1161. Shri Rama's questions to Bharata.

Bharata came to the forest in search of Shri Rama to persuade Him to return back to Ayodhya. Shri Rama declines and asks 50 odd questions to Bharata. From the welfare of the family to art of administration, Shri Rama’s questions to His brother is advice to all of us. I wish not to elaborate as the question we read says it all. Since Shri Rama starts every question with word “Kacchit” (I hope that) this portion of Ramayana is called Kacchit Sarga.

Rama to Bharata:

I hope that the King Dasaratha is well.

I hope you are treating the preceptors of Ikshvaku respectfully.

I hope that a Brahmin who is versed in the traditions, who is intelligent and just, is employed for your sacred fire rituals.

I hope that you are holding in high esteem the Gods, our ancestors, dependents, teachers, doctors and brahmins.

I hope that ministers who are valiant like you, learned, masters of their senses of noble birth and skilled interpreting internal sentiments by external gesture, are assigned to you.

I hope you do not fall prey to excess of sleep and do wake up at appropriate time.

I hope that you do not take decisions alone or indeed with lots of men. 

I hope your schemes does not get leaked to public before it is implemented.

I hope your projects are of maximum benefit with minimum cost and is on time.

I hope you discuss with one wise man rather than a thousand fools, as a wise man can help you in difficult matters.

I hope that others are unaware, by their enquiries or strategies or by any other approaches the details of your discussions with your wise minister.

I hope that skilled is assigned with superior work, an average worker is given an average work and unskilled is asked to assist as a helper.

I hope you are providing daily provision to your army and giving them suitable salary without any delay.

I hope that a knowledgeable person with presence of mind to speak to the point is selected as an ambassador by you.

I hope you do not forever take foes lightly, even those who are weak and having been expelled, return again.

I hope the punishiment for an offence is neither too harsh or nor too lenient.

I hope you are not honouring the materialistic brahmins, they are skilled in perverting the mind. Ignorant they are but act as if learned.

I hope in your kingdom women, farmers and cowherds are looked after well. 

I hope forests, the home of wild animals is well preserved by you and most importantly the female species in them are protected for the progeny to prosper.

I hope milch-cows are in abundance.

I hope the income is abundant and expenditure minimum. 

I hope your treasure does not reach undeserving lot.

I hope that all your employers, in your presence, do not adopt a disrespectful attitude or on the other hand all of them do not hasten away on seeing you.

I hope you are not prosecuting an honest person who is falsely accused of some offence, without investigation according to law-books.

I hope that your well-educated ministers solve a case dispassionately when a dispute occurs between a rich man and a poor man, after studying the situation carefully.

I hope you do not discard virtue due to excessive yearn for wealth or your interest towards religion or by your self-indulgence in pleasure, greed and gratification of the senses.

I hope you are following the common practice, which our fore fathers observed and which is in accord with the path of the virtuousness.

This incidence can be read in Ayodhya Kanda (100^th Sarga). All these years I had only heard about Bharata collecting the sandals of Shri Rama and placing it on the throne of Ayodhya and ruling. 

I wonder if we had this in our syllabus in middle school how well we would have had our mind trained. Its good to reading them even at my age now….. I am thankful to my Sri Hari for letting me read them.    

1160. Politicians and Voters....!

At the time of Monarcy the saying was “Yatha Raja Thata Praja” which meant the “As the King so his Subjects”, that is if the King was good his subjects were good. As we are now electing our leaders in Democracy the saying has to be altered to “Yatha Praja Thata Raja” which means “As the Public so is their Leader” since we are electing our leaders as we are. Unfortunately in democracy a person who has not approved a leader should also bear with him if he wins with majority. In yesteryear's we had leaders like Kamaraj Nadar, Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, Lal Bahadur Srivastava Shastri, whose ambition was to serve people. But today we find it is not democracy but just a mob rule. Real democracy is the one when every individual is protected by state for keeping his views and acting against what he feels is not good to his society. Here we have got nepotism and caste politics. There is no Dharma. The leaders have forgotten that they are elected to serve the people and they have taken politics as a profession and are purchasing power utilising the corrupt means to influence on the voters.

Amazingly there are thugs and rowdies who have control over the mass with their money and muscle power in politics. Also it is unfortunate that those who oppose those elements have to face the blunt of having them as leaders. Ironically in democracy the votes can be purchased and the poverty and pleasure seeking mindset has made the voters sell themselves to these thugs and rowdies. Astonishingly these leaders who have made their way up in political arena shamelessly use the loophole in the law to safeguard themselves from their misdeeds. I personally feel that to those who use the loop holes of the law to save their skin have to be tackled with procedures which are not mentioned in the rule book. When the majority are aware that those thugs and rowdies are misusing the power and defending themselves before the court of law using the loopholes and making the mockery of justice it is high time we need to deal with such elements in a different way.

When Sri Krishna came to Mathura along with his big brother Balarama, King Kamsa who was waiting to kill them both organised a wrestling match. It was announced that the bout was to be treated as sport and Kamsa’s greatest wrestlers Chanura and Mustika were to fight Sri Krishna and Balarama. The entire town had gathered to witness the match. Kamsa himself was seated in the royal pavilion. Krishna took on Chanura, and Balarama wrestled with Mustika. Before the match Sri Krishna told the gathering that the match was an eye wash and He was fully aware about the plan of Kamsa to have both the brothers killed by Chanura and Mustika. Krishna hence did not get into the wrestling ring as a sportsperson wearing the sporting gear. He announced that when the ploy was to kill then He too will accept the challenge as combat and not as sport. Krishna was not a hypocrite He announced initially that He will kill Chanura, as He does not consider this gambit as game.

There are times when we need not go by rules when we are tackling crooks…..

1159. Sunlight and Precious Stones.....!

Sunlight falls equally on Diamond, Quartz and White stone. Diamond glitter the most while quartz sparkle a little and white stone shimmer the least. The ability to glitter is not because of the Sunlight but the inherent nature of the stones. Just like the Sunlight we get Prerana (Motivation) from the Avicchina Mula (Eternal Source), our actions are like the glitter from the stones.

Our actions are propelled by our inherent Gunas. Satva Guna pushes the individual to indulge in action befitting all. Rajo Guna draws towards self regarding action. Tamo Guna will not let the individual know which action benefits whom.

These Gunas influence the mind on taking advice to rectify the way we perform our actions.

Pandavas who had Satva Guna in predominance agreed to Vidura Neeti. Kauravas were attracted to Kanika Kuta Neeti. Kanika was the cunning minister of Dhritarashtra he was learned, shrewd and crafty.

Kanika Neeti advocates to “threaten the timid, bow before the strong, bribe the greedy, kill the enemy, if you want to succeed in royal path”.

It says, “Carry your enemy on your shoulder when times are adverse. Once times become favorable, break him, as you smash a mud pot on a stone slab”.

It also advices “Never have mercy on anyone irrespective of whether he is weak or strong, but don’t display it to world. Make the world believe that you are kind and compassionate. Look for all possible chance to kill those who are against you without them suspecting your actions”.

The Kanika Kuta Neeti is a guide lines to the political class now. Every word in it applies to the attitude of a selfish politician of recent times. Not all politicians have the mentality of going with Kanika philosophy there are a few who thread the path of Vidura Neeti too. If those who follow the words Vidura increase and those who heed to Kanika reduce we have a nice place to live.

Going against our inherent nature is not as simple as said but it is not impossible. Once we know that we are going against the will of nature then we need to change course. It is just the matter of acceptance. Even Duryodhana agreed that his actions were against Dharma and he knew about it but did not wish to rectify his actions. It is just lack of will.

For example both Kamsa and Dronacharya knew by whom they will be killed. Kamsa knew that the son of his sister would kill him and Dronacharya knew his friend Drupada's son will kill him. Kamsa ordered to eliminate all the new born in his Kingdom while Dronacharya taught Dristadyumna the art of warfare. Though both were killed according to what was destined the approach made the difference.

1158. Gratefulness or Indebtedness......!

Kritagnatha Bhava (Gratefulness) is a state of mind born out of Compassion. It is not something to hold on to, as in to return the favour, or gesture that has a subtle meaning of bondage; though often, unnoticeable. That is altogether another thing. In fact, that itself is no longer gratitude, but referred to as Runattva Bhava (Indebtedness) which is born out of Guilt. And we know that no debt can carry an experience of joy and freedom but for a sense of obligation. Gratefulness reinstates while Indebtedness annihilates us. They both are from different roots and the outcome of experience is different. An act that is born out of Compassion always has joy and freedom in it, what arises from Guilt will carry resentment, discomfort and slavery in it.

When we hear someone say “I am indebted to you” then it is s a momentary expression and they make it into an obligation, to a point of stressfulness; forgetting the initial intent of an act which was to bring about joy and freedom itself. Sometimes, these kinds of expressions are held on so tightly in the mind that it lasts a lifetime, or sometimes even beyond.

In the Kurushetra war on the tenth day Bhishma was wounded by the arrows inflicted of Arjuna. The arrows had pierced the chest of the grand old man in such a way that his body was unable to touch the ground when he fell from the chariot. As he remained lying on the support of the arrows and his head was hanging. He requested Arjuna to make some provision and Arjuna immediately stuck three arrows to the ground beneath Bhishma’s head to support it. 

Bhishma was bestowed with boon of “Iccha Mrithyu” (death when desired) by his father Santanu. Starting from that day Bhishma was on the bed of arrows for 58 days waiting for Uttarayana Punya Kala. The war ended eight days after Bhishma was injured. Sri Krishna along with Pandavas and Draupadi went to see Bhishma. Yudhisthira questions Bhishma about the Supreme to whom one has to surrender, then as an answer flows the lovely Thousand Names of Sri Hari, the famous Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra. Further while still on his bed of arrows, Bhishma clears the doubt on Dharma that Yudhishtira had. Draupadi was amazed and gave a sarcastic smile. She wondered how the grand old man of Kuru clan can now talk about Dharma now while at the Kuru Sabha when Dushasana was disrobing her he remained tight lipped.

Looking at Draupadi and knowing her qualm, Bhishma tells her that the arrows from Arjuna had leaked away all the blood which was produced due to the food consumed from the Kaurava kitchen. Here one has to understand that Bhishma did not mean to say that the food he consumed was the cause for him to stay loyal, but the word he had given to his step mother Satyavathi that he will safeguard the interest of the Kuru clan. This is what is called being “Indebted” to. 

Just imagine what a person who says “I am indebted to a Party and not to the Public” may have to face in future…….!

1157. Leaves, Shoots, Flowers and Fruits.....!

Hindu scriptures are written in Deva Bhasha (Language of Gods), Sanskrit. The narration of a subject in those scriptures is done in any of the three Bhasha (Descriptions) namely Guhya (Mystical), Darshana (Philosophical) and Samadhi (Elemental). Vedas are in Guhya, Upanishads are in Darshana and Puranas are in Samadhi Bhasha. 

In the usage of Guhya Bhasha, the subject when taken out of context will mean exactly the opposite of what it used to interpret when within the context. Vedas are therefore comprehended by using Nighantu and the Nirukta, the oldest Indian treatise on etymology, philology and semantics. Vedas are very difficult to understand without them. 

Since it was very difficult to understand they were written in Darshana Bhasha as Upanishads. In Darshana Bhasha the subject is communicated in such a way that the actual hidden meaning is revealed but yet it is not as simple as we get to know the subject in a conventional way. The essence of the subject is revealed in the form of a conversation between a Guru and his Shishya. To understand the dialogue there has to be a preceptor who can unveil the intricate meanings.

The Upanishads which were in Darshana Bhasha were still more decode into Samadhi Bhasha. Here the theme of the subject is communicated in a conventional way in the form of stories and parables. They are called Puranas. In the form of stories the quintessence of the hidden meaning could be captured easily. Hence if a seeker starts with Puranas he can then move on to Upanishads and from there on it will be simple for him to get fused with Vedas.  

Vedas are Apaurusheya, meaning that it is not a composition limited by geography, time and authorship. It was Bhagwan Vyasadeva who divided it into 4 parts namely Samhitas, Brahamanas, Aranyakas & Upanishads using Darshana Bhasha. Then again when even Upanishads seem to be like a tough nut to crack Vyasadeva wrote Puranas. Puranas provide the simplest way of understand the language of Vedas.     

To provide an example of how the three Bhasha were used by Bhagwan Vyasadeva, He equates Vedas to a tree. Vyasadeva interprets further that the Leaves of that tree are Dharma (Righteousness), Flower is Artha (Prosperity), Kama (Desire) is the Shoots while the Fruit is Moksha (Liberation). Telling Vedas are like tree is Guhya Bhasha, when he explains that the four Purusharthas are its Leaves, Flowers, Shoots and Fruits it will be Darshana Bhasha. A common man can only understand if the relationship between the four Purusharthas and the anatomy of the tree is described. 

Vyasadeva says just as the tree needs Leaves to survive we too need Dharma, without it there is no Artha (Flowers) or Kama (Shoots) or Moksha (Fruits). Artha is like flower which many of us think is the ultimate goal, if we are “Alpa Tripta” (contented with few) and stop our endure here we will not get the Fruit which is the ultimate. Kama is like Chiguru (Shoots) which are fresh tender leaves which are so only for a few days. Kama, the desire also like Shoots are temporary they are no longer there if satiated but they are many as in a tree, desire too is short but always  overlapping one over the other.  

Moksha is the ultimate fruit which we all wait for to relish to the fullest.  

1156. Power-Hungry....!!!

“My son alone should be the ruler” this is how every selfish father would think. The welfare of the citizens is never the concern, only the name and fame of the dynasty becomes imperious. This has led to disaster time and again. A father who is blinded by the love for his son will never see if his son is worthy enough to be the leader, he just wants to see him ascend the throne. His progeny clinging to power will be the only wish and will do anything to let the power remain within his dynasty. The hunger for power and love for dynastic rule is deadly combination. It takes the sense out of the individual and drives him to restore to the most unethical and illegal methods. If this attitude is nurtured it develops hatred towards the rival. The hatred is so much that the individual can go to any extent to stop his rival from gaining power, even after knowing that his rival is better than him. This is the point where the love for dynasty takes a back seat temporarily to counter the rival. The hate towards the rival for a while subdues the love for dynasty. 

Ashwattama, the son of Dronacharya wanted to take revenge on Pandavas after the entire Kuru Dynasty was wiped off in the Kurukshetra war. In haste he hurled the mighty “Brahmastra” as a counter to that Arjuna too shot the “Brahmastra”. The collusion of the two mighty weapons would be disastrous to mankind and hence Bhagwan Vyasadeva requested both Ashwattama and Arjuna to retrieve the weapons. Brahmastra is a Shastra (Weapon) which is used with a particular mantra; the mantra is the code to the weapon and with the mantra a Shastra becomes Astra. As there is a mantra to initiate an Astra there is a mantra to abate it too. Arjuna and Ashwattama both recited the mantra to subdue the weapon. While Arjuna was successful Ashwattama failed. 

Even after knowing about the mantra to abate why did Ashwattama fail to control the Brahmastra??? 

After the Kurukshetra war Duryodhana with the broken thigh is lying in the battlefield. The rage of revenge is not yet doused. Ashwattama one of the survivors approached him and asked him about the next course of action. Duryodhana asks him to ensure that the entire clan of Pandavas was eliminated. He did not wish Pandavas to rule Hastinapura. With the entire Kuru Dynasty and its well-wishers killed in the war it was only Pandavas who could rule Hastinapura as per Raja Dharma. The question was who would rule Hastinapura if the entire clan of Pandavas were eliminated. The hatred towards Pandavas made Duryodhana lose his sense and request Ashwattama to procreate children with his wife so that they can rule Hastinapura. 

Ashwattama who was a Brahmachari for his entire life did not object to the proposal which was against Dharma. This became the reason for him to not retrieve the Brahmastra. This incidence from the life of Duryodhana tells us that the mind-set to cling to power which he had obtained as an asset from his father Dritharashtra. This mindset had made him stoop so low that he never imagined how his wife Bhanumathi would have felt if Ashwattama had approached her asking her to co-operate with him to beget children. The hatred towards others pulls an individual to think as a criminal and behave like a beast.

That is what being Power-Hungry is all about!!!!  

1155. Antah Karna Shuddi.....!

My Thatha (Grandfather, my father’s father) had a piece of land in Gauribidanur where he used to cultivate groundnuts. Earlier in a write up I had also mentioned about the important lesson I got from him while I saw him de-weeding. His views about how the weeds affect the quality of groundnuts. Now I could reflect it to the unwanted thoughts which are like weeds and harm the constructive thoughts in the field called mind. 

The groundnut cultivation was on the land a few yards away from where River Pinakini flowed. The water was sufficient for the cultivation. As time passed the river dried up and the sand mafia stepped in. With the water source drying up and no other source of water my Thatha rented out that piece of land to touring talkies. 

The concept of touring  talkies is to watch movies projected on a white cloth which works as a screen under a temporary shed. There is no flooring done the audience sat on the ground and for those who can afford there were few wooden chairs. When we had vacations we would go to the touring talkies. 

Somehow I was not keen on watching movie in a touring talkies. The dust stirred up by the audience while moving in and out of the tent would settle on the white cloth on which the movie is projected. The dust and soil
does not let the screen remain white and this makes the movie
projected apear dull. Moreover the screen too is not still, it is shaky due to the wind behind. After watching movies in theatres in city, one may not be interested on watching them in touring talkies. The screen was soiled and hence the picture projected on it was not bright, it was not the fault in the projector or in the movie reel. Just the dust and the wind spoils the clarity of the picture on the screen.

Just as the picture is not clear on the screen due to the dust on it, to experience the Antaryami within is not possible with a clouded Antahkarna the inner conscience. 

This Antahkarana comprises of:

Manas: which always interacts with the world through the sensory organs and it is called Mind.

Buddhi: The realm of thoughts and faculty of Discrimination and it is called Intellect.

Chitta: the massive storehouse of inherent Impressions (Vasanas) and Tendencies (Samskara) formed as a consequence of repeated actions performed in the present as well as previous births and it is called Memory. And finally

Ahamkara: The predominant notion of one's own personality like “I am so and so” and it is called Ego.

These four faculties of the Antahkarna has to be clean to experience Antaryami. When there is discipline in mind without chaos the Antahkarna will automatically become Clean (Shuddha) as crystal, with a crystal clear Antahkarna, the veil of Ignorance (Maya) which is like the dust on the screen is lifted. With the veil of Ignorance gone Antaryami, the in-dwelling entity in every individual like water in the depths of the earth is sure to grace the Mind with His vision.

1154. Inspire or Control.....!

Prerana (Inspiration) and Niyantrana (Control) are two actions which have the same result but have different approach. A person who is transparent, selfless and resourceful can influence others and the one who has status, money and power can have others in control. Prerana is the accomplishment that motivates the receiving party and Niyantrana is the act of exploitation towards the receiving party. Influence can encourage others even without position; to inflict fear control has to have a position or status. A personality that can influence others is human-friendly while the controlling personality takes refuge in terror tactics. Those who conduct on controlling can gain upper hand over those who influence.

In Mahabharata the sons of Pandu were great inspiration to their subjects but the sons of Dritarashtra were controlling them. The ability to inspire by Pandavas was the trait which was like the thorn in the flesh for Duryodhana so he threw them out of Hastinapura by manipulating.  In Gokula Sri Krishna the inspired people of Brundavana as he moved around even when He was not a ruler. He was neither King nor the commander of the Yadavas, yet He was the most inspirational personality among Yadavas. His influence had earned him the affection of those people which He would not lose.

Kamsa, the ruler of the Vrishni Kingdom had the power of position by controlling his people. Therefore he was always worried about losing control and had Chanura and Mushthika to create fear. The guarantee of position got by control has the fear of losing it, and when it is lost, it gives rise to anxiety and insanity.

It is better to be inspiration to people than have control over them and always fear of losing the power which leads to creating madness for oneself and others. Pandavas were exiled after grabbing their Kingdom but never did they lose the art of inspiring others. Kauravas enjoyed the power but had inspired none in their entire life. Eventually, they lost power too so whatever control they did have due to their status and power was also lost in war. Whatever power the Pandavas had, they used it wisely to increase the ability to inspire others always. When they lost everything in the Game of Dice, they still held the wealth of inspiring others.

We have to choose wisely, so that we can rise above easily even when our position is taken away, instead of succumbing to madness. Pandavas lost power several times but they came out victorious. Kauravas were anxiety stricken even by the thought of losing power. So they were controlled by their own fear and had no time and interest to inspiring anyone else positively. 

1153. Bylakuppe....!

One of my friends in FaceBook wanted to know why Buddhism is not No.1 religion while Christianity is, though Buddha was born before Christ. Ironically some go by numbers to say that so and so is the No.1 religion. We all know how Constantinople, the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire became the present Istanbul and how Hagia Sophia was converted to Ottoman Imperial Mosque. While one community used its might the other used its missionary to become No.1 religion. What is this No.1 when you lose Humanity???

We had been to Madkeri last week and while returning back to Bengaluru we visited a place which is near Kushalnagar to the west of Mysore. If Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh is the host to the Tibetan Buddhists in search of peace, tranquillity and spiritual guidance this place in Karnataka has two Settlements of Tibetan Buddhists. The two Tibetan refugee settlements started in the year 1961 and 1969 respectively has now grown into a full-fledged town housing the largest Tibetan population outside of Dharamsala in India. During the Chinese aggression in 1958 as many as 1,50,000 Tibetan refugees spread out all over the world with a more than a 1,00,000 settling in different parts of India.

Karnataka was one of the southern states to open up settlements for the Tibetans in villages like Bylakuppe, Hunsur, Mundgod and Kollegal. Bylakuppe which is 80 kms from Mysore is the host to a largest Tibetan community in exile with about 40,000 people in settlements containing monasteries, kindergarten to higher level secondary schools, health care clinics, hospital with traditional Tibetan medical facility and also a court within. The settlement is spread over 3000 acre which was leased by the then Government of Mysore. In 1966, 4,000 acres of forest land near Mundgod in Uttara Kannada district was allotted to about 15,000 Tibetan refugees followed by the establishment of two more the Rabgayling settlement in Gurupura village near Hunsur and Dhondenling at Oderapalya near Kollegal. Currently, the population of Tibetan refugees in India is estimated to be around 1.5 lakh and Karnataka has the largest number, estimated at 45%. It has been 50 years and the second generation of those Tibetan Refugees are living happily and most importantly without fear. This is the culture of my land India; we Hindus do not use might or ministry to make Hinduism No.1 in the first place we do not believe in No.1 as we welcome any religion or any philosophy.   

Vast open lands with Tibetan houses and colourful flags fluttering in front of the monasteries welcome us. The most popular and visited monastery is Namdroling, which can be sighted from a distance. As it was a day after Buddha Jayanthi we were not allowed inside the shrine as there was some rituals being performed. The volunteer there talked to us in fluent Kannada and explained it to us. We could peep inside through the window to have a glimpse of the 60 foot tall statue of Buddha flanked by Padmasambhava and Amitayus on either side sitting serenely amidst the colourful paintings, sculptures and small statues. The statues they say are made of copper and plated with gold ……and they are amazing!!!

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.