This is my second Jeeves and Bertie novel and I am already
an incorrigible Jeeves enthusiast... all ready to share my thoughts, yet again.
I'm also quite fond of Bertie Wooster. What ho!
Thank You, Jeeves is a Jeeves novel by P.G. Wodehouse, first published in the United Kingdom on March 16, 1934 by Herbert Jenkins, London, and in the United States on April 23, 1934 by Little, Brown and Company, New York. The story had previously been serialized, in the Strand Magazine in the UK from August 1933 to February 1934, and in the U.S. in Cosmopolitan Magazine from January to June 1934; it would later appear in the American Family Herald & Evening Star, between March 24 and August 11, 1937.
In Thank
You, Jeeves we encounter a host of characters. Not that they are total
strangers to us; I, for one, have already made my acquaintance with them in Carry
on, Jeeves. But in this novel we get a bit more peek into them, their
lives, eccentricities and all.
...And we
get to say hello to the young Bertram Wooster's banjolele. This current flame
of his (musical instrumentally speaking) lands him in some serious trouble of
the cantankerous kind - with assorted neighbours, etc. But the proverbial sky
falls when the usually unflappable Jeeves too decides to turn flappable and bids adieu - at short notice.
All 'coz
Bertie decides to gallantly stand by his banjolele. Very
Bertie-like, I tell you.
Jeeves finds work with Bertie's old friend, Lord "Chuffy"
Chuffnell. Rather, Chuffy engages him without wasting a precious moment (i.e. as
soon as he learns that Jeeves intended to leave Bertie). Clearly: Jeeves'
reputation precedes him and is widespread.
Bertie too (very thoughtfully and innocently) travels to
one of Chuffy's cottages in Dorset - in order to continue practicing his banjolele-playing. Why to one of Chuffy's cottages in Dorset of all places? So as to avoid upsetting his city neighbours.
Btw, the banjolele
is universally renowned as the banjo. But since I had not heard of the
former - the rather exotic-sounding name before, I take it that one never
ceases to learn. Even from a musical instrument whose rather 'melodious'
strains (as coaxed out by the one and only Bertie) invariably induce insomnia
in all two-and-four-legged creatures within the vicinity. And perhaps even in
the potted variety. God bless the banjolele, or rather, the hand that
plays it.
However,
young Bertie is not without his virtues. He seems to be a first-rate magnet and
a repellent - all rolled into one; as far as the female of the species is
concerned. The sheer number of distaffers that have flitted in and out
of his life is enough to teach the first and second graders the
fine art of counting (addition, subtraction, multiplication, all included).
But this book almost entirely concentrates on Pauline
Stoker - Bertie's sometime fiancée, the engagement having lasted less than 48
hours. All thanks to some rather convincing glib-talk by the permanently
irascible "nerve specialist" Sir Roderick Glossop - who, in this book, is well
and truly under the spell of the Dowager Lady Chuffnell.
As you know, Lady Chuffnell is also Chuffy's Aunt Myrtle, a
formidable lady-ship and the owner of a rather pestilential son -
Seabury. Guess, love is blind. Or perhaps it has something to do with
birds of a feather and all that.
Speaking of love, let's get back to Pauline.
Bertie's sometime fiancée - Pauline - is not the type to
mope around. She has admirably moved on, and even transferred her
affections to Lord Chuffnell (aka Chuffy), the master of Chuffnell Hall, in
Chuffnell Regis, a hamlet containing more Nosey Parkers to the square foot than
any other spot in England.
Chuffy, as we know, is a childhood chum of Bertie. And
Bertie too has taken up residence in one of Chuffy's cottages at precisely the same time - in order to
continue practicing his banjolele-playing.Now, if this doesn't
prove that the world is truly a global village, what will?
No,
Bertie isn't crestfallen either; in fact he is quite the enthu-cutlet
and pledges all possible help for this union to materialize. He actually goes
all out to make it happen. Even taking on the possessor of that
formidable-sounding name, J. Washburn Stoker - who is also very much the even
more formidable, ever vigilant and overprotective father of the lissome Pauline Stoker. Here
Stoker Sr. appears as the fairly recent inheritor of some 50 million dollars, thanks
to a final act of generosity by one of his relatives. This theory of
relativity seems to play a very crucial role in many people's lives. Other
people's lives.
Stoker
Sr. is the sort of chap who, as the Bible puts it, if you say Go, he cometh,
and if you say Come, he goeth; a fellow, in a word, who, if he came to a door
with 'Push' on it, would always pull.
As per
Bertie.
Quite an
eloquent chap, this Bertie, don't you think? None of us could have put it any
better, right?
Btw, Chuffy aka Lord Chuffnell is actually Lord Marmaduke
Chuffnell.
Yes, you read it right. Its Marmaduke and not
Marmalade.
But
imagine being saddled with a name like that... for life?! Not quite in the same
league as Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela or his 27-year long incarceration
though. And perhaps even worse than being deported to Kala Paani by the erstwhile East India Company-turned-British Raj. [Kala Paani:the
Cellular Jail or the colonial prison situated in the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.]
As for Jeeves,
he continues to float in and out of rooms and materializes rather
manifests himself whenever he is urgently required. That is: whenever there are
dark clouds - real or imaginary - on the horizon.
What he does here? Or what happens to that root-cause of many events - the banjolele? Well, you'll have to read
this book to find that out. I won't play the spoiler. And if you have read it
already, well then, read it again. :)
I mentioned earlier that Bertie went all out to make the
Chuffy-Pauline union happen, didn't I? Actually, Bertie does a lot more than that. He even applies boot polish on his
face, saves himself (by finishing first by the shortest of heads) in a race
with his new valet (Brinkley) and the latter's carving knife. [New valet, 'coz Jeeves
had flappabled himself, thanks to the banjolele, remember?]
Quite a
character, this Brinkley. He even threw potatoes at the formidable Stoker Sr. - giving him a
very sweetish black eye. Now, how many folks do you know that can throw
potatoes like a missile (from a distance that too) and still get the bull's eye?
[Pun or not, you decide.]
Bertie
also witnesses a lovers' reunion/reconciliation (after a lovers' tiff, of
course) - lofty endearments and all that (after one has been duly gathered in the others arms). Umm, what state the good Mr. Wooster was in then? He, horror of horrors, had not even breakfasted!! That is: he
witnessed a lovers' reunion - on an empty, rumbling stomach and a boot-polish-blackened-face.
What
sacrifice!
Verdict:Thank You, Jeeves is
actually one story, a single story that runs through 22 chapters and 263 pages.
The chapters are short and given the nature of the book you'll simply breeze
through them. It's an any-time, all-weather read. Though there isn't much
interplay between Jeeves and Bertie here, unlike the kind we find in Carry on,
Jeeves, you'll like Pauline Stoker. She will bring a smile to your
lips.
My two pence worth:The book jacket cover
is denim-blue in colour. PG Wodehouse appears in fluorescent green. Thank
You, Jeeves appears in white. Quite prominent, must say. Three silhouettes,
one table and a solitary figure in a crisp white shirt - make up the rest. The
silhouettes clearly belong to Chuffy, Pauline and Jeeves - in that order. The
large dining table (with a bright-pink cover) comes in between the silhouettes
and the crisp white-shirted figure. On the table there is a tray with a coffee
pot and a cup on it, which in turn is closely accompanied by a plate that is laden with crisp toasts and an
egg - all Bertie's breakfast favourites.
A hand
reaches for the toasts from under the table, while the body, to which the hand
is attached, is doing its best to remain in hiding. A part of the face, from nose down, is revealed.
...And all of
this clearly belongs to Bertram Wooster, although the face is devoid of
boot polish. However, the bright-pink cover on the table could not have been
Jeeves' choice.
The
production quality of the book is pretty decent. The few editing errors could and should
have been pruned out though.
However,
the novel contains the word "Negro" one too many times. Which means: the
celebrated P.G. Wodehouse may not have been entirely devoid of the cancer of "racism". Or was it a word that was simply in circulation in
those days, and which was used without much thought?
There
are a couple of references to India as well - alongside giant spiders. Hmm.
But there
is absolutely nothing about leech and Nobel Peace Prize. I mean: about a
certain EU de Colognial. Nothing about the Yeast India Company either.
Not even a whiff. Too bad.
But then, thank you Plum - for Jeeves and for
Bertie. And here's wishing you a belated 131st Happy Birthday! Or is
it birth anniversary?! What say, Jeeves?
Details of the book:Thank You, Jeeves/
Author: P.G. Wodehouse/ Publisher: Arrow, an imprint of Random House/ Binding:
Paperback/ Publishing Date: 03/06/2008/ Genre: Classics/ ISBN-10: 978-0-09-951373-5/
ISBN-13: 9780099513735/ Pages: 263/ Price: $19.95)
Picture:The book jacket
cover of Thank You, Jeeves. Courtesy: link.
Aaj Bijoyadasami. It is the tenth day today, after the
nine auspicious nights (Navratr or Navratri).
Aaj Dasha-hara(Dussehra, Dashera,Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain).
Tai, wish you all a Shubh Dussehra. Shubh Vijayadasami.
Shubho Bijoya-r priti o shubhechcha.
Ayigiri Nandini Nandita Medini
by Gayathri Devi and Saindhavi:
Dasha-hara is Sanskrit, and means "remover
of negativity".
May
Maa Durga help subdue all the negativity within and around us. May She dispel the darkness within us. May She bless
us with inner power, peace and determination.
May the divine Mother, the Mother
of this Creation and the Energy behind the cosmos, Maa Durga (or Maa
Shakti) bless us with the bounty of eternal bliss of self-realization
i.e. Sat-cit-ānanda (pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda). Sat describes an
essence that is pure and timeless; cit is consciousness; ānanda
is absolute bliss.
May the devi bless us all; may She
bestow upon us the gift of perception and introspection. May She destroy all
negative (aasuric) traits within us, such as: selfishness, jealousy, greed,
resentment, prejudice, hatred and anger. May the divine Mother free us
from ego (ahamkara). May She fill our lives with goodness (daaivic or
noble traits) and positivity. May our lives resonate with joy, peace, love,
hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth. May Maa Durga the
"Durgatinashini" (the eliminator of sufferings) eliminate our
sufferings and remove all hurdles in the path of knowledge and reason. May the
three-eyed (Triyambake) Maa Bhavani (the Mother of this Bhuvan;
the one who can "see" the past, the present and the future) open our
mind's eye (manas chokhshu or divya drishti).
[Translated:I seek refuge (sharaNaM prapadye)in Shri Ram's Envoy (shri rAm dutaM); who is swift as thought (manojavaM), powerful and swift as the
wind (mArutatulya vegaM), in control of his senses (jitendriyaM), supremely intelligent (buddhimatAM varishThaM), commander of the army of
forest-dwellers (vAnarayuth mukhyaM), and son of the wind-god (vAtAtmajaM).]
Jai
Bajrangbali!
[Please note:the "son" of the wind-god or
Pavandev = a metaphor. Shri Hanuman was the finest pilot of his era. Yes, the Ramayan clearly refers to various types of air-crafts. The Ramayan is not "mythology" or "epic" but the
comprehensive itihasa (history) of the 2nd era - the Treta Yug.
The 2nd Pandav, Bheem, too was the finest
pilot of his era - the Dwapar Yug, i.e. the 3rd era. And hence Bheem and
Shri Hanuman are "brothers".]
Sri Hanumaan Chalisa by Pt. Rajan and Sajan Mishra:
Shri Ram Jay Ram-Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Lata
Mangeshkar(Bhajan):
May Shri Ram and Mata Sita bless you always. Jai Shri Ram!
Sri Ram Sloka:
॥ जय श्री राम ॥ ईश्वर उवाच श्री राम राम रामेति रमे राम मनोरमे । सहस्त्रनाम
ततुल्यं राम नाम वरानने ॥ श्री रामनाम वरानन ॐ नमः इति ॥
॥ Jai Shri Ram ॥Īśvara uvaacha:Sri Ram Ram Rameti Rame Ram Manorame । Sahastranaam ta tuliyam Ram naam Varaanane ॥ Shri Ram naam Varaanan AUM Namah Iti ॥
[Glory to Shri Ram. Īśvara uvaacha: The very name of Shri Ram is serene, it gladdens the heart and touches the soul. This name has many hues. Uttering the name of Shri Ram once is equivalent to chanting a sloka or a hymn a thousand times. This is because of Shri Ram's greatness and the glory of His deeds, His keerti, due to which He has been accepted by the people of the Treta Yug (the second era) ... and beyond as an "avatar" or a "manifestation" of the cosmic force or energy - known as "Vishnu". And since the cosmic energies known as "Shiv" and "Vishnu" are one and the same, therefore, the name of Shri Ram encompasses Creation Itself. AUM. We bow to thee.]
Let me end this post with the following sloka:
॥ हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण
कृष्ण हरे हरे । हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे ॥
Hare KrishnaHareKrishna
KrishnaKrishnaHare Hare|
HareRamHareRam
RamRamHare Hare||
My humble attempt at translating the above couplet:"Hare" is Hari, i.e. Shri Vishnu, the name our ancients gave to one of the major force or energy behind the cosmos. "Hari" means green.Another major force or energy behind the cosmos is "Shiv", who is also known as "Hara" and that too means "green". Vishnu and Shiv are "Hari-Hara";one and the same. The two "avatars" - Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are one and the same (i.e., "avatars" of Hari or Shri Vishnu, and by default that of Shiv as well - since Shiv and Vishnu are one and the same). Shri Ram and Sri Krishna have been accepted by the people of the Treta Yug (the second era) and the Dwapar Yug (the third era) ... and beyond - as "manifestations" of the cosmic forces or energies - known as "Shiv" and "Vishnu". This was due to the greatness of their deeds(Karm Yog and keerti) - that helped maintain the balance in society, thereby also helping civilization to flourish well. Both, Shri Ram and Shri Krishna have prayed to that immense (feminine) force or energy behind the cosmos, the one that our ancients called: "Maa Shakti".
In the Treta Yug (the 2nd era), Shri Ram invoked Maa Shakti or Maa Durga and sought her blessings. Until then, our ancients invoked the divine Mother during the month of Chaitra (Chaitra maas). Shri Ram invoked Her before time - Akal Bodhan (untimely invocation). Since then, the divine Mother is being worshiped during the month of Ashwin (Ashwin maas) instead of during the month of Chaitra. This also helped agriculturists or farmers. Here's why: The idols were made of soil, mud or terracotta taken from the banks of the sacred river Ganga (Maa Ganga;
whose waters are known for their bactericidal properties) or its many tributaries. The colours
used on the idols were derived from nature (i.e. they were natural or
vegetable colours, prepared from leaves, flowers, vegetables and their
extracts, and even from rocks, stones and kohl or kajal).
On the tenth day, when the idols were immersed in various water-bodies
(visharjan), the mud and colours of the idols blended with the waters
and killed harmful germs. This water was then used by the farmers to
irrigate their fields. Thus, the waters acted as natural insecticide or
pesticide (no chemicals were used as pesticide or fertilizer). The same thoughts and principles were applicable for all idols that were worshiped throughout the year. Also, unlike what is done these days, our ancients did not
use chemicals to prepare patakas (crackers) that were burst during the puja season. They used natural ingredients; and that kept the noise level at a minimum, while the smoke emitted by these patakas killed many harmful insects.The festivals (e.g. Holi) and the pujas (e.g. Dussehra/Durga Puja or Diwali/Kali Puja, etc) were also done keeping in mind the various seasons and what they signified (e.g. ailments, crop sowing or harvesting and so on) - and accordingly a natural "remedy" was employed. Even the colours used during Holi were herbal or natural colours, made from specific leaves, flowers, vegetables and their
extracts; and they not only killed the germs (in the air, soil or the waters) but also improved the immunity of the people (since they applied these colours on each other). Also: specific diet was followed during each season, and this automatically raised the immunity levels and ensured good health.
Shubh Dussehra. Shubh Vijayadasami.Shubho Bijoya-r priti o shubhechcha.
For further reading:
1.You may read Shubho Mahalaya - Maa aaschhen:HERE.
2.The
ever-mesmerizing Bhavani Dayani can be read: HERE.
3.Shubho Maha
Saptami: Who or rather what are Maa Adi Shakti and Maa Kaalraatri?can be read: HERE.
4. Do read Joi Maa
Durga: Notes on "Idol Worship" (Part-I):HERE.
Pictures:Found while trawling the net, don't remember the links :(
Author's
Note: You may read Shubho Mahalaya - Maa aaschhen: HERE.
The
ever-mesmerizing Bhavani Dayani can be read: HERE.
Shubho Maha Saptami: Who or rather what are Maa Adi
Shakti and Maa Kaalraatri? can be read: HERE.
Now, let us make a humble
attempt to understand why the formless forces or energies of the cosmos or
the formless elements of nature have been given a form or shape -
by our ancients. If you were to ask me, I would say there are about four major reasons.
But before we delve into them, here is theMahalakshmi Stotram:
If you remember, in the
Chapter 11 of the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta, before describing to Arjun (and through him to all of us) what is now widely known as - His
"Vishwaroop", Shri Krishna tells Arjun: that only those that were truly "awakened" can
"see" it. Those that are yet to "awaken" - cannot "see" it. Here "awakened" =
one who has truly opened one's mind's eye (i.e. one's manas-chokhshu or divya drishti). Such
a person is a "muni" and this is irrespective of gender, occupation, background or age. A "muni" is one
who is a true "jnani" or the possessor of illumined knowledge. Note:
One does not come to possess illumined knowledge (jnana) automatically, i.e. by
simply reading various books or texts; one also needs to be free from ego
(ahamkara) and other base (or aasuric) traits, such as: selfishness,
anger, greed, resentment, and so on.
"Vishwaroop" refers to the the formlessParamaatma i.e. the Supreme Soul or the Parameswar, i.e. the Supreme Being - appearing in forms that incorporate the complete creation or Universe in it. The word "Vishwaroop" is formed by joining two Sanskrit words: "vishwa" meaning the universe and "roop" meaning form. After "sighting" this form (Vishwaroop) in his mind's eye (manas-chokhshu or divya drishti), Arjun understands the true meaning of the cosmic process and of destiny.
sri bhagavaan uvaacha:
pashya me paartha roopaani shatasho'tha sahasrashah naanaavidhaani divyaani naanaavarnaakriteeni cha // 11.5 // Translated: Sri Bhagavan Krishna says, "Behold, O Partha, by hundreds and thousands, My different forms: celestial, varied in colours and shapes." [Partha, as you know is another name for Arjuna.]
While describing the
"Vishwaroop", Shri Krishna speaks in the first person, aham (I, Me); but
He is not referring to Himself. He is simply describing that Supreme Force of the Universe or the Cosmic
Energy: that our ancients called the Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or
the Supreme Being (the Parameswar) ... and which encompasses the whole of
Creation and the Universe itself. In short: Shri Krishna is describing Creation per se. However, Shri Krishna wasn't stating anything that was not already known. He was merely distilling the timeless knowledge of the 'Veds' (whether of all the four - the Rg
Ved, the Sama Ved, the Yajur Ved and the Atharva Ved - I know not; but of the Rig Ved certainly) and those of the 'Panchatantra', some of the 'Upanishads', the
'Ramayan,' etc., as well. The Srimad Bhagavad Geeta is a treasure-trove that holds immense wisdom and illumined knowledge
within its pages and is the jewel of ancient India's spiritual wisdom, one that
is not constrained by time and space.
[Note: Shri
Krishna did not "transform" Himself into "His" own cosmic form, as is mistakenly and somewhat popularly believed. He only simplified things (complex science, rather vigjnana and philosophy) to such an extent that
it enabled Arjun to clearly "perceive" the Divine form of the otherwise formlessCosmic Energy also known as the Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar) - in his mind's eye. Hence,
Shri Krishna says, "Behold, O Partha..."
By "... My different forms", Shri Krishna is referring to that eternal, uncreated, formless and without gender Cosmic Energy - of which He too is (and we all are) a part of. Please note: I am using "is" - since the soul or the aatma is Energy; and it too is eternal, imperishable and uncreated. The soul(aatman) is a part of that greater Cosmic Energy (also known as the
Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar).
The "vision", that of "Vishwaroop", is not a myth or legend ...
it is a spiritual experience.]
Let us now discuss the much-disdained "idol worship" or the much-maligned "idolatry" bit:
1.According to the timeless "way of life" also known as "Sanaatan Dharma", every thing (whether animate or
inanimate) that can be found anywhere in Creation - is also a part of that Cosmic Energy, known as the
Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar);
since the formless and without genderParamaatma or the Parameswar "manifests" Itself as
Creation (Srsstti). It includes us too. That is: our mortal bodies (sharira) as well as
our immortal souls (aatman) are a part of the Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma)
or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar).
This Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma)
or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar) therefore, possesses many
forms or shapes, since anything, no matter what it is, whether animate or inanimate - so long it can be found in
creation or in nature - automatically "represents" the shape of the
Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar).
... And yet, despite the above, the Supreme
Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar) remains
formless (nirākārā).
This is because: Creation
itself is transient; it is an illusion -known as the cosmic illusion
or Maaya.
Here's why: The sky does
not remain blue forever nor do the grass remain green. The mist-covered
mountains, the cloud-kissed forests, the clear skies and the waters of the oceans, all
appear to be blue in colour, but it is not so in reality; the clouds appearto be white, but is colourless. The snow-covered mountains appear to be golden-hued - when the first rays of the sun falls on them, but is no so in reality. A rainbow appears to be real. A newborn does not remain a newborn;
it grows up to become a toddler, then a youth, and gradually attains old age;
all the while the body undergoes change. New species evolve while some become
extinct. Old stars die and new ones are born, a comet burn's out, a meteorite
or an asteroid crashes into something, the universe is constantly expanding ... and
so on and so forth; there is change happening all the time, though we may
not realize it or "see" it. This is the cosmic illusion or Maaya-
that our ancients have written about.
As mentioned earlier: the Cosmic Energy or the forces of the Universe (also known as: the
Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar]
has no gender and is formless (nirākārā, nirguna). It manifests
Itself as Creation (Srsstti), i.e. through anything that is a part of or
can be found in Creation. It therefore, possesses many forms or shapes,
since anything, no matter what it is, whether animate or inanimate - so long it can be found in creation or in
nature - automatically represents the shape of the Supreme Soul
(the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar).
Just like our aatman
(the soul, which is immortal or indestructible).
The aatman
(which too is a part of the Parmaatma - the Supreme Soul or the Supreme
Being - the Parameswar) has no shape or form of its own, it is: nirākārā and has no gender. Yet, when it
takes on or inhabits a mortal body (i.e. assumes a temporary outer
covering), from time to time, it receives a shape and identity of its own. In
short: it then takes on a form (ākārā, saguna). But
then, since this form or shape is not a permanent one, and is only a temporary or transient
outer-covering, the aatman (soul) per se still remains formless (nirākārā). This too is part of that cosmic
illusion or Maaya.
Here's why: the temporary
or the mortal form (i.e., the outer-covering or the body, sharira) is created, it undergoes transformation, changes
shape and is mortal; the aatman (or the soul) is not. The aatman was never created
(immortal) and cannot be destroyed (imperishable). It has always existed. It is eternal.
Our soul (or the aatman)
is a part of (and behaves in a manner very much similar to the one displayed by) the
Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar). The latter has no form of its own (i.e. It is nirākārā, nirguna), and
yet It also manifests Itself through everything that is a part of Creation
(Srsstti). Similarly, when, from time to time, our formless soul or the aatman takes
on or inhabits a mortal body (i.e. a temporary outer-covering, sharira), it too
receives a form (ākārā, saguna) and identity of its
own. That is: It then takes on a temporary independent shape of its own (i.e. It becomes: ākārā, saguna); while also continuing to remain a part of the
formless(nirākārā, nirguna) Supreme Soul (the Paramaatma) or the Supreme Being (the Parameswar) - eternally.
This is Dvaita: the interplay between the nirākārā (the formless, the all-pervading, the omnipresent) + the nirguna (the unmanifested) and the ākārā (the with form) + the saguna (the manifested).
Shri Krishna has said,
that only those that were truly enlightened or possessed illumined knowledge
(jnana), i.e. the ones that have truly opened their "mind's eye" (i.e. those who are: muni) - will be
able to "see" it, understand it and comprehend it. Anyone else, no matter who they were, will
not. One needs to let go of ego (ahamkara), prejudice, etc to be able to "see" or "perceive" it (i.e. to be able to "see" the formless yet with form "roop" of the Cosmic Energy or the Paramaatma or the Parameswar) - in one's mind's eye.
This formless yet with form"roop" of the Cosmic Energy or the Paramaatma or the Parameswar - is everywhere in Nature, in Creation, in the Universe, and within ourselves as well - as the formless, unmanifested energy or soul + the transient perishable form or the manifested cosmic illusion or Maaya.
2.The human mind is unable to visualize, fathom or comprehend vacuum or for that
matter, anything that is without form or shape (nirākārā).
It needs something, anything, as a reference point.
The nirākārā (the formless, the all-pervading, the omnipresent) + Nirguna (the unmanifested) form of the Cosmic Energy (also known as Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar]
is not easilycomprehended. But the medium through which we can reach
that formless, unmanifested Cosmic Energy (also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar]IS the ākārā, i.e. the with form + manifested version:the Saguna.
... And hence the temporary, transient idol. The temporary, transient "idol"
is a "manifested" version or form of that timeless, eternal,formless, unmanifested Cosmic Energy (or the Paramaatma or the Parameswar) that can be seen with mortal eyes. "Idols"can include
anything that is to be found in nature; and is not limited to just the mud or terracotta idols that are
"worshiped" these days.
... Since the formlessCosmic Energy (also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar] also manifests Itself through
everything that is a part of Creation (Srsstti), our ancients have
revered Creation (Srsstti) and Nature (Prakriti) and all that is a part of It. Hence,
they have worshiped the trees and the forests, the water-bodies, the hills and the
mountains, the rocks and the stones, the Mother earth and even the animals and
the birds. Simply because: all of these were a part of Creation and the formlessCosmic Energy (also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar] - manifested Itself through them. Our ancients have also worshiped the "Panchabhoota" or the five
elements of nature (i.e. air, water, soil, fire and space). All of these have
predated humankind and are a part of Creation; their presence has made it conducive for humans to
appear on this planet, and without them (i.e., without the five elements
of nature, along with trees, animals, mountains, et al) - humankind would not have survived until now, and will not survive in future - in the absence of these five elements. Therefore, the five elements
of nature (the Panchabhoota), along with the trees, the animals, the mountains, et al were daaivic or noble or divine-like; i.e. they possessed noble qualities ('coz they have helped Creation, and life - including those of humans - to sustain themselves on this planet).
Our ancients, through the
ages, have also revered mortals (the ones that possessed noble or daaivic
traits) and elevated them to the status of the divine (one who possesses
noble traits or qualities; i.e. as "manifestations" of the Cosmic Energy or the forces behind the cosmos). Thus,mortal
humans - men and women - that have stood up to assorted negative or aasuric
forces or influences, and saved this world and its inhabitants from aasuric
stranglehold or from annihilation, through the ages - have been given the status of
the divine(one who possesses
noble traits or qualities; i.e. as "manifestations" of the Cosmic Energy or the forces behind the cosmos) - and revered as a Bhagavanor a Bhagavati- by
our ancients. [This was our ancients' way of honouring these great souls or Mahaatma-s
that have helped preserve the "way of life" or "Sanaatan Dharm" - as it ought to
be, and restored peace and balance in society; and whose efforts have helped
civilization to flourish well.
Divine probably comes from dev, which in turn comes from daaivic
- meaning: noble traits or qualities. Therefore, divine = one who possesses
noble traits or qualities. It can be animate or inanimate. Dev (an
honorific for a great male) or Devi (an honorific for a great female)
comes from daaivic - meaning: one who possesses noble traits or
qualities. Devi - is essentially a reverential honorific for a female -
entity, person, power, force or energy that is worthy of respect and worship. Dev
is the male version.]
Also:Bhagavan (again: an honorific for a great male)
or Bhagavati (an honorific for a great female) - does not
mean the Cosmic Energy (also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar]or God.
The Cosmic Energy (also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar] is not a person, It is formless
and has no gender. It is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient (this is because: Mother Nature and Creation that are also part of the formless Cosmic Energy - was the source of all the knowledge and wisdom accumulated by our ancients). The Cosmic Energy (the Paramaatma or the Parameshwar i.e. the
Supreme Soul or the Supreme Being),manifestsItself
everywhere; the whole of creation IS the Paramaatma, or the Parameshwar.Everything, whether animate or inanimate, if it is a part of this world, this universe or this creation, IS the Paramaatma,
or the Parameshwar.
The forces of the cosmos are everywhere, and whatever is there in
creation (whether seen, unseen, animate or inanimate) is a part of that
"divine" or "noble" force or energy (the Cosmic Energy, also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar.]) And It includes us: our mortal
body (sharira) and our immortal soul (aatman) as well.
Therefore, there is nothing that is "evil" in this
world (Bhuvan), in the universe (Brhmaand) or in creation (Srristi) - as per
the wisdom of our ancients, and as per the "Sanaatan Dharm" or "the timeless
way of life". [Sanaatan = timeless, Dharm = path or the way of life.]
So, even when the miscreants (negative or aasuric
forces or entities) are dealt with (by some or the other great human), it is not
a punishment, but an opportunity for redemption - provided to
those aasuric entities by these great humans.
Both 'Sur' or 'Sura' (i.e. positive forces or entities)
and 'Asur'/'Ashur'/'Asura' (i.e. negative forces or entities) are required for
creation, and they are present everywhere: in creation, in the universe and in
this world; they are present within us (as traits), within society and within
civilization as well - so as to sustain it, or rather, so as to maintain the
balance in Creation.
You see,imbalance is also part of nature. ['Vikriti' is also part
of 'Prakriti'.]
Bhagavan or Bhagavati comes from 'Bhagavat', which means:
'Fortunate' or 'Blessed'. 'Bhagavat' in turn is derived from 'Bhagah', which
means 'good fortune'. Therefore, any mortal human who is able to rise above his
or her own needs, wants, fears, emotions or attachments, and performs great
deeds (keerti) for the greater good of mankind or for the good of society, is "the
Fortunate One" or "the Blessed One" (or in other words: a Bhagavan or a Bhagavati). "Fortunate"
or "Blessed" - since he or she will "live forever", through the greatness of his
or her actions and deeds. These exceptional and great humans manage to even triumph death
(which is inevitable for us all) - by becoming "mrityunjay" (mrityu =
death, jay = triumph). These great souls become "amar" (i.e. they "live"
eternally or they "live" forever - through their keerti or legacy). [Note: Even now we say, "Bhagya" to indicate "fate" or "fortune", and "Bhagyavan" to indicate 'someone with good fortune or on whom fate is smiling'.]
Our ancients believed that the formless forces of the
universe or the energies behind the cosmos "manifested" themselves through
these great humans - the ones that leave behind great deeds (keerti) and play their role
for the greater good of mankind and for society; and due to whose actions,
civilization is able to (and has continued to) flourish well.
Therefore, for our ancients, these great humans were
"avatar-s" or "manifestations" - of the formless forces of the universe or the
energies behind the cosmos (also known as the Supreme Soul [the Paramaatma] or the Supreme Being [the Parameswar).
Avatar/ this is how I see it: When the finite meets the
infinite, when the created meets the uncreated, when the mortal meets the
immortal, it is then that that formless force or energy,
also known as God, Parmaatma (the Supreme Soul), Parameshwar (the
Supreme Being) or the divine, is "manifested" - as an Avatar or even
as a Yug Purush or a Yug Manavi.
These various titles were
honorifics given out of reverence, and in acknowledgement of someone's great deeds
and their impact on society and on people's lives. Our ancients acknowledged
the ones that made the highest contribution towards the good of society and
towards civilization to flourish well (thereby touching and impacting the lives
of a vast number of people) - as "avatar".
The Chapter IV - 8 of the
Srimad Bhagavad Geeta [Srimad = an honorific, Geeta = songs; Srimad Bhagavad
Geeta = the 'Songs of the Blessed One or the Fortunate One'] -
says:
paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami
yuge yuge
Meaning:
Paritranaya: for the deliverance; sadhunam: of the devotees; vinasaya:
for the annihilation; ca: also; duskrtam: of the miscreants; dharma:
the principles and ideals of 'the right path' or the 'way of life' as it should
be - for the good of humankind and for civilization to flourish well; samsthapana-arthaya:
to reestablish; sambhavami: I do appear; yuge: millennium; yuge:
after millennium.
Translation:
In order to
rescue/deliver the good and the pious (the noble-hearted) and to annihilate the
miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles and ideals of 'the right
path' or the way of life as it should be - for the greater good of humankind and
for civilization to flourish well, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.
However, as you may have
noticed, Shri Krishna uses the word or term "duskrtam"
- for aasuric i.e. negative forces or entities. It means "miscreants". [Note: Even now we use a variation of this Sanskrit word "duskrtam". We say: "duskritakaari", and that too means: miscreants.]
Words or concepts like "evil", "devil", etc is not a part of our
culture or the philosophy of life rooted in Vedic wisdom (i.e., "Sanaatan
Dharm"). [Veda comes from the root vid, which means: wisdom,
knowledge.]
The third and fourth reasons as to
why our ancients worshiped "idols" - I will try to explain in my next post. So,
do stay tuned.
Jagdambe Jagdambe, a Bhajan by Pandit Jasraj: [This stuti
pad (hymns of praise) is dedicated to and in praise of Maa Jagadamba (the
divine Mother, the Mother of this Jagat - also known as Maa Shakti or
Maa Durga). Jagadamb Jagadamb sura nara muni sumiranta: O Maa
Jagadamba, great humans, ordinary mortals and the "awakened" ones - all pray to
You. Sanmukha stuti karanta, shasasrta shir sarawanta: They sing Your
praise in front of You; You are ever-present in their thoughts and minds. Siraganga
harakhanta, nAchata shri herambh:Bhagavan Shiv (sira ganga - the
one who holds Maa Ganga in his jaata or dread-locks) smiles, as Shri
Ganesh (Herambh) dances with joy]: "Herambh" means "one who is erudite, wise,
respected and calm in disposition", hence the metaphor of an elephant-head.
Here is a lovely Bhajan(Sarasvathi Vandhana)/Raag Bhairavi:Ustad Rashid Khanand Pandit Bharat Bhushan Goswami: [Vocal:Ustad
Rashid Khan, Sarangi: Pandit Bharat Bhushan Goswami]:
Well, music isdivine. It truly mesmerizes, we don't want it to
end...
Shubho Moha Nobomi.
(Do stay tuned…)
Pictures:1. Pic 01 - The sacred symbol
AUM - AUM is the sound of primal energy, the sound of the universe itself. 2.Pic
02 - Maa Durga along with Shri Ganesh, Sri Sri Lakshmi and Sri Sri Saraswati. 3.Pic 03 - Mother Nature in all her glory. 4. Pic
04 - Mother Nature in all her glory - yet again. 5. Pic 05 - Shri Krishna explaining the "Viswaroop" to Arjuna.
