1152. What is Doership???

In one of my write up I had mentioned that without the grace of God nothing happens and in another post I had wrote that our will power make everything happen. Some of my reader friends pointed out to me that I had created a bit of confusion with this contrary statements. One of my friend messaged asking me who was the real Kartru (doer)???

To answer this we need to know what Kartruttva Bhava (Doership) is all about. Lets try to understand.

One of my friends told me he has built a house. There is nothing wrong in that statement if we look at it superficially. Anyone who has understood from the language of this empirical world agrees to that statement. In real sense my friend did not even lift a brick yet his statement “I have built a house” has to be accepted. It only means that he funded to build a house in which an architect, civil contractor along with daily wages labourers built it.

In whatever task we do there are three components of Kriyattva (Deed) for that task to be completed. These components of deed involve the Jada (Insentient), Chetana (Sentient) and Chaitanya (Consciousness). The part of deed which involves Chaitanya is called Svecchadhina Kriyattva (Deed lack of Self-will). Chetana is involved in Icchadhina Kriyattva (Deed lack of Wish) and Jada has simply Kriyattva (doing the deed). God induces us that Svecchadhina Kriyattva and we use our skills to implement it through Icchadhina Kriyattva using a Jada Vastu (Insentient object).

To explain better let me take you to the T20 World Cup Final 2007, India and Pakistan were contesting for the trophy. India batted first and made 157 runs. Chasing the score Pakistan at the last over needed 13 runs. Misbah-ul-Haq was batting and most importantly Pakistan had the last pair at the crease. Joginder Sharma was the blower to bowl the last over. First ball of the last over was a wide and the next ball was a dot ball. Next ball was hit for a six over the head of the bowler.  The equation came down to 6 runs in 4 balls with Misbah at 43 not out.

M.S Dhoni ran up to the blower Joginder Sharma and said “You bowl confidently, even if anything goes wrong, I am there.” Joginder ran in to blow and saw Misbah getting ready to scoop the ball expecting a fast bouncer. Joginder slowed down his pace and at the last moment removed his thumb from the ball and bowled a bit slower delivery. The ball went up in the air and Sreesanth was there to catch the ball. India won the finals.

Here Dhoni, Joginder and the ball completed the task.  Dhoni gave the instructions Joginder followed it and the ball did the rest. Dhoni had the Svecchadhina Kriyattva hence he inspired the blower, which is what God does to us all. But only few like Joginder will get the inspiration and blow using their skills and the implements they have, which is a ball here.

Not all the times these three bring in success, this Kartruttva Bhava (Doership) end at finishing the task, to say, here the ball hitting Misbah’s bat. Ball going up in the air and fielder coming under it is a different story altogether. Yoga (Fortune) plays a pivotal role after that.

Sometimes Yoga (Fortune) and Yogyatha (Deservance) go hand in hand like how the slower delivery was spooned up to be caught. Few times Yoga favours even without Yogyathe that is when a bad ball fetches a wicket. Many times Yogyathe does not yield Yoga hence a beautiful delivery doesn't help pick wicket.

1151. Fundamentalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism or Crony Capitalism......!

A few days back a write-up posted said nothing is bad or good and it is only the situations which make them. To justify this, the story of Shibi, the ancestors of Shri Rama was mentioned.

This incidence was mentioned by Vyasadeva in Srimad Bhagavatam.

According to Vyasadeva the King was in Dharma Sankata (Moral Ambiguity), either to save the pigeon from the eagle or let the eagle consume its prey.

Sanatana Dharma says the King has to do justice to everyone and following that the King readily volunteer to substitute his flesh to save pigeon and at the same time not to deprive the food of the eagle.

This incidence happened thousands of years back and the King took a perfect decision based on the understanding of Sanatana Dharma. For some youngsters who read the write-up this decision did not go well. A few messaged me and felt that the Kings move seem to be stupid and he could have arranged some meat equivalent to the pigeons weight. True they could be viewing the situation practically and there was no problem at all in their thought process

I wonder why when all these years the Kings decision was accepted now this generation feels it was little over for the King to sacrifice his flesh. I analyzed that the younger generation are exposed to fundamentalism, socialism, communalism, capitalism, fascism and crony capitalism. Now they can thinking about a situation from all those angles and asses the situation to pick appropriate solution. I felt maybe the exposure is the key for such thoughts and I do respect them even if they do not vibrate with mine.

Further on lighter note I contemplated on how the incident could have shaped if the King and his subjects were also having the thought which sympathized either Fundamentalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism or Crony Capitalism. Here is how the situation would have been different.

Fundamentalist : The King would let the eagle have its prey. Saying this world is running on “survival of the fittest”.

Socialist: The King will kill the eagle and let the pigeon fly free. Saying in this society the “weaker section has to be protected”. Why kill the eagle, did you ask? The socialist thought would not let the strong have the upper hand.

Communist : The King would kill the pigeon and divide the meat into two and give the one half to the eagle and keep the other half to himself. Saying everyone in this society has “to have the equal share”.

Capitalist : The King would kill the pigeon. Defeather and eviscerate the bird cut it into small pieces, weight them and pack them in a transparent plastic box. After fixing a price tag the King would sell meat to the eagle. Saying whatever I do it is important for me to see what will “I gain from it”.

Fascist : The Eagle would revolt against the King and bring support from its kind and dethrone the King and become the new King. Saying I am always “the best to rule”.

Crony Capitalist : The King would kill the pigeon and share its meat with his family and relatives. Saying “me and my family priority is first”.

Note: Friends this is on lighter note please do not take it seriously……just enjoy.

1150. Mode of Transport......in the Jouney of Life!!!

I have a dream expedition in my mind. It is crazy but I like to undertake that voyage sometime in near future.

The itinerary looks like this:

From my residence I wish to take a Tanga (Horse Carriage) to Kempegowda Bus Station Bengaluru. From there I want to take a bus to Mangalore. From Mangalore it will be train journey to Goa on Konkan Railways experiencing the scenic beauty of Sahyadri. Amazing greeneries, plethora of water bodies, stunning curves and the magnificent Sahyadri make the train travel experience great. After reaching Goa it will be Cruise that will take me to Mumbai. From Mumbai back to Bengaluru it will be Flight journey and from the airport to my residence it is the cab which will be my vehicle.

Now in this one circuit I will be travelling in Tanga, Bus, Train, Cruise, Flight and Cab. In between my travel I can use Cycle-rickshaw, Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Truck and Tuk Tuk too. The beauty of this trip is that there will be no destination it will only be journey. I think Spirituality is also similar.

Spirituality is not the destination but only the means to attain it which can be equated to journey. Also the Spiritual thoughts should be on the right track and have propelling force. Let us consider Spirituality to be the compartment of a train. If the Engine that is pulling it is the Philosophy, the Track is the Mind. Without the Engine and the Track moving the compartment is near impossible.

The Jevatma has to take a seat inside the compartment and enjoy the journey. For the journey to be safe there are many factors to guide and protect the compartment like Track Shifting Engineers and Level Crossings. Likewise for the Spirituality (Compartment) there are Gurus and Scriptures (Track Shifting Engineers) to make sure that the train is moving in the right direction and Level Crossings (Indriya Nigraha –Sense control) are also operating.

When the compartment is on the roll the Level Crossing (Sense Control) is most important if it is in operation, it won’t let unwanted disturbance to the Track (Mind). Sri Krishna tells Arjuna in Bhagavad-Gita that if the journey is abruptly stopped (due to death), the expedition is possible to continue from where it ended in the next life, like wise if the train stops in the intermediate junction there is always possibility to take another compartment to continue the journey from that station.

Having said that the track (Mind) that lead us in the journey is important again. Sometimes we have the possibility of two trains run on the same track and collide, lets us not let two Engines (Philosophy) coming for opposite direction on the same Track (Mind). This Train Journey is Bhakti Yoga.

Further for those who are in a hurry there is Magnetic Levitation Train (Karma Yoga) there is no connection with the Train and the Track (Mind) even though there is Track signifying Non-Doership. Amazingly here also we have Telecommunication Network (Gurus and Scriptures) to guide the Train.

Is it only through a train journey (Bhakti Yoga) or Magnetic Levitation Train (Karma Yoga) that the Jeevatma can experience the ride???

No, not at all, one can take a Flight Journey (Jnana Yoga) also but most amazingly we have Engine (Philosophy) and Air Traffic Control (Gurus and Scriptures) but there is no Track (Mind) and hence no Level Crossings (Indriya-Nigraha) but only Airborne (Consciousness).

1149. Sambar, Rasam, Payasa, Majjige......Yummy!!!

A beautiful explanation about our own Sambar, Rasam, Paayasa and Majjige (Buttermilk) and their significance to the quality of life we lead. The explanation continues with the order of food intake as well.

An explanation given by Kanchi Periyava.

''What is the difference between Sambar and Rasam..?" Both contains Dal, Tamarind, Salt, Spices and Asafoetida.

Someone from those assembled said, 'We consume Sambar first, then Rasam, that's the difference...'

The Acharya laughed loudly. He said, the Sambar has vegetables, but Rasam does not.

Based on this, the discussion proceeded.

Acharya's explanation:

If Ego occupies our mind, we get confused, that's like Sambar. But, if that Ego is not there, our mind is clear like Rasam. "Taan" is the word used in many households for vegetables.

We should not forget this, and so, we consume each day, both Sambhar and Rasam.

You go to a feast. You are served

Sambar,

Rasam,

Payasam

and Majjige (Buttermilk)

in this order.

Why?

This food culture is not found anywhere else.

As soon as a man is born, "Taan" or Ego develops in first. He faces a number of problems that totally confuses him, like Sambar, with different types of vegetables.

When his mind settles, it becomes clear, like Rasam - which is served next.

This is followed by the sweet Payasam, because mind is settled and is happy.

Now, in the end, it is Majjige or Buttermilk - which has a separate quality.

Once our mind is settled and we are happy, our mind becomes one with the Lord, just like we get curd, butter, ghee and buttermilk from milk in that order.

Buttermilk is the last stage in our Life - from which you cannot get anything more. The same way, once you attain the Lord, then there is nothing more to achieve.

Majjige at the end also indicates "Enlightenment" and that, its the last item on the "menu" (purpose of life), after which you just leave your "leaf" (Body) behind.

Thus, ended the Acharya's discourse.

1148.Remove a thorn with a thorn.......!

Sri Krishna and Mama Shakuni were the main strategist to Pandavas and Kauravas respectively. Agreed that the Great War, Kurukshetra was won because of those strategies but the Jaya (Victory) embraced the strategy which had Dharma (Righteousness) in it. The rules, regulations, customs and traditions should serve certain social functions in a society. If they cease to do so then it is wise to discard them if possible or amend them if it is impossible to discard.

An ace strategist will be very well aware that the course of action while performing certain duty, which could be voluntary or obligatory can be amended when it is working against the social fabric of the society. Rules, regulations customs and traditions are bound by time, space and causation. That which is bound by these three cannot be eternal.

Maha Vishnu is invincible as He is Omni-Present (Sarvavyapta), Omni-Scient (Sarvajna) & Omni-Potent (Sarvashakta). There is no force that can subdue the energy of Maha Vishnu. Realising about this nature of Maha Vishnu, Asura Aloka sat in penance to obtain a boon from Brahma.

This name Aloka is unique it is to say that it is different from normal; this earth plane inhabited by Manava (Humans) is referred to as Loka (Earthly). One who is beyond this Loka is Aloka, he could be superior as Daiva (Divine) or inferior to be an Asura (Demon). This Asura was Aloka which indicated was inferior to Manava.

His penance was so severe that the entire universe was reeling under fierce heat. Inevitably Brahma had to stop the Asura from pursuing the catastrophic penance which was causing hardship to the living and non-living in the universe. Brahma appeared before the Asura and woke him up from the meditative state by assuring him of granting boon if it is viable. Asura Aloka asked for the boon of immortality which was not acceptable by nature.

When Brahma asked him to request for an alternative the Asura asked Brahma to grant him death the day Maha Vishnu is defeated in a combat. Brahma had to oblige and grant the Asura the boon. With the boon Asura Aloka was confident that Maha Vishnu will never be defeated and he will immortal, he stated his atrocities on the humans and devas.

At the time of Sita Swayamvara, Shri Rama accidentally broke Pinaka (Shiva’s Bow) while trying to string it after lifting it. To string the massive bow by lifting it from the cart was the challenge provided by King Janaka, the father of sita to the Kings and Princes gathered to win the hands of Sita.

As we all know Shri Rama won the contest and wedded Sita. Parashurama came to know that Shri Rama had broken Shiva’s Bow and was angry he vowed to defeat Shri Rama. Now, this was the situation if either Shri Rama or Parashurama is to be defeated then Asura Aloka would die as both Shri Rama and Parashurama were incarnation of Maha Vishnu. Parashurama accepted defeat and the Asura Aloka was killed.

Our Puranas have a lot to teach to this modern world. That is why they still continue to be relevant and widely popular today, spawning successful theatrical shows, retellings in discourses, and enacted in skits. They provide timeless lessons to guide our thinking, always pulling our thought away from the extremes of realism as well as the extremes of idealism. Thus encouraging us to resort to what might even seems to be unjust in order to achieve a greater justice.

In the present political scenario too the same can be applied. In order to contest against a party filled with big scamsters the support of a small wrong doer is justified.

They say you need a thorn to remove a thorn.

1147. A theist, Atheist and God.....!

On a rainy night one pious Sadhak heard a dastak on his door. He opened the door to find a young man drenched in rain. "Can I take shelter here?" He asked. The Sadhak welcomed him and give him a towel and his cloths for him to change. "God has provided me this I will share it with you" He said.

The young man dried himself up and by that time the Sadhak brought in dinner. "God has given this to me I will share it with you" the Sadhak said. Both the Sadhak and the Young man had dinner.

It was time to sleep the Sadhak provided the young man bedsheet and rug. "God has been kind and given me this you can use it" He said.

After hearing the Sadhak always talk about God the young man said, " Why do you always say that God has provided you everything while in reality it was you who have earned them by your hard work".

Hearing this the Sadhak became angry. "You idoit, everything is happening because of God. Without Him nothing happens. You seem to be an atheist. I am ashamed of myself for entertaining you. Get lost".

The young man was thrown out of the house. Young man silently walked away in rain. The Sadhak went to bed he had a dream. In his dream he saw God talking to him, "....you think you are my devotee but you have not understood me in reality. I created you as well as that young man. Both of you are dear to me. I have tolerated that young man for 25 years but you could not stand him for 25 minutes."

The Sadhak got up and went in search of the young man in rain.

In Sanatana Dharma an atheist also exists as much as a believer. He too can be a part of society to bring in harmony and help in the welfare.

One need not be an theist to be a responsible citizen. There is no dictum that to practice morality one has to be a theist. Believing in God and Scriptures is private matter while being on the moral path is general. One can be spiritual without being a believer.

1146. Sanatana Dharma and Communism....!

Communist thought is nothing new to Sanatana Dharma. Only those who have not understood either Communism or Sanatana Dharma may feel that there is no communist thought in Sanatana Dharma. Even I too thought they were contrast but when I started to understand Sanatana Dharma in the correct sense I could find communist tinge in it too. 

First we need to understand what Communism is. If we conclude that Communism is being an atheist and opposing feudalism then we will not perceive the true communist thought in Sanatana Dharma. Yes, of course Communism advocates atheism but having a communist thought is not just being an atheist. There is place for atheism even in Sanatana Dharma. The reason Communism has not flourished in my Bharath is because the followers of Communism have made it one point agenda to target theists and most importantly attack Hinduism.

My land Bharath is recognized globally as the Spiritual hub and without Spiritual angle Communism doesn’t work here. Greed is the common cause for feudal attitude as well as capitalism. Spirituality alone can open the heart of the rich and make them support the needy.

There are fanatics and Fundamentalist in practising any religion, if Communism thinks it can sever the eternally connected Consciousness of mankind by the sickle and hammer their ideology then it is impossible. The sense of belongingness can bloom only when one thread the path of Spirituality. Open mindedness and a progressive attitude is the sign of a communist who has Spiritual thoughts.

Uncontaminated Communism has the coat of Spirituality. It is absurd to think that we can achieve equality without equanimity which is the outcome of a spiritual thought. To test the belongingness of Srimad Ramanuja his Guru Thirukoshtiyur Nambi said, “I will incite Ashtakshara Maha Mantra which will free the person who recites it from cycle for birth and death and you have to keep it a secret never reveal it to anyone. If you do reveal it to others you will go to hell.”

After getting the initiation Srimad Ramanuja climbed up the steps of the temple Gopuram. From there he told the people of the village that he was going to tell them about the Ashtakshara Maha Mantra that would free them from the cycle of birth and death. He loudly chanted “Om Namo Narayanaya” and asked the people to repeat it. People were all enthralled and started chanting the Astakshara Maha Mantra.

When asked why he defied the words of Guru Thirukoshtiyur Nambi and not guarded the secret of the Astakshara Maha Mantra. Srimad Ramanuja replied politely, “I know that Guru Thirukoshtiyur Nambi had told if I reveal this Maha Mantra I go to hell. But if thousands of people would be benefited by chanting this mantra, I would not mind going to hell.”

Is this not a communist thinking???

If one looks at it, the Sanatana Dharma inspires the individual to exclude himself if need be, to make way for the benefit to reach others while  communism thinks of benefit of self along with others. In other words a Sanatani will want to provide to others first while a Communist thinks of himself as well as others at the same time. 

The problem in recent times is that communism which had to be contrary to capitalism has been reduced to state capitalism and hence there is group-ism which is against a communist thought. Erecting statues, demolishing them, instilling ideologies or eradicating them do not matter much if we do not learn to see others as humans.