879. Time to Introspect.......!

The moment I look within and feel there is something in me which need to be attended immediately, then I am in introspective mode.

I have been posting my thoughts continuously almost every day. I was confident enough that I walk what I talk. But one of my friend and reader questioned me if I am practicing what I preach. That was a very tough question to answer, I need to Introspect. I am a person who do not believe in preaching one and practicing something else. 

A few days back I had posted about the black dot on the white sheet of paper referring to overlook the flaws in others, but am I able to do so I need to Introspect......... 

I have this habit of quoting from scriptures to prove the point in my write-up, but am I using the scriptures as Anukula Shastra (Science of Convenience) I need to Introspect........

I have posted against male chauvinism when I have felt that women in my society are deprived of what they rightfully deserved, but am I giving them the due respect I need to Introspect……

I have mentioned Sri Varahaswamy who I adore the most for His spontaneity to go to the aid of one who is in distress, but am I ready to attend anyone who need help I need to Introspect… 

I have written condemning the terrorist infiltration at the border comparing them as rats that dig through, but have I infiltrated into other peoples affairs I need to Introspect........

I have reiterated many times in many of my write ups that where there is love there will be anger, but is that anger for a good cause which I have referred to as Manyu, I need to Introspect…

My take on Parenting is that it is most important to have great citizens in a society and parents should not let their wards emotionally exploit them, but have I failed I need to Introspect…

Demanding bribe is the utmost heinous act by the government officials is what I had posted in one of my write-up, but will I fall prey to giving bribe to get work done at government office I need to Introspect…

I have remembered those days when I was young and how I my father, mother and my sister were in the close knit family, but was I an able son and a loving brother I need to Introspect…

Right thinking is better than positive thinking is what I have written, but is my thinking right I need to Introspect…

Now if I need to Introspect what is the need for me to post about it. True, Introspection happens with contemplation and contemplation happens when one is in solitude.

I need to take a break from posting to be in solitude. Hence I wish to take permission from all my dearest friends who take time to read my rumbling daily early in the mornings. 

Let me stay away from posting here for a few days and Introspect…

Pranam 

878. When the Father quizzed his Son…..!

A Brahmin requested the Pandavas who were in forest on exile to retrieve the “Arani” (Wood to make fire) that had got entangled to the antlers of a deer. Pandavas went after the deer. 

During the chase they were tired and thirsty Yudhisthira, the eldest of Pandavas asked his brother Nakula to fetch water from the nearby pond. Nakula left to fetch water. Time passed but Nakula did not return. Yudhisthira asked Sahadeva his other brother to go and enquire; he too did not come back. Then Yudhisthira sent Arjuna and Bhima one after the other and the same thing happened, nobody returned back. Yudhisthira became worried and decided to go and have a look himself. No sooner had he reached the lake inside the forest, he found all his brothers were lying dead. 

Yudhisthira who was known for his patience decided to drink some water  before investigating further on his brothers, as he approached the lake, he heard a voice, “Wait Yudhisthira, this lake is mine, I have some questions to ask if you answer them you can drink the water. I am warning you that without answering my questions if you dared to drink, your fate too will be the same as your brothers. I told the same to your brothers but they ignored me and now they are dead.”

Yudhisthira immediately could grasp the situation and asked the voice to go ahead with those questions. Probably this was the first quiz on knowledge.  

The question and answers were thus:

Q: Who makes the Sun rise? Who travel with him? Who leads him to set? In what is he firmly anchored?

A: It is Brahman, the Absolute Consciousness which makes the Sun rise. Devas' travel with him. Dharma leads him to set and he is firmly anchored in Truth.

Q: How does one become learned? How does he become great and who helps him? O King! By what means one becomes intelligent?

A: One becomes learned by knowledge of scriptures; one achieves greatness by penance, gets help from his own intelligence and becomes intelligent by serving elders. 

Q: When is a man who is alive considered to be dead?

A: When he does not share his wealth with guests, servants, animals and ancestors. 

Q: What is faster than wind? 
A: Mind.

Q: More numerous than grass? 
A: Thoughts.

Q: What is more valuable than gold? 
A: Knowledge.

Q: More desirable than wealth? 
A: Health.

Q: Most desired form of happiness? 
A: Contentment.

Q: What is the greatest deed? 
A: Non-violence.

Q: What measures a man? 
A: Conduct.

Q: What is forgiveness?
A: Tolerating the worst of enemies. 

Q: What is mercy?
A: Wishing happiness to all. 

Q: What is simplicity?
A: Equanimity (The quality of being composed and steady, especially under stress or pressure).

Q: What is the only thing man can conquer? 
A: His own mind.

Q: What when renounced makes one agreeable?
A: Pride.

Q: What when renounced makes one wealthy? 
A: Desire.

Q: Who is man’s most dreaded enemy?
A: Anger.

Q: What is the worst disease?
A: Greed.

Q: What is charity?
A: Helping the helpless.

Q: What is the most amazing thing about the world? 
A: Everyday creatures die, yet the rest live as if immortal. 

Q: How does one know the true path?
A: Not through arguments-they never reach conclusions, not from teachers,-they only give opinions, to know the true path, one must, in silence and solitude, reflect on one’s own life.

The Yama, the owner of the voice was impressed and asked Yudhisthira, “I shall let one of your brothers alive, and who shall it be?”

Without hesitation Yudhisthira answered, “Nakula.”

“Why him? He is your step brother?” said the voice.

Yudhisthira calmly replied, “My father had two wives, me the son of Kunti, still alive, surely a son of Madri, should be alive.”

Yama was happy with his son Yudhisthira; he restored all the four Pandavas to life.

This episode is found in the Aranya Parva of the epic, the Mahabharata.

877. The inseparable duo.....!

Mahakavi Kalidasa starts Raghuvamsha, one of his mahakvya with the following sloka:

Vagarthaviva Sampriktua Vagarthah Pratipattyaye
Jagatah Pitarau Vande Parvathiparameshwarau.

In this sloka Kalidasa says it is impossible to separate the word and its meaning. The moment the word is uttered the meaning comes into our mind. The same is true with the Adi Dampati of the Universe Parvati and Parameshwara, they are inseparable. As one cannot separate the Sun and Sunlight so also Shiva and Shakti are inseparable.  We have heard when people say one had become “Shaktiheena” (dearth of energy), if Shakti completely drained Shiva too leaves the body to make it become Shava (corpse). Hence they say “Shakti bina Shiva Shava” Hence the form Ardhanareeshwara.

Once Maharudradeva was in seat of silence, Parvathi playfully came from behind and covered his eyes with both her palms. The heat from his body made Parvati to sweat and a drop of sweat from her body fell. From that drop of sweat emanated a blind child. At the same time Demon Hiranyakasha, the younger brother of Hiranyakashyapa was yearning for a child. The blind Child was given to him. He was named Andhaka. Andhaka grew and pleaded Brahma to restore his vision.

Andhaka along with his cousin Prahlada ruled the earth plane. Andhaka wanted to conquer Kailasa and wage war against Maharudradeva. After a long battle Shiva killed Andhaka, but at his last breath he uttered the name of Shiva. Hence in the next birth he was granted the post of Shiva Gana (Shiva Army). He was reborn as Bhringi who along with Nandi was in-charge of the gates of Kailasa.  

Bhringi was an ardent devotee of Maharudradeva. He would not adore anyone except Shiva. To make him understand that Shiva and Shakti are inseparable, Shiva took the form of Ardhanareeshwara (Half Shiva and Half Shakti). Stubborn Bhringi assumed the form of a wasp and tried to bore through the middle of the body to complete his obeisance to only the Shiva side of the form. Infuriated by his attitude, Parvathi cursed Bhringi to lose all that he had got from his mother. It is believed that our body has seven datus namely Rasa (Tissue Fluid), Rakta (Red Blood Cells), Mamsa (Flesh), Meda (Fat), Asti (Bone), Majja (Bone Marrow) and Sukra (Reproductive Fluid).

The Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa and Meda are contributions from mother while Asti, Majja and Sukra are got from father. So Bhringi lost the tissue, blood, flesh and fat. With only skeleton he was unable to stand. Bhringi understood about the union of Shiva & Shakti. But he learnt it in hard way. Taking pity on his condition Shiva granted him a third leg to support his body. From that day Bhringi has three legs and he went on to become the dance master for devas.

This Puranic story is very expressive of the idea that Shakti is an integral part of Shiva. At the same time it can be understood so that nothing can be excluded as something that will not be complete without accepting the human angle to the divine. The physical aspect of our mind is inseparably linked with great spiritual comprehension.

The Purusha and Prakriti are both tied and it would be so silly to avoid one for the sake of another, without understanding that they two are bonded to each other. Purusha is the highest Truth. Prakriti is Reality and the source of stimuli, the destination of responses, the fountainhead of experiences, desires, and learning.

 Shiva’s purity and dispassionateness is balanced with Shakti’s involvement and passion. Both balance the whole universe.

876. The Black Dot on the White Sheet of paper.......!!!

The media advisor of Karnataka Chief Minister, Dinesh Amin Mattu sometime ago said that Indians join the Army to earn a living and not to serve motherland. Poverty could be a reason for a very small section of the whole contingent that is there to safeguard my country. I did not understand why that “intellectual” personality who felt so did not look at the majority while speaking on the subject. Was the black dot on the white sheet of paper more prominent for that gentleman to talk about it?

This syndrome of focusing on the lesser percentage is become a passion and fashion nowadays. The other day there was an advertisement of a toilet cleaner where the creative head compared the brand with the other. He showed a slide depicting lesser germs in the toilet when compared to while using the other brand. One of my friend commented so there is germs when we use this brand also. I am not talking about the claims done by the advertisement, but the mindset of making the negligible huge. 

We have many antidote and parables which reminds us to learn to appreciate the white part of the sheet instead of going gaga over the small black dot. If we have this attitude to recognize the major good and stop cribbing over the insignificant small then life will be wonderful.

Have said that I should not have the thought that the insignificant small trait will be overseen by others. My purpose would be to see that the black dot in my white sheet is annihilated. I know those who are with me do look and appreciate at the best in me, but it is my responsibility to transform that which is not best to better if not make it the best.

The black dot on the white sheet is not unnatural so I have to not take it to my head when I am dealing with others. At the same time I should not expect others too oversee the black dot on the white sheet of life……what say???

875. Instant draw immediate prize…..

“Ille Draw Ille Bahumana” (Instant Draw, Immediate Prize) shouted a street gambler. Yes, the betting is such game that one can place the stakes and win or lose in an instant. Many ask why is Karma not so? Why one has to wait for the next birth to experience the fruit of those karmas done now.

I am not an expert in Karma Siddhanta, but I can say I am a sincere student trying to comprehend the intricacies of Karma. As far as I understand Karma which we do now is called Agami Karma (Action yet to fructify) and a part of it is Kriyamana Karma. This Kriyamana Karma is somewhat similar to that instant draw immediate prize gamble. Say for instant, in a street brawl if one person hits another person, that person hits him back and the account is settled.

Every action is not so, just like different seeds take different time duration to sprout the actions yield results in a similar way. Every action that we do is like a seed sown. A few grains harvest after two or three months while some fruit seeds produce fruits after twenty years and some seeds may even take hundred years to fructify. One thing is for sure that the seed will fructify and we cannot escape the result.

One may say, “I don’t want this fruit, I don’t like it.” But inevitably he has to relish be it sweet, bitter or sour. The seed of a sweet fruit will produce a sweet fruit to relish, a seed of bitter fruit will produce a bitter fruit and a seed of sour fruit will give a sour fruit, this is law of nature. A good karma yield sweet karma phala while evil karma harvests a bitter karma phala. But one thing is certain the different types of karma seed have different time durations after which they fructify.

Why do different actions stretch reactions for different time durations???

This mechanism of Karma is very well explained in an incidence in Mahabharata:

The deadly war comes to an end with the mace duel between Bhima and Prince Duryodhana who was hiding in the lake Dwaipayana. Having lost all his sons Dhritharashtra was very much depressed. Failing to understand how his sons who were 100 in number and had 11 akshohini sena were defeated by Pandavas who ever mere five and had only 7 akshohini sena, he was confused.

He asked Sri Krishna the reason. Sri Krishna told the dejected king, “It is all your Prarabdha Karma Phala.” Dhritharashtra unable to control his tears he asked Krishna, “I had hundred sons and now not even one is alive, why?”

Sri Krishna who could view the past lives of the King replied, “About Fifty lifetimes ago you were a hunter. One day while hunting you tried to catch a bird in your net. As soon as you threw the net the bird flew away, frustrated you burnt down the nest of that bird which had 100 babies. The male bird watched the scene helpless in agony. Since you were the cause for that male bird to feel the pain of seeing the death of its 100 babies, you had to bear the pain of seeing your hundred sons die.”

Dhritharashtra who listened with dismay asked, “Ok, but why did I have to wait for fifty lifetimes?”

Krishna answered, “You were accumulating punya phala (pious credits) during the last fifty lifetimes to get a hundred sons because that requires a lot of punya. Then you got the reaction for the papa (sin) that you have done fifty lifetimes ago.”

The way in which the action and reaction work is very complex. It is very difficult or near impossible to know the intricacies of Karma. Sri Krishna tells this to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita (4.17), He says “The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.”

Absolute is called “Karma Phala Datta” (Benefactor of Karma Phala) He knows best which reaction has to be given at what time in what condition. Therefore, some reaction may come in this lifetime, some in the next and some in a distant future lifetime.

874. Polytheism, Paganism or Monotheism???

I was surprised when one of my friends said that Hinduism is similar to paganism. I found it to have a negative shade because as I understand paganism is associated with the worship of many gods and their many idols. Except a sign that the belief does not belong to three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), many distinctive signs are here but the most important was whether or not someone worshipped the one and only Supreme. In other words being Monotheist or to have belief in one personal and transcendent God.

Hinduism is different in that sense, How??? 

It is true that there are many gods, but while these various gods are considered different gods in paganism, in Hinduism they represent the various forms of the one and same God. This plurality in other words is that the one God appears in various forms. Even a seeker who is in the initial stage of spirituality when asked about this complicated theme will reply “Bhagavan Ek Hai” meaning God is one. He may not be able to comprehend in theological terms the concept of so many Gods becoming one or even he may not be sure about the hierarchy of manifestation, but he does know that ultimately there is only One and that the many somehow merge into the One. And his opinion does not differ from our sacred books which say the same as told in Rig Veda “Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” Truth is one; Sages call it various names.

It so happened once in a Religious Leaders Meet one evangelist wanted to pull the leg of a Hindu Baba. He chooses this subject. He asked “We Christians have faith in Jesus, Muslims pray to Allah and Buddhists have Buddha but you Hindus worship so many Gods, why is it so?”

The Meet was organised by an international organisation for the welfare of mankind but these kind of talks did not go well with Baba. In that event there were many stalls selling merchandise and in one particular stall Baba had seen a person selling “Multipurpose Scarf.” Baba requested that sales person to come on stage with the scarf. He requested him to show in how many ways the scarf could be used. The sales person took that opportunity to showcase the different way his scarf could be used. He gleefully showed how one little scarf can become a neckerchief, mask, balaclava, headband, blind chicken, foulard and alice band...and the variety went on and on.

Baba appreciated the salesperson by clapping the hand and recommended the gathering to purchase it. Turning towards the evangelist he said “You must have observed my friend how the same cloth acquires different names while performing different functions. So also water can be a cloud when in sky; when it falls to earth it is termed rain; when it is flowing it is called river, it is ice when it freezes, if it evaporates it is vapour. God is one but is called by different names by different people. We name things according to our own perceptions. It is important to bear in mind that the name is not the thing named. Just as map is not the territory it refers to. Sometime it is useful to think and view a thing in entirety apart from its name or utility. As far as the God is concerned we give forms to Him according to our perception.”

Evangelist remained silent……. 

873. Bribe taker or giver..... who is culprit???

It was a Saturday afternoon I and my sister were back from school. There was a knock on the door Amma opened it a man with a carton box was at the door. “Sahebru kotbarakke hellidru” (Sir asked me to give this) he said. My Nana was Assistant Engineer working for Karnataka Electricity Board. Amma thought maybe he had sent something related to office work and asked the person to keep it in the corner. 

Evening my Nana came home and Amma told him about the box. Nana was surprised as he had not sent anyone. He opened the box in the box were lovely colourful famous Channapattana wooden toys the whole collection. Nana wondered who could have sent it. 

I am talking about an incidence that happened in 70’s at those times Government officials seldom took bribe, though out of gratitude the contractors or general public used to give gifts or presents after the work was completed. My Nana used to object to that also. He used to say we officials are paid by Government to do the job and it is our duty and there was no need of anybody to show gratitude. We thought maybe one of his contractors might have sent the toys as he never accepted maybe he had sent it without Nana’s knowledge. Nana did not allow me or my sister to touch the toys. For a fortnight he tried to identify who has sent the toys home but he could not. 

From those days when officials daunted to take gifts to a time when without greasing the palm no work happens to the present situation where bribe is a norm, what a change. Analysing this I notice that earlier a government official maintained dignity of himself and also of his post. How much ever he was tempted to accept gifts or souvenirs he would say a firm “No”. Then a few started to accept the gifts and souvenirs after the work done, and then it gradually took a mode where the gifts and souvenirs were given before the work was done. Then finally we are here where now it is so unofficially official that there is a Bribe Tag for every Government work to be done.

I am not cynical but I want to get few answers for the following questions that are bothering me, please find time to answer them.

1.   Is it O.K to give gift or souvenirs to Government Officials after getting the work done?

2.   Is it O.K to give bribe to get a work done by a Government Official?

3.   Is it smartness to bribe a Government Official and get the work done quickly by jumping the queue?

4.   Is it cleverness to bribe a Government Official in order to deviate from the set guidelines?

5.   Is it ingenuity to bribe a Government Official and make him dodge the law of the land?

6.   When Government is paying the salary is it O.K for a Government Official to expect bribe for doing the duty he has to do?

7.   How correct is it for a Government Official to deviate the set guidelines by accepting bribe?

8.   How can a Government Official dodge the Law of the Land and be not accountable?

9.   If taking bribe is a norm then why should the Government pay salaries and all those post retirement facilities?

10.  How can the guideline change to those who have purchased the Government Official by paying bribe, who is the main culprit the bribe taker or bribe giver?        

872. Dharma is not just doing the right thing.....!

“Mera Dharm mein asisa nahi hai” this is the phrase normally a person uses to showcase the superiority of the religion he believes. But I always wonder if the word used there “Dharm” is different to different people like Hindu Dharm, Muslman Dharm, Isai Dharm, Sikh Dharm…and so on. As I understand there is no separate Dharma while we stupidly or for our convenience use that word and get confused as well as create confusion.

For animals there is one Dharma it is called in modern world “Survival of the Fittest” this is explained in Vishnupurana as “Matsyanyaya” (Maxim of Fish) a big fish gulps down a small fish, meaning the powerful overpowers the weak. Vaivasvata Manu was an ardent devotee of Maha Vishnu. Once he went to a river to perform Sandhyavandana, when he cupped both his palms and lifted the water to give arghya (ablution) a little fish came into that puddle. Manu put it in a pot, which it soon outgrew. Then he moved it to a pond, a lake and then finally to the ocean. The efforts to save the fish pleased Maha Vishnu who was in the guise of that fish. He told Manu about the deluge that is to occur within seven day destroying the entire universe. Hence Maha Vishnu asks Manu to collect all medicinal herbs, all the varieties of seeds, and all humans, animals, reptiles and birds board a boat. Now the attempt made to save the small fish by Manu saved the entire community. This is Dharma, the whole concept of helping the righteous irrespective of the status. Following the path that benefits the society is Dharma.

So is Dharma a kind of rule or principle???

We believe that the pleasant events unfurling in this universe is because Dharma is upheld by its inhabitants. Let us understand the concept of Dharma by the help of the two incarnations of Maha Vishnu.

Shri Rama, the seventh incarnation of Maha Vishnu is adored not just because He killed Ravana but for His ideology. His era which is Tretayuga is known as Rama Rajya which is synonym to the ideal empire and He is Maryada Purshottama meaning ideal man. He was an ideal son, brother, husband, master, friend and also rival. He followed all the rules and principles a king should follow.

Sri Krishna, the eight incarnation of Maha Vishnu is known for breaking rules or if I can put it more appropriately, for bending rules. Dwaparayuga the time when Sri Krishna incarnated was more corrupt than that of earlier yugas. Sri Krishna had to bend the rules to protect the interests of Pandavas. Kauravas very tactfully used Dharma to their convenience and harassed their cousins. So Sri Krishna had to bend rules be while supplying the endless saree to Draupadi or the solar eclipse created to kill Jayadratha or His immaculate plan to make the thighs of Duryodhana venerable for Bhima to attack there.

Dharma is the action with right spirit and not just the right action. Dharma is about helping the righteous to make the society a better place to live. Making rules or following rules, does not benefit society. It is the intention of doing the right thing makes the world a better place to live.......what say???

871. The Eternal Truth....!

What is ETERNAL TRUTH???

Mankind has witnessed many philosophers presenting their philosophies on Truth, but we human have failed to understand them. Every religion claims that they have the “TRUTH” in their religious books. If that is the case, why do we fail to see Truth in the religious books of other religion? Why doesn’t the whole world accept any one version of the “Truth”?

I have always wondered about this word “Truth” which we here in Sanatana Dharma know it as Satya. But many of us confuse it to Vastava (Fact) or sometimes even to Rta (Eternal Truth). To understand the interrelationship between these three namely Vastava, Satya and Rta let us consider this analogy: There is a mango tree in my factory and it is filled with mangoes in month of April-May. When a visitor comes to my factory and enquires about the tree in November-December, I will tell him that it is mango tree and it bears fruits in Apirl-May. This is Fact as he would believe what I say. The Truth in my statement is that when I tell him that it is a mango tree. It is true and he can verify by seeing the leaves of the tree. Now, I mentioned to him about Mango Tree but I need not tell him it is a TREE. He can be absolutely sure that I am showing him a tree and nothing else at all. Just as our Manas (Mind) and Chaitanya (Consciousness) has got amalgamated, this word “MANGO TREE” too has. Hence there is a bit confusion.   

A fact has many pramana (Dimensions) like our body which modify with time and Truth too has a minimum of two as it is dvandva (Dual) like our mind which always flip flop. Rta is changeless and eternal like the Atma present in us. While Vastava and Satya depend on external factors, Rta is independent, without attributes, permanent and pure. There may be different dimensions in understanding the way we approach life and the intricacies in it but, every single individual has to accept that there is one without a second and this is Rta.

Is ‘Truth” a relative thing that all of us experience at an individual level? The answer to this is given in this great statement in Chandogya Upanishad, “Sad Eva Saumya Idam Agrasid Ekam eva Advitiyam.” That Eternal Truth which we call Brahman goes beyond our own definitions and experience and it is like I am making a try to define words like “love” or “reality” which depends on how rest can understand. That is why Veda says, “Yato Vacho Nivartante, Aprapya Manasa Saha” (Words turn back along with the Mind, failing to reach Brahman).

870. Thinking free and acting free....!

After spending 12 years in forest and one year in incognito for losing the game of dice, the Pandava Brothers wanted Hastinapura back from Kauravas. They requested Sri Krishna to be their ambassador. Sri Krishna who took the responsibility decided to go to the house of Vidura. Why did He choose Viduras place? Sri Krishna had been there as a mediator and so it was against Dharma for Him to accept the hospitality from Prince Duryodhana. By not willing to accept the hospitality was Sri Krishna prejudice?

An individual who has  free thinking is not bound by anyone or any situation hence can follow Dharma by not being prejudice. Real intellectualism is free from all prejudice. Free thinking people can never be purchased by anyone. How much ever intellectual power one may possess, most of them make analysis based on some influence other than intellect. Such individuals do not have the Dharma to be honest in themselves. Hence the so called intellectual rigor in them comes only when they are comfortable to criticize. Amazingly they do not dwell or have the guts to speak  when the realities go against their own so called intellectual observations. This was what happened to Karna. He knew what Duryodhana, his friend was doing was against Dharma but his throat was choke due to obligation. He was bound by Duryodhana who had made him the King of Anga Desha. He could hear his inner voice but could not follow it. One who is free from being bound can make deep self observation. Dharma calls for deep self observation in order to hear the inner voice and then to follow it. The inner voice is of the “indwelling one and only Atma” which is the sole witness. To know this one has to do Sadhana. Intelligence without proper sadhana can easily be purchased. If we see the intellectual club of the world, they are  either exclusive religionists or they are bought.

Rishis in ancient times could not be purchased that is why they could think free and act free too. One such personality we find in Mahabharata was Rishi Daumya. He was appointed as the priest for Pandavas when they were at Ekachakrapura. He was so free thinking person he continued to be their priest when they were the Kings of Indraprastha as well as when they lost everything and went along with them to forest. He did not deter to stay on with the penniless Pandavas. Rishi Daumya gave advise to the Pandavas without expecting anything in return from the Pandavas. Duryodhana tried to use him against his cousins, but could not purchase him.

To think free and to act free without getting influenced or being purchased is a rare phenomena. It is possible when one is truly on the path of Dharma and does rigorous self analysis for his motives and purpose. A purpose that is beyond himself his community and his religion…… what say???

869. Kashmir is ours and will remain ours forever....!

Entire Bharatakhanda (modern India) was submerged in water due to terrible inundation. Periodically as time passed water receded and the area became worthy for habitation. While the whole of Indian subcontinent could recoup the lap of Himalaya still had some region which was still deluged under water. From this stagnate water volcano erupted and a lovely place took shape since this region was formed due to the fire from volcano it was called “Satidesh” where the word “Sa” meant “From the power of Fire. Then it was Rishi Kashyapa who made the land able to cultivate and he was successful in requesting Maharudradeva to use his Trident to strike the earth from which flowed the river “Vitasta” which is now in modern era named as “Jehlum”.  This river was the source to quenching thirst and for irrigating as well.

In no time that area became heaven on earth and it was called Vaitastika.  Rishi Kashyapa named his son Neel as the in charge to look after the place and its inhabitants. With the land becoming so prosperous and its fame was heard in the court of Indra, the King of Devas. Indra was curious to see the land which was called “Heaven on Earth” and he took his wife Sachidevi on a trip to this land. On the arrival of the heavenly couple, Neel made all arrangements for their comfortable stay. One evening when the couple were walking on the banks of River Vitasta a ferocious demon tried to kidnap Sachidevi and attacked Indra. Using Vajrayudha (thunder bolt) Indra was able to kill the demon and left for Indraloka. The people of Satisar who came to know about this brawl came to the spot to find an infant beside the body of the demon. They picked up the infant and handed over him to Neel. Neel brought him up as his son by providing educated and teaching him the art of warfare. Since the child had been lifted from the water-splashed bank of the lake he was called Jalodbhava.

As Jalodbhava grew up he did penance and got a boon from Lord Brahma, he asked Brahma he would not be killed by Chakra used by Vishnu or Trident used by Shiva. After obtaining the boon Jalobhava became arrogant and started to harass the people in the valley. He invited people from the neighbouring land and kicked out the inhabitants (history has repeated same as how Kashmir Pandits were driven out). Neel tried hard to calm down the situation with all his strength but failed to control it. He tried to stop migration of those who were the original people of the place but everybody thought it was better to migrate to any part of Bharatakhanda to escape death because of the dance of destruction started by Jalodbhava. So there was a huge migration of inhabitants.   

Rishi Kashyapa who was on pilgrimage learnt about it and returned back to the place and took stock of the situation. He went to Maha Vishnu and Maharudradeva requesting them to help him. But the boon given by Brahma was that their respective weapons the Chakra and Trishul would not kill Jalodbhava. Pondering over this boon Maha Vishnu gave Maharudradeva His Charka and took the Trishul from him. This exchange of weapons happened and both of them were able to kill Jalodbhava.     

The death of Jalodbhava those who had left the place returned back. Neel again had the hold on the land and all of them expressed their gratitude to Rishi Kashyapa who reinstalled the place and from then on it was called “Kashyapa pura”. This entire story is mentioned in Neelmata Purana which was compiled thousands of years ago.

On the lighter note:

A representative from India began to talk at U.N regarding Kashmir issue. He said, “Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Rishi Kashyapa, after whom Kashmir was named. He wanted to take bath and so he stuck a rock and it brought forth water. He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Pakistani had stolen them.”

The Pakistani representative jumped up furiously and shouted, “What are you talking about? The Pakistanis weren’t there then.”

The Indian representative smiled and said, “And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech. And they say Kashmir belongs to them..................................................

868. Authentic Post....!

I can convey my thoughts to a person who is thousands of miles far away from where I am. I need to thank the social media sites especially Facebook to have given me this unique opportunity to post my thoughts. I write mostly on Spirituality and sometimes on current affairs too. I get to improve my thought process by the views and comments the post receives from my friends. Anyone can post anything and it can reach anyone in no time. Though I post what I write sometime I do share any interesting article that drops into my timeline.

 I can share anything it is purely my prerogative but before I share I need to verify the authenticity of the post. I have come up against this question many times, how much correct it is for me to share a post which I do not know anything about? The post could be showcasing a true story or could be sugar coated lie. Therefore I m intimidated sometime to share though the post is excellent in conveying a great thought.

Off late there are many videos of awful road accidents that are posted. Also we get to see the mutilated bodies of civilians in our neighboring countries killed by military or militants it is heartbreaking to see them yet some find joy in sharing them. I do not understand why one has to post the photos of victims to deepen the intensity of the news. Understandably we are becoming more addicted to such sensational news, and hence the more we see the more we are tempted to share. Even more ironical is when some post a pic of Gods and Saints and add a tagline "Share within 5 seconds" or type "Amen" if the chain is broken disaster awaits. It is so stupid to even think God and Saint could be so cruel.

The posts could sometimes be exciting and it could also be controversial. A few find it extremely hard to verify those controversial post as they feel they have to be the first to share before anyone tag them, automatically they hit the share button.

It is good to share a pleasant write up but I personally feel that some are not worthy enough to share. There are few who post against a particular religion and a few try character assassination. Hate posts are shared in a jiffy, it has numerous visitors and thousand of “likes” while those which talk of progress and development which aid to excel have a few readers. I believe a good writer should not gauge his write up by the number of visitors or the number of shares. The write up has to speak about the author and the authenticity he has over the subject be has picked to write the post.

There is no point in posting or sharing a controversial subject without knowing whether it is true or a cooked up story. If I cannot authenticate the post I should restraint from spreading half truth. As it is it is very difficult to write on a subject with 100% authenticity because the perception on the subject varies from person to person. I can only place my dimension which can be accepted or rejected depending on how the reader takes it.

I have to share a post that will surge me and those who read it at least an inch forward. Those post how much ever it could be exciting it has no value if it is pulling me and my readers behind…what say???

867. He is the best HR.....!

Sometime back I was watching this series “The Most Extreme” in the Animal Planet channel. That was an amazing program which presents a countdown of how animals rank in terms of specific categories like their speed, strength, skill, behaviour and so on. In one of the episodes that focused on hunting skills an eagle like bird called Brahminy Kite that has white head and chest with red wings clocked first in the category. These birds were described in the programme as to have an excellent vision and hence they had the ability to see the prey from distance. With a swift swoop it can pick up a moving fish from the water with amazing accuracy in trajectory and velocity. The visuals were astounding and I was flabbergasted to see the birds action in slow motion. 

And in another episode on holding on to the prey, it was the Indian rock python which was the number one. Unlike the Brahminy Kite these reptile species have no great eye sight nor they are quick when it comes to hunting prey. They gauge the presence of their prey on heat dissipated and move slowly towards them. Once the prey is caught they constrict them and devour them whole. These two creatures pulled my attention not just because they were number one in their own categories but I liked them for their approach to hunt their prey. They made me think that there is no yardstick and everyone has their own style of doing things.

Now, both these creatures hunt for survival with the skills embedded in their instinct and both do it right. We humans too adopt these qualities to do our work if not for hunting. If we observe there are two kinds of employees; one lot has this reptilian approach and the other have the avian approach to do work. Those who have the reptilian approach are very attentive to the work in progress. They execute it properly without ruminating much about the impact of it over the successive line of tasks. In a way they perform and provide the service to what has been asked from them for the present time. The avian approach workforce always has a vision while accomplishing an assignment. Often, they ask themselves as to why they are doing it and what could be the impact of their action on the outcome; whether the method of work which they are employing now right or does it need to change? They ponder and plan to confront the future changes.

A successful employer keeps both kinds of employees in his organisation to run it for a long period of time. The reptilian approach employees help the organization to sustain the present holding on tight with the grip of a python while the avian approach employees take the organization to future with the vision of their hawk eye.

The most noteworthy example of such an employer is Sriman Narayana, He has Garuda as well as Adishesha in His roll book. Garuda and Adishesha serve Him as Nitya Suri (Eternal Servants) and amusingly they both are natural enemy to each-other. Sriman Narayana in His slumber reclines on Adishesha and whenever He is on the move, He is on Garuda…..Perfect HR He is….. What say???  

866. Gowri created Ganapati....!

Gowri created Ganapati from the dirt of her body. Would that dirt mean the cells from Her skin??? Did Maa Gowri create Ganesha with the cells from her skin???

The scientists of Reproductive Science who are conducting research on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) are sure that babies can be produced from skin cells. It may sound like it’s on the scientific fringe, but it’s not a pipe dream. This is actually happening.

The skin-to-gamete research is perhaps the most sensational of the technologies in recent times. The human body is made of billions of cells and each cell in the body is a body itself. The cells of the body have immense power. There is a far bigger program embedded in the cell of a body. Scientists are now finding ways to create babies out of the individual cells of a woman so someday as Maa Gowri create Ganesha without Maharudradeva it is possible that man is no more needed to have a progeny.

Earlier when we read about the birth of Kauravas where the zygote were stored in earthen pots by Sage Vyasa many felt if that could be possible then we had this test tube babies created by scientists. The birth of Balarama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna raised many eyebrows as none could believe that the zygote of a couple could be implanted in the womb of other woman. Then we had surrogate mothers becoming a reality.  Even the birth of Sage Vyasa himself was also unbelievable till we came to know about Extrauterine conception which was called “Sadyo-Garbha” and thus the great Sage Vyasa was born without physical union of parents.

Science and the ancient thought have a huge phase delay. But what is in the ancient scriptures science is keeping pace with it that is the only satisfaction. There is lot more for the science to go after and it can be done when the ancient concepts are not looked from the religious point of view and not analysed with Abraminical mind-set.

May Maa Gowri provide us more range to tap the signals from the bandwidth of the eternal frequency to do the best for the mankind.  

Happy Gowri Ganesh to all my friends and their families.  

865. My God is Zero…….!

Shunya is a Sanskrit word which denotes “Zero” or “Nullity”. The 743^rd nama of Maha Vishnu in Sri Vishnu Sahasranama is “SHUNYA”. Is it not extremely odd to call Maha Vishnu a “ZERO”. I have heard and read that He is called “Ekam” the one and only and also He is addressed as “Anantha” the Infinite. But how can one explain hailing Him as “Shunya”, the Nothing?

According to our ancients if Infinity is immeasurable then Zero too is immeasurable. In reality zero is anti-infinity hence if infinity is the extreme of plenty then zero is the extreme of empty. If you were to imagine, say, a circle with its centre at infinity then the curvature drops to zero and circumference become a straight line. So if Shunya and Anantha are considered to be two extremes then in fact they both would be sitting side by side on the circumference of an infinite circle, isn’t it??? If we reflect upon it deeply, we can make out “Zero” and “Infinity” to be two extremes of the same unimaginable circle. By the same logic “Anantha” and “Shunya” though seeming to be antonymous, in reality they mean the same thing. So Maha Vishnu is both “Lord Infinity” as well as “Lord Zero”.

Incredible logical but nevertheless we know for a fact however that the “plenty” and “empty” can never be the same. No wonder none of us would like to exchange plenty for empty in this material world. To grasp the concept of “Shunya” requires a very high level of spiritual advancement. Vedic mathematics and astronomy of those ancient times clearly bear evidence to the highly sophisticated conceptual and ideological skills that our Indian forbears possessed. There was no doubt at all that it was ancient Vedic Indians who gave to the whole world the idea of “Zero”.

Bhaskaracharya born in 7^th century was a great mathematician and astronomer. He wrote several pioneering treatises on Vedic mathematics. In one of the treatises, it is said, he wrote a small dedication: “To the Absolute, who is Infinity, I offer my salutation”. Bhaskaracharya uses a Sanskrit word “khahara” to denote “Infinity” which he used to address the Lord in the dedication. It is derived from “kha” which means “Zero” and “hara” meaning “Divided”. The word “khahara” was meant to indicate that Absolute who is Infinity is related to Zero. He says, “There is no change in infinite (khahara) figure if something is added to or subtracted from it. It is like how we find no change in infinite Vishnu (Absolute) due to dissolution or creation of abounding living beings.

This great mathematician was the one to expose the intimate relationship between Zero and Infinity. He declared that any quantity divided by Zero is equal to Infinity. Take a value like 100 and divide it with progressively decreasing divisors. Lets see what happens??? Amazingly the quotient progressively increases. For e.g. 100 divided by 4 = 25; and 100 divided by 2 = 50; and eventually when 100 is divided by 0 it equals “Infinity!” Any quantity or value in the world, when divided by Zero, results in the same quotient that is Infinity.

Thus is the mighty power of Zero, it can raise and relate all values on earth to the exalted state of Infinity and it is that very same state in which my Lord, Maha Vishnu of the sacred “Sahasranama”, is said to eternally reside and rule in all of us!......Hence He is “Shunya”.