MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
MyBB Internal: One or more warnings occurred. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
Miscellaneous Topics discussion

  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Miscellaneous Topics discussion
#41
There are hospitals, schools, colleges and all types of manufacturing & trading establishments in India under the co-operative sector. Then why not have a co-operative temple too? In a recent judgement, the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala observed that most of the transactions taking place in a temple are commercial in nature and ruled that all temple employees, except Poojaris, come under the purview of the Industrial Dispute Act. This is a very good development. Our leaders must immediately seize the opportunity and proceed with setting up a few ‘co-operative mandirs’ that can trigger reforms in our society. Thousands of co-operative temples at village level and 600 odd H2RCs at district level can transform our society to ancient glory within a decade.

It is true that Hindu society is desperately in need of reforms and the mounting demographic pressure has accentuated this need. India, in general, and Hindu society, in particular, is made up of people who have highly varying interests with a whole lot of historical grievances pertaining to caste system. The religion itself is such that it is beyond integration beyond a limit. Large sections of our society are now caught between the devil of inability to organise and the deep sea of poverty. Multi National Religious Company (MNRC) executives are prowling around looking for ways to meet their yearly targets for harvest of souls. Only way out of this impasse’ is to activate ways and means for uplift of economic conditions of deprived sections of the society in novel ways. One definite way to do this is to go for a few co-operative temples at selected backward areas in the country.

Select any of the highly vulnerable tribal or backward areas in the country and register a co-operative society with most of the people in the locality for a token share value. With the money thus collected (and supplemented by country wide agencies) set up a temple in the name of the popular deity of the locality. An elected few of the co-op society can manage the affairs of the temple. But the most important point is to have the general body meeting of the temple co-operative society every month to approve the income & expenditure statement and distribute 50% of the income to all the eligible members. A sign board with the following information in the local vernacular must be put up in front of all such temples to declare the intentions and encourage everyone to donate liberally.

• This is a Co-operative Temple
• Our income will be distributed as follows:-
o 50% to current members of the co-operative society
o 25% will be spent for running the temple
o 25% reserved for future development
• Please deposit your offerings in the designated place only
• Do not tip the poojari or anyone for doing his/her work
• Feel proud that you are contributing to distribution of common wealth by donating to this temple

If this co-operative experiment can succeed in a couple of places, I am sure it will catch on in the rest of the country. It can revolutionise the way we see our temples and democratise the running of temples. And most importantly, the stranglehold of any particular community on the affairs of places of worship will fade off for ever. Once again, temples can become an integral part of our daily lives and not mere monuments housing the omnipresent & omnipotent Gods shrouded in superstitious beliefs and rituals under the custody of a select few. And all of us will own at least part of a temple.
#42
<i>It can revolutionise the way we see our temples and democratise the running of temples.</i>

Many major and minor temples are already run by trustees, which means they are composed of people who have either originally paid for these temples, or who are currently interested in working with them. This means, there is practically a free market (at least in the sense of free, unhampered entry and exit into the market) in temple ownership. So, what is the big revolution in co-operative ownership?

<i>And most importantly, the stranglehold of any particular community on the affairs of places of worship will fade off for ever.</i>
What stranglehold? Which community has a stranglehold? Brahmins typically are priests only at some temples. In many temples, like the Mundakanyamman temple in madras, the priests are women and non-Brahmin.

I guess the problem is, you have never shown any interest in either managing or "owning" a temple, or building a new one. In fact, that is true of most of us. Which is why you don't have much knowledge of who manages these temples.

<i>Once again, temples can become an integral part of our daily lives and not mere monuments housing the omnipresent & omnipotent Gods shrouded in superstitious beliefs and rituals under the custody of a select few.</i>
If that is truly your opinion, that temples have "omnipresent & omnipotent Gods shrouded in superstitious beliefs and rituals", then perhaps you should consider managing or owning other things (like communal lavatories). "Co-operative revolutions" are the wrong solution to the problem - which is not surprising, considering you haven't diagnosed the problem correctly.
#43
Vishwas avoid getting personal and revert only to points raised by other members.

Thank you
#44
From Pioneer, 20 June , 2005
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Awakening the kundalini </b>
Paramahansa Yogananda

The word "serpent" (kundalini, circular) has been very commonly used by wise men to illustrate anything mysterious, subtle, hidden, and powerful. It is dangerous and can be tamed only by those who know how to charm it.

Unseen forces that govern the body have also been spoken of as very subtle, hidden and hard to control. Thus, Hindu sages call the outgoing force of life energy, at the base of the spine in the coccyx, the "serpent force" or "kundalini." This is because it runs down through a circular passage coiled like a snake into the sexual nerves.

This is the outgoing force that tempted Eve (feminine nature of feeling and sensation in woman) which in turn tempted Adam (the masculine, self-controlled nature in man) to "eat the apple", that is, to indulge in sexual union (instead of the spiritual union of feeling and knowledge).

"Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," that is, he withdrew the current which stimulates sexual consciousness into his brain. Withdrawing of this force into the brain temporarily is not real awakening. Through higher forms of meditation (kriya) and by awakening the coccyx centre, one can permanently cause the outgoing kundalini force to flow into the brain. Only through these super-psycho-physical methods of awakening the muladhara (coccygeal plexus) can one possibly control the sexual consciousness wholly. There is no other way.

The average person, ignorant of the impelling force of the power of kundalini, becomes overpowered by sexual troubles. All aspirants on the spiritual path ought to know how to first awaken the kundalini and then to direct it to the medulla oblongata and the brain. This force in man, uniting with the force in woman during sexual union, causes not only the loss of physical substance, but also the loss of life energy.

We must understand what the snake symbolises. The snake swallowing its own tail represents Nature devouring the Infinite, that is, the two are different and are always warring. But the truth is that the snake symbolises power and if this power is misused one is bound to get poisoned.

Snake on the head symbolises that "the kundalini was lifted up 'in the wilderness'". Some spiritual men in India tie their hair on top of the head; this symbolises that the snake is bound by the mind. Lord Shiva has a snake on his head. This signifies that the coiled kundalini when lifted up through the passage of the spine goes back to the Infinite.

The snake also represents Nature, which is both powerful and poisonous. If you conquer both the snake and Nature, you will realise God. "In the wilderness" means that this was done in the quiet of the soul (through meditation). When you withdraw the senses from the eyes, ears and so forth, the life force goes back into the coiled passage of the spine and enters the ida and pingala canals. Then it dissolves into the sushumna canal (the middle of the spine). The current is then taken up through the medulla oblongata and into the infinite.

The kundalini passage is called the "gateway of the life force". Moving from the medulla battery down through the inner spinal centres, the life force is conducted through the cervical, dorsal, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal regions to the whole body. This kundalini gateway is responsible for flooding the life current from the soul region of the medulla to the physical region of the different senses of sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing, including the earthbound, physical, creative force of sex.

The life force flowing down from the medulla oblongata through the spinal centres, and especially through the coiled kundalini gateway at the coccyx, is called the "sleeping kundalini". It is called "sleeping" because it serves as the medium to establish communication with and to draw the attention of the ego to the bodily senses, sex and the material world.

Kundalini awakening means withdrawing the life force from the senses and directing it into the spinal passages. This can be achieved through the practice of the kriya technique. In death it goes through the spine without your consciousness. So why not go consciously? As your soul and life pass through the Sushumna passage at death, you lose consciousness. But the advanced yogi can consciously go through this passage any time, and at death he can take his soul consciously through this passage.

This life force is not responsible for the attachment of the ego to the senses, just as electricity in the telephone is not responsible for a robbery arranged through its medium. By using different techniques, the yogis teach how to reverse the life force.

The life force moving through the channels of the five senses reveals to a man the glory of the visual, auditory and tactual objects causing him to become attached to them. But when the kundalini is withdrawn from the senses and is flowed into the brain through the spine, it reveals the presence of the finer spiritual forces, and God.
(Courtesy: The Yogoda Satsanga Society of India)
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
#45
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," that is, he withdrew the current which stimulates sexual consciousness into his brain.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What was the need to say this ?
#46
Changing Faith in Orissa <!--emo&:rocker--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rocker.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rocker.gif' /><!--endemo-->

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Date: 1 May 2005</b>
In a 'reconversion' ceremony, 567 Christians returned to Hinduism at Bijepur, a block headquarter town in neighbouring Bargarh district today, VHP sources said.

The ceremony was organised by the VHP and an elaborate arrangement was made at a local school premises where the people, mostly belonging to scheduled caste, had assembled.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
#47
<b>Swami Ramsukhdasji Attains Mahasamadhi at 102</b>
www.swamiramsukhdasji.org

RISHIKESH, INDIA, July 3, 2005: Today morning, reads this announcement from his ashram, at approximately 3:40 a.m. Swami Ramsukhdasji left his mortal body at Gita Bhavan No.3, Swargashram, Rishikesh. He was 102. He was one of the most revered saints of Uttaranchal and was the current head of Gita Press. He wrote over 50 books for Gita Press.

As per his wishes the last rites were performed at the bank of the Ganges and all his worldly belongings were burnt along with his mortal body. As per his principles there was no publicity and the cremation was done at the earliest without waiting for anyone. He now continues to reside in all our hearts, through his books and teachings, and his immortal principles. Let us live our lives in accordance with his principles and ensure that they never die. As Swamiji once said, "The best service (Param Seva) to a saint is to live your life as per his principles and thus become like him." We all can do this best s ervice for him. Let us. Swamiji's Hindi language website is at "source."
#48
Hi,

Rishis & Tapasvi's are shown meditating over "deer (tiger?) skin". How is this skin obtained? If it is by killing, doesn't this go against the highest dharma.

Some may think this is an insignificant question. Nevertheless, I request the learned ones to clear this.

dhanyavad.

Murali
#49
i think the skins are obtained from dead animals, and there is no need for a rishi's to kill an animal for skin, it can be easily obtained by requesting from a hunter's as well...
#50
Can we use a skin obtained from an animal killed by somebody else?
#51
Hello,

Can you please tell if you know where can be found a source for the following Vedic metaphor:


Rather than “soul” the Vedas equate the spirit with “Self”, not the everyday self with it’s thoughts wishes and needs but a higher Self that is silent and eternal. The difference is explained in a classic Vedic metaphor: each person is like a piece of gold. If you were a gold ring, a gold watch, a gold chain you could say “I am a ring, a watch, a chain,” but these are temporary shapes. In truth you are just gold – that is your essence no matter how the shape changes

If you know anything about this please email: lankawd@yahoo.com

Thank you in advance!
#52
Is the following true and if it is can anyone give the relevant verses:

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Another myth in the Rig-Veda (page 26 of ‘Hindu Myths’) has creation through sexual intercourse between the creator and his daughter. The creator is not named but from later myths one can deduce that he is Prajapati, an earlier name for Brahma. How the daughter came into existence is also not specified. Agni the God of Fire fuels the creator’s passion and he takes pleasure in the act. Almost as being incidental, a race of youth, known as the Agnirases, are produced from the union, whose progeny is the human race.

http://www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/18770/2121/2<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Also are there any verses in the vedas about widow remarriage.
#53
<!--QuoteBegin-rajesh_g+Jun 20 2005, 10:45 PM-->QUOTE(rajesh_g @ Jun 20 2005, 10:45 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," that is, he withdrew the current which stimulates sexual consciousness into his brain.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What was the need to say this ?
[right][snapback]35489[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you read yogananda his main aim was bride the "gap" between christianity and Hinduism. Hence you see lot of references to christ and christian theology in his works and speeches..
#54
Hi all,

The forum looks abnormal. Moderators, is everything ok?

Lanka, the metaphor you are referring to is from Chandogya upanishad. I dont have access to the sanskrit verses but the english translation can be found here.

Murali
#55
<!--QuoteBegin-murali+Sep 1 2005, 05:14 PM-->QUOTE(murali @ Sep 1 2005, 05:14 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi all,

The forum looks abnormal.  Moderators, is everything ok?
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No... work in progress <!--emo&Sad--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Folks are at it, give us some time. Any feedback, complaints.. list it here
#56
Vedic mathematics exhibition

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A two-day Vedic mathematics exhibition was held at the Agarwal Vidyalaya in Vepery on September 2 and 3 "to create a thirst for learning among students and teachers."

Inaugurating the exhibition, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, K.P. Aravanan, said the amazing temple architecture of India were all based on Vedic calculations, and stressed the need for reinventing the cultural heritage of India.

He, however, lamented that the sense of pride over ancient wisdom and patriotism was lacking among the younger generation.

More than 800 students and 100 teachers participated in the exhibition, organised by the Vivekananda Educational Society, which runs 16 schools in and around Chennai.
#57
Vedic mathematics exhibition

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A two-day Vedic mathematics exhibition was held at the Agarwal Vidyalaya in Vepery recently "to create a thirst for learning among students and teachers."

Inaugurating the exhibition, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, K.P. Aravanan, said the amazing temple architecture of India were all based on Vedic calculations, and stressed the need for reinventing the cultural heritage of India.

He, however, lamented that the sense of pride over ancient wisdom and patriotism was lacking among the younger generation.

More than 800 students and 100 teachers participated in the exhibition, organised by the Vivekananda Educational Society, which runs 16 schools in and around Chennai.
#58
Where have all Brahmin godmen gone?Add to Clippings
T S SREENIVASA RAGHAVAN

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 11:45:08 PM ]
Citibank NRI Offer
NEW DELHI: Prince Siddhartha who deserted his wife when she was not looking, made a confession years later. "I stealthily slipped out of the bedroom that night. I thought she was an obstacle in my spiritual pursuit. But looking back, I realise, it was a mistake. For a person who has his goals fixed, obstacles never happen."He was implying that for the bliss of salvation, one need not run away from the material world and its most slandered component — the wife.

Yet the charm of an ashram and the draw of a mutt has been compelling in this country. And for centuries, Brahmin orders have been the greatest beneficiaries of this nation's obsession with mediating mediums. But now, the financial and social clout of Brahmin spirituality has been dwarfed by the rise of Dravidians and other non-Brahmins. Hinduism is certainly not in the peril anymore of being considered a Brahmin idea but the cream caste's spiritual heads have lost so much mass support that the outcry after the arrest of Kanchi Acharya (often described as the spiritual head of the Hindus) was essentially a Brahmin anger.

The mutts promoted by Mata Amritanandamayi, Kalki Bhagawan, Bangaru Adigal, Vethathiri Maharishi, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and others in a growing list, are enjoying unprecedented influence today. Meanwhile, the number of mutts promoted by Brahmins since the time of Adi Sankara is more or less the same.

The recent rise in mutts promoted by non-Brahmins does not reflect any decimation in the innate spiritual tendencies of Brahmins. But, it does indicate there is something about the model of non-Brahmin mutts that makes them click.

There are significant differences between, say, Kanchi and Puttaparthi. The most defining difference is the extent of social commitment and the associated visibility of non-Brahmin mutts, particularly Sai Baba’s and Mata Amritanandamayi’s. Sai Baba, while producing holy ashes and gold chains, also created unique drinking water projects, hospitals and educational institutions for the poor.

Mata Amritanandamayi’s social contribution in Kerala and other parts of the country is enormous. Brahmin mutts have not built such enduring visible monuments for the poor but have poured plenty into dressing up or washing the gods. The Seer of Kanchi recently gifted a diamond studded crown to a temple. Grand, captivating events, but transient and forgettable unlike huge modern hospitals and colleges.


There is also another crucial difference between the two orders of mutts. Non-Brahmin godpeople touch their devotees. While the seer of Kanchi keeps a safe distance from his folk, Mata Amritanandamayi has marathon hugging sessions so long that they could be construed as a miracle by a woman who insists that she performs no miracles.

These differences between the mutts and the seers also imply that they have very disparate followings. Ninety per cent devotees of Kanchi Acharya are from the Brahmin community. It’s a similar ratio with non-Brahmin spiritual gurus too, who command an overwhelming majority of their devotees from other castes. While the schism is evident, there is a migration underway. A one-way migration. An increasing number of Brahmins are seeking the reassurances of non-Brahmin seers. It’s a consequence of an old Brahmin mentality to embrace a phenomenon once it establishes itself as a vital development worthy of their respect. However, it must be said that for many orthodox Brahmins, 'lesser form' spirituality is still a taboo. Many of them can’t even conceive a non-Brahmin becoming spiritual. It happened with Buddha too (nee Prince Siddharta), who was a kshathriya by birth.

Once as he passed through a Brahmin-dominated village, he was subjected to their abuse. Despite the verbal attack, when Buddha didn’t respond, one Brahmin asked him, "Why are you not reacting?" Buddha replied, "Sometime ago, I was in another village. People greeted me with flowers and fruits. I accepted the flowers, but turned down the fruits. What do you think the villagers would’ve done with those fruits?"

"They must have distributed them amongst themselves," came the Brahmin’s reply.

"Do the same with your abuses," he said.

This recorded dialogue, despite its humbler status as folklore than history, reflects a Brahmin’s displeasure at a kshatriya’s inner peace proposal that did not come with a new competing god. Even today, orthodox Brahmins claim to worship only higher forms of god. Lakshman Singh, an ardent follower of Bangaru Adigal the head of Melmaruvathur Mutt, says: "Non-Brahmin worship is different from Brahmin cult. Brahmins worship the higher form of Shiva and Parvati. Non-Brahmins worship them in the lower form of Muneeswaran and Kali.
#59
Send this Article to a Friend

`Learn from ancient scriptures'

Special Correspondent

India still lags behind in making use of Vedas, Shastras: Shekhawat

JAIPUR: The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, on Wednesday exhorted the countrymen to learn from its ancient scriptures which are treasure troves of wisdom. "The rest of the world benefited from the knowledge of the Vedas and the Shastras but India still lags behind in making use of them," he said.

"There is no need to consider ourselves weak as a nation. One should not feel defeated as well by seeing the progress of other countries. The inherent strength in India's traditional wisdom could be harnessed and put to greater use by study and research of the Vedas,'' Mr. Shekhawat said after dedicating the newly built premises of the Jagatguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University at Madau village near here.

"Learning of Sanskrit would bring about the much needed resurgence in the country. The new university, which would enhance learning the rich Sanskrit language and the texts can give a new direction," Mr.Shekhawat said. The Sanskrit varsity, mooted first during his tenure as Chief Minister here, was a dream fulfilled, he said.

A galaxy of dignitaries and religious men, including Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari, several other members of the State Cabinet, Shri Naraindas Maharaj of Triveni Dham, Nritya Gopal Das of Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas, Mahants of Ayodhya, Rewasa Peeth, Nimbark Peeth and scholars like Kalanath Sastri were present on the occasion.

An amount of Rs.15 crores have been spent on the university, situated over 300 bighas of land, so far. Since its inception in April 2003, as many as 26,000 students have passed out of the university. The varsity offers degrees and diplomas and trains teachers (B.Ed and M.Ed). The institution is named after Jagatguru Ramananda at the instance of the Shri Naraindas Maharaj, who has borne the expenses of the main building.

Ms.Patil, speaking as the chief guest said Sanskrit language was losing its identity due to the continued neglect. Sanskrit, considered the mother of many European languages, had a very strong grammar and rich texts, she noted. Ms.Raje on the occasion announced the plan to develop a yoga research centre in an area adjoining the new university campus.
#60
We often hear the saying that one cannot be more knowledgeable than knowing about his or her own limitations. This is true for a community as well. The majority community in Kerala is slowly but clearly waking up to the realisation that they are no more the majority in any sense of the term but have serious limitations to overcome. The Clever and Muscular communities (CC and MC respectively) have beaten the Humbled community (HC) so squarely that the great realisation has come as rude shock to many. In a way it was destined to happen. Most members of HC have been highly complacent about the future and the so-called creamy layer (of HC) was arrogantly unsympathetic to less fortunate brethren within our own fold. Enjoying the sunshine in an entire coastline of our own, we found pleasure when sand was harvested out from under our own feet. And unwilling to respond to our wailing neighbours under assault, we are now finding our few houses trapped in a new unfriendly neighbourhood. We have been sleeping and this slippage to minority status is the price we have already paid. Now that the great realisation has taken place, it is time to think about how it happened and what needs to be done in the short and long term to survive in Kerala as a decent minority.

From Protected to Privileged

1498 AD is a landmark for anyone analysing the decline of HC in Kerala. That was the year when the European sailor Vasco da Gama set foot in Kerala and was received with great warmth by the people and rulers of Kerala. Had he faced an uneasy welcome and unfriendly crowd, the history of Kerala (and India) would have been much different. Many foreign travellers had visited us in the past but Vasco de Gama was of a different stuff. He was a greedy sailor and a very clever one too. Like his ideological successors in Kerala now (the Daddies & Mummies of Kerala), the brilliant businessman in him quickly noticed the virgin land available for a cocktail of religion, business and power. What followed was a well executed drama of deception and betrayal of faith (of the innocent natives and their benevolent rulers). This unabashed display of manipulative manoeuvring has continued all through colonial days and even after independence when our new constitution came into existence.

Indian constitution is one of best in terms of many aspects. The protection given to religious minorities has been enviable and unprecedented. Though HC is avowedly secular, the founding fathers felt it necessary to have adequate protection for the religious minorities in the constitution itself, just in case the majority community turned around at a future time. Perhaps the division of the country on religious lines made it inevitable. But very soon things started going sour with the dirty designs of electoral politics. Protection gave way to special rights which is complete anathema to the concept of a civilised society pursuing socialism and secularism. Sections of society that needed to be protected became the privileged ones in due course. In Kerala, the situation has become so much distorted that almost 75% of all the institutions in education and healthcare sectors are under the control of 25% of people belonging to CC and MC who have successfully (mis)used the special privileges. Business and trade have been monopolised to more than 80% in favour of certain communities. In the present day Kerala society, social justice and equality are non-existent. Those who look to left for social justice may well remember that the present situation has arisen in Kerala in spite of (or because of) a strong presence of communist forces in the state.

Multiplying Tricks

Coupled with successful distortion of the constitutional provisions for protection to mean special rights, the clever communities have pushed their hidden agenda so brilliantly in the fields of harvesting souls and accelerating the multiplication of harvested souls. Along with organised harvest and migration, the accidental ‘third child’ was a well thought plan to push up the population without being noticed. The rigid pro-life stance of the institution provided a convenient cover for the community members to procreate and beat the competition. Another strategy was annexing lands using settlers in Malabar and Wayanad. Far off lands were conquered by carefully organised migration aided and abetted by those in power under the guise of encouragement for cultivation in barren lands. Encroachment and encroachers were encouraged so much that many successful politicians and political parties owe their existence only to the migrant encroachers. What nature and original owners of the land lost in terms of forest cover and natural wealth was cornered off as private properties by the clever men and their communities. The extent of encroachment is exposed in the visual media year after year during the natural calamities in the form of landslides in the hilly tracts of Western Ghats.

For those who believe that everyone is fair or at least fairer in the twenty first century, the ‘hallabulla’ that followed the tsunamis in our coastal belts was an eye-opener. Hundreds of foreign and Indian NGOs queued up to offer relief and rehabilitation. The sole intention of many of them was the potential scope for harvesting souls. It is this never ending hunger for harvest that is disgusting to many in the civilised world. But the game of marketing religion still pays in the third world and that is why disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes and floods bring smile to the face of some ace religious marketers from the west. Some representatives of God in earth still believe that quantity (not quality) of believers counts when their own case comes up for consideration for a place in heaven. What happens to the converted souls is hardly of any importance to them. They are interested only in harvesting by any means and in getting the harvested ones to multiply exponentially.

Strategy for Survival

Survival of the fittest is a natural phenomenon. Only those individuals and communities that can adapt to changing times can survive. The most important pre-requisite for adaptation is the realisation about threats and opportunities. We have made great progress in this regard. During the past ten centuries Indians have realised many things, being at the receiving end of a series of military and ideological attacks. We now realise the simple fact that threats for Indian nation are not solely from the ‘failed state’ or the ‘confused state’ in our neighbourhoods. Bigger ideological threats are emanating from one of the tiniest nations thousands of kilometres away. The missionary missiles targeted at our nation have force multiplier effects with their local variants. Confused communists are fuelling the missiles for their own reasons. It might seem that communism and missionaries are strange bed fellows. But the simple fact that they complement each other in many of their objectives makes them comrades in arms. For both forces, a completely disorganised and disoriented majority community is the best bet for their foreign ideologies to flourish. But they are heavily mistaken when they are facing an enlightened community of few but firm adherents.

The ultimate weapon of defence is offence. It is indeed the last option. But when it becomes inevitable, the war has to be taken to enemy’s camp. That is what Lord Krishna has explained so convincingly in Gita. In our context, the war is regarding harvest of souls. Government after government have failed to legislate on this vital matter concerning even the security and integrity of Indian nation. Leaders who won the elections on a secular mandate have failed the people much more than the pseudo-secularists. The proponents of organised harvest of souls in India must be made to realise the ultimate truth in all natural processes – that reverse osmosis is equally possible as osmosis. It will not take much time and effort to convince those who have been harvested on the false promise of equality to return home. The only thing that needs to be done is to put our own house in order. The ultimate success always lies with those who respect and worship Mother Nature because nothing unnatural can survive in nature.


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 2 Guest(s)