887. In the abode of the Lord of Universe....!

It was a long wait in my life to have the darshan of Jagannatha, Balabadra and Subadra. He decided to permit me have His darshan on the Naraka Chaturdashi day this year. 

By the time we reached the temple it was evening and there was enormous crowd. It was the first darshan for me of the Lord of Universe. The temple doors had been open and the crowds had already gathered. Although near the sanctum, I felt like there is no one intruding in the silent communion that I was having with the triad deities mounted on the pedestal.  The crowds jostled and shoved but I had my eyes only for the larger than life deities of Jagannatha and Balabhadra flanking Subadra. The wooden deities carved out of logs of Neem tree stood there, dressed in white and red hues. 

There is an air of mysticism surrounding the temples. I was there for just a few minutes but felt like an eternity. It is not just the religious zeal alone that lures me to temples. The architecture, the history, the legends, the traditions and the quintessential nativeness of the sacred shrines fascinate me. It was indeed extraordinary experience to learn about the legend surrounding this 11th century massive temple while going around the sanctum.  

This temple which is spread over 4 lakh sq feet was built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of Ganga Dynasty who was contemporary to King Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala Dynasty. Just as Vishnuvardhana was influenced by Srimad Ramanuja to build Pancha Narayana kshetras, Ananataverman too was influenced by the great Acharya and built this massive temple. After all, these deities are believed to be chiselled by none other than Maha Vishnu himself. 

The legend says that Maha Vishnu in the guise of a carpenter had laid a condition that no one should open the door until he completes the task, but the impatient queen opened it, only to find the deities ready without their hands. The Lord vanished and the deities are worshipped without hands till date.

There are several legends around the temple each one makes one have goosebumps while listening. The most interesting one was about the kitchen which is the largest and biggest in the world measuring 150X100 feet. The "Maha Prasad" is prepared with deep devotion here and the spiritual impact of which can be felt while relishing it. The unique feature is that the food is prepared in earthen pots place over a special earthen oven. Seven earthen pots are place one over the other and amazingly the pot on the top gets cooked first. Water for preparing the dishes is drawn from the two wells, Yamuna and Ganges in the temple premises. 600 cooks work daily in the kitchen to boil 24 quintal of rice and make chappan bhog (56 food items). Maha Lakshmi personally supervises the kitchen. We were glad that He let us be a few among the lakhs of His devotees who relish the Maha Prasad. We got the Maha Prasad from Anada Bazaar at the northern gate near Tapasvi Hanuman temple. This Maha Prasad consolidates the human bond and satisfies sacrament at the same time. 

Another enthralling event to happen daily at this temple is the “Dwaja Parivartan” (Flag Changing).  Standing at an imposing height of about 214 ft atop an elevated platform of stone measuring about 10 feet is the Neel Chakra. It is made of Aasta dhatu (alloy of eight metals) giving it a blue tinge hence it is called Neel Chakra. The circumference of the wheel is about 36 ft and it weighs 2 tons. 

Changing of flags on the top is adventurous and is considered as a pious event. This is done every day at sunset. Two persons belonging to a particular family climb the 214 feet shikar without the help of any rope or climbing equipments. They climb with their back to the wall of the shikar swiftly hearing the echoing chant of Jai Jagannath. This exclusive privilege to hoist the flag was given by the king who built the temple 800 years ago and this ritual is followed even today.  

With all those rituals I saw and the legends that still rumbling in my ears I sit here in the seat of silence, imbibing the spiritual experience I had there. I can only say that my body, mind and soul were completely drenched with fulfilment after the journey to the abode of the Lord of Universe....Jai Jagannath, Jai Jagannath, Jai Jagannath.

886. Naughty & Sarcastic Sri Sri Sankara….!

Mimamsa in Sanskrit means “Through Investigation”, of Vedic texts. It has two parts the first one is Purva Mimamsa which strongly defend the ritualistic part of Vedas and the one to follow it is Uttara Mimamsa dealing with the later part of Vedas called Upanishads, it is also called Vedanta. Both are among the six Aastika Darshana (Theist school of Thought). 

On the banks of Narmada in a place called Mahishmati lived Mandana Mishra. He was a great champion of Purva Mimamsa and a confirmed ritualist. It is said that even the parrots living on a tree near his house would be repeating the Vedic Mantras. Such was his ritualistic practice.

With an interest to have a debate with him Sri Sri Sankara who advocated Uttara Mimamsa or Vedanta went to Mahishmati along with his disciples. Mandana Mishra was performing the Sraddha (paying homage to ancestors) ceremony of his father. He was not pleased by the sudden appearance of a sanyasi there. He got even more annoyed to know that the sanyasi was not a ritualist and had come to have a debate with him.

He asked him in a sarcastic manner: “Kuto Mundi?” (From where are you, O clean shaven one?)

Sri Sri Sankara could see the sarcasm in the words and decided to reply in a sarcastic manner. The words “Kuto Mundi” can also be interpreted in Sanskrit as “How far have you shaved?” 

Sri Sri Sankara replied: “Agalan Mundi” (Shaven up to the neck).

Not knowing why Sri Sri Sankara was mentioning about his tonsured head. Mandana Mishra clarified, “Margam Prichate Maya” (I asked the way).

Sri Sri Sankara did not stop there, he quipped, “Kim kaha Patha” (What did the way tell you?).

Mandana Misra was visibly upset by the taunting answers; he shouted angrily, “Patha prokta tava Matuh Vidhava” (The way said your mother is a widow).

Sri Sri Sankara said mischievously, “Tha Thevahi” (May be it is true). Thus Sri Sri Sankara meant that the “way” was referring to mother of Mandana Mishra. 

Mandana Mishra angrily shouted, “Sura Pita?” (Have you drunk liquor?).

Sri Sri Sankara replied, “Sura Shweta na Pita” (Liquor is white, not yellow). The word Pita in Sanskrit can mean both “yellow” as well as “drunk”. 

“Tatha hi, tvam janasi varnam” (So you know the colour?) asked Mandana Mishra sarcastically. 

“Maya varnat etavat janami, tvam ruchim api jasyati va” (I know only the colour, but perhaps you might know how it taste too) said Sri Sri Sankara.

Mandana Mishra became furious and wanted to say something, but the other guests who were present at the Sraddha ceremony intervened and advised Mandana Mishra to invite Sri Sri Sankara for biksha.

“I want only a Vaada Bhiksha (Alms of discussion) nothing to eating.” said Sri Sri Sankara. 

Mandana Mishra said, “We shall have it tomorrow, now you and your disciples can have food with me.”     

We all know that there was a very healthy discussion on Purva and Uttara Mimamsa between Mandana Mishra and Sri Sri Sankara, later Mandana Mishra's wife Ubhaya Bharati too joined her husband. When Sri Sri Sankara established the greatness of Vedanta over the debate both the husband and wife became disciples of Sri Sri Sankara.

Mandana Mishra then went on to become the first peetadhipati of the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetam at Sringeri by the name Sureshwaracharya. 

885. Only Enjoyment No Ethics….Carvaka Style!!!

The doctrine of Materialistic Philosophy called Lokayata existed since ages. This school of thought finds place in the Nastika (atheist) Darshana (vision). The followers of this doctrine are called Carvakas, Caru (Attractive) Vak (Talk). 
Let us know how this school of thought emerged. 

During the Vedic Era a group of people started to oppose the Vedic way of living. My guess is that they were opposing to the Karmakhanda (Ritualistic section of Veda). This group called themselves “Sharmana Tradition” and out of it sprouted Jaina and Bauddha. They rejected Vedas but believed in Atma (Consciousness) and Karma Siddhanta (Theory of Destiny).

Over the period of time a few among this Sharmana tradition felt that karma doctrine is fallacy and believed in fatalism (Cosmic Determination) that everything that is happening is predetermined. They called themselves Ajivika (Philosophy of Lifeless beings). They rejected Vedas and Karma but accepted that every living being is an Atma and they called it “Jeevi.”

Further these a few from this sect rejected the concept of Atma (Consciousness) and said that this body is made of four elements namely Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Ether (Space) was left out as they believed in only what is perceivable. For them that which is not perceived does not exist. So Heaven, Hell, Consciousness, Virtues and Values which were not visible were not existent. The only goal was to enjoy pleasure and avoid pain. 

“If a man goes north of Ganga and stole or tortured or murdered or plundered or even set fire to a house, he would not accumulate bad karma. If a person goes south of Ganga and gave charity or helped a disabled or healed the sick, he would not accumulate good Karma. You are a combination of Four elements when you die everything is over. Once this present body is burnt to ashes after death there is no question of having a next life. So as long as you live, live happily. Borrow money and live a happy life, for when you are dead, they can’t pursue” says an advocate of materialism.  It is like lighting a cigarette from the flames of a burning house. 

This school of thought was widely acknowledged to have been influential in the development of Indian thought over a considerable period; but it was not wholly accepted. 

Why???

Let us analyse, Sanatana Dharma which reflected on Vedas had Karmakhanda (section of Ritual) and Jnanakhanda (section of Knowledge). A few who opposed Karmakanda rejected Jnanakanda too. Jnana is acquired by six Pramanas (Means of Knowledge). They are as follows:

1. Pratyaksha (Perception) this means is the only one which is acknowledged by carvakas. It is direct cognition with the help of five senses. Like for example seeing fire and knowing about it. 

2. Anumana (Inference) is a logical process of knowing things. Which carvakas never accepted like if there is smoke on the mountain we conclude there is fire on the mountain. So according to carvakas if the wife is not at home and has gone to market to buy veggies she does not exist.

3. Upamana (Comparison) is a process of knowing by observing the similarities. If I have a cow at my home and see the same looking animal elsewhere I know it is a cow. 

4. Arthapatti (Postulation) is a process of knowing by presumption. The shop is closed at 1 P.M so the owner has gone for lunch.    

5. Anupalabdhi (Non-Apprehension) is process of knowing by unavailability. The vehicle parked by my friend is no more there so he must have left the place. 
   
6. Sabda (verbal Testimony) is process of knowing through scriptures. Some person who had touched fire writes it down, touching fire burns. I need to know by those words I need not touch the fire and feel the burn.  

With only pratyaksha as the means to knowledge Carvaka philosophy could not move on forward.

884. Brinjal with a difference......!

There is not even a single day without “Gulla” not being an ingredient in the naivedya offered to Kadagolu Krishna in Udupi. Gulla which is a special variety of brinjal has earned the village Mattu, where it is grown, the Geographical Indicator (GI) patent. Gulla is a secondary crop and its cultivation starts after the paddy is harvested. Gulla seeds are sown during November and it is harvested till May. Every year about 1000 MT of Gulla is cultivated. This Brinjal is even exported to many countries. 

There is an interesting story behind the origin of this vegetable. Vadhiraja Theertha, the preceptor of the Sode Matha was a devotee of  Hayavadhana. He used to offer Hayagreeva, a sweet dish as naivedya and the Lord Hayavadhana used to come in the form of a horse to consume the naivedya. The horse kept its hoofs on his shoulders while eating the Hayagreeva. A few who saw this became envious and one day they added poison to the Hayagreeva. As usual the horse ate it and the idol of Krishna at Udupi turned blue. Those who had mixed the poison were shocked to see the idol turn blue and immediately they sought the pardon of Vadhirajaru. The seer out of compassion gave them some seeds and asked them to plant them in the fields. He asked them to bring that which grows from it. He assured that the blue tinge in the idol of Krishna would vanish as soon as the offering was placed before Him. It happened as he forecast and since then Gulla is being used in the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi every day.

This brinjal has been considered “sacred” and its taste is very special. Since 15th century for the past 400 years this vegetable is relished by consumers of brinjal in parts of Karnataka. It has been a good example for the traditional holistic approach of food quality compared to the modern reductionist approach. In the holistic approach it can be considered that the overall food quality is composed of three components of measurable quality like presence or absence of nutrients, toxins, microbes etc, consumer quality in terms of colour, flavour, texture as well as emotional, social and ethical issues and finally environmental quality whether its production contributes to the maintenance of a sustainable and bio-diverse system of agriculture. In the reductionist approach, the concept of food quality is cleaved it only looks at quantity and is not concerned of environmental issues from growing them. 

Mattu Gulla answers all the traditional holistic perspective.......Try it once at your kitchen...it is available in all Mangalore Stores..!     

883. Are you GOOD or BAD???

Shaitan or Satan has no place in Sanatana Dharma. Unlike the other Abrahminical philosophies we in Hinduism do not have an opposite to GOD. Hence we unknowingly attribute the so-called “terrible” incidence we might experience to the play of God. One can understand if kids feels so as usually parents tell them if they behave well, God will reward them and if they behave badly, God is reprimand them. However, it is astonishing when even the grown-up adults think so. There is a need to get a little deeper into this predicament. 

When explaining Arjuna about His presence Sri Krishna tells “I am the Gambling of the cheat” What does this mean??? As I understand it means that the gambling instinct present within an individual who cheat others is an attribute of Sri Krishna present within the person who has cheating instinct. We all know gambling is bad and it was proved in Mahabharatha in the game of dice. If so, why did Sri Krishna tell Arjuna so???

We have a story in Srimad Bhagavatham that clears the doubt. It is the story of King Shibi, an ancestor of Shri Rama. He was known for his truthfulness and justice.     

Once when the king was alone in the balcony a pigeon flew towards him and sat on his shoulder. The pigeon said, “O King, save my life, I have come under your shelter.”

The King said, “Have no fear. Relax in peace, I promise to protect you.” 

Immediately an eagle landed on the rails of the balcony and said, “O King, I am after my hunt. Please release the bird so that I can appease my hunger.”

King Shibi could comprehend the point in eagle’s demand. In protecting the pigeon he was depriving the eagle its rightful prey! He decided to resolve the issue by offering equal weight of flesh from his body as food to the eagle. The King asked for the balance and in one pan of the balance the pigeon was kept and on the other pan a large chunk of flesh from the right thigh. But strange as it might seem, the pan with the pigeon always stayed down! Thus almost whole of the right half of the King’s body was cut. Still the weight could not be equalled. The King started to cut from the left side of his body. This ultimate sacrifice of Shibi was unparalleled in the history. 

Suddenly the eagle and the pigeon disappeared and in their places stood the Dharmaraja, God of death and Indra, the King of heavens. Both were pleased with the King’s truthfulness and justice. King Shibi had passed the ultimate test to uphold Dharma, a true duty of a king. 

The key issues raised in the story is the classic Dharma Sankata (Moral Ambiguity) faced by the King. In saving the pigeon the King might have earned “Good” label by the pigeon but at the same time he would be “Bad” from the perception of the eagle. Had he given away the pigeon to the eagle he was “Good” to eagle and “Bad” to the pigeon. 

Now the action of the King neither deprived the eagle its meal not put the pigeon in danger. The action we undertake is which is applicable to a day to day situation as conveyed by the story that decides if the purpose of our existence is termed “Good or Bad”. 

How can we label God is “Good or Bad” if we do not sense the subtle moral ambiguity that is required to be answered before we perform any action?

882. Unfolding Culture & Undertaking Culture

With the on-going Kaveri water dispute between my state Karnataka and my neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, the transportation of goods from here to there is very badly hit. The transporters from either border do not want to take any chance. Vegetables and flowers grown here are transported to Chennai daily. Though there is demand the supply is impossible hence the veggies and flowers are sold here and thankfully it is half the usual price. Many love this kind of situation as the commodities are priced less. Owning to supply in Chennai we were paying more for the veggies all these days. Now the market is on demand and supply.

  

Ancient society operated spontaneously whereas the modern society thinks it operates in a premeditated way. Earlier events were supposed to be “Unfolding” now we are assuming that we are “Undertaking”. Though the events happen purely based on the system which is ordained to, we humans with our limited knowledge consider events to be happening based on the human effort. In other words whatever is happening is happening because it has to. For example in ancient times a farmer used to grow and sell the agricultural produce and the place where it were sold was called Santhe (market) this is “Unfolding Culture” and now we have different markets for different produce  this is “Undertaking Culture”.

In the undertaking culture one takes full charge, and thinks he can manage any amount of numbers. It becomes system cantered rather than human cantered. On the other hand the unfolding culture operated from relationship base and hence it was human cantered. The farmer then used to sell his produce and if there were more then he would go to sell them in the neighbouring village. Then the market was not organized but market happened. This type of trade was based on the purpose not on supply or demand.

This was Gram Swaraj which was based on self-governance, where the villagers taking the responsibility of their village. They would never control even remotely or make a law which had no practical or cultural connection to the previous village.

The locals knew the culture better than the outsiders. This diversity of system was based on the need of that local community.  It is said that, language and water change quite frequently within the radius of a few kilometres. So super imposing something from somewhere else shows ignorance of the principle of diversity.

Unfortunately domination by the European imperial rulers coupled with religious exclusivity destroyed our “Unfolding Culture”. In our culture, therefore we see diversity is still maintained but the ignorant people call it chaos rather than appreciating it as a part of a complex nature, which is diverse.   Understanding others in their term and condition is the sign of human sensitivity. Destroying others in the name of giving them a better culture is sign of arrogance. Helping each other and taking out the rotten one and replacing it with whatever is good for growth of human society is the height of culture…..What say???

881. Artificial Intelligence or Natural Stupidity???

One of my cousins shared this write-up on whatsApp “Prediction of the future by Robert Goldman”. Dr. Robert M Goldman is an American and founder of A4M (American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine). That was an interesting article.

We had many who have predicted the future and Dr. Robert adds to the list. Kalagnanam (Knowledge of Future) by Kaivara Narayanappa and Pothuluri Veerabramendra are though the most famous, not forgetting Leanardo Da Vinci and Michel de Nostredame. I think the future predictions by those personalities were just reflection which came to their vision and it is largely to do with the society and its developments. They only urged the mankind in a sarcastic manner to “mend” and seek the reality. It is all the mind game and one may think if we “mend” ourselves will the predictions fail to happen??? If any of the predictions make one think and realize that everything that is destined to happen will happen and if one contemplates on what his role will be then the purpose of the predictions is achieved. 

For example: The predictions said that humans kill each other for money, when my grandfather was alive this did not happen because the people then, who read this, did not what to it happen. But in this period of time it is happening we see people kill for mere some of money. I wonder if this could have been postponed to the following generation and so on.    

But the predictions of Dr. Robert are not same as those ancient predictors. If I can analyse his predictions i say it might be a boon or a bane too. Dr. Robert says that in the exponential age the rapidity will take over and the software industry will disrupt most traditional industries in the next 5-10 years. Yes, we have already seen it. With the population on the rise and the automation in industry jobs placements are hit and software industry is minimizing the manual job rising concern over the placements. 

  

Dr. Robert talks about the artificial intelligence will take over and computers will become exponentially better in understanding the world. Here the computers can surely replace the Individual Intelligence I agree, but will it or can it replace the Cosmic Intelligence is my doubt. The Cosmic Intelligence is nothing but the interaction of various individual intelligence.     

Further Dr. Robert says that Artificial Intelligence system created by IBM called Watson helps nurses diagnosing cancer, 4 times more accurate than human nurses. But it will stop at diagnosing alone; we still need nurses to take care in the operative and post-operative stages. Artificial Intelligence fails at the emotional level. I believe that 70 % of the aliment is cure by the care taken by the doctors and the nurses.

Also he adds that the “Tricoder” which works with on the mobile App can scan the retina, take blood sample and if you breathe into it, it then analyses 54 bio-markers that will identify nearly any disease. He predicts that it will be cheap, so in a few years everyone on this planet will have access to world class medicine, nearly for free. With the crony capitalist around I do not agree. Even now we have advance medical equipment which only serves the rich and the famous. Free medical aid is a mirage unless we see our fellow beings as ourselves.          

But there are few things which Dr. Robert says that could happen with Artificial Intelligence, like for example IBM Watson can provide legal advice within seconds with 90% accuracy. This will make all the lawyers jobless. Self-driven cars will kill all drivers. 70-80% of us will be jobless in the next 20 years.

With this Artificial Intelligence we will have agricultural robot working in corporate farms where the agricultural produce is grown in Sahasra (Excess) with less of Sara (Essence). So anyhow now our farmers are reeling under high debts Artificial Intelligence will annihilate their life.

Exponential Age of Artificial Intelligence or Natural Stupidity only Time has to reveal.....What say??? 

880. Role V/s Identity....!

Getting up in the morning is nothing unique, but feeling the change at the beginning of the day is that which only a few can observe and appreciate. For the obvious reason those who are participants of the endless rat race, fail to notice this. There are a few who are running behind something known as “SUCCESS” which most of them do not even know the definition of it.

A person has to take up different “ROLE” in order to achieve excellence. That excellence is accomplished on the path to the ordained goal. For a few setting a goal and reaching out for it is success, while for some success is an endless goal to goal vicious cycle. In the bid to excel in order to reach the goal the most valuable possession called “IDENTITY” is lost! The identity which we have is replaced by the false personality we develop to display to the outer world. Here is where we lose our identity.

Do we need to lose our IDENTITY in order to play our ROLE?

It is this ROLE V/s IDENTITY that makes every player participate in the rat race. We may have to perform different roles. Our roles change every time that is not unusual. But does this variety of roles we don make it necessary to forget who we are??? We can change our roles and undertake action according to the circumstance but why should we forget our identity???

A clown wears a mask while entertaining the crowd in a show. He acts crazy and performs to make us laugh. When he takes off his costumes will he not get back to what he was??? In this rat race we wear a mask and forget to take it out and gradually the mask become reality for us. This is when the trouble in the paradise begins because it is now that we are trapped! We do not understand if our current role has reversed our identity or we still are the same.

I assume different roles for numerous responsibilities and duties. I am a family member at home and boss at my factory. I might hide emotions, or sometimes have an outburst of anger and also portray a happy me! In all this while if I pick up a mirror and look into it, try to figure out what made me like this, then I will find that all these are all my roles not my identity.

May be the first question that I need to answer is: What do “I” stand for? What are those things which I am never ready to give up? What am I seeking? What is that most important thing that keeps my world rocking!

When I answer this I would be in a position to identify myself. But what is more important now is to hold onto my identity - No matter what I have got to do next, no matter how big a deal I have got to crack .

What matters is what I am and how I can make things happen by being what I am!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pranam 

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

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

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

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

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

The question and answers were thus:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: More numerous than grass? 
A: Thoughts.

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

Q: More desirable than wealth? 
A: Health.

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

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

Q: What measures a man? 
A: Conduct.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Without hesitation Yudhisthira answered, “Nakula.”

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

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

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

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

877. The inseparable duo.....!

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

Vagarthaviva Sampriktua Vagarthah Pratipattyaye
Jagatah Pitarau Vande Parvathiparameshwarau.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

875. Instant draw immediate prize…..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

874. Polytheism, Paganism or Monotheism???

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

Hinduism is different in that sense, How??? 

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

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

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

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

Evangelist remained silent……. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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