Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiva:"Tandav of The Natraj"

Shiva's Cosmic Dance

On June 18, 2004 at the Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire or European Center for Research in Particle Physics in Geneva — a 2m tall statue of the Indian deity Nataraja, the Lord of Dance was placed symbolizing Shiva's cosmic dance of creation and destruction.

On September 10th 2008, Large Hadron Collider (LHC) simulated the "Big Bang" which is thought to be "The Mother of Creation of Universe" by colliding particles on to the matter at the speed of light trying to create the elemantory particle known as "Boson" named after great Indian physcisist, Dr S N Bose. In choosing the image of Nataraja, the profound significance of the Cosmic dance of Shiva's or the cosmic dance of subatomic particles by physicists was acknowledged. The parallel between Shiva's dance and the dance of subatomic particles was first discussed by a scientist Fritjof Capra in an article titled "The Dance of Shiva: The Hindu View of Matter in the Light of Modern Physics," published in Main Currents in Modern Thought in 1972. Shiva's cosmic dance then became a central metaphor in Capra's international bestseller, first published in 1975 and still in print in over 40 editions around the world.

Dr. Capra explained that "Modern physics has shown that the rhythm of creation and destruction is not only manifest in the turn of the seasons and in the birth and death of all living creatures, but is also the very essence of inorganic matter," and that Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter."

A special plaque next to the Shiva statue at CERN in Geneva explains the significance of the Shiva's cosmic dance. Here is the text of the plaque:

“Seeing beyond the unsurpassed rhythm, beauty, power and grace of the Nataraja, It is the clearest image of the activity of God which any art or religion can boast of."

Dance is an act of creation. It brings about a new situation and summons into the dancer a new and higher personality. It has a cosmogonic effect which rouses dormant energies in the dancer. Whilst dancing, the dancer becomes amplified into a "endowed-being" with supra-normal powers. His personality is transformed. Like yoga, the dance induces trance, ecstasy, the experience of the divine, the realization of one’s own secret nature, and finally, mergence into the divine essence.

Nataraj (The Lord or King of Dance) is a depiction of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance as a part of his activities of creation and destruction. He is both the destroyer and the creator of the universe.

"Lord Shiva dances away the destruction of a world of illusion followed by the creation of a world of enlightenment".

There are two forms of Lord Shiva's dance are the "Lasya" (the gentle form of dance) that is associated with the creation of the world and the "Tandava" (the violent form of dance) that is associated with the destruction of the world. In essence, the Lasya and the Tandava are just two aspects of Shiva's nature; for he destroys in order to create, tearing down to build again.

1. The upper right hand holds an hourglass shaped drum (that is called a damaru). A specific hand gesture (mudra) called damaru-hasta is used to hold the drum. It symbolizes sound of origin or creation.

2. The upper left hand contains Agni or fire, which signifies destruction. The opposing concepts in the upper hands show the counterpoise of creation and destruction.

3. The second right hand shows the Abhaya mudra (meaning fearlessness), bestowing protection from both evil and ignorance to those who follow the righteousness of dharma.

4. The second left hand points towards the raised foot which signifies upliftment and liberation.
The dwarf on which Nataraja is dancing is the demon Apasmara, which symbolises Shiv's victory over ignorance.

5. Lord of Dance (Nataraja or Shiv) performs the Tandav, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and resolved. HIS long, matted tresses, usually piled up in a knot, loosen during the dance and crash into the heavenly bodies, knocking them off course or destroying them utterly.

6. The surrounding flames represent the manifest Universe.

7. The snake swirling around his waist is Kundalini, the Shakti or divine force thought to reside within everything.

8. The stoic face of Shiv represents his neutrality, thus being in balance. This is also known as the Wisdom of Balance.

9. Nataraja dances with his right foot is over a crouching figure of a dwarf demon and his left foot elegantly raised. This dwarf demon is "Apasmara". Shiv dancing on the postrate body of a Demon (purusha) is symbolical of control over life’s blindness or man’s ignorance. A mirrored posture, where his right foot is raised, represents Moksha (salvation).

H H Dalai Lama on Inner Peace

Quotes by Chinese philosopher-Confucious

· When a man's knowledge is sufficient to attain, and his virtue is not sufficient to enable him to hold, whatever he may have gained, he will lose again.

· Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

· Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

· Study the past if you would define the future.

· It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

· Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

· Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

· What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

· Respect yourself and others will respect you.

· To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

· When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn in-wards and examine ourselves.

· [The superior man] acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.

· Have no friends, not equal to yourself.

· Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

· Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

His Holy Dalai Lama Speaks

Happiness

1. Happiness can be achieved through training the mind.
2. The fact that there is always a positive side to life is the one thing that gives me a lot of happiness.

Beliefs and Values

3. The need of the day is a warm heart and some sense of humanity.
4. My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
5. Unlike science, the religious tradition teaches the concept of forgiveness, tolerance and compassion. Scientists cannot help you change your emotion, only religion can.

Knowledge, Learning

6. I learn as much from a turtle as from a religious text.
7. You might consider things like old age and death as negative, unwanted, and simply try to forget about them. But eventually those things will come anyway.

Relationships

8. The need for simple human-to-human relationships is becoming increasingly urgent ... Today the world is smaller and more interdependent. One nation's problems can no longer be solved by itself completely. Thus, without a sense of universal responsibility, our very survival becomes threatened. Basically, universal responsibility is feeling for other people's suffering just as we feel our own. It is the realization that even our enemy is entirely motivated by the quest for happiness. We must recognize that all beings want the same thing that we want. This is the way to achieve a true understanding, unfettered by artificial consideration.

Most Beautiful Melody

THE TRUE RELIGION

An old man was visiting a city for the first time in his life. He had grown up in a remote mountain village, worked hard raising his children, and was then enjoying his first visit to his children”s modern homes. While being shown around the city, the old man heard a sound that stung his ears. He had never heard such an awful noise in his quiet mountain village. Following the grating sound back to its source, he came to a room in the back of a house where a small boy was practising on a violin.“Screech! Screech!” came the discordant notes form the groaning violin. When he was told that it was called a “violin”, he decided he never wanted to hear such a horrible thing again.

The next day, in a different part of the city, the old man heard a beautiful sound, which seemed to caress his aged ears. He had never heard such an enchanting melody in his mountain valley. Following the delightful sound back to its source, he came to a room in the front of a house where an old lady, a maestro, was performing a sonata on a violin.

At once, the old man realised his mistake. The terrible sound that he had heard the previous day was not the fault of the violin, nor even the boy. It was just that the young man had yet to learn his instrument well. With a wisdom reserved for the simple folk, the old man thought it was the same with religion. When we come across a religious enthusiast causing such strife with his beliefs, it is incorrect to blame the religion.

It is just that the novice has yet to learn his religion well. When we come across a saint, a maestro of her religion, it is such a sweet encounter that it inspires us for many years, whatever their beliefs.

But that was not the end of the story…..

The third day, in a different part of the city, the old man heardanother sound that surpassed in its beauty and purity even that of the maestro on her violin. What do you think that sound was?

It was a sound more beautiful than the cascade of the mountain stream in spring, than the autumn wind through the forest groves, or than the mountain birds singing after a heavy rain. It was even more beautiful than the silence in the mountain hollows on a still winter”s night. What was that sound that moved the old man”s heart more powerfully than anything before?
It was a large orchestra playing a symphony.

The reason it was, for the old man, the most beautiful sound in the world is that firstly, every member of that orchestra was a maestro of their own instrument; and secondly, they had further learned how to play together in harmony.

“May it be the same with religion,” the old man thought. “Let each one of us learn through the lessons of life the soft heart of our beliefs. Let us each be a maestro of the love within our religion. Then, having learned our religion well, let us go further and learn how to play, like members of an orchestra, with other religions in harmony together!”

That would be the most beautiful melody!

"U" & "I"

M_SL_M

H_ND_

Both words are not complete without “U” and “I”.

WHY THEN COMMUNAL HATRED?

LIVE AND LET LIVE

Self Realisation = Brahman

Brahman (bráhman-, nominative bráhma ब्रह्म) is a concept derived from the verb "Brah" (to grow), and connotes "Great Origin". Upanishad says: That supreme Brahman is infinite, and Brahman is a condition or state of mind which is infinite. “The infinite proceeds through knowledge, realizing the infitude of the infinite”.

By definition, Brahman is the Unchanging, Infinite, Permmanent, and Transcendent reality which is the “Divine Ground” of all Matter, Energy, Time, Space, Being, and everything beyond in this Universe. [1]

Rig Veda explains; Brahman is the the source of the “Hiranyagarbha” (Golden Womb or “The Creator” God-Brahmā). Composers of the Upanishads' wrote-that the liberated soul conforms his identity with the Brahman, as his true self.

“Brahman” is different from "Brahmin" (what we call as the priests or holy men), in fact word "Brahmin" came into being from "Brahman" due to the confusion in pronunciation between the terms by modern English translators and can be dated back to the translation of the Upanishads into modern English in late 17th century.

Sages, who wrote Upanishads' fully realized “Brahman, as the reality”, behind their own being and of everything else in this universe. They were thus Brahmins in the true sense of the word. They were not Brahmin by birth but because of their self realisation and by virtue of being liberated souls. However, later on Brahmin came to be identified with the highest of the four castes, the Brahmins, who by virtue of their purity and priesthood held themselves high and as proprietors of rituals, without any effort for actual self realization, and even void of Vedantic knowledge. Maharishi Valmiki, Parashuram, or Gautam Siddhartha weren't Brahaman but after self realisation, became one. "Kautliya, the guru" of emperor Chandragupt Maurya was also not Brahman by birth but because of his virtues.

Imagine a person who is blind from birth and has not seen anything. Is it possible for us to explain to him what light is like? Is any amount of thinking or reasoning on his part ever going to make him understand the sensation of light? In a similar fashionl the idea of Brahman cannot be explained or understood through material reasoning or any form of human communication. Brahman is like light; those who can sense it cannot explain or argue with those who have never sensed it.

“Brahman” is Absolute Reality or the universal substrate and must not be confused with "The Creator God Brahmā". Brahman is Eternal, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and ultimately indescribable in human language. “Brahman” is the source and essence of the material universe. The initial “unmanifest state” of singularity of the universe. It is also described as beyond-Being and Non-Being.Brahman is also not restricted to the usual dimensional perspectives of Enlightenment, Moksha, Yoga, Samadhi, Nirvana, etc. Mahayana, the concept of Buddha Nature is also closely related to the “Self realisation of Brahman”. The closest interpretation of the term can be found in the Taittariya Upanishad (II.1) where Brahman is described as "satyam jnanam anantam brahman" ("Brahman is the nature of truth, knowledge and infinity"). Thus, Brahman is the origin and end of all things, material or otherwise. Brahman is the root source and Divine Ground of everything that exists, and does not exist. It is defined as unknowable and Satchitananda ("Truth-Consciousness-Bliss"). Since it is eternal and infinite, it comprises the only truth.

In Veda’s and Upanishad’s; it is said, "Ekam Satya (Truth is one) and all that is true is Brahman". This also explains, the Hindu view that "All paths lead to the one Truth, though many sages and religions call upon it by different names."Thus the goal of a true Hindu is by all means is to realise that the soul is nothing but Brahman.

Several great sayings, indicate the "universality of the principle of Brahman";

"Brahman is knowledge" ayam ātmā brahma [2]

"The Self (or the Soul) is Brahman "aham brahmāsmi [3]

"I am Brahman" tat tvam asi [4]

"Thou are that" sarvam khalv idam brahma [5]

"All this that we see in the world is Brahman", sachchidānanda brahma [6], [7]

Summary:
"Brahman is existence, consciousness, and bliss" not to be confused with: Brāhmaņa (masculine, pronounced as /brα:h mə Ņə/) in the mantras—an integral part of the Vedic literature. Brāhmaņ (same pronunciation as above), means priest; the word is usually rendered in English as "Brahmin". This usage is also found in the Atharva Veda.

1. Supreme Lord (Ishwara), in Advaita, is actually a partial worldly manifestation with limited attributes of the ultimate reality which is "the attributeless Brahman".

2. Devas, the celestial beings of Hinduism, which may be regarded as deities, demi-gods, spirits or angels.

3. Upanishads identify "the Atman", (the inner essence of the human being), with Brahman, the Great Spirit.

4. Advaita and Dvaita philosophies understand Brahman as one with infinite auspicious qualities wherein the ultimate reality is expressed as Nirguna Brahman (formless, attributeless).

5. All forms of Gods including Vishnu and Shiva are different aspects of God in personal form (Saguna Brahman i.e. God with attributes).

6. God's energy is known as Devi, the Divine Mother.

References:
1. Brodd, Jefferey (2003). World Religions. Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press.
2. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5,
3. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10,
4. Chhāndogya Upanishad 6.8.7 et seq.
5. Chhāndogya Upanishad 3.14.1
6. Nrisimhauttaratāpini, cited in Swami Nikhilananda, The Upanishads: A new Translation Vol. I. 7. In the Bhagavad Gītā, Krishna also describes the nature of Brahman. For example, he says "And I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman, which is immortal, imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness" (brahmano hi pratishthaham...) B-Gita (As-it-Is) 14.27 Translation by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Humble acknowledgement: (Several resources over the internet were used in the prepration of this entry)

Laws of Universe Vs Human Minds

The existense of universe is governed by the law of Physics that "opposites attract each other and likes dispel". This rule of physics has never been broken and can not be broken.

However, when it come to the question of "minds". Only the "likes attract each other and opposites dispel".

Interesting!!!

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus: The last of Five Good Emperors

Hope the rulers of today learn some of the things from these rulers of the past.

From my grandfather Verus: I learned to relish the beauty of manners, and to restrain all anger. From the fame and character my father obtained, modesty, and a manly deportment.

From my mother: I learned to be religious, and liberal; and to guard, not only against evil actions, but even against any evil intention’s entering my thoughts; to content myself with a spare diet, far different from the softness and luxury so common among the wealthy. *

From my great-grandfather: I learned not to frequent public schools and auditories; but to have good and able teachers; and for things of this nature, to account no expense too great.

From BOOK I – The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, [Published in 1742 Written between 96-180 AD]

About the Author: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was he last of the 5 good emperors of Roman Empire. The Five Good Emperors is a term that refers to five consecutive emperors of the Roman Empire who represented a line of virtuous and just rule — Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. Their reigns lasted between 96 to 180 AD. The term was coined by the political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli in 1503:

“From the study this history we may also learn how a good government is to be established; for while all the emperors who succeeded to the throne by birth, except Titus, were bad, all were good who succeeded by adoption; as in the case of the five from Nerva to Marcus. But so soon as the empire fell once more to the heirs by birth, its ruin recommenced”.

Machiavelli wrote that these adopted emperors, through "good" rule, earned the respect of those around them: Titus, Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, and Marcus had no need of cohorts, or of countless legions to guard them, but were defended by their own good lives, the good-will of their subjects, and the attachment of the senate.

Learn from Alphabets: Leaders must wait for their turn

Did you ever realize that the letters, A B C D do not appear in the spellings of the numerical 1 to 99 !!

D appears first in Hundred.
A appears first in Thousand.
B appears first in Billion.
C appears first in Crore

Reason - Everyone must wait for his turn and his share of success !! Especially the leaders, even leaders in Alphabets.

“When virtue accedes. Ego recedes”.
Wish you all have an EGO-less day

Politician's Security vs. Common man’s Insecurity

Z+ Category to 30 politicians

Z Category to 68 politicians

X Category to 83 politicians

Y Category to 243 politicians

None to 1.2 billion, commonly known as Common man

Have a Safe Day!

Message of Spiritual Liberty

A wise man by studying nature enters into the unity through its variety, and realizes the personality of Almighty by sacrificing his own.

'He who knows himself knows; “Ishwar-The Almighty” “Allah” or “God”

· 'Self-knowledge is the real wisdom' (Vedanta).
· Knowing onself brings you close to Allah' (Sayings of Mohammed).
· 'The Kingdom of God is within you' (Bible).

“He” is the possessor of all the visible and invisible attributes of “the Absolute”, and has different names in different languages for the understanding of man.

Personality of a man is quite comprehensible, since his actions exhibit him as an individual, whereas God's personality has no clear identification and thus full of variety. Another fact is, that variety covers unity. 'Hidden things are manifested by their opposites, but as God has no opposite He remains hidden.

God can be understood from three points of view: personality, morality, and reality.
According to the first view, God is the most high; man is dependent upon Him and is His most obedient servant. (Quran)
According to the second view, God is the all-merciful and all-good, while all evil is from Satan. (The Bible)
The third is the philosophic view that God is the beginning and end of all, having Himself no beginning nor end.(The Bhagvat Gita)

-Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, Excerpts, London 1914

On World's "AIDS DAY"

What is Life? Arthur Ashe explains it,,,

When Arthur Ashe, the legendary American Tennis Player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. He received letters from his fans from world over, one of which conveyed:

“Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease”?

To this Arthur Ashe replied:

“The world over — 50 million children start playing tennis,
5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis,
50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals,
When I was holding a cup I never asked, GOD ‘Why me?’.
Then today in pain why should I ask, GOD ‘Why me?’ “

“Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrow keeps you Human,
Failure keeps you humble and Success keeps you glowing,
But only, Faith & Attitude keeps you going… and this is Life.

Salute to Brave Son’s of Mother India

I have the highest regard and respect for those brave sons’ who gave up their lives in the last few days, so that we could be secure. My eyes fill with tears for those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. My eyes fill with the redness of the blood of the innocent countrymen too!

Before hitting my pillow at 03.30 AM I thought let me see what’s the latest on the TV news channels? Practically every TV channel was showing cremation of our martyrs’ and I only saw a few photo placards displayed!. A thought crossed my mind “but I heard there were many more than just a few that I see here that died! And who are those and their names? I then, tried searching on the various search engines of the list of those names than just the ones I see on the TV now.

My internet search engine however, sprung up with a strange comment of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh. "Eleven of our policemen laid down their lives, including five good officers,"

1. Hemant Karkare (IPS) Chief of Anti-Terrorism Squad, Maharashtra.
2. Ashok Kamte (IPS), additional commissioner of police, East Region, Mumbai.
3. Vijay Salaskar, police inspector, anti-extortion cell, Mumbai.
4. Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a National Security Guard (NSG) commando
5. H.C. Gajendra Singh, another National Security Guard (NSG) commando
   

The only website which has published the names of the brave men was CNN quoting IBN which listed the other slain police officers as: Who probably were not so good officers in the eyes of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra state.

1. Shashank Shinde, police inspector, CST Railway Police Station, Mumbai.
2. Praksh P. More, police sub inspector, LT Marg Police Station
3. Bapusaheb Durugade, police sub inspector, L.A.1, Naigaon
4. Tukaram G. Omble, assistant police sub inspector, D.B. Marg Police Station
5. Balasaheb Bhosale, assistant police sub inspector
6. Arun Chitte, police constable
7. Jaywant Patil, police constable
8. Yogesh Patil, police constable
9. Ambadas Pawar, police constable
10. M.C. Chowdhary, police head constable, R.P.F.
11. Mukesh B. Jadhav, Home Guard constable

A military funeral was held today in Bangalore for Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a National Security Guard (NSG) commando who braved his life at the Taj hotel. The body of another NSG officer, H.C. Gajendra Singh, was taken to his native Dehradun who laid his life at Mumbai's Chabad House, a Jewish community center.

I do not wish to say any more than I have. Readers of the blog are free to draw their own interpretation and the difference between “good officers” and” the other’s” in the eyes of the politicians of our “great nation”

Homage to Father of Beatles - George Harrison

Today in 2001, George Harrison died
The spiritual leader of the Beatles

"Beatles" the group as we know it was launched the same year as my birth. And my like for "Beatles" probably emanates from this coincidence. I also do not know but for strange reason, I hid my liking for Beatles and George Harrison in particular!. When I explored this strange personal secret of mine deep within me, the answer that I got "was my personal weakness to stand up to Beatles association with drugs. Today I do not feel that way and I can announce my liking of Beatles irrespective of their personal vices or likings. I know that I love their talent as music givers and that's the end of my association with them and this reason has nothing wrong to be hidden.

George Harrison, lead guitarist for the Beatles, died on November 29, 2001, at age 58. His death followed a long struggle with cancer. "He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death, and at peace, surrounded by family and friends," Harrison's family said in a statement. "He often said, 'Everything else can wait but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another."

Harrison, taught fellow Beatle John Lennon how to play the guitar, served as the legendary group's spiritual leader, introducing his band mates to the philosophy of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and transcendental meditation. In the mid-60s, Harrison learned the sitar from Indian master Ravi Shankar, which Harrison then played on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, popularizing the Sitar's use in rock music.

Harrison was born on February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, England. He was eldest amongst four children. He first picked up the guitar at age 13 and was introduced to John Lennon by Liverpool Institute chum Paul McCartney in the late 1950s. He sporadically played with Lennon's Quarrymen. Harrison, McCartney, and Lennon formed The Silver Beatles in 1959, promptly eliminated Silver from the name, and made it a foursome in 1962, with the addition of Ringo Starr.

The song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" sparked "Beatlemania" in the United States and the band was propelled to international stardom was also launched on this day in 1964. He was married to Patti Boyd from 1966 to 1977. After they divorced Boyd married Harrison's good friend Eric Clapton. Harrison married Olivia Arias in 1978, shortly after the birth of their son, Dhani.

Songs Written by George Harrison

1. Blue Jay Way, 2. Don't Bother Me, 3. For You Blue, 3. Here Comes,

4. The SunI Me Mine 5. I Need You, 6. I Want To Tell You,

7. If I Needed Someone, 8. It's All Too Much, 9. Long, Long, Long,

10. Love You To, 11.Old Brown Shoe, 12. Only A Northern Song, 13. Piggies,

14. Savoy Truffle, 15. Something, 16. Taxman, 17. The Inner Light,

18. Think For Yourself, 19. While My Guitar Gently Weeps,

20. Within You Without You, 21.You Like Me Too Much

Sitar Mastero Ravi Shanker Gives George Harrison Sitar
Lesson

Beatles broke up in 1970, Harrison then opened a movie production company and embarked on a solo career. In November 1970 he released the ambitious and well-received All Things Must Pass, produced by Phil Specter. "My Sweet Lord" went to No. 1 on the pop charts. The 1971 he produced two benefit concerts to aid the victims of the war between Pakistan and India. The album recorded at the concert won the Album of the Year Grammy. On December 30, 1999, an intruder broke into Harrison's Oxfordshire estate and stabbed him repeatedly. His attacker, Michael Abram, was declared insane and acquitted. Harrison's death leaves only two remaining members of the Fab Four, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

केवल दो गीत लिखे मैंने Only two songs I wrote

Part of my operation list was postponed this afternoon due to the sudden illness of a patient and thus no wonder sat on the television watching the live coverage of Mumabai tragedy, flipping channels on Tata-Sky. After some times the pain of the innocents overwhelmed and frustration started cropping in. Before slipping into the mood of despondancy I began started surfing on the net and came across this song written by Rajendra Rajan from Sharanpur, which I liked. I have done my inept translation, I hope you may like. Nirmal


इक गीत तुम्हारे मिलने का One song, when I met you
इक गीत तुम्हारे खोने का One song, when I lost you

सड़कों-सड़कों, शहरों-शहरों Roads-Roads, Cities-Cities
नदियों-नदियों, लहरों-लहरों Rivers-Rivers, Waves-Waves
विश्वास किये जो टूट गये Several trusts were broken
कितने ही साथी छूट गये Several friends left
पर्वत रोये-सागर रोये Mountains cried–seas wept
नयनों ने भी मोती खोये Eyes too lost thier sheen

सौगन्ध गुंथी-सी अलकों में In eyes full of promises
गंगा-जमुना सी पलकों में and lashes like Ganges-Yamuna
केवल दो स्वप्न बुने मैंने I weaved only two dreams
इक स्वप्न तुम्हारे जगने का One dream of yours waking-up
इक स्वप्न तुम्हारे सोने का One dream of your going to sleep

बचपन-बचपन, यौवन-यौवन Childhood-Childhood, Youth-Youth
बन्धन-बन्धन, क्रन्दन-क्रन्दन Ties-Ties, Torments-Torments
नीला अम्बर,श्यामल मेघा Blue skies, Dark clouds
किसने धरती का मन देखा Has anyone seen the soul of the land
सबकी अपनी मजबूरी है All have their own incapabilities
चाहत के भाग्य लिखी दूरी Distances are created by the fate of love

मरुथल-मरुथल,जीवन-जीवन Desserts-Desserts, Life-Life
पतझर-पतझर, सावन-सावन Autumn-Autumn, Rains-Rains
केवल दो रंग चुने मैंने I chose only two colors
इक रंग तुम्हारे हंसने का One is of your smile
एक रंग तुम्हारे रोने का and one of yours' sadness

केवल दो गीत लिखे मैंने Only two songs I wrote
इक गीत तुम्हारे मिलने का One song, when I met you
इक गीत तुम्हारे खोने का One song, when I lost you

राजेन्द्र राजन-सहारनपुर Rajendra Rajan-Saharanpur

Terror in India is not faceless

What is currently struck with a terrorist attack. Surprisingly this is not an anonymous terror that has hit many cities in recent years when faceless terrorists planted bombs and disappeared. This time, the terror merchants have came out in the open, throwing grenades, and firing indiscriminately from what seemed like AK-47s, killing and seriously wounding many and taking several people hostage. If the serial blasts of the past were surreptitious attacks on humanity that left investigators clueless in most cases, what happening now is an audacious attempt at creating panic, the like of which India had never seen.

“The way they have gone about conducting this particular operation is a clear sign that they wanted to spread as much panic in Mumbai as possible,” a senior police officer said. “The amount of terror and panic these attacks have generated could never have been achieved by serial blasts.” Parts of Mumbai resemble war zone with gunmen moving from one street to another, exchanging fire with the police and leaving blood-soaked bodies in their wake.

May Almighty bring peace in the minds and hearts of these misguided terrorists so that they may leave the world to live in peace.

A central intelligence officer said this attack is of such high magnitude that it had the potential for denting the image of Mumbai as a peaceful destination for foreigners for a long time. “One can imagine what kind of terror can spread among citizens when they see that a dozen terrorists walk inside vital and important installations in the city and shoot people dead,” the officer said.
It is very clear from this attack that the terrorists have now decided to expose themselves, form suicide squads, and attack so that maximum damage and terror is created.

Happy Friendship Day

Someone sent me a nice and an emotional email this morning. I am publishing to share excerpts from it, on the occassion of friendship day.

I've learned that , no matter what happens , how bad it seems today , life does go on , and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled wired lights.

I've learned that , regardless of your relationship with your parents , you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness , it will elude you But , if you focus on your family , your friends , the needs of others , your work and doing the very best you can , happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart , I usually makethe right decision.I've learned that even when I have pains , I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day , you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands , a warm hug , or just a friendly paton the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

FRIENDSHIP CANDLE IS NOTICED AT THE END....

AND THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED SURPRISES YOU.

I am not going to be the one who lets it die. I found it believable -- angels have walked beside me all my life--and they still do. This is to all of you who mean something to me , I pray for your happiness.

The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship is being sent to you by me, who loves you and has kept it alive by sending it to you. Don't let The Candle of Love , Hope and Friendship die. Pass it On To All Of Your Friends and Everyone You Love!

May God richly bless you!

Inventor, Transplant Surgeon Dr Adrian Kantrowitz dies Nov 19, 2008

CVTS ICU, SGPGI Lucknow: Whilst we were putting IABP around midnight last night in a young man of 45, who had a massive heart attack a few days ago, now awaiting his emergency coronary bypass surgery few hours later, I had no idea that he inventor, who developed and provided us with this wonderful life saving device has passed away almost the same time.

Dr Adrian Kantrowitz, the surgeon who performed the first human heart transplant in the US, the second worldwide, died late last week at age 90 from complications from heart failure.

In a surgical career of more than 6 decades, Kantrowitz is credited with designing and using more than 20 medical devices that aided circulation and vital functions, including the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), the left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and an early version of the implantable defibrillator.

Kantrowitz will forever be remembered as the first surgeon in the US to perform a heart transplant. On December 6, 1967, he implanted a heart into a baby with a fatal heart defect, doing so just three days after South African surgeon Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first cardiac transplant.

New York Times notes that Kantrowitz had practiced hundreds of heart transplants in animals over the previous four years and had been on track to be the first to surgically implant a human heart. The previous year he had been prevented at the last minute because the donor infant had not been declared brain dead.

In addition to replacing hearts, he "concentrated on finding ways to supplement the work of the natural heart with an impressive array of circulatory devices of his own invention." Of these, the most noteworthy invention was the LVAD, which he implanted for the first time in 1972. The IABP, invented in 1967, has been used in roughly three million patients since the 1980s when it went into general use.

Born in New York City on October 4, 1918, Kantrowitz graduated from New York University with a degree in mathematics. He attended the Long Island College of Medicine, which is now part of SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and interned at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital. His medical education was fast-tracked, however, as part of an accelerated program to supply doctors for World War II. He joined the Army Medical Corps as a battalion surgeon, where he served for two years.

In 1948, Kantrowitz practiced surgery at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx and later moved to the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he held a surgical post. In 1970, Kantrowitz moved his entire team to Detroit, teaching at Wayne State University School of Medicine and practicing at Sinai Hospital.

Kantrowitz is survived by his wife, Jean, and his three children, Niki, Lisa, and Allen, all of whom are doctors.

Our hearfelt condolosence to the family and sincere gratitude to the inventor who has helped in saving millions of lives including the one who is father of 3 young kids, whom I have operated today.

May Dr Kantrowitz devine soul live in peace.

India’s Hunger Levels: Is it a Cause for concern?

Just a few weeks ago many of us saw advertisements published in most newspapers and television channels from the Ministry of Agriculture of India where union agriculture minister Mr. Sharad Pawar achievements of a RECORD HARVEST of all times in India was lauded. No Wheat Import This Year.

On September 12, 2008 the minister said; "there is no food shortage in the country this year as the stockpiles of commodities are currently at their highest levels". He said, the government has built an emergency reserve of 3.0 million tonnes of wheat from this year’s record harvest of 76.78 million tonnes. He said that all his efforts are to ameliorate the lot of the farmers, who can avoid distress sales by storing their produce in accredited warehouses! However, he forgot to mention the amount of food grains destroyed every year in the godowns of Food Corporation of India.! Ministers claims made me feel better that at least now there will not be any hunger death in this country and no farmer will commit suicide now. To add further to my happiness the government of India claimed that farm loan waiver has been a success.


My shortlived happiness was however consumed mercilessly by a report published by International Food Policy Research Institute Faces Urgent Hunger Situation on October 14th 2008.


Some of the key fact in that report are:


• India ranks 66 out of 88 countries on the 2008 Global Hunger Index (GHI).
• India is home to the world’s largest food insecure population, with more than 200 million people who are hungry.
• When compared to countries in the GHI, Indian states’ rankings would range from 34th (Punjab) to 82nd (Madhya Pradesh). This indicates substantial variability among states.
• All Indian states have at least a “serious” level of hunger; there is not a single state with low or even moderate levels.
• 12 states fall into the “alarming” category and one (Madhya Pradesh) is considered to have an “extremely alarming” level of hunger.
• India’s poor performance on the GHI is primarily due to its relatively high levels of child malnutrition and undernourishment resulting from calorie deficient diets.
• Indian hunger index scores are closely aligned with poverty, but there is little association with state-level economic growth; high levels of hunger are seen even in states that are performing well economically.
• Improving child nutrition is of utmost urgency in most Indian states because of its large contribution to the ISHI scores. All states also need to improve strategies to facilitate inclusive economic growth, ensure food sufficiency, and reduce child mortality.

Oblivious to these facts the learned minister claims of No shortage of Food Grain have been going on for several years and decades (ministers of different regimes). But the facts tell a different story.

The rate of growth of food grains production in India has decelerated to 1.2 % during 1990-2007, which is significantly lower than the 1.9 % annual rate of growth of population.

India is the world’s third largest food producer (after China and the US). India is also the world’s largest producer of milk; and second largest of rice, wheat, sugar and cotton as also fruits and vegetables. But there is catch in these statistics. What is more important is that how does this stats affect the 200 million hungry people in this country. The catch is per capita availability of food! Indeed, it may shock many that India’s per capita net availability of food grains today is lower than it was 15 years ago. Despite being a large producer of a range of food products, the per capita availability is one of the lowest. India produces approximately 200 million tonnes of food grains every year and still has 200 million hungry, with little or no food at all. A detailed report can be seen titled India faces Urgent Hunger Situation I am putting the summary of the first ever published hunger index report here.

Madhya Pradesh has the most severe level of hunger in the country, followed by Jharkhand and Bihar.

The India State Hunger Index measures hunger on three leading indicators and combines them into one index. The three indicators are prevalence of child malnutrition, rates of child mortality, and the proportion of people who are calorie deficient. This approach is similar to the 2008 Global Hunger Index, which includes India, and is also being released today for World Food Day (October 16) by IFPRI in conjunction with Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. The India Hunger Index found that not a single state in India falls in the 'low hunger' or 'moderate hunger' categories. Twelve states fall in the 'alarming' category, and one state—Madhya Pradesh—falls in the 'extremely alarming' category. Four states—Punjab, Kerala, Haryana and Assam—fall in the 'serious' category. "This new state-focused index is an important advocacy tool to build awareness of the disparities in hunger across India, which has more hungry people than any other country in the world." According to the 2008 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 66 out of 88 nations (developing countries and countries in transition). Despite years of robust economic growth, India scored worse than nearly 25 Sub-Saharan African countries and all of South Asia, except Bangladesh.

India's slightly better performance relative to Bangladesh is entirely due to better access to food in India relative to Bangladesh, which in turn is a consequence of India's higher agricultural productivity. On the other two components of the Global Hunger Index—child underweight and child mortality—India ranks below Bangladesh. When Indian states are compared to countries in the 2008 Global Hunger Index, Madhya Pradesh ranks between Ethiopia and Chad. Punjab, the best-performing state, ranks below Gabon, Honduras, and Vietnam. Its rates of child malnutrition are higher than most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"Hunger and malnutrition are often rooted in poverty," and part of the solution rests with increasing investments in agriculture and poverty reduction programs. Child underweight accounts for the greatest contribution to the India State Hunger Index for almost all states, followed by calorie deficiency and child mortality. In a few states, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, calorie deficiency contributes almost as much as child underweight.

Country-level Trends

• India, Yemen, and Timor-Leste, have the highest prevalence of underweight children (a measure of malnutrition) of more than 40 percent.

Malnutrition, poverty are inextricably linked. In my next publication "Why we are, What we are" I will discuss the issue of "corruption and poverty in India" on the basis of the report published by Transparency International"

Holy Month of Kartik: Its Modern Interpretation

My best wishes to all, on First day and the begining of the Holy month of Kartik. Nirmal Gupta

Kartik month is the 8th lunar month of the Hindu calendar. This month is considered the holiest of all the months in the Hindu calendar. Many of the Hindu religious festivals are celebrated in this month. It usually overlaps with the months October and November of the English calendar. In this year (2008) Kartik month begins on October 15th and ends on November 14th.

There are many stories and myths to the occasion in Indian mythology. The most common is giving thanks-giving to Varuna, (the Water God), or Indra (the God of rains) or giving thanks in general for health and wealth.

Any fasting (vrat) during this month, even the smallest, will yield huge results. It is said, that the effect of fasting during Kartik month lasts for 100 lifetimes, whereas ordinary fasting only last for one lifetime!

It is advised that one should take cold milk and rice flakes on the initiation day (Sharad Purnima) of kartik month. For this, there is an medicinal (Ayurvedic) reason. Winter season begins in the month of Kartik, consisting of two months, when summer is ending and winter slowly starts. During this period, days are still hot and nights are becoming cooler. This is a perfect season for many infections and gastric problems related to excessive bile formation. Taking Milk and Rice flakes during night time is a good remedy to pacify the excessive bile. Hence, it is eaten as custom during this special night (Sharad Purnima) when the full moon looks best of all other full moons. This custom is a reminder to people to eat Milk and  Rice flakes during the winter season.

During the month of Kartik, Indian scriptures advise to worship 3 plants in particular, c.f. Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Amla berry (Emblica officinalis) and Peepal (Ficus religiosa). I feel the worshiping was infact synbolic of trying to understand the good qualities of these plants and preserve them for good of the humanity.

Tulasi (Botanical name: Ocimum tenuiflorum) extract is considered to be an "adaptogen" (balancing different processes" in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to promote longevity. Kartik month also marks the beginning of a period when common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria are common. Tulsi is taken in many forms: as an herbal tea, dried powder, and as fresh leaf. Essential oil extracted Tulsi is also used in herbal cosmetics for its anti-bacterial activity. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulsi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects. Recent studies suggest that Tulsi may be a COX-2 inhibitor, like many modern painkillers, due to its significant amount of Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene). Studies have also shown Tulsi to be effective for diabetes, by reducing blood glucose levels and reduction in cholesterol levels. It exhibits antioxidant properties and provides protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts.

Amla berry (Emblica officinalis) has long been recognized a traditional food and medicine in India with many nutritional and medicinal benefits. It's grwos more in the foot hills of the Himalayan regions and but are also cultivated in many other regions of India. Amla berries have the highest amount of naturally occurring vitamin C of any ripe fruit in the world. It contains naturally occurring, heat stable vitamin C. Numerous studies conducted on Amla fruit suggest that it has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Amla can also be concentrated into an extract with a high amount of naturally occurring vitamin C and bioflavonoids such as ellagic acid, rutin, hesperidin, and quercitin. It has been useful in the amelioration of common cold, warts, skin afflictions, influenza, anemia, diabetes, lung conditions, elevated cholesterol and as an immune restorater in cancers. Experiments conducted at the Niwa Institute of Immunology in Japan have shown Amla to be a potent scavenger of free radicals, the stress-related reactive oxygen-based ions which clutter up an unhealthy body.

Peepal (Ficus religiosa) is also of great medicinal value. Its leaves serve as a wonderful laxative as well as tonic for the body. It is especially useful for patients suffering from Jaundice. It helps to control the excessive amount of urine released during jaundice. The leaves of Peepal are highly effective in treating heart disorders. It helps to control the palpitation of heart. For constipation, there can be no better remedy than the consumption of dry Peepal leaves powdder mixed with sugar or jaggery. The Indian basil mixed with peepal can treat dysentery. The leaf of a peepal plant is also considered valuable in the treatment of various kinds of skin disorders. Peepal leaves are of great use in getting rid of mumps. Benefits of peepal plant leaves extract with warmed ghee on low flame placed over the swollen inflamed part of the body provide great relief. Even for boils, cuts bruises, peepal bark extract this is quite effective.

How to Follow the Fasting (Kartik Vrata):

1. Rise early every day before the sun rise and offer water to Tulsi, Peepal and Amla. (This is perhaps one way of acclimatising the body slowly for the harsh winter season and making sure that these beneficial plants are preserved for good.

2. Chanting (jaap) the holy names of the Lord (For peace of mind)

3. Must maintain celibacy for entire month (To keep one strong willed to be able to observe many rituals)

4. Give up favorite food article for entire month like honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods like sweets and fried foods, (like samosas, pakoras), ortal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame seeds, or urad dahl (no kachoris), garlic and onion. (All these foods are bile enhancer)

5. Try to eat only once in a day. *if you can do and carry on ordinary works* (To keep digestion good because as the winter approaches disgestion becomes weaker)

6. Daily meditation (For peacefil mind)

7. Donate charity (For the good of society).

How to end the fast (Kartika Vrata):

After sunrise take bath (Kartik Snaan). It is customary for people to go to the holy rivers or oceans. It is the general belief that your sins or bad karmas are washed away or forgiven when you perform this ritual.

Symbolic meaning of Kartik month: The name 'kartik' is symbolic of the auspiciousness of the month and reflects the end of the dark ages, the conquest of good over evil, light over darkness and the return of peace, purity and prosperity. Kartik is synonymous with the word 'kalpa' which means change or transformation, but metaphorically kalpa represents a cycle in the world eternal drama. Its generic meaning is that of change or transformation but it has been completely lost and the use of the word 'kalpa' has been transformed to mean a period, era or cycle.

There is a story of how the Gods and Goddesses lost control of the world when they were overpowered by the demons. The ocean was churned and the nectar obtained was consumed by the helpless Gods, who regained their strength to defeat the demons. This story is only symbolic. To me this means to churn the 'ocean of knowledge' and imbibe the virtues and discard the vices often called 'poison'.

Orderly things become disorderly when not maintained or sustained and this is known as 'entropy'. The degradation of the environment is called 'physical entropy' and the impurification of the soul by the vices is called 'spiritual entropy'. This is the key to the understanding of the eternal world drama.The highest stage of purest civilisation exists when both humanity and the environment enjoyed the highest and perfect stage of purity, peace and prosperity. The lowest stage of purity is, when both humanity and the environment became degraded. The loss of purity of both the soul and the five elements reflected the equivalent accumulation of impurity, called "Maya". This is analogous to the two 'eternal and spiritual' laws of thermodynamics that state the world's energy resources is constant and any misuse becomes wastage that we called pollution or 'entropy'.

Festivals of Nav Ratri, Ram Leela, Dassehra and Diwali are celebrated during this period which reflect how the 'Shakti (the power' of the Goddesses) destroyed the 10 vices in ourselves. This period then ends in the celebration of Diwali. It is the memorial of light over darkness or good over evil.

The entire month of Kartik is similar to the, Christian 'Lent' or the Islamic month of fasting called Ramadan. Like “Lent and Ramadan” the deep spiritual significance of fasting in the month of Kartik is symbolic of the purification of humanity and the environment. Kartik represents the purification of all souls and the five elements. Therfore, taking bath in the river Holy Ganges or the ocean (called 'Kartik Snaan') is in reality to bathe in the 'Ocean of knowledge' or 'Ganges of knowledge' to cleanse the soul of all the impurities or 'entropy' accumulated over time. Diwali is symbolic of conquest of 'light over darkness' with the 'ocean of knowledge' is called the 'dance of knowledge', also called the 'dance of Shiva' or 'Naturaja'. The cooperation of the elements to cleanse themselves through floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and fires is the 'cosmic dance' also called the 'dance of Shiva'.

And finally, 30 days and several holy festivals during the month of Kartik may be aptly be compared to the holy rosary studded with impeccable beads of festivals radiating with effulgence of sublime legends. Through this, only one string of thought runs, namely, the eternal victory of truth and goodness over evil, and the unity of mankind through Universal Love.

Bhagwad Gita: What it means

"I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisance unto him”
(Arjun to Lord Krishna)

My personal reflection: To see someone suffering is not uncommon, most of us are, in some way or the other are suffering. However, a few amongst us are blessed. Blessed, to inquire about their position, as to what they are, why they are put into this awkward position and so on. If one is awakened to this position of questioning his suffering, if one realizes that he doesn’t want suffering but rather wants to find a solution to this question, it makes no difference whether he is born as human or otherwise. Humanity begins when this inquiry is sprung in ones mind. . Therefore those who begin to question, why they are suffering or where they came from and where they shall go after death are proper students for understanding Bhagavad-Gita

What the Bhagavad-Gita and its real purpose? Every living creature faces difficulty in so many ways. Arjun represents a common man in difficulty, real doubts and fear in his mind in the Battle of Kurukshetra (life). Arjun surrendered unto Lord Krishna (Creator). What Lord Krishna said to Arjun to clear his mind of doubt and fear was called Bhagavad-Gita. Every one of us represents Arjun; every one of us is full of anxieties. The origin of this fear, anxiety and doubts is our very existence our material world.

The essence of Gita can be put in one simple sentence "Our Eternal Existence is in the Atmosphere of Nonexistence" .

This is also the essence of Vedic wisdom. Gita helps us to understand this essence and thus becomes as the most important Upanishads in Vedic literature.

Bhagavad-Gita is best understood by a person who has qualities, similar to Arjun’s i.e. he must be in synchrony and a devotee with a direct relationship with the Supreme Being "the creator", as Arjun was. He need not be Hindu, Christian, Muslim etc., he can be in synchrony with the supreme being in any of its many forms. A devotee can be in a relationship with the Supreme Creator in one of five different ways:
• In a passive state;
• In an active state;
• As a friend; (this was Arjun’s state)
• As a parent;
• As a conjugal lover (Meera Bai).

Arjun was in a relationship with the Lord as friend. However, this was not the kind of friendship as we normally see around us. It was transcendental friendship. It is true that every one of us has a relationship with the Supreme Creator. However, in the present status of our life, not only have we have forgotten the Supreme Creator but have also forgotten our eternal relationship with the Him.

After hearing Bhagavad-Gita from "the Supreme Creator ", Arjun accepted Lord Krishna as Param Brahma, the Supreme Brahman. It is important to understand that every living being is a "Brahman", but "the Supreme Creator ", is the Supreme Brahman. He is the supreme rest or abode of everything; He is pure, untainted by material contamination; He is the supreme enjoyer; original; transcendental; the unborn; and the greatest.
Bhagavad-Gita should be taken up in a spirit of devotion. Unless one reads the Bhagavad-Gita in that spirit, it is difficult to understand this great mystery. The sincere student should also have a firm respect for “the supreme creator”, as we observe in Arjun.

Here are some famous personalities comments, who read and understood Gita. I have also selected and provided links of the works of these personalities. This will help you explore you more about them and their works ...May this encourage you all, to read and understand Bhagavad-Gita, more.....Nirmal Gupta

(Mahatma Gandhi with J L Nehru)

Mahatma Gandhi said: When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day. Wish I knew more of Gandhi

Jawahar Lal Nehru (1st prime minister of India) said: The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander purpose of the universe. Wish I knew more of Nehru, Awaken to Freedom: Speech by Nehru

(Albert Einstein with Rabindranath Tagore)

Albert Einstein said: When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous. Einstein's religous thesis By Mark Hawthorn

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said: The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions. Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Declaration of Conscience speech, Greatest work of Albert Schweitzer "Reverence for Life"

Carl Gustav Jung said: The idea that man is like unto an inverted tree seems to have been current in by gone ages. The link with "Vedic" conceptions is provided by Plato in his "Timaeus" in which it states..." behold we are not an earthly but a heavenly plant." This correlation can be discerned by what Krishna expresses in chapter 15 of Bhagavad-Gita. Wish I knew more about Carl Jung

Herman Hess said: The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion. Wish I knew more of Hess, Best work: Siddhartha, Siddhartha on wikipedia

Maharishi Aurobindo said: The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a new meaning for every civilization. Wish I knew more about Aurobindo, Collective writings: India's Rebirth

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita. It was the first of books; it was as if, an Empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us. Wish I knew more of Emerson, Biography and works

Henry David Thoreau said: In the morning, I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial. Works of Thoreau, Biographical readings, Thoreau at Wikipedia

Rudolph Steiner said: In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it. Wish I knew more of Steiner, Steiner at Wikipedia

Aldous Huxley said: The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of humanity.Wish I knew more of Huxley, Best work: Brave New world, Biography and works
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati said: The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaishnava philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita fully reveals the true import of this doctrine which is transmigration of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in warfare. When the second chapter has been read, it can be clearly understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord. Wish I knew more about Saraswati

Madhavacharya said: The Mahabharata has all the essential ingredients necessary to evolve and protect humanity and that within it the Bhagavad-Gita is the epitome of the Mahabharata just as pollen is the essence of flowers. Wish I knew more of Acharaya

Srinivasa Ramanujam said: The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The Supreme Lord Krishna's primary purpose for descending and incarnating is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually within reach of all humanity. Wish I knew more of this great Indian mathematician

( I acknowledge my sincere and profound gratitude to all the resources on the internet, books and articles which have helped me to prepare this write-up on Bhagavad Gita)

Kali or Prakarti (Last of Dasha Avatar’s) Vs Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: Relevance Today

In Indian Vedic mythology, the legend of the Avatar (incarnation) is an important myth. It believes in the Hindu trinity, which includes Vishnu (preserver), Brahma (creator) and Mahesh or Shiva (destroyer). Vishnu is considered to an embodiment of goodness and mercy and periodically intervenes in terrestrial evolution by descending to earth in a human incarnation as the Avatar. The primary role of the Avatar is to re-establish stability and order on the earth and to introduce a new evolutionary impulse which will uplift mankind into a greater and more unified consciousness. These incarnations manifest themselves at particular points in the cosmic cycle corresponds to the earth's passage through the evolutionary ages.

In Gita, the 8th Avatar Krishna reveals this cosmic process,

"Whenever the world will decline in virtue and righteousness; and vice and injustice mount the throne, then I, the Lord will come and revisit my world in visible form, and mingle amongst you as a man with men, and by my influence and teachings do I will destroy the evil and injustice. I will then reestablish virtue and righteousness. Many times have I thus appeared, and many times hereafter shall I come again?"

Dasha Avatar’s of Vishnu are noted in “Garud Puran”. They are as follows;

Sat Yug:
1. Matsya (fish)
2. Kurma (tortoise)
3. Varaha (boar)
4. Narasimha (half-man/half-lion)

Treta Yug:
5. Vamana (dwarf)
6. Parashurama (Saint Ram)
7. Ram (Sri Ram Chandra of Ayodhya)

Dwapar Yug:
8. Krishna (dark coloured) along with his brother Balram*.

*According to the Bhagavat Purana Balram as a descent of Anant Shesh-Nag. He is also counted as an avatar of Vishnu by the majority of Vaishnav movements and is included as the 9th of 10 incarnations in some versions of the list which contain no reference to Buddha.
*The ninth incarnation is under great debate. Some say it was Buddha and others say before the Krishna avatar came that of Balram, the elder brother of Krishna.

Kal Yug:
9. Gautama Buddha or Siddharth (enlightened one').
10. Kali ("Eternity", or "time", “Prakarti” or "The Destroyer of evil"), is expected to appear at the end of Kal Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist. This will end in the year 428899 CE.

Although the legends of incarnations like all myths, appear prophetic. It appears to incarnations as conscious evolutionary force. This conscious evolutionary force take form of living being (incarnation or Avatar) on the earth at a precise moments in order to help us to steer us from our ordinary mortal state to a more enlightened consciousness of that time.

All Dasha Avatar’s in the ten incarnations bear a strange similarity to steps The Darwin's theory of evolution.

Darwin says; from the invertebrates came fish, from fishes evolved Amphibians and from Amphibians evolved Reptiles. Reptiles in turn developed into two separate classes the Aves (or the birds) and lastly the Mammals. Man is until now the most evolved mammal and is the final step in evolution. This theory was based on the principle of the survival of the fittest.

If we look carefully, the ten manifestations of Lord Vishnu (known as Dasha Avatars), theory of evolution follows these Dasha Avatar’s in a very subtle manner.

1. The life started in water from, the earliest known life on the earth. From there the progress was made to “The Fish” (Matsya, the 1st avatar).
2. Then came a life sustaining not only in water but progressed to some extent on land (as an amphibian), Tortoise (Kurma, the 2nd avatar).
3. Amphibians then evolved into animals, the Boar (Varaha, the 3rd avatar).
4. The animal progressed to half-human in the shape of Half lion + half-human (Nara-Simha, the 4th avatar)
5. Evolution progressed further from half human to full human shape. The next avatar was that of a Dwarf (Vamana, the 5th avatar).
6. It is but natural that Dwarf will progress to a full human, a man without control, with a wavering mind, and acting without reasons (Parasuram, the 6th avatar).
7. Gradually the man became more and more perfect. Always giving importance to the penance than the pleasure ever respecting the gurus and the elders and remaining dutiful to others wherever he was (Sri Ram, the 7th avatar).
8. Finally a perfect human form emerged with cleverness and ability to think and win. A person of great intelligence, who will take decisions to suit the situation, ready to fight, ready to mediate, and ready to love and ready to be loved, when required (Krishna, the 8th avatar).
9. Tranquility, submission, passion for peace is the next step from practicality to perfection (Gautam Buddha, the 9th avatar).
10. If there is a cycle it has to end at some time, so that it can start again. Kali, they say will come to destroy the world. So that evolution can take place again. (The 10th avatar)

Thus it appears that Darwin’s theory (published as a book "Origin of Species" in 1859) is indeed the modern interpretation of the Indian myth of “Dasha Avatar”. It is remarkable that Vishnu's 10 incarnations were written thousands of years before Darwin's theory of evolution, and even before modern scientific processes were evolved.

Similarities between Dasha Avatars’ and Darwin's theory of evolution:

According to the evolution theory of Darwin, some 4 billion years ago some microorganisms took the shape of amoeba (microscopic unicellular protozoa). Some 600 million years ago all the plants, trees, worms and animals were evolved. Indian mythological scriptures say, life form (1st Avatar) came in the form of Fish (Matsya) this suggests that the Earth was probably filled completely with water at some time of its creation, and we know today, that it was the case. Presence of water is also the first thing that we are look for in other planets to find any life in our solar system.

The fundamental basis of Darwin’s theory is evolution: Fish or aquatic animals, when developed a need to breathe outside water, they developed a lung-like structure and became frogs (an amphibian). From amphibians developed reptiles like lizards, snakes and crocodiles. The Reptiles in turn gave rise to two separate classes the Aves (or the birds) and the Mammals. And mammals are the final step in evolution. This theory was based on the principle of the survival of the fittest.

The evolution of man is described in several steps. First man was short, and then he evolved into something like the Stone Age man (intelligent but imperfect in the form of Rawan and asur). It then reached perfection in the form of Sri Ram, who also destroyed imperfect Rawan and asur and established the rule of brotherhood and law. The degradation of majority (100 Kaurav’s vs. 5 Pandav’s) minority started in Treta Yug. Krishna with Balram incarnated (evolved) to tame the forces of the evil. Krishna once again reminded the mankind, the laws of life for the future generations in the form of “Gita”.

Evolutionary steps described by Darwin and those found in Indian mythological scriptures bear striking similarities undoubtedly validate Darwin's theory. The half man half lion can be considered an intermediate step in the evolution suggesting the need for the human brain. What we have seen in the past we are seeing today, righteousness is a virtue that carries little meaning in the present world. We are in the beginning of the Kal Yug (Period between the 9th and 10th incarnations-Buddha and Kali).

Now the last incarnation will be, the Kali “the Prakarti” or Mother Nature with which we are playing childishly (green house effect due to emissions, soil erosion, and destruction of forests and extinctions of animals) will one day destroy everything. This we are already beginning to see. The Ice caps are melting; water level in the seas is rising. Islands are submerging. Floods, droughts, typhoons and hurricanes is now an everyday story.

Today, the way we are playing with nature and the way it has already started to behave is a clear indication of what is going to be in the end. Man is the most powerful of all evolutionary creations and therefore God will not take another animal form. For the Kali “Prakarti” to reestablish in order in the end (dharma over the evil forces), Mother Nature or Kali has to himself assume a formidable form in the form of the tenth or Kali avatar, yet to be born.