980. Humanity at its best......When???

Last weekend we had been to Ooty and Coonoor. Loved the place very much, especially the toy train journey from Coonoor to Ooty was amazing. Though we had been in a Tempo Traveller we asked our driver sab to bring the vehicle to Ooty and we took the train from Coonoor to Ooty. It was an amazing journey of 20 kms which took almost 1 hour 20 min. On the way up we saw endless vegetable farming producing Lettuce, Beetroot, Radish, Turnip, Red Cabbage, Broccoli, Potato, Brussels Sprout and not to forget the famous Ooty carrots.

While coming back to Bangalore we decided to buy some veggies and asked our driver to stop near a roadside vendor. The lady selling them had kept her veggies for display on the concrete blocks at the roadside. The veggies were farm fresh and we brought some of them. As we had finished buying, the lady grabbed a small bag and started stuffing a few vegetables in it and walked up to the vehicle parked on the other side of the road and handed them over to the driver who was at the wheel. “He is sitting there with patience” she told us with a grin on her face. Some may feel it was a gesture to keep the drivers in good books so that they would bring in the travelers to her, but to me it was purely humanity at work there.     

Some years back we had been to Ahobilam in Kurnool district the hot Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Summer had just set in; the nine temples of Narasimhaswamy are on hill range of Nallamala. Jwala Narasimhaswamy temple is the topmost, requiring a trek of about 3-4 kms. It was past 11am when we began our trek. The scorching sun and difficult terrain was wearing us down. As it was marked reserve forest, understandably there were no stalls selling water or tender coconuts along the route. The water bottles we carried were already half empty as we climbed. We sparingly drank water we carried, so that we had something left for our trek downward.

At the top near the temple we were greeted by a few villagers standing with sweet and cool Panaka (Lime Jaggery squash). We drank to quench our thirst from one of them. When we asked the person, “How much we need to pay?” He was hesitant and softly replied, “How much ever you feel like.” He had to be remunerated so that he could continue to quench the thirst of the parched pilgrims like us in future. Though he never had a menu price list for the drink he served, we out of gratitude handed him two twenty rupee notes which he accepted by touching them to his eyes. We observed that he thanked those who gave him a rupee or two in the similar manner.

Looking at how we living in a civilised society are forced to buy water at hotels and malls, we lose faith in humanity. But it is overwhelming to find such selfless acts by simple, poor and unknown villagers in remote corners living in difficult terrain. They expect nothing but have never abstained from humanity, looking at their kind gestures I do have a little faith that this land has not gone from bad to worst.

Now the question is: - Why do we find such scarce exhibit of humanity only from simple, poor and unknown villagers in remote corners??? Is it necessary to relinquish humanity to live in cities??? What makes mankind forgo Humanity........is it yearn to make MONEY???   

979. Karma has its own ways....!

“Purva janma kritham papam, vyadhi rupena baadathe”

Meaning: The resultant fruit for the deeds from previous births manifest as disease.

Here in this verse the word used is “Vyadhi” which is disease but in literal sense it is not only Vyadhi but Kushala (Healthy) also. In general sense it is quite obvious not to analyse why we are happy or healthy. If I see a friend sad I will ask him what made him sad, if I want to know the reason for my friends’ happiness I am branded as eccentric. Moreover a person who has a little knowledge of Karma Siddhanta (Doctorine of Karma) will know that the prevailing consequences are not the reflection of actions of the recent past. Yet, I ask as a need to do something for recreation coated with the colour called “concern”.   
       
My Karma Phala (Resultant Fruit) in Karma rupa (remnant investment) will get the Dukha/Sukha rupa (misery/pleasant form) with the grace of Absolute who is the dispenser of Karma Phala. Ones it gets the Dukha/Sukha rupa it is experienced by me and hence gets exhausted. Here I can say that I am the creator of my destiny. I need not blame anyone for the way my life is unfolding to me.  

The other day I was watching a program on how the Great Horn-bill raises the family. I was spellbound to see its habit of immuring the nest. The female Horn-bill builds a nest in the hollow of a large tree trunk. Using her bill as a trowel she plasters the clay bought by her mate to build a wall at the entrance of the nest with a small opening. Within she remains a prisoner for the rest of the breeding period. This way her nest will not have intruders, she and her chicks are safe. She lays the eggs and incubates relying on her mate to get her fruits, lizards, insects and frogs up to 10 times per hour in a day. I was amazed looking at the dedication it is said that in the total trips it undertakes the male supplies around 25,000 fruits to the family. How fortunate the madam Horn-bill is???     

Now in contrast to what I saw about the Horn-bill family there is the Lion family where the lions are bad members of the family with a combination of greed and laziness. Lions spend most of their day lying in the shade, waiting for one of their mates to bring home the kill. The lioness does all of the hunting and pretty much all of the parenting too. Once the lioness brings home the kill, the lion is always the first one to eat and he often leaves only the leftover to the rest of the family. Amazingly in a rough hunting season the alpha male is seen to consume the whole kill brought by the lioness leaving her and her cubs to starve.

If we observe a lion cannot be a Horn-bill or a Horn-bill cannot afford to be like a lion. The Prarabdha Karma of the lioness is that she has to put on with the lion. She cannot lift her head up and look at the hospitality the Lady Horn-bill is receiving and grumble. Then does the Prarabdha Karma phala same to us human beings also is the question???

Well now is the time to contemplate if the Prarabdha karma of an individual is to endure the hardship it is the effect. Why should I be the cause for it??? Here we humans have the entry of Agami Karma. Animals do not accumulate Agami Karma they are programmed by the conditioned or adoptive mind and they don’t use their freewill. I can check myself from causing difficulty to others.....I can be a male Horn-bill or an Alpha male Lion choice is mine.....Right???   

978. Universe created by Sound Waves from Crystal....!

Yesterday one of my friends on Face Book Vineetha Pillai ji shared amazing information told by Maha Periyavaa (Kanchi Paramacharya Sri Chandrashekara Sarswathi) about the recording of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama. While Pithamaha Bhishma was rendering the 1000 names of the Lord all including Sri Krishna were listening none of them noted down. Yudhisthira felt that someone should have noted down, he requested Sri Krishna to help. 

Krishna replied, “Sahadeva is wearing “Suddha Spatika” (Clear Crystal) which can be converted to sound waves by the grace of Maharudradeva and Vyasadeva can record it.” 

Thus we are now able to hear the Vishnu Sahasranama. 

Is it true that Crystal can record sound??? 

Let us find out.... 

The quartz crystal has the highest vibration level and can take one form of energy and convert it into another higher form. Spatika (Crystal) can convert sound waves into light form. The earth plane we are living is primarily made of quartz. 

Scientists have conducted researches to find out that sound creates light. This phenomenon happens through harmonics and is called Second Harmonic generation using crystal. Light is created through harmonics. The scientist who are probing on crystal say that if we are sitting in a cave of clear quartz crystal an irrefutable and audible OM sound is heard, meaning, quartz crystal emit harmonics. 

Where was the sound from??? 

Is it recorded by the crystal???

If the movement of air could be the cause for the sound as some suggest, why is it not possible in medium other than crystal??? 

We Hindus believe that the creation started with that OM sound and this earth plane is primarily filled with quartz crystal. Now is there any connection??? OM sound waves met with existing chemical properties of quartz crystal in the waters and were converted into light, thus proving sound precedes light and that light is produced by sound. With light so generated, the entire universe came into existence.

Now coming back to the recording of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama by Sahadeva, with the help of Maharudradeva and Vyasadeva, my understanding is that it could have been done by using highly tuned electromagnetic waves to excite the crystal so that audible sound waves are emitted. The responsibility of producing that highly tuned electromagnetic waves was on Maharudradeva and when the recorded sloka resonated from the Suddha Spatika which Sahadeva was wearing, Vyasadeva noted them.

I had to check all these details from Google but an Aparoksha Jnani like Maha Periyavaa had it in his mind to answer in a jiffy. 

We are such idiots to rubbish it while the scholars from the other shores learning from our scriptures do research on Crystals to find if they can benefit mankind. One such benefit is using the crystal and its sounds as healing for both humans and animals.

977. Mercury, Jupiter and Moon......!

A few weeks back I had posted on the Navagraha Mantra which as young kid I used to chant them without knowing the meaning and later on it was the curiosity in me which made me comprehend the meaning of those Sanskrit words in the mantra. 

While discussion about the Navagrahas with one of my friend I mentioned that Mercury was born to Moon and the wife of Jupiter. My friend was astonished at the way our Puranas and scriptures have personified the planets. It seemed to be ridiculous to think so. How could this be possible???   

As per the story from Puranas, Brihaspati (Jupiter) the Deva Guru is married to Tara. Brihaspati was oldman and Tara was young and beautiful lady. Brihaspati was always busy guiding Devas and had little time to spare with Tara. At night when she was alone she used to observe the waxing Moon. The day she found the Moon in full galore, she fell in love with him and eloped with him. Their union bore a son Budha (Mercury).

Now, when Brihaspati found out about the birth of Budha, he wanted his Tara back. He and Chandra had a tussle and finally all the Devas requested Tara to get back to her husband Brihaspati. So, Tara returned back to her husband. 

This is the story. 

Superficially this story may seem to be silly and funny, but when we look into the subtlety in it there is a beautiful message in it. Let us find out what it is.....

Brihaspati is Guru, the master of Devas. That is the Self. We know Moon is manokaraka and hence it is Mind. Tara who is young and beautiful is the Universe. 

Prior the Self as a child from the innocent level is connected with the Universe. Just like how a child plays with its toys without the sense of “mine”. That innocence of the Self is the one with the infinity till the Mind grows over the time to become larger than Self. 

As the Mind grew to full extent the connection between the Self and the Universe began to diminish and ultimately it was cut off. Soon the connection between the Mind and the Universe developed. 

This relationship resulted in the expansion of Cosmos and then there was the birth of Awareness. Budha (Mercury) is Pragyakaraka, the one who bestows awareness. Hence the union of Mind and Universe went to that extent of getting Awareness.

With the birth of Awareness the Universe again got back to the Self and the Mind was disconnected. The Mind became a No-mind and got detached with Universe. It does not matter if Universe got detached from Mind or Mind got detached from the Universe. Ultimately the Mind and Universe got separated because of the birth of Awareness. Now the Universe stayed with the Self to which it truly belonged. 

Astrology says that Buddhi (Mercury) is born out of Mind (Moon) when in association with Universe (Tara).

976. Vairagya, the Dispassion.....!

For the spiritual advancement the seeker has to develop Vairagya (Dispassion) says many scriptures. In the broader sense a Vairagi is the one who is disinterested in the mundane world and at the same time is a Jignasu (Desirous of Knowledge). Spiritually speaking it is a feeling to overcoming the illusions mundane world lures and temptations with its fleeting presence like appearing only to disappear which is Maya, the illusion. 

A confused Arjuna questions Sri Krishna thus, when the Lord advised him to control the mind so that the effect of Maya is subdued:

“Control of mind as you advise appears as impossible as trapping the wind in the fist.” 

“No doubt, it is difficult but is possible through Abhyasa (Practice) and Vairagya (Dispassion),” clarifies Sri Krishna.

Now what is this Vairagya Sri Krishna has mentioned. Let us get into the details of it.

When I was in kindergarten I had a lesson “The Fox and the Grapes” Once, a fox was very hungry he searched for food. At last he saw a bunch of grapes in a grapevine. He started drooling and wanted to eat the grapes. To get them he jumped and jumped, but in vain. He could not reach the grapes. Finally the fox went away saying, “Those grapes are sour.” Failing to achieve, some get disinterested. This is called ABHAVA VAIRAGYA (Disinterest due to Non-availability). But the sub-conscious mind is still hankering and waiting for the availability.  

When attending a funeral many think “Look, what has happened? I too shall be brought here someday to be cremated. Why then do I hanker after these wantons? Let me give up…all these attachment…I came alone and shall go alone….!” This is SMASHANA VAIRAGYA (Disinterest due to Loss of dear ones). Stepping out of the burial ground it is same as before, the mundane world grips again.

Looking at the wife reeling under labour pain the husband is disinterested in life. “Why to undergo such pain to bring in another life?” This is PRASOOTI VAIRAGYA (disinterest due to labour pain). The consecutive year the lady love is ready to deliver the second baby.

Problem of Plenty sometimes induces disinterest. This disinterest is superficial as the hankering reappears when the abundance of what is become scarce. This is UDHAARA VAIRAGYA. The moment the scarcity is experienced, the distress of desire comes back again.

While listening to a learned person talk about Life and if the subject in the discourse reflects Reality there is chance of developing this disinterest. This is PURANA VAIRAGYA. This is also temporary it last till the Pravachanakara ends it with “Sri Krishnarpanamastu.” 

Now we need to ask ourselves does this Vairagya help us in anyway??? 

We have this notion that indulging in materialism is hindrance to spirituality. No, it is not true.  Possession of material is not an issue but becoming possessive of it is. We are bestowed with all these things around us by Him to experience and enjoy them. There is no point in shunning them and running away from them, though over indulgence is not advisable.

Instead of Vairagya if we can develop Virakti it is sensible. Now what is this Virakti???

The wise and experienced seekers say, “Paramatmani yo Rakta: Virakta Aparamatmani.” (If one has yearning for Paramatma, the desire for other than Paramatma will automatically disappear)

Virakti is got when there is desire for higher goal. Sri Sri Shankara insisted on Jnana, it was bettered by Srimad Ramanuja by adding Bhakti to it; finally it was complete with the addition of Virakti by Sriman Madhva.

JNANA, BHAKTI & VIRAKTI.....The Tripod for Emancipation....!

975. The Maya, the illusion......!

A person who was regular customer at a bar was seen carrying a bamboo basket one evening. He bumped upon one of his old friends. A curious friend asked the drunkard, “Hey, what is inside the basket?”

The drunkard replied with a wink, “I have a mongoose in the basket.” 

The friend asked, “Why are you taking a mongoose to the bar?”

The drunkard explained, “My friend, there is nothing wrong for me to let you know about it. I will gladly tell you, see off late just after gulping two or three pegs I start to feel as if I am surrounded by snakes, I experience those creepy creatures crawl all over my body. To keep those nasty reptiles away from me, I have come up with this great idea of taking a mongoose with me.”

Stunned by the reply, the friend shot back, “You say that you feel like have them around, I think those are imaginary snakes. It is only in your mind, nothing is there at the bar.”

The drunkard was quick to reply, “My friend, you are right it is all in my mind and there is nothing at the bar. I am sharing the secret which I alone know. The mongoose is also imaginary, and there is nothing in the box.”

Now let’s not laugh at this incidence...... this is how we also are dealing with Maya (illusion). Maya finds place only in our minds. Just like the mongoose remedy the drunkard came up with to get rid of the imaginary snakes, we too search and find remedies to tackle Maya. The biggest problem for the Maya to reside in our minds is to think we are the “Doers.”

Engrossed in Maya the mind suggests incredible ways to tackle Maya, the illusory power of Absolute. Again with the suggestions from Maya we believe that Absolute created this universe using his creative power called Maya which is Prakriti. Thus separating the creator from the creation.

This created power works in three distinct ways to keep the created away from the creator.

First it is the Avarana Shakti (Power to Conceal). Here the object which we had to view is concealed. Like the drunkard not able to comprehend that the liquor consumed is the cause for his imagination.

Next is Prakshepa Shakti (Power to Project). Here the object that is other than which should have been is projected. The hallucination of snakes in case of the drunkard is due to this power.

Finally we have this Vikshepa Shakti (Power to Distort). The effort by the drunkard to use an imaginary mongoose to get rid of imaginary snakes is due to this power.

Maya can only be comprehended through Vedanta. This does not mean that we need to know about Maya. When the Real is know the imaginary just vanish. Had the drunkard understood that the intoxication was the real cause for him to see the imaginary snakes all over him, the need for an imaginary mongoose would not have arisen.....What say???

974. Life as I understand.......!

For the past so many years life has thrown many surprises at me. Some have elevated me while a few have pulled me down too. I have experienced the uncertainty in life. I know that nothing is permanent in life but nothing is certain either. The sooner it is understood the easier it becomes to move on in life.

I can sow a seed and offer it all the nutrition and right conditions and yet no one can assure me whether it will ever sprout. At the same time a seed discarded after consuming a fruit which may have fell on a rocky surface can turn out to be a huge tree. Either way there is no certainty. No matter what decision I make, which path I take, I will not be greeted by certainty but by doubt, challenges and self-doubt, so keep walking is the mantra.

If I really want to live my life and make the most of it, I need to be assured that life is contradictory. Superficially, I see good people suffering, if I think that those undergoing suffering are due to their own karma, there are times when we step into karmic field of other people that affects us too. It is like being forced to inhale the fragrance of the perfume that the person next to you is wearing. The karmic orbit is something like that. Now I cannot say that the law of karma is to violate the first point which I made about uncertainty. Nothing is certain (including this statement) but sometimes a few things happen without offering any explanations. Hence I have understood that contradictory truths and paradoxes co-exist like darkness and light coming together in twilight.

Whatever be my belief and however sure I am of it, I will find enough evidence that will negate it.

The only thing I can do is lead a truthful and meaningful life to the best of my ability. And I will be doing this for myself, for my own peace of mind. Life is a good master but a bad merchant. It really does not care about being fair or sticking on to standards. At any point in time life will display plenty of contradictions. I need to accept it and move on.

Though life has uncertainty and contradictions mostly it is filled with blessings. There are only two ways to lead my life: I take it as it is a blessing or it is not. Either way, the most important thing for me to remember is that no one is got better by complaining about life. Life has no ears for complaints. Life has no CNTRL + Z.  Whatever is my past, wherever I am now, and however could or should my life would be, the truth is I am here, now. This is it and this is Hope.

By hope, I did not mean that all my dreams will come true, I have already mentioned that life is uncertain and contradictory. I simply mean that it only takes a spark to ignite a wildfire. That spark can come from anywhere. While life may disappoint me by not turning out the way I once envisaged, it will still end up somewhere beautiful if I am open to possibilities.....Hope and get going.

Now how many of you agree with what I have understood about LIFE.....!

973. Lighting an Oil Lamp.....!

The first electric bulb was lit in Bangalore City Market in 1905. The journey of lighting thereafter has swiftly zipped along. We had Incandescent bulbs replaced by Fluorescent tubes which were substituted by Compact Fluorescent Lamps. This CFL are now taken over by LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs. With all these we cannot forget that before the advent of the first Electric Bulb every household in India had kerosene lantern to drive away the darkness. Nevertheless at the altar in the pooja room there was this oil lamp.

Though we have the Electric Bulb to take care of the darkness in the pooja room, the oil lamp still finds a place there??? Why???

There is a hidden secret behind this which needs to be unearthed. We all know that this Cosmos is an amalgamation of Five Elements namely Akasha (Space), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Apa (water), Pritvi (Earth). The two elements Akasha and Vayu have very subtle density and are always felt above, while Pritvi and Apa have gross density and are felt below. Amazingly Agni is neither subtle nor gross and is felt above and below. It holds the connectivity between the elements and hence Agni was used by our ancient Rishis to pass on the Havis (Sacrificial offering) to the Divine Beings. Element Agni is considered a link between the Iha (Present Life) and Para (Life After) and hence a dead body is confined to flames.    

Now let us know why it is important to light an oil lamp in the evenings. Every living being born has positive and negative energies in them. Those with predominant negative energy prefer to stay in darkness to conceal their presence while those with positive energies thrive to be in light. Do not take it in a negative sense let me explain, the seed sprouting is positive development, right??? It needs light. Fungus formation on the bread is a negative development and it needs dark place. Apart from these two energies there is a third entity which is neutral.  

Even microbes get eliminated when exposed to Sun Light. As we have these two energies outside us we also have positive and negative emotions in our mind. There is a tussle between these two emotions to dominate the mind. As per observations made by our ancients when negative energy is dominant there will be turbulence and turmoil and with positive emotions in dominance there is serenity and calmness in the mind.

How is this related to lighting oil lamp???

At the creation of this Cosmos it was ensured that the domination of the negative forces be negated by positive energy if there is illumination. Hence the Shanti Mantra (Hymn of Peace) from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says “Tamaso ma Jyotir gamaya” (From darkness, lead me to light). So also the dominance of the negative and positive forces will determine the mindset of the family members. Now the question is whether it is possible to light up an oil lamp to achieve serenity and calmness in our mind?

Lighting up the area with an electric bulb will only remove external darkness. It will hardly help to bring in serenity in the mind, as the positive and negative forces are head-on with each other. Some other force is necessary to assist the positive force to get dominance over the negativity. Which is that other force???

Our Rishis revealed the secret of the third invisible Divine Energy, the Oil Lamp which is always neural. It has both negative and positive energy in equal proportions (Fire is neither subtle nor gross, as seen above). It is the simplest form of divine energy which provides heat and light. The oil lamp has a particular wavelength of Divine Energy which can activate the dormant energy and change the negativity to positive.

972. Students and Politics....!

In the ancient times life of a student was confined in Gurukul. The student would be away from parents and gain knowledge from the Guru. His life was devoted to studies and to get prepared to face any kind of problem that may surface in his future life. He is expected to do all his duties like washing his clothes, do farming and attending to the cattle in the Gurukul. The student there would learn discipline and were under the care of Gurupatni (Guru's wife) who took care of them as mother. They were given training on warfare and rajneeti (politics) too.

It is amazing to see that now the students in the universities who had to be confined within the boundary walls of their educational institutions and learn about political science are playing political games. It is not required for students to get into politics as it’s intricacies lies beyond the territorial jurisdiction of their thought process.

Even today it is relevant in the life of the student to have passion towards his studies and also to get ready to face the problems of life to come. If we observe the life of few students now it is more emphasised on taking political stands. The aspects of gaining knowledge and to learn the art of life has taken a back seat for them.

When we were in college we did have student unions and we would elect the student leader. The association of the students in student union should not be overruled. The students are smart, selfless and they love the right and hate the wrong instantly. They are young blood always ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the ideal they believe and follow, whether it is patriotism or something as noble as that. That is why if the students take part in some beneficial movement it becomes a grand success.

Politics within the college should be nourished and nurtured. Students participating in student unions can bring about welcome changes in the administration of the college. But the politics outside the college is always a dangerous affair.

As a student is yet a learner, his first and foremost duty is to gain knowledge. But this does not mean that he should be indifferent to the current affairs of the world in general and especially of his own country. It should not be suggested that the students should be completely away from politics and at the same time they should never be afflicted to main political parties which use them as launch pad to propagate their ideologies. The only advice that should be given to them is that for all noble causes they should go forward, for they only, as the selfless section of our society, having the heart and ability to do what they intend to. But they should never get involved in the active politics of the country which use them as toilet paper. They are left to face the social media war with those who troll them from all angles.

Student life has more to it than playing petty politics.....what say???

971. Arjavam.....Frankness!

While explaining Arjuna the prerequisite qualities to achieve the means to fulfilling the highest purpose of the existence, Sri Krishna uses a word “Arjavam” (Bhagvad-Gita Chapter 13, verse 8). In fact this word is used in Chapter 16 verse 1 too.

In simple words Arjavam is to be Frank or Straight Forward or just to be transparent. I searched for the equivalent English word and found it to be “Rectitude” this word comes from the root word of Latin “Rectus” meaning straight.

Well, it is not as easy as said to be Frank. Being honest is different from renouncing deception. Display of honesty could be while gauging the integrity of another person but in being frank one should not deceive others or himself to achieve an end even in harder times. The one who is straightforward has to face and accept faults without blaming them on others.

Some feel that deception is an art to survive in this society but in reality a deceptive person is a chronic disease to society. The urbanised civilisation has prompted some parents to encourage their wards to be deceptive in order to do well in society. Such parents are not molding them to be good citizens but are creating prospective criminals who will perfect the art and ravage mankind in future.

Arjavam is the best solution no matter how difficult it is to follow. To be remorseful, modest and to repent for misdeeds is the way to win back the faith. To have Arjavam is to have Rijubhava (Riju is arrow) the arrow that is left the bow is aligned to go straight. When there is straightness in thought, word and deed that alignment is called Arjavam. This alignment is the one which plays an important role for the “Dhi Shakti” to flow so as to acquire Atma-Jnana (Self Knowledge).

Is it so tough to be Straight Forward???

There is a proverb in Kannada “beeso donne tappiskondre noor varsha ayassu” (if you can escape from the stick waved at you, you can live a hundred years). Though this proverb indicated that in certain situations it is so demanding to escape from the current problem so that everything can be managed later. Unfortunately this proverb is misquoted and is used as an encouragement to deceptiveness. With the lack of foresight some may think that a crooked way can get them away from a sticky situation, but it is very hard to fool everyone at all times. One incident to establish the crookedness is enough to distance that person away for the rest of the life. Not only that, the person is branded as untrustworthy too. Such a crisis of credibility will not ever allow a person to succeed in life. 

Commenting on the Story of Satyakama Jabala from Chandogya Upanishad, Sriman Madhva clarifies excellently as to who should be called “Dvija” (twice born) in the sense, eligible for Upanayana (Upa means Resemblance Nayana is Eyes... Activation of Third Eye). This according to the Acharya is the only criterion for Yagnopavita Dharana and initiation of Maha Gayatri Mantra.  

Sriman Madhva write thus:

Arjavam Brahmane Saksat

Sudro Narjava Lakshanah

Gautamas tviti Vijnaya

Satyakamam Upanayat

Meaning: Straightforwardness is the quality of a Brahamana and crookedness is that of a Sudra. Knowing this fact, Sage Gautama initiated Upanayana to Satyakama.   

Here I bow to the conviction of Sriman Madhva in proclaiming the Truth, but it is unfortunate that in this society there are many like Satyakama Jabala but the calibre of Sage Gautama is what is lacking...... nevertheless I am confident that one day the Truth will prevail. 

970. Knowledge got from Silent Sentences.....!

In a remote forest under a Vata Vruksha (Banyan tree) facing Dakshina (South) sat a young Adi Guru (Cosmic Teacher) surrounded by four aged Shishyas (Disciples). Guru sported a Jnana Mudra where the tip of his index figure was touching the base of the thumb and other three fingers were straight apart from each other. The thumb represents the Absolute Consciousness and the forefinger the Individual Consciousness. The forefinger touching the base of the thumb indicates surrender attitude of Jivatma. The three other fingers represents Trigunas namely Satva, Rajas and Tamo.  When the Jivatma transcend these three gunas and surrender to Paramatma then Jnana unfolds, th is the philosophical symbolism behind the gesture of Jnana mudra by the Guru. The Guru is Dakshina Murthy and the four aged disciples are Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanat kumara. Guru Dakshina Murthy has Apasmara, the dwarf who represents Ignorance and Epilepsy under his foot.

            

There was no teaching or preaching heard aloud yet knowledge was transferred in silence. It is said that Mauna Vakyanam (Silent Sentences) were transmitted from the young Guru to the aged Shishyas. The Guru and Shishyas were in sync with lessons while the words were superfluous.

How could the Shishyas get the knowledge without Guru uttering a single word??? Is it possible???

Yes, This was the kind of educational practice my country had long back. It was not like the education system we find in recent times. Most of the knowledge that the student received was through contemplation. There are two major parts in the accumulation of knowledge, Sravana (Listening) and Manana (Contemplating). Earlier the students were Ekasantagrahi (one who can grasp by listening once). So Sravana (Listening) was just 20% while the second part Manana (Contemplating) was remaining 80%. Moreover the lessons at those times were in Sutras (Thread)  The connection between thread and lessons derived from the fact that these were aphorisms verbally taught for easy memorization.  

The knowledge obtained by Manana is what is called “Mauna Vakyanam” by the Guru.     

Bookish knowledge or knowledge that is forced upon will not help us to think analytically. Analytical knowledge alone gives us the leverage to think out of the box. This analytical knowledge is obtained by contemplating on the knowledge got by books or lecture, but the academic knowledge is got by mugging up that which is in the books. While the analytical knowledge stays till our last breath, the validity of academic knowledge is sufficient till one takes the examination to obtain grades and certificates. 

When a guru or a teacher talks about any subject it remains as a concept till the disciple or the student contemplates and comprehends it, so that the reality of that is known to him. These are the silent sentences which help him to get the knowledge first hand. It is not only in the case of learning but in every aspect of life one need to think and get the answers instead of borrowing them from others.

Suppose I am told about the route from Bangalore to Mysore via, Ramanagaram, Channapattana, Maddur, Mandya, Srirangapattana. I will know that it is not the only route but I can take the Kanakapura, Sathanuru, Malavalli route too to reach Mysore, and that will be only if I travel. Guru is like a road map he can only guide but to reach the destination involves my efforts.

Sri Krishna tells Arjuna to act as he wish at the end of the Bhagvad-Gita sermon (Chapter 18, verse 63. He never said “now I have told you everything come on draw out the sword and get going” Sri Krishna throughout His sermon guided Arjuna and at the end He wanted Arjuna to act as he wished. To wish Arjuna had to think.... this is the power of contemplation.

There are more answers got in silence.     

969. Ananda Tandava.... the Dance of Bliss.

Prajapati Daksha decided to perform a Yajna and invited all except his son-in-law Shiva. He thought to himself, “I’ll show the world that Shiva is insignificant.” 

Sati, wife of Shiva wished to attend the Yagna performed by her father. She asked Shiva to take her. Shiva said, “We were not invited. The intention behind not inviting us is to insult you and me. We will be insulted if we go there.” Sati insisted that at least she can go. “I respect the relationship of daughter and father, I won’t come in the between you and your father, but spare me.” Shiva said. 

Sati went to the Yajna alone and as expected Daksha abused Shiva in front of everyone. Sati could not tolerate the insult and she jumped into the yajna kunda (Sacrificial Fire pit) and ended her life. Shiva could not bear the loss of his beloved wife. He instructed Kala Bhairava to vanquish the Ego of Daksha and he sat in deep meditation for eons.

Tarakasura who was torturing everyone on the earth plane did penance and cleverly got a boon from Brahma. As per the boon the son of Shiva alone can kill him. Now Shiva had no wife and he was in the seat of silence. How could a son would be born to Shiva who had renounced everything and remained aloof. Sati though had reborn as Parvathi, the daughter of Himvanta. Hence all the devas requested Parvathi to wed Shiva, but who will wake up Shiva from deep meditation was the question? That task was thrusted upon to Kamadeva, the god of Love. He not only had to nudge him out of meditative trance but also induce passion.

Kamadeva shot his flower arrow using the sugarcane bow at Shiva to wake him up; instead Shiva opens his third eye and burns down Kamadeva. In fit of anger Shiva started Rudra Tandava, the dance depicting his aggressive nature. Parvathi who was present there looked at the furious Shiva and started Lasya, a dance form expressing happiness and joy. .   

              

Slowly the Rudra Tandava that was depicting the vigorous mood transformed into Ananda Tandava, the dance of Bliss. Together Shiva and Shakti dance in rhythm with grace and beauty. TAndava and LAsya together became TALA (Rhythm). Ananda Tandava, the romantic Dance of Shiva and Shakti is not for happiness, it’s out of happiness.  

There is a subtle message which I observed and would like to share. When Shiva was furious after burning Kamadeva he started the Rudra Tandava, which could have continued endless for years. Parvathi responded to the male energy of cosmic dance with her beauty, happiness and graceful dance. She wanted happiness and started Lasya form of dance. As a result both ended up in Ananda Tandava, the dance of Bliss.        

In our daily life we find our counterpart in a vigorous mood like my Eternal Guru Shiva doing Rudra Tandava and the conversation then gets heated up. If we divert the topic as my Guru Patni Parvathi did with Lasya, then the course of the conversation or the argument turns in a different direction and there is happiness and peace. Changing the topic of conversation when in argument is the sign of believing in the bond... What say???   

968. Rama & Dharma.....!

“Ramo Vigrahavan Dharma” (Rama is Righteousness personified) says Maricha while briefing about Shri Rama's character to King Ravana. In His entire life Shri Rama followed Dharma.

My words are too very small to portray the character of a person whom many like me have regarded as “Maryada Purushottama” (Dignified Ideal Man). Nevertheless I have made an attempt here to look into the Dharma aspects considered by Shri Rama at every stage of His life.    

Rama is hesitant to kill the Tataka since she is a woman. Guru Vishwamitra justifies the necessity of killing, in the larger interest. This is the start for Rama to look at things from Dharma perspective.

Rama is not at all bothered to renounce the coronation and go to the forest. The Dharma to keep up the promise of His father prevails. This is Pitridharma (duties towards father).

When Sitadevi’s wish to accompany Him to forest, He respects the Stri-Dhrama of sharing the pain and pleasure of her husband.

When Bharata request Rama to come back and ascend the throne, Rama advises Bharata “this Universe firmly rests in Satya (Truth), and Dharma is the manifestation of that Truth, and it is by Dharma, the universe is sustained. All events in one’s life are well determined, and one has no freedom on his part to change that course.” Rama also advises Bharata not to have any ill-feelings towards his mother Kaikeyi. This is Vyakti Dharma, the righteousness of an individual.  

Surpanaka tried to grasp Sitadevi to eliminate her so that Rama would marry her. Rama orders Lakshmana to disfigure Surpanaka and chase her away. Pati Dharma is to protect the spouse.  

Rama feels very sad on Jadayu's death and says “fate cannot be conquered”. He cremates the huge bird, this is Manava Dharma, the duty of a human.   

Rama justifies the killing of Vali from behind the bush. He clarifies that Vali was not a human as he had abducted Sugreeva’s wife just like how animals do.  As one belonging to Ikshavaku dynasty His duty was to the moral law. This is Dushtha Shikshana Dharma (punishing the wicked).

When Vibheeshana joined Rama Camp, he was offered protection Rama offered him with an assurance says “He who seeks refuge in me just once, telling me that ‘I am yours’, I shall give him assurance of safety against all types of beings. This is my solemn pledge” This is considered Shishta Rakshana Dharma (protecting the cultured).

At war Rama sends back Ravana when he loses his bow as well as his chariot, and completely exhausted. Ravana was thus given an opportunity to repent for the bad deeds. This is Kshama Dharma (grace of mercy).  

On the death of Ravana, Vibeeshana is crowned the king of Lanka though Raja Dharma gave the proprietary of Lanka to Rama. Rama stood by His word that wanted his wife back. This is Satya Vakya Paripalana Dharma (vow to keep up promise).

Looking at the beauty of Sri Lanka which looked like Gold, Lakshman wanted to know if Rama would stay back. Rama is supposed to have said “Janani Janma bhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi” (mother and motherland are greater than heaven). This is Desha Prema Dharma (patriotic love)

Finally the much debated of Rama sending Sitamatha to forest. Many feel that just because of some loose talk by an ordinary washer man Rama should not have sent Sitamatha to forest. Rama was following the Rajya Dharma which says no to nepotism. Agreed that Sitamatha was innocent but would the words of Rama satisfy that washer man. Also Rama knew that the ideal place for the birth of His sons was the hermit of Valmiki.Hence he directs Lakshmana to leave her in the vicinity of the ashrama.