1145. Indiffrent or Insensitive???

In the Dasara holidays when we normally close our factory for a few days I used to go visiting the Hoysala Temples. There are several temples most of it in Hassan district and some in Mandya and Tumukur. A few of those temples are thousand years old and their architecture is amazing. The uniqueness of the Hoysala rulers was that they would construct a lake and on the lake bund stood the massive temple on a star shaped base with exquisite carvings on the Balapada Kallu (Chloritic Schist). 

When one mentions about Hoysala Temple only the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur, Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebeedu and Keshava Temple at Somnathapura are the temples which many remember. But there are several other temples which are equally beautiful like the one at Mosale Hosahalli, Belvadi, Javagal, Nuggehalli, Doddagadavalli, Adaguru, Araluguppe, Koravangala, Basaralu, Anekere, Arasikere, Marle, Govindanahalli, Hosaholalu, Talakadu and many many more. I am fortunate to have visited some of those temples.

On one occasion when I was on my way to a hoysala temple I happened to see a water buffalo relaxing in a pond which had Lotus plants. The immediate thought which appeared to my mind while looking at those Lotus leaves was the words of Sri Krishna. “Padmapatra mivambhasa” be like the lotus leaf.   

What is so special about the Lotus leaf???

Even though it is in murky water the Lotus leaf does not let the muddy water wet it. It has the experience of water without the water sticking to it. That is the sign of Sthitaprajna (Steadfast Seer), so the Lotus leaf is unmindful of the muddy water.

Then my eyes fell on the water buffalo even it was unmindful of the muddy water was it Sthitaprajnattva too. The buffalo was Nissukshma (Insensitive) while the Lotus leaf was Niriha (Indifferent). {Now please all the animal lovers do not climb on my shoulders for calling buffalo insensitive. I know it is the animal which I need to ride pillion on my last journey!}

The remarks were only to bring the clarity on the difference between being insensitive and indifferent. When King Janaka of Mithila was listening to the Words of Wisdom coming from Sage Ashtavakra, his guards came running to tell him that the palace was on fire. King Janaka could remain calm and poised as he was indifferent to his belongings. He could have become anxious and rattled if he had identified himself to the material world. This is being indifferent.  

At the accident site when the injured is bleeding and crying for help, if one thinks about non-attachment it is not Niriha it is Nissukshma, which is insensitive. 

Essentially both Niriha and Nissukshma end up giving the same result but there is a difference in using that emotion.  

The Lotus leaf and Buffalo could be in the same pond with muddy water, one is unattached while the other is not bothered at all.     

1144. To stay Rich or to become Richer???

We find two sets of people, one who are becoming richer and the other who try to become rich. Ironically both fail to live a contended life. As for as the word “Poor” is concern, both of them are poor. If not, one would not try to be rich and the one who is already rich would not yearn to richer. Unknowingly we classify them as “High” class and “Middle” class respectively.  

The middle class work for money while the high class have money to work for them but amazingly both are financially illiterates. Financial Literacy is the most misunderstood concept. It is the ability to use wisdom to manage financial resources effectively for the well-being of self in particular and society in general. Financial Literacy is not managing the financial resources using the mind, but managing mind in using the financial resources. 

Financial literacy is to be aware of the financial independence which we have irrespective of how much we own. It is to be free of the need to earn a living; by turn our attention to make what is there already into abundance. If we lack this awareness it is then “Poverty Consciousness” which makes it impossible to create wealth for ourselves and others. Being stuck in a job with no satisfaction just for the money or being unemployed or underemployed, does not help self as well as others. No matter what, we need financial literacy so that we may take advantage of our talents to serve our self and others too. But poverty consciousness prevents us from being willing to learn or from realizing that we will have more to contribute to society if we are rich than if we are poor.

Middle class study hard to score academically so that they get to work for a reputed corporate company. They draw handsome salary and start buying things which increase the liabilities which they presume to be assets. If there is clarity to differentiate between assets and liabilities then one is wise. Assets create income and liabilities generate expenses.

Investing on liabilities the middle class is stuck in an endless cycle of fear and avarice. Fear of being without money compels them to work for it, and when they have money avarice makes them spend them. The vicious cycle of earn and spend continues and there is no financial freedom.

The one who are already rich continue the desire to become richer. They have more assets than their liabilities which they call wealth. According to them net-worth is wealth but what they don’t understand is that wealth is not net-worth. Wealth is what makes you feel that you can survive from this moment it does not mean only money, one can survive even without money or with little money. The one yearning to become richer swindle the financial institutions to make more money. They want others to raise their eyebrows looking at the way they amass wealth, irrespective of whether it is by misappropriation or mismanagement. The infomercials also lure them time and again and hence they too like the one who want to become rich are burgeoning hard aimlessly.  

             

The one who want to become rich and the one who want to be richer have missed the point which is to enjoy the living. Both postpone the joyous living for the future when the present is more enchanting and delightful. If not now when, is the million dollar question???  Isn’t it???

1143. Merry Christmas!!!

"There was a sadhu called Issa Masih born in a cowshed. He performed many amazing miracles like curing a leper, walking on water and gave a insightful sermon on a mountain". This is what we were told by our elders a decade or two back about the founder of Christianity. It was so nice to hear about Jesus Christ and know about his life.

We Hindus did not really see Christ as a Christian at all. As a matter of fact even Christ didn't either, because the term wasn't used during his lifetime. In Hindu thought, church or temple membership or belief is not as significant as spiritual practice, which in Sanskrit is called Sadhana. As there is no membership in Hinduism everyone holds their own spiritual and philosophical opinions. Hence it is impossible to dig into ones spiritual state simply by knowing his religious practices. Here it is common to hear someone ask, "What is your Sadhana?" Instead of "Whom do you believe?" Spirituality among a practicing Hindu can be felt in the way he behaves and relates to others. He is humble, tolerant, non-violent and accommodates all. By the control over the mind and senses, a Hindu is aware of others' rights to live a life o their wish and are willing to give up their comforts to make others comfortable.

These traits in Hindus has been misused by the Radical Christian Missionaries who want just to increase the number of believers of Christ. In the name of Jesus they have targeted our Girijana (Mountain Dwellers) by luring them with money and material. They have adopted all the Hindu religious practices, they have "Jesus Gayatri Mantra" "Jesus Sahasranama" and "Jesus Namavalli" to go with images of Jesus with Vel (spear) as seen with Murugan. Off late we find Dwajastambha in front of Church. 

These radicals do all this in the name of Christ who was a simple lover of Absolute. Do they need to do all this in the name of Christ??? We Hindus do not mind if these radical celebrate our festivals or not but we do join in celebrating the Birth of Christ. But sometimes the Radical Christian Missionaries poke their nose in commenting on Hindu festivals and Hindu Deities which need to be condemned. We do not want them to adore Hindu Deities or participate in Hindu festivals but they need to respect our tradition and culture.

No conversion in the name of Christ.....!

Merry Christmas!!!

1142. Selfie Fever.....!

A group of NCC cadets from Bangalore who had gone for an outing decided to take a dip in a temple tank. After bathing in the tank they left from there to realise much later that one of the boys in their group was missing. Some students went through the selfie photos and what they found was shocking. In one of the photos they saw the missing boy struggling to stay afloat, only his hair was visible on the surface of the tank as the rest of the group was busy smiling at the mobile camera. Selfie fever had taken one more victim.

Is clicking selfie that bad???

No, not at all but getting mesmerised and to be unaware of the situation around is a cause for concern.  

Our face has always been used as an effective attention-grabbing mechanism. Hence there is an extra care taken to enhance and present it to the outside world. It has been mistaken as display of self-worth. Some feel that posting a selfie regularly on the social networking sites will boost up their self-confidence, but that is not true. Self-Confidence is an inner matter and doesn’t need approval from other.

American Psychiatric Association says that those who have a compelled feel to regularly post pictures of themselves on social media need mental help. The term for this mental condition is “Selfitis.” Selfie didn’t exist a decade ago but later the term came into use when self-portraits were possible with a digital camera. Then the digital cameras were replaced by the smartphones as it was quick and easy. Since then selfies have become a staple of the modern online landscape making way for the sales of selfie sticks and now selfie drones.

Clicking a selfie has a bad reputation for being something that “narcissists” do. Taking a self-photograph is not always an exercise in self-love. Sometimes it is simply a convenient way to take a photo when no one else is around to take the snapshot. But if a person wakes up in the morning and then clicks 10 or 20 selfies to choose which one to post to Facebook or WhatsApp or Instagram it calls for a problem.

The height of selfie craze is when we find that it is taken in most inappropriate places like place of worship and in very insensitively at the place of disaster like accidents and natural catastrophes. I only wonder why people owning a smart phone are not smart enough to know how they should behave responsibly in the place where they need to volunteer to help instead of capturing the event. For some it is just the like and comments for the pics posted on the social networking sites which matter most. While a few want to be the “first” to send the pics on the WhatsApp looking for appraise from friends in their group. 

Amazingly there are many photo editing tools available to enhance the selfie taken and make it look better than others.

1141. Time to Unfold the Blindfold???

The statue of King Ellalan can be seen in the premises of Madras High Court in Chennai. King Ellalan belonged to Chola Dynasty and ruled the South of Tamil Nadu region including Sri Lanka with Thiruvarur as the capital in 200 B.C. He was conferred the tittle “Manuneethi Cholan” (Chola who followed Manu Smriti). 

Manu Smriti also called “Manava Dharma Shastra” is traditionally accepted as one of the supplementary arms of the Vedas. It is a compiled bulk of ancient rules and regulations, customs, laws, and rites. Yes, it is the same Manu Smriti which the so called “Pseudo Secularists” and “Pseudo Socialists” of my country are against. 

Human have the ability to transform and hence we have various law books during different period of times. Nothing remained static in the Hindu world it kept on changing. Manu was one of the law givers. Hindu jurisprudence propounded the doctrine of “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita” (You protect righteousness and righteousness will protect you).

Coming back to the Chola Kings, it is said that he executed his own son to provide justice to a cow. Legend has it that the King had hung a giant bell in front of his courtroom for anyone in need of justice to ring. One day, he came out on hearing the bell ringing to find a cow pulling the rope. Upon enquiry, he found that the calf of that cow had been crushed under the wheels of his son’s chariot. In order to provide justice to the cow, Ellalan sentenced his own son to death. His name ever since has been used as a metaphor for fairness and justice in Tamil literature.

Truth has to be the biggest assets of a region. If that Truth is suppressed it is like allowing false to spread its tentacles to become deadly to the law enforcement agency itself and ruin it. It is believed that the tripod on which the democracy stands is Karyanga (Bureaucracy), Nyayanga (Judiciary) and Shasakanga (Legislature). If either of the one fails democratic values get fractured. 

Nyayanga in a civilized system is the pillar of hope to get impartial justice. It is only an effective judiciary that can guarantee a fair deal in a legal proceeding. Effective judiciary is a powerful weapon against injustice, but the experiences in court are often far from fair in recent times. Judges can be bribed or they can be pressurised. If the people with mighty and money abuse their power they can influence decisions and distort the judicial proceedings. Moreover people are often unaware of law and their rights. Hearing about the countless negative experiences in the court from others they sometimes simply resign them to their fate before a corrupt court.

Is there no solution to this problem???

Awareness of the fact that the real trial is not inside the four walls of a courtroom but deep within, will trigger the conscience. A clear conscience is a soft pillow. The Moral Fear has been the key to lawfulness. The rationalists ridiculed and destroyed it in the name of awareness. Even those who sit in the seat of judgement do not care about morality. As told in the “Garuda Puranam” everyone have to answer some uneasy questions on the “Judgement Day.” 

So time to unfold the blindfold.......no not the one on the Statue of Justice!!!         

1140. Finger Prints the barcode of humans.....!

Hasta Rekha is a part of Samudrika Shastra. We need to know what Samudrika Shastra is all about. At the time of Pralaya (Cosmic Deluge) Sriman Narayana in the form of Bala Mukunda (He is now Mukunda, as he had conferred Mukti to all- “Muktim Dadati Iti Mukundah”) goes into Yoganidra (Cosmic Slumber) on Vatapatra (Fig Leaf). This Vatapatra is His Concert Maha Lakshmi. While floating on Pralayajala (Waters of Cosmic Deluge) with the entire universe and its beings in His tiny stomach, He contemplates on the creation once again. Meanwhile the Samudra, the Ocean God looks at the Mangala Lakshana (Auspicious Signs) in the body of Bala Mukunda and makes a complied list of them; this became “Samudrika Shastra” of which Hasta Rekha (Finger Prints) is one of them.   

Most of the living beings except for human beings have similar looks as in their lot. We humans have different facial features in the appearance and colour making it simple to recognise aiming at easy identification of individuals based upon differences in their facial structures. Yet there is one more trait in us which can make us different distinctively and that is in Hasta Rekha. Hasta Rekha is like the bar code in humans and it is the Aadhar (Basis) in our Aadhar Card.

Samudrika Shastra throws light on the body structure and how one individual is different from his counterpart. Hasta Rekha relates to the study of marks found on the human hand like how it is done in modern Dermatoglyphics and Chiromancy. The hand is considered more expressive than the face, thus it is said that Hasta is a Darpana (Mirror) that reflects the nature and fortune.

I am not interested in knowing the fortune but if the lines on the palm could reveal the nature of a person it is quite interesting. The modern science too agrees that no two finger prints can be same and they are distinctive. It is said that Maharshi Agsthya used the Hasta Rekha as referral to study the Naadi Shastra. Naadi Shastra is an ancient astrology which has been composed by Maharishis (Sages) using their spiritual powers by awakening their sixth sense. With the help of divine guidance those Sages created records of everyone’s past on palm leaves categorised by thier Hasta Rekha. The language inscribed on these palm leaves is old poetic Tamil and is understandable to very few who are well versed in the art of Naadi reading.    

A Naadi reader takes the thumb impression (Male - Right Hand, Female - Left Hand). Every impression can be classified into a particular category and the leaves are categorized in bundles based on the thumb imprint categories. They say that for a particular thumb impression there could be several bundles each containing many leaves. Once the bundle matching the thumb imprint is found, the Naadi reader reads each leaf present in the bundle. The Naadi reader will not have any details about person, he only reads out only what is written on the leaves as he can read that language. One by one the Naadi reader take up several leaves asking the  person to verify basic facts like the date of birth, place of birth, occupation, health details, etc.

I prefer my unique Hasta Rekha to be my identity than my life indicator….

1139. Science and our Ancient Scriptures....!

The irony is that we need an international organisation to make us believe on the facts written in our ancient scriptures. We are a divided nation with the freedom of expression and freedom of speech. I can express my thought irrespective of how my thought would make an impact on others; I can talk irrespective of what harm my words might bring. Recently a two and half minute video made by an American Science Channel on Rama Sethu has proved again that we need foreigners to investigate and tell us the truth. There was a party chief who has asked “Who is this Raman (as Lord Rama is referred to in Tamil)? In which engineering college did he study and become a civil engineer? When did he build this so-called bridge? Is there any evidence for this?”

I am ashamed to have tolerated this statement and have not protested against the one who made this statement. Anyways it does not matter much as we in Hinduism believe in not proving anything to anyone else but our search or quest is for our own self. Coming back to the discovery by this science channel the team says that the bed of rocks connecting Bharat (India) and Swarna Lanka (Sri Lanka) is sitting on a sandbar which is known as a shoal and the investigators believe that the sandbar is natural, but the stones sitting on top of that sandbar, are not. The huge stones are brought from afar and set on top of sand bar. The rocks on top of the sand actually predate the sand, while the rocks are 7,000 years old the sand is only 4,000 years old. I do not know why some tried to even destroy this bridge. Was it a conspiracy to irradiate the proof of Srimad Ramayana to our Generation Next???

This is not the first time that we have seen the science world have tried to search for the proof from our Puranas. There are many instances where our Puranas have guided the investigators or scientists. The Speed of Light which was mentioned in Rig Veda was explained by Sayana a scholor who was in the court of Bukkaraya of Vijayanagar Empire (14th century).

Hanuman Chalisa written by Goswami Tulasidas (15th century) had the verse which could help calculatethe distance between Sun and Earth much more accurately than the 17th century scientists who eventually found out. In the Angaraka Stotra it is mentioned that Mangala (Mars) is Raktha Varna (Blood Colour) and science when on to discover that Mars is indeed a Red Planet.

About the Equinox which is due to the wobble of the earth by 23.5 degree, it is mentioned in Srimad Bhagvatham that while restoring Mother Earth back into the solar system the tusk of Varahadeva brushed it and that is the reason for the wobble.  

Aryabhata worked on the approximation for pi (π) in a verse he wrote “Add 4 to 100, multiply by 8, and then add 62,000. By this rule the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 20,000 can be approached.” This calculates to 3.1416 close to the actual value Pi (3.14159).

If only we introduce our ancient literature as subject in schools we will not be in this pitiable state where those who do not have access to those scripture will have to teach us about them.

Also we should try to understand why in the year 1938 the German scientist working under Hitler wanted the help of  Brahmasri Dandibhatla Vishwantha Sastra of Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and invited him to Germany.

1138. Wise, Stupid, Clever or Corrupt.....!

We are all not the same always, sometimes we are wise sometimes we act foolish. We could be clever and cunning, stupid and intelligent, corrupt and transparent too. According to the situations we use the traits not sticking to one all the time. If this is the case why is it that we brand some as wise, clever, stupid or corrupt. Before going into details of it let us know what these traits are.

Dritharashtra asked Vidura, “How to identify a wise man?” Vidura  answered. “There are many qualities in a person which makes him wise. A wise man knows what he is capable of doing, never attempts something he is incapable of. He is not upset by danger nor bothered of mockery and he is not taken in by flattery. Whatever he has studied he conveys boldly, fearing none but is not arrogant on account of his learning. His decisions are never made in haste and always get the opinion of others. Views from others are vital while taking a decision as others may detect a problem from a different dimension and their perspective could help. Education and knowledge does not necessarily make a man wise. It is how he adopts the knowledge which makes him wise. Wise man is never selfish and works for benefit of others.

A Clever person has imaginative quality with which he can work in a difficult situation where other would not. He is not deterred to use a lie, or cheat, or twist and spin his word or deed to find a solution to that difficult situation. For him solution is important whether it is achieved by hook or crook. He concentrates more on others than himself. He does not rely on his strength but tries to manipulate other people’s weakness. Honesty takes the backseat when it comes to success, but he makes it sure that the breach of honesty does not affect others. A clever person too fumbles but he is very quick to learn from them. He listens to other people’s views but never makes it known. He could be a narcissist who wish not be noted or branded as one. He could be selfish at times and is not particularly keen on working for the benefit of other.   

A stupid person lack intelligence and imagination. He makes decisions that is illogical and sometimes with no common sense. He will not try to think of the consequence and always in haste. Unlike the clever he doesn’t correct himself from the previous mistakes. Amazingly a stupid person thinks he is smart. He is never manipulative like a clever person but is always clumsy and confused. While making any decision, he will neither ask others for their views nor will he listen to anyone who volunteered to advise him. It will be very difficult to change his mind-set as he is fixed in it, come what may.

Corrupt is one who misuses his entrusted power for personal gains. He is very selfish and is not afraid of anything including law and unconcerned about the welfare of society.

A wise thought which has a tinge of cleverness will benefit others. If a clever thought join hands with corrupt then it will benefit personally. A wise with a stupid thought is a loss to person. If a stupid thought gets support from a corrupt thought then it is loss to others.

1137. Who is Neech???

Neecha is a word which indicates “Low”. Same as “Uccha” which mean high this word Neecha indicates the opposite of high, in other words it indicates a level. 

In the Nine Prameyas, Srimad Madhva points out “Neechochcha Bhavangatah” (Hierarchy of Emotional Values). Every human is different and that difference is not in his appearance, his educational qualification, his knowledge level or his financial status. The difference lies in what kind of Vicharadhara (Ideology) he nurtures. 

    

As I understand from the verses of Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 14 verse 18) where Sri Krishna says, “Those situated in the mode of goodness rise high; those in the mode of passion stay in the middle; and those in the mode of ignorance go low”.

The Mode of Goodness is Sattva Guna, Mode of Passion is Rajo Guna and Mode of Ignorance is Tamo Guna. This High, Middle and Low are in the thoughts as it is the Trigunas which propel the thoughts. The thoughts then go on to be Vichaar (Ideas) which in a continuous flow become Vicharadhara (Ideology).

This Vicharadhara is visible in a person when his intentions are unveiled. The intentions can be in the thinking that is either Uccha (High level) or Neecha (Low level). Low level thinking can cause a thought that lead to an infinite number of random uncontrollable thoughts which inflate only to pamper the Ego. While High level thinking is where thinking happens in such a way that thinking stops and an understanding starts. High level thinking is that in which there is end of thinking and beginning of understanding. Hence a thought that has sprouted from High level thinking does not remain for a long time, it sublimates into a silent understanding. Low level thinking is an untamed thought which goes on and on expanding madly destroying everything and will never subdue.

Those who nurture the Neecha thinking will always criticize other and look for flaws in others. The criticism can be for no reason at all, like how Shishupala criticized Sri Krishna in the Kuru Sabha. Criticism is an indication that people like the work pursued. If those criticisms are taken positively there is always a chance of betterment in the quality of work to be done in the future. Criticism can demotivate if taken to the heart, instead if it goes to the head one can analyse if there is any truth in those critics. If an iota of slip-down is found to have happened one can try to correct that slip-down in future. Criticism should never let to lower the confidence level; if it is a deliberate criticism then ignoring it is the better option.  

Purandaradasa one of the prominent composer and contributor to Dasa Sahitya in Kannada literature during the 16th century, writes in one of his compositions thus:

Nindakarirabeku samajadali nindakarirabeku

sandigondigalalli handigaliruvanthe nindakarirabeku.....

Meaning: Critics have to be there in the society just like a sounder of pigs that are present in the by lanes.....

The pigs live and thrive on muck, faeces and dirt. They are known to be the best scavengers that exist. In olden days the houses in villages did not have toilets and the villagers excreted in the open air. Very often excreta were cleared by these pigs and the village was kept clean. Saint Purandaradasa compares our faults to the filth and critics to pigs which clean them. 

So now, who is Neecha???

1136. Maturity to use Plastic....!

I remember when I was young, my Amma would fetch groceries from Tharagupet once in a month. Those groceries were packed in cones made of old newspaper. Every grocery shop had a guy who was to do the “Patnna” (the old newspaper rolled in the form of a cone) and the groceries packet was secured by tying it with “Sutli Dhara” (Jute Twine). In those times they were not so conscious about environment, as they never breached the code of harmonious living. Now with loads of information on the environment and its hazard we are least bothered to look for means to protect.         

All of a sudden, one day, we chose plastics carry bags. It did not take long to shift from the old newspaper “patnna” to plastic bags. The convenience was to be blamed. It is not only the urban belt but in the rural areas too we see them littered everywhere. These plastics come in all forms sachets, tubes, packets, polythene, etc. It is everywhere on the roads, in the field, floating in the lakes, every lane and every neighbourhood almost every landscape is littered with shining plastic. We are now unaware of what has to be done with them. They have become invincible and remain the same as they are not degradable. They are turning the fertile soil into toxic land; blocking the rain water streams and drainage flooding the metropolis during rains.

Plastic packets are consumed with the leftover food by the animals which eat them. Added to this we have packed water bottles and plates and cups which land up on the street. They are littered everywhere my entire country is become a grand garbage dump of plastic. We are producing tons of plastic and they have nowhere to go but to adore our landscapes. With this rate of producing plastic soon it may be difficult to find a place free from plastic litter.

At our homes gone are those days when we would have wooden or steel chairs for the guests to sit on. We have replaced them with plastic chairs, yes for aesthetic look. According to me, if I sit on a plastic chair I feel slippery and they create weird sounds when I move. I have a friend who has an eatery here in Bengaluru, earlier the joint was serving in steel plates but now they are using plastic plates and plastic spoons. When I questioned my friend about it, he says it is working out cheap and he does not have to bother on the helpers to clean the plates nor has he got to spend on the dishwasher detergents and water supply bills.    

  

We consider ourselves fortunate to have savoured the fruits of modern technology, without having to undergo any pain to gain it. Technology has been always imposed on us gradually we inherit it, and than we assume that without it we cannot live. Technology is not the only answer to better our comfort levels, it has its own by-products which could be unpleasant too. Also sometimes the advantages of modern technology depend on how we use it. To be in a position to use it appropriately, we need to be a mature country.

Plastic is the result of modern technology and is very useful. Equally enough they pose a great threat to our environment. It requires maturity to handle it and dispose it. While we have inherited these fruits, we haven’t got a chance to inherit the maturity. I wonder if maturity could also be bought as the groceries my Amma would fetch from Tharagupet.

Our celebrities are busy concerned about Padmavathi than Plastic....! 

1135. Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth.....!

While advising Yudhisthira the responsibilities of a King, Pitamaha Bhishma says, “Be a garland maker, O King, not a charcoal burner.”  This appears in the Rajadharmanushasana Parva in Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. Here Bhishma wants Yudhisthira to preserve and protect diversity. The metaphor is that a garland maker will go around the garden picking flowers from various varieties of flowering plant and then will thread them together to make a beautiful garland. A charcoal burner goes on cutting trees to collect wood chunks to burn them in low oxygen environment to make Lump Charcoal. Though the by-product is of use in cooking the contrast used here is that the charcoal burner burns down all kinds of wood, reducing diversity to a homogeneous matter called “Charcoal”. Superficially to the world a charcoal burner is reductionist who has destroyed the diversity that the wood had, whereas the garland maker celebrates the diversity of the flowers and retains them in the “Garland”.

Pitamaha Bhishma was a seasoned campaigner in the socio-political scenario. He knew that the King will be doing justice only if he is taking the entire subjects into confidence and rule. The idea of appeasement of one section of the society never has and never will do any good to the administration. “Social Justice to All” is the ideology which reflects pluralism and in pluralism there is an array of diverse thoughts. The society develops only when all are treated in the same lines. A few decades back an order was passed by the government that the “Tiller would be the Owner of the Land” in a view to bring in social justice between the haves and have nots. What happened in reality was that poverty was distributed equally among the haves and have nots. Many Hindu temples which had hectares of land donated by the Kings, lost the land and were rendered so poor that even today the Archakas (Priests) in many of the ancient temples request the devotees to contribute oil for the Nanda Deepa (Perpetual Lamp).  

My country had Kings who followed Dharma and took care of every citizen irrespective of which community or tribe he belonged. Everyone irrespective of whether they were rich or poor, skilled or unskilled were living under Rajashraya (protection of King). It was the responsibility of the administration to see that everyone is provided with the basic social amenities in life. The Raja Purohit (Royal Priest) and Mahamantri (Chief Minister) would take the responsibility of providing the work and thereby remunerations. When the King was back from the war the Raja Purohit would advise the King to build temples to wipe of the sin accumulated due to the number of deaths in the battle. The King would sanction the project and the skilled and unskilled labour would have work for more than a decade. This was how the society would benefit and we are fortunate to have some wonderful architectural marvels now.

Subka Saath, Subka Vikas (Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth) should be the mantra for the society to grow uniformly. It is unfortunate that we see in a few states that the administration is appeasing one section of the society which is very dangerous affair.

Sir Winston Churchill said, “An appeaser is a fool who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last”.

1134. Application of Prana....!

Prana Vayu, the vital breath is regarded as the element of air at a material level. In Vedas it is mentioned that Vayu includes the concept of Aakasha (Space). Space in motion is Air, while air at rest it is Ether. These are the two sides of Vayu, which is the unity of air and ether. Ether is the field in which Vayu as a force operates. Vayu is the power through which everything comes into manifestation and into which everything eventually returns. Hence it has in it the entire energy present in the universe.

Whichever that has life is a manifestation of Prana. It is through Prana we are able to hear, feel, taste, see and smell. Everything that we observe and regard in this Prapancha (World) is an expression of Prana. The mellow harmony of music, the commanding talk of an orator or the charming words of the beloved is relished due to Prana. It is Prana which pumps the blood from the heart into every cell in the body. 

Prana is an evolutionary energy which carries out the survival and sustenance by coordinating involuntary process like digestion, excretion and secretion without the intervention of Manas (Mind). Our ancient Rishis have taught us the techniques to make our Mind Jagratha (Awake) of the “Wisdom of Prana” so that the evolutionary energy level is elevated. This is called “Pranotthana” the elevation of Pranic force within the body. For this “Prana Vidya” is a must.

Prana Vidya is “Knowledge of the Vital Breath” Just as electricity powers mechanical machine like motor; Prana empowers the Deha (Body) and Manas (Mind). The supply of the Prana can be amplified, just as the voltage of the electricity is increased. In Electrical field we use Transformers to Step Down the capacity to make a small bulb to glow as bed lamps and Step Up to increase the power to operate huge machinery. Prana too can use the psychic energy which is like the Electricity to get distributed through definite Pranic channels in the body to produces huge amounts of Prana Shakti. Prana Shakti is the primordial cosmic energy that governs all physical functions. 

Prana Dhyana is a part of Prana Vidya where the individual observes the moment of air which takes place while inhaling and exhaling. This gradually develops awareness of the governance over the arena of Prana. This in turn brings about a realization of that boundless potential which lies latent within the depths of one’s being. This is Prana Dharshana, the visualisation of the Prana Shakti.  

Knowing about Prana and then concentrating on its movements and from there getting to know how it governs the body is important. Manas (Mind) and Prana (Breath) are like two planks on a See-Saw thus interconnected and pivoted at Chaitanya (Consciousness). It can be observed when we are agitated or nervous our breath pattern is altered. Manas is very volatile and hard to control so Prana can be trained and this restrain of Prana is in the method called Pranayama. 

We know that it is difficult to calmed down an agitated mind, it is easy to try and calm it down by altering our breathing. If it is hard to get one See-Saw plank down use the other so that the tough one automatically is under control. Pranayama is a unique way of Mind Control. A hare breaths very rapidly and a tortoise has low respiratory rate. If the respiratory rate decreases the heart need not work hard to pump blood throughout the body and our nervous system too calms down. Application of the technique of Prana Dhyana to control Mind is “Prana Anusandhana”  

Prana connects the astral and physical body by what is called “Sutratma” (Silver Chord). When this delicate thread link of Prana is severed, the Sukshma Deha (Subtle Body) disconnects from the Stula Deha (Physical Body) and Mruthyu (Death) takes place. 

1133. The First Meeting....!

In Karnataka Hanuman Jayanthi is celebrated on Margashirshamaasa Shukla Paksha Trayodashi. According to Maharshi Valmiki, the author of Srimad Ramayana Hanuman was born on Chaitramaasa Poornima. 

Then what is the relevance of this day???

Jnanis say that it was on this day Hanuman met Shri Rama and Lakshmana on the Rishyamukha Parvata (Mountain) in Kishkindha. At that time Hanuman was the Sachiva (Minister) of Vaanara King Sugriva. King got the information that two youngsters, armed with bows and arrows were proceeding towards the mountain. Curious and anxious with the thought that his brother Vaali might has sent them to spy upon him, Sugriva requested Hanuman to go and enquire. Hanuman disguised himself as a Sadhu and approached them. 

Maharishi Valmiki has captured the excellent conversation that takes place and noted it in Srimad Ramayana. The conversation is as follows:

Hanuman said “You both look like Rajarshis and Taapasvis but you are armed with bow and arrows. Animals in this jungle are frightened in your presence. Your eyes resembles petals of lotus and you have broad shoulder with vast chest. You seem to be unbeatable in a fight but yet look like saviour of many lives. You seem to be like divinity in guise of a human. These contradictory observations bewilder me a lot. I am Hanuman, Sachiva (Minister) to Sugriva. Sugriva is the Vaanara King banished by Vaali, the King of Kishkindha. He is also the elder brother of Sugriva. My King Sugriva is a righteous person and wishes to seek your friendship. I want to hear a reply from you.”

Shri Rama after listening to Hanuman, said to Lakshmana, “Lakshmana, Did you observe how articulate Hanuma spoke! There is nothing impossible to a King who has a Sachiva (Minister) like him. Even a foe who has come with an intention to kill will fails to act after listening to Hanuma. A King is so lucky to have a minister like him. By analysing his words he seem to be well versed in Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Vyakarana (Grammar) and Upanishads. One can never talk like this without the gaining knowledge from those granthas (Literature). His eyebrows and forehead didn’t move unnecessarily. His voice was neither too loud nor like whisper. He started, continued and completed his words in a single tone. He particularly knows how to spell each and every syllable. Sugriva is very lucky to have Hanuma under him. Lakshmana, convey him our purpose and the circumstances of our presence in this forest.”

Lakshmana then explained Hanuman their whereabouts and about missing Sitadevi.

After knowing that the two princes he was talking with were none other than his beloved Shri Rama and his brother Lakshmana from Ayodhya, Hanuman was overwhelmed with joy! He immediately revealed his identity and prostrated before Shri Rama’s feet. This day was so important in the life of Hanuman that an immortal bond generated between the Danni (Master) and his Daasa (Servant). This day engulfed so much in his life that it became his new birth. Though Margashirsha Shukla Triyodashi is his Janma thithi, Chaitra pournima is second birth of Hanuman and is celebrated as his janma thithi.

We have heard that after Vaali was killed and the Kingdom of Kishkindha was restored to Sugriva. Varsha Ritu (Rainy Season) started and only after the rain receded did the Sita Anveshana (Search for Sitadevi) take place. Our Hanuman was the most important member of that anveshana.  

1132. Hoarding of unsold inventories by real estate developers....!

In a bid to curb hoarding of unsold inventories by real estate developers, the Income-Tax department is set to tax unsold flats that have been lying with developers for more than a year.

It is a very good move, considering the fact that the unsold flats could increase the property rates in view of the demand and supply ratio. The builder will never sell the property less than his demanded rate and the buyers find it exorbitant. The builder who is normally affluent is not bothered if the property is sold. And the property joins the list of unsold inventories.

With the unsold inventories piling up the demand and supply gap widens and the scarcity will increase the property price even more. Also with the exorbitant asking rate for the property, the land rates and the cost of the building materials will also go sky rocketing. There was a time when an ordinary citizen would save money from his salary and purchase a site and at the time of retirement with his Provident Fund (P.F), Gratuity and a minimal bank loan, he could build a small house. Now the land rates and building material cost in Bengaluru has made everyone feel that purchasing an apartment is better.

The Builder very manipulatively bypass the building Bye Laws and construct more than the permitted carpet area and also adds more floors to increase the number of apartments. Amazingly though the cost of each apartment will be less than the land cost in terms of Square feet value, the builder would be making heavy gains with the number of apartments on the same site dimensions. Suppose the site area is 2400 Sq ft. and the cost is Rs. 5000 per Sq ft. the builder will construct 8 apartments of 960 Sq ft, 2 in each floor with 4 floors.

Now the calculations, according to the architects in Bangalore the cost of residential construction here is Rs. 1300 per Sq ft, so for 8 X 960 Sq ft apartments it will be Rs. 1,00,00,000 + the land cost of Rs. 1,20,00,000 which will add up to Rs. 2,20,00,000. So the builder’s investment will be around Rs. 2.5 Cr. With each apartment being sold at 45 lacs the builder is making Rs. 3.6 Cr. The profit margin of more than 70%.      

Builders can afford to wait for more than a year with such a cushioning profit margin. However the apartment cost too will also be increasing as months pass by due to the widened gap between the demand and supply created by these blood sucking builders. The catch is that with an apartment for Rs. 45-50 lacs a site owner feels it lucrative to sell his plot and buy an apartment and save money to furnish the apartment. This is how these shrewd builders have made the Bengalureans tilt towards apartment culture. 

Mostly a domicile Bengalurean do not fall prey to these builders, it is the migrants from the North India who are the clients. Look at this scenario; a person from Andheri can sell his flat of 550 Sq ft. at Rs. 1 Cr and purchase an apartment in Bengaluru with only half of the sale amount he got. He can get his kids admitted to an esteemed educational institution and invests in business with the other half.

A few months back raids were conducted on the onion traders in Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon as a drive to clamp down on hoarding and black marketing. When hoarding of onions to create gap between demand and supply is against law even these builder have to be booked for hoarding of unsold inventories. I have noticed many of the builders as well as private owners display “For Rent” “To-let” they levy heavy rent and wait for more than a year for a tenant. They are so comfortable that the loss of rent does not matter much to them.

This looks like a teaser before the release of the movie "Crack down on benami properties".

1131. ....... with His inspiration!!!

The Haridasa Sahitya is a jewellery casket filled with literature pertaining to Bhakti. “Haridasa” is Servant of Sri Hari. In Karnataka Haridasa Sahitya was started by Sri Narahari Thirtharu but it was Sri Sripadarajaru who brought in to practice which was followed by Sri Vyasarajaru and Sri Vadirajaru. Not to leave behind Purandaradasaru, Kanakadasaru, Vijaydasaru, Gopaladasaru, Jagannathadasaru, Mohanadasaru and many many more contributing to it which has built a strong foundation in the hearts of Sri Hari Bhakthas.

I have a collection of 800 Dasara Padagalu which are real gems. In particular I am floored by the way Sri Vijayadasaru who was the disciple of Sri Purandaradasaru has composed some of the Krithis. There is a subtle message as we see in the famous composition “Kailasavasa Gowreesha Eesha” which is song by renowned Hindustani Classical singer Pandit Sri. Bhimsen Joshi. In the Charana of this krithi Sri Vijayadasaru writes, “Manasu Kaaranavalla Paapa Punyakkella, Analaaksha Ninna Preraneyillade” it means “Mind is not the cause of the sins and virtues, without the inspiration from you Oh, Analaaksha (Maharudradeva).” 

This stanza had confused me a lot until I got to know the subtlety in it. The mystery of circumstances made me turn into a fatalist while my pampered ego and my flinching determination stopped me from turning into one. But later on with Haridasa Sahitya I understood that to get away from being a “Fatalist” pampered Ego alone was not the means but “Prapatti” (Surrender) too is a way.

Have we not heard, experienced and said “Tenavina Trinamapi na Chalati” (Without Him, not even a single grass can move). There are two ways of looking at this statement one as relinquishment of responsibility and running away from performing duty or doing the duty and surrendering to Him wishing Him to take up the responsibility. Sri Vijayadasaru was in fact referring to the second one. Now the most important question that arises is “Does our every act has the inspiration from Him???” 

Sri Vijayadasaru here mentioned “Analaaksha” (one who has fiery eyes) which obviously is Maharudradeva. Sriman Madhva in Tarathamya (Divine hierarchy of Deities) has mentioned Maharudradeva to be “Manoabhimani Devatha” (Controller of Mind). So every thought that appears in our mind has the consent of Maharudradeva. 

If so, the immediate question is “Is Crime too an inspiration of Maharudradeva???”

Prior to any act there is an Internal Monologue, also known as Inner Voice that happens in our mind. There are two entities while one is for the other is against, irrespective of whether it is the far or against that is supporting for the good cause. If the far or against is supporting for the good cause then the “Buddhi” (Intellect) which is propelled by the Dhi Shakti (Intuition) is inspired by Maharudradeva. If it is supporting a selfish cause then it has surpassed the “Voice of God” as it is inspired by Ego. Apart from these two there is one more situation where the decision taken though for a good cause can turn out to be unpleasant. This is what Sri Vijayadasaru wants to emphases on in that stanza.   

     

Give a thought to this situation; in a village a father of a minor girl who wants to study further in a college decides to marry her off. The retired school teacher advice the father not to, but father is adamant. The teacher informs the police and action is taken. The father of the girl commits suicide and the teacher is the target now. The point here is one need not do anything wrong to be targeted. Unless you have belief in karma (rebirth), many of the circumstances in life be it good or bad, particularly the latter make for no rational explanation of their meaning.

1130. When the Two Trains Collide...!

A Young man nearing 30 years had applied for the post of Train Gateman. There were a lot of applicants along with him as he entered the Railway Recruitment Board building to attend an interview. He was prepared to answer the question asked at the interview. Some of his friends had shortlisted a few probable questions like: What do you do if you are employed as a Train Gateman? What makes your comforts about a Train Gateman position? What encouragement preparation would you demand being capable to do this Train Gateman job? What is most significant to you in an Executive Train Gateman position? What are the potentials of an elegant Train Gateman? What pertinent Train Gateman skills do you possess? Do you believe you are confident to obtain the position of Train Gateman?  

  

A little nervous he waited for his turn the clerk called out his name. Taking a deep breath he got up from his seat and walked into the room. There was a gentleman and a lady sitting across the table. The gentleman took the documents file from him and gestured him to sit on the chair. After asking the name and qualification the gentleman asked, “Suppose you are selected for the job and posted to manually operated level crossing. There is a single track and one train is halted just a few yards before the level crossing for technical snag and there is another train scheduled to come from opposite direction, what are you going to do?”   

  

The enthusiast young man replied, “I will contact the Station Master and report about the halting train. And ask him to stop the oncoming train in the station itself.”

“What if the train has already left the station???” asked the interviewer.

“In that case I will volunteer to stop the oncoming train.” said the young man.

“How???” asked the interviewer giving a naughty glance and smiling at the lady sitting next to him. 

“I will carry the red flag and run towards the train.”

“What if you do not have the red flag???”

“I will remove my shirt and run waving it towards the train.”

“Suppose it is night time and you nor your shirt is visible to the engine driver, now what?”

“I will set fire to the removed shirt and indicate the engine driver to stop.”

 “Think it is raining cats and dogs and you are unable to ignite your shirt, Then???”

 “I will use my torch.”

“And what if the battery of the torch is dead???”

“I will use the kerosene lantern.”

“Suppose the kerosene in the lantern is exhausted???”

“Sir, in that case I will run home and bring my wife who will be doing her chores at home.”

Now, the interviewer was curious to know how the Train Gateman’s wife can handle such a situation. Probing further he asked, “How will your wife avert a possible accident???”

The young man replied, “No sir, my wife is from a village and she is just 6^th pass, I love her a lot. She does not know a thing about this train gateman job. I got married to her two years ago. I have provided everything to her in those past two years and taken her to city to show the Mela (Fair) and Nautanki (Folk Theater), as far as possible I want her to experience everything in life; she has never seen two trains collide in her life. I would not let her miss this opportunity.”

There was silence in the room for a few minutes. The young man had indeed given a befitting answer to the questions from a Thale Harate (Headlong) interviewer who wanted to show his smartness in front of his female colleague.