses himself by the sky, Protect the physical and spiritual
aspects as well as death.
Ya yetha drutha kavacham
sannahyath bhakthi bhavitha,
SArva anartha nirviktho Graha peeda vivarjitha. 11
He who wears this armour with the spirit of devotion, Will get rid
of all dangers as well as the problems caused by planets.
Bhootha pretha pisachadwaira
devair apya parajitha,
Bhukthyathaa divyaan bhogan, sa dehanthe Thath padam vrujeth. 12
Devils, ghosts, bad wandering
souls as well as gods with enmity would get defeated, And they would enjoy
divine pleasures and at the end they would reach.
Ithi sri dhathreya kavacham.
Thus ends the armor of Dattatreya.
Vedanta Spiritual Library http://www.celextel.or
--July 23, 2022
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
India should set up its Own
Commission on Religious and Spiritual Freedom
American citizens are granted
many rights and privileges that are protected by the United States
Constitution. One example is the freedom of speech that is protected by the
First Amendment. However, as Hindu Americans, should we set boundaries where
there are no boundaries? The courts have been asked to rule on several cases
where those expressing their First Amendment right may have “crossed the
line.”
God’s divine plan provided
spiritual freedom. In contrast, America celebrates political freedom by
commemorating the July 4, 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence,
which declared our independence from Great Britain. Spiritual freedom came by
the death of one man, while thousands died during the American Revolution
fighting for political freedom. Both situations remind us the cost of the
freedom we enjoy today was the death of others. We define freedom as “enjoying
personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery.” The challenge
becomes how do we enjoy our personal rights and liberty without infringing on
the personal rights and liberty of others? Are there boundaries that should be
observed? God’s answer was provided through the writings of Apostle Paul to the
Church at Corinth. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not
helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the
power of any.” _(I Corinthians 6:12 NKJV) The spiritual freedom God has
provided opens doors to things once prohibited under the law, but now are
acceptable without condemnation. However, we are encouraged to raise our
prospective to the highest level. Scripture encourages us to exercise our
freedom in a manner that benefits not only ourselves, but others. We set
boundaries where there are no boundaries for the greater good of all.
"India should set up its own commission on religious and spiritual
freedom, tracking diversity, exposing predatory conversion, judging countries
by their ability to preserve ancient and native traditions. Monotheism has
rarely been a force of tolerance or respect for another views"--David
Frawley.
The Indian Constitution provides for freedom of conscience and the
right of all individuals to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion;
mandates a secular state; requires the state to treat all religions
impartially; and prohibits discrimination based on religion. It also states citizens must
practice their faith in a way that does not adversely affect public order,
morality, or health. Nine of the 29 states have laws restricting
religious conversions. Some human rights groups stated that these
laws fostered hostility against minority communities. There were
reports by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that the government sometimes
failed to act on mob attacks on religious minorities, marginalized communities,
and critics of the government.
Senior
U.S. government officials underscored the importance of respecting religious
freedom and promoting tolerance throughout the year with the ruling and
opposition parties, civil society and religious freedom activists, and
religious leaders belonging to various faith communities. In March a
U.S. expert discussed racial and ethnic tolerance with audiences in Chennai and
Mumbai. In June the Ambassador and the visiting U.S. Ambassador to
the United Nations stressed the importance of religious freedom during
interactions with multiple religious leaders in Delhi. In almost
every visit the Ambassador made in India, he engaged with religious
communities, including representatives of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and
Jain, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths. In August the Department of
State Senior Bureau Official for South and Central Asian Affairs visited India
and convened a roundtable with senior leaders representing a number of faith
groups to exchange views on religious freedom and tolerance. In
December the Department of State Special Advisor for Religious Minorities met
with government officials, religious minority groups, and civil society
representatives in Delhi and Lucknow to discuss the challenges faced by
religious minorities in India.
We must remember that the term Hinduism is only a modern
designation of a tradition properly known as “Sanatana Dharma”, the eternal or
universal Dharma. Once we understand Hinduism as Santana Dharma, its relevance for all humanity
becomes clear.
"Textbooks
on history need major changes providing an Indic/Bharatiya view its place of
respect. This is part of an open pursuit of truth, in which all sides must be
heard. Today there seems to be an apartheid in academia and the media in which
an Indic view, particularly a Hindu view, will not be given a voice.
India’s view of civilization as the pursuit of dharma and higher
consciousness cannot be reduced to materialist concerns or to those of
exclusivist beliefs. India’s civilization has the most in depth cosmic dimension
to its view of world and Self, which transcends all such outer historical
theories, and must be examined accordingly. Note my article:
https://www.facebook.com/firstpostion"--David Frawley
-July 23, 2022
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MEANING OF THE SHIVA
LINGA
Mahanarayana Upanishad being a
Mantra Upanishad includes the Pancha-brahmam mantras for meditation that is
adapted as Rudra Mantra.
Rudra is the Supreme Lord dwelling in all created beings. He is
endowed with many forms that are either Sāttvika, Rājasa or Tāmasa called here
respectively as aghorebhyo ghoraghoratarebhyaḥ (Aghora, ghora and aghoratara).
May the Supreme who is the
luster of all knowledge, controller of all created beings, the preserver of the
Vedas and the one overlord of Hiraṇyagarbha, be benign to
me!
The spherical dome of the heavens above, appearing to us capping
the earth on which we live, may be likened to an enormous semi-section of an
egg containing the world.
Pancha Bhoota Sthalam refers to five temples dedicated to Shiva, each representing a manifestation of
the five prime elements of nature: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Aether. Pancha indicates
"five," Bhoota means "elements," and Sthala means
"place." The temples are located in South India, four in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh. The five elements are believed to be enshrined
in the five lingams of the
temples, with each lingam named based on the element represented. Amazingly,
all these 5 temples are located on the longitudes 78 - 79° E, with very minute
differences.
Śiva Liṅga may be carved out of stone, naturally found as stalagmite, or
shaped out of gold, metal and the like. The Liṅga therefore, is a symbol
concealing a truth behind. This word LINGA occurring in various compound
names above are to be interpreted in the light of the tradition behind the
word!
Gaurishankar
Rudraksha, गौरीशंकर रुद्राक्ष is the symbol of the divine unity
of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati expressing union and bond. You are blessed
with emotional success and unity with partners. Gauri Shankar Rudraksha is principally available in two varieties
which are Java Indonesian Rudraksh & Nepali Rudraksh. Nepal
Gauri Shankar beads are bigger in size and more developed and heavier with
thorny surface and deeply etched Mukhi lines. The Java
Indonesian beads are comparatively smaller with smooth surface and visual Mukhi lines.
Shiva and
Shakti are indistinguishable. They are one. They are the universe. Shiva isn't masculine. Shakti isn't feminine.
At the core of their mutual penetration the supreme consciousness opens.
May all well-wishers be
blessed! May all the people be happy!
For a detailed text go through:
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-meaning-of-shiva-linga-rudrakshi.html
--July 16, 2022
Comments:
Good
article. Noted the content, thank you very much for sending
these to me.
‑Bala
Subhramaniyan, Atlanta
I like this new way of meditating upon Lingam as the semi section
of the dome.
--Vedavyas
--------------------------------------------------------------
BHAGAVAD GITA IN NATYA BY PAVITHRA SRINIVASAN
Pavithra Srinivasan is
among the most inspired and dedicated Bharatanatyam artiste of her generation.
She has been performing extensively across India, UK, USA, Canada, and Europe
in prestigious organizations and events, enthralling audiences.
Happy to announce the
release of Natya-sastra Chapter 1 - Trailer, on Guru Purnima Day, Platform:-
You tube Channel 1 .
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_WJplF-Ylv0yt1vc9MGy7g
You tube Channel 2
https://www.youtube.com/results...
Guru Purnima Day would
be ideal for Arangetram. An arangetram is the moment that every young classical
dancer looks forward to. It's supposed to be the first time they perform on
stage and showcase their talent and years of intense training. At least, we should not
miss the day dedicating this day to Lord Nataraja dancing at his feet.
The Nāṭya Śāstra (Sanskrit: नाट्य शास्त्र, Nāṭyaśāstra) is a Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. The
text is attributed to sage Bharata Muni, and its first complete compilation is dated to between
200 BCE and 200 CE, but estimates vary between 500 BCE and
500 CE.
The text consists of 36
chapters with a cumulative total of 6000 poetic verses describing
performance arts. The subjects covered by the treatise include dramatic
composition, structure of a play and the construction of a stage to host it,
genres of acting, body movements, make up and costumes, role and goals of an
art director, the musical scales, musical instruments and the integration of
music with art performance.
Abhinavagupta’s commentary on Bharata’s Natyasastra is
titled Abhinava-bharati. This is the oldest commentary
available on Bharata’s text on dramaturgy.
In this work, Abhinavagupta tries to offer a satisfactory
explanation to Bharata’s theory for Rasa evocation, known as Rasasutra (the
formula for the evocation of Rasa). He bases his arguments on Anandavardhana’s
theory of Abhivyaktivada in his seminal text Dhvanyaloka.
Another major contribution of Abhinavagupta is the rasa
synthesis he tries to propound in Abhinavabharati. He says
that all rasas can be subsumed under, and thought of as different manifestations of,
Santa Rasa (the serene emotion).
--July 12, 2022
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MY THOUGHTS ON GURU PURNIMA
Guru
Purnima (Poornima) is a tradition dedicated to all the spiritual and academic
Gurus, who are evolved or enlightened humans, ready to share their wisdom with
no monetary expectation, based on Karma Yoga. It is celebrated as a festival in
India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. This festival is
traditionally observed to honor one's chosen spiritual teachers or leaders. It
is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha
(June–July) as it is known in the Hindu calendar. The festival was revived by
Mahatma Gandhi to pay tribute to his spiritual guru, Shrimad Rajchandra. It is
also known as Vyasa Purnima for it marks the birthday of Veda Vyasa, the sage
who authored the Mahabharata and compiled the Veda. Guru Purnima is also
celebrated by Buddhists in the in the honor of Gautama Buddha to commemorate
the day when Buddha gave his first sermon at Saranath, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Let us
look at our Guru Chdanandaji’s AUPA 8th Message this day:
“We are happy to step into our
8th year of publication of this e-newsletter AUPA. We thank you
for all the encouragement that we have received from you.
We present a new contributor, Vivek Asrani, under the feature
Guest Speak. He shares such wonderful thoughts that are so relevant to modern
living and in perfect alignment with the ancient wisdom of Vedānta!
My editorial tries to highlight the significance of silence, mauna, and explain
how it can help us live better. Let me know what you feel about this piece of
writing. (Do not be silent.)
The last month was filled with programs, in Bengaluru, at several
venues. Please take a look at the varied events where the fragrance of the
wisdom of the Upanishads made its way into diverse audiences.
With best wishes to all of you for a spiritually elevating Guru Purnimā.
--Swami Chidananda and Team AUPA
Transliteration
to Devanāgari in this issue.
Mantra to Ponder:
बध्यते भोक्तृ-भावात् ज्ञात्वा देवं मुच्यते । श्वेताश्वतर उपनिषत् 1.8
Editorial
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानाम् - गीता 10.38
मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः गीता 17.16
ಮಾತು ಬೆಳ್ಳಿಯಾದರೆ, ಮೌನ ಬ೦ಗಾರ (Footnote 3)
Tips from Upanishads
लघुत्वम् आरोग्यम् अलोलुप्त्वम्
, वर्णप्रसादं स्वर-सौष्ठवं च , योगप्रवृत्तिं प्रथमां वदन्ति ।
उद्धरेत् आत्मना आत्मानम् । गीता
6.5
Indira Gautam’s Column
एतत् त्रयं त्यजेत् ..कामः
क्रोधश्च लोभश्च । गीता 17.21
However, it is highly
inappropriate if we consider work as laborious and burdensome, and resort to
inaction. Becoming attached to inaction (be silent) is never the solution
and is clearly condemned in Bhagavad Gita!
--July 10, 2022
Comments:
Thank
you mama.
--Aparna Arcot
------------------------------------------------------EDUCATION
& MUKTI THROUGH MUSIC (ETM-MTM)
What a fantastic year it has been! The return to in-person music
instruction has been such a powerful reminder of the strength of our mission in
action - when students come together in classrooms and auditoriums, they
experience the joy of making music. It was also a year of many firsts for us
with our inaugural Teacher of the Year Award, Original Songwriting Contest,
Virtual Festival, and the creation of our Alumni Network. 2021-22 is the year in which ETM celebrates
the commitment and contributions of their teachers and partner school students.
Music
education helps to develop cognitive abilities and students
that are good in music are good at solving mathematical problems like algebra
and geometry. Researchers believe that the part of the brain that stimulates
music is also responsible for problem-solving and working on solutions.
There are various routes to moksha or
God-realization: bhakti (devotion) yoga, karma (action) yoga and
other pathways, but one of the safest and surest ways to attain
God-realizations is through sankirtan
(devotional singing) yoga. It is a universally accepted fact that sangeet or music is at the
fountain-source of our being. Its emotional appeal awakens our higher
aspirations. The science of music goes hand in hand with bhakti yoga.
“Music is a synthesis of the various yogas or paths to God-realization.”
(Swami Shivanand)
Music is naad yoga and many yoga adepts have
recognized that there are vital centers in the subtle body of man, which
vibrate and produce certain astral sounds. Great minstrels of the Lord such as
Mirabai, Purandara Das, Surdas and Narsi communed with their Lord through
music. When mantras are
chanted or kirtan sung, these inner vital
centers are influenced and the spiritual power latent in them is made manifest.
This power enables the nadopasaka (the
spiritual aspirant who has made music his spiritual sadhana) to acquire absolute control over his mind and
senses, thereby enabling him to ascend to the superconscious realms of samadhi (total immersion in Divinity).
Sangeet breaks the three granthi or knots of ignorance: Brahma granthi, Vishnu granthi and Rudra granthi. It purifies
the various naadi (the body’s subtle
channels) and the praanamaya kosha (vital air sheath).
It awakens the dormant kundalini (primal
energy) that is coiled up in the muladhaara chakra at
the base of the spine and eventually induces a divine ecstatic mood (bhava samadhi).
In addition, music also destroys the rajas (materialism) and tamas (sluggishness)
modes of nature and fills the mind with sattwa (truth).
The aspirant who practices this naad yoga succeeds
in rising above dehadyaasa (identification
with the body) and shifting his attention to the spiritual. One’s choice of
music and songs is guided by bhakti ras (the
essence of devotion). It should be noted that vulgar and obscene songs combined
with intoxicants appeal to the gross, lower animal instincts and lead to baser
thoughts and other negativities.
The Lord says to Saint Narada, “I dwell not in vaikuntha (heaven), nor in the hearts of sages and
saints, but where my devotees sing, there I am, O Narada.” Music gives peace
and calms our minds when we are agitated. Music is a sacred science, its goal
being God-consciousness.
Sravanam kirtanam
vishnoh smaranam pada-sevanam | archanam vandanam dasyam
sakhyam atma-nivedanam ||
“Hearing, chanting, remembering, serving the feet, offering
worship, offering prayers, serving as a servant, becoming the best friend and
surrendering one’s own self to Vishnu (God).”
Sravanam, Kirthanam
and Smaranam refer to Hearing, Chanting and
remembering about God. People in Bhakti will always love to hear about God and
his play-Lila and indulge in chanting mantras and singing songs praising the God and
his various manifestations (Kirtanam).
Jānakī Manoharaṃ Sarva-loka Nāyakaṃ, | Śhaṅkarādi
Sevya-māna Divya Nāma Kīrtanam ||Rāma
Rāma Rāma Rāma Rāma Nāma Tārakaṃ|Rāma Kṛiṣhṇa Vāsudeva Bhakti Mukti Dāyakam ||
The word Mukti very clearly
means being Mukt or free. It is freedom or Liberation. Moksha is not only freedom or Liberation, it is
also uniting with the Divine.
--July 10, 2022
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Jagannath Bahuda Yatra 2022:
Return journey of Holy Trinity
Wish you a Happy Bahuda Yatra (Return of the Chariot Festival)
and Blessings of Lord Jagannath.
P.S. Significance of the colors on the faces of Lord Jagannath,
Sri Balarama and Srimati Subhadra (addendum to the comments made on July 01,
2022).
The yellow turmeric is applied to face and other parts of body
especially on bride in most Hindu weddings (the Haldi Ceremony). The turmeric
acts as an exfoliant and gives glow to the skin. The main active ingredient in
turmeric is curcumin which provides many health benefits when consumed. It has
strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, " Yellow is
a good fellow "--Biplab
Bhattacharjee.
Bahuda Yatra, or the return journey of Lord Jagannath and his
siblings to their abode, Srimandir, commenced today with the ceremonial
procession ritual called the ‘Bahuda Pahandi’.
Bahuda Yatra or the return
journey of holy trinity commenced in Odisha's Puri today Devotees thronged the
temple waiting for the return journey of deities. Security has been beefed for
the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra.
After a nine-day long sojourn
in Gundicha Temple, the Holy Trinity- Lord Balbhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord
Jagannath will return to their abode Sri Mandir in Odisha's Puri today.
The grand affair, Bahuda Yatra,
commenced in the temple town Puri with a ceremonial procession ritual called
the ‘Bahuda Pahandi’. The grandiose chariots of the Holy Trinity had been
parked at the Nakachana Dwara of Gundicha Temple, waiting for the deities for
the return journey.
Bahuda Yatra is the return
journey of the holy trinity on their three chariots to Srimandir, which begins
on the 10th day.
Bhuda Yatra roll towards
Srimandir and during Bahuda Yatra, they stop for a while at the Mousima Temple.
Mousima is also known as the Ardhasani temple, which is dedicated to the aunt
of Lord Jagannath. In this temple, the deities are offered ‘Poda Pitha’, a
sweet made of coconut, rice jaggery and lentils, as part of rituals. After
spending a brief time in Mousima temple, the deities start their further
journey to the Srimandir. The chariot of Subhadra and Balabhadra moves forward
and is parked at Singha dwaar (Lion’s gate) while the chariot of Jagannath
takes a halt in front of the King’s Palace.
Ahead of Bahuda Yatra, devotees
in large numbers visited Gundicha temple every day to offer prayers to the
deities and consume the Adap abadha (mahaprasad). As per belief, anyone
offering prayers to the deities on Adap Mandap (in the sanctum sanctorum of
Gundicha temple atop the Ratnasimhasan) gets freed from the cycle of
rebirth.
As per the schedule given by
the Temple Administration, after beginning with the ‘Pahandi’ ritual, followed
by Chera Panhara at 2 PM, the pulling of chariots is expected to start by 4
PM.
--July 9, 2022
-----------------------------------------------------
What Makes July Famous as
Scientists Month?
English embryologist who in
1996 supervised the team of scientists that produced a lamb named Dolly, the
first mammal cloned from a cell from an adult.
On July 7, this day in 1951, Univac 1, the world's first commercial computer was delivered to the
United States Census Bureau. Until the microcomputer revolution in the 1980s,
the Univac 1 provided the archetype for the general public's idea of what a
computer looked like—big, brooding, complicated, and covered in countless
flashing lights. Later generations of hackers called these lights "blinkenlights." Blinkenlights once came in handy, by letting engineers see
the state of various subsystems as the computer worked in real time--and
letting visitors know that here was a big powerful computer. Blinkenlights have
turned up in countless movies, lurking in the lairs of James Bond villains, or
heralding the destruction of mankind in movies.
In general, computers have long since become too fast for blinkenlight displays
to be of much use in debugging problems, but both movie makers and computer
enthusiasts have had a hard time letting go of these iconic symbols of computer
power—the Jurassic Park movie is a classic example their combined
efforts, where a Connection Machine supercomputer ripples with red LED blinkenlights. The
Connection Machine used tens of thousands of processors working in parallel,
and ostensibly the red lights were used to check on the status of processors
and run various diagnostics, but everyone in the business knew the lights were
really just there to look awesome.
July 4, Can be Called Scientist
Day
It's death anniversary of #MarieSkłodowskaCurie, the woman who
changed the course of #Science, especially our understanding of #atoms --
Famous for her work on #radioactivity (a term she coined), one of
the most famous scientists, Marie Curie, became an icon in the scientific world
and received tributes from across the globe.
As the first of the Curie family legacy of five Nobel Prizes, she
was the first woman to win a #NobelPrize, the first person and
the only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, and the only person
to win the Nobel Prize in two scientific fields (with
#HenriBecquerel and her husband, #PierreCurie, she was awarded the 1903 Nobel
Prize for #Physics and the sole winner of the 1911 Nobel Prize for #Chemistry).
She was the first woman to become a professor at the University of Paris in
1906.
She
named the first chemical element she discovered #polonium, after her native
country.
Carnegie
Science Center understands, respects and values physical, cultural, economic
and social differences among our visitors and staff.
Scientists
born or Scientists died on July 4 to Call it Scientist Day:
- 1054 - A supernova is observed by the Chinese, the Arabs and possibly Amerindians near the star ζ Tauri. For several months it
remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form
the Crab Nebula
- 1742 - Death of Guido Grandi, Italian mathematician (b. 1671)
- 1854 - Birth of Victor Babeş, Romanian bacteriologist (d. 1926)
- 1850 - Death of William Kirby, English entomologist (b.
1759)
- 1868 - Birth of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, American astronomer (d.
1921)
- 1910 - Death of Giovanni Schiaparelli, Italian astronomer (b.
1835)
- 1934 - Leó Szilárd patents the chain-reaction design
for the atomic bomb
- 1934 - Death of Maria Sklodowska-Curie, Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Physics (b. 1867)
- 1977 - Death of Gersh Budker, Russian physicist (b. 1918)
- 1986 - Death of Oscar Zariski, Russian mathematician (b. 1899)
- 1997 - Death of John Zachary Young, English zoologist (b.
1907)
--July 7, 2022
------------------------------------------------------
Ashtakshari Mantra and its Role
in your Life
Ashta:kshari Mantra reveals the
beautiful ever-lasting bond between you and the supreme power, God. Even if you
realized this truth from a guru through the mantra or not,
the bond existed and will continue to exist forever.
There are
several mantras. Each one describes a unique quality of that supreme
power, God. These divine
qualities are countless, just like the number of stars in the universe. Let’s
take for example the mantra, “Sri Ra:ma:ya Namaha”. This describes Sri Rama’s
exquisite beauty and how it is extremely captivating and pleasing to everyone.
“Sri Pundari:ka:ksha:ya Namaha” describes the lotus petal-shaped, wide eyes
of God.
Like this, Sri Bhi:shma:cha:rya
sung 1000 such qualities of God known as Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namam. It does not
mean that Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namam completely described all the qualities of
God. It simply means that Sri Bhi:shma:cha:rya selectively revealed this many
qualities describing God via this many mantras.
If mantras are
innumerable, how can I learn them all?
Sri Prahla:da meditated
a mantra given by his Guru, Narada Maharshi. It is Ashta:kshari
Maha:mantra, the 8 lettered Na:ra:yana mantra. Also known as “Mantra Bramha”,
the greatest of mantras.
Ashta:kshari Maha:mantra is
also known called Mantra rajam (king of all mantras). It is
celebrated throughout Vedic culture, texts, and history as the most potent
means to end suffering. It was so mercifully shared with the world by Sri
Ra:ma:nujacha:rya to end the suffering of others.
Ashta:kshari is the seed of all mantras.
A seed of a tree includes
within its thousands of parts like branches, leaves, fruits, and many other
seeds. Similarly, this mantra is the seed mantra of all mantras able to grant
all kinds of amazing benefits to the world when chanted with complete
faith. Prahla:da was able to fall from a cliff, survive fire, emerging from an
ocean, and even able to drink poison without troubles due to the strength of
this mantra. The complete trust Prahla:da had in this mantra brought God
Himself in the form of Sri Narasimha avatar. He trusted in God so much
that God was with him throughout his life giving him strength to cross all
kinds of hurdles. That is the role
that mantras play in peoples’ lives whom have faith.
Does it eliminate the
coronavirus?
We cannot ask for the
elimination of anything. Everything belongs to the universal existence. The
appropriate desire is to seek protection from God from any upcoming hurdle
(virus or any other hurdle) in the journey of life, devoted to Him carrying out
righteous activities responsibly.
The abuse of chemicals during
crop-production, disrupting the natural course of animals for material gains,
or the misuse and overuse of natural resources to benefit greedy lifestyles,
eating habits must be reformed. Until then, we will continue to see the effect
in the form of all such viruses. Everyone has played a part in contributing to
those ill-practices and the impact of it is affecting the world currently in
the form of COVID-19.
Let’s take an oath that we
change our conduct and act more responsibly. Hopefully, God will protect us
all.
A 40-day Ashtakshari Mahamantra
Havan
For the sake of all those who
want to live responsibly, and spend life devoted to and in service of God, a
divine prayer program has begun and is the 7th day today. As described
in agama scriptures, this 40-day Ashta:kshari Maha:mantra
japam is being carried out in a specific procedure that involves lakhs
of mantra japam in meditation, while making offerings and prayers to
God through the fire Devata, Agni, and flowers to God residing the form
Deity.
How does God protect us when
the mantra is chanted?
As soon as God makes
a Sankalpa, a divine decision to relieve us from ill-health due to the
impact of our sins, His prime instrument, weapon, and ornament, Sri Sudarshana
takes action. Thus, the Sri Sudarshana Homam also is being performed in
gratitude to his obedience and humble devotion in exercising God’s will.
Ashta:kshari Maha:mantra is therefore a clear gateway that eliminates ignorance
and bestows knowledge about ultimate truths of life, and its goal.
--From the discourse of Sri Chinna
Jeeyar Swamiji
knamiṁ tasya
bahubhirmantrai: kiṁ tasya bahubhirvratai: |
ōm nārāyaṇāyēti mantra: sarvārthasādhaka:
| |
Meaning of the above shloka: Whoever chants ‘naaraayaNa ashtakshari mantra’ japa – they
need not chant any other mantra(s). As all the Phalas (uses and benefits),
which can be derived from the other mantras, can get by chanting this great
mantra itself.
--July
4, 2022
------------------------------------------------------
The healing
sounds of mantras Paperback – July 1, 2020
By Dr. Mohani Heitel (Author), Eleonore von Bothmer (Editor)--A
book about Mantras; everything what you should know about Mantras
Mantras have beside their sound
effect and resonance effect a mystic meaning. Every language, every culture
uses such magic words which touch the soul. Indian culture, especially
Ayurvedic healing methods and Yoga exercises, to which mantra application
counts – have been practiced for centuries.
Mantras can be of great help in one´s
life. You learn about what mantras are and how many different kinds of mantras
there are and on which cultural ground they were developed. Mostly, they have
religious and philosophical backgrounds and a fundamental comprehension of
disease and healing, which differs from the modern western view.
These alternative healing approaches
take consideration of the psychic aspect alongside the physical aspect of a
disease. Often healing words and comforting sounds and songs are used, which in
a subtle way activate the self-healing potential of a person.
Today, these alternative healing
tools are applied by many people in the western world, valued and practiced
also by therapeutics. Deep spiritual meditative moments are possible while
hearing as well as while singing Mantras. At the emotional level salutary
feeling are woken up like rest, calmness, joy and love. The introduction on the
subject for everybody who is in search of an alternative, musical remedial
method; help to the meditation and access to own spirituality; practical
instructions to the everyday use with detailed explanations.
Mohani Heitel was born in a mountain
village in Northern India. Already as a child, she became familiar with folk
medicine, ritual ceremonies and mantra healing songs. She first studied at the
University of Agra in India, where she obtained a Master of Science degree. She
then worked as a college lecturer and trained as a yoga and meditation teacher
at the same time. This activity led her to do lecture tours in Europe. She then
studied medicine in Bochum and Frankfurt am Main. After working for a long time
as a general practitioner with a focus on naturopathic treatments and
psychotherapy, she also tried to further develop knowledge of the traditional
mantra tradition and use it for therapeutic purposes. Since then, she has
introduced the healing effects of mantras to many people through concerts and
CD releases.
Dr. Kulreet
Chaudhary’s combined expertise in both modern neurology and the ancient science
of health known as Ayurveda has uniquely positioned her as an expert able to
pull from the broadest possible base to treat her clients. She is passionate
about raising awareness for the need of a paradigm shift in contemporary
medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and a health-based (rather than
disease-based) medical system. Dr. Chaudhary is a regular guest on the Dr. Oz
show, where her teachings about Ayurvedic medicine have been applauded by a
national audience.
Dr. Chaudhary was the
Director of Wellspring Health in Scripps Memorial Hospital for ten years, and
remains a pioneer in the field of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Chaudhary has
successfully developed a powerful system to manage chronic neurological
disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and migraine
headaches, by incorporating fundamental changes in diet, behavior, and stress,
in addition to the standard allopathic approach to these issues. This program
has been so successful that many patients now use it not just for neurological
issues but also for a wider range of health concerns, including weight issues
and chronic disease.
Dr. Chaudhary is the
author of The Prime and Sound Medicine and
has appeared as a medical expert on numerous programs including The Dr.
Oz Show and Home & Family. She is also a
neuroscientist and has participated in over twenty clinical research studies in
the areas of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS,
and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Her research includes groundbreaking work
in stem cell therapies for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and drug development
for the treatment of ALS.
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary
spends her time doing research in Siddha Medicine in Tamil Nadu, India and
seeing patients for Integrative Medicine consultations from San Diego, CA. To
schedule your virtual or in-person consultation with Dr. Chaudhary, please send
an e-mail to drkcinfo@gmail.com.
Om Namo Bhagavate
Vasudevaaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita-kalasha Hastaaya| Sarva-amaya Vyaadhi
Vinashaaya Trailokya Naathaya Dhanvantri Maha-vishnave Namaha ||
We pray to the God, who is known as Sudarshana Vasudev
Dhanvantari. He holds the Kalasha full of nectar of immortality. Lord
Dhanvantri removes all fears and removes all diseases. He is the well-wisher and
the preserver of the three worlds. Dhanvantari is like Lord Vishnu, empowered to heal
the Jiva souls. We bow to the Lord of Ayurveda.
I have a rare idol of
Dhavnvantari in my Pooja room and sent one to my son who is also doctor!
--July 3, 2022
-----------------------------------------------------
Why Hindus Make July 4, SRE Day Worship
for Their Temples?
Perhaps the best-known passage of the
Declaration of Independence is the statement that all men are created equal.
Please look at Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi", a shloka in Ramayana that has been
made the motto of Nepal!
At least two versions of the shloka are prevalent. In one
version (found in an edition published by Hindi Prachara Press, Madras in 1930
by T. R. Krishna Chary. "Friends, riches and grains are highly honored in
this world. (But) mother and motherland are superior even to heaven."-- Mitrani dhana dhayani prjaannam
sammataniva | Janani Janmabhumish cha Swargadapi Gariyasi ||
In another version, it is spoken by Rama to Lakshmana: "Lakshmana, even this golden Lanka does not
appeal to me. Mother and motherland are superior even to heaven."
Api
Swarnamayi Lankaa na me Lakshmana rochate | Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargaadapi
Gariyasi
Migrating American Hindus grown up in India with this Hindu Religious
School of Thought are extending the same to their America born children, and so
join those celebrating July 4.
Comments:
Can you please share a write up or tell me where to find a
document which defines the proper antiquate / dress code when the devotees
visit a Hindu temple? So many of them have no clue and need educating. We need
to maintain decorum and sanctity of our divine space.
--Santguptava
Please go through this:
Atlanta Temple
Etiquette and Dress Code
- Our temple is open to all to
visit.
- You do not have to practice the Hindu
religion to visit the temple.
- You can visit at a significant time,
such as when a specific service or ceremony is being conducted.
- You may drop by and observe the
temple for yourself, or call ahead and ask for a guided tour.
- Hindu temples are sacred places to
people of Hindu faith, behave calmly and respectfully at all times.
- Temple grounds are drug free, tobacco
free and alcohol-free zone
- You should take a shower or bath
before visiting the temple.
- It’s not necessary to wear
traditional Indian clothing to a temple, both men and women should wear
modest, conservative clothing to the temple.
- Wear something that is loose enough
for you to comfortably sit cross-legged in.
- Women should wear a long skirt, dress
or long pants.
- Men should wear business-casual
clothing, such as slacks and a button-down shirt.
- No shorts or short skirts are
allowed
- Presenting offerings to the temple
deities is a form of respect. Offerings could be flowers, fruit, clothes
or monetary donation.
- Removing shoes sandals, or any other
footwear shows respect for the temple and the deity statues within and is
mandatory. Socks can be worn inside.
- An array of deities and statues
arranged around the temple walls. Begin with the deity on your left,
continue to walk through the temple in a clockwise direction, pausing
before each deity you come across.
- If you have brought fruit or flowers
to offer to the deity, hand each offering to the priest sitting outside
the idol’s chamber. Under no circumstances should you enter the inner
chamber.
- Accept “Prasad:” blessed food (always
vegetarian) from the priests, which is offered to the deities.
- Anything the priest gives you should
be accepted with your right hand. Avoid taking or giving anything with the
left hand.
- Avoid touching shrines or statues. In
Hindu faith, only priests are permitted to touch the statues.
- Provide a donation, if desired, using
donation boxes (Hundi)
For any
additional details, please call Temple Manager: 770-907-7102 --NRS
--July 3, 2022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First of July is National Doctors Day in India
1st July 2022 is commemorated as National Doctors Day in India to
remember Dr. BC Roy, a renowned physician and second Chief Minister of West
Bengal. The day marks his birth anniversary as well as death Anniversary.
“The
doctor’s existence is the start of the treatment” A dedicated day is celebrated
on July 1 as Doctor’s Day each year. National Doctor’s
Day 2022 is observed on July 1 to thank doctors for their devoted
services towards their patients. Doctors have played the role of God in our
most vulnerable and stressful time. National Doctor’s Day allows people to show
their appreciation to physicians. This Day is devoted to all the medical
professionals who work and serve to save the lives of their patients around the
clock. Doctor’s Day 2022 has been celebrated for honoring the doctors’ contributions
and their tremendous dedication to advancing healthcare in India. Also, in this
current scenario of pandemic COVID-19, doctors have worked as a backbone by
performing their duty day and night without thinking about themselves or their
family for a second.
Doctor’s
Day is, in reality, observed on various dates in countries all over the world.
It is commemorated in India on July 1, because it is the anniversary of the
birth and death of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (Dr. B C Roy), one of India’s most
famous doctors. He is also acclaimed as Dhanvantri of Modern Era. It was
initiated in 1991 by the Government of India to mark an appreciation for the
great doctor. In 1962 the Medical Council of India established the National
Award Fund for Dr. B.C. Roy to honor his memory. The Dr. B.C. Roy National
Award was established in 1976 to honor the best minds in supporting specialty
development in various medical branches. On February 4, 1961, Dr. Roy was
awarded the great Indian civilian award “Bharat Ratna.”
Om Namo
Bhagavate Vãsudevãya Dhanvantaraye Amritakalaša Hastãya Sarvãmayavinãšanãya
Trailokyanãthãya Šri Mahã Vishnave Nama: ||
Om! Salutations to Lord Dhanvantari (the physician
of the gods), also known as Šri Vãsudeva, Who holds in His hand, a pot filled
with amruta (the immortality giving nectar), Who removes all ailments, Who is
the Lord of the three worlds, and an avatar of Šri Mahã Vishnu.
Once, when the asura monarch Bali was reigning
supreme in the three worlds the mdevas
were oppressed and mercilessly killed by the
asuras, thereby depleting the deva forces. In order to find a solution to
this crisis the devas led by Brahma
approached Lord Narayana and appealed to Him to help them. Lord Narayana
suggested that the only remedy was to churn the ocean and obtain amruta, the elixir that will confer
immortality on them. Since this was a stupendous task requiring brute force,
the Lord advised the devas to make
temporary truce with the asuras and
request their help in this endeavor. While the Lord promised that He will see
to it that the devas, and not the
asuras, get the entire benefit of the amruta,
He also warned them that the devas should go along with whatever suggestions
the asuras may make. The Lord agreed
to take part in this effort as well.
Accordingly, the
devas and the asuras commenced
the ocean churning using the Mandara mountain as the churning staff and the
serpent Vasuki as the rope. The first thing that came out of the ocean was the
Halahala poison, which was swallowed by Lord Šiva in order to save the world
from destruction. Then the celestial cow Kamadhenu came out and it was given to
the rishis. Soon, the exquisite horse uchhaišravas emerged and was taken by
Bali. This was followed by a magnificent elephant called Airãvata (taken by
Indra); Kaustubha (taken by Lord Nãrãyana); Pãrijãta and Apsara (taken by
Indra); Lakshmi, who chose Lord Nãrãyana as Her Consort; and Vãruni (taken by
the asuras).
The churning continued and finally, the form of a
divine looking being holding a vessel filled with nectar, arose from the ocean.
That was none other than Šri Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Nãrayana and
the originator of Ãyurveda, the science of attaining longevity. Although the asuras snatched the vessel from Šri
Dhanvantari by force, Lord Narayana tricked the asuras by His Maya and served the entire nectar to the devas as
promised before and made all of them immortal.
Worshipping Šri Dhanvantari is believed to cure all
ailments and confer longevity. Devotees are encouraged to participate in this
special religious service and receive the blessings of Šri Dhanvantari.
Medicines
cure diseases, but only doctors can cure patients– Carl Jung
“You
are a great doctor – Healing people with your touch! You are a wonderful person
as well as you bring joy and warmth to our hearts. Best wishes to you on
Doctor’s Day!
--July 1, 2022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tirupati
Balaji Temple - Where Lord Vishnu will reside during Kaliyuga
Venkateswara the king, is the incarnation
of Lord Vishnu. Venkateswara is known to be the only God who
took birth to save the people from troubles of Kaliyuga. He will reside there
in the temple till the end of kaliyuga. At the end of Kaliyuga Lord Vishnu’s
other incarnation Kalki will take birth and destroy everything
on earth. This would happen when sins will reach its peak and there will be no
humanity left. That would be an end of Kaliyuga and Kalki will destroy
everything and formation of new Yuga will take place. For this reason Tirupati
Balaji temple is also known as Vaikuntha of Kaliyuga. Also known as Kaliyuga
Pratyaksh Daivam
Tirupati Balaji temple or Sri
Venkateshwara Swami temple is one of the most famous landmarks of the world on
the hills of Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This
is the richest temple on the earth with overwhelming contributions and
donations from the public and the most famous pilgrim destination on the earth
attracting the greatest number of people on any given day.
It
is said that Lord Vishnu manifested himself in this temple in order to guide
the people of Kali age towards emancipation. Therefore this temple is also
called as Bhuloka Vaikuntam (the
abode of Vishnu on the earth) and Lord Balaji is called as Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam (the manifested lord of the Kali age).
The
Antiquity of the Tirupati Balaji Temple
The
highly sacred and antique nature of the Tirupati Balaji temple is evident
through a large number of mentions in several puranas including the Varaha
Purana and the Bavishyottara Purana. All the major dynasties that ruled over
the Southern peninsula had taken immense interest in paying homage to Lord
Balaji as well as make huge contributions and endowments to the temple.
Some such notable dynasties include the
Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th Century), Cholas of Tanjore (10th Century),
Pandyas of Madurai (14th Century) and the rulers of the Vijayanagar (14th and
15th Centuries).
Mythological
Origins
Hindu
mythology mentions the story of Balaji. Once sage Brighu wanted to find out who
is the supreme one among the Hindu triad. Not being satisfied with the
hospitality given by Brahma and Shiva, the sage went to Vaikunta and kicked
Lord Vishnu on the chest to grab his attention.
Since
Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi was residing in the chest of the Lord, she felt
insulted and left Vaikunta to the earth. Lord Vishnu came to the earth in
search of Lakshmi who had taken birth in the family of a king in the name
Padmavati and married her on the Tirupati hills and got enshrined there forever
to save the people of the Kali age.
The
Greatness of the Tirupati Balaji Temple and Deity
A
famous verse from the puranas speak of the greatness of tirupati Balaji temple:Venkatadri Samasthanam Brahmande Nasti
Kinchana | Venkatesha Samo Devo Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati--There is no sacred
place on the earth equal to Venkatadri (Tirupati – Tirumala; There is no Lord
equal to Lord Venkatesha
The
construction of Tirupati Balaji temple began in 300 AD with subsequent
additions made from time to time. In the history of the temple, much of its
wealth and size was gained during the reign of the Vijayanagara rulers who
poured gold and diamonds into the treasury of the temple. When the emperor
Krishnadevaraya visited the temple in 1517, he ordered for the gilding of the
inner roof of the temple.
The rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore and the
Gadwal Samsthan visited the temple regularly and contributed so much valuables.
During the mid-part of the eighteenth century, Maratha general Raghoji Bhonsle
established a permanent body to administer the temple worship. The Tirumala
Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was instituted through the TTD Act in 1932.
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Panpsychism,
the ancient Universal Consciousness Offers Some Lessons
Panpsychism, the ancient doctrine that consciousness is universal, offers
some lessons in how to think about subjective experience today.
For
every inside there is an outside, and for every outside there is an inside;
though they are different, they go together.—Alan
Watts:” Man, Nature, and the Nature of Man, 1991”
Panpsychism is one of the
oldest of all philosophical doctrines extant and was put forth by the ancient
Greeks, in particular Thales of Miletus and Plato. Philosopher Baruch Spinoza
and mathematician and universal genius Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who laid down
the intellectual foundations for the Age of Enlightenment, argued for
panpsychism, as did philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, father of American
psychology William James, and Jesuit paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin. It
declined in popularity with the rise of positivism in the 20th century. A version
of panpsychism modified for the 21st century to be the single most elegant and
parsimonious explanation for the universe. There are three broad reasons why
panpsychism is appealing to the modern mind.
We Are
All Nature's Children. The past two centuries
of scientific progress have made it difficult to sustain a belief in human
exceptionalism. Precursors of behaviors thought to be unique to people are
found in many species. None other than
Charles Darwin, in the last book he published, in the year preceding his death,
set out to learn how far earthworms “acted consciously and how much mental power
they displayed.” He concluded that there
was no absolute threshold between lower and higher animals, including humans that
assigned higher mental powers to one but not to the other.
The nervous systems of
all these creatures are highly complex. Their constitutive proteins, genes,
synapses, cells and neuronal circuits are as sophisticated, variegated and
specialized as anything seen in the human brain. It is difficult to find
anything exceptional about the human brain.
Biologists emphasize this structural and behavioral continuity by
distinguishing between nonhuman and human animals.
We are all nature's children. Not every creature has ears to hear and eyes to
see. Yet all are capable of having at least some subjective feelings.
Taken literally, panpsychism
is the belief that everything is “enminded.” All of it. Whether it is a brain,
a tree, a rock or an electron. Everything that is physical also possesses an
interior mental aspect. One is objective—accessible to everybody—and the other
phenomenal—accessible only to the subject. That is the sense of the quotation
by British-born Buddhist scholar Alan Watts. Consider the wetness of water, its
ability to maintain contact with surfaces. It is a consequence of
intermolecular interactions, notably hydrogen bonding among nearby water
molecules. One or two molecules of H2O are not wet, but put
gazillions together at the right temperature and pressure, and wetness emerges.
Or see how the laws of heredity emerge from the molecular properties of DNA,
RNA and proteins. By the same process, mind is supposed to arise out of sufficiently
complex brains. Consciousness comes with organized chunks of matter. It is
immanent in the organization of the system. It is a property of complex
entities and cannot be further reduced to the action of more elementary
properties. We have reached the ground floor of reductionism.
Philosopher John Searle of the University of
California, Berkeley, expressed it recently: “Consciousness cannot spread over
the universe like a thin veneer of jam; there has to be a point where my
consciousness ends and yours begins.” Indeed, if consciousness is everywhere,
why should it not animate the iPhone, the Internet or the United States of
America? Furthermore, pan-psychism does not explain why a healthy brain is
conscious, whereas the same brain, placed inside a blender and reduced to goo,
would not be. That is, it does not explain how aggregates combine to produce
specific conscious experience.
When we write about panpsychism, we often
encounter blank stares of incomprehension. Such a belief violates people's
strongly held intuition that sentience is something only humans and a few
closely related species possess. Yet our intuition also fails when we are first
told as kids that a whale is not a fish but a mammal or that people on the
other side of the planet do not fall off because they are upside down. Panpsychism is an elegant explanation
for the most basic of all brute facts. Tononi's theory offers a scientific,
constructive, predictive and mathematically precise form of panpsychism for the 21st century. It is
a gigantic step in the final resolution of the ancient mind-body problem.
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Integrative Medicine
Consultations with an American M.D.
I am neither overwhelmed nor surprised that the founders,
volunteer-governors and Yoga teachers of Nashville Sri Ganesha Temple are
doctors! Vedic mantras are the mantras in name of god
which have the power to cure any type of incurable disease. There are various
types of mantras for disease of
any kind. Villagers, where I lived, believed in mantra- cure came, to my father
who was a priest!
Ayurveda, means “knowledge of life,” or “science
of life,” and it is the most ancient system of health care in the world. We
don’t know the exact origins of Ayurveda, but the legend is that it was handed
down from Brahma (God) to humans through a lineage of sages in ancient India,
who continued to develop and refine the practices through insight derived via
deep meditation over five thousand years ago. These sages were not only holy
men but also physicians, and Ayurveda was a complete system for managing all
aspects of health as well as spirituality, including methods for increasing
longevity, healing disease, performing surgery, cleansing the body, maintaining
a healthy weight, and addressing ethical dilemmas and spiritual development.
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary’s combined expertise in both modern
neurology and the ancient science of health known as Ayurveda has uniquely
positioned her as an expert able to pull from the broadest possible base to
treat her clients. She is passionate about raising awareness for the need of a
paradigm shift in contemporary medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and
a health-based (rather than disease-based) medical system. Dr. Chaudhary is a
regular guest on the Dr. Oz show, where her teachings about Ayurvedic medicine
have been applauded by a national audience.
Dr. Chaudhary was the Director of Wellspring Health in Scripps
Memorial Hospital for ten years, and remains a pioneer in the field of
Integrative Medicine. Dr. Chaudhary has successfully developed a powerful
system to manage chronic neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis,
Parkinson’s disease and migraine headaches, by incorporating fundamental
changes in diet, behavior, and stress, in addition to the standard allopathic
approach to these issues. This program has been so successful that many
patients now use it not just for neurological issues but also for a wider range
of health concerns, including weight issues and chronic disease.
Dr. Chaudhary is the author of The Prime and Sound
Medicine and has appeared as a medical expert on numerous programs
including The Dr. Oz Show and Home & Family.
She is also a neuroscientist and has participated in over twenty clinical
research studies in the areas of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Her research
includes groundbreaking work in stem cell therapies for diabetic peripheral
neuropathy and drug development for the treatment of ALS.
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary spends her time doing research in Siddha
Medicine in Tamil Nadu, India and seeing patients for Integrative Medicine
consultations from San Diego, CA.
A book about Mantras; everything what you should know about
Mantras.
Mantras have beside their sound
effect and resonance effect a mystic meaning. Every language, every culture
uses such magic words which touch the soul. Indian culture, especially Ayurveda
healing methods and Yoga exercises, to which mantra application counts – have
been practiced for centuries. Mantras can be of great help in one´s life. You
learn about what mantras are, how many different kinds of mantras there are and
on which cultural ground they were developed. Mostly, they have religious and
philosophical backgrounds and a fundamental comprehension of disease and
healing, which differs from the modern western view. These alternative healing
approaches take consideration of the psychic aspect alongside the physical
aspect of a disease. Often healing words and comforting sounds and songs are
used, which in a subtle way activate the self-healing potential of a person.
Today, these alternative healing tools are applied by many people in the
western world, valued and practiced also by therapeutics. Deep spiritual
meditative moments are possible while hearing as well as while singing Mantras.
At the emotional level salutary feeling are woken up like rest, calmness, joy
and love. The introduction on the subject for everybody who is in search of an
alternative, musical remedial method; help to the meditation and access to own
spirituality; practical instructions to the everyday use with detailed
explanations. Mohini Heitel was born in a mountain village in northern India.
Already as a child, she became familiar with folk medicine, ritual ceremonies
and mantra healing songs. She first studied at the University of Agra in India,
where she obtained a Master of Science degree. She then worked as a college
lecturer and trained as a yoga and meditation teacher at the same time. This
activity led her to do lecture tours in Europe. She then studied medicine in
Bochum and Frankfurt am Main. After working for a long time as a general
practitioner with a focus on naturopathic treatments and psychotherapy, she
also tried to further develop knowledge of the traditional mantra tradition and
use it for therapeutic purposes. Since then, she has introduced the healing
effects of mantras to many people through concerts and CD releases.
--June 28, 2022
