Invocation Of God ---- Bhagwan Kee Stuti
( Excerpt From Shri Maithali Sharan Gupt’s Jaydrath Badh )
Ho nirvakar tathapi tum ho, bhakt vatsal sarvada,
Ho tum nirih tathapi , adbhut shrishta rachate ho sada.
Akarheen tathapi tum, sakar satat sidh ho,
Sarvesh hokar bhee sada tum prem vashya prasidh ho.
Karte tumhara hee manan muni rat tumhee mein rishi sabhee,
Satat tumhee ko dekhtein hein dhyan mein yogendra bhee.
Vikhyat vedon mein vibho sabke tumhee aradhya ho,
Koi na tumse hei badha tum aik sabke sadhya ho.
Pakar tumhein phir or kuch pana na rahata shesh hei,
Pata na jab tak jeev tumko bhatakata savishesh hei.
Jo jan tumahare pad kamal ke asal marm ko jante,
Ve mukti kee bhee kar anichha tuchh usko manate.
Hote tumahare karya sare goorh bhedon say bhare,
Hridayastha ho jo kuch karate ham vahee karte hare.
Anuchit uchit key gyan ka nirnay hamein tum sonp kar,
Bhagee banate dosh guna ka kyon hamein hey pujyavar.
Anuchit uchit key gyan ko kuch bhee nahin ham jante,
Chanchal maha ma rag dweshi key nachaye nachte.
Spasht yah bharpur hae is vishva ka natak mahan,
Yadyapi tumahara hee kiya hei jo jagat mein ho raha.
Banate nahin ho kintu uske tum swayam karan kahin,
Kya hee chatur ho dosh gun karte swayam dharan nahin.
Bahu vigya tatwa gyanion ne bat yah satat kahee,
Bhagwan! Tumhen jo isht hota sarvada hota vahee.
Jo kuch kiya tumne swayam hey dev dev huaa vahee,
Jo kuch karoge tum swayam aage sabhee hoga vahee.
Jo kuch swayam tum kar rahey ho , ho raha hai ab tatha,
Hein hetu matra sadaeev ham karta tumhee ho sarvada.
Hey Sachidanand prabho! tum nitya sarva shakti ho,
Anupam agochar, shubh paratptar eeshwar avayakta ho.
Tum dheaya gyeya ajeya ho nij bhakt par anurakta ho,
Tum bhav vimochan padma lochan punya padma sakta ho.
Tum aik hokar bhee aho rakhate anekon bhesh ho,
Adyantheen achintya adbhut atma bhu akhilesh ho.
Karata tumheen bharta tumheen harata tumheen ho srishti ke,
Charon padartha dayanidhe phal hein tumaharee drishta ke.
Hey Eesh ! bahu upkar tumne sarvada ham par kiye,
Upkar pratupkar mein kya dein tumhe iske liye.
Hei kya hamara srishta mein yah sab tumhee se hei bani,
Satat rinee hei ham tumhare tum hamare ho dhani.
Jay deen bandho sokhya sindho dev! dev dayanidhe,
Jay janma mrityu viheen shashvat vishbandhu mahanidhe.
Jay poorna purushottam janardhan jagannath jagatpate,
Jay jay vibho achyut hare mangal maye maya mate.
End
“ Twamev mata cha pita twamevam, twamev bandhushcha sakha twamevam ,
Twamev vidya dravinam twamevam , twamev sarvam mam dev devam.”
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Relavent Legendry Sayings
Relevant Legendry Sayings
1. Jar, Joru,(Wife), Jamin (Land) - Enemies of brothers
2. Akla, (Wisdom), Charitra, ( Character), Hunar,(Skills) -No one can steal
3. Teer Kaman Say, (Arrow from the bow),
Bat Zaban Say, ( Spoken word), Pran,(Life) - They never return
4.Ma, (Mother), Bap, (Father), Javani (Youth) -You get once in a life time
5. Budhi Patni, ( Old wife), Paltu Kutta, (Pet Dog),
Pas Ka Dhan, (Money in hand) - They would always remain with you
6. Samay, (Time), Mrityu, (Death), Grahak, (Client) - They do not wait for any one
7. Aurat, (Women), Daulat,(Wealth), Aulad, (Children) - They are likeable
1. Jar, Joru,(Wife), Jamin (Land) - Enemies of brothers
2. Akla, (Wisdom), Charitra, ( Character), Hunar,(Skills) -No one can steal
3. Teer Kaman Say, (Arrow from the bow),
Bat Zaban Say, ( Spoken word), Pran,(Life) - They never return
4.Ma, (Mother), Bap, (Father), Javani (Youth) -You get once in a life time
5. Budhi Patni, ( Old wife), Paltu Kutta, (Pet Dog),
Pas Ka Dhan, (Money in hand) - They would always remain with you
6. Samay, (Time), Mrityu, (Death), Grahak, (Client) - They do not wait for any one
7. Aurat, (Women), Daulat,(Wealth), Aulad, (Children) - They are likeable
Saturday, July 28, 2007
existence of God -- a riddle and mystery -- what the philosophers say
Existence of God – Profound riddle and mystery
What the Thinkers say
God is one, Truth is His name : He is the creator, complete in every thing , beyond time and beyond birth. By the guru’s grace shall you worship Him.
- Guru Nanak Dev
( The Moolmantra or central tenet of Sikhism ---- Ik Onkar Satnam/ karta purkhnirbhau nirvair /Akal murat ajuni seibhan / Gurparsad jap )
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Kshema Yisroel, Adonal Eloihanu, Adonai Ehad .
- Deuteronomy, Old Testament
( The central tenet of Judaism. It is seen in Quranic surah, ‘The Unity’, which says;’ Qul’u’Allahu Ahad, Allahu Samad --’ “ Say, that God is one, God is eternal --”
And god said unto Moses,
‘I am that I am’
- Exodus, Old Testament
He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is Love
- The Gospel of John, New Testament
Formless is the Being bright, within and yet outside the soul; The goal of both life and mind ; unborn, the Transcending God
-Mundaka Upnishad
There is one divine Mind that keeps the universe in order and one providence that governs it. The names given to this Supreme God differ; He is worshipped in different ways in different religions, the religious symbols used in them vary.
-Plutarch, Roman Historian
God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.
- Empedocles
( Greek philosopher)
He worships God who knows Him
- Seneca
- ( Roman Historian)
Do not take liberties with the gods or weary them
- Confucius
( Pillar of old Chinese thoug
He was a wise man who invented God.
-Plato
(Greek philosopher, known to Islam as ‘Aflatoon’)
What the Thinkers say
God is one, Truth is His name : He is the creator, complete in every thing , beyond time and beyond birth. By the guru’s grace shall you worship Him.
- Guru Nanak Dev
( The Moolmantra or central tenet of Sikhism ---- Ik Onkar Satnam/ karta purkhnirbhau nirvair /Akal murat ajuni seibhan / Gurparsad jap )
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Kshema Yisroel, Adonal Eloihanu, Adonai Ehad .
- Deuteronomy, Old Testament
( The central tenet of Judaism. It is seen in Quranic surah, ‘The Unity’, which says;’ Qul’u’Allahu Ahad, Allahu Samad --’ “ Say, that God is one, God is eternal --”
And god said unto Moses,
‘I am that I am’
- Exodus, Old Testament
He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is Love
- The Gospel of John, New Testament
Formless is the Being bright, within and yet outside the soul; The goal of both life and mind ; unborn, the Transcending God
-Mundaka Upnishad
There is one divine Mind that keeps the universe in order and one providence that governs it. The names given to this Supreme God differ; He is worshipped in different ways in different religions, the religious symbols used in them vary.
-Plutarch, Roman Historian
God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.
- Empedocles
( Greek philosopher)
He worships God who knows Him
- Seneca
- ( Roman Historian)
Do not take liberties with the gods or weary them
- Confucius
( Pillar of old Chinese thoug
He was a wise man who invented God.
-Plato
(Greek philosopher, known to Islam as ‘Aflatoon’)
Maharshi Veda Vyasa - a great scholar and teacher
Maharshi Veda Vyasa – A Profound Scholar and Guru
Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born on a full moon day in the month of Ashadha ( July- August). The day is now known as Guru poornima or Vyasa poornima. He edited and compiled the four Veds , wrote 18 Purans, the Mahabharat and the Srimad Bhagwata Gita. The 18 major purans alone have approximately four million verses. He also taught Dattareya, a great Guru himself. Sage Vyas is called ‘Vishal-Budhi’ ( great intelligence )
. He was assisted by Lord Ganapati in writing the Mahabharat.
One of his most influential texts on philosophy is the Brahma Sutra, a short metaphysical work of 550 short sentences. Vyasa is a word synonymous with both scriptural knowledge and experience. The seat from which a guru or master delivers a talk is still called ‘ Vyasa Peeth’ as homage to Maharshi Vyasa.
Vyasa was a love child born of a Rishi and a fisher girl. Once his father, Sage Parasara, grand son of the great Sage Vasishta (one of the ancestral Sapta Rishis or Seven Sages of Hinduism ), wanted to cross the Yamuna . The boatman was having lunch just then, so his daughter Matsyagandhi rowed the Sage across instead. So charmed was he by her beauty that he created clouds of mist around the boat and the couple fulfilled their desire.The child of a Rishi is born instantly according to Hindu myth ( rishi garbham, aterm still used to scold impatient people’ What do you think this is, Rishi Garbham’
A dark complexioned son was born in nine seconds to the couple on an island ( Dvipam ) in the river. They called Krishna Dvaipayana, the ‘Dark One Born on an Island’
Matsyagandhi next attracted the eye of King Shantanu, who married her and took her home as Queen Satyavati. When Satyavati was left as a widowed queen mother , with both of her sons dead as well and no heir to the kingdom , she sent for her son Krishna Dvaipayan.
By the ancient rule of ‘ Niyoga ‘ he was asked to sleep with Satyavati’s two widowed daughters-in-law, Ambika and Ambalika, the former princesses of Kashi. Their sons were prince Dhritrashtra , father of Kauravas and Prince Pandu, whose wives Kunti and Madri ,gave birth to Karna and Pandavas. The rest is well known
Source – Seema Burman’s article in Hindustan Times
Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born on a full moon day in the month of Ashadha ( July- August). The day is now known as Guru poornima or Vyasa poornima. He edited and compiled the four Veds , wrote 18 Purans, the Mahabharat and the Srimad Bhagwata Gita. The 18 major purans alone have approximately four million verses. He also taught Dattareya, a great Guru himself. Sage Vyas is called ‘Vishal-Budhi’ ( great intelligence )
. He was assisted by Lord Ganapati in writing the Mahabharat.
One of his most influential texts on philosophy is the Brahma Sutra, a short metaphysical work of 550 short sentences. Vyasa is a word synonymous with both scriptural knowledge and experience. The seat from which a guru or master delivers a talk is still called ‘ Vyasa Peeth’ as homage to Maharshi Vyasa.
Vyasa was a love child born of a Rishi and a fisher girl. Once his father, Sage Parasara, grand son of the great Sage Vasishta (one of the ancestral Sapta Rishis or Seven Sages of Hinduism ), wanted to cross the Yamuna . The boatman was having lunch just then, so his daughter Matsyagandhi rowed the Sage across instead. So charmed was he by her beauty that he created clouds of mist around the boat and the couple fulfilled their desire.The child of a Rishi is born instantly according to Hindu myth ( rishi garbham, aterm still used to scold impatient people’ What do you think this is, Rishi Garbham’
A dark complexioned son was born in nine seconds to the couple on an island ( Dvipam ) in the river. They called Krishna Dvaipayana, the ‘Dark One Born on an Island’
Matsyagandhi next attracted the eye of King Shantanu, who married her and took her home as Queen Satyavati. When Satyavati was left as a widowed queen mother , with both of her sons dead as well and no heir to the kingdom , she sent for her son Krishna Dvaipayan.
By the ancient rule of ‘ Niyoga ‘ he was asked to sleep with Satyavati’s two widowed daughters-in-law, Ambika and Ambalika, the former princesses of Kashi. Their sons were prince Dhritrashtra , father of Kauravas and Prince Pandu, whose wives Kunti and Madri ,gave birth to Karna and Pandavas. The rest is well known
Source – Seema Burman’s article in Hindustan Times
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Quran Permits Wife Beatings
Muslim population is the second largest in the world only after Christanity. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population closely followed by India. In fact, Muslims are a majority in about 45 countries, while another 30 countries have sizable Muslim minorities . Many of the latter are in the west . Hence it is necessary to understand and appreciate the widespread religion and its practices.
The Guardian published in March 2007 a news item by Kate Connolly that a German Judge, Christa Datz-winter, refused a Moroccan woman a fast track divorce on the grounds that because she and her husband came from a Morrocan cultural environment in which it was not uncommon for a man to exert a right of corporal punishment over his wife. That is what the claimant had to reckon with when she married the defendent. When confronted, the Judge invoked the Quran to support her argument and in the court read from verse 34 of Sura four of the Quran , An-Nisa ( Women ), in which men are told to beat their wives as a final stage in dealing with disobedience.
The verse reads " --- as to those on whose part you fear desertion , admonish them and leave them alone in sleeping places and beat them."
( Claimants lawyer protested ," When Christians are arguing for a divorce they donot use the Bible" Later the Judge was removed and another appointed on the basis ' One thing must be clear: in Germany only German law applies '. )
The Guardian published in March 2007 a news item by Kate Connolly that a German Judge, Christa Datz-winter, refused a Moroccan woman a fast track divorce on the grounds that because she and her husband came from a Morrocan cultural environment in which it was not uncommon for a man to exert a right of corporal punishment over his wife. That is what the claimant had to reckon with when she married the defendent. When confronted, the Judge invoked the Quran to support her argument and in the court read from verse 34 of Sura four of the Quran , An-Nisa ( Women ), in which men are told to beat their wives as a final stage in dealing with disobedience.
The verse reads " --- as to those on whose part you fear desertion , admonish them and leave them alone in sleeping places and beat them."
( Claimants lawyer protested ," When Christians are arguing for a divorce they donot use the Bible" Later the Judge was removed and another appointed on the basis ' One thing must be clear: in Germany only German law applies '. )
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Muslim legal Code - Useful Information
Shariat law
Shariat Law also known as Muslim Personal law is broadly derived from the Quran to designate the rules and regulations governing the lives of Muslims.
All India Muslim Personal Board
It was constituted in 1973 to adopt strategies for protecting Shariat pronouncements in India. This private body has 41 Ulema working committee members . Its general body has 201 members which also include women.
Shariat law Issues
This law pertains to all cases of disputes among Muslims except agricultural land. It comprises succession, specific propery of females, marriage , divorce, maintenance, dowery, guardianship, gifts, trusts and their properties.
Fatwa
It is a legal pronouncement made by a Shariat scholar . It is generally issued by Islamic Institutions ab initio or at the request of an individual to settle a question of Islamic jurisprudence.
Shariat law Challenged
As Shariat rulings represent a parallel judicial system , it was challenged. However the Central Government and All India Muslim Personal Board contend that the rulings of Shariat Courts are only advisory in nature and do not affront the soverignty of the Constitution.
Recent Controversial Shariat Court Rulings
Shariat Court as recently as in 2006 sentenced to death a Danish cartoonist who had caricatured Prophet Mohammed. The judgment was pronounced after the Minister of Haj and Religious Minorities of Uttar Pradesh , Shri Yakub Qureshi, declared a reward of $11.5 million for the head of the cartoonist.
In 2005, the Shariat Court refused to take any action against Ali Mohammed after he raped his daughter- in- law Imrana and threatened to kill her. The court ruled that Noor Ilahi had ceased to be her husband and should then onwards be treated like her son.
Sources- Published news and articles
Shariat Law also known as Muslim Personal law is broadly derived from the Quran to designate the rules and regulations governing the lives of Muslims.
All India Muslim Personal Board
It was constituted in 1973 to adopt strategies for protecting Shariat pronouncements in India. This private body has 41 Ulema working committee members . Its general body has 201 members which also include women.
Shariat law Issues
This law pertains to all cases of disputes among Muslims except agricultural land. It comprises succession, specific propery of females, marriage , divorce, maintenance, dowery, guardianship, gifts, trusts and their properties.
Fatwa
It is a legal pronouncement made by a Shariat scholar . It is generally issued by Islamic Institutions ab initio or at the request of an individual to settle a question of Islamic jurisprudence.
Shariat law Challenged
As Shariat rulings represent a parallel judicial system , it was challenged. However the Central Government and All India Muslim Personal Board contend that the rulings of Shariat Courts are only advisory in nature and do not affront the soverignty of the Constitution.
Recent Controversial Shariat Court Rulings
Shariat Court as recently as in 2006 sentenced to death a Danish cartoonist who had caricatured Prophet Mohammed. The judgment was pronounced after the Minister of Haj and Religious Minorities of Uttar Pradesh , Shri Yakub Qureshi, declared a reward of $11.5 million for the head of the cartoonist.
In 2005, the Shariat Court refused to take any action against Ali Mohammed after he raped his daughter- in- law Imrana and threatened to kill her. The court ruled that Noor Ilahi had ceased to be her husband and should then onwards be treated like her son.
Sources- Published news and articles
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
A Compilation Of Glimpses Of Upnishads
A Compilation of Glimpses of Some Upnishadic Contents
The Brahma ( Almighty God – Parmatma )
The word ‘Ved’ is from the root ‘Vid’ meaning to know. Thus Ved means ‘knowledge’. This knowledge is for ever, immortal and eternal .The theme of Upnishads is the ‘Brahma’, the Supreme Being whose existence is eternal truth and an immutable and immortal reality. Brahma is absolute truth .He is beyond sound , touch , form ,and taste Without Brahma mind can not contemplate on any thing , eyes can not see and ears are not able to hear . It can not be defined in terms of dimensional or other qualities, such as , gross or subtle, small or big .The Absolute Truth is without properties , is without qualities ,is without form and therefore it can not and never be an object of not only perception but even of emotions or of thoughts . It can not be comprehended by the mind or appreciated by the intellect , nor can it be perceived by the sense organs . It is consciousness and absolute bliss. The world ‘Jagat’ one perceives with life ‘ Jeev’ and objects ‘Prakriti’ was one infinite whole before creation This universe is nothing but Brahma. This Brahma, which is the cream of Upnishads, is above cause and effect. It is every where – within and without.
One experiences Brahma when the mind is fully merged in the contemplation of Brahma and all other thoughts have been totally eliminated. This is the declaration of Upnishads, The quest for the Truth is to be done nowhere other than the sacred sanctum of one’s own self. He who has realized his oneness with the entire world and sees his own ‘Self’ as the ‘Self’ in all will no more be affected by the sorrows and desires. He has nothing to gain or aspire for from the world of objects.
Enlightened Man - Awakened Man
When there is no desire there is absolute freedom. When there is no attachment with any thing there is absolute freedom. When there is no ego ( Self) there is freedom. Freedom does not mean freedom of self. Freedom means freedom from self. It brings immense bliss and benediction. He becomes one with the Almighty having surrendered himself completely. All his actions are pious then and for the benefit of the mankind and society which nourished him and gave him the opportunity and ability to tread upon this glorious path and become enlightened. Mahavir was totally enlightened as he had no desires and had no attachment – even with the loin cloth . Kabir and Budh were also awakened men to an extent. So also Christ, though only for a brief time. Here is how :-
On the cross Jesus said, “ Lord, why have you forsaken me ”. Jesus was expecting a miracle that would save him from being crucified. Jesus had desire. Nothing happened . He became enlightened only just before his death when he raised his eyes towards the sky and said, “ Forgive me. Let Thy Kingdom come. Let Thy be done .Forgive them. They know not what they are doing.” The moment he said so, he surrendered his ego – the self with all its expectations . He surrendered his mind with all its desires He totally surrendered. In the let go he became Christ. He was one with the Universe, no expectations, no frustrations. There after he died and did not say any thing.
Background
Vedic civilization, called now by name Hinduism , began almost 5000 years ago followed by Jainism, Budhism and Confucianism . Christianity emerged 2000 years ago , Islam 1400 years ago. Sikhism 500 years ago.
Hindu Vedic scriptures – four Veds , Upnishads , Gita and Purans take you to a period before which no other literature in any form existed in the world . The four Veds – Rig Ved, Yajur Ved, Atharva Ved and Sam Ved were created during the Vedic period when the people did not know the art of writing .The ancient Veds were based on intuitive human knowledge , extra intelligence ,experience and revelation . Serious attempt is made to know – ‘ What life is’ , ‘ How did it come into being’ , ‘ Who am I’ ,’ What is the purpose of life’, ‘ Is life an empty and meaningless incident’ , ‘ Is there a mission in life’ . Veds do not contain empty philosophical hairsplitting. They seek the truth and dwell deeper and deeper into the very source of life in us . seeking the Truth they go from the gross visible world to the subtlest . The centre source is very subtle and words can not explain it. It has to be experienced completely detached from the outer world which we know from bodily sense organs. Rishis try to understand how the mind works, how the intellect functions .The enquiry is into the very nature of Reality ( Brahma , Paramatma ) . The Veds suggest technique and hypothesis which the seeker of Truth may adopt.
The entire Veds were in early period handed down from the teacher to the disciple
only by word of mouth – orally . Ved Vyas then at a much later date collected the
‘Verses’ from scattered scholars, classified, purified and preserved them in writing .
After editing, he compiled them in four volumes.
During the period of Upnishads the population was small. The land was vast. Thick forests, fertile land gave unlimited economic opportunities for every one Society was ripe with great potentialities. The society had found leisure to think and ask questions . It was a period of renaissance .People had the choice of either conquer the outer world with their undoubted mental development or work inward in depth in man as individual .They took to spirituality and did not pursue outwardly sensual pleasures . This latter recourse was subsequently adopted by Christian civilization. Greeks specialized in the subject of man in society.
Upnishads in their spacious imagination , most scientific spirit of exploration , a gigantic sweep of thought , dug inward in the individual to reveal the secrets of Universe and unraveled the mystery of self within – the immortal soul .Hinduism is not a religion .( In fact the name ‘Hindu’ was given by foreigners who reached river Sindhu in North West Bharat and learnt from the tribals the name of the river as ‘Hindu’ as they were pronouncing letter ‘S’ as ‘H’ . Even now the Bheels and other tribals do so. They called people living there as Hindus. Muslims later named the country Hindustan – the country of Hindus ) It is a philosophical way of life and unlike other religions is not an adjunct of socio- political system but is wholly spiritual. Upnishads teachings turn the senses inward , so that human awareness goes beyond the body , the senses and the external environment and the man realizes his inner self ,ie, realizes himself as immortal self beyond finite time , space and cycles of births and deaths .Soul resides only in a temporary body By meditation man penetrates inwardly and leaves behind the body , the senses , the ego and all other non self elements which being nature’s products decay and perish with time .Upnishads discover the techniques of realizing the immortal divine self ( Soul ) , the nature of infinite existence , infinite knowledge and infinite bliss. Individual souls are from one Supreme Being – God – Paramatma. Soul ( Atma ) merges with Paramatma when one gains enlightenment ,ie, when we are able to leave without conscious effort our ego ( ‘I’ , ‘Me’ , ‘Mine’ ) , pleasures and sorrows of senses , all actions ( either good or bad ) and our mind is one with our Atma , ie , in the sense that mortal self becomes zero and the body just listens and acts as per the dictates of Atma . Soul is then no more chained to the body but is free to utilize the body. One attains eternal bliss .
Ancient Indian sages followed their own teachings and became aware of pioneering quality of their efforts and discovery and its significance for all humanity . Veds and Upnishads have been created by several saints ( Rishis ) who did not put their names on their creation as they had totally given up their mortal self and ego .
Upnishads are in verse – easy to remember and memorize. There was no written word. Whatever people could remember were collected and collated in the form of printed books later. These were initially not books to replace the teacher but to help the pupils to understand what the sages explained and taught them verbally .Sometimes Upnishads confuse us as we read them today isolated from the teachings of sages of yore and without their personal experiences and explanations. There are references to ceremonials, sacrifices and worships being followed by society in those early times. In present day environment these may be difficult to comprehend.
Upnishads
Introduction
Each of the four Veds ( Rig, Yajur , Atharva and Sam Veds ) reveals the contents in four sections :-
(a) ‘ Mantra’ Portion - describes in lyrics beauty of nature and power of
phenomenal forces .
(b) The ‘ Brahman’ Portion - deals with ritualistic injunctions and prescriptions for
various ceremonies .
(c) The ‘ Aranyaka’ - contains various methods of meditation called ‘ Upasana’
(d) The ‘ Upnishads’ -These are philosophical portions appended with every Ved
Upnishads contain philosophical discussions at various times between teachers and disciples regarding external purpose of Creation and the great goal of Existence. The entire picture of evolution of man and the subtle techniques of attaining the state of self-realization are revealed. They reveal the intricate philosophy of Hinduism.
So far 280 Upnishads have been unearthed. Scholars still research in fixing their dates and authenticity. Out of these 11 Upnishads have had exhaustive and learned expositions by master minds like Sri Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhvacharya.
These are not declarations of man of wisdom under some divine urge. In Upnishads we see an array of mighty men who had enriched their contents by their dedicated investigations in, contemplation upon, and discoveries on the source of life. A spiritual realm has been opened up to the students leading them to attain supreme wisdom.
Rishis never fanatically insist upon any belief. They minutely observe and analyze the known and very logically they deduce the possibilities of the unknown and unfold techniques to students to experience themselves Upnishdic theories. Rishis were following in their daily lives what they were propounding. Discussions were based on their actual experience. They were egoless. Hinduism symbolizes spirituality. Hindus pursue spiritualism. Hindus through supreme wisdom seek the Truth through self-realization of the divine soul within.
An idea of Upnishad Contents
Kathopanishad ( Katha Upnishad )
Like Kurukshetra scene in Bhagvat Gita, where Arjun stricken by remorse and doubt, turns to Lord Krishna, his Charioteer, for divine guidance, Katha Upnishad introduces as background, Nachiketa son of Vajasravasa, as the ideal seeker of knowledge displaying courage and resolve, when Yama ( Death ) imparts great teaching on the nature of Atma ( Soul )
After completion of elaborate sacrifice, Nachiketa’s father bestows his worldly possessions as gift to assembled guests. Nachiketa feels that his father should gift what is dear to him rather than the cows past the age of bearing. He pesters his father by asking him, “To whom are you going to give me”. Father in annoyance without meaning tells him, “I shall give you to Yama”. Any thing uttered on solemn occasions must be carried out. Nachiketa goes to Yama uninvited and much before his time. Yama was away and returned after three days. Keeping a Brahaman waiting was considered an offence. So Yama offered Navhiketa three boons. As a third boon for himself Nachiketa demanded knowledge of soul from Yama as he alone knew about soul before and after death of a living being.Yama tested Nachiketa by offering him unlimited life span, wealth, land, enjoyment of every desire etc. But Nachiketa declined as these were all perishable. Yama accepts the pupil and explains:-
In pursuit of Truth good is something different from pleasant. Whoever chooses good attains happiness. Fools choose the pleasant and perish.
The main obstacle in the path of man striving for higher life is the identification of oneself with the body. The man should realize the divine character of his own soul and its inherent freedom. Souls like God, and Prakriti ( Objects ) are unborn, eternal, everlasting and always existed. When one realizes the divine spirit within himself, all confusion of joy and grief disappears. The realization comes from ones own pure heart, resolve and earnestness of purpose. It does not come by study or learned discussions. Self realization leads to detachment. He realizes that the imperishable bodiless soul is lodged in a perishable body. The soul is divine in origin, pure and immortal. The body is like a chariot to which the senses are yoked like horses. The mind is like the reins to hold the horses ,ie, the senses, in check. The soul rides on the chariot. The road is the world of objects over which the senses move. If the reins are not held firmly and wisely, the senses like vicious horses will get out of control and the chariot will not reach the goal of supreme bliss, but will go round and round in births and rebirths .
Faith and discipline in life are necessary. The illusions arise not so much from ignorance as from attachments. Enlightenment comes with detachment, not with learning. The discipline and meditation that help the soul to detach itself from the things of the world is what is called ‘Yoga’.
Question is asked whether the soul within shines by its own light (Self-luminous soul) or does it shine by another light. Stars, sun, lighting flashes do not furnish the light there. The Supreme Spirit (Paramatma- God) shines and all things shine as a result. Everything in the universe reflects that light. Once a person realizes the pure divinity of the soul within, as spirit, his relationship with the Supreme Being is one of perfect identity. A person while seeking within himself the Truth, ie, perfect knowledge of the divinity of the soul, he discovers and experiences himself as the whole – The Supreme Being. I am Thyself as spirit.
Hindu philosophical thoughts concerning Soul and Paramatma
There are three schools of thought in Hindu Philosophy. They are not competing or contradicting one another but necessary stages to pass in our pilgrimage to the peak of perfection.
(1) Dualism of Sri Madhavacharya - It concludes that Paramatma and Souls ( Devotees) are two distinct entities and relationship of devotees is one of complete surrender in love and reverence to Paramatma. This philosophy views Truth with reference to his body.This is the first stage of pilgrimage when one is conscious of his body.
(2) Qualified non-ism of Sri Ramanuja argues in a different way and concludes that the devotee is a part of the whole – Paramatma. One identifies himself with the mind and intellect. I am a part of Thee. This philosophy views Truth from the psychological perception. This is the second stage of spiritual progress.
(3) Non-dualism of Sri Sankara. Once a person drops all his wrong identifications with his body or his psychological entity, he experiences the great Truth of the divine nature of his soul as pure spirit, his relationship with the Supreme Being is one of perfect identity. There can not be a relationship as it denotes existence of at least two things. This is the third and final stage.
Some idea of Isawasyopanishad
Every thing in the universe abides in the Supreme Being. Joy comes only by the giving up of desires and attachments. One should not neglect his duties but discipline his mind and control his senses. One should purify himself by discipline of conduct and by means of restraint on the senses. Our duty is towards society – social cooperation. What we perform for the well being of others is work ‘Karma’. What we do for ourselves is not work. Bad deeds and even good deeds cling to our soul and the cycles of death-rebirth continue till one secures ‘ Moksha’ ( Passing through death to immortality ) through self realization and attaining enlightenment. (Cycles of death and rebirth are essential for the sustenance of the world. Souls even after Moksha will reenter this cycle after a near infinite time.) Enlightenment is achieved through detachment, control of senses and meditation, giving up your Ego, Self, I, Me, Mine, Ahankar etc all together, so that all worldly thoughts disappear from the mind leaving a vivid empty (Shunya) state, enabling one to look inwards and realize the divinity of soul within, which is an observer ( Drishta) and a witness ( Sakshi) of ones mortal body’s actions. After realization of the relation between individual soul to the Supreme Spirit ( Paramatma) that it is of the same substance and nature and divine in origin as the Supreme Spirit one attains enlightenment. This part,ie, soul, comes from the whole which is of such a transcendental nature that the whole remains whole, and what is taken out, ie, soul, is as whole as the original. Suprme Spirit manifests and is immanent in every thing. Axioms in mathematics do not apply. On realization your immortal soulbecomes one with the Supreme Being and you get the greatest bliss. The soul gets free from the shackles and bondage of desire and ego and guides the mind and senses and all actions are as per the dictates of Supreme Being, dedicated to Him completely. ( Some of your actions may not be acceptable to a section of society though they may be for its good, yet you carry on regardless like Mahavir, GautamBudh, Kabir, Jesus, Mohammed, Shridi Saibaba, Ram Krishna Paramhans to cite a few.). Since Paramatma is formless, He does not adopt any form and no one can have a glimpse of Him. He manifests Himself as a force. Each one visualizes Him in his own way as per ones imagination.
As soul is the life of the body without which it would be dead, so is the Supreme Spirit the essence of individual souls. Supreme Spirit ( Paramatma) is the internal spirit of every thing in the universe. Supreme Spirit pervades in all souls. Once this is realized, distinction between oneself and others disappears. One sees universal spirit in all things and there is no need to protect oneself against others. One realizes the oneness of all things, illusion and grief thus vanish. Upnishad insists on the realisation of all-inclusive oneness of the soul of the universe.
A glimpse of Kenopanishad
The subject matter of the Kenopanishad is an enquiry into the nature of Reality ( Brahma - Paramatma). The Upnishad suggests the nature of Reality and pre-conditions for experiencing it. The ancient Veds were based on intuitive human knowledge, experience and revelations. They prescribe both technique and hypothesis which the seeker of Truth is expected to adopt.
The teacher, herein, explains to the disciple the source of all life within ourselves is called Atma (Soul). Sense organs function because of Atma. It is the spark ( Chaitanya) . The soul or spirit enables the eye to see , the ear to hear, the breath to move, and mind to think. The spirit enables one to think through his mind. Since all bodily functions depend on this spirit, hence neither by the senses nor by human reasoning can one hope to comprehend the nature of spirit, or soul. It is this source of life ( Soul) which alone can vitalize the sense organs to perform their allotted functions Hence there is a limit to thinking. This is so because the subject, the object and the means are all identical. It is the soul by which understanding itself functions. So the limitations of human knowledge, when trying to comprehend the Supreme Being is brought out in this Upnishad
.
Those who realize the limitations of the human mind with regard o the knowledge of Supreme Spirit and confess ignorance, really approach a true understanding of it.
The soul itself is immortal and one has but to know it to become immortal. It is by awakening and not by reasoning one can get a vision of the Supreme Spirit The Supreme Spirit ( Paramatma) cannot be expressed by words. It is absolute and infinite. The seeker has to realize this great Truth for himself, by himself, in himself.
The Upnishad suggests the nature of Truth and sets the seeker to pursue it. There is no dogmatic assertion. The Upnishad initiates the seeker to Truth who is expected to realize himself by following the prescribed techniques.
A glimpse of Svetasvatar Upnishad
Paramatma ( God, The Lord, The Supreme Being etc ) upholds the universe which is a union of un-manifest and manifest, the imperishable and perishable. He rules over the soul as well as the material nature which forms the field for the soul’s functioning. Man reaches liberation from all the illusions of the world by contemplation and repeated meditation until realization is attained of the true nature of Paramatma, matter and soul. The Divine self which is hidden within one’s self , can be made manifest ( Like the butter concealed in the milk is separated by churning the milk) through the practice of truth, meditation and by control of mind and senses.
The Supreme Soul ever dwells in the heart of man. He can be perceived not by the eye but the heart. He who perceives Him by the heart ( Devotion, Bhakti) attains immortality .
Soul functioning as enjoyer through the senses in man loses the consciousness of the Supreme Being and is enchained. When he realizes the divinity of his soul, he obtains release and attains immortality.
Upnishad says that direct teaching from father or teacher is essential. The disciple is required to purge his previous character and to restrain his mind and senses. Bookish knowledge would not be of much avail. ‘I am God’ would lead to arrogance and atheism without purity of character, restraint and humility and personal guidance of teacher.
A glimpse of Chhandogyopanishad
Uddalka is teaching his son Svet Ketu how the universe has evolved out of Sat, ie, Being with consciousness.
He begins with the old riddle. Was there a first cause? Vain search for causes lead us back into an interminable chain and finally we give up the theory of causation and say that universe came out of nothing. Rishis say that it cannot be so. Out of nothing, nothing could come. Non-being can not produce being. Much less, could the phenomenon of consciousness come out of nothing. We must hold that there was first, cause- Sat,-being with consciousness. The universe has been evolved out of the ‘Sat’.
Svet Ketu has doubts that universe could be produced in this simple way. Uddalka says that inside a small seed of a Banyan tree there is subtle substance which our eyes do not even perceive, yet in it a whole tree exists. Likewise all that exists in the universe was in that Sat. ‘Thou also art that’. The seed has in it its past, present and future.
Question is asked if Sat is all pervading why is it not perceived clearly. Answer is given that lump of salt is dissolved in water it disappears, so is that SAT is lost from view in the universe. As the salt is present in every part of the water so is SAT, immanent in every thing in the universe.
Next question is, ‘How do we gain knowledge of the SAT which is imperceptible?’ The teacher tells that due to our past deeds we have come to the present condition. As soon as our desires and attachments that bind our vision are removed we would find our way to Sat. Thereafter it is only a matter of waiting for natural death.
A glimpse of Mundak Upnishad
The disciple is instructed that two types of learning’s are worthy of being learnt, of which the learned treat one as higher and the other as lower. The four Veds (Veds were the encyclopedia of all knowledge of those days and not a hymn book only), grammar, etymology, meter, astronomy, ayurved, intonation, ritual and all else that is commonly known as learning constitute the lower knowledge. The higher is that by which the ever-existing is realized.
The Upnishad deals with the relationship between the individual soul and the Absolute Being. The soul is like the spark that is thrown out and reabsorbed by the blazing fire. The Upnishad leaves it to be inferred that it is of the same nature as the fire and does not exist apart from it.
The whole universe is a manifestation and product of that universal, formless, causeless, Being. The sun, the moon and the souls of all existing beings are parts and manifestations of that single all immanent Being. All life and all qualities, functions and activities are forms of that single energy.
From Him have come all the mountains and the seas, the rivers, the trees and plants and their life bearing essences. He who thus knows the Supreme Spirit that dwells within the heart shakes off all the knots of ignorance which bind man.
He is the whole universe. However, earth and sky, our mind and life breath are all woven into Him. All other knowledge is mere snare of words to be escaped from. He is the one and only Existence. This knowledge is the bridge leading to Immortality.
When His presence in our own bodies and His immanence in every aspect of existence is realized, all doubts, all attachments and all activities vanish. Man’s suffering lasts only until he sees the Supreme Being that dwells within himself. Distinction between good and evil drops out. He is freed from the passions and reaches the goal – becomes one with the Universal.
How can one be enabled to have a vision of the Supreme Being within oneself? He cannot be apprehended by the eyes, nor by speech nor through other senses, not even by austerities or ceremonials. Mere learning does not reveal Him. He is to be apprehended only by mind into which all the senses have been drawn in. he whose mind is pure and serene (ie, all thought is interwoven with the senses, and it is only when the mind is released from all this and is in a state of perfect freedom, tranquility and equanimity ) can by meditation attain a vision of the Indivisible – The God reveals Himself.
One has to realize that the Supreme Being is the life that lives and the light that shines in every thing. When he realizes this he loses his dependence on externals and finds bliss in himself.
Truth, penance, understanding and purity are essential requisites for this revelation within. Truth is the only pathway to God and seers pursue this to reach Him. This emphatic dependence on truth is the dominating character of the Upnishad.
Much learning or scholarly discussions, or force of intellect can not enable one to realize the spirit within. The spirit that yearns for self-realization releases itself. The yearning for realization automatically destroys other desires and attachments, and enables one to reach self-realization.
The feeble minded, who do not make earnest effort through well directed meditation and control of mind and senses, cannot hope to realize the soul; within. The will to realize and strenuous efforts are necessary. Mere austerities without devotion would not help.
Knowledge and discipline are mutually complimentary. “vedant’ explains the true nature of what we seek. ‘Yoga’, detachment and self discipline purify the mind and enables it to perceive the Truth. Those whose understanding has been thus enlightened as well as purified become one with the Universal Spirit. They join the Supreme Being and lose themselves in Him as all the rivers join and lose themselves in the great ocean.
A glimpse of Taittiriy Upnishad
Here we have valedictory exhortation by the teacher to the pupils on completion of their study of Veds, when the pupils have to end their stay with the teacher. Following are the instructions:-
Speak what is true. Never swerve from Truth and Duty. Do your duty. Study Veds daily without neglect. Refresh your memory in respect of what you have learnt. Achieve excellence.
Bring forth progeny.
Respect your ancestors, mother, father, teacher, guest and better men.
Use your understanding to distinguish the good from the blameworthy. Avoid the later. In case of doubt follow the example of pious in the neighborhood.
Give alms with faith and joy and with humility and kindness.
Food is sacred. By food we live and after death we become food for other beings. Produce plenty of food and never turn away any one who comes for food. Never speak ill of food.
Appendix
Glossary Of Words For Better Understanding Of Vedic Scriptures
Formless - Niraka
Knowledge - Gyan, Vidya
Thought - Vriti
Duality -Dwaitavad
Non-duality -Adwaitvad
Differentiation - Bhed
Sense-control - Sam
Mental-control - Dam
Contemplation - Uprathi
Self-absorption - Samadhi
I and Mine - Asmita
Desires - Rag
Passions - Dwesh
Sorrow - Shoka
Attachment -Moha
Ignorance - avidya
Merits - Punya
De-merits - Pap
Eternal - Nitya
Constant -Nirantar
Blissful nature - Anand Swarup
Faith - Shradha
Devotion - Bhakti
Meditation - Dhya
World of objects - Prakriti
Individuality - Jeev ( Living Being )
Ved - Knowledge, Vidya
Vedant - Conclusion of all Veds- the end. Vedant is but another
name for the Upnishads
Entire visible universe - Jagat
Living beings in Jagat - Jeev
Delusions - Fantasy of wrong ideas
Illusion - Misinterpret what one sees or hears
Hellunciations - One may see, hear, feel, taste or smell things that are
not there.
Vasanas - Mental impressions - desires
Pravriti - Path of action
Nivriti - Path of renunciation
Karma Yog - Path of action for self development
Gyan Yog - Path of knowledge
Yog - The term signifies means that connect lower way of
life with the higher through a technique of self
self development. Joining oneself with the Supreme
Moksh - Attain ultimate freedom from cycles of death and
birth- salvation
Sadhu - Ascetic
Sidh - Perfect one
Sadhak - seeker after perfection
Indrian - Means of perception and action
Dakhina - Ritual gifts
Bhawana - feeling, attribute
Dhyan - Meditation
Sadhana - Means of inward growth
Abhyas - Practice
Vairagya -Detachment
Chetna -Consciousness
Atma - Soul , Spirit, Jeev, Living
Prakriti - Nature ( Nirjiv- non-living)
Jap - Prayer
Tap - Penance
Tapashcharya -Austerity
Adhyayan -Study
Brahm Vidya -Eternal Reality
Eikagrata -Concentration , one pointedness
Prapati - Surrender to God
Satapya - Constancy
Samarpan - Complete dedication, total surrender
Karma - Concrete outward action performed as
Per one’s duty ( Swadharma)
Vikarma - Participation of mind and heart in one’s
actions.
Akarma - Participation of mind and heart in
unision with the body. ( Karma plus
Akarma ) – Inaction in action
Four Paths to reach the
Ultimate Goal (1) Bhakti Yog – Path of devotion
(2) Gyana Yog _ Path of knowledge
(3) Karma Yog _ Path of action
(4) Hatha Yog _ path of mysticism
Five elements of manifest world - (1) Akash (Ether)
(2) Vayu ( Air )
(3) Jal (Water)
(4) Prithivi (Earth)
(5) Agni (Fire)
Five Senses - See, Hear, Touch (Feel),Taste and Smell
( Netra, Shrotra, Twacha, Jiwha, and nasika)
Three states of mind - (1) Satwic - Pure and noble - unactivity
(2) Rajasic – Agitated, strong, passionate and ambitious -
activity
(3)Tamsic – Dull and inactive – inactivity
Man - Mind is an instrument of feelings and emotions
Budhi, Vivek ( Intellect ) - Intellect is the one which discriminates and judges
Discrimination is in two categories :-
(1) Gross Intellect ( Tikshna Budhi)—world of
objects discrimination
(2) Subtle Intellect ( Sukshma Budhi )—It discriminates between spirit and matter or transcendental and the terrestrial
Gross Body ( Sthool Sharir)
- Contains organs of perception ( Eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin) and five organs of action ( Hands, legs, speech, genital organs and the organ of evacuation). It is the medium through which the individual contacts the outer world of objects and expresses his joys and sorrows.
Subtle Body ( Sukshma Sharir)
It constitutes of thoughts both mental ( Mind ) and intellectual. Mental contains emotions and feelings and intellect is ideas and ideals.
Casual Body ( Karan Sharir)
It controls the intellect . It is made up of ignorance of the self ( Vasana, Avidya) existing in deep sleep state of consciousness. ( Non appreciation of Reality)
The Brahma ( Almighty God – Parmatma )
The word ‘Ved’ is from the root ‘Vid’ meaning to know. Thus Ved means ‘knowledge’. This knowledge is for ever, immortal and eternal .The theme of Upnishads is the ‘Brahma’, the Supreme Being whose existence is eternal truth and an immutable and immortal reality. Brahma is absolute truth .He is beyond sound , touch , form ,and taste Without Brahma mind can not contemplate on any thing , eyes can not see and ears are not able to hear . It can not be defined in terms of dimensional or other qualities, such as , gross or subtle, small or big .The Absolute Truth is without properties , is without qualities ,is without form and therefore it can not and never be an object of not only perception but even of emotions or of thoughts . It can not be comprehended by the mind or appreciated by the intellect , nor can it be perceived by the sense organs . It is consciousness and absolute bliss. The world ‘Jagat’ one perceives with life ‘ Jeev’ and objects ‘Prakriti’ was one infinite whole before creation This universe is nothing but Brahma. This Brahma, which is the cream of Upnishads, is above cause and effect. It is every where – within and without.
One experiences Brahma when the mind is fully merged in the contemplation of Brahma and all other thoughts have been totally eliminated. This is the declaration of Upnishads, The quest for the Truth is to be done nowhere other than the sacred sanctum of one’s own self. He who has realized his oneness with the entire world and sees his own ‘Self’ as the ‘Self’ in all will no more be affected by the sorrows and desires. He has nothing to gain or aspire for from the world of objects.
Enlightened Man - Awakened Man
When there is no desire there is absolute freedom. When there is no attachment with any thing there is absolute freedom. When there is no ego ( Self) there is freedom. Freedom does not mean freedom of self. Freedom means freedom from self. It brings immense bliss and benediction. He becomes one with the Almighty having surrendered himself completely. All his actions are pious then and for the benefit of the mankind and society which nourished him and gave him the opportunity and ability to tread upon this glorious path and become enlightened. Mahavir was totally enlightened as he had no desires and had no attachment – even with the loin cloth . Kabir and Budh were also awakened men to an extent. So also Christ, though only for a brief time. Here is how :-
On the cross Jesus said, “ Lord, why have you forsaken me ”. Jesus was expecting a miracle that would save him from being crucified. Jesus had desire. Nothing happened . He became enlightened only just before his death when he raised his eyes towards the sky and said, “ Forgive me. Let Thy Kingdom come. Let Thy be done .Forgive them. They know not what they are doing.” The moment he said so, he surrendered his ego – the self with all its expectations . He surrendered his mind with all its desires He totally surrendered. In the let go he became Christ. He was one with the Universe, no expectations, no frustrations. There after he died and did not say any thing.
Background
Vedic civilization, called now by name Hinduism , began almost 5000 years ago followed by Jainism, Budhism and Confucianism . Christianity emerged 2000 years ago , Islam 1400 years ago. Sikhism 500 years ago.
Hindu Vedic scriptures – four Veds , Upnishads , Gita and Purans take you to a period before which no other literature in any form existed in the world . The four Veds – Rig Ved, Yajur Ved, Atharva Ved and Sam Ved were created during the Vedic period when the people did not know the art of writing .The ancient Veds were based on intuitive human knowledge , extra intelligence ,experience and revelation . Serious attempt is made to know – ‘ What life is’ , ‘ How did it come into being’ , ‘ Who am I’ ,’ What is the purpose of life’, ‘ Is life an empty and meaningless incident’ , ‘ Is there a mission in life’ . Veds do not contain empty philosophical hairsplitting. They seek the truth and dwell deeper and deeper into the very source of life in us . seeking the Truth they go from the gross visible world to the subtlest . The centre source is very subtle and words can not explain it. It has to be experienced completely detached from the outer world which we know from bodily sense organs. Rishis try to understand how the mind works, how the intellect functions .The enquiry is into the very nature of Reality ( Brahma , Paramatma ) . The Veds suggest technique and hypothesis which the seeker of Truth may adopt.
The entire Veds were in early period handed down from the teacher to the disciple
only by word of mouth – orally . Ved Vyas then at a much later date collected the
‘Verses’ from scattered scholars, classified, purified and preserved them in writing .
After editing, he compiled them in four volumes.
During the period of Upnishads the population was small. The land was vast. Thick forests, fertile land gave unlimited economic opportunities for every one Society was ripe with great potentialities. The society had found leisure to think and ask questions . It was a period of renaissance .People had the choice of either conquer the outer world with their undoubted mental development or work inward in depth in man as individual .They took to spirituality and did not pursue outwardly sensual pleasures . This latter recourse was subsequently adopted by Christian civilization. Greeks specialized in the subject of man in society.
Upnishads in their spacious imagination , most scientific spirit of exploration , a gigantic sweep of thought , dug inward in the individual to reveal the secrets of Universe and unraveled the mystery of self within – the immortal soul .Hinduism is not a religion .( In fact the name ‘Hindu’ was given by foreigners who reached river Sindhu in North West Bharat and learnt from the tribals the name of the river as ‘Hindu’ as they were pronouncing letter ‘S’ as ‘H’ . Even now the Bheels and other tribals do so. They called people living there as Hindus. Muslims later named the country Hindustan – the country of Hindus ) It is a philosophical way of life and unlike other religions is not an adjunct of socio- political system but is wholly spiritual. Upnishads teachings turn the senses inward , so that human awareness goes beyond the body , the senses and the external environment and the man realizes his inner self ,ie, realizes himself as immortal self beyond finite time , space and cycles of births and deaths .Soul resides only in a temporary body By meditation man penetrates inwardly and leaves behind the body , the senses , the ego and all other non self elements which being nature’s products decay and perish with time .Upnishads discover the techniques of realizing the immortal divine self ( Soul ) , the nature of infinite existence , infinite knowledge and infinite bliss. Individual souls are from one Supreme Being – God – Paramatma. Soul ( Atma ) merges with Paramatma when one gains enlightenment ,ie, when we are able to leave without conscious effort our ego ( ‘I’ , ‘Me’ , ‘Mine’ ) , pleasures and sorrows of senses , all actions ( either good or bad ) and our mind is one with our Atma , ie , in the sense that mortal self becomes zero and the body just listens and acts as per the dictates of Atma . Soul is then no more chained to the body but is free to utilize the body. One attains eternal bliss .
Ancient Indian sages followed their own teachings and became aware of pioneering quality of their efforts and discovery and its significance for all humanity . Veds and Upnishads have been created by several saints ( Rishis ) who did not put their names on their creation as they had totally given up their mortal self and ego .
Upnishads are in verse – easy to remember and memorize. There was no written word. Whatever people could remember were collected and collated in the form of printed books later. These were initially not books to replace the teacher but to help the pupils to understand what the sages explained and taught them verbally .Sometimes Upnishads confuse us as we read them today isolated from the teachings of sages of yore and without their personal experiences and explanations. There are references to ceremonials, sacrifices and worships being followed by society in those early times. In present day environment these may be difficult to comprehend.
Upnishads
Introduction
Each of the four Veds ( Rig, Yajur , Atharva and Sam Veds ) reveals the contents in four sections :-
(a) ‘ Mantra’ Portion - describes in lyrics beauty of nature and power of
phenomenal forces .
(b) The ‘ Brahman’ Portion - deals with ritualistic injunctions and prescriptions for
various ceremonies .
(c) The ‘ Aranyaka’ - contains various methods of meditation called ‘ Upasana’
(d) The ‘ Upnishads’ -These are philosophical portions appended with every Ved
Upnishads contain philosophical discussions at various times between teachers and disciples regarding external purpose of Creation and the great goal of Existence. The entire picture of evolution of man and the subtle techniques of attaining the state of self-realization are revealed. They reveal the intricate philosophy of Hinduism.
So far 280 Upnishads have been unearthed. Scholars still research in fixing their dates and authenticity. Out of these 11 Upnishads have had exhaustive and learned expositions by master minds like Sri Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhvacharya.
These are not declarations of man of wisdom under some divine urge. In Upnishads we see an array of mighty men who had enriched their contents by their dedicated investigations in, contemplation upon, and discoveries on the source of life. A spiritual realm has been opened up to the students leading them to attain supreme wisdom.
Rishis never fanatically insist upon any belief. They minutely observe and analyze the known and very logically they deduce the possibilities of the unknown and unfold techniques to students to experience themselves Upnishdic theories. Rishis were following in their daily lives what they were propounding. Discussions were based on their actual experience. They were egoless. Hinduism symbolizes spirituality. Hindus pursue spiritualism. Hindus through supreme wisdom seek the Truth through self-realization of the divine soul within.
An idea of Upnishad Contents
Kathopanishad ( Katha Upnishad )
Like Kurukshetra scene in Bhagvat Gita, where Arjun stricken by remorse and doubt, turns to Lord Krishna, his Charioteer, for divine guidance, Katha Upnishad introduces as background, Nachiketa son of Vajasravasa, as the ideal seeker of knowledge displaying courage and resolve, when Yama ( Death ) imparts great teaching on the nature of Atma ( Soul )
After completion of elaborate sacrifice, Nachiketa’s father bestows his worldly possessions as gift to assembled guests. Nachiketa feels that his father should gift what is dear to him rather than the cows past the age of bearing. He pesters his father by asking him, “To whom are you going to give me”. Father in annoyance without meaning tells him, “I shall give you to Yama”. Any thing uttered on solemn occasions must be carried out. Nachiketa goes to Yama uninvited and much before his time. Yama was away and returned after three days. Keeping a Brahaman waiting was considered an offence. So Yama offered Navhiketa three boons. As a third boon for himself Nachiketa demanded knowledge of soul from Yama as he alone knew about soul before and after death of a living being.Yama tested Nachiketa by offering him unlimited life span, wealth, land, enjoyment of every desire etc. But Nachiketa declined as these were all perishable. Yama accepts the pupil and explains:-
In pursuit of Truth good is something different from pleasant. Whoever chooses good attains happiness. Fools choose the pleasant and perish.
The main obstacle in the path of man striving for higher life is the identification of oneself with the body. The man should realize the divine character of his own soul and its inherent freedom. Souls like God, and Prakriti ( Objects ) are unborn, eternal, everlasting and always existed. When one realizes the divine spirit within himself, all confusion of joy and grief disappears. The realization comes from ones own pure heart, resolve and earnestness of purpose. It does not come by study or learned discussions. Self realization leads to detachment. He realizes that the imperishable bodiless soul is lodged in a perishable body. The soul is divine in origin, pure and immortal. The body is like a chariot to which the senses are yoked like horses. The mind is like the reins to hold the horses ,ie, the senses, in check. The soul rides on the chariot. The road is the world of objects over which the senses move. If the reins are not held firmly and wisely, the senses like vicious horses will get out of control and the chariot will not reach the goal of supreme bliss, but will go round and round in births and rebirths .
Faith and discipline in life are necessary. The illusions arise not so much from ignorance as from attachments. Enlightenment comes with detachment, not with learning. The discipline and meditation that help the soul to detach itself from the things of the world is what is called ‘Yoga’.
Question is asked whether the soul within shines by its own light (Self-luminous soul) or does it shine by another light. Stars, sun, lighting flashes do not furnish the light there. The Supreme Spirit (Paramatma- God) shines and all things shine as a result. Everything in the universe reflects that light. Once a person realizes the pure divinity of the soul within, as spirit, his relationship with the Supreme Being is one of perfect identity. A person while seeking within himself the Truth, ie, perfect knowledge of the divinity of the soul, he discovers and experiences himself as the whole – The Supreme Being. I am Thyself as spirit.
Hindu philosophical thoughts concerning Soul and Paramatma
There are three schools of thought in Hindu Philosophy. They are not competing or contradicting one another but necessary stages to pass in our pilgrimage to the peak of perfection.
(1) Dualism of Sri Madhavacharya - It concludes that Paramatma and Souls ( Devotees) are two distinct entities and relationship of devotees is one of complete surrender in love and reverence to Paramatma. This philosophy views Truth with reference to his body.This is the first stage of pilgrimage when one is conscious of his body.
(2) Qualified non-ism of Sri Ramanuja argues in a different way and concludes that the devotee is a part of the whole – Paramatma. One identifies himself with the mind and intellect. I am a part of Thee. This philosophy views Truth from the psychological perception. This is the second stage of spiritual progress.
(3) Non-dualism of Sri Sankara. Once a person drops all his wrong identifications with his body or his psychological entity, he experiences the great Truth of the divine nature of his soul as pure spirit, his relationship with the Supreme Being is one of perfect identity. There can not be a relationship as it denotes existence of at least two things. This is the third and final stage.
Some idea of Isawasyopanishad
Every thing in the universe abides in the Supreme Being. Joy comes only by the giving up of desires and attachments. One should not neglect his duties but discipline his mind and control his senses. One should purify himself by discipline of conduct and by means of restraint on the senses. Our duty is towards society – social cooperation. What we perform for the well being of others is work ‘Karma’. What we do for ourselves is not work. Bad deeds and even good deeds cling to our soul and the cycles of death-rebirth continue till one secures ‘ Moksha’ ( Passing through death to immortality ) through self realization and attaining enlightenment. (Cycles of death and rebirth are essential for the sustenance of the world. Souls even after Moksha will reenter this cycle after a near infinite time.) Enlightenment is achieved through detachment, control of senses and meditation, giving up your Ego, Self, I, Me, Mine, Ahankar etc all together, so that all worldly thoughts disappear from the mind leaving a vivid empty (Shunya) state, enabling one to look inwards and realize the divinity of soul within, which is an observer ( Drishta) and a witness ( Sakshi) of ones mortal body’s actions. After realization of the relation between individual soul to the Supreme Spirit ( Paramatma) that it is of the same substance and nature and divine in origin as the Supreme Spirit one attains enlightenment. This part,ie, soul, comes from the whole which is of such a transcendental nature that the whole remains whole, and what is taken out, ie, soul, is as whole as the original. Suprme Spirit manifests and is immanent in every thing. Axioms in mathematics do not apply. On realization your immortal soulbecomes one with the Supreme Being and you get the greatest bliss. The soul gets free from the shackles and bondage of desire and ego and guides the mind and senses and all actions are as per the dictates of Supreme Being, dedicated to Him completely. ( Some of your actions may not be acceptable to a section of society though they may be for its good, yet you carry on regardless like Mahavir, GautamBudh, Kabir, Jesus, Mohammed, Shridi Saibaba, Ram Krishna Paramhans to cite a few.). Since Paramatma is formless, He does not adopt any form and no one can have a glimpse of Him. He manifests Himself as a force. Each one visualizes Him in his own way as per ones imagination.
As soul is the life of the body without which it would be dead, so is the Supreme Spirit the essence of individual souls. Supreme Spirit ( Paramatma) is the internal spirit of every thing in the universe. Supreme Spirit pervades in all souls. Once this is realized, distinction between oneself and others disappears. One sees universal spirit in all things and there is no need to protect oneself against others. One realizes the oneness of all things, illusion and grief thus vanish. Upnishad insists on the realisation of all-inclusive oneness of the soul of the universe.
A glimpse of Kenopanishad
The subject matter of the Kenopanishad is an enquiry into the nature of Reality ( Brahma - Paramatma). The Upnishad suggests the nature of Reality and pre-conditions for experiencing it. The ancient Veds were based on intuitive human knowledge, experience and revelations. They prescribe both technique and hypothesis which the seeker of Truth is expected to adopt.
The teacher, herein, explains to the disciple the source of all life within ourselves is called Atma (Soul). Sense organs function because of Atma. It is the spark ( Chaitanya) . The soul or spirit enables the eye to see , the ear to hear, the breath to move, and mind to think. The spirit enables one to think through his mind. Since all bodily functions depend on this spirit, hence neither by the senses nor by human reasoning can one hope to comprehend the nature of spirit, or soul. It is this source of life ( Soul) which alone can vitalize the sense organs to perform their allotted functions Hence there is a limit to thinking. This is so because the subject, the object and the means are all identical. It is the soul by which understanding itself functions. So the limitations of human knowledge, when trying to comprehend the Supreme Being is brought out in this Upnishad
.
Those who realize the limitations of the human mind with regard o the knowledge of Supreme Spirit and confess ignorance, really approach a true understanding of it.
The soul itself is immortal and one has but to know it to become immortal. It is by awakening and not by reasoning one can get a vision of the Supreme Spirit The Supreme Spirit ( Paramatma) cannot be expressed by words. It is absolute and infinite. The seeker has to realize this great Truth for himself, by himself, in himself.
The Upnishad suggests the nature of Truth and sets the seeker to pursue it. There is no dogmatic assertion. The Upnishad initiates the seeker to Truth who is expected to realize himself by following the prescribed techniques.
A glimpse of Svetasvatar Upnishad
Paramatma ( God, The Lord, The Supreme Being etc ) upholds the universe which is a union of un-manifest and manifest, the imperishable and perishable. He rules over the soul as well as the material nature which forms the field for the soul’s functioning. Man reaches liberation from all the illusions of the world by contemplation and repeated meditation until realization is attained of the true nature of Paramatma, matter and soul. The Divine self which is hidden within one’s self , can be made manifest ( Like the butter concealed in the milk is separated by churning the milk) through the practice of truth, meditation and by control of mind and senses.
The Supreme Soul ever dwells in the heart of man. He can be perceived not by the eye but the heart. He who perceives Him by the heart ( Devotion, Bhakti) attains immortality .
Soul functioning as enjoyer through the senses in man loses the consciousness of the Supreme Being and is enchained. When he realizes the divinity of his soul, he obtains release and attains immortality.
Upnishad says that direct teaching from father or teacher is essential. The disciple is required to purge his previous character and to restrain his mind and senses. Bookish knowledge would not be of much avail. ‘I am God’ would lead to arrogance and atheism without purity of character, restraint and humility and personal guidance of teacher.
A glimpse of Chhandogyopanishad
Uddalka is teaching his son Svet Ketu how the universe has evolved out of Sat, ie, Being with consciousness.
He begins with the old riddle. Was there a first cause? Vain search for causes lead us back into an interminable chain and finally we give up the theory of causation and say that universe came out of nothing. Rishis say that it cannot be so. Out of nothing, nothing could come. Non-being can not produce being. Much less, could the phenomenon of consciousness come out of nothing. We must hold that there was first, cause- Sat,-being with consciousness. The universe has been evolved out of the ‘Sat’.
Svet Ketu has doubts that universe could be produced in this simple way. Uddalka says that inside a small seed of a Banyan tree there is subtle substance which our eyes do not even perceive, yet in it a whole tree exists. Likewise all that exists in the universe was in that Sat. ‘Thou also art that’. The seed has in it its past, present and future.
Question is asked if Sat is all pervading why is it not perceived clearly. Answer is given that lump of salt is dissolved in water it disappears, so is that SAT is lost from view in the universe. As the salt is present in every part of the water so is SAT, immanent in every thing in the universe.
Next question is, ‘How do we gain knowledge of the SAT which is imperceptible?’ The teacher tells that due to our past deeds we have come to the present condition. As soon as our desires and attachments that bind our vision are removed we would find our way to Sat. Thereafter it is only a matter of waiting for natural death.
A glimpse of Mundak Upnishad
The disciple is instructed that two types of learning’s are worthy of being learnt, of which the learned treat one as higher and the other as lower. The four Veds (Veds were the encyclopedia of all knowledge of those days and not a hymn book only), grammar, etymology, meter, astronomy, ayurved, intonation, ritual and all else that is commonly known as learning constitute the lower knowledge. The higher is that by which the ever-existing is realized.
The Upnishad deals with the relationship between the individual soul and the Absolute Being. The soul is like the spark that is thrown out and reabsorbed by the blazing fire. The Upnishad leaves it to be inferred that it is of the same nature as the fire and does not exist apart from it.
The whole universe is a manifestation and product of that universal, formless, causeless, Being. The sun, the moon and the souls of all existing beings are parts and manifestations of that single all immanent Being. All life and all qualities, functions and activities are forms of that single energy.
From Him have come all the mountains and the seas, the rivers, the trees and plants and their life bearing essences. He who thus knows the Supreme Spirit that dwells within the heart shakes off all the knots of ignorance which bind man.
He is the whole universe. However, earth and sky, our mind and life breath are all woven into Him. All other knowledge is mere snare of words to be escaped from. He is the one and only Existence. This knowledge is the bridge leading to Immortality.
When His presence in our own bodies and His immanence in every aspect of existence is realized, all doubts, all attachments and all activities vanish. Man’s suffering lasts only until he sees the Supreme Being that dwells within himself. Distinction between good and evil drops out. He is freed from the passions and reaches the goal – becomes one with the Universal.
How can one be enabled to have a vision of the Supreme Being within oneself? He cannot be apprehended by the eyes, nor by speech nor through other senses, not even by austerities or ceremonials. Mere learning does not reveal Him. He is to be apprehended only by mind into which all the senses have been drawn in. he whose mind is pure and serene (ie, all thought is interwoven with the senses, and it is only when the mind is released from all this and is in a state of perfect freedom, tranquility and equanimity ) can by meditation attain a vision of the Indivisible – The God reveals Himself.
One has to realize that the Supreme Being is the life that lives and the light that shines in every thing. When he realizes this he loses his dependence on externals and finds bliss in himself.
Truth, penance, understanding and purity are essential requisites for this revelation within. Truth is the only pathway to God and seers pursue this to reach Him. This emphatic dependence on truth is the dominating character of the Upnishad.
Much learning or scholarly discussions, or force of intellect can not enable one to realize the spirit within. The spirit that yearns for self-realization releases itself. The yearning for realization automatically destroys other desires and attachments, and enables one to reach self-realization.
The feeble minded, who do not make earnest effort through well directed meditation and control of mind and senses, cannot hope to realize the soul; within. The will to realize and strenuous efforts are necessary. Mere austerities without devotion would not help.
Knowledge and discipline are mutually complimentary. “vedant’ explains the true nature of what we seek. ‘Yoga’, detachment and self discipline purify the mind and enables it to perceive the Truth. Those whose understanding has been thus enlightened as well as purified become one with the Universal Spirit. They join the Supreme Being and lose themselves in Him as all the rivers join and lose themselves in the great ocean.
A glimpse of Taittiriy Upnishad
Here we have valedictory exhortation by the teacher to the pupils on completion of their study of Veds, when the pupils have to end their stay with the teacher. Following are the instructions:-
Speak what is true. Never swerve from Truth and Duty. Do your duty. Study Veds daily without neglect. Refresh your memory in respect of what you have learnt. Achieve excellence.
Bring forth progeny.
Respect your ancestors, mother, father, teacher, guest and better men.
Use your understanding to distinguish the good from the blameworthy. Avoid the later. In case of doubt follow the example of pious in the neighborhood.
Give alms with faith and joy and with humility and kindness.
Food is sacred. By food we live and after death we become food for other beings. Produce plenty of food and never turn away any one who comes for food. Never speak ill of food.
Appendix
Glossary Of Words For Better Understanding Of Vedic Scriptures
Formless - Niraka
Knowledge - Gyan, Vidya
Thought - Vriti
Duality -Dwaitavad
Non-duality -Adwaitvad
Differentiation - Bhed
Sense-control - Sam
Mental-control - Dam
Contemplation - Uprathi
Self-absorption - Samadhi
I and Mine - Asmita
Desires - Rag
Passions - Dwesh
Sorrow - Shoka
Attachment -Moha
Ignorance - avidya
Merits - Punya
De-merits - Pap
Eternal - Nitya
Constant -Nirantar
Blissful nature - Anand Swarup
Faith - Shradha
Devotion - Bhakti
Meditation - Dhya
World of objects - Prakriti
Individuality - Jeev ( Living Being )
Ved - Knowledge, Vidya
Vedant - Conclusion of all Veds- the end. Vedant is but another
name for the Upnishads
Entire visible universe - Jagat
Living beings in Jagat - Jeev
Delusions - Fantasy of wrong ideas
Illusion - Misinterpret what one sees or hears
Hellunciations - One may see, hear, feel, taste or smell things that are
not there.
Vasanas - Mental impressions - desires
Pravriti - Path of action
Nivriti - Path of renunciation
Karma Yog - Path of action for self development
Gyan Yog - Path of knowledge
Yog - The term signifies means that connect lower way of
life with the higher through a technique of self
self development. Joining oneself with the Supreme
Moksh - Attain ultimate freedom from cycles of death and
birth- salvation
Sadhu - Ascetic
Sidh - Perfect one
Sadhak - seeker after perfection
Indrian - Means of perception and action
Dakhina - Ritual gifts
Bhawana - feeling, attribute
Dhyan - Meditation
Sadhana - Means of inward growth
Abhyas - Practice
Vairagya -Detachment
Chetna -Consciousness
Atma - Soul , Spirit, Jeev, Living
Prakriti - Nature ( Nirjiv- non-living)
Jap - Prayer
Tap - Penance
Tapashcharya -Austerity
Adhyayan -Study
Brahm Vidya -Eternal Reality
Eikagrata -Concentration , one pointedness
Prapati - Surrender to God
Satapya - Constancy
Samarpan - Complete dedication, total surrender
Karma - Concrete outward action performed as
Per one’s duty ( Swadharma)
Vikarma - Participation of mind and heart in one’s
actions.
Akarma - Participation of mind and heart in
unision with the body. ( Karma plus
Akarma ) – Inaction in action
Four Paths to reach the
Ultimate Goal (1) Bhakti Yog – Path of devotion
(2) Gyana Yog _ Path of knowledge
(3) Karma Yog _ Path of action
(4) Hatha Yog _ path of mysticism
Five elements of manifest world - (1) Akash (Ether)
(2) Vayu ( Air )
(3) Jal (Water)
(4) Prithivi (Earth)
(5) Agni (Fire)
Five Senses - See, Hear, Touch (Feel),Taste and Smell
( Netra, Shrotra, Twacha, Jiwha, and nasika)
Three states of mind - (1) Satwic - Pure and noble - unactivity
(2) Rajasic – Agitated, strong, passionate and ambitious -
activity
(3)Tamsic – Dull and inactive – inactivity
Man - Mind is an instrument of feelings and emotions
Budhi, Vivek ( Intellect ) - Intellect is the one which discriminates and judges
Discrimination is in two categories :-
(1) Gross Intellect ( Tikshna Budhi)—world of
objects discrimination
(2) Subtle Intellect ( Sukshma Budhi )—It discriminates between spirit and matter or transcendental and the terrestrial
Gross Body ( Sthool Sharir)
- Contains organs of perception ( Eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin) and five organs of action ( Hands, legs, speech, genital organs and the organ of evacuation). It is the medium through which the individual contacts the outer world of objects and expresses his joys and sorrows.
Subtle Body ( Sukshma Sharir)
It constitutes of thoughts both mental ( Mind ) and intellectual. Mental contains emotions and feelings and intellect is ideas and ideals.
Casual Body ( Karan Sharir)
It controls the intellect . It is made up of ignorance of the self ( Vasana, Avidya) existing in deep sleep state of consciousness. ( Non appreciation of Reality)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A Compilation of Glimpses of Some Upnishadic Contents
The Brahma ( Almighty God – Parmatma )
The word ‘Ved’ is from the root ‘Vid’ meaning to know . Thus Ved means ‘knowledge’ . This knowledge is for ever , immortal and eternal .The theme of Upnishads is the ‘Brahma’, the Supreme Being whose existence is eternal truth and an immutable and immortal reality . Brahma is absolute truth .He is beyond sound , touch , form ,and taste Without Brahma mind can not contemplate on any thing , eyes can not see and ears are not able to hear . It can not be defined in terms of dimensional or other qualities, such as , gross or subtle, small or big .The Absolute Truth is without properties , is without qualities ,is without form and therefore it can not and never be an object of not only perception but even of emotions or of thoughts . It can not be comprehended by the mind or appreciated by the intellect , nor can it be perceived by the sense organs . It is consciousness and absolute bliss . The world ‘Jagat’ one perceives with life ‘ Jeev’ and objects ‘Prakriti’ was one infinite whole before creation This universe is nothing but Brahma. This Brahma , which is the cream of Upnishads, is above cause and effect . It is every where – within and without .
One experiences Brahma when the mind is fully merged in the contemplation of
Brahma and all other thoughts have been totally eliminated . This is the declaration of Upnishads . The quest for the Truth is to be done nowhere other than the sacred sanctum of one’s own self . he who has realized his oneness with the entire world and sees his own ‘Self’ as the ‘Self’ in all will no more be affected by the sorrows and desires. He has nothing to gain or aspire for from the world of objects .
Enlightened Man - Awakened Man
When there is no desire there is absolute freedom . When there is no attachment with any thing there is absolute freedom . When there is no ego ( Self) there is freedom. Freedom does not mean freedom of self . Freedom means freedom from self . It brings immense bliss and benediction . He becomes one with the Almighty having surrendered himself completely . All his actions are pious then and for the benefit of the mankind and society which nourished him and gave him the opportunity and ability to tread upon this glorious path and become enlightened . Mahavir was totally enlightened as he had no desires and had no attachment – even with the loin cloth . Kabir and Budh were also awakened men to an extent . So also Christ , though for a brief time . Here is how :-
On the cross Jesus said , “ Lord , why have you forsaken me ”. Jesus was expecting a miracle that would save him from being crucified . Jesus had desire . Nothing happened . He became enlightened only only just before his death when he raised his eyes towards the sky and said, “ Forgive me . Let Thy Kingdom come . Let Thy be done .Forgive them . They know not what they are doing.” The moment he said so , he surrendered his ego – the self with all its expectations . He surrendered his mind with all its desires He totally surrendered . In the let go he became Christ . He was one with the Universe , no expectations , no frustrations. There after he died and did not say any thing .
Background
Vedic civilization , called now by name Hinduism , began almost 5000 years ago followed by Jainism , Budhism and Confucianism . Christianity emerged 2000 years ago , Islam 1400 years ago . Sikhism 500 years ago .
Hindu Vedic scriptures – four Veds , Upnishads , Gita and Purans take you to a period before which no other literature in any form existed in the world . The four Veds – Rig Ved , Yajur Ved , Atharva Ved and Sam Ved were created during the Vedic period when the people did not know the art of writing .The ancient Veds were based on intuitive human knowledge , extra intelligence ,experience and revelation . Serious attempt is made to know – ‘ What life is’ , ‘ How did it come into bein’ , ‘ Who am I’ ,’ What is the purpose of life’, ‘ Is life an empty and meaningless incident’ , ‘ Is there a mission in life’ . Veds do not contain empty philosophical hairsplitting . They seek the truth and dwell deeper and deeper into the very source of life in us . seeking the Truth they go from the gross visible world to the subtlest . The centre source is very subtle and words can not explain it . It has to be experienced completely detached from the outer world which we know from bodily sense organs . Rishis try to understand how the mind works , how the intellect functions .The enquiry is into the very nature of Reality ( Brahma , Paramatma ) . The Veds suggest technique and hypothesis which the seeker of Truth may adopt .
The entire Veds were in early periodhanded down from the teacher to the disciple
only by word of mouth – orally . Ved Vyas then at a much later date collected the
‘Verses’ from scattered scholars , classified ,purified and preserved them in writing .
After editing , he compiled them in four volumes .
During the period of Upnishads the population was small . The land was vast . Thick forests , fertile land gave unlimited economic opportunities for every one Society was ripe with great potentialities. The society had found leisure to think and ask questions . It was a period of renaissance .People had the choice of either conquer the outer world with their undoubted mental development or work inward in depth in man as individual .They took to spirituality and did not pursue outwardly sensual pleasures . This latter recourse was subsequently adopted by Christian civilization . Greeks specialized in the subject of man in society .
Upnishads in their spacious imagination , most scientific spirit of exploration , a gigantic sweep of thought , dug inward in the individual to reveal the secrets of Universe and unrevelled the mystery of self within – the immortal soul .Hinduism is not a religion .( In fact the name ‘Hindu’ was given by foreigners who reached river Sindhu in North West Bharat and learnt from the tribals the name of the river as ‘Hindu’ as they were pronouncing letter ‘S’ as ‘H’ . Even now the Bheels and other tribals do so . They called people living there as Hindus . Muslims later named the country Hindustan – the country of Hindus .) It is a philosophical way of life and unlike other religions is not an adjunct of socio- political system but is wholly spiritual .
The Brahma ( Almighty God – Parmatma )
The word ‘Ved’ is from the root ‘Vid’ meaning to know . Thus Ved means ‘knowledge’ . This knowledge is for ever , immortal and eternal .The theme of Upnishads is the ‘Brahma’, the Supreme Being whose existence is eternal truth and an immutable and immortal reality . Brahma is absolute truth .He is beyond sound , touch , form ,and taste Without Brahma mind can not contemplate on any thing , eyes can not see and ears are not able to hear . It can not be defined in terms of dimensional or other qualities, such as , gross or subtle, small or big .The Absolute Truth is without properties , is without qualities ,is without form and therefore it can not and never be an object of not only perception but even of emotions or of thoughts . It can not be comprehended by the mind or appreciated by the intellect , nor can it be perceived by the sense organs . It is consciousness and absolute bliss . The world ‘Jagat’ one perceives with life ‘ Jeev’ and objects ‘Prakriti’ was one infinite whole before creation This universe is nothing but Brahma. This Brahma , which is the cream of Upnishads, is above cause and effect . It is every where – within and without .
One experiences Brahma when the mind is fully merged in the contemplation of
Brahma and all other thoughts have been totally eliminated . This is the declaration of Upnishads . The quest for the Truth is to be done nowhere other than the sacred sanctum of one’s own self . he who has realized his oneness with the entire world and sees his own ‘Self’ as the ‘Self’ in all will no more be affected by the sorrows and desires. He has nothing to gain or aspire for from the world of objects .
Enlightened Man - Awakened Man
When there is no desire there is absolute freedom . When there is no attachment with any thing there is absolute freedom . When there is no ego ( Self) there is freedom. Freedom does not mean freedom of self . Freedom means freedom from self . It brings immense bliss and benediction . He becomes one with the Almighty having surrendered himself completely . All his actions are pious then and for the benefit of the mankind and society which nourished him and gave him the opportunity and ability to tread upon this glorious path and become enlightened . Mahavir was totally enlightened as he had no desires and had no attachment – even with the loin cloth . Kabir and Budh were also awakened men to an extent . So also Christ , though for a brief time . Here is how :-
On the cross Jesus said , “ Lord , why have you forsaken me ”. Jesus was expecting a miracle that would save him from being crucified . Jesus had desire . Nothing happened . He became enlightened only only just before his death when he raised his eyes towards the sky and said, “ Forgive me . Let Thy Kingdom come . Let Thy be done .Forgive them . They know not what they are doing.” The moment he said so , he surrendered his ego – the self with all its expectations . He surrendered his mind with all its desires He totally surrendered . In the let go he became Christ . He was one with the Universe , no expectations , no frustrations. There after he died and did not say any thing .
Background
Vedic civilization , called now by name Hinduism , began almost 5000 years ago followed by Jainism , Budhism and Confucianism . Christianity emerged 2000 years ago , Islam 1400 years ago . Sikhism 500 years ago .
Hindu Vedic scriptures – four Veds , Upnishads , Gita and Purans take you to a period before which no other literature in any form existed in the world . The four Veds – Rig Ved , Yajur Ved , Atharva Ved and Sam Ved were created during the Vedic period when the people did not know the art of writing .The ancient Veds were based on intuitive human knowledge , extra intelligence ,experience and revelation . Serious attempt is made to know – ‘ What life is’ , ‘ How did it come into bein’ , ‘ Who am I’ ,’ What is the purpose of life’, ‘ Is life an empty and meaningless incident’ , ‘ Is there a mission in life’ . Veds do not contain empty philosophical hairsplitting . They seek the truth and dwell deeper and deeper into the very source of life in us . seeking the Truth they go from the gross visible world to the subtlest . The centre source is very subtle and words can not explain it . It has to be experienced completely detached from the outer world which we know from bodily sense organs . Rishis try to understand how the mind works , how the intellect functions .The enquiry is into the very nature of Reality ( Brahma , Paramatma ) . The Veds suggest technique and hypothesis which the seeker of Truth may adopt .
The entire Veds were in early periodhanded down from the teacher to the disciple
only by word of mouth – orally . Ved Vyas then at a much later date collected the
‘Verses’ from scattered scholars , classified ,purified and preserved them in writing .
After editing , he compiled them in four volumes .
During the period of Upnishads the population was small . The land was vast . Thick forests , fertile land gave unlimited economic opportunities for every one Society was ripe with great potentialities. The society had found leisure to think and ask questions . It was a period of renaissance .People had the choice of either conquer the outer world with their undoubted mental development or work inward in depth in man as individual .They took to spirituality and did not pursue outwardly sensual pleasures . This latter recourse was subsequently adopted by Christian civilization . Greeks specialized in the subject of man in society .
Upnishads in their spacious imagination , most scientific spirit of exploration , a gigantic sweep of thought , dug inward in the individual to reveal the secrets of Universe and unrevelled the mystery of self within – the immortal soul .Hinduism is not a religion .( In fact the name ‘Hindu’ was given by foreigners who reached river Sindhu in North West Bharat and learnt from the tribals the name of the river as ‘Hindu’ as they were pronouncing letter ‘S’ as ‘H’ . Even now the Bheels and other tribals do so . They called people living there as Hindus . Muslims later named the country Hindustan – the country of Hindus .) It is a philosophical way of life and unlike other religions is not an adjunct of socio- political system but is wholly spiritual .
Saturday, July 21, 2007
God -- An essential and amazing ingenuity of human conceptual creation
With the advent of primitive human beings on earth , for their very existence mankind learnt to live together as a necessity since they could not survive in isolation in a hostile environment . For fiercely independent entities living together was not easy . Even petty quarrels and conflict of interests created serious rifts . For a smooth and peaceful coexistence a very strong need was felt for someone whose word would be respected by all members . These primitive societies found it very difficult and sometimes impossible to agree on one single individual among themselves as they had no perception of any values . They were simply fighting the vagaries of nature and attacks from animals and insects till then . All decisions had to be unanimous for acceptance . As of now even then it was not always possible to achieve unanimity . Society had to find ways and means to overcome this . The human ingenuity worked and every other society separately felt the need of a supreme voice which could not be ignored without bringing some wrath . Every one had the experience of nature's fury like rains , thunder , sun's heat , earth tremors and even serious earthquakes . These had to be accepted from a divine supernatural power . Nobody dared oppose this divinity as they were mortaly afraid of incurring the eventual wrath . Hence the concept of an Almighty Being with supernatural powers was thought of . An Almighty God thus came into being . Mankind's ingenuity had no bounds . They were able to create God which was absolutely essential for their very being both physical and mental . The fear of God was the main ingradient as the society had not yet evolved enough to regulate and govern it by one of its own member . We now call it government . Societies believed in spirits , magic , miracles and began giving forms and making images of lesser but visible gods to appease them with prayers , sacrifices and rituals which they could at that time think of . Some kind of religion thus came into being in all primitive societies . The all powerful Almighty , now called God which they believed controlled the lesser visible gods , remained invisible to them and they had no alternative but to declare Him formless.
We should appreciate and be ever grateful to our venerable ancestors for the belief in God . No individual human being barring none can live in peace and tranquility with out this spiritual support . When in adversity and in helplessness we remember God and pray that He might act against the wrong doer . We get full satisfaction and peace of mind .
In due course various philosophies were generated considering the needs and environments of the time and values the societies cherished . Philosophy is pure science of life and when transformed into living practice it is called ' Religion ' . Philosophy is a theoretical aspect delving even into the purpose of life and rituals are practical aspects of religion laying down the spiritual practices for attaining the presumed ultimate goal of life - to become one with the God with all His attributes.
Holy books of various religions enumerate the philosophy and rituals : Christianity , Bible ; Islam , Quran and Hadith ; Hinduism , Vedas , Upnishads , Gita , Purans , and also Ramayan and Maha-Bharat ; Budhism ,Tritipiaka ; Judaism , Torah and Talnud ; Sikhism , Guru Granth Saheb ;Confucianism ,Lun Yu ; jainism Siddhaina,Pakrit ;Shintoism,Kojiki ,Shaki and nahon ;Zoroastrianism ,Aresta ; etc etc .
Each society has given different attributes according to its philosophy and requirements to their concept of God , The Supreme Almighty - the divine form . To state a few Hindus call Almighty ' Paramatma ' and 'Souls ' 'Atmas' which are part of Paramatma and are indestructible and immortal like Him and exist in every living and nonliving . They leave the body after death and take rebirth in another body according to the laws of 'Karma' . In christianity and Islam the Souls only exist in human beings and not in animals . There is no rebirth . In Islam God gives punishment on the day of Quayamat .
In Hindus salvation from ill deeds is literally by a bath in sacred Ganges . In Islam by uttering 'Tobah' . In Christianity by confession before a priest . Thus there is unity in diversity here . All religions give an opportunity to improve oneself by accepting that they would henceforth not do the ill deeds .
Because of revealations and recordings in different sacred scriptures , instead of leading man to love , compassion and altruism have somtimes become cause of intolerance and discord and unnecessary conflicts . The inference is that even pious thoughts in wrong minds may even lead to catastrophe .
We should appreciate and be ever grateful to our venerable ancestors for the belief in God . No individual human being barring none can live in peace and tranquility with out this spiritual support . When in adversity and in helplessness we remember God and pray that He might act against the wrong doer . We get full satisfaction and peace of mind .
In due course various philosophies were generated considering the needs and environments of the time and values the societies cherished . Philosophy is pure science of life and when transformed into living practice it is called ' Religion ' . Philosophy is a theoretical aspect delving even into the purpose of life and rituals are practical aspects of religion laying down the spiritual practices for attaining the presumed ultimate goal of life - to become one with the God with all His attributes.
Holy books of various religions enumerate the philosophy and rituals : Christianity , Bible ; Islam , Quran and Hadith ; Hinduism , Vedas , Upnishads , Gita , Purans , and also Ramayan and Maha-Bharat ; Budhism ,Tritipiaka ; Judaism , Torah and Talnud ; Sikhism , Guru Granth Saheb ;Confucianism ,Lun Yu ; jainism Siddhaina,Pakrit ;Shintoism,Kojiki ,Shaki and nahon ;Zoroastrianism ,Aresta ; etc etc .
Each society has given different attributes according to its philosophy and requirements to their concept of God , The Supreme Almighty - the divine form . To state a few Hindus call Almighty ' Paramatma ' and 'Souls ' 'Atmas' which are part of Paramatma and are indestructible and immortal like Him and exist in every living and nonliving . They leave the body after death and take rebirth in another body according to the laws of 'Karma' . In christianity and Islam the Souls only exist in human beings and not in animals . There is no rebirth . In Islam God gives punishment on the day of Quayamat .
In Hindus salvation from ill deeds is literally by a bath in sacred Ganges . In Islam by uttering 'Tobah' . In Christianity by confession before a priest . Thus there is unity in diversity here . All religions give an opportunity to improve oneself by accepting that they would henceforth not do the ill deeds .
Because of revealations and recordings in different sacred scriptures , instead of leading man to love , compassion and altruism have somtimes become cause of intolerance and discord and unnecessary conflicts . The inference is that even pious thoughts in wrong minds may even lead to catastrophe .
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Attempts To Bring Cheer To The Common Men -The Human Beings
A supreme Court Of India bench headed by Justice R.V.Raveendran in a recent judgement reported on10 July 2007 in Hindustan Times sounded a note of caution that misuse of contempt jurisdiction could erode the public confidence in the judiciary .
The bench quoted U.S.Supreme Court chief justice John Marshall , who had warned two centuries ago that " the power of judiciary lies , not in deciding cases , nor in imposing sentences , nor in punishing for contempt , but in the trust , confidence and faith of the common man '
Nelson Mandela, former South African President , while forming "The Elders " a private alliance to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe's most intractable problems along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu , Jimmy Carter , Kofi Annan and many others stated " This group can speak freely and boldly , working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken . Together we will work to support courage where there is fear , foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair"-- by Michael Wines , Johannesburg In Hindustan times dated 18 July 2007
The bench quoted U.S.Supreme Court chief justice John Marshall , who had warned two centuries ago that " the power of judiciary lies , not in deciding cases , nor in imposing sentences , nor in punishing for contempt , but in the trust , confidence and faith of the common man '
Nelson Mandela, former South African President , while forming "The Elders " a private alliance to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe's most intractable problems along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu , Jimmy Carter , Kofi Annan and many others stated " This group can speak freely and boldly , working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken . Together we will work to support courage where there is fear , foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair"-- by Michael Wines , Johannesburg In Hindustan times dated 18 July 2007
Initiation of Greatest Social Transformation By Primitive Society
In the primitive ages of human society people wore no clothes , lived underneath trees and ate whatever fruits or other eatables they could pick up from the trees near their habitat which could be quite distant . Daily all would go to the forest to pick and eat the fruits etc they liked and bring back with them whatever they could in their folded palms .
Then one day someone saw a wide leaf and used it to bring in more fruits . Human mind and intellect began thinking of somehow joining the leaves to make the receptacle larger . First technological invention came into being in the form of knitting a few leaves together in the form of a " Dona " with thin dried stems -a small storage device . People were able to collect eatables more than what they required for the day . Now began the fierce competition of going to the forest before any one else could and collecting all available fruits for future use . Fights began . jealousies grew . Thefts and robberies came on the scene . Suddenly a peaceful society turned violent . Seeds of a great social revolution were sown which has engulfed the modern society completely . Think how a miniscule technology can change the world upside down .
Then one day someone saw a wide leaf and used it to bring in more fruits . Human mind and intellect began thinking of somehow joining the leaves to make the receptacle larger . First technological invention came into being in the form of knitting a few leaves together in the form of a " Dona " with thin dried stems -a small storage device . People were able to collect eatables more than what they required for the day . Now began the fierce competition of going to the forest before any one else could and collecting all available fruits for future use . Fights began . jealousies grew . Thefts and robberies came on the scene . Suddenly a peaceful society turned violent . Seeds of a great social revolution were sown which has engulfed the modern society completely . Think how a miniscule technology can change the world upside down .
Queries and replies on the Essence Of Bhagwat Gita
Dear Singhal JiI am overjoyed to be in touch with you.Thanks a million for making me ( many more ) understand Gita in such simple words.What Krishna did to Arjun, you have done to me - made me understand Gita.Salute to my Krishna !I shall take the liberty to forward the Essence of Bhagwat Gita to many friends, who need a Krishna.Keep writing more ( you have a Krishna in you ) !Aseem Adar Sahit,AshokAK Srivastava852, Elmira DriveSunnyvaleCA 94087USAHome 408 736 7803----Original Message Follows----From: "Singhals" <maharanibagh@airtelbroadband.in>To: <ak_srivastava99@hotmail.com>CC: "Didi India" <richak@mit.edu>Subject: Re: I thoroughly enjoyed reading - Essence Of Bhagwat GitaDate: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:34:44 +0530Dear Srivastava ji ,Thanks for your reaction .I compiled this a few years back for the benefit of our children who were overseas or had settled there . This gave in nutshell a glimpse of our philosophy enshrined in Gita .You may like to refer to my blog --- http://information-80.blogspot.comI shall add to it in due coursewith warm wishesUncle ----- Original Message ----- From: Rita Kumar To: Sneh singhal Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 5:40 AM Subject: Fwd: I thoroughly enjoyed reading - Essence Of Bhagwat Gita Ashok Srivastava <ak_srivastava99@hotmail.com> wrote: From: "Ashok Srivastava" <ak_srivastava99@hotmail.com> To: ritasakura@yahoo.com Subject: I thoroughly enjoyed reading - Essence Of Bhagwat Gita Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:26:21 -0700 Dear Rita Simply outstanding work ! Literally, it is outstanding because it is simple. I am attaching a story I came across, as to why we need to study Bhagwat Gita. Enjoy ! We are with Amit & Parivar at Sunnyvale. We shall leave for Mumbai on Aug 19. Shubhkaamnao Sahit, Ashok AK Srivastava 852, Elmira Drive Sunnyvale CA 94087 USA Home 408 736 7803 Bhagavad Gita Many of us do read The 'Bhagavad Gita', even if some of us can't understand a single Sanskrit word. The following is a beautiful story on why we do (or should do) it........ An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavat Gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavat Gita just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagavat Gita do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "But, look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavat Gita. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of God in our lives." "Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you." ----Original Message Follows---- From: Rita Kumar To: arvind Singhal , asha mansinghka , asha dharwadkar , ashaji surenji , Ashok Srivastava , ashok Dolly , "Ashok K. Srivastava" , Atul Golas , BP singhal , chachiji , chalihabandana@hotmail.com, chitra , "Chitra Perth) Singh" , Deepa yedkar , Dinesh Agarwal , dolly Ravi , Dolly Ashok , Don , Dr gupta , Dr V N Kamath CC: Sneh ravendra singhal Subject: You may like to read - Essence Of Bhagwat Gita Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:27:30 -0700 (PDT) Greetings friends! Wanted to share with you a message from my dad. He will love to hear back from all of u ....any suggestions, comments...ideas love Rita Dear All , I thought that you may like to know in simple words the message of Gita . I decided to simplify Gita's teachings for the benefit of all those who may be interested but are hard pressed for time . I would love to have your views so that it can be further improved . With love Ravendra Singhal Phone ( 011 ) 26317214 <<>>
Dear Anju Sharma , ashirwads
I am happy to receive your mail . Every human being has to perform his or her ordained duties . There is no respite from that . Biologically we are born that way . Duty is for trhe welfare of the society and not for ones selfish ends . Basically human beings get peace of mind if they get satisfactory results of their actions . If not frustation builds up leading to ill health and possible depression . Gita has suggested an easy way out which may be difficult to imbibe and follow . It also has suggested ways and means to achieve this state of mind . In simple words do your pious duties and leave rest to the God . Never brood over your actions . Not even think about them . It does no good . Think of actions as if you are writing on a slate and wiping it off clean . In any case you are helpless and have no control on the events . So the wilful acceptance is the only way out of remorse . We have no choice .
According to Gita complete surrender to God comes unawares, after lots of efforts and meditation . Then you forget you exist for yourself and all your actions are absolutely selfless and for the good of others. It may not be possible for ordinary human beings to achieve this.
You should not hesitate in the least in following your rightful path rigorously till the end irrespective of the results . This is your abounding duty .
Having said so , if you are unsuccessful in altering your adverse circumstances to your liking despite all your efforts and there appears to be no other recourse ( like Supreme Court decision ), for your own peace of mind it would be expedient to leave every thing to God . Then you would not blame yourself and would have no guilt . Just merely accept life as it is and seek some comfort and solace in it . Remember you have no choice . This appears to be an easy way out to remain normal and healthy .
With best wishes
Uncle
l Message -----
From: anju sharma
To: Singhals
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: Essence Of Bhagwat Gita 13.07.2007
Dear Uncle,
charanvandana.we are in the same position as Arjun.but we dont have a sarthi .we could not bring ourself to fight with our family member, resulting we are in a very bad situation (legaly).our lawyers only made money and misguided us.
i think hindus are in dire need of this nector,and a guru.but i have a question,in the beginning krishna says ,we have to fight for our right,afterwards ,we have to surrender ourselves to god.what if we surrender ourselves from the beginning,( then who will fight) will god fight for us?
please excuse my english,i am not a very educated person.
thank you so much
anjuSinghals wrote:
Dear Anju , Ashirwads
Thanks for your prompt response . I shall appreciate your views for improving the write up further . Infact i had compiled this for the benefit of our children studying abroad or settled there .
You may like to read my blog http://information-80.blogspot.com wherein I shall express my thoughts in due course
With best wishes
affly Yours
Uncle
----- Original Message -----
From: Rita Kumar
To: Sneh singhal
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:57 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: You may like to read - Essence Of Bhagwat Gita
anju sharma <abhabest@yahoo.com> wrote:
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:09:47 -0700 (PDT)From: anju sharma <abhabest@yahoo.com>Subject: Re: You may like to read - Essence Of Bhagwat GitaTo: Rita Kumar <ritasakura@yahoo.com>
Respected Pita jee,
Charanvandana.for me this message is directly from God.today because of what is happening to us ,i felt ,perhaps there is no God. or if he exhist , he is for everyone but me.i am very confused,hurt.don't know what to believe.i will read the gita and let you know my feelings.
Thank you Rita
anjuRita Kumar wrote:
Greetings friends!
Wanted to share with you a message from my dad.
He will love to hear back from all of u ....any suggestions, comments...ideas
love
Rita
Dear All ,
I thought that you may like to know in simple words the message of Gita .
I decided to simplify Gita's teachings for the benefit of all those who may be interested but are hard pressed for time . I would love to have your views so that it can be further improved .
With love
Ravendra Singhal
Phone ( 011 ) 26317214
Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.
Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.
Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows.Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
Dear Uncle,Om Shanti.Thanks for the deep thougths.I am en route to Dehli at BKK airport. Will try to call as I amtravelling next day to C'garh.LalitaOn 7/19/2007, "Singhals" <maharanibagh@airtelbroadband.in> wrote:>Dear Lalita , ashirwads>Your query is very pertinent . I suggest to every one to always ask oneself while doing even routine and mundane actions, " Why I am doing this " . In my view it is essential .>When one entirely wipes out " Self " from mind unawares , there is no desire or attachment left . One is totally at peace with oneself . One has attained a blissful life . What else one could aspire Then all ones actions are godly and towards the society which nourished him or her .>This is why one tries to imbibe the philosophy enshrined in gita .>With warm wishes>Uncle> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- > From: Lalita > To: Singhals > Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:55 AM> Subject: Re: Essence Of Bhagwat Gita 14.07.2007>>> Respected Uncle and Aunty,>> Greetings of peace.>> Thanks for your reply.> < That IS the essence. One also has to know why one needs to do that, or what is the result of that. Otherwise it becomes a preaching, and people are quite frankly fed up with preaching and religions.>> There is determination in our aim, when one knows the direction it is taking us and the pure benefit it will bring to the self and the world.>> With warm regards,> Lalita>>_________________________________________________________________ http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=hmtextlinkjuly07------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games._________________________________________________________________http://liveearth.msn.com
Dear Anju Sharma , ashirwads
I am happy to receive your mail . Every human being has to perform his or her ordained duties . There is no respite from that . Biologically we are born that way . Duty is for trhe welfare of the society and not for ones selfish ends . Basically human beings get peace of mind if they get satisfactory results of their actions . If not frustation builds up leading to ill health and possible depression . Gita has suggested an easy way out which may be difficult to imbibe and follow . It also has suggested ways and means to achieve this state of mind . In simple words do your pious duties and leave rest to the God . Never brood over your actions . Not even think about them . It does no good . Think of actions as if you are writing on a slate and wiping it off clean . In any case you are helpless and have no control on the events . So the wilful acceptance is the only way out of remorse . We have no choice .
According to Gita complete surrender to God comes unawares, after lots of efforts and meditation . Then you forget you exist for yourself and all your actions are absolutely selfless and for the good of others. It may not be possible for ordinary human beings to achieve this.
You should not hesitate in the least in following your rightful path rigorously till the end irrespective of the results . This is your abounding duty .
Having said so , if you are unsuccessful in altering your adverse circumstances to your liking despite all your efforts and there appears to be no other recourse ( like Supreme Court decision ), for your own peace of mind it would be expedient to leave every thing to God . Then you would not blame yourself and would have no guilt . Just merely accept life as it is and seek some comfort and solace in it . Remember you have no choice . This appears to be an easy way out to remain normal and healthy .
With best wishes
Uncle
l Message -----
From: anju sharma
To: Singhals
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: Essence Of Bhagwat Gita 13.07.2007
Dear Uncle,
charanvandana.we are in the same position as Arjun.but we dont have a sarthi .we could not bring ourself to fight with our family member, resulting we are in a very bad situation (legaly).our lawyers only made money and misguided us.
i think hindus are in dire need of this nector,and a guru.but i have a question,in the beginning krishna says ,we have to fight for our right,afterwards ,we have to surrender ourselves to god.what if we surrender ourselves from the beginning,( then who will fight) will god fight for us?
please excuse my english,i am not a very educated person.
thank you so much
anjuSinghals
Dear Anju , Ashirwads
Thanks for your prompt response . I shall appreciate your views for improving the write up further . Infact i had compiled this for the benefit of our children studying abroad or settled there .
You may like to read my blog http://information-80.blogspot.com wherein I shall express my thoughts in due course
With best wishes
affly Yours
Uncle
----- Original Message -----
From: Rita Kumar
To: Sneh singhal
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:57 PM
Subject: Fwd: Re: You may like to read - Essence Of Bhagwat Gita
anju sharma <abhabest@yahoo.com> wrote:
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:09:47 -0700 (PDT)From: anju sharma <abhabest@yahoo.com>Subject: Re: You may like to read - Essence Of Bhagwat GitaTo: Rita Kumar <ritasakura@yahoo.com>
Respected Pita jee,
Charanvandana.for me this message is directly from God.today because of what is happening to us ,i felt ,perhaps there is no God. or if he exhist , he is for everyone but me.i am very confused,hurt.don't know what to believe.i will read the gita and let you know my feelings.
Thank you Rita
anjuRita Kumar
Greetings friends!
Wanted to share with you a message from my dad.
He will love to hear back from all of u ....any suggestions, comments...ideas
love
Rita
Dear All ,
I thought that you may like to know in simple words the message of Gita .
I decided to simplify Gita's teachings for the benefit of all those who may be interested but are hard pressed for time . I would love to have your views so that it can be further improved .
With love
Ravendra Singhal
Phone ( 011 ) 26317214
Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.
Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.
Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows.Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
Dear Uncle,Om Shanti.Thanks for the deep thougths.I am en route to Dehli at BKK airport. Will try to call as I amtravelling next day to C'garh.LalitaOn 7/19/2007, "Singhals" <maharanibagh@airtelbroadband.in> wrote:>Dear Lalita , ashirwads>Your query is very pertinent . I suggest to every one to always ask oneself while doing even routine and mundane actions, " Why I am doing this " . In my view it is essential .>When one entirely wipes out " Self " from mind unawares , there is no desire or attachment left . One is totally at peace with oneself . One has attained a blissful life . What else one could aspire Then all ones actions are godly and towards the society which nourished him or her .>This is why one tries to imbibe the philosophy enshrined in gita .>With warm wishes>Uncle> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- > From: Lalita > To: Singhals > Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:55 AM> Subject: Re: Essence Of Bhagwat Gita 14.07.2007>>> Respected Uncle and Aunty,>> Greetings of peace.>> Thanks for your reply.> <
Know Why
Initially one should be clear in mind to know what exactly one wants . Then one can strive to get the know how . That simply would also not help . One has to find out why that know how was fathomed in the first instance . Then only one can adjust the know how to suit ones needs and circumstances and abilities .
Following clarifies this .
A few years back National Geographic mentioned plight of two species of same types of big birds in deep Sahara desert . While one of the species was thriving , the other was dwindling. They both survived on the remains of dead camels etc in the desert . It was observed that the thriving specie exactly knew what it wanted, we now call know what- small bits of large bones which they could easily swallow. They found out the ways and means to achieve that -- we now call know how . They would simply pick up huge bones in their claws , fly high and drop it on a hard rocky surface . The bone would break into smithreens which the birds would consume to remain alive . They thrived on their know how . But the other specie copied the know how blindly without understanding as to why the bones are dropped on a hard surface . They dropped the bones on the sand itself . Bones hardly broke . The birds were therefore starved and died . The importance of know why needs no stress .
Infact whatever we do , we must ask ourselves why are we doing this . Then your actions would not be futile . Think it over .
Following clarifies this .
A few years back National Geographic mentioned plight of two species of same types of big birds in deep Sahara desert . While one of the species was thriving , the other was dwindling. They both survived on the remains of dead camels etc in the desert . It was observed that the thriving specie exactly knew what it wanted, we now call know what- small bits of large bones which they could easily swallow. They found out the ways and means to achieve that -- we now call know how . They would simply pick up huge bones in their claws , fly high and drop it on a hard rocky surface . The bone would break into smithreens which the birds would consume to remain alive . They thrived on their know how . But the other specie copied the know how blindly without understanding as to why the bones are dropped on a hard surface . They dropped the bones on the sand itself . Bones hardly broke . The birds were therefore starved and died . The importance of know why needs no stress .
Infact whatever we do , we must ask ourselves why are we doing this . Then your actions would not be futile . Think it over .
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
random Old sayings
Barbad a gulista karne ko aik he ulli kafi hei
Anjam a gulista kya hoga jab har shakh par ulli betha hei
-perhaps Mirza Ghalib
Tulsi-
Aawat hee hershai nahin nainan nahi saneh
Tulsi tahan na jayea kanchan barse meih
Kabir -
Kankar pathar jod kar masjid lai chinay
Ta chadhi mulla bagh de kya bahera hua Khudai
Kabir on Ulti Dunia
Beti ne jiyo bap chuhe ne billi khai
Dekho re dekho logo nadian nava mein bhudhat jain
Fun and Frolic
Makhi ke bhuj dand ukharun torun kachha soot
Mukka mar batasha phorun yon bania ka poot
Chacha dorio re chuhia katwen kun aai
Pino ko keval pita hun doodh ke aik kadhai
Or sote sote gir padata khat tale mere bhai
Chacha dorio re chuhia katwen kun aai
Haluae meim Hari basat hein ghevar mein Ghanshyam
Rasgulla mein Shaligram jay Raghunandan jai Siaram
Phikir karen so bavre krodh karen so crur
Chhan chaka chak dudhia raho nashe mein choor
Mil jayenge charon dham jai Raghunandan jai Siaram
Anjam a gulista kya hoga jab har shakh par ulli betha hei
-perhaps Mirza Ghalib
Tulsi-
Aawat hee hershai nahin nainan nahi saneh
Tulsi tahan na jayea kanchan barse meih
Kabir -
Kankar pathar jod kar masjid lai chinay
Ta chadhi mulla bagh de kya bahera hua Khudai
Kabir on Ulti Dunia
Beti ne jiyo bap chuhe ne billi khai
Dekho re dekho logo nadian nava mein bhudhat jain
Fun and Frolic
Makhi ke bhuj dand ukharun torun kachha soot
Mukka mar batasha phorun yon bania ka poot
Chacha dorio re chuhia katwen kun aai
Pino ko keval pita hun doodh ke aik kadhai
Or sote sote gir padata khat tale mere bhai
Chacha dorio re chuhia katwen kun aai
Haluae meim Hari basat hein ghevar mein Ghanshyam
Rasgulla mein Shaligram jay Raghunandan jai Siaram
Phikir karen so bavre krodh karen so crur
Chhan chaka chak dudhia raho nashe mein choor
Mil jayenge charon dham jai Raghunandan jai Siaram
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