1237. Decision Review System (DRS)

Saurashtra stormed into Ranji Trophy finals after defeating Karnataka on Sunday match. It was poor umpiring which was under spotlight. Even BCCI has been trying to improve standards of umpiring, but in spite of efforts, the focus is on the umpires making bad decisions. This situation has prompted for a call to introduce the Decision Review System (DRS) in Ranji matches as we have in international cricket. I agree that a review by DRS should be introduced for decisions like Stumping, Run Out and LBW, but then when will we retain the ability to believe the sports person more than a recording machine???

How can a player who has played for country in international cricket not accept that he has nicked the ball and walk away without waiting for the umpire’s index finger going up??? Any batsman who has Conscience will be aware of the faintest of faint nick at the ball.

Conscience is the word of the Self that answers “right” or “wrong” when we are drawn in an ethical struggle. It is moral faculty and silent teacher hence above reasoning and discussion. When we are into wrong action the conscience pricks us and does not let us enjoy sleep. It informs in a clear small shrill voice about the wrong doing and a wise man at once ceases to act further. Conscience is unclear by human sin and flaw and the voice of it has become inaudible due to our emotional conflicts, impulse drive, and sensory wantons. Our foggy conscience will infect our subconscious mind. A righteous man alone can use the instrument of conscience. He alone can hear the inner voice of the soul clearly. A man with a clear conscience is ever pure, joyful, and cheerful and sleeps happy while a man of guilty conscience is depressed, cheerless, and dead even while living.

A clear conscience is the abode of God, the ecstasy of bliss and helps the seeker to reach the ultimate goal. Clear conscience is to the soul what good health is to the body. Conscience is an inbuilt Close Circuit Camera set up by the Supreme for surveillance. In fact Conscience is Himself.

Once Saint Vyasaraja who had a large number of disciples gave one banana each to all his disciples, including the saint-composer Kanakadasa, and said, “I wish to give you a task, eat this banana without being witnessed by anyone, and come back before sunset. Whoever finishes the task is considered a winner.”

The disciples were pleased and looked forward to become winner. All the disciples went and one by one arrived back after eating the banana. It was lunch time and Kanakadasa was still not back. Finally at sunset, Kanakadasa arrived and placed the banana at the feet of the Guru. He begged his pardon saying, “I tried to the best of my ability to eat it without being watched, but my Conscience which is Lord Krishna kept watching me.” Such was Krishna Consciousness in Kanakadasa.

In every action we do, weakness asks if it is safe to do, greed wants to know if there is any gain in it, pride ensures if I can become great, lust searches for pleasure in it, But conscience question us, “IS IT RIGHT?”

With DRS in place we have seen a Pakistani fielder claiming a catch even when aware that ball did pop out of his grasp…. Bad display of Sportsman spirit.   

1236. Migratory Bird better than Origami Bird....!

In the Joseph Vijayan movie “Kaththi” a village girl asks, “Anna, Communism na enna? Ore vari la puriyara maari sollu?” (Brother, what is Communism? help me understand in one line, in simple language). Our hero thinks for a while pulls his lower lip and replies, “Naama pasi theendhathuku apram saapadra adutha idly inoruthavangalda ma (The next Idly which you eat after your hunger is satisfied, belongs to another person.). Dramatically a wow dialogue everyone in the theatre was as impressed as I was.   

Idly for all is very good but how to know if the hunger of the person having idly is satisfied. If we try to grab from him, are we not leaving him also hungry. And for some hunger can never be satisfied. Communism is excellent if there is no quarrel. 

Communists here in my country are a confused lot, in urban region they fight against price hike on agricultural produce and in rural region they voice for farmers right to get good price. How can farmers get good price when their agricultural products are sold at low price??? Same with teachers’ salaries and high fees structure in schools.  

In Kudankulam two 1,000 MW pressurised water reactor (PWR) units based on Russian technology was built by Russia’s Atomstroyexport Company. Most political parties and a group general public protested against the nuclear power plant, thinking it may have an adverse effect on them. But Communist party remain to be silent as the project was built with the help of communist Russia, they didn’t involve in any agitation against government. A Russian project is welcome, if it was built by USA, a huge PROTEST!!!

The Mullai Periyar Dam issue is unsolvable. You know, why??? Kerala has two coalition fronts: the Communist Party of India (Marxist) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Indian National Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF). Electorate in Kerala are so magnanimous that they elect alternatively either LDF or UDF. Whom-so-ever forms the government in Kerala, the conflict over Mullai Periyar issue remains unchanged. CPI (M) in Tamil Nadu will raise their voice in support of Mullai Periyar issue, when UDF is in power in Kerala and will remain quite if LDF is in power.

“Bharat tere tukde tukde honge, Inshaallah Inshaallah (India will break to pieces, God willing God willing)” anyone or any group shouting such slogans need to be arrested on the charges of anti-national activities. The irony is that the event to shout such slogans were organised by students at JNU who are influenced by Communism. The Communist parties who are elected by public supported the event and are trying to defend those anti-nationals. Communist party protested stating that it is against freedom of speech and expression. Since when did shouting anti-national slogans become freedom of expression???

Communist parties CPI, CPI (Marxist), CPI (Maoist), Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), Marxist Communist Party of India (United), Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) do not have a clear and common agenda. Some are Socialist, some are Maoists and some support Naxalism. They cannot survive without alliance and they do not clearly know the agenda of those with whom they are aligned with. They are interested in forming alliance with the party which offers higher number of seats both in State as well as central without considering the ideology of the alliance party.

Even a migratory bird if it does good, it has to be welcome that is our culture. Just being a paper bird or a plastic bird is of no use……Migratory bird has life in it and zeal in it.

Come on Kerala better to have a lively Bird than a lifeless one….!  Bring the Change....!

1235. Krishna, The Master Strategist.... !

In Brindavan little Krishna was a naughty kid playing pranks, breaking the butter pot, stealing butter from the house and hiding clothes of young Gopikas while they were bathing. It was this naughtiness of Natkat Krishna that kept Brindavan always pleasant and making it an interesting place to live. Everyone there missed Krishna when He left to Hastinapura. They remembered those times when He was playfully innocent and naughty out of love.

In Hastinapura it was not the same Krishna that was to be in Brindavan. Also the situation in Hastinapura was not to be as breezy as it was in Brij Bhoomi. The politically driven community in Hastinapura were different from those peaceful cattle rearing folks. Krishna had to transform himself from an easy going boy to a master strategist. He had been intentionally naughty in Brij but here in Hastinapura the situation was different situation He had to be naughtily intentional to check upon the dirty politics. 

Shakuni one of the circuitous individual had to be handled with glove of caution. Duryodhana and his brothers were a reckless lot with nastiest designs. Karna was a lethal toxin that could spill on propitious things. There were many weeds like Ashwathama, Shishupala, Jayadratha needing to be chopped off. Over that there seem to be a "Mahagathbandhan" of Kings from Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Kambhoja, Tushara, Kalakeya, Amvastha, Yavana, Salva, Madra, Gandhara, Sampshapataka, Nishada, Avanti, Vinda and Anuvinda to handle. 

An ordinary individual would have become nastily serious but Krishna here again used his innocent mischief as a strategy to deal with the political crooks.

With the backing of Karna, Shakuni and Ashwattama, Duryodhana blackmailed his blind father emotionally to take decisions against Pandavas which was not acceptable by Sri Krishna. If malicious people like Shakuni, Karna and Ashwattama were not dealt with properly they cause problems to Pandavas in particular and entire civilization in general. If this conspiracy culture is not put to an end it becomes unending humdrum and will continue to aeons. Sri Krishna was cool in Hastinapura as He was in Brindavan, the external situations did not affect his composure. Just that His inner calculations were different from what it was earlier.  

It became inevitable to lie in order to take on the crooked. It was a scenario where it was between which lie was to uplift Dharma and who was bluffing to gain in an Adhramic way. Political intrigue forced one to pick between the bad and the worst. The method of cleaning bad politics sometimes could be an unclean job. Thinking about it, a good political strategy and a mean political strategy look the same to a common man, but their consequences are very different. By the time the common man comes to know which is what, the whole damage is happened.    

With 2019 general elections around the corner there are a whole bunch of Modi haters who want to malign the image of not only P.M but also the current government. Another set of people are posting goofed up articles, creating memes which contain far from truth information regarding the developments made by the current government, like for example, some moron had posted the arrangements made in Haj and boasted it to be the preparations made by U.P government for Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. Both groups are posting fake and far from truth messages on WhatsApp and Facebook. 

Social media has turned out to be Kurukshetra and we need to calm down and share what is worth sharing and ignore the fake and mischievous posts.

1234. Drum Beats of Dispassion….!

There was once a man who would recite some Sanskrit verses always. Though at the daytime those verses he was muttering did not cause any problem, at night it was a bother for people around him. Irritated they complain to the King of the region. The King summoned the man and listened to what he was muttering. King could grasp the depth in those profound verses. He wished to appoint the man as one among his courtiers, but the man refuse to be in the palace. King tried to convince him by saying that  knowledge sharing is the utmost service anyone can do to the society.

Reluctantly the man asks the King to post him as the jailer where the convicts serving death sentence were kept. King was surprised but had to accept the request. While in the jail, the man continues to chant the verses. The convicts did not understand anything so were avoiding him.

As the days passed, one by one the convicts started to show interest and wanted to know the meaning of those verses. The man started to have a discourse on those verses. One day the man asked one of the inmates, “Why are you worried???”   He will be hanged in a few days told the others around. The man said, “He is lucky, at least he knows the date of his Moksha. The people outside the prison are daily dying without having a clue about it.”

“Does that mean we are better off having committed crime???” asked one of them.

The man said, “If you have realised you have committed crime and decide not to repeat, you are already liberated and you are not in bondage like the people outside the prison. Awareness is more important.” 

All the convicts were thrilled and happy.

One day, the King came on rounds to the prison and was surprised to see all convicts joyful and cheerful he asked the man, “What magic did you do???” 

The man replied, “I did no magic. I just told them the meaning of those verses, The Truth.”

Now, what were those verses???

The verses were from Vairagya Dindima (Drum Beats of Dispassion) composed by Sri Sri Shankara. It contains 5 verses filled with wisdom. Here I wish to share what I understand from those five verses (not just translation):

1. Life is full of miseries, old age is painful, possession of amassed property or wealth is of no use and in fact anything that is available in this world induce pain of losing it. So be Aware, be Aware.

2. Desires resulting in thoughts to act in several ways are binding us to this world, we are so deluded that we forgot that in this rat race, our age is depleting. So be Aware, be Aware.

3. Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada & Matsarya  attacks our intellect and drains out our Jnana. We need to have control over them to lead a life of a true Being. So be Aware, be Aware.

4. Assets are temporary and youth is impermanent. Like the withering flowers before the scorching Sun we are nearing the last days in this body. We need not waste our life. So be Aware, be Aware. 

5. You have neither mother nor father. No relatives no brothers no wealth no house - nothing will remain forever, nothing will follow you after death. So be Aware, be Aware.

1233. Heart, Head & Gut !!!

Modern scientists have investigated on the connection between brain and gut. They say both are connected by an extensive network of neurons and hormones. They call it gut-brain axis. Research says that there is tremendous amount of information flow from the gut to the brain through the Vagus nerve and this flow is mostly one-sided.

When someone says “I have a gut feeling” it is when he gets a signal from the enteric nervous system which is considered the second brain. Scientists say that our gut produces the same chemicals that our brain produces when it thinks. So, that “Gut Feeling” is actually cells in our body evaluating the situation at hand and giving us the feedback. However, while our brain can override doubt, our gut is automatic, unconscious; it is unable to do analysis or complex thinking. So it is unfiltered feedback. This can help or hinder us. “Going by the Gut Feel” however, implies uncertainty and does not guarantee a good outcome. Hence in a few occasions anything done on “Gut Feelings” can put us in a “Shit Scared” situation.

All these years we knew it was only our mind which reside in either Heart or Head would let us take up decisions, now we have this Gut too. As far as my opinion we need to have our entire body parts to get involved if we have to take any decisions. Although the mind from head, heart, and gut work together, they have obvious differences in physical function. They also play different mental and emotional roles. For example, the mind from head analyses information and applies logic. In contrast, the mind from heart senses the world through emotion and feelings, and so it is good if the mind from our gut is used to behave as a catalyst to speed up the time in taking decisions.  

The Mind from gut can also helps us learn self-preservation by teaching us to follow our instinct that’s the “Gut Feeling” we all experience at times. Self-preservation is related to identity of “who I am”??? I do not know if this is anyway related but I wish to state that keeping the gut clean was one of the aspects of Ayurveda. There is this “Basti”, the enema therapy which cleans the colon to increase the feeling of wellness in the digestive system.

So we can say we have three brains:

Firstly it is the Head, the master processor taking care of thinking and cognition. It recognises an object creates meaning of them, makes narratives and masters language. Head based language sounds like this: “I think”, “I reckon”, or “I understand”.

The second is the Heart, the emotional intelligence. Here lie our values, along with the process of emoting, the process of valuing and the way we feel about relationships. Heart based language centres on “I feel”, “I experience” or “I relate”.

Finally there is the Gut, the core identity. It is the domain from where emerges the questions like “What am I, what am I not?” This is responsible for safety and protection of the body. Our gut is extremely important in upholding our immune system. Gut based language is “It takes guts”, “Let me do it” or “High, Sir”.

1232. Big Fish Small Fish.....

In Bhagavad-Gita Sri Krishna gives an excellent example of “Padma Patra” the Lotus Leaf, even though immersed in water the leaf is not wet due to the super hydrophobic surface of the leaf. Sri Krishna wants Arjuna to lead a life where though he is involved in it he doesn't get entangled.

Is it possible to be so???

Yes, only if we learn to get involved and not get entangled in Samsara Maya (Worldly Illusion).

What does it mean????

We cannot be successful in either the external world nor in the internal world while we are tossed about by our powerful Ego. It is this Ego which does not let us just involve in life but gets us entangled in it. What is required is the Ichcha Shakti (Strong Will) to take care of our Ego. The power of will is like spring whose source is the Pure Being. It infuses mind and body with enthusiasm, courage and energy to act. 

Ego is characterised by stubbornness, selfishness, and unwillingness to compromise. This induces the identity which makes us behave bigger than life. Identity is like a crouching frog in the pond called Ego. Looking from our egoistic perspective, only our own feelings and our own voice become relevant. It is here we lose our composure the moment our feelings or our words are slightly bruised. And all problems are caused by colliding Egos. 

A strong Ego is as much of an obstacle in spiritual practice as it is in worldly matters. The solution is not to eliminate Ego but to do our best to minimise, transform and guide it properly. This can be done by applying Buddhi (Power of Discrimination). 

Ego refers to a sense of self that is somewhat self-existent and is shaped up by the information received from the external environment. It does not depend on its association for its place in us, it is all by itself self-existent. It is good to have a little Ego; it is like salt to be added to improve the taste of bland dish, but too much of it will spoil the taste of the dish.

When a fisherman lowers his net into the ocean and it is only the big fish that get entangled in that net. The tiny fish just involve themselves into a play with the net going in and coming out of it. Getting involved in life is like being in the water and not getting entangled in the net which is Maya. The bigger your Ego is, the greater is the chances that you entangle in Maya.     

When we study scriptures and contemplate to know the insight by seek the company of the wise, we are successful in making our ego less significant. The insignificant ego accompanied by a sharp intellect, gets a glimpse of the next level of awareness. As the ego of a dedicated seeker begins to diminish the veil of duality is lifted and the insignificant ego sees the whole universe in itself and itself in the whole universe. 

Be a small fish so that you can play with the net, if you are a big fish you are caught in the net for sure.  

1231. Reason for Life....

My Facebook friend Sri Narasimha Sharma sent me a link on an interesting subject “IKIGAI” – Your Reason for Life.

Ikigai is a combination of two Japanese words “Iki” (Life) and “Kai” (Reason) which roughly means “the realisation of what one expects and hopes for”. Further the article elaborates Ikigai as the convergence of four primary elements:

What you Love (Passion).

What the World Needs (Mission).

What you are Good at (Vocation).

What you can get Paid for (Profession).

All the above said elements are wound around Ikigai, that is seen as the source of value or what make one’s life truly worthwhile. Japanese have taken this Ikigai to be the “reason to get up in the morning”.

Not everything in life is economically rooted as the economics of life cannot go beyond mental or spiritual realms. There are natural actions and spontaneous responses that emerge from a deep and direct connection to life. This connection is not monetary based always it can be a unique gift or special talent we have which is to benefit others. The art of blending this unique talent to benefit mankind in the long run will help us experience the joy in what we do. Doing what we love and loving what we do, raise the spirit and make us look forward to do it repetitively, though not becoming monotonous. This might help the mental realm, from Spiritual point of view this cannot be considered to be the “reason for life.” In Spirituality essence what ever we do has to be done consciously and without looking for returns in it. As a person in social dominion survival also is important. To lead a life of reason is just to be aware of what the purpose of existence is and how to blend that purpose with intent to benefit others around.

Similar to Ikigai here are some questions that may help uncover reason for life.

1) What do I love to do, doing which I lose track of time???

2) What did I always aspire to be when I grew up???

3) What is it that if I do, no rework is required???

4) What is it that makes me specialised in doing it???

If the answers for these questions are found then the purpose of life is almost fulfilled. The next thought is “how can what I am doing earn me a living, in my own unique way??? This question will open a huge amount of opportunities that life can offer.

We are all inter dependant beings on this earth plane and our action will directly or indirectly make or break the fabric of sustenance. We are all here to serve humanity with our talents and be part of the success story of this period. The talent in all of us will find its value when we start asking “how can my service benefit.” more than just “how am I benefited???”  

1230. Ever thought about thought???

Thought is the blueprint of word and action. From smiling to frowning at someone it is first manifested as thought. There is nothing that can happen without getting out of thought.

We have heard many say, “I did it without thinking.” There is nothing that happens without the though process getting involved. Astonishingly sleep is also a by-product of thinking, if not overthinking. Yes, I agree that there is “overthinking” but my kind of thinking is not overthinking it is deep thinking. We can only think about one thing when we are thinking in depth; new layers can come out on the surface as we proceed into the process for a significant amount of time. 

Overthinking is a result of lack of understanding and absolute chaos and confusion in our psychological world. You will end up thinking a lot, making a lot of calculations, contemplating about your professional as well as personal life and so on. Your mind will be running in all directions. At last you will end up in a state of more confusion and gloom. This is the reason why it is said “overthinking kills your happiness”.

Deep thinking it is when the thinking process is stuck with an idea or a decision and is unable to get away from it. Many a times I am in such a situation and people who care a lot for me say “do not think too much.” I must confess that in many occasions I go deep into thinking as I like to contemplate on each alternative before taking any action. People think too much only when something is important for them.  This causes mind to analyse everything as a scientist does, you will feel clear and less confused even after the multiple suggestions pour in. Thus, deep thinking calms down your mind, or you can also say that only a peaceful mind is capable of deep thinking.

In a way taking time to think allows me to delay the action when my mind is clouded. I would like to state that I have never given a thought more depth when it comes to assuring the legitimacy of the decision I take. Thinking is a way to avoid impulsive decisions. The present action we perform could be based on a thought which has related the situation to the past so that the future is not hampered. A few situations may have happened in the past and to avoid a similar type of situation is the present action a thought becomes relevant. When someone says, “I want to be cautious this time” then it is the reflection of thinking, isn’t???

No human can say that he was thoughtless even for a moment. Meditation also is to curb the flip flop of the thought process by handing over one particular thought like observing breath or set concentrate between the eyebrows or just chant a Bija mantra.

Thoughts not only define but actually create “reality”. When we are concentrated about one particular work or thing, we become unconscious about the things even beside us.

1229. Wealth of Knowledge....!

Raja Janaka of Videha was seated on the throne. Rishi Yajnavalkya approached him. The King asked, “O, great sage, what brings you here? Are you in need of cattle or have you come here to participate in the profound discussions on Truth?”

Sage Yajnavalkya had an ashram with many disciples where his two wives Maitreyi and Katyayani were also learning. Hence Jnana (Knowledge) without Artha (Assets) would not be of much help in maintenance of Ashram.

“Indeed both, your majesty”, Rishi Yajnavalkya said and stayed in the kingdom with many more Brahmajnanis debating and discussing on various subjects pertaining to Eternal Truth. 

Once Raja Janaka wanted to receive Brahma Vidya (Knowledge of Self) from a Brahmanishtha (one absorbed in Self), “Whosoever is the best amongst you may drive these thousand cows home & illuminate me on Brahman”, he declared. None dared to get up and take away the cows as they were afraid of censure by the others. Rishi Yajnavalkya stood up and asked his disciple Samsravas to drive the cows’ home.

The others present there got irritated at this and questioned, “How can he decide himself to be the best among us?” Thereupon several Rishis challenged Yajnavalkya with many questions on transcendental matters to which Yajnavalkya answered perfect. Thereby Rishi Yajnavalkya increased his assets (In the pastoral society assets were largely measured by the count of cattle) on every opportunity available.

As the time to enter the third ashram of his life, Rishi Yajnavalkya told Maitreyi that he wishes to go on Vanaprastasrama (retirement to forest). He told her he wants to divide his assets between his two wives Katyayani and Maitreyi. He assures her she can live a comfortable life with his material assets (cattle and ashram) but yet he confesses that he cannot assure her Eternal Happiness. The asset of Knowledge that is the other portion will aid in achieving Bliss. Amazingly that asset increases by giving; hence the asset of knowledge is supreme of all possessions.

Maitreyi question him of what use is the material assets which does not give Eternal Happiness. She gives away all the material assets to Katyayani, her husband’s other wife and wants her husband to share his knowledge with her.

Yajnavalkya imparts her knowledge of true nature of the Self, the Universe and Brahman. He tells her that Self is pure subject, the knower, which cannot be described through any form of known means of communication. Then he goes on to explain the relationship between the husband and wife, how the “Love” between husband and wife is due to the love between the two subtle bodies and not the physical bodies. Maitreyi could benefit from the asset of knowledge she chose.  

1,200 years of slavery has made us consider only material property to be asset. The 1000 years of Muslim invaders ruling our land robbed of our aesthetic wonders and caused huge physical damage to both our architectural assets as well as citizenry asset. The next 200 years of rule by East India Company did even much more damage than the Muslim rulers they robbed of our intellection, our ability to use higher level of cognition. We were robbed of our thinking process and are now left with looking at our life from the western perception….very unfortunate!!!  

1228. Children of Immortal Bliss.....!

“Shrinwantu Vishwe Amritasya Putrah” (Listen ‘O’ Children of Immortal Bliss) says Svetasvatara Upanishad addressing the entire mankind as “Children of Immortal Bliss.” This reference confirms that human race is not born as a Papakarmakrit (Ill-Doer) but can end up becoming “Papayoni” (Cause of Sin) by living irresponsibly and by how they handle their thought, word and deed.

There are many learned intellectuals including those who are professors by profession in universities who do not understand the word “Papayoni” which Sri Krishna utters in the Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 9, Verse 32. They simply misinterpret the word “Papayoni” as Low Born since the word “Yoni” is the term used for female organ of generation. In fact Papayoni is a word used for those who have got little or no competence to advancing spiritually. The one who over indulge in mundane affairs irrespective of his birth falls low. This is nothing to do with the caste system which is followed now to benefit from reservation quota. Any one born in any family can go either to tread on the path of divine or tumble into the alley of sense gratification depending on their tendencies and inclinations. Those born in a Brahmin or a Kshatriya family have no immunity to avoid ending up as “Papayoni.”

Sri Krishna clearly states that “Chaturvarna” (Four Nature) was designed by Him and the basis for it was “Guna” and “Karma” not birth. Again Guna here is not the character but virtue and Karma is not the profession they are in but recompense.

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar popularly known as “Babasehab” in one of his works writes thus: “Childish is the defence of the Bhagavad Gita of the dogma of Chaturvarna. Krishna defends it on the basis of the Guna theory of the Sankhya. But Krishna does not seem to have realised what a fool he has made of himself. In the Chaturvarna there are four Varnas. But the Gunas according to the Sankhyas are only three. How can a system of four Varnas be defended on the basis of a philosophy which does not recognise more than three Varnas?  The whole attempt of the Bhagavad Gita to offer a philosophic defence of the dogmas of counter revolution is childish—and does not deserve a moment’s serious thought.”

Now I do not understand how Babasaheb missed out this simple logic. We all know that there are only three primary colours namely: Red, Yellow and Blue yet the combination of two are more colours can yield many shades and tints like red with yellow brings out orange, yellow with blue gives green, red and blue turns to be purple and there is a lot of other colours.  

Sri Krishna explains Arjuna in regard to the Four Varnas. He says “Chatur-Varnam Maya Shrustam, Guna Karma Vibhagasha” - I created the four varnas namely Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra according to the prominence of Gunas in them and the natural aptitude they have towards the action they do. The Guna that is mentioned here is not the character but the Prakriti (Nature) of the individual containing the amalgamation of the Trigunas i.e. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. And Karma is resultant fruit which is fructified as Prarabdha Karma Phala.

An individual who has Sattva Guna is categories as Brahamana (Teacher/Scholar)

An individual who has Sattva and Rajas with Rajas in prominence is a Kshatriya (Ruler/Administrator)

An individual who has Rajas and Tamas with Tamas in prominence is a Vaisya (Merchant/Tradesmen)

An individual who has Tamo Guna is categories as Sudra (Worker/Craftsmen)

In the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata, Yudhisthira describes a Brahmin as an individual who is truthful, forgiving, and compassionate. He clearly mentions that a Brahmin cannot be a Brahmin just because he is born to a Brahmin family, nor one is a Shudra because his parents are Shudras.

Born as “Amritasya Putra” one can fall down to be “Papayoni” it all depends on the way of living.

1226. Sleep....!

Gudaka is sloth in Sanskrit and the one who has conquered it is Gudakesa. Sri Krishna many times in Bhagavad Gita refers to Arjuna as Gudakesa. In many commentaries Gudakesa is referred to as “conquering sleep also, but being sleepy and being slothful is different. When one remains in the bed even after coming out of sleep he is sluggish. Arjuna was the conqueror of inattentiveness, in other words he was vigilant.

Under the tutelage of Guru Drona both Kauravas and Pandavas were learning warfare. Arjuna was an extraordinary student and Guru Drona observed it. Guru Drona took extra efforts to teach Arjuna a little more than what he normally taught others. Guru Drona was the one who name Arjuna as Gudakesa. Arjuna used to practice archery at night. 

Once while having his dinner under a lit lamp, gusty wind blew off the lamp. Arjuna observed that he is able to eat in the dark without being able to see where the plate was or where his mouth is because his mind perceived the location of the plate and his mouth without actually needing the inputs from his eyes. This inspires him to practice archery in the dark, that he should be able to hit the target without having to see it with his physical eye. It was here Arjuna learnt to get over slothfulness so that he can practice at night. 

Was Arjuna deprived of sleep then??? No, Arjuna just managed his sleep time and thus had conquered lethargy.

Sleep is essential for every living being, it is the time to take a break from physical activities and recharge the whole system. Sleep enhances concentration thus improving ability to learning and refreshes memory.

There is a proverb in Kannada “Chinte illadavanige santeyallu nidde” (One without worries can doze off in a marketplace too). Truly it is worry and anxiety that steals sleep but then one who has nothing to worry about and be anxious of, can be sluggish the whole day. So, if one sleeps more or if one sleeps less it is a problem. Memory is one which holds the key to sleep.

Chitta (Memory) plays in five arena namely Kshipta (Frenzied), Vikshipta (Distracted), Mudha (Dull), Ekagra (Absorbed) and Niruddha (Suppressed). The first three cause destruction for sleep in a negative way while the last two will not let sleep in a positive way.

If the memory is shifting too often from one thought to another, it has no control over itself. Mere fascination of the topic is the guiding factor at this stage. It is here memory influences the Manas (Mind) to act frenzy. This is Kshipta stage and this will rob the sleep.

If memory fails to concentrate on the thought that is required, but is anchored at another topic, it will have the mind distracted. This is Vikshipta stage and this won’t let you sleep.

Memory is preoccupied with an old thought and will not let the mind grasp knowledge of new a topic. This state is called Mudha and sleep is disturbed.

Mind fixes itself in a particular point or idea with no change too frequently. This state is Ekagra, absorbed in a single thought without any distraction. This will not let you sleep.

When mind ceases to crave for the satisfaction of desires there is this thoughtless state. Giving up of desires is a technique to make the memory calm. This state is Niruddha and it keeps sleep away.  

Throughout my life I am an unrepentant sleep snob (with snoring). As soon as my head hit the pillow I become one with sleep. Somehow I can flow fluidly in and precisely drift out of sleep by Sri Hari grace.

1225. Liberal and Conservatives….!

I feel sorry for those who brand Sanatana Dharma, the “way of living” as “Conservatism” (Sampradayavad). Those who think so and conclude it to be so do not know this way of living at all. Firstly this is the only “way of living” that is based on the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (Universal Brotherhood). Sanatana Dharma never advocates the mind to adore a particular deity instead it values the intensity in devotion. Evolution of the mind from mundane to mysticism is more relevant than the dogmas and doctrines one adheres to.

In fact it is only in this “way of living” that commentaries/interpretations of religious texts are allowed and hence we have many versions of Brahma-Sutras, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita. Amazingly not just reading of the different versions but a seeker can interpret his version of the scripture and get it published. It is so ridiculous that with so much of autonomy in knowing a scripture and letting to express it, this “way of living” is branded as Sampradayavadi.

A seeker evolves through his quest for knowledge. This “way of living” has let the seeker to polish his thought process by constantly reviving the subject matter with debate and discussion. “Vaade Vaade Jayathe Tattvabhoda” (Debate and discussion brings forth understanding of Principles) says an ancient Sanskrit dictum from Narada Purana. It was emphasised that the conclusion so arrived while debating has to have scientific orientation. This resulted in many of the modern scientific discoveries already being a part of this “way of living”. And yet this “way of living” is branded as Sampradayavadi.

Sri Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita told Arjuna “Sambhavami Yuge Yuge” (Incarnate millennium after millennium). Sri Krishna promises to return back in order to establish Dharma. This show that Sri Krishna knew that that in future generations the individual’s Vasanas (Tendencies), Samskaras (Impressions), Anushasana (Regimentation) and Parisara (Environment) determine the capabilities to convert knowledge into wisdom. If the acquired knowledge is not channelized in the right path instead of yielding wisdom it sprouts Kuhaka Buddhi (Perverted Intelligence). Kuhaka Buddhi does not allow the individual to differentiate between Dharma and Adhrama, making him think he knows all. They are called “Liberals”.

Even Sri Krishna cannot transform a pervert unless; he himself is willing for a change over. Duryodhana knew about Dharma yet was unable to practice and he accepted that before Sri Krishna. The only difference is that in Dvapara there were only a few perverts and compare to this eon. There are more smart individuals now who have their minds running all the time, that’s why I think they come up with new ideas or curiosity to explore perversions, and the more they create or the more they explore the more they want to see and experience. Also, many of them never get to actually make real their perversions, but fantasies crop up through their minds from time to time. Perversions are extensions of intellectual boredom and a restless mind. 

A pervert tend to be more bored and restless but have the creativity to cling to aberrations in a way that would almost make them behave like a sociopath.

With no real knowledge on issues, the perverted mind starts calling others who are a bit more knowledgeable as “Sampradayavadis.”