tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72174718487495201422024-03-08T04:51:33.118+05:30Musings of an Unknown IndianI am an ordinary soul, an unknown Indian. Yet, I value my opinion enough to share it... and therefore, I blog.Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-86498182635460038182014-03-30T02:28:00.000+05:302014-03-30T02:28:38.619+05:30Dear Life by Alice Munro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Alice Munro</i></span>, the <span class="readable">doyenne of Canadian
literature,</span> is primarily known for her short stories and has published
several collections over the years. She won the Man Booker International prize
in 2009. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(On a side note: Why is it called the 'Man' Booker? Maybe overly-enthusiastic title
sponsorship. It was called the <span class="snippetanswerpost">Booker-McConnell
Prize</span> or simply the Booker Prize from 1969-2001. ... Umm, at least it's not called the Adonis Prize.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Winning the Nobel Prize in Literature 2013 perhaps
enhanced Munro's reputation as a master of short fiction. <span class="readable">The
celebrated author </span>announced her retirement at the age of 82 (last year). She is, perhaps, looking forward to doing something more sociable and less
exacting than writing. Fame, or for that matter, the Nobel Prize, sit lightly on her unfazed shoulders. Apparently, she was simply
unaware that there was a certain literature prize in the offing. One of her daughters woke her up with the news.<i> </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Dear
Life</i> <span class="readable">is Munro's most recent collection of short stories. </span>...
I've never read her until now, so cannot quite share my thoughts vis-a-vis this
book against her 14 other collections of stories.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="readable">T</span>his 2012 collection, republished in 2013 (possibly in celebration of
the literature prize), is (thus) the valedictory of what has been a sparkling
yet unpretentious literary career, unaffected by the paraphernalia of
widespread recognition or accolades (rare public appearances, modesty - that
rare virtue)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">. The last four stories "are not
quite stories... one that is autobiographical in feeling" - the closest to an
autobiography, that is. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Munro is a gifted storyteller; her writing is clearheaded,
concise, thoughtful, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes entertaining, open
endings, a somewhat wiser perspective, non judgmental (like Satyajit Ray framing his universe through the lens of his vision), no pretentious or flowery language, no
overstretching of metaphors, no lofty cliché-induced sentences that purport to
make a point but don't. Attention to detail is meticulous, although her prose
and stories are quite unlike those of (e.g.) Roald Dahl, O. Henry, Mark Twain, R. K. Narayan, Ruskin Bond or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Not quite Kiplingesque. Not quite Tolstoy-esque or Hemingwayesque in scope either. Chekhovian
perhaps. Somewhat Tolstoynian - in that the situation or circumstance is the protagonist. The 14 stories spanning across 13 to 30+ pages cannot be read
back-to-back, any more than one would attempt to read 14 novels back-to-back.
Each needs to settle in the mind, it requires processing; they resonate very
differently on the palate and possess the heft of a Russian novel, reminiscent of old-fashioned Russian literature. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The stories in this collection is neither obscure
scholarly stuff, nor the <span class="readable">nebulous kind of short
story that leaves one wondering what is it that one read and why it was
written. They aren't cynical or satirical either</span>. Instead, t<span class="readable">hese stories are mini-novels/novellas; they have characters and
storyline... and offer a glimpse into a bygone era. It is </span>a series of
simple tales of everyday life and aspects of human nature woven together in
spare but easily understandable language. The author explores the
what-could-have-been or the <span class="readable">wonder of what might have been</span>
- an action not taken<span class="readable"> at a significant moment, a lifetime
spent in contemplation... wondering why not,</span> <span class="readable">small
choices, imperceptible shifts and incremental changes that at some point down
the line, eventually result in a change of destination, unacknowledged
mutualism between individuals (that form quite naturally), </span>and the like. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Poor decisions and quirky characters: endearing and
hopeless, hesitant and persistent, courteous and snooty, loudmouth and
incurious, characters that seem to make a cameo appearance, mundane writ large...
but who eventually transform the narrative. ~ The casual is crucial. The
ordinary is extraordinary. Later in the book, Ms. Munro states, "We say of
some things that they can't be forgiven, or that we will never forgive
ourselves. But we do - we do it all the time". This is a recurring theme
in her stories. ~ That humans are not perfect, they do things they are not
proud of, so much so they may even end up hating themselves... but there is a letting
go of bitterness and forgiveness eventually. And that, despite anguish or
despondency, it is possible "to put one foot ahead of the other".</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Most of
the stories are not contemporary; some are <span class="readable">set in post-war
Canada, while others </span>take place in the countryside and rural towns
around Lake Huron in Ontario, around the time of the Second
World War, probably because the author herself grew up in <span class="readable">rural
Canada in the earlier half of twentieth century, far from the turmoil
experienced by her contemporaries in Europe. ~ However, despite her </span>sparse prose<span class="readable"> the</span>
average reader can vividly imagine each tale's surroundings. Here are a few
lines from "Amundsen": '<i>Then there was silence, the air like
ice. Brittle-looking birch trees with black marks on their white bark, and some
kind of small untidy evergreens rolled up like sleepy bears. The frozen lake
not level but mounded along the shore, as if the waves had turned to ice in the
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black-and-white... So still, so immense an
enchantment. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>But the birch bark not white after all as you got closer. Grayish yellow, grayish blue, gray.</i>'<i> </i>~ The terrain is so bleak that the sky is "so immense an enchantment". But as the young woman (Vivien) gazes on her new environment, the subtle shift in perception is palpable. Where initially</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> she sees only black and white, it is not quite enough; she
will also need to see various shades of gray. </span></span></span>And she does. She learns to see, accept and respond to her new
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Munro describes her surroundings in rural Ontario: '<i>Beyond
the river was a patch of dark evergreen trees, probably cedar but too far away
to tell. And even farther away, on another hillside, was another house, quite
small at that distance... that was to me like a dwarf's house in a story.</i>'</span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'<i>Then
a bridge was built across the river, and it began to dawn on people how much
more convenient it would be to live over on the other side, on higher ground,
and the original settlement dwindled away to the disreputable, and then just
peculiar, half-village...</i>'</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Munro is a curious writer, not merely a chronicler or
bystander. Through the words flowing out of her pen, through her gaze upon the world, she shines a
light upon the lives of ordinary people in small-town humdrum life.<span class="readable"> </span>Her innovative stories, <span class="readable">ordinary
stories about ordinary people, </span>absorb and reflect all of these facets -
a veritable mélange of emotions and whatnot: pain, dismay, torpor, wrinkles, challenge - to walk the line between stress and boredom, leisure,
understanding, kindness, energy, surprise, flippancy, eccentricity, gaping solitude,
despair, caricature, exaggeration, departures and beginnings, merriment and
grievances, bittersweet and humourous, reflective and nostalgic, <span class="readable">forward-looking and hopeful,</span> transformation, homecomings
- both symbolic and real, redemption or better times; through the spiritual and
unifying, through human passions and shortcomings, through a patch of light on
bark or walls, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">through the ordinary, mundane and human. </span></span></span>~ To
summarize, <span class="readable">Ms. Munro brings forth the essence of a certain
kind of people as they existed in a certain place and era - two
generations ago, </span>including the humiliations of being a woman when merely expressing an opinion was considered unbecoming.<span class="readable"> The female characters in her stories are (sort of) in pursuit of happiness and/or freedom from their sense of limitation, constraint or emptiness in the world they inhabited; her prose brings forth the possibility and responsibility that come with that pursuit/attempt/effort; the men they leave behind aren't stereotypical bad or villainous. The stories are free-flowing and somewhat open-ended, t</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="readable">here are no contrived endings. Instead, there's an unshowy
gentleness, an insightful subtle thoughtfulness, a pellucid straightforwardness
even... </span>sometimes finishing with a lightness that is both liberating and agreeable. There's <span class="readable">something in the stories that is vaguely old-fashioned - in the
best way.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Animals' drinking tins, a swing in the hammock, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a few bits of
puffed rice floating in the excess milk, corn niblets, </span></span></span>eating
chili out of clay pots, butter (actually margarine coloured in the kitchen), warming oven, woodpiles and clotheslines, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">turkey egg, porridge,
shepherd's pie, bran muffin, </span></span></span>the long curve of the river
and the fields and the trees and the sunsets, woodstoves, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">fresh jam (made from wild berries), </span></span></span>ancient skates,
quilts already in tatters, a knitting factory, a foundry making old-fashioned
stoves that were sold all over the world, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cottage roll, strong black tea, homemade pie, Rice Krispies, pancakes and maple syrup, </span></span></span>etc coexist
alongside streetlights and running water, golf, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Matilda and Stephen, Rhett Butler, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">fiction and poetry, steaming
hot coffee, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">town library, </span></span></span>doughnut shop, the thumping piano, spaghetti, omelettes, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">instant mashed potatoes, canned peas, </span></span></span></span></span></span>little cakes topped with shredded coconut,
diamond- or crescent-shaped shortbread, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cello and violin, </span></span></span>chocolate wafers, peanut butter
sandwich and apple pie.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Munro is not quite a feminist writer (whatever that means)
or an unembarrassed chronicler of particular abjection of being female (given
the setting and arc of her stories). Instead, her stories contain whiffs of dry humour
with perceptive young women wryly observing men's desire for dominance and
other women's collusion with their own subsidiarity. In "Haven", a
young woman staying with an uncle and aunt (while her parents are in Africa)
sees firsthand the manner in which the uncle continually undermines his wife,
or his (rather inexplicable) extreme dislike of a musically talented sibling. (Could it be that being music-illiterate he felt inadequate?) "There was a
quantity of things that men hated..." the young woman observes. "Or had
no use for, as they said. And that was exactly right. They had no use for it,
so they hated it."<span class="readable"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Munro tells women's and to some extent
men's lives perceptively and deftly</span>. A snippet from "Dolly": "<i>I
had thought how men are charmed by stubborn quirks if the girl is good-looking
enough. Of course that has gone out of fashion. At least I hope it has. All
that delight in the infantile female brain. </i>(...<i> they told me there was a
time, not long ago, when women never taught mathematics. Weakness of intellect
prevented it.</i>)"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book feels good to hold; hardly any editing errors. The jacket-cover is eye-catching - quite lively. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a dusk to dawn light feel. <i>Alice Munro</i> appears in a mellow shade of yellow. <i>Dear Life</i> is embossed in white. </span></span></span>Maple leaves - the most widely recognised national symbol/emblem of Canada is also representative of the passing seasons and their rhythms. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Dear Life</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;">/ Author: Alice Munro/ Publisher: Vintage Books, an
imprint of Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/
Publishing Date: July 2013/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN-10: 978-0-099-57864-2/
ISBN-13: 9780099578642/ Pages: 336/ Price: INR 450.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover
of <i>Dear Life.</i> Courtesy: randomhouse.</span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-55231974063597849462014-03-07T05:17:00.001+05:302014-03-24T03:35:29.602+05:30Holi, etc.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Vasant</span>' comes from the word 'spring' as this festival
(Vasant/Basant Panchami, also: Shree Panchami or Sarasvati Puja) heralds the
beginning of the spring season. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees...
with the promise of new life (rejuvenation) and hope. ['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Naba
Anande Jaago</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JksQUh93ZAg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>.] ~ Vasant Panchami also
announces the arrival of another big springtime event - <span style="color: #4c1130;">Holi</span>, the festival of
colours.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Holi' comes from the word 'hola', meaning to offer
oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Holi</span>, amongst the most distinct festivals of
India, evokes the buoyant spirit of the spring season. Well known for its
exuberant and colourful celebrations, Holi in India stirs up excitement among
people. Falling in the month of March/April, Holi celebrates the spring season
and renewal. ... Coming forth with the full flush of life, the invigorating air
of Holi festivities spreads into the lives of people. ~ Celebrated with energy
and revelry, the fervour of Holi pervades everyone - the young and the
young-at-heart alike. The essence of Holi festival is acknowledging and
celebration of the spirit of oneness (cohesion), of unadulterated joy ~ to
reset and renew... shunning/submerging all negativism, conflict and ill-will. ~
Holi has a special musical flavour. Traditional dishes include <i>malpoa</i>,<i>
kheer sandesh, basanti sandesh</i>,<i> chaler payesh</i> (rice pudding) etc. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Holi 2014: March 17/18. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here
are a few Tagorean compositions celebrating Basanta Utsab (spring festival). ~ The beauty and depth of Rabindra-sangeet (Tagore's magnificent music) is beyond description</i>:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ananter
Baani Tumi</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdrXAddkJbs"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Phagun
Haowaay Haowaay</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWcZrsYfhc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Phaguner
Nabin Anande</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMZDDBfCeew"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ore Bhai
Phagun Legechhe</span>' (composed with Raag Basant): <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrgqrq_aT5A"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Basante
Phool Ganthlo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qhsDhaWHg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aaji
Basanta Jagrata Dvarey</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYMLFTDl9yw"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ore
Grihabashi Khol Dvar Khol</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sTT8pVFOl8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Neel
Digante Oi Phuler Agun Laglo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c7eHkrR4SM"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji
Jhara Jhara Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>': </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">li</span></a></i></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8">nk</a></i></b></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mor Bhabonare Ki Haowaay Matalo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_7EErY7y_U"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... and the delectable '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji Dakhino Duar Khola</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgrkH0H9Shg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ As we know, Shamsundar Krishn is the personification of the king of seasons
- <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Rituraj</i></span> Basant.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <i>|| </i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span><i> || </i>~ "and of
seasons I am spring."</span></span></span></div>
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celebrates nature as beautiful flowers and greenery starts to blossom in all
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</xml><![endif]-->Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the first day of spring, the fifth day (Panchami) of Shukla
Paksha (the fortnight of the waxing moon) of Magh Masa (month) - January-February. ... Vasanta Panchami, which marks the end of winter and heralds in spring, is dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati - the goddess of speech and learning, who blesses the world with <i>vach</i> (words) and the wealth of knowledge. This day is also commemorated by praying to Lord Krishna. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ It is the festival/celebration of the king of all
seasons: Spring/Basant. ~ It commences from spring season and carries up to
Panchami of Krishna Paksha of Falgun month, i.e. it begins with Makarasankranti and ends with Mahashivratri. [Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal
equinox, on the Phalgun Purnima (Full Moon) ~ on the last full moon day of the
lunar month, Phalgun.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vasant or Basant is especially considered
significant for lovers of art and education (wisdom and intellectual pursuits,
not merely text-bookish knowledge or classroom schooling).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The day of Vasant/Basant
Panchami is considered to be the beginning of new life. Spring season is the
season of rebirth and bloom. Fields of yellow mustard charm the heart. Wheat
crop starts swaying like gold. Colourful flowers start blossoming. ... The day of
<i>Basanta Utsab</i> is (thus) celebrated as the welcoming of colours and happiness.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aanandadhaara Bohichhe Bhubane</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixxBkJzhX_M"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aami Ki Gaan Gaabo Je</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peggifX7FVE"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is: '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Esho Shyamala Sundara</span>':
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjomhLcv3KU"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">... Coming
before us as personified spring is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Shyamsundar Krishn</span> ~ full of colour, joy,
and ecstasy and dressed as a daring dramatic dancer. Krishn means "all-attractive" (shyAmaH or kRiShNa means black - kaalah [all-absorbing/Ghanshyam.] Black does not reflect light. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the case of black, all the colours making up white light are absorbed which makes that object appear black).
<b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Krishn is "all-attractive" - at his charming and captivating best - with a
magical power to hold us spellbound. He looks like the full moon surrounded by its entourage of stars. His effulgent white turban appears especially splendid
sitting obliquely on his head. It is decorated with bunches of flowers,
sprinkled with fragrant reddish powder (pollen or "gulaal", or maybe
even the flaming-red Gulmohar, also known as "Krishnachura" or 'crown
of Krishna'), and surrounded by butterflies shaking his peacock feathered-crest.
His curly dark blue hair is tied back, and he wears glittering yellow garments
(Peetabasa; pitaH or HaridrabhaH = yellow in Sanskrit) just suitable for the spring season. A sachet of camphor is tucked
in his gem-studded belt. ... While listening to the <i>vasanta raga</i> (i.e. the
melody and the ecstasy of spring), Krishn holds a flute in his left hand and a
ball of red powder (gulaal) in his right hand. Overjoyed at the sight of
Krishna, the forest creepers display ecstatic dance. The gentle breezes from
the Malayan Hills appear as a <i>guru</i> to teach them how to dance. The
beautiful mango groves with their blossoming flowers appear like exuberant
laughter... and illuminate the grove with pleasant effulgence. Bumblebees,
cuckoos, and other exotic birds hum and warble pleasingly. The creepers dance
along according to the instructions of the wind. The spring season arrives in
the form of a playful lion cub showing his teeth as the stamens of the flowers.
The southern breezes force the chills of winter to depart. It appears as if
the nostrils of personified time has now opened and started breathing in and
out. ['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aanandadhvani Jaagao Gagane</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPZUa-maRlk"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i>]<i> </i>~
The juncture of winter and spring seem like the period between childhood and
adolescence. Creepers explode with new buds. There are abundant colours all
around. The cuckoos sing a sweet melody. ... It seems as if the buds, birds, and
breezes all awaited the departure of the winter season. With the disappearance
of winter, the forests and trees beam with delight... and welcome the spring season
with plentiful colours and the sweet fragrances of fresh flowers. The <i>camari</i>
deer prepared the stage by clearing the forest floor with their bushy tails.
Wandering <i>kasturi</i> deer scented the air with the heady fragrance of
musk. ~ The creepers appear to be smeared with rich aromas. Even humans lose
their lethargy and feel a new energy flowing through them. Delighted, they
submerge in an ocean of joy and gaiety. There is <i>gulaal</i>, flying of
colourful (and even innovatively designed) kites, sumptuous feast and unlimited
happiness during the Holi festival. A new zeal of life can be seen coming in
all around. Colourful flowers decorate the earth. Swarms of butterflies dance in
mid-air and waltz among the flowering creepers. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Krishn
(personified spring) - the epitome of cool, the ocean of elegance, appears like
a dramatic artist dressed in colourful garments. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopeful,
festive, fresh flavour, evergreen, vibrant - a <i>raag</i> that is suitable for
singing in the evenings, a <i>raag</i> that ushers in the festive spirit and
one that dispels pessimism and instills hope - it's the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>raag</i> Vasant</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Vasant"
means springtime, and this <i>raag</i> has been suitably named since all that
is associated with it is hope and positivity. Vasant is a lively <i>raag</i>
and the happiness it exudes is endearing and irresistible.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shyamsundar, whose joyous
nature spreads in all directions, fills the horizon with the reflection of his
enchanting <b><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span></b>blue complexion. ~ Whose mind participating in this flourishing
festival of spring will not elate?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... All this is of course
allegorical. <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The spring season is described ~ with Krishn as personified
spring. </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The dance is the
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Divine Dance</span> - the fascinating picturesque dance of colours - between <i>Purusha</i> (Cosmic Energy or Primal Creative Energy - <i>unmanifested</i> Purusha + its embodiment or manifestation) and <i>Prakriti</i>
(Manifested Nature). ~ Between the Creator and Created. Between the Infinite and finite.
Between the Eternal and the evanescent.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn is Hari (haritaH or PalashaH means green in Sanskrit) ~ and
so, is also depicted as wrapped in cool cyan - bluish green). neelaH = blue. ~ He is <i>Kshiteeshah</i>:
The Partner (allegorically speaking) of the earth/nature.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HA= sky<br />
RA= fire<br />
I= energy<br />
HARI = effulgent omnipresent omnipotent omniconscient cosmic energy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rudra Gayatri Mantra: ||
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>yo rudro agnau yo apsu ya oṣadhīṣu yo rudro viśvā bhuvanā viveśa tasmai
rudrāya namo astu</i></span> || ~ "To the Rudra who is fire, who is in water, who
is in trees and plants, who has entered into the entire Universe, to that Rudra
let our salutations go." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva's depiction is allegorical (<i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></span></span></a></b></i></span>)
but the face is feminine.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The Milky Way galaxy itself was seen as the path of Aryaman<span style="color: #351c75;"> (the noble one) or the Ganges
(the name etymologically related to going) of the sky (akash-ganga). ~ </span>Here
is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Taba
Charana Nimney</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1QVhcyv2w"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> | </b></span>Tagore's
'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Suneel Saagorer Shyamal Kinaarey</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHg9HPTHdg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ Songs
by Rajanikanta Sen is known as "Rajanikanter Gaan". Tagore's compositions are called "Rabindrasangeet" - Tagore's magnificent music.]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ayi Bhuban Mano Mohini</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvodHT2v04"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>. [~ This
song is Tagore's celebration of nature during springtime. The sublime verses
also celebrate Goddess Sarasvati and Goddess Parvati <i>as</i> Rudra-Siva. ~
This song should also help us understand just who the Mohini-avatar is. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Mohini = rare, uncommon. ~ The Krishn-avatar, a
male, is also known as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is
simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and is indicative of a female. The
'Sudarshan Chakra' - the combination of Ajna chakra (the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra)
and Sahasrara (the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra) is associated
with this avatar. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Heye Khaniker Atithi</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W2JjXbO1lE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></span></a>. ('<i>Ogo akoruun (wily one), ki maya (guile/brilliant manoeuvres) jano, milanchhaley biraha aano</i>'.) </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The Mohini-avatar acquired the (metaphoric/allegoric) pot of
'ambrosia' from the malevolent entities ~ via diplomacy and ample use of guile, then returned it
to the
positive forces, thereby enabling the latter to regain their mojo or pre-eminence. Thus, the machinations of the malevolent or negative
entities came to a naught.
(~ The positive entities of course had to perform their collaborative,
sustained
and tangible karm-yog - to regain that pre-eminence.) ... This tale too
can well be
an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras/yugs.]<span style="color: #660000;"> <b>|</b></span> The Indus seal depicting a Tiger Lady or Tiger
Goddess is (very likely) the depiction of Rudra-Siva. The glyphs also show a
trishul. ~ <span class="text">The tiger probably
indicates Rudra-Siva's valiant nature. [</span><i>shoorah-veerah</i>
(the valiant); <i>vikramee</i> (the most daring).] ~ <span class="text">Trishul
could be a reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could
be an allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or
both. [The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as
Triveni Sangam or Prayag. Triveni and Trishul; tri = three. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Some poets assert that while sangam is a popular word
for a confluence of rivers, this particular confluence was called Sangayam, to
represent the meeting of Sarasvati (sa), Ganga (ga) and Yamuna (yam). Sangayam could mean, to flow together.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ </span>Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the
Rig Veda. (~ Cows emerging out of mountains - is a reference to various rivers; in the Arya or noble 'way of life' rivers
and water-bodies were not polluted). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> This should <i>also</i> help us
understand what 'cows' are associated with Krishn. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Gopa = ruler, king or
monarch. ~ BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ
ca narādhipam</span> || ~ </i>"and among humans I am the monarch"
(Cakravartin - a sagacious and sensible consensus-builder, someone with a broader outlook/vision, an able leader and administrator + guardian [protector/preserver and guide].)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24:
|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and
of bodies of water I am the ocean." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ It is a reference to the mighty
River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile -
Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sarasam also indicates <i>saras</i> - meaning:
gracefully flowing. <i>Saras </i>or<i> Sarasa</i> means spring, pool or fountain. <i>Saras</i> or Sarasa can also indicate SarasvatI. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ The Sarasvati River is an important river
goddess in the Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name means, "having many
pools". The Sanskrit name for the River Indus is Sindhu. "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>,
<i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">.</span>] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Sindhu and SarasvatI are mentioned repeatedly, respectfully and glowingly in the Rig Veda</span>. <span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The region between the Sindhu and Sarasvati rivers
were regarded by the Rig Vedic people as the holiest of holy grounds - Brahmadesa. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The two rivers nourished tall majestic trees, plants and flowers. The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess
in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of ancient
Vedic culture. ~ </span>The spectacular scenery and the might of Indus had
inspired the composition of hymns on Sindhu (Sanskrit name for the River Indus). Thousands of years ago the might of the Sindhu and Sarasvati had given
birth to the oldest and largest civilization of the ancient world - the Arya Civilization (also known as the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or 'Aryavarsha'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "The Rivers have come forward triply, seven and seven. Sindhu in might surpasses all the streams that flow." Its power is praised as mighty and unrestrained, of independent
glory, roaring as it runs. Other
rivers roar into the Sindhu. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">[BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sindhu" means <i>river</i>,
<i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">.</span></span></span>] As
a warrior-king leads other warriors, so does Sindhu lead other rivers. The Indus, considered sacred, is further described as
the lord and leader of the moving floods, active as a dappled mare, mighty as a
bellowing bull, kind as a mother to her calves, rich in gold, rich in ample
wealth ~ for whom Varuṇa, the water god, cut the channels for its forward course. ~ "His
roar is lifted up to heaven above the earth: he puts forth endless vigour with
a flash of light. Like floods of rain that fall in thunder from the cloud, so Sindhu rushes on bellowing like a bull. ... Sindhu, unto thee the roaring rivers run. Thou leadest as a warrior king thine army's wings what time thou comest in the van of these swift streams. Most active of the active, Sindhu unrestrained, like to a dappled mare, beautiful, fair to see. Rich in good steeds is Sindhu, rich in robes, rich in gold, nobly-fashioned, rich in ample wealth. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blest Silamavati and young Urnavati invest themselves with raiment rich in store of sweets. Sindhu hath yoked her car, light-rolling, drawn by steeds, and with that car shall she win..." </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">[BG 10.27: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">uccaiḥśravasam aśvānāḿ
viddhi mām</span> || ~ </i>"</span><span class="text">Of horses know Me to be Uccaiḥśravā."</span></span>]</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: small;">A masculine river is called "Nad", a feminine one
"Nadi". ~ Of all the Vedic
rivers, the Sindhu is both masculine and feminine.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>: </span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">The </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">SarasvatI is (also) called "<span style="color: #4c1130;">she with seven
sisters</span>" (saptasvasā). ~ T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu'
("seven rivers" - </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ</span><span style="color: #351c75;">; "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>,
<i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">) refers to the
rivers SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum), Sindhu (Indus) and</span>
probably KubhA. | 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' ~ does this fairy tale allude to SarasvatI
and the seven rivers - "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā)? ~ The story may have
undergone several variations and/or may have been largely unrelated.]</span><i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati</span> represent the divine forces in play in the
growth, expansion and evolution of the Universe. This aspect of the growth of
the Universe is thus steeped with the knowledge of all that has transpired
since the moment of Creation and continues to drive the further evolution of
the Universe. This driving force of knowledge is called as the divinity <i>Sarasvati</i>
as it is a knowledge that continues to flow through the expanse of the cosmos
gracefully and incessantly like waves. [<i>Saras</i> means gracefully flowing.]
~ This knowledge power forms the root for all forms of knowledge, speech (vak),
skill, arts, fine arts, craft etc. ~ <i>Sarasvati</i> is therefore the divinity
that promotes the development of all of these capabilities in mankind, society
and civilization.<b><span style="color: #660000;"><i> </i>|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Goddess Sarasvati is (thus) Vishva Nath - Sovereign or Monarch (Nath) of the Universe
and Lord of Creation<span class="text">. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ She is Mahat - Higher Soul or Guiding Spirit. (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahat</span> means literally the Great One, and is also interpreted as meaning
universal mind or cosmic intelligence</span>). Goddess Sarasvati is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Ishvari</span> - the Cosmic Entity (~ Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic
Teacher/Steward-mentor - the Primordial or Primal Being). She is the motive
power and guiding spirit (Mahat) behind the mathematically precise universes. She is the supreme power/authority of the universe/cosmos - <span class="text"><i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is
no other). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Sarasvati is
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>also</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the </span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>manifestation</i></span> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Primal Creative Energy' (~ known as 'Aadi Shakti' or 'Brahm-jyotih' - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the Absolute OM - </span></span></span>the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">impersonal (nirguna), <i>unmanifested</i> or avyaktah, Niraakar
Brahmn - </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cosmic Light or
Light Divine. In other words: divine effulgence</span></span></span></span></span></span>). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Aadi = Primal or Primordial;
Shakti = Creative Energy; Aadi Shakti = </span>Primal Creative Energy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Goddess Sarasvati is <i>thus</i> the </span>highest possible conception of the impersonal (nirguna), <i>unmanifested</i> or avyaktah, Niraakar
Brahmn (the <i>Absolute</i> OM - Cosmic Light or
Light Divine or divine effulgence - <span class="textexposedshow"><i>Brahm-jyotih </i>or 'Aadi Shakti</span>' - Primal Creative Energy). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Sarasvati is (thus)<i> <span style="color: #0c343d;">manifested</span></i> Brahmn - vyaktah, saguna, Saakar Brahmn. She is therefore, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Omswaroop</i></span> - manifestation of the Absolute OM - Cosmic Light or Light Divine (~ '</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Brahm-jyotih'<i> </i>or 'Aadi Shakti</span>' - Divine Effulgence)</span></span></span>. Hence, She is also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahm-putri</span>. <span class="textexposedshow">[Here, 'putri' =
manifestation, personification or embodiment.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Thus, it is said: The <span style="color: #4c1130;">seen</span>
(<i>manifested</i> - vyaktah, Saakar, saguna Brahmn) and the <span style="color: #4c1130;">unseen</span> (impersonal,<i> unmanifested</i>
- nirguna, avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn) are both one. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus the <i>Absolute</i> OM ('Brahm-Jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') and Mahat (Higher Soul or Guiding Spirit - universal mind, cosmic intelligence) or Ishvari (the Cosmic Entity</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> - Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic
Teacher/Steward-mentor - the Primordial or Primal Being</span></span></span>) are both one.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess', also known as </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">the
Sri Sri chandipATh) celebrates both the aspects (manifested and unmanifested OM). </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ Here
is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Pratham Aadi Taba Shakti</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiWBB4sW-4"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Tumi Aadikabi, Kabiguru tumi heye</i>' ~ Maharshi Valmiki is known as "Aadikavi". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore says that Valmiki
overcame his negative karma (prarabda karma) and compiled the Ramayana ('The
Exertions of Sri Ram') - due to Goddess Sarasvati's
blessings. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore himself is called
"Bishwa-Kabi", which means the poet of the world (universal bard), he
is sometimes also called "Kabiguru", which means the guru of poets.
His genius enriched whatever it touched. ~ In this composition Tagore hints at
his source of inspiration; he also credits the Goddess for his multifaceted talent
and vast oeuvre.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><b>........................................................................</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The impersonal (nirguna - without qualities) and unmanifested (avyaktah, niraakar - without form) Brahmn </i><i>(~ the <i>Absolute</i> OM - </i>'<i>Brahm-jyotih</i>'<i> or </i>'<i>Aadi Shakti</i>'<i> - Primal Creative Energy - Divine Effulgence or Cosmic Light) is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the
Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and
to which they return</i></span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The impersonal Absolute OM is beyond all thought. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Primal Creative Energy ('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') does not mean feminine energy. Energy has no form or gender. ~ Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i> - Cosmic Energy or Supreme Cosmic Spirit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Cosmic Entity or Primal Being is <i>Purushottama</i> (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM is Omprakash (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). The Almighty is Omswaroop - manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">BG 11.12: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>divi surya-sahasrasya
bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah</i></span> || ~ "If the radiance of a thousand suns
were to suddenly come forth in the sky, that would be like the light of the (impersonal,
<i>unmanifested - </i>nirguna, avyaktah, niraakar) Brahmn - the Absolute OM." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">[Mahatmanah = Supreme Cosmic
Energy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is referring to the
impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Brahmn (the Absolute OM - Primal Creative Energy) - 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' (i.e. Cosmic Light
or Light Divine </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow">- divine effulgence).</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The impersonal (nirguna - without qualities), <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>unmanifested</i></span> or avyaktah, Niraakar
Brahmn (the <i>Absolute</i> OM - Cosmic Light or
Light Divine or divine effulgence - <span class="textexposedshow">'Brahm-jyotih</span>' or 'Aadi Shakti') is the light (divine
effulgence) that impersonalists perceive in the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Nirguna</span> </i>(without qualities) or<i> </i>unmanifested (avyaktah, Niraakar - formless) <i>mode</i> of God/Almighty.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">All</span> creation-related work is the work of Fire (i.e. Cosmic
Fire - Cosmic Light, Light Divine - <i>Brahm-jyotih</i> or the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Aadi Shakti' - <span style="color: #4c1130;">Primal Creative Energy</span>.) ... The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>
Brahmn (the <i>Absolute</i> OM) is <i>thus</i> revered as the <i>Supreme Creator</i>
(Srashtaa).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ This is the basis of <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Advaita</i></span>
(monism).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Sarasvati is <span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Omswaroop</i></span> - manifestation of the Absolute OM<i> </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(~ impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> '</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brahm-jyotih' / 'Brahma-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Primal Creative Energy)</span></span></span>. </i>~ She is<i> </i>therefore, Brahm-putri or <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahma-putri</span> - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>manifestation</i></span> or
personification of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM (~ </span>Cosmic Light or Light Divine or Divine Effulgence - impersonal </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Thus, Goddess
Sarasvati is the Cosmic Entity... and can <i>also</i> be called the saguna, vyaktah, saakar Goddess Aadi Shakti. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM and the <i>manifested</i> OM (the Almighty - Cosmic Entity) together possesses the Power of the three cosmic phenomenons of Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam - i.e. the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>,
<span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution
(~ </span><span class="kword">distinguished by
the names: Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra). </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ This is the basis of <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Dvaita</i></span>
(dualism or duality).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah</span> is simply the names of the
three <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>aspects</i></span> of the cosmic phenomenon of Creation,</span><span class="kword">
Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution, respectively. </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keshavah - one who is the three. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Keshavah = <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva ~ indicating
the p<span class="kword">ower</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution
(i.e. </span>the three <i>aspects</i> of the <span class="kword">cosmic phenomenon of
</span><span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If we comprehend the Advaita and the Dvaita aspects we can then understand </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #4c1130;">what the Cosmic Trimurti of 'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' indicates</span>. ~ The <i>first</i> Trimurti indicates the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM. The <i>second</i> Trimurti represents the <i>manifested</i> OM - the Almighty. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn is the Supreme Cosmic Spirit - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Primal Creative Energy</i></span>. ~ The <i>manifested</i> Brahmn/OM or the Almighty - Universal Consciousness or universal mind or cosmic intelligence is the <i>manifestation</i> of the impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn... and is therefore, the Higher Self or Supersoul - Atman or Param-atma. ... Thus, the latent spiritual energy within humans - kundalini energy - is associated with the Almighty.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">~ The
Cosmic Entity or Ishvari is </span><i>asankhyeyah</i><span class="kword"> (with </span>countless names and forms).<span class="kword"> She is also known as Narayan or Narayani. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Narayan or Narayani does not indicate gender; it means: refuge of all living entities. ~ Even Ishvar or Ishvari does not indicate gender; both mean: Cosmic Entity or Almighty.<b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The Cosmic Entity is also <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path,
and <i>neyah</i>: The guide. [This is indicative of Her role as the Cosmic Ruler/Monarch + Cosmic Teacher and Steward-mentor.] ~ Thus, She is </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><i>Sarasvati</i> (the Creator) - and is, therefore, depicted along with the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic <i>Brahma</i> (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">the Supreme Creator
or Srashtaa <i>aspect </i>of the Absolute OM)</span>. </span></span>Goddess Sarasvati/<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">Narayani is also the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer - of all the worlds; thus She is depicted as<i> Lakshmi </i>alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> (the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the Absolute OM). Goddess Sarasvati is also the manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy, the Absolute OM - and hence, She is </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">(also) depicted as Shakti/Parvati alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Shiva (the dissolution <i>aspect </i>of the Absolute OM). ~ This should perhaps explain why Shiva and Rudra too have a syncretic form. The manifested, <i>saguna</i> Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is the manifested Rudra. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span>The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Aadi Shakti' or Absolute OM, as <i>Brahma</i> (</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">the Supreme Creator
or <i>Srashtaa</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">) has
created fourteen planetary systems; the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Aadi Shakti' or Absolute OM sustains, maintains and preserves
the universe as <i>Vishnu</i> (the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer of the cosmos)
and dissolves the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If we understand this, we will fully comprehend what </span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="kword">'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' indicate, i.e. what the </span>holy
<i>Trimurti</i> is all about.</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">If we understand the concept of Rudra-Shakti (the syncretic form ~ </span></span>to <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">create <i>brahma-ranhdra</i>, the transcendence of both) - all the aspects of the holy <i>trimurti</i> can be understood.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And then, we can also fully comprehend the following verses:</span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>|</b>| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>eko vai nārāyaṇa
āsīn na brahmā na īśāno nāpo nāgni-samau neme dyāv-āp</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> </i></span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>ṛthivī na</i><b><i> </i></b><i>nakṣatrāṇi na sūryaḥ</i></span> || ~ "In the
beginning of the creation there was only<b> </b>the Primal/Primeval Being Nārāyaṇa.
There was no Brahmā, no Śiva, no water, no fire,<b> </b>no<b> </b>moon, no stars in the sky,
no sun."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>nārāyaṇaḥ paro devas tasmāj jātaś
caturmukhaḥ tasmād rudro 'bhavad devaḥ sa ca sarva-jñatāḿ gataḥ</i></span> || ~
"Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme/Primordial/Primeval Being ~ from whom Brahmā was born,
from whom Śiva was born."</span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">BG 15.12: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>yadaadityagatam
tejo jagad bhaasayate'khilam yacchandramasi yacchaagnau tattejo viddhi
maamakam</i></span> || </span><i>~ </i></b><i><span style="font-style: normal;">"That light which, residing in the sun, illumines the
whole world, that which is in the moon and in the fire - know that light
as Mine."</span></i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You shine, all living things emerge. You
disappear, they go to rest. Recognizing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun,
arise; let each day be better than the last." ~ the Rig Veda. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ</i></span>
|| ~ "and of creators I am Brahmā."</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>].<span class="text"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aham evākṣayaḥ kālo</i></span> || ~ "I am also inexhaustible time."</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">And, BG 10.34: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mṛtyuḥ
sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</i>m</span> || ~ "I am all-consuming time,
and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be."
(~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all
that shall come into being.")</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="kword"> </span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And then, we will also understand why unlike the rigorous
monism (Advaita) of the Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita <i>also</i> integrates
dualism or duality (Dvaita) and theism (āstika).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Upanishads: || As is the human body, so is the cosmic body<br />
As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind.<br />
As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.<br />
As is the atom, so is the universe ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ After a cycle
of universal dissolution (when the manifest cosmos is completely dissolved), the Absolute OM recreates the cosmos. ~ The rest of the above verse possibly is indicative of some aspects of what the Large Hadron Collider is endeavouring to achieve.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Maybe</i>: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->After a cycle of universal dissolution </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(when the manifest cosmos is completely dissolved)</span></span></span></span>, the Absolute OM decides (in a manner of speaking) to recreate the cosmos so that we jiva-souls (individual souls or mere Self) can experience
worlds of shape and solidity. <b>~ </b>Maybe: very subtle atoms begin to combine, eventually
generating a cosmic wind that blows heavier and heavier atoms together. ~ Maybe: Jiva-souls,
depending on their (cumulative) karma - earned in previous world systems, spontaneously draw
to themselves atoms that coalesce into an appropriate body.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">On a side note: </span>This cumulative karma (including carried over prarabda karma or
negative karma) probably <i>also</i> affects or impacts their lives ~ thereby
shaping the societal or world conditions. ~ The resultant actions (including weakness
of attitude, crudity - lack of refinement of thought, or misguided actions
driven by base emotions such as avarice, malice etc) impact society. ~ It is human
follies and frailties, failings, mindless acts, prejudices and so on that shape the societal and world conditions. ["Weakness
of attitude becomes weakness of character." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> "Any
intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It
takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite
direction." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition
from weak minds." ~ Albert Einstein.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Human failings and follies cannot
be ascribed to the Almighty or to destiny. [It is part of human prarabda karma or negative karma.] God is sublime. God is subtle. God integrates empirically.
God does not play dice. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"What destiny had in store" (meant in a negative or retrogressive connotation) - is part
of a long list of callous and shallow idioms and colloquial sayings. It merely
reflects the ignorance of those responsible for the coinage and perpetuation
of such phraseology. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Various ailments and
disorders too can be traced to health and hygiene issues, lifestyle issues,
heredity, stress, environmental factors, chemical content, pollution, and so
on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and
I'm not sure about the universe." ~ Albert Einstein. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> E.g. 'test by fire' is
indicative of hardships or the vicissitudes of life. But mindless/negative/retrogressive
thinking (by humans) can turn it into something else. Similarly, 'nose-cut' indicates hurt ego or pride or affront arising
out of perceived slights. ~ And yet, mindless/negative/retrogressive thinking (by
humans) can give it a totally different connotation.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Sri Ram and his siblings were born due to advanced IVF therapy; their
deeds benefited society, and so, humans born due to IVF therapy were accepted
(while Dvapar rejected genetically engineered and cloned humans). This would have helped childless couples. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Due to the efforts of Sri Ram and his associates, Treta also accepted
certain groups of humans (such as the vaan-nar or forest (vaan)-dwelling human
(nar) - adivasi or vaan-vasi, as well as the 'tritiya prakriti') as
full-fledged humans, with a distinct 'way of life'. ~ Hanuman-ji is depicted
with a tail, this is allegorical - perhaps an allusion that prior to Sri Ram<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'</span>s
efforts to mainstream them, these groups of humans were not considered as
full-fledged humans. Maybe, they were considered as sub-humans or part of the
animal world. [~ Hanuman-ji, Sugreeva, Angad, Riksharaj Jambavan, Nishadaraj Guhaka or
Guha, etc were forest-dwellers. Vaan-nar Sena was an army peopled with forest dwellers.]</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> 'Lakshman Rekha' is a Tulsidas terminology. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> 'Golden deer' is a reference
to destiny (Goddess Sarasvati - Varadey Kaamarupinee [kamadhenu] - the fulfiller of wishes ~ provided one is deserving and makes the required effort). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maayabanobiharini Harini<span style="color: #351c75;">'</span></span>: </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOYI2x82fB0"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.] <span style="color: #351c75;">~ Mandodari - Ravana's queen - was Sita's mother; both were so
alike that even Hanuman-ji was confused. It is unlikely that Ravana attended Sita's Svayamvara. It probably came about courtesy later re-telling, folk theatre, and the like. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Tulsidas was also instrumental in starting the
folk event/folk theatre (village costume drama) known as Ram-lila. </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Ravana, an Arya, succumbed to his excessive ego (hubris) and
vaulted self-image, besides he was probably misled by his over-achingly
ambitious son - Meghnaad. [</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ravana's ten heads alludes to his excessive vanity and exaggerated self-image - his temperament flaws; it also represents ten kingdoms. Despite this, Ravana was not a Cakravartin-raja. ~ Top-heavy - 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.] ~ After the fall of Ravana, and the dismantling of
various destructive weaponry (including gigantic humanoid-robots fitted with an assortment of weaponry ['Kumbhakarna'], nuclear weapons - euphemistically referred to as 'Shiva-dhanush' and potent nerve agents)
- the sagacious Vibhisana (Ravana's younger brother) was crowned king by Sri Ram. ... And yet, we have been burning Vibhisana's effigy with
gusto ~ possibly a legacy of post Gupta era stage-plays and folk theatre. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[~ The Ramayana ('The Exertions of Sri Ram') has over 3,000 re-telling and/or versions,
not to mention the numerous poems and colloquial sayings based on it.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In all likelihood, Hanuman-ji was fair complexioned, the colour of vajra
(thunder). Hanu = jaw in Sanskrit, probably indicative of a large jaw. ~ Hanuman-ji
could not have set fire to Lanka with his tail - he was not a monkey; he was
human. This too (probably) is a result of later dramatics, folk theatre, and the like. Also, indulging in plunder and pillage was most un-Arya-like (ignoble); it
is unlikely that Sri Ram, one of the finest of Aryas, ever indulged in such
activities. Besides, Vibhishana (an ally of Sri Ram) succeeded Ravana. What
would he have governed over then? <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Maharshi Valmiki and Sri Ram were not
contemporaries. Sri Ram had nothing to do with the concept of "race" either. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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for Lakshman and Urmila: they remained apart for 14 years - owing to Lakshman's
dedication and a sense of duty towards bringing about certain positive societal change.
~ Maybe, it was a mutual decision to not involve her; Sita's presence, on the
other hand, was required - to fructify the larger goals and objectives.
Maybe, Urmila had some other role (pertaining to administrative functions). We don't quite know. ~ However, Lakshman and
Urmila remained committed to each other - throughout those 14 long years. It's a personal thing. ~ There have been several great humans who have ventured beyond their personal comforts and happiness... to work for the larger good; the world is a better place due to their efforts and contributions. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sri
Hanuman probably was a highly skilled pilot, and flew a variety of aircraft
(vimana). This (perhaps) has been mistranslated as 'Hanuman-ji carried Ram and
Lakshman on his shoulders'. 'Pavan-putra' = Airman. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, Sri Ram could look
beyond the mundane. And so, when Shabari - a rustic lady, offered him some wild
berries - after personally tasting them (to determine their sweetness), he
unhesitatingly accepted them. He saw the thought behind the (apparently unsophisticated) gesture; most
people would have considered it as an affront. He did not sit on a pedestal either. Therefore, paintings and
iconography depicting Sri Hanuman kneeling in front of Sri Ram with folded
hands, is a result of post Gupta era art (~ and may have given rise to certain
perceptions and cultural schisms). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ BG 9.26: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>patram
pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati tad aham bhakty-upahritam asnami
prayatatmanah</i></span> ||
~ "Whoever offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water - with love, devotion
or a clear/pure consciousness (prayatatmanah), I will accept it." ~ He is
essentially saying that he sees, appreciates and values the thought behind the gesture. Not
the offering itself. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sri Ram's actions not only helped create a better/progressive society
but also gave him the required gravitas and goodwill... once he ascended the
throne; he (probably) deferred the coronation, Kaikeyi and Manthara aided him. ~ His 14-years-long exile was
(very likely) a voluntary one; in his absence, (Kaikeyi's son) Bharata -
younger to Ram but older than (Sumitra's twins) Lakshman and Shatrughna - was
an acceptable alternative. [He may not have acquiesced on his own, though; 'coz
even in Ram's absence he chose to sit next to the throne.] ~ Raja Dasarath was
suffering from an assortment of old age-related ailments, and was (thus) keen on
arranging the coronation. Sri Ram, however, (probably) was keen to defer
it, 'coz as Dasarath's heir he wouldn't have had the required gravitas to bring
about (i.e. implement) perception and mindset change - leading to sustainable (organic) social reform (~ 'coz no
amount of royal decree would have achieved it; mere</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> platitudes and/or text will not change or curb deep-seated
retrogressive perceptions, mindset and conditioning; there is no other way to implement measures leading to positive social change - especially if it involves attitudinal change, etc - except through steadfast/dedicated <i>karm-yog</i> - sustained actions); besides,
kingly duties, etc would have straitjacketed him. ~ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.31: || <i>pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām
aham </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind among the purifiers, and Sri Ram
among the warriors" ~ i.e. warrior against moribund aspects, retrogressive mindset, worldview,
and the like. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">The person of action (karm yogi) does not
withdraw, but cheerfully embraces struggle and toil as the
ideal in life. (~ Sri Ram accepted
continuous struggle and toil as being intrinsic to bringing about positive
societal change; change in firmly held/ingrained mindset, viewpoints,
conditioning, perceptions and so on. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'Coz it <i>also</i> involves course correction, including resetting/redirection of
humanity/society's inner compass... and so, </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">cannot be sustained by ephemeral whims of the moment.</span></span> Besides, mere classroom teaching or textbook knowledge does not ensure a progressive outlook). For a nishkam karm yogi, selflessness consists of
the renunciation of personal desire (a carefree life, personal glory, praise,
accolades, and the like), <i>not</i> of action itself.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Ramayana War did not happen over riches or territories. The major reasons for the
Ramayana War was to destroy/dismantle dangerous weaponry (including nuclear
weapons, gigantic humanoid-robots like "Kumbhakarna" and potent nerve
agents) + to bring about mindset and attitudinal change (via-a-vis
certain groups of humans, like the vaan-nars - forest-dwelling (vaan) human (nar), the
"tritiya prakriti" + humans born out of advanced IVF therapy). Sri Ram 'breaking the Shiva-dhanush' =
dismantling of the "Shiva-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most
destructive nuclear weapons - after an all-round agreement/general consensus
(though it is unlikely to have happened during Sita's Svayamvara, although Sita-ji too knew how to dismantle the "Shiva-dhanush"). <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Jal-samadhi" could be an allusion to the "Byomkesh" metaphor, since
unlike the Krishna-avatar, the Ram-avatar is depicted with a <i>jata</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Byomkesh i<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">s derived from <i>byom/vyom</i>
(sky or air) and <i>kesh</i> (hair). ~ </span>Lord Shiva received into his
dredlocks (jata) the Ganga - to minimize the immense impact
(devastation) of her fall. It is a reference to the metaphoric or allegoric tide/torrent of the
Ganga that Lord Shiva is supposed to have held in his <i>jata</i> (dredlocks)
and (thus) become Byomkesh. (This
Ganga is a metaphor; it is not a reference to any river per se.) ~
Perhaps it is an allegory to indicate that his actions saved/protected
humanity/society from great misery and/or mitigated (in force or intensity) the
long-term damage. Maybe, it brought about a turnaround - a positive change of course, and helped lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Jatayu (and his brother Sampati) were not birds
but humans belonging to the Shakuna clan (~ an ancient group or clan that
displayed a vulture-totem or insignia). Therefore, Raavan could not have
slashed Jatayu's wings. Also, Sita could not have lamented, cried and shouted
for help theatrically, then thrown down her jewelry from an aircraft (vimana);
none can open windows of a vimana up in the sky. ~ These are probably later
additions (very likely post Gupta era) - courtesy folk theatre, re-telling,
village/stage plays, etc. Raavan also especially deputed Vibhishana's
wife, Sarama, to look after Sita during the latter's period of
"captivity" at Ashoka-Vatika. However, even after his vanity had got the better
of him, and despite all that Meghnaad was up to, it was none other than
Vibhishana who assured Ram...
that Ravana will never let any harm come to Sita. (Vibhisana had by then come over to Ram's side. ~ But even then, i.e. even after
Vibhishana joining forces with Ram, his wife, Sarama, continued to stay in
Lanka, and continued to look after Sita; Ravana never harassed her).
~ And, <i>this</i> is not surprising. It was a different era, when Arya Dharma was prevalent, hence Treta is regarded as the "Silver Age". The Aryas
followed certain ethics even when they fought wars. ~ They did not indulge in pillage; they did not harm the trees or livestock, nor pollute the water-bodies. They also did not cause any harm to the elderly, children and the womenfolk, rather it would have been unthinkable for an Arya man to take revenge on
even his staunchest rival... via the latter's womenfolk. It would not only have
been most un-Arya-like (ignoble), but also considered as the
height of cowardice. (~ Such behaviour was befitting of Yavanas and
Mlechchas). ... Misbehaviour with or abuse of women was considered as the lowest of
the lowest of 'paap' (sin) that anyone could ever commit; such actions were believed to condemn the perpetrator eternally to the lowest of the Hellish Planets. [~ A shocked Hanuman-ji said as much
to Meghnaad... when the latter beat and beheaded a humanoid of Sita on
the battlefield... in a bid to break the morale of the Vaan-nar Sena.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Meghnaad resorting to 'illusion' indicates the
usage of various technologies, which the later translators were unable to comprehend. Besides, Meghnaad may have been a name that Ravan's son (eventually)
came to be identified with. [Megh = cloud; Naad = sound, roar.] It could be
that his vimana/aircraft broke
the sound barrier (thus, Meghnaad). As for Meghnaad 'disappearing behind a cloud' -
perhaps, his vimana left a trail of smoke. ~
Kumbhakarna was not Raavan's younger "brother", but a gigantic
humanoid-robot equipped with a variety of weaponry; it was probably capable of inflicting enormous damage in the battlefield.
~ Maybe our ancients called such a humanoid-robot (Yantra), 'brhma-daitya'. Brhma comes from 'Brh', which means: to grow or to expand. Daitya = in this
case: gigantic-sized. ... And <i>this</i> (probably) got mistranslated to 'a
brāhmaṇa ghost' or 'the ghosts of brahmans, living in the fig trees, the pipal
(ficus religiosa), or the banyan (ficus indica), awaiting liberation (mukti or salvation) or
reincarnation (rebirth ~ i.e. continuation in the cycle of <i>samsara</i>)'. [~ Ghatotkacha was a 'Kumbhakarna'-equivalent in Dvapar. <i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </i>Ghatam indicates: laboratory. Utkoch or utkaca =
reward, product, outcome, gift<b>, </b>present.] He was a highly
advanced humanoid robot, very human-like in appearance (android - male), but
with robot or machine-like strength, flexibility and assorted abilities. And so,
he could increase in size and turn himself into a
gigantic figure.]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu,
Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother,
Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, etc - were all 'born' or begotten through various
medical and scientific procedures (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning
technology). They were unnatural humans (human-like humanoids and/or humanoid-robots); they could not procreate naturally.
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bheeshma refused to get himself cloned. ~ He was the outcome of genetic material taken from
multiple sources - 'born' after seven unsuccessful attempts. The metaphor of 'shara-sajya' or 'bed of arrows' has been
used to indicate his humanoid-ness. Besides, it is also indicative of karma catching up with him (the Krishn-avatar is Rudra-Siva and is associated with arrows. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Rudra is called "the archer"
(Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">Śarva</span>) and the arrow is an essential
attribute of Rudra. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The names <span class="unicode">Dhanvin</span> ("bowman") and <span class="unicode">Bāṇahasta</span>
(baanahasta = "archer", literally: "Armed with arrows in hands"/ <span class="unicode">Bāṇa = arrow, hasta = hand</span>) also refer to archery - the
archer. Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows (baan/b<span class="unicode">āṇa</span>).] ~ Bheeshma chose silence, and preferred to remain a mere spectator - over doing his duty as an influential elder - when Duryodhan and Dushyasana were attempting to fructify certain negative actions. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Draupadi's five sons (one by each of the Pandavas): Prativindhya,
Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika and Srutakarma are said to have been spitting
images of their respective fathers - the 5 Pandavas. This again points towards
cloning. ~ Therefore, 'the Pandavas announcing to Kunti their arrival with
excellent "alms", and a supposedly busy Kunti replying without turning
to look at Draupadi (the supposed "alms") and advising/ordering the
brothers to share the "alms" equally amongst the five of them' ~ is a
later-day re-telling, courtesy translators - who, unable to understand
technology, etc incorporated their own thinking. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There was no renunciation or sacrifice from Bheeshma (Devavrat)... to pave the way for Santanu-Satyavati's progeny to ascend the throne. Maharaj
Shantanu never had a consort/queen by the name "Ganga"; here Ganga = a laboratory. ['Ganga-putra' = laboratory-born, or
of 'virgin-birth'. ~ It is an euphemism for humans 'born' out of a laboratory process via
highly advanced medical technology... where even the gestation happened outside the human body in pitcher-shaped incubators that acted as the surrogate womb.] ~ Maharaj Shantanu probably fully understood
the consequences of unnatural humans (human-like humanoids) populating the earth, and hence was
keen to have human progeny. Once he found Satyavati, she became the queen of Hastinapura. ~ It
is possible that Devavrat too understood the outcome of unnatural
humans roaming the earth and its effect on civilization, and so,
took a firm decision (euphemistically mentioned as: undertook an unwavering vow or <i>kathor vrat</i>) - to not clone or replicate himself - ever. ... This probably is the reason behind
his other more famous name (sobriquet): Bheeshm or Bhishma (meaning, unwavering - a reference to his unwavering decision). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> As for Dronacharya: Droṇa implies that he too was gestated in a droṇa
(vessel) - an incubator (drona) that acted as the surrogate womb. Jarasandha (literally
meaning "joined by Jara") too was a
product of stem cell technology (gone wrong). Alternatively: he may have been a conjoined
baby. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Jara (or Barmata - an adivasi
vyadh/doctor) either: #1. separated the underdeveloped-stillborn twin (via a surgical
procedure) or #2. stitched up gaping wounds, perhaps even gangrene, or maybe 'completed'
an 'incomplete' or ill-developed/underdeveloped human body - with the help of material taken from other
sources (including the stillborn twin). Thus Jarasandha lived. ~ However, Krishn's choice of the mighty Bheem to grapple (wrestle) with Jarasandha is allegorical; Krishna's gesture of breaking a twig and throwing both the parts in opposite direction has been mistranslated as instructing Bheem to tear up Jarasandha's body. <b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b><span class="usercontent">Balaram, was transferred from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb (via embryo
transfer). Here 'Rohini' is a reference to an incubator - that acted as a surrogate
womb, just like 'Ganga' is a reference/metaphor for a lab. Vasuki was the king/chieftain of the Nag clan - that displayed a serpent totem or insignia. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span class="usercontent">As for Krishna's sister Subhadra, she too was born of 'Rohini' - <span class="usercontent">an incubator - that acted
as a surrogate womb. </span></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Dhritarashtra,
Pandu and Vidur were 'born' due to advanced medical technology... courtesy Maharshi
Vedavyas (original name: Krishna Dwaipayana ~ he was conceived in a secluded place when visibility was low due to the presence of heavy mist or thick fog - localized fog. ~ Veda Vyas growing up instantly after birth = he was an exceptionally prodigious child). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">~ Perhaps the technique was yet to be perfected; and so, none of
them were 'born' completely healthy. E.g., Dhritarashtra was
visually challenged, while Pandu was anemic (pandu = pale) and probably had other ailments too. Neither could procreate naturally. Hence Gandhari, Kunti and Madri had to take the
help of advanced medical technology - in order to beget progeny.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">The Kauravas were born as a result of a
'test-tube' process, wherein even their gestation happened in pitcher-shaped
incubators, outside their mother's womb. ... And given that Gandhari "gave
birth to a hard piece of lifeless flesh" after "two years" of
remaining "pregnant", one cannot rule out the involvement of stem
cells<b> </b>and cloning technology either. Advanced 'Parthenogenesis'
is a
possibility as well.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Draupadi (original name: Krishna) was 'fire-born', meaning: she was of 'virgin-birth' - 'born' out of a laboratory process... with no human
involvement
whatsoever; hence her gestation too happened in incubators, which acted
as the surrogate womb. The same is applicable for Dhristadyumna. </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">'Homa' = a technological procedure. 'Brahma' = a
reference to whoever possesses the know-how or is the chief scientist.
'Brahma's boon' = a reference to knowledge transfer and/or a successful
experiment/process/procedure. 'Yagna' =
a metaphor used to indicate a laboratory and/or a technological process per
se. 'Yagya-gaar' = the laboratory or place where the research or process/procedure is being conducted.
(Gaar = room, here it is indicative of a laboratory where a technological process is
underway.) 'Yagnakunda' = a metaphor to indicate the 'specifics' of any laboratory or
technological process. In other words: the 'instruments' or the 'method' used in any laboratory or technological process. 'Agni' = a metaphor to indicate the 'outcome' of a
laboratory/scientific/technological or medical process.]</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Therefore, we can only wonder as to how different this planet has been and how different the humans had been.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">The Krishna-avatar put a halt to<b> </b>all experiments directed at
creating unnatural humans (human-like humanoids) ~ thereby helping the human species and
civilization on earth to progress naturally and peacefully; he also helped
restore the gender balance. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Even the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas' <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bharatas
refers to the Puruvansh or clan/lineage - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></span></span></a></b></i></span></span>) is a completely different story. ~ Its
scale, sweep and grandeur are immensely fascinating. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The people of ancient
civilizations not only possessed the most vaulting imaginations but also
extremely advanced technology - that the modern world is as yet unaware of. ~
They had much more knowledge and sophisticated technology at their disposal
than most of us moderns (given our linear view of history) - are willing to
give them credit for. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dvapar saw highly advanced technology (including advanced genetic
engineering and cloning technology) - and yet, none of the versions of the 'Mahabharata'
(the outcome of numerous retelling) refer to the scientific and/or technological
aspects. ~ This great history has instead been reduced to a family feud ~
possibly, an indicator of the post Gupta era flounder - i.e. decline in civilizational values + intellectual decline... when the cradle of
knowledge (science included) was forced into a quagmire - courtesy extreme myopia, selfish and unifocal world-view, cynicism and so on (~ the proverbial "dreary desert sand of dead habit"). ~ It proved to be detrimental, counterproductive and self-defeating. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> In fact, it wasn't quite a nation
either, but numerous squabbling principalities, satrapies, and the like. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> An
objective assessment (however) indicates that colonization, despite its excesses, was part of the solution. ... After all, the colonizers did leave us
with various scientific innovations and a ready infrastructure, a link language,
an education system, an electoral system, other institutions and frameworks, and so on. ~ All of which was indeed
crucial in equipping us to connect + interact + integrate with the rest of the world. We were reasonably prepared for the new world system that emerged. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Colonization also helped stem the internal stagnation and decay.</span></span></span>] Besides, s</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">everal of our popular sporting events are courtesy colonial rule... and subsequent
engagement with the wider world.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|
</b></span>Even Tagore,
though critical of the excesses and exploitation of colonial rule, did not
reject western civilization per se. "... I am not for thrusting off
Western civilization and becoming segregated in our independence." ~
He advised intellectual rigueur and intellectual engagement, instead of
national selfishness ("narrow domestic walls") and cynical/specious arguments (~ "where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the
dreary desert sand of dead habit" ~ is indicative of a civilization and/or civilizational values and ideals in decline. Stream = the River SarasvatI). ~ He recognized the importance of what
India could learn - from other nations/cultures/peoples - to/for her own
benefit and progress. ~ "If Providence wants England to be the channel of
that communication, of that deeper association, I am willing to accept it with
all humility. I have great faith in human nature, and I think the West will
find its true mission." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> He also believed that </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the responsibility of
a great future must be "untrammelled by the grasping miserliness of a past." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore's vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards
understanding the dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He also felt that
the West should be capable of "imparting to the East what is best in
herself, and of accepting in a right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored
for centuries." ~ <i>This is synergy creation at its best</i>. ~ It is (after
all) western innovation and technology that has helped build India's economic
infrastructure. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Otherwise, the ritual-heavy straitjacket known as "Brahminical
faith" (which gradually came about after the decline of the Gupta era) ~ would
have ensured a perpetual "age of retrogressiveness, stagnation and decay" for this once-glorious nation. ~ Its legacy - a complete
antithesis of the enlightened way of life (Sanaatan Dharma) - is an abiding embarrassment,
as well as a cautionary note. [Brahmana is not to be misconstrued for "Brahminical
Faith". Brahmana implies erudition; one who treads the path of knowledge,
wisdom and enlightenment (the wisdom of knowledge). E.g. Chanakya was a
Brahmana. He may very well have been a Vrishni.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG
9.8: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>prakṛtiḿ svām avaṣṭabhya visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ bhūta-grāmam
imaḿ kṛtsnamavaśaḿ prakṛter vaśāt</i></span> || ~ "The whole cosmic order is under
Me. Under My will it is automatically manifested again and again, and under My
will it is dissolved at the end."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG
9.10: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram hetunānena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate</i> </span>|| ~ "This material nature (Manifested Cosmos), which
is one of My energies (a reference to the Absolute OM/Brahmn - <i>Primal
Creative Energy </i>or<i> Purusha</i>), is working under My direction, O son of
Kuntī, producing all moving and non-moving beings. Under its rule this
manifestation is created and dissolved again and again." ~ The Almighty (<i>saguna,
saakar</i> OM - 'Brahm-putri') is the Absolute/Eternal Truth (Sat/Satya) - <i>the
Eternal divine person/entity ~</i> <i>P<span class="text">uruṣa-uttama</span></i><span class="text">: greatest of all beings</span><span class="text">.</span> ... While, the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> -
without qualities), <i>unmanifested</i> (avyaktah, niraakar - without form)
Absolute OM/Brahmn is Comic Light, Light Divine or Divine Effulgence (~
impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti').</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG
9.17: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ vedyaḿ pavitram oḿkāra</i></span>
|| ~ "I am the father (pitā)<i> </i>of this universe (jagato), the mother
(mātā), the support (dhātā) and the grandsire (pitāmahaḥ). I am the bestower
of non-transient knowledge - the wisdom of knowledge (<i>para vidya</i>), the
purifier (dispeller of unwanted aspects) and the syllable oḿ." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Omkara = the
praṇava or <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. The Almighty is saguna,
manifested OM - Brahm-putri or Omswaroop.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 4.5: śrī-bhagavān uvāca (Sri Bhagavan said): || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>bahūni me
vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna tāny ahaḿ veda sarvāṇi na tvaḿ vettha
parantapa</i></span> || ~ "O Arjun, many are the births I have passed through and
thou too. But I know them all, whilst thou knowest not (i.e. </span>I can remember all of them, but you cannot)<span style="color: #351c75;">." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Parantapa = one who concentrates the most.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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bhutani mam tu veda na kascana</i></span> || ~ "O Arjun, as the Supreme Godhead
(the Almighty) I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is
happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all
living entities; but Me no one knows."</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On (the cosmic phenomenon of) Creation: "</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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whether he has or has not produced it; He who surveys it in the highest heaven, He
only knows, or haply he may know not." ~ the Rig Veda. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Note</u>:</b></span> Our ancient texts don't quite refer to the Absolute OM and/or the Almighty by gender (~ the Almighty exercises guardianship, care and governance over the universe at large). ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">"Purusha" does not mean male. Purusha = Cosmic Energy or Primal Creative Energy - the impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span>. There are two aspects to Brahmn - impersonal<i>, unmanifested</i> Absolute OM and the <i>saguna</i>, manifested Almighty - the Absolute Truth (Sat/Satya) and the eternal divine person/entity. ~ The Manifested Cosmos as well as the Manifested Nature is "Prakriti". | </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Primal Creative Energy ('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') does not mean
feminine energy. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Energy has no form or gender</i>. ~ Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i> - Cosmic Energy or Supreme Cosmic Spirit.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Cosmic Entity or Primal Being is <i>Purushottama</i> (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead.</span></span></span>]</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.22<b><i> </i></b><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">vāsānsi jīrNāni
yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni
sanyāti navāni dehī</span> || </i>~<b> </b>"Just as a human being puts on new
garments, casting off old and worn-out ones, the (human) soul (Jiva-atma or mere Self)
similarly takes up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and
infirm ones."<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Thus, no two people are alike. Even identical twins are not
alike in character traits, etc. 'Coz their souls (jiva-atma or mere Self) are different ~ even though
they may be spitting images of each other, physically.</span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) is part of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> -
without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Brahmn ~ the Absolute OM - 'Brahm-jyotih' or
'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy - Divine Effulgence or
Cosmic Light. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn is<i> </i>defined as<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">the one
self-existent impersonal spirit (energy) - the Divine Essence, from which all things
emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</span></i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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- Supreme Cosmic Spirit. ~ Spirit is energy. It has no form or gender. ~ Thus, the soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) too is energy; it has no form or gender; only
the outer shell (material body) differs.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And so, a 'female soul' cannot be contained within a male material body, nor a 'male soul' be contained within a female material body. ~ Our ancients were clear about three kinds of humans. The third type was known as 'tritiya prakriti'.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.17:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">avinasi tu tad viddhi yena sarvam idam tatam
vinasam avyayasyasya na kascit kartum arhati </span>|| ~ </i>"But know that which
pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one is able to destroy the
imperishable soul (jiva-atma) - individual soul or mere Self."<i><i> </i></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.18:<i><i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah saririnah</span> || ~ </i></i>"Only the material body (outer shell) of the indestructible, immeasurable and
eternal living entity (jiva-atma) is subject to destruction." | ... While the jiva-atma only transmigrates from one body to another body:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.20: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Na jãyate mriyate vã kadãchinnãyam bhootvã bhavitã vã na bhooyaha ajo nityaha shãshvato'yam purãno na hanyate hanyamãne shareere</i></span>
|| ~ "The
individual soul (jiva-atma) never takes birth and never perishes at any time
nor does it come into being again when the body is created. The individual soul
(jiva-atma) is birthless, eternal, imperishable and timeless and is never
destroyed even when the material body (outer shell) is destroyed (perishes)."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.23:<i><i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">nainaṃ chindanti
śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati mārutaḥ</span> ||</i> </i>"Weapons cleave It
not, fire burns It not, water wets It not, wind dries It
not. This self (jiva-atma or mere Self) cannot be cut, not burnt, nor get wet, nor dried up.
It is eternal, all pervading, stable, immovable and ancient. This [self] is
said to be un-manifested, unfathomable and unchangeable." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn
describes (to Arjun) the human soul (the individual soul or jiva-atma) as
something that cannot be cut by weapons, cannot be burnt by fire, cannot be
drowned in water, cannot be blown/dried by the wind.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) is part of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> -
without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Brahmn ~ the Absolute OM - 'Brahm-jyotih' or
'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy - Divine Effulgence or
Cosmic Light. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn is<i> </i>defined as<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">the one
self-existent impersonal spirit (energy) - the Divine Essence, from which all things
emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</span></i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i>
- Supreme Cosmic Spirit. ~ Spirit is energy. It has no form or gender. ~ Thus, the soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) too is energy; it has no form or gender; only
the outer shell (material body) differs.</span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The "First Law of Thermodynamics"
(Conservation) states that energy is always conserved; it cannot be created or
destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another. ~ '<i>Energy
can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely
changing from one form to another</i>.' <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Soul (jiva-atma or mere Self) is energy; it has no form or gender; only the outer shell
(material body) differs. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For humans, there is no guarantee that the soul
(jiva-atma or mere Self) won't transmigrate as (e.g.) an animal, bird, and so on. It
all depends on one's karma.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>jiva-atma</i></span> (individual consciousness) or mere Self = part and parcel of (i.e. created out of) the impersonal, unmanifested Absolute OM/Brahmn ~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine, Divine Effulgence - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <i>Atman</i> or Param-atma/Para Brahmn (universal consciousness - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">universal mind or universal intelligence</span>) = Cosmic Entity. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Atman</i></span> - Supersoul (Param-atma) or Higher Self or Higher Mind (Manas) - is indicative of the Cosmic Entity. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The mere Self or <i>jiva-atma</i> can unite, commune or confluence with the Higher Self or Param-atma (Atman) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>only</i></span> when the <span style="color: #4c1130;">latent spiritual energy</span> lying dormant at the base of the spine - <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini energy</span> - has been fully 'awakened'. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Kundalini is not associated with rote-learning or classroom teaching. [</span><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aaloker Ei Jharna Dharaaye Dhuiye Dao</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOP1-hV9VhM"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></a></span>.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The <i>jiva-atma</i> - lower mind (manas) or mere Self = individual consciousness. The <i>Atman</i> - higher mind (manas) or Higher Self = Universal Consciousness.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat-Cit-Ananda:</span> for
purposes of comprehension and clarity: the function of the mind and the heart are
completely different. None can think with their heart. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>That is a colloquial
phrase taken literally</i></span>.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>is <i>not</i> a reference to the heart.
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Cit</i></span> is a reference to the mere Self (individual consciousness - sentience). While, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span>
is a reference to the Higher Self or Universal Consciousness (Param-atma or
Supersoul). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>confluence</i></span> of the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>(mere Self or individual
consciousness) with the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span> (Higher Self or universal consciousness) is brought
about by the complete 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy lying dormant
at the base of the spine - the <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini energy</span>.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG
9.4: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mayā tatam idaḿ sarvaḿ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā mat-sthāni
sarva-bhūtāni na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ</i></span> || ~ "By Me, in My unmanifested
form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in
them." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> 'All things are in Me' (<i>mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni</i>)<i> </i>= a reference
to the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn - <i>the one self-existent impersonal spirit (energy) - the
Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and
to which they return</i>. ~ The human soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) too is
part of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah,
niraakar</i> - without form) Brahmn ~ the Absolute OM - 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi
Shakti' - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i> ~ Divine Effulgence or Cosmic Light.
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> 'But I am not in them' (<i>na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ</i>) is a reference to the
Higher Self or Supersoul (Atman) or Universal Consciousness (Param-atma). ~
Only through 'Self-realization' can the mere Self (individual consciousness)
connect with the Higher Self (Universal Consciousness). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The wonder and poetry of the hymns of the Rig Veda are unlike any commandments or cut-and-dried narratives; instead, they are a fascinating poetic testament of a people's collective reaction to the wonder and awe of existence. A
people of vigorous and childlike imagination (but deepened and
widened by the calm of meditation/introspection) awakened at the very dawn of
civilization to a sense of the inexhaustible mystery that is implicit in Life. Theirs was a simple 'way of life' that held all forms of life sacred, attributed divinity to every element and force of Nature ~ but it was a cohesive and joyous one, in which there was trust in god, in which the sense of mystery only gave enchantment to life, without weighing it down with the myriad bafflement of a rigorous faith and mechanical ritualism. It was an unburdened 'way of life' that celebrated diversity - of the objective universe. Keener spiritual longing
shifts the emphasis from the wonder of the outside universe to
the significance of the self within - to explore the infinite depths of the Soul (<i>atman</i> or Higher Self) in which the
central principle of creation is reflected. ~ The early authors were childlike in their reaction, less brooding, and (hence) fascinated
by what they beheld (~ perhaps they also sought to understand it through their own hopes and day-to-day lives). But as when children grow they gather an
increasing awareness of their selves, the later authors sought
more and more a centre of reference in their own consciousness,
a subjective counterpart to the objective majesty that had so
long held them enthralled in awe, an answer in their own being
to the cosmic mysteries of the visible or manifest universe.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe: only the Almighty (Mahat or Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri') is
familiar with the cosmic architecture - about the three cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution'
(~ the three <i>aspects</i> of the impersonal <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn
<i>as</i> the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Cosmic Trimurti - 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva').
~ And so, the Almighty (Mahat or Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri') <i>as</i> the saguna,
<i>manifested</i> Trimurti - 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is <i>also</i> aware
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ If we can understand this, we will <i>also</i> comprehend: what the
impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Narayana</span>' is all about, and what the <i>saguna</i>,
manifested '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Narayani</span>' indicates. ... And then, we can <i>also</i> gain clarity about which of
them is indicated in the 'Dasavatara' - the ten principal manifestations - to maintain
and stabilize the universe + to protect and preserve humanity from negativism (~
be they entities or be they negativism or ignorance of the mind) - yuge-yuge, yug/era
after yug/era - whenever and wherever the latter becomes a bane ~ as per the promised: <i>||
<span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> </i>- BG IV-7<i> ||</i> ~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy in <i>dharmic</i>
principles (for the greater good, and/or for humanity/society/civilization to flourish - progress and prosper); or when such an
alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata (addressing Arjun, <i>who
belonged to the Puru-vansh or Bharat-vansh</i> lineage/clan </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">- <i>for Bharatas</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>), only then, I,
manifest Myself. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The purpose is to preserve and protect ~ to provide guidance + to renew/rekindle/re-energize/revive/regenerate/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate
- <i>dharmic</i> principles (positive and tangible action - steadfast karm yog - individually and collectively - for the larger
good) ~ for the collective benefit of mankind/humanity ~ to help create
and sustain a progressive, prosperous, inclusive and vibrant society/civilization
('<i>dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge</i>'). </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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redemption. ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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opportunity for redemption.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The two Indus "Yogi Seals" depict a deity with three faces, seated in
yogic position on a throne, wearing bangles on both arms and an elaborate
headdress (made of bullhorns). Various Indus glyphs appear on either side of
the headdress. The glyphs show a fish (<i>matsya</i> - the first avatar/manifestation)
and "V" shaped alphabets. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The three faces = indicative of the
concept of the <i>saguna</i>, manifested Trimurti - 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' - also known as: Mahat, Ishvari or Brahm-putri + the
patron figure or deity of the ancient Rig Vedic people and of the
Indus-SarasvatI Civilization (also known as "Aryavarsha" - abode or land
inhabited by the Arya people. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arya = noble or noble-natured, it is a
reference to a people and a culture/civilization; a people who followed a pattern of life
based on noble values and ideals. It was not a homogeneous or monolithic
culture, though... and yet, there were commonalities in the 'way of life'. Varsha
= continent, in Sanskrit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dharma (<i>here it means: justice</i>) is generally
symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, vrishabha. ~ Thus, the
Almighty is also known as Vrishaakritih (embodiment or personification of Dharma) or Vrishaparvaa
and Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma (Supreme Judge). ~ And so, the illustrious
God of gods is called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The 'thousand-horned great bull with a hundred
heads' does
not refer
to any creature. It is a metaphor or imagery for Supreme Judge (Dharmadhyaksha). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>One of the Indus "Yogi
Seals" has a branch with three prongs or peepal leaves emerging from the center
and adorning the horned headdress. ~ BG 10.26: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</i></span> ||<b> ~ </b>"among trees, I am the
peepal." (ashvattha) <span class="text">- fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as
well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ - the Bodhi Tree or Transpersonal World Tree, or maybe both). ~ The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Parijaat</span> tree (Kalpataru
or Kalpavrisha - wish-bearing tree) is very likely the peepal. It is associated
with heaven (svargaloka); parts of the ancient Himalayan kingdom too can be
associated with svarga on earth. ... </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>Parijaat</i> could be a reference to the <i>Magnolia champaca </i>(Michelia Champaca,
also known as "golden champaca" or "red champaca"), commonly called yellow jade
orchid tree, a large evergreen tree best known for its fragrant yellow or white
(various shades of peach-cream) flowers. Golden Champa or Yellow Champak - a beautiful,
delightfully scented cream-yellow flower. ~ The species epithet, <i>champaca</i>,
comes from the Sanskrit word <span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration"><span class="unicode"><i>campaka</i></span>.
(</span>The genus <i>Michelia</i> is very closely related to subgenus <i>Yulania</i>
of genus <i>Magnolia</i>.)<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> The other alternative for Parijaat is Shiuli (<i>Nyctanthes
arbor-tristis</i>) - not to be confused for Juthika (<i>Jasminum
auriculatum/molle</i>). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ In the Rig
Vedic times, the SarasvatI was a mighty river flowing from the mountains to the
sea (giribhyah asamudrat). ~ The abundance and tremendous force of its water
had an enchanting impact on the minds of the poets who repeatedly described it
as: 'abounding in waters' - <i>maho-arnah</i>;<i> </i>'flowing rapidly'<i> -
pra-sasre</i>;<i> </i>'moving faultlessly'<i> - akuvari</i>;<i> </i>'possessing
unlimited strength'<i> - yasyah amah ananto</i>;<i> </i>'roaring'<i> - charati
roruvat</i>,<i> </i>and<i> </i>'fierce'<i> - ghora. </i>~ Thus, the realistic picture
in the Rig Veda is that of a mighty and highly glorified river named SarasvatI
descending from the Himalayas.<i> ... </i>The river disappeared at a place called
Vinasana (literally 'disappearance'), though many believe it still flows below
the ground.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Nadi Apon Bege</span>': <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>. ~ '<i>Ogo Nadi
apon bege pagal paraa (</i><span class="textexposedshow">'flowing rapidly'<i> -
pra-sasre; </i>'moving faultlessly'<i> - akuvari)</i></span><i> path-e path-e
bahir hoye apon haara</i>...' (<i>Refer the relevant passages</i> on "Sada-Shiva"
and "Bhola Nath".) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="textexposedshow">~ </span><span class="style2">Goddess
Sarasvati is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all
languages, of scriptures and scholarship.</span><span class="textexposedshow">
The Goddess is also revered as the mother of the Vedas and as the mother of the
Indian Civilization, i.e. the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or "</span><span class="textexposedshow">Aryavarsha" (~ abode of the <i>Arya</i> people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble,
noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values and ideals.
Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Goddess Sarasvati is also the eternal
divine person/entity (Absolute or Eternal Truth - Sat/Satya). She is <i>Purusha-uttama</i> - the greatest of all beings - the Almighty (Brahm-putri, Para Brahmn, Mahat or Ishvari). She is Sanaatan Purusha - the eternal divine person/entity. ... Sanaatan Dharma (the eternal [sanaatan] path or 'way of
life' [dharma] emanates from Her. Arya Dharma and Sanaatan Dharma are non-different. <b>|</b> </span>'Taba Charana Nimney': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1QVhcyv2w"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>
(~ '<i>Arja garima keerti-kahini mugdho jagatey bohiya, hanshichhe dib balika,
kanthhe bijoy malika</i>...') <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arja = Arya. Garima = grace, dignity. Keerti-kahini
= great, glorious and inspirational deeds. Dib = divya, divine).<b> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Goddess SarasvatI is 'Destiny' and 'Providence' Herself. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The care, guardianship, and guidance exercised by the Almighty; divine
direction. Providence is God's fore-knowledge, beneficent care, and governance
over the universe at large and human affairs in particular. The word derives
from the Latin<i> providentia,</i> 'foresight'.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span> </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span></span></i></span></span> </i></span><span class="text"><i>|| </i>~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span><i> </i></span>Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also
spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or *<i>lunar mansion</i> - as
used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known
as <i>Kaalpurush</i>, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient; kaal or kaalah = time, in Sanskrit). The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation
as Mriga/Mṛga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, <i>mṛga</i>
meaning animal (can also mean: deer - symbolizing destiny) and <i>śira</i> meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. [~ The Indus 'Yogi Seal' popularly known as the 'Pasupati Seal' probably has something to do with this.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The crescent moon affixed to the <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) of Rudra-Siva probably represents *lunar mansion. Thus Rudra-Siva is also known as ChandrachuR or Sasidhar/Shashidhar. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) represent the Sivaliks - part of the Himalayan ranges and/or the ancient Himalayan kingdom. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">T</span></span>he gushing Ganga emerges from these mountains through the snout known as Gomukh. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~
"and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, Jahnavi or Ganga could be a reference to ancient India.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The tiger-skin represents Rudra-Siva's valiant nature</span></span>.</span></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The smurf-blue colour - <i>refer </i>'<i>Meghavarnam</i>'. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Our national anthem is 'The
Morning Song of India' ~ <span class="kword">an ode to that <i>Bhagya Vidhata </i>[ed.
Lord of Destiny] - who (in Tagore's own words) "</span></span><span class="kword"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">has from age after age held
steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the
straight path and the curved</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">" [Here are the complete five stanzas: <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></span></b>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Goddess Sarasvati is <i>Savitri</i> - the goddess of dawn. <i>Refer the passages on the Gayatri Mantra</i>. <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus, retrogressive idioms and proverbs involving Sati (feminine of Sat/Satya - the Erernal Truth) and Savitri (the goddess of dawn) is the outcome of the post Gupta era drift and flounder.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Aryavarsha" or the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (Sabhyata)
is the only Arya Civilization (~ although some extinct civilizations too may
have followed the Arya 'way of life'). All other civilizations, including the
celebrated Greek civilization, are either Yavana or Mlechha. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "</span></b>Yavana" indicates a people
who are reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and architects, and
yet... indulge in un-Arya (ignoble) behaviour like slave-taking, buying and
selling of humans in markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and
so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Mlechcha," on the other hand, implies uncivilized or savage. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The
ancient civilizations were understood as Arya, Mlechcha and Yavana. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Alexander was a Yavana.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">The
</span>SarasvatI is (also) called "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā) - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Uccaiḥśravā or Uchchaihshravas</span>. ~ T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu' ("seven rivers" - </span>Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>,
<i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">) - refers to the
rivers SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum), Sindhu (Indus) and</span>
probably KubhA. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Hindu" is simply a variation of "Sindhu" (River Indus) -
courtesy the ancient Persians. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sapta-Sindhu (Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ) became
Hapta-Handu (Persian) - finally culminating in the word "Hindu". ~
The Avesta-speakers referred to Sapta Sindhavaḥ <i>as</i> Hapta-HAndu. ~ In Old
Persian, the 'S' for Sindhu/Sindhavaḥ (River Indus) becomes 'H' (due to a lack
of phonetics). Thus, Sapta Sindhu or Sapta Sindhavaḥ becomes Hapta Handu... which in turn gave way to the word "Hindu". ~ And so, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Hindu" is not the
name of any "religion" or even a set of religious beliefs whatsoever... it was simply a label for a specific landmass. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> "Persia" very likely evolved
from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring' or 'nearby').
The Rig Vedic <i>Parsus</i> or <i>Parsavas</i> has been anglicized to Persians.
So, maybe, the ancient Indus people (the Arya-s) called the people of the
first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus,
courtesy the ancient Persians... to the world beyond, the vast areas around the Indus-SarasvatI rivers and its culture came to be known as the area of
"Hindus" (thus the name "Hindustan" which literally means
the <i>land of </i>"<i>Hindus</i>". Stan = land or place in Persian. Similar
to <i>Sthan</i> in Sanskrit. ~ The similarity between "Stan" and
"Sthan" is again due to <span class="textexposedshow">the<i> </i></span>ancient
Avestan Persian<span class="textexposedshow">-Sanskrit connection which go back a
long way.</span>) ~ This nomenclature stuck and became particularly prevalent
after the arrival of the Mughals. The Mughals (based on the earlier Persian
terminology) used the term "Hindu" to refer to the original inhabitants
of the land and this label became the way to distinguish the indigenous/ancient
culture from theirs. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> When the Greeks first reached the river plains of the
Punjab, they borrowed the name of the region (Hindu) from the Persians and
simply modified it to "Indós". "Indós" later morphed into
"Indus" in Latin - by which name the river (Sindhu) is still known in
the West. [~ The ancient Greeks referred to the ancient Indians as <i>Indói</i>,
meaning: the people of the Indus.] The Romans began to call the whole landmass
after this river and thus the name "India" came to stay ~ which has
been the form used by Europeans over the ages. ~ Thus, "India" too is derived from the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">mighty
River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile (Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>| </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24:
|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and
of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ It is a reference to the River Indus. Sarasam also indicates <i>saras</i> - meaning:
gracefully flowing. <i>Saras </i>or<i> Sarasa</i> means spring, pool or fountain. <i>Saras</i> or Sarasa can also indicate SarasvatI. ~ The Sarasvati river is an important river
goddess in the Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name means, "having many
pools" (<i>also refer Ketaksha and Pushkara</i>). ~ The Sanskrit name for the River Indus is Sindhu. "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>,
<i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">. ~ If we understand this verse, we can also comprehend why this <i>sabhyata</i> is called Indus-Sarasvati Civilization.</span>]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The greatness of
the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization can be attributed to ancient Indian genius (~
and trade was the driving force/factor.) ... Excavations (though a lot remains to be
excavated) have uncovered a civilization so vast in its extent that at its peak
it is estimated to have encompassed a staggering 1.5 million sq km - an area
larger than Western Europe. In size, it dwarfed contemporary civilizations in
the Nile Valley in Egypt and in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Sumer
(Sumerian Civilization - modern Iraq). <span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Goddess Sarasvati is a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography. She is also worshiped in Indonesia and Japan. So whether the Indus-SarasvatI Civilization stretched up to the Far East or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The </span><span class="textexposedshow">'Harappan' civilization is
a phase (marked by the rise, intensification, diversification and subsequent evolution of an urban process)
within the much earlier, more extensive and more durable Vedic Civilization
that still continues. </span>~ Across this wide swathe of land, there was no cultural homogeneity
or monolithicism, whatsoever. There was a diverse mix of population too... and
so, people of varied physical appearances peopled this civilization.
And yet, an underlying cultural affinity existed - a shared 'way of life',
history, experience, knowledge, know-how, trade, and so on. ~ <i>Thus, our
unity in diversity go back a long way</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
The emphasis has been on acceptance and assimilation. ... There has never been any 'Aryan Invasion' whatsoever. <span class="textexposedshow">The so-called </span>'Aryan
blitzkrieg' or 'Aryan Invasion theory' is fictitious. It never happened. ~ When the British archaeologist
(Wheeler) discovered a dozen skeletons, he propounded a theory
about the final massacre by 'marauding invaders' that put an end to the Indus
civilization. [~ This civilization is perennial and eternal - <i>sanaatan</i>; it can evolve, but not end.] ~ When an Indian scholar told him of <i>Hariyuppa</i> (or "Hariyupiyah") mentioned in the Rig Veda,
he took it to mean Harappa. ~ And since a fort was known as <i>pur</i>, and
Indra (possibly a 'title' for the king/ruler/chief of the ancient 'Deva'
people) was known as <i>Purandhara</i> or destroyer of forts, it all fitted
neatly. After all, weren't the Indus cities among the most fortified? ~
Archaeologists are known to stumble, but the kind of knocking that the 'Aryan
Invasion theory' has taken has few parallels. There are still many misconceptions about this
culture... that has resulted from the theoretical and cultural biases of the
earliest excavators. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As for Dravida: "Dramila" is believed to be the root of the word "Dravida" by some scholars. "Dramila"
means, "running away" or "escaping". It is possible that
this word was used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who escaped the
great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Later, these displaced
people settled down in other parts. ~ And, perhaps with the passage of time, this
word - Dramila - underwent certain changes, and gave rise to a new word,
"Dravida". ~ It is not indicative of "race". The <span class="textexposedshow">Indian Civilization (the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization) is 'Aryavarsha' (~ abode of the <i>Arya</i>
people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble or noble-natured; a people
who followed a pattern of life based on noble values and ideals. Varsha =
continent, in Sanskrit)</span>. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Rabindra
Sangeet enjoys the blissful alliance of its lyrics along with music. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ayi
Bhuban Mano Mohini</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvodHT2v04"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>. | ~ This song is Tagore's
celebration of nature during springtime. ... The sublime verses also celebrate
Goddess Sarasvati ('Destiny' and 'Providence'), Goddess Lakshmi (<i>also</i> symbolizing 'Good
fortune') and Goddess Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga - the Invincible)<i> as</i> Rudra-Siva. ~ This song should <i>also</i>
help us understand just who the Mohini-avatar is. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mohini = rare, uncommon. ~
The Krishn-avatar, a male, is also known as "Mohan". Therefore,
"Mohini" is simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and is
indicative of a female. The 'Sudarshan Chakra' - the combination of Ajna chakra
(the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) and Sahasrara (the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra or crown
chakra - the highest chakra) is associated with this avatar.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Neelsindhujaladhautacharantal,
anilbikampita-shyamal-aanchal </i>(~ this should explain Krishna as Hari, and Krishn's depiction
wrapped in cool cyan - bluish green), <i>ambarchumbitabhalhimachal</i> (the
Himalayas), <i>shubhratushaarkiritini</i>'<i> </i>(snow-white crown or headgear).<i> </i>~ BG
10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ
himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "and of immovable
things I am the Himalayas." ~ This could be a reference to the ancient
Himalayan kingdom and/or the Himalayan ranges (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">shubhratushaarkiritini)</span></span></span> - indicative of:<i>
personification of the Himalayas</i> (thus Goddess Parvati is also known as 'Himalaya-putri'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Putri = embodiment, personification or manifestation. ~
However, since </span>Goddess Parvati's
father, Himavat (also known as Himavant) - the
ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient
India is also considered as the
personification of the Himalayan Mountains,
here 'putri' can also mean daughter.<span class="text"> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <i>saguna, saakar</i>
Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is non-different. (<i>Refer the
relevant passages</i>). The impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities),
unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) cosmic Trimurti - 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva' - is indicative of the Absolute OM/Brahmn - Cosmic Light
or Light Divine ~ the impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi-Shakti' - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i>. ~ Rather
'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva' is indicative of the three <i>aspects</i> of the cosmic
phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva's depiction is
allegorical, but the face is feminine (~ in other words: the facial features
belong to a female). BG 10.23: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Śiva] ~ There
are eleven Rudras, of whom Rudra-Siva, is preeminent. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Trishul could be a
reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could be an
allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or both.
[The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as Triveni
Sangam or Prayag. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Triveni and Trishul; tri = three. ... W</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">hile <i>sangam</i> is a popular word
for a confluence of rivers, this particular confluence was called <i>Sangayam</i>, to
represent the meeting of Sarasvati (sa), Ganga (ga) and Yamuna (yam). Sangayam could mean, to flow together.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> For Neelkanth (the allegorical 'blue-throated one' - <i>refer relevant passages</i>).</span>]</span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Pratham
prabhat uday taba gaganey,</i> (the sun rises in the east; the sun is <i>Pratyaksh-Brahmn</i> [refer the passages
on the Gayatri Mantra and </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.21:
|| <i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i> || ~ "of
radiance I am the radiant sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman) - i.e. personification/manifestation or embodiment [putri] of the sun, a reference to goddess Sarasvati; She is Savitri = the goddess of dawn) <i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Pratham
pracharita taba banbhabhaney Gyanadharma (the enlightened </i>'<i>way of life</i>'<i> - Arya
Dharma or Sanaatan Dharma) koto Kabyakahini</i>' (~ think of Adikavi - Maharshi
Valmiki and Maharshi Veda Vyas; due to the goddess' blessings the former
overcame his prarabda karma (negative karma) and composed the Ramayana ('The
Exertions of Sri Ram'), while the latter was assisted by the Goddess Herself
[Sarasvati and Sri Ganesh are non-different] to compile his magnum opus - the
Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas' - a reference to the Purus or Puruvansh - descendents of Raja Yayati's youngest-born, Puru). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->väl-mē′kē) was a niṣāda (nishada) or vyadh (forest-dwelling hunter-gather) who
also indulged in negative activities. His original name was Ratnakara. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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means: 'one who sits in an anthill</span>'. Maybe, it is indicative of his attaining <i>nirvana</i>; he was self-realized and did not have any attachment to sense objects. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> '<i>Chirakalyanamayi tumi
dhanya, desh-bideshe bitorichho anno </i>(indicative of Goddess Lakshmi) --<i>
jahnabi-jamuna bigalita karuna punyapijushstanyabahini</i>' (~ the bull is a
familiar motif in the Indus seals. Also, rivers and
cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Bharatavarsha</i></span>
means: the continent (Sanskrit: continent = 'varsha') that is dedicated
(Sanskrit: dedicated = 'rata') to light, wisdom (Sanskrit: wisdom =
'bha'). ~ In other words: the light of wisdom or the wisdom of knowledge - enlightenment (through inner perfection - by the 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - lying dormant at the base of the spine). ~ Bharatavarsha
or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land"<i>. </i>~ Yet another name for ancient India is <i>Jambudveepa</i> or
Jambadveepa. [Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry.] So, maybe, there was an abundance
of this tree ~ and
hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu or Jambul (Indian
blackberry) trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian
blackberry. <b><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">…………………………………………………………..</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG
10.28: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i></span> || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known
as <i>kamadhenu</i> - the "wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a <i>metaphor</i>
for prosperity, luck, etc.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span>Rivers
and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati
is Varadey Kaamarupinee (~ the fulfiller of wishes).<span class="text"> In other
words: Destiny or 'Lady Luck'. (Kaamarupinee = kamadhenu).</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ From
what we can gather, Lord Krishn was tall and handsome - possessing soft features, pleasant looks and an easy charm, but
his visual depiction is rather feminine. Maybe it is <i>symbolic</i>. Perhaps
to indicate: it is Goddess Sarasvati (Destiny) <i>as</i> Lord Krishn - at yet
another crucial turn of our history. ~ Soul or spirit is energy; it has no gender or form. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Our national anthem too indicates that </span>Goddess Sarasvati and Lord Krishn are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
The trinity or trimurti of Sarasvati (<i>also</i> symbolizing Destiny, 'Lady luck'), Lakshmi (<i>also</i> symbolizing
Good fortune) and Parvati (Goddess Durga - symbolizing invincibility) are non-different. <i>Refer the relevant passages +</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span>.<span class="kword">] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If we understand the concept of the syncretic
form - indicative of the transcendence of both (the Gemini aspect) ~ we will also understand what the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic 'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu'
and the <i>manifested</i>, saguna 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' indicates.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The allegoric <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Divine
Dance</i></span> (refer the earlier passages) probably has come to be given a literal connotation ~ as
'Raas-leela'. Perhaps as a result of later-day stage plays, iconography,
poetry, verses and the like. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is associated with <i>Prachya</i> -
Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks - <i>refer <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></span></i>),
not Madhyadesa (Middle Country). Mathura (Megasthenes' Methora) too is part of Eastern Country. Also, he was a Shurasena Yadu (Megasthenes' Sourasenoi). ... Eastern Country </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks) was <i>also</i> referred to as Magadha. ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">Jarasandh, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later the Guptas were associated with <i>this</i>
Magadha - the one on the western parts of ancient India. </span><span style="font-size: small;">... After the great dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas,
principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for
a prosperous and vibrant society to emerge) - <i>this</i> Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with
the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ this
'Ganges' could be a reference to ancient India). <span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span></span>Did
Lothal have anything to do
with the port city? ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled <i>this</i> kingdom. And
even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that
spanned
far and wide. </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ Lord Krishn founded <i>this</i> city of Pataliputra (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Palibothra</i> or Palimbothra to the Greeks) - 138 generations
before the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>||</b></span> Krishn was sent away to study at Maharshi
Sandeepani and Garga Muni’s ashram at a very young age. Here he would have been put through a rigorous training
regimen, spending his time reading a variety of subjects. (Ashrams or gurukul-s
were situated in isolated/remote places and the students followed a disciplined life.) So, it is quite unlikely that Krishn would have been
able to spend his time, especially his teenage years, in the company of
milkmaids (including Radha) or by playing with village boys (Sudama included).
Besides, he was not part of Madhyadesha or Middle Country region of the
Mahabharata times. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> "Radha" - perhaps was originally meant to be a <i>metaphor</i>
for Prakriti (nature during springtime). ~ Later translators probably took it
in the literal sense. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rivers and cows are
often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda.
(~ Cows emerging out of mountains - is a reference to various rivers; in the
Arya 'way of life' rivers and water-bodies were not polluted. ~ This should <i>also</i>
help us understand what 'cows' are associated with Krishn. | Gopa = ruler,
king or monarch. BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ
ca narādhipam</span> || ~ </i>"and among humans I am the monarch"
(Cakravartin). </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, there was a
large number of unnatural humans. Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu
and Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother,
Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, Draupadi's five sons, etc - were all 'born' or
begotten through various medical procedures (including advanced genetic
engineering and cloning technology). Therefore, it is quite unlikely that a
large number of milkmaids existed. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> It is possible, though, that "Gopa"
(meaning: king, ruler or monarch) was also originally an <i>allegory</i> - indicative
of "heavenly shepherd" or shepherd to his flock (humanity). ~ Later, this too
may have been mis-interpreted and taken literally. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Besides, Jambavan was part of Treta. So Krishna could not
have married Jambavani in Dvapar. ~ As for his supposed 16,108 'wives' or even
700,000 'wives' and 180,000 'sons': these cannot be taken at face value. These
figures (very likely) came about courtesy the many cultic groups and movements
that came up in his name ~ especially the 'Bhakti Movement'. Members of this
movement considered themselves "married" to Sri Krishn. Yes, even the
men. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ... The 'Bhakti Movement' being a reform movement, it could be that many
of these stories were woven in order to mainstream some marginalized groups,
such as the 'tritiya prakriti', etc. ~ A multitude of retelling, paintings,
poems, songs, music, stage plays et al later... bits and pieces of these
have (probably) gradually made their way into the narrative concerning Krishn.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span></b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Blue complexion:</span> Wherever
there is the convergence of <i>purity</i> (inner perfection; Sat-cit-ānanda or the inner joy and tranquility - eternal
bliss/spiritual ecstasy or true contentment of self-realization) and <i>depth</i>
(boundlessness) ~ it produces the colour blue. <span style="color: #20124d;"><i>Meghavarnam</i></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The
water of the seas and the sky - both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the Almighty
combines both <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>purity</i></span> (inner perfection, i.e. lack of delusion due to non-attachment to
sense objects + lack of delusion due to the transience of the material world that one inhabits) and <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>depth</i></span> or boundlessness, the Almighty too is
(allegorically) 'blue-hued'. (~ It's a
concept - indicative of divine attribute or divinity.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Blue</span> also stands for: meditation/introspection, peace,
tranquility (inner joy of true contentment), depth (boundlessness), stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom,
confidence, intelligence, patience, decision-making and dharma (positive,
tangible actions for the larger, collective good... leading to a prosperous,
progressive and vibrant society.)<i> </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Note</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Purity</i></span>
does not refer to chastity or some such. That is mis-translation. ~ The social
conditions or world-view prior to the decline of the Gupta era was considerably
different.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Purity' refers to
self-realization or Param-atma (Higher Self)
realization. ~ Whosoever achieves
self-realization is a pure or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>perfect</i> person</span> (inner perfection - i.e. one who is truly enlightened; in other words: one who is non-deluded (dhirah or of steady mind) ~ it requires sense control, complete
non-attachment to sense objects). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">The
process of <i>Self-realization</i> is a genuine spiritual transition or spiritual awakening ~
wherein humans reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of his or her
inferior manas (lower mind or lower self) and into the superior manas (higher
mind or Higher Self). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>This can be achieved, for example, by working towards a </span>higher cause - the greater, collective good and struggle
(continuous effort) - towards it without being affected by lack of instant
results or outcome. [Equanimity = to be unaffected by the transience of things, events, etc. E.g. to not feel exalted by praise, to not be deterred by barbs. To not be fickle-minded. To not give up. To not lose hope.] ~ By (symbolically) moving<span class="ital-inline"> out of his or her lower mind or lower self (mere Self or jiva-atma) and into the
higher mind or Higher Self (Atman or Supersoul) ~ </span>one can
(thus) become part of a higher destiny.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-realization is therefore
the <span style="color: #4c1130;">pathway or route to inner perfection ~ one's progress as a human being... leading to Supreme Enlightenment.</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It requires the awakening of the spiritual energy<i> - kundalini</i> (a latent energy that lies dormant
in the spine). </span>Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a slithering
reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also represented by the [allegoric]
Mt Meru [Mandar Parvat] in the story. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>meruh sikharinam
aham</i></span> || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." (~ Here Mt Meru is <i>also</i> an
allegory for Sahasrara Chakra - the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra, also known as the crown
chakra - the highest chakra). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="text">BG 10.28: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">sarpāṇām asmi
vāsukiḥ</span></i> || ~ "and of serpents I am Vāsuki." </span>~ Here Vasuki is an allegory
for the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - that lies dormant at the base of the spine. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> If we look at the human brain: there is the left hemisphere
(side 1) and the right hemisphere (side 2) ~ the area in the middle is
(allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'. ~ Therefore, in a manner of speaking, we can say: kundalini is
'serpent power'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Kunda =
"to coil or to spiral". <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The
power of kundalini can be allegorically termed as 'serpent power'. ~ It
may be that our ancients termed the awakening/rousing of the kundalini
power as 'a serpent's crown jewel' or 'the priceless jewel found inside
the head
of serpents'. ~ 'Coz in the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire' </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">- when kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel
area, when the kundalini reaches the Sahasrara (the 7th chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra) it (allegorically) shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> If we can understand this, we can <i>also</i> comprehend what </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Fountain'). ~ Fountain = spring, sarasa. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Note how brilliantly he has combined Goddess Sarasvati and kundalini </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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if two rivers rushed to greet each other; and as they met, sprays of water rose
high in the air - and then the waters of the two 'rivers' (mere Self and Higher Self) joined together and in
their immensity flowed as one single river. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">To Tagore, time moves in slow, majestic waves, rising
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at
the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual
energy known as the <i>kundalini. </i>(Goddess Adi Shakti is associated with Kundalini). ~ The process of spiritual awakening (Enlightenment, or in other words,
Self-realization) involves the gentle awakening/rousing of this living and conscious
energy, so that it pervades an individual's entire being. Once <i>
this</i> occurs, a person or
individual is no longer disconnected from the universe around him or her -
i.e. he or she is no longer confined inside his or her own head (courtesy: inflated ego, arrogance, confusion, delusion,
selfish considerations, vainglory, etc) - but becomes a connected part of the greater
cosmos (~ the mind is lit up, in a manner of speaking; in other words:
the metaphoric <i>dimaag ki batti</i> is lit up - possibly depicted by the "halo" - symbolizing enlightenment or complete wisdom); it brings about self-knowledge (atma-vidya - self-reflection or knowledge of the Self) and inner joy or contentment
- leading to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i></span>, the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization". </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sat-cit-ananda: <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>S</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>at</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">describes an essence that is <i>pure</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfect</span> or inner perfection - i.e. non-deluded by the transient nature of the material or manifest world due to non-attachment to sense objects) and <i>timeless</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">eternal</span> -
non-evanescent or non-transient); </span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>cit</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">is consciousness (~ the complete awakening of the spiritual energy, kundalini - resulting in awareness, sentience - self-reflection, cognizance,
insight and accurate interpretation - perception and internal wisdom); </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">ananda</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy/true
contentment - inner joy, peace and tranquility of self-realization. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat-cit-ananda essentially
means to connect or commune with the Higher Self (sat)</span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The complete awakening of the spiritual energy - kundalini - unites the individual
consciousness (mere Self) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self) ~ the <i>jiva-atma</i> (mere Self) or finite to the <i>Atman</i> or Infinite. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">This results in sat-cit-ananda - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (inner joy and tranquility or true contentment) of self-realization</span>.</span></span></span> </span></span></span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ One who has experienced </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sat-cit-ananda - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>is</i> a pure or perfect person (inner perfection). ~ Kundalini
awakening connects a human (mere Self) to his or her Atman (Supersoul or Higher Self) - which is the source
of all things. This Atman is the eternal aspect of an individual's personality;
when an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a
Buddha (the Enlightened One - the state of complete wisdom - <i>para vidya</i>). ~ Such a person is non-deluded by attachment to sense objects or by the transient nature of the material or manifest world that he or she inhabits; such a person gains or is filled with eternal (pure/perfect) or timeless (non-transient) knowledge - <i>para
vidya</i>. [~ <i>Also refer to the passages on kundalini</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> ||
</i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (<span style="color: #4c1130;">manas</span>); and in living beings
(bhutanam) I am the living force (<i>cit</i> or consciousness - <span style="color: #4c1130;">sentience</span>)"<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> <span style="color: #0c343d;">If we can understand this, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">we will also understand what has been meant by </span><span style="color: #0c343d;">Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>'.</span> [Literally: Karna = ears. Kundal = ear-ring; though it
is probably derived from "kundalini" (<i>refer the relevant passages on Kundalini and
Sahasrara or crown chakra</i>).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As per the narrative, Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>' at a crucial time; he was, thus, unable to
recollect the 'mantra'
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for unleashing certain weaponry </span></span></span>(<span style="color: #4c1130;">~ this is indicative of cognitive dulling; the dulling of Karna's memory</span>). ~ Wheel = cakra or chakra, and (very likely) refers
to
Karna's mind chakra or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of
the head
(especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect.
[Maybe, only by weakening of Karna's "kundal"... could this unnatural
human,
('son' of Lord Surya, a higher being, and Kunti - begotten through advanced genetic engineering) be rendered inactive; otherwise nothing
else
could affect him (~ as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of
his genetic makeup.) ~ Hence, Karna could never have donated either his
"kaavacha" or his "kundaal".</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Living force</span> (<i>cit</i> - sentience) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i.e. cetana or consciousness = life force or vital energy is a reference to <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">sentience</span></i>. It is also a reference to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>kundalini</i><span style="color: #351c75;"> energy</span></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Consciousness
and conscience are two different things;<i> <i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">consciousness</span></i>
</i></i>[<i>cit</i> - cetana, life force]<i><i> </i></i>is awareness, sentience - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">self-reflection, cognizance, insight and accurate interpretation... resulting in perception and internal wisdom (insight). It is </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the ability to feel, think, perceive,<i><i>
</i></i>comprehend or to experience. </span></span></span>It is necessary for deeper insight. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is referring to the awakening of the <i>kundalini</i> energy - to the ajna chakra (6th chakra) and the Sahasrara (the crown chakra - the 7th chakra) ~ <i>also</i> allegorically represented by the syncretic form of Shiva-Shakti. 'Shiva' represents the 6th chakra or the third eye chakra. 'Shakti' represents the 7th chakra (crown chakra, Sahasrara or the highest chakra ~ depicted with an OM). [~ <i>Also refer the passages about sat-cit-ananda, kundalini, Sahasrara and the sixth chakra ~ to understand what 'lotus petals open and enlightenment takes place' and 'opening of the third eye' mean</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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located in the center of the forehead above the eyebrows. The orientation
is self-reflection and the main function is seeing, cognizance and accurate interpretation. In this chakra, an individual aims to open his or her internal
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which is located between the eyes and is the organ for <i>inner
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picture, transcend egocentricity, and find the deeper meaning inherent in
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another step beyond what was available through the lower five chakras alone. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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out the crown of the head (sahasrara), he or she is gaining insight and delving deeper into his or her
internal wisdom. And so, a person's actions become not only significant and purposeful,
but also thoughtful. This road to thoughtful action is cognizance and accurate interpretation, <i>insight</i> - it guides an individual towards responding and
acting appropriately (~ the path of "dharma" and "nishkam karm-yog"). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Chakras are centers of
Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the
physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The 7 Chakras
are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <i>Kundalini</i>
is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy)
to be fully 'awakened'. ~ And <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>this</i></span> happens when kundalini reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>
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pointing lotuses. In the Sahasrara, the lotuses point downward, symbolizing
freedom from the mundane (<span style="color: #4c1130;">inner perfection</span> - i.e. <i>self-realization</i> - non-deluded by the transient nature of the material or manifest world that one inhabits due to non-attachment to sense objects - the state of complete wisdom/enlightenment - the state of a Buddha), and divine rain from
its petals. ~ The Sahasrara (the 7th chakra) was not considered an in-body chakra;
(earlier) it was pictured as lying atop the head. The Saharsara is considered
beyond most symbolic representations, although the chakra is usually perceived
as white. ~ The Sahasrara is considered beyond senses, sense organs, and vital
breath (prana or life-force). As such, it is often described without a seed syllable, although some
sources depict it with an OM. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The 7th chakra
or Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) is the chakra that integrates all the chakras with their respective
qualities. ~ It is the last milestone of the evolution of human awareness. This
happens when kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel
area. ~ When the kundalini reaches the Sahasrara, the (symbolic) 'lotus petals' open and
enlightenment takes place. ~ The kundalini (then) unites our individual
consciousness (mere Self) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self) ~ the jiva-atma or finite to the Atman or Infinite. </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Aham Brahmasmi - ah-HUM
brah-MAHS-mee) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Meaning: I
Am Brahmn. ~ This state is also said to be the state of complete
wisdom or enlightenment (~ the state of a Buddha).</span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Tagore's brilliantly composed 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening or Rousing of
the Fountain') - conveying the awakening of his mere Self or individual self's
ego-consciousness in the Higher Self; his journey of self-realization - of realizing the <i>Infinite</i>
'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I', his journey of transcending the narrow or
self-centred philosophy to the philosophy of life, the philosophy of the greater whole (in other
words: self-realization) was penned at the age of twenty.</span></span></span></div>
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self-realization was through his considerable oeuvre; as a renaissance poet,
thought leader, educationist, humanitarian, and as one of the finest
ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought and philosophy to the rest of the world. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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illuminating experiences from his childhood with shaping his life and
establishing its creative direction. When he was learning to read at about the
age of six, disconnected words suddenly came together as he encountered the
rhyming phrase "<i>jal parey/pata narey</i>" (the water falls/the
leaf trembles) in his spelling book. The rhythm of the words connected him for
the first time with a harmonious creative dimension. ~ "I was no longer a
mere student with his mind muffled by spelling lessons," he writes.
"The rhythmic picture of the tremulous leaves beaten by the rain opened
before my mind the world which does not merely carry information, but a harmony
with my being. The unmeaning fragments lost their individual isolation and my mind
reveled in the unity of a vision." ~ Tagore wrote poetry as an
eight-year-old. At age sixteen, he released his first substantial poems... and the next sixty-four
years were marked by the emergence and torrential flow of creativity in manifold forms. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Swami Vivekananda too
imbibed and conveyed this essence succinctly: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Bohu-rupe sammukhe tomar aami, kotha khunjichho Ishvar?
Jibe prem kare jei jan, Shei jan shebichhe Ishvar</i></span> || ~ Service to mankind (not restricted to humanity
alone) is service to God. That is true worship. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
~ This, to Vivekananda, was <i>his</i> path to
self-realization (or Param-atma realization); it was <i>his</i> path to uniting or connecting his individual consciousness or mere Self (the finite 'I') with the Higher Self (the Infinite 'I'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vivekananda means: 'one who derives
happiness (ananda) through one's consciousness (cit)' or one who has achieved eternal (sat) bliss or spiritual ecstasy of true contentment i.e. inner joy and tranquility of self-realization ~ <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i> (pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">describes an essence that is <i>pure</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfect or inner perfection</span> - i.e. non-deluded by the transient nature of the material or manifest world due to non-attachment to sense objects) and <i>timeless</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">eternal</span> -
non-evanescent or non-transient); </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">cit</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">is consciousness (~ the complete awakening of the spiritual energy - kundalini - resulting in awareness, sentience - self-reflection, cognizance,
insight and accurate interpretation... leading to perception and internal wisdom); </span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>ananda</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy/true
contentment ~ inner joy, peace and tranquility of self-realization. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Sat-cit-ananda essentially
means to connect or commune with the Higher Self (Supersoul or Atman). <span style="color: #4c1130;">~</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"> The complete awakening of the spiritual energy - kundalini - unites the individual
consciousness (mere Self) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self) ~ the <i>jiva-atma </i>(mere Self) or finite to the <i>Atman</i> or Infinite.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This results in sat-cit-ananda - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (inner joy or true contentment) of self-realization.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->Only when humans gain enlightenment - the state of complete wisdom, the state of a Buddha, the Sahasrara or the 7<sup>th</sup> Chakra - <span style="color: #4c1130;">the (symbolic) 'thousand-petaled lotus' opens up fully ~ symbolizing that the <i>kundalini</i> power has been fully
awakened</span>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>akṣarāṇām
a-kāro 'smi</i></span> || ~ "Of letters I am the letter 'A'." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is also referring to <i>kundalini</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The sound 'A' is the foremost of the sounds.
All the alphabets begin with the letter 'A', thus is number 1. Before number
one it can only be zero (shunya). ~ Zero (shunya) is the potential Creation,
the <i>Cosmic Egg</i>, which would manifest in due course of time, and Fire (Cosmic
Fire/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence or the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahm-jyotih' / 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy) is the basis for such manifestation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> All the planes of
existence are the result of the work of <i>Agni</i> (Cosmic Light or Light Divine - the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM). Agni transforms; transforms that
which is subtle to gross and also transforms the gross to subtle. In the
beginning it is from subtle to gross and later from gross to subtle. The
evolution and involution is the work of Agni. ~ The whole creation-related work
commences from Agni, and Agni is the one who emerges from the unfamiliar to the
known as the Cosmic Bang - indicative of the commencement of the cosmic phenomenon of "Creation". ~ Thus, it is probably said: Brahma emerged from the Cosmic Egg due to the Cosmic Bang. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The dynamism in us is also Fire. ~ The Kundalini
'Fire' causes enlightenment of the brain cells. But enflaming the Kundalini
'Fire' requires service to the fellow beings, to the society (steadfast, selfless/nishkam
service or action... that contributes towards a better society.) One has to dedicate
oneself to nishkam karm - without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is not ignited. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Agni: exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at
the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual
energy known as the <i>kundalini.</i></span></span></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kundalini
Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the
diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is
Electric Fire (brilliant white). As one progresses regularly (in nishkam karm),
the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' (Solar Fire) grows. Just as the morning Sun who is
Golden in colour grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized
at the eyebrow centre (ajna chakra - the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) rises to Ajnea
center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ... This is the final
state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the
opening of the (symbolic) Third Eye.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This phenomenon is perhaps <i>also</i> indicated by the syncretic form of Shiva and Shakti. ~ The Shiva and the Shakti join within
Sahasrara (the crown chakra or 7th chakra - the highest chakra) to create <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>brahma-ranhdra</i></span>, the transcendence of both. ~ Within this chakra, the
individual personality dissolves into the essence of the all (~ i.e. the realization of </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the <i>Infinite</i>
'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I'</span></span></span>; the union of the <i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self (individual consciousness) with the Universal Consciousness - <i>Atman</i> or Higher Self.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The third-eye chakra:</span> This is where the state of thoughtless (tranquil, non-deluded) awareness or
<i>Nirvikalpa Samadhi</i> happens. ~ In this state one can
actually feel the beautiful Silence, the Stillness, which is at the heart of
creation. The primary quality of this chakra is forgiveness and magnanimity; <span class="blue">high-mindedness, nobility of spirit: <i>the ability to rise above selfish considerations.</i></span> There is freedom from inflated ego, hubris, arrogance, contempt, and the like. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ If we can understand this, we can also understand why Rudra-Siva is also known as '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sada-Shiva</span>' and '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhola Nath</span>'. ~ "Shiva" means: the kindly, auspicious one, one who is eternally pure. Pure = perfect person i.e. inner perfection - one who has achieved sense control, is non-selfish (nishkam) or non-deluded by transient aspects, including the transient nature of the material world. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva's state is eternal perfection ('Sada-Shiva') and eternal tranquility (sat-cit-ananda). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Sada = always, constant, eternal.] </span></span></span>Rudra-Siva possesses the ability to rise above selfish (sakama) considerations. ~ The sobrequets, 'Sada-Siva' and 'Bhola Nath' indicates all of this. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bhola = non-selfish or <i>nishkam</i> + dhirah - one who is non-deluded by transient aspects and is not attached to sense objects - the state of a Buddha (the Enlightened One). Nath = monarch or guardian. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva is non-deluded and possesses complete sense control, and hence <i>is</i> the foremost of karm-yogi-s (~ not to be misconstrued for renunciation).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we can comprehend this, we can also understand what '<i>path-e path-e bahir hoye apan haara..</i>.' or </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'<i>Aakash bojhe ananda taar, bojhe nishar nirab tara</i>' </span>- in Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Nadi Apon Bege</span>' <i>(</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a></span>) </i>means<i>.</i> [~ H</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ere tara (star) is a reference to the Pole Star or Lode Star (Dhruva
Tara or Shuktara - the Morning Star. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Also known as the Guiding star). ~ Our national anthem is 'The
Morning Song of India' ~ <span class="kword">an ode to that <i>Bhagya Vidhata </i>[ed.
Lord of Destiny] - who (in Tagore's own words) "</span></span><span class="kword"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">has from age after age held
steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the
straight path and the curved</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">" [Here are the complete five stanzas: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="text">The Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mt Meru (the central 'mountain' of the world) as
the location of </span><span class="blue">the fabled Buddhist
land or mythical kingdom of </span><span class="text">Shambhala.
[Mt Meru: </span><span class="fcknormaltext0">is
taken as the true centre of the planet and the world's spiritual powerhouse; it
is the heartbeat of whole universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart
of divinity; it </span><span class="text">is the center of the
cosmos. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of Ursa
Major, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>BG
10.23: || <i>meruh sikharinam aham</i> || ~ "and of mountains I
am Meru." ~ Mt. Meru is very likely an allegorical mountain. The
<i>Dasavatara</i> depicts Sri Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizing/preserving/maintainer <i>aspect</i>
of the impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn) as supporting Mt. Meru ~ as the Kurma
Avatar. [Maybe, it has something to do with the cosmic architecture.] ~ If we understand the <i>dual aspect</i> of the Cosmic Trimurti - </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' - we will understand this. ~ And then, we can <i>also</i> fully comprehend what the 'Cosmic Duality' or 'ArdhaNarishvara'/ 'ArdhaNarishvari' concept is all about. [~ Impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested</i> (niraakar, avyaktah - without form) Brahmn - Absolute OM/Brahmn (</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu') </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">+</span> manifested (saakar, vyaktah), <i>saguna</i> Almighty OM/Brahm-putri or Brahmi or Brahmani - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">. ~ This <i>also</i> explains the concepts of Advaita (monism), Dvaita (dualism or duality) and Astika (theism). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Here, 'Putri' = manifestation, embodiment or personification.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sarasvati Gayatri Mantra:</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK8wVcGzD68"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link2</span></a></b></i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>OM Sarasvatyei Vidmahe,
Brahmaputriye Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat</i></span> || ~ "OM. May we meditate on the Great Goddess Sri Sarasvati,
who is the embodiment/<span style="color: #0c343d;">manifestation</span>/personification - Brahm-putri - of the (impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>) Absolute OM/Brahmn - the <i>impersonal</i> Cosmic Trimurti of 'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu', and who is also the embodiment/<span style="color: #0c343d;">manifestation</span>/personification of the majestic Sun-God (Pratyaksh-Brahmn - <i>symbolizing</i> the self-effulgent impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">). May that effulgent Maha Sarasvati Devi
inspire and illumine our mind and understanding." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[~ Goddess Sarasvati is also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahmi</span> - <i>manifestation</i> of </span><span style="color: #351c75;">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Brahma - the Supreme Creator or Srashtaa. ~ She is also known known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahmani</span> - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>manifestation</i> of </span><span style="color: #351c75;">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Brahmn - the impersonal <i>Absolute</i> OM.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The majestic Sun-God (Pratyaksh-Brahmn - <i>symbolizing</i> the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Brahm-jyotih) stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light,
wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. ~ Goddess Sarasvati embodies or represents all of this.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Self-realization</span> is the process of genuine, inner
spiritual transformation and must be experienced to be understood, since it
lies beyond the domain of scriptural description or academic definition (terminologies, etc). <span class="textexposedshow">This 'way of life' is performative and is (therefore) to be experienced. <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus, the central concepts of dharma and
karm-yog elude translation</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Self-realization</i></span> is the essence of Sanaatan Dharma. Rather, self-realization <i>is</i> Sanaatan Dharma (Adi Dharma). ... Self-realization leads to <i>Ananda</i> (inner joy, peace, tranquility or true contentment) ~ the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (true
contentment) of self-realization ~ <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i>.<span class="textexposedshow"> </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The union or confluence of the <i>jiva-atma</i> (the mere Self or individual consciousness) with the <i>atman</i> (Higher Self or Supersoul - the Universal Consciousness) is called Sanaatan Dharma or Adi Dharma. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Adi = foremost, most ancient; Dharma = path of illumination ~ noble 'way of life'.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once (during his famous trip abroad), some
people drew Swami Vivekananda's attention toward a pile of books ~ sacred books of
every faith, stacked high against the wall. The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad-Gita lay at
the bottom, while the other books were piled on top of it. ~ The ones who drew
Swami-ji's attention towards this arrangement perhaps intended it as a
slight or snub ~ since he hailed from a colonized nation; probably there were
some (misguided and thoughtless) aspects arising out of colour of skin too.
However, Swami-ji (in his characteristic serene manner) smilingly responded
that it was the right arrangement, since <i>the root is always at the bottom</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Vivekananda</i> means: 'one who derives
happiness through one's consciousness' or one who has achieved eternal bliss of
self-realization - <i>Sat-cit-ananda</i> (pronounced as: sach-chid-ananda). (<i>refer relevant passages</i>) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span> describes an essence
that is <i>pure</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfect</span> i.e. inner perfection - non-deluded by transient aspects and non-attachment to sense objects) and <i>timeless</i> (eternal - non-evanescent or non-transient); <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>cit</i></span> is consciousness (union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness - that comes about with the complete awakening of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - lying dormant at the base of the spine); <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>ananda</i></span> is inner joy and tranquility or absolute
bliss (spiritual ecstasy or true contentment).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">.............................................................</span> </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aham Brahmasmi (ah-HUM
brah-MAHS-mee) ~ Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.10 (of the Yajur Veda.)<b> </b></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>~ </b>Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Meaning: I
Am Brahmn (~ indicating the confluence of the <i>jiva-atma</i> (mere Self, individual consciousness or finite) with the Higher Self (<i>Atman</i> or Supersoul - universal consciousness - the Infinite). <i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The impersonal (nirguna - without qualities) and unmanifested (niraakar, avyaktah - without form) Brahmn </i><i>(the <i>Absolute</i> OM - </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Brahm-jyotih</i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> or </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Aadi Shakti</i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> - Primal Creative Energy) is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the
Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and
to which they return. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">The impersonal<i> </i>Absolute OM is beyond all thought. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Primal Creative Energy ('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') does not mean feminine energy. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Energy has no form or gender</i>. ~ Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i> - Cosmic Energy or Supreme Cosmic Spirit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The Cosmic Entity or Primal Being is <i>Purushottama</i> (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM is Omprakash (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). The Almighty is Omswaroop - manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ It is the light (divine effulgence or light divine) that
impersonalists perceive in the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Nirguna</span> </i>(impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> - avyaktah,
Niraakar) <i>mode</i> of God/Almighty.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are two aspects of Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> One is the <i>Absolute</i> OM/Brahmn. The other is Brahma-putri - the <i>Almighty </i>OM or God. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <i>Absolute</i> OM/Brahmn is the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> or avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn <i>~</i><span class="textexposedshow"><i></i> </span></span></span></span>Cosmic Light or Light Divine (i.e. divine effulgence - <span class="textexposedshow">'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span>) - Primal Creative Energy. <span class="textexposedshow"></span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The other is <i>Mahat</i> (the Great One, Guiding Spirit, Higher Soul; also: universal mind, cosmic intelligence) or
<i>Ishvari</i> (the Almighty). Mahat is the Cosmic Entity (Cosmic Ruler
and Cosmic Teacher/Steward-mentor - the Primordial or Primal Being). ~ Mahat or
Ishvari is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically
precise universes; the supreme power/authority
of the universe/cosmos - <span class="text"><i>adhaataa</i>
(above whom there is no other). Mahat or Ishvari is </span>Jagat-patih or
Vishva Nath - Sovereign or Monarch (Nath) of the Universe and Lord of Creation<span class="text">. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>The Cosmic Entity (Almighty OM) is (thus) the
highest possible conception of the <i>Absolute </i>OM/Brahmn<i> </i>('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti')<i> </i><i>~</i> the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> (avyaktah, Niraakar) Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Divine
effulgence, which is beyond all thought. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mahat or Ishvari is (therefore)<i> manifested</i>
Brahmn - vyaktah, saguna, Saakar Brahmn. <b><span style="color: #660000;">| </span></b><span class="text">As
<i>manifested</i> Brahmn (i.e. as vyaktah, saguna, saakar Brahmn) ~ Mahat or Ishvari
(the Cosmic Entity) is </span><span class="text"><i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation of Absolute OM. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mahat or Ishvari - the Cosmic Entity - is also <i>kartaa</i>: The
doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>~ </b>(Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Meaning: I Am Brahmn. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ As you think, so you
become. Think you are Brahmn; Brahmn you will become</span></span></span>).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Fill the mind with
Atman/Supersoul. Then the mind becomes identified with Brahmn (Higher Self or universal consciousness). In other words: the mind becomes <i>Sattvic</i>, immune from selfish or worldly
thoughts. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ As you think, so you
become. Think you are Brahmn; Brahmn you will become. ~ This means: your entire being, your
<i>karm</i>, your thoughts... will reflect that (<i>sattvic</i> aspects).<span class="textexposedshow"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the mind is
attached to objects of the senses and to that which lies without, mental
focus and rational stability are impaired, as is concentration and
steadfastness. As a result, such attachment (of the senses) leads to
narrow selfish (sakama) thoughts, inconstancy and lack of direction. [The mind is <i>thus</i> weak, agitated or fickle.] But
when the mind is withdrawn from sense-objects and given <i>dharmic</i>
direction (i.e. doing what is for the larger good with inner
detachment; steadfast karm/effort with equanimity and equipoise - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for the larger good</span></span></span>), this fleeting
flux of attachment (or selfish thoughts) vanishes and <i>dharmic</i> fixity is established. ~ The
mind - having acquired an attitude of concentration and equipoise - is thus
balanced and steadfast, and (therefore) is now free to establish its
sovereignty and <i>dharmic</i> authority. [i.e. The mind is <i>Sattvic</i> -
immune from selfish or worldly thoughts.] ~ It is the state of <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Turyaga</span> </i>- the state
of a Muni/Jnani or "yogi" - a <i>truly enlightened person</i>; it
does not indicate renunciation, though; it means: being unaffected by sense
objects or worldly objects; it leads to (inner) "detachment" (Jeevan
Mukta) ~ allowing one to enter into </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">thoughtless (tranquil, non-deluded) awareness or</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span>nirvikalpa samadhi</i> to 'awaken' to
"Moksha" (liberation). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>When the mind is completely absorbed in one
object of meditation, it is termed <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Samadhi</i></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having gained the
realization of the Ultimate/Eternal Truth (Self-realization), one is never again
deluded. (~ A self-realized being possesses the mental maturity and intellectual discrimination to differentiate between the enduring and the
ephemeral/transient or trivial aspects - like the swan/hamsah.) ~ When the mind is withdrawn from the sense
objects and deep reflection sets in, the objective consciousness is 'closed' - i.e. submerging of the individual self's ego-consciousness within the universal consciousness or Higher Self; <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Savitarka
Samadhi</i></span> commences. This is <i>Samadhi</i> (meditation/introspection or awareness) with reasoning. The mind here is
free from worldly thoughts; such thoughts cannot enter now. The mind is (thus) <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sattvic</i></span>.
(It can be called <i>Chitta Suddhi</i>. Chitta = Cit). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> When the mind is completely absorbed
in one object of meditation, it is termed <i>Samadhi</i>. ~ Nishkam karm-yog
(selfless action or service to humanity) is also a kind of meditation. It
destroys the ego (negative or false pride, inflated ego, ahankara, narrow perspective, vainglory, contempt, etc). ~ Nishkam karm-yog requires
complete self-sacrifice (total devotion)... of selfless action or service to humanity. Such a yogi
is a <span style="color: #4c1130;">Nishkam karm-yogi </span>(~ possessing monk-like focus, non-deluded by transient aspects, non-selfish
and non-attachment to sense objects). ~ Such a karm-yogi is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>hamsah</i> - the
swan</span>. [~ This also explains what 'Sada-Shiva' and 'Bhola Nath' means.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Complete self-sacrifice of selfless action or service (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i.e. total devotion to a greater societal cause) = to give up a carefree life, to be prepared for myriad barbs, bile and so forth. <span style="color: #351c75;">~ And to display <span style="color: #4c1130;">equanimity</span> - to not be affected or feel exalted by success or praise or accolades + to not feel dejected by setbacks, lack of quick or instant tangible results/outcome, barbs, and so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Fame, success, glory et al are transient.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ When one enters into <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">nirvikalpa samadhi</span> </i>(</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">thoughtless or tranquil, non-selfish or non-deluded awareness)</span></span></span></span></span></span>,
one's heart is larger than the universe itself. One 'sees' the universe as a
tiny dot inside one's vast heart. (Aham Brahmasmi ~ I am Brahmn - represents the union or confluence of the mere Self (<i>jiva-atma</i> or individual consciousness) with the Higher Self (<i>atman</i> or Supersoul - universal consciousness). ~ One<span class="usercontent"> then (in a manner of speaking) reflects the light of every
being in the universe, and one's light is reflected in them. ['</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Aalo Aamar
Aalo</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4-aqxOEEmA"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>.]
<span class="usercontent">One can feel the
expansiveness of one's being... an expression of the infinite field of
intelligence and all possibilities. ~ </span>Becoming
one with the soul is possible only in the <i>Nirvikalpa Samadhi</i> state -
i.e. when the mind is <i>Sattvic</i> - free from all worldly or narrow selfish thoughts. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Should
one hold communion with the Higher Self (Atman or Supersoul - universal consciousness),
devoid of mental attachments (to sense objects) etc, then the great bondage of the mind will
cease, all doubts will vanish, all pratibandha or vighna (impediments of the
mind and spirit) will disappear, and all (negative/prarabda) karmas will perish. ... It is
then (i.e. only after attaining the stage of Nirvikalpa Samadhi - when the mind is
<i>Sattvic</i>, free from all selfish, worldly thoughts, etc) that one gains Realization
of God and the Self (~ <i>Self-realization</i> or Param-aatma realization.) ~
It is then that <i>Jiva-atma</i> (the mere Self or individual consciousness) becomes
identical with the Higher Self or Supersoul (<i>Atman</i> or Param-atma<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>- universal consciousness). ... In other words: to dissolve in each other in a cosmic way.</span> [~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Hridayo Basanta Boney Je</span>': </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Self-realization (or
Param-aatma realization) is to fully know and understand oneself (atmavidya - self-reflection).
Before knowing God, it is important to know oneself (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Ātmavidyā</i></span> or "knowledge of the
Self"). If one understands oneself... only then it is possible to understand
God, i.e. only then can one gain <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Brahmavidyā</i></span> or "knowledge of Brahmn", Manifested Cosmos, etc. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[~ Here,<i> Brahmn</i> = Higher Self, Atman, Param-atma or Supersoul - Universal Consciousness.]</span></span></span> With the realization of the
Universal Consciousness (Atman, Supersoul or Higher Self) come universal
compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher
knowledge).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>..............................................................</b></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>hamsah</i></span> (either the white swan or the bar-headed
white goose) is an important element in the symbology found in <i>Sanaatan
Dharma</i> - and represents: <i>wisdom</i> (of non-transient knowledge) and <i>beauty</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">sundar</span> = <i>sattvic</i> traits - auspiciousness, goodness, non-selfish and devoid of narrow perspective; in other words: <span style="color: #4c1130;">inner perfection</span>). The <i>Hamsa</i>
represents perfect union, balance and life. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> A
constant repetition of the word "hamso" changes it to
"Soaham", which means: "That I am" or "I am He".
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Ham-sa when inverted reads as <i>sa-ham</i>, which in Sanskrit means: 'the
oneness of the human (finite) and the divine (Infinite)'. ~ Hence, the <i>hamsa</i> is often identified with the
Eternal Truth (Sat/Satya) and Sundar (auspiciousness, goodness, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">non-selfish and devoid of narrow perspective</span></span></span> - <i>sattvic</i>
traits; inner perfection). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The <i>Hamsa</i> is seen as a symbol of
purity/<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfection</span> (<i>inner perfection</i> - non-deluded (dhirah) due to sense control, non-selfish + sat-cit-ananda),
<span style="color: #4c1130;">detachment</span> (</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the dharmic freedom of inner detachment or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Jeevan Mukta </i><span style="color: #351c75;">- due to </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">non-attachment to sense objects</span></span>), divine knowledge, cosmic breath
(prana or universal consciousness, the spiritual energy - kundalini) and the highest spiritual accomplishment. It is supposed to transcend
the limitations of creation - for it can walk on the earth, fly in the sky
(air) and swim in the water. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Just as the swan or <i>hamsa</i> lives on water
but its feathers do not get damp, similarly a <i>Hamsan</i> (i.e. a true yogi/ascetic
- a real karm-yogi) lives in this material or manifest world full of <i>Maya </i>(transience),
yet remains detached and is not impacted by its transient or evanescent nature</span>. A <i>hamsan</i>
- a true yogi, a real karm-yogi - thus possesses sense control, which requires a steadfast and alert intellect.
(~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Essentially the state of a Buddha</span>.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji
Jhara Jhara Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>': </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">li</span></a></i></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">nk</span></a></i></b></span>.<span style="color: #351c75;"> ('... <i>oi balaka-r pathakhani nitey chiney</i>...' balaka = white goose or hamsa. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<i>Meghamallar shara dinaman | baje jharonaro (spring, fountain) gaan</i>...' is a reference to Goddess Sarasvati</span>). ~ Tagore also hints at the source of his inspiration; he credits the Goddess for his multifaceted talent and vast oeuvre. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Chaander Haasir Baandh Bhengechhe</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Ens7XGwV8"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a>. (</span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">'</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Neel gaganer lalatkhani chandan-e aaj makha,</span></span></i><b> </b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">b</span></span></i><i>anibaner hamsa-mithun
melechhe aaj pakha...</i>') <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Hamsa-mithun = the Cosmic Duality (~ the dual aspects of the Trimurti - the cosmic, impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> '</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="kword">Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and the manifested, <i>saguna</i> 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' ~</span><i><span class="kword"> </span>refer the relevant passages</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Melechhe aaj pakha = ascent).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>. [</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>prana</i>, the breath of life or vital energy - <i>cit</i> or cetana - <i>sentience</i>; it is a reference to the 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy - <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini</span>.] </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The <i>hamsa</i> is supposed to possess the
ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to
separate milk and water symbolizes the need to intellectually discriminate or differentiate between positive
and negative aspects (i.e. between the enduring/durable and the evanescent/ephemeral/trivia). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">E.g:
The English language, in a generic sense, was
the (metaphoric or proverbial) 'amrit' that arose out of a (symbolic)
'manthan' - colonization. ~ Today this language is a link
language - globally. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore said: "<i>We must recognize that it is providential that the West has come
to India. And yet some one must show the East to the West, and convince the
West that the East has her contribution to make to the history of civilization</i>." [~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Tagore saw the need for international cooperation and
sharing. T</span><span style="font-size: small;">he bard advised (rather insisted) that India must learn from other nations, for
example, in science, as well as look inward. Tagore believed that India had a
message for the world, but he thought India must also incorporate others'
messages into her own cultural and intellectual repertoire. Tagore also believed that inner development or cultivation of
the self was vital, that India too must develop herself from within... instead of merely relying upon or borrowing others' ideas and innovations.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During <i>pranayama</i>, which is a yogic
exercise of breath control, the inhalation is believed to sound like
"ham", while the exhalation is believed to sound like "sa".
Thus, a <i>hamsa </i>came to epitomize the <i>prana</i>, the breath of life.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ajapa</i> (A + Japa = No + Chant) is the primal
Mantra.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This <i>chantless</i> Mantra pervades the
breath going in and out, the subtle sound 'sah' going in and the subtle sound
'ham' going out. (Sa = Siva, Vishnu, Lakshmi, or Gauri; Ham
= I am; so = Parvati.) As one chants this subtle-sound Mantra 'soham', a
derivative of 'sah-ham', 'Hamsa' comes into being by inversion. Soham, Hamsa
and AUM (Pranavah) are equipotent. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">OM or AUM is the sound of primal energy - <i>Omkar</i>.
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bhairava - the Primordial sound (Pranava Naad or Shabda Brahmn). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>This aspect is found in our national anthem too.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Soham</i> is the unintonated sound of normal
breathing, meaning: 'I am He.' ["aham" + "sa"]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The awareness that one is inseparable from
or is a part of the <i>divine</i> (Brahmn) - exists only in enlightened
persons.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a></span>. <span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '... <i>Tabo
bhubhaney tabo bhabhaney morey aaro aaro aaro dao sthan </i><i>|</i><i> Aaro aalo,
aaro aalo, ei nayaney prabhu (My Lord) dhalo | surey surey banshi purey tumi aaro aaro aaro dao taan.
... Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal
consciousness/Supersoul/Higher Self) tumi aaro aaro aaro karo daan...</i>' ~ the infinite (boundless - universal consciousness) within the bound of the form (finite - individual consciousness).</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It became the keynote of his life: the great is
to be found in the small, the infinite within the bound of the form (finite), and the
eternal freedom of the soul in universal love, collaborative reflection, compassion (humanism) and understanding. </span>~ That the trials of obstacles, the burning of sorrow only
deepens that joy (~ turning hardships into motivation and inspiration). He embraced human life and humanity's very existence on
earth with such exuberant ecstasy. Through varied artistic outlets, he explored the
ecstatic bliss (sat-cit-ananda) of the Universal Soul (universal consciousness or Higher Self) in the human soul (individual consciousness or mere Self).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us
'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his
thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical
delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us,
restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons
nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening
our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of
nature in its beauty."<span class="text"> ~ Albert Einstein</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">'<i>Mor
aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal
consciousness/Supersoul/Higher Self - universal intelligence or cosmic mind) tumi aaro aaro aaro karo daan</i>' </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Tagore is referring to the spiritual ecstasy - inner joy, peace and tranquility (true
contentment) of 'self-realization' (~ the confluence of the mere Self/finite
- individual consciousness with the Higher Self/Infinite - universal consciousness). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span>Tagore aspires for his ego-consciousness (the <i>finite</i> 'I') to be completely
submerged in the Higher Self - the <i>infinite</i> 'I' ~ so as to awaken in the
Higher Self. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> He </span>aspires to realize the <i>Infinite</i> 'I'
within the <i>finite</i> 'I' ~ i.e. he aspires to transcend the narrow or
selfish/self-centred philosophy to the philosophy of life, to the philosophy of the
greater whole - the continuum. ~ </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aamar Ei Path
Chawoatei Ananda</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJAVjaKFlc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> He does not want to be confined
inside his own head (courtesy ego, arrogance, contempt, selfishness, confusion, delusion, vainglory, etc);
instead, he wants to become a connected part of the greater cosmos (universal consciousness or universal mind). ~ He wants
the Higher Self to pervade his entire being.
He, as an individual, no longer wishes to
remain disconnected from the universe around him. <span class="text">~ Instead, he aspires for inner perfection; he
aspires to be completely tuned in with the Higher Self (</span>the <i>Infinite</i> 'I') <span class="text">- <i>Chandra-Tara-Rabi</i>
~ </span>to dissolve in each other in a cosmic way<span class="text">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore
on progress: "You have to judge progress according to its aim. A railway train
makes its progress towards the terminus station - it is a movement. But a full
grown tree has no definite movement of that kind. Its progress is the inward
progress of life. It lives, with its aspiration towards light tingling in its
leaves and creeping in its silent sap."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Tagore, the great polymath, became
the first-ever Asian and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1913). [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ The East and West did meet.] As a thought leader, renaissance poet and playwright/dramatist/lyricist he
advanced a vast canon that comprised paintings, sketches and doodles, hundreds of texts, and over two
thousand songs (Rabindrasangeet - Tagore's magnificent music). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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elegant and magical poetry is noted for their rhythmic and lyrical nature. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore's
life as a peripatetic litterateur was dedicated towards cultural rapprochement; as a
humanist, universalist and internationalist, his message of Asian brotherhood and
internationalism was a cautionary note vis-a-vis the pitfalls or counterproductiveness or myopia of narrow, selfish, unifocal nationalism (~ especially in a kaleidoscopic nation like India + given the ancientness of our civilization). He also cautioned against the approach of negativism called lethargy, ignorance, moribund discourse, finger-pointing, inertia, and other members of that brood. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Each
country of Asia will solve its own
historical problems according to its strength, nature and needs, but the lamp
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</xml><![endif]-->" <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Tagore disliked rote classroom schooling. He held
that proper teaching does not
explain things; proper teaching stokes curiosity: "[It]
knock[s] at the doors of the mind. If any boy is asked to give an account
of what is awakened in him by such knocking, he will probably say something
silly. For what happens within is much bigger than what comes out in
words. Those who pin their faith on university examinations as the test of education take no account of this." </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ He emphasized on education - knowledge and
intellectual curiosity (as opposed to learning by rote). "These
solidly complete Universities over which our country is brooding, are like hard
boiled eggs from which you cannot expect chickens to come out." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In old age, Tagore still rose long before dawn
to witness the birth of each new day, and he still wrote fluently in his own
hand. He liked to make extensive corrections; he also liked his manuscripts to
be elegant. His
artist's eye for his handwriting were revealed in the
simple artistic and rhythmic leitmotifs embellishing the scribbles, corrections, and word layouts of his manuscripts. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ His genius enriched whatever it touched.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">............................................................</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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portrayal and celebration of a higher power embedded in the fabric of the universe
and responsible for its continuing existence and operation is very fascinating,
indeed. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Tagore
celebrates the Divine, the Infinite - the Anant </i>... <i>and expresses a
sense of deep wonder in the universe</i>:</span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Biswabinarobe Biswajon'</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJm0bgJlId8"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~
'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maharaj, Eki Saaje</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmIxphg6Gk"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aamar Khyala Jakhon Chhilo Tomar Shoney</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm0vwqG7vSg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Saara Jiban Dilo Aalo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIm8uA64AQ"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aakash Bhora Surjo Tara</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzaT4b1eqw"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahabishwe Mahakaashe 1</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkA8GDp5Cfo"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahabishwe Mahakaashe 2</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52KqaGc9B7U"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="kword"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Tahare Arati Kare Chandra Tapan</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Deva Manava</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">'</span><span style="color: #351c75;">: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXJRACZvmKU"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jaage Nath Jochhonaraate</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3WLESZwqiA"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore </span><span style="font-size: small;">was a genius in many fields - poetry, short stories, plays and novels, music, choreography, painting, science, education, social service
and statesmanship. A renaissance poet <i>par
excellence</i>... this </span><span style="font-size: small;">minstrel-bard of numerous songs was </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->simply in a rarest class by himself. A <i>Sadhaka</i> of scholarship, knowledge and the cosmic mind, he was a</span><span style="font-size: small;"> strikingly handsome figure with piercing eyes and intelligent cerebral looks, an intellectual luminary who possessed an inner charm... that emerges in his</span><span style="font-size: small;"> inspiring words and his lyrically unequaled songs. Elements of Indian classical music has been integrated in an extremely intelligent and effective manner in his magnificent songs - Rabindra-sangeet - which embodies a mesmerizing fusion of his musicianship and poetic genius. Tagore's unrivaled arena of creativity, where he
produced prodigious volumes of poems, songs, dramas, </span><span style="font-size: small;">essays, novels, travelogues and short
stories with seemingly endless energy - are his </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->everlasting gifts ~ the infinite treasures of his oeuvre. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore's boundless curiosity also carried him into the
realm of physical sciences, and his interest in scientific inquiry, his meetings and conversations with Albert Einstein
(among others) are quite well known, and have now become part of the Tagore lore. He never deviated from his <i>dharma</i>, which was poetic
creativity, contributing to the society, collaborative reflection and intellectual engagement - exchange of thoughts and ideas - to convey and bring forth a more substantive perception and analysis. ~ Absence of scholarly engagement, even informal ones, gives rise to redundant and moribund discourse. ~ He believed that at all times the beauty in life is to be found
in all pursuits of knowledge, and knowledge or development in isolation is
never complete. Hence, his emphasis on cultural, scientific and social
exchange between all peoples in all places. ~ He envisioned an India imbued with the noblest of her ancient civilizational ideals: that of acceptance, exchange and the striving for
human perfection through a loving and reverential appreciation of nature and
identification of the infinite within the finite. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> To illustrate his theory of education, Tagore
enjoyed recounting the following incident: "I well remember the surprise and annoyance of an
experienced headmaster, reputed to be a successful disciplinarian, when he saw
one of the boys of my school climbing a tree and choosing a fork of the
branches for settling down to his studies. I had to say to him in explanation
that "childhood is the only period of life when a civilized man can
exercise his choice between the branches of a tree and his drawing-room chair,
and should I deprive this boy of that privilege because I, as a grown up man,
am barred from it?" What is surprising to notice is the same headmaster's
approbation of the boys' studying botany. He believes in an impersonal
knowledge of the tree because that is science, but not in a personal experience
of it." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore was not narrowly national, he did not believe in intellectual regimentation either (~ "where the mind is without fear" - here, fear = intellectual regimentation, straitjacketing, cynicism, specious discourse and stagnation). He also believed in the wisdom of knowledge - 'coz knowledge in the absence of wisdom is merely mechanical regurgitation; he believed in a broader vision, a longer-term understanding of issues + dignity of labour ("and the head is held high"). His message was for
the world. And yet, he remained a passionate Indian. ... He drew inspiration from the deep wells (vast repertoire) of wisdom and
thought and culture. ~ He saw himself as an inheritor, representative and expositor of India's age-old heritage (civilizational values and ideals). His writings constitute the best commentary on his
life. These reveal him as nothing else does. ... The universal bard is to be found in his poems. ~ Tagore's vast legacy of creativity,
intellectual freedom, relentless striving towards inner perfection, harmony amongst people and
harmony of people with nature, the unbounded joy of life which has discovered
its own rich resources - these are a priceless gift to India, and
indeed, the world. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Many decades ago, Tagore encouraged the idea of
reforestation (Vriksharopan) at a time when there was no such thing as a wave of nature
conservation, climate change, Earth Hour or Earth Day. ~ On one such occasion, he celebrated nature and woodlands by planting trees during a festival he called <i>Vanamahotsava</i>
(Celebration of Forests). At that time, he wrote the song '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Marubijayer
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">Shunye Heye Prabal Pran</span>'<span style="color: #351c75;"> ('Raise aloft the banner of the conquest of the
desert') - </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmjtzHPJ144"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a> - </span></span>which carried emphatically the idea of fertile soil and the connection of
life itself to the soil and the bounty that it brings forth.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>.................................................................</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~</span> <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Chakras</span> are centers of
Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the
physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>
are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Kundalini
</span>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy)
to be fully</i> '<i>awakened</i>'<i>. ~ And <span style="color: #351c75;">this</span> happens when the latent spiritual energy lying d<span style="color: #351c75;">ormant at the base of the spine - kundalini</span> - reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>
chakra - the <span style="color: #351c75;">Sahasrara</span> or crown chakra (the highest chakra). ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;">The symbolic crown jewel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 10.22:<i> || </i><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</span> || </i>~ "Of the senses
(indriyanam) I am the mind (<span style="color: #4c1130;">manas</span>); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the
living force (<i>cit</i> or consciousness - <span style="color: #4c1130;">sentience</span>)" ~ (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><i>Chakras are centers of
Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy</i></i></span>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>
are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>).<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we can understand this, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">we will also understand what has been meant by: </span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>'</span>.</span> [Literally: Karna = ears. Kundal = ear-ring; though it
is probably derived from "kundalini" (<i>refer the relevant passages on Kundalini and
Sahasrara or crown chakra</i>).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As per the narrative, Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>' at a crucial time; he was, thus, unable to
recollect the 'mantra'
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for unleashing certain weaponry </span></span></span>(<span style="color: #4c1130;">~ this is indicative of cognitive dulling; the dulling of Karna's memory</span>).
~ Wheel = cakra or chakra, and (very likely) refers
to
Karna's mind chakra or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of
the head
(especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect.
[Maybe, only by weakening of Karna's "kundal"... could this unnatural
human,
('son' of Lord Surya, a higher being, and Kunti - begotten through
advanced genetic engineering) be rendered inactive; otherwise nothing
else
could affect him (~ as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of
his genetic makeup.) ~ Hence, Karna could never have donated either his
"kaavacha" or his "kundaal".</span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Living force (<i>cit </i>or sentience) = cetana or consciousness = life force or
vital energy; ~ <i>kundalini</i> energy... when fully awakened unites the mere Self or lower manas i.e. lower mind or individual consciousness with the Higher Self (Supersoul, <i>Atman</i> or higher manas - Universal Consciousness). ~ The jiva-atma to the Param-atma. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ... This is the state of complete wisdom (the wisdom of non-transient knowledge) - highest enlightenment (para vidya) - the state of a Buddha. ~ The convergence of the lower manas (lower mind/self, <i>jiva-atma</i> or individual consciousness) with the higher manas (higher mind/self, <i>atman</i> or universal consciousness) brings about sat-cit-ananda - inner joy, peace and tranquility i.e. true contentment of Self-realization or Paramatma-realization. It results in self-knowledge through self-reflection, insight, perception and internal wisdom (the wisdom of knowledge). ... Such a soul/person is <i>dhirah</i> - temperate (~ non-deluded by the transience of the material world that he or she inhabits + possesses inner detachment to sense objects - fame, glory, accolades and so on). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: such a person achieves inner perfection.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">[Sat-Cit-Ananda:</span> for
purposes of comprehension and clarity: the function of the mind and the heart are
completely different. None can think with their heart. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>That is a colloquial
phrase taken literally</i></span>.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>is <i>not</i> a reference to the heart.
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Cit</i></span> (cetana - sentience) is a reference to the mere Self (individual consciousness). While, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span>
is a reference to the Higher Self or Universal Consciousness (Param-atma or
Supersoul - the eternal aspect). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>confluence</i></span> of the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>(mere Self or individual
consciousness - sentience) with the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span> (Higher Self or universal consciousness - universal intelligence or cosmic mind) is brought
about by the complete 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy lying dormant
at the base of the spine - the <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini energy</span>.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">] </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">... Goddess</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness (the spiritual
energy - <i>kundalini</i> - lying dormant at the base of the spine - but which when fully 'awakened' unites the mere Self or
individual consciousness with the Higher Self or Universal Consciousness),
cosmic knowledge, creativity, education (not merely text-bookish or transient knowledge - <i>apara vidya</i>),
culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (fine speech, persuasion/<span class="text"> vāk)</span> and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents
the free flow of wisdom and consciousness (sentience).</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ If we understand the above, we can then fully comprehend Tagore's sublime
'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening/Rousing of the Fountain'). Fountain =
spring or sarasa. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> He is celebrating the awakening of his latent spiritual energy -
kundalini ~ resulting in him gaining insight and delving deeper into his internal wisdom (the wisdom of knowledge); with the gradual disappearance of illusions... clarity begins - to see the big
picture, transcend egocentricity, and finding the deeper meaning inherent in
all things (para vidya - non-transient knowledge). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">The resultant synergy took him to the pinnacle
of creativity.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~</span> <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Chakras</span> are centers of
Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the
physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>
are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Kundalini
</span>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy)
to be fully </i>'<i>awakened</i>'<i>. ~ And <span style="color: #351c75;">this</span> happens when the latent spiritual energy lying d<span style="color: #351c75;">ormant at the base of the spine - kundalini</span> - reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>
chakra - the <span style="color: #351c75;">Sahasrara</span> or crown chakra (the highest chakra). ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">The symbolic crown jewel.</span></span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="watch-titleyt-uix-expander-head"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">A</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">rup Tomar Bani</span>': <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjVlAi_QowA"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.
(~ '<i>nityakaaler utsab taba bishwer dveepalika </i>[Omswaroop - universal consciousness]<i>, aami shudhu taarii maatir
pradeep </i>(earthen lamp)<i>, jvalao tahar shikha</i>'<i> </i>(wick - symbolizing the 7th chakra - the Sahasrara or crown chakra; it essentially signifies the enlightenment of the brain cells). </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Note how brilliantly Tagore conveys the
confluence or convergence of the finite into the Infinite. His mere Self within
the Higher Self... leading to his spiritual and intellectual awakening and evolution. ~ His journey
towards the awareness that the finite is inseparable from or is a part of the Infinite<i> - </i>the<i> divine</i>
(Param-atma or Higher Self). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: self-realization. | And so, he says in 'Sheemar Majhe Ashim Tumi' - '<i>aamar modhye tomaar prakash tai ato madhur</i>'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">~ '<i>tyemni aamar praner (individual consciousness or cetana - sentience) kendrey nishvas (universal consciousness - by the </i>'<i>awakening</i>'<i> of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini) dao purey, shunya tahar purna
koriya dhanya koruk shurey</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(to emerge as his spiritual and intellectual evolution... and manifold creativity)</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">'<i> </i><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Tagore is asking for his individual consciousness (<i>cit</i> - sentience) to be fully awakened ~ to experience 'sat-cit-ananda'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="text">He </span>aspires to realize the <i>Infinite</i> 'I' (universal consciousness - Param-atma) within the <i>finite</i>
'I' (individual consciousness - jiva-atma) ~ Self-realization. This happens with the confluence or convergence of the individual consciousness (the mere
Self) with the universal consciousness (Atman, Higher Self or Supersoul - universal intelligence or cosmic mind). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sheemar Majhe Ashim Tumi</span>': <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv0BZvEgYJc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.<b>
<span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>~ '<i>Sheemar majhe </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>(within finites) </i></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>ashim tumi </i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>(You the Infinite) </i></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>bajao apon
shur (play your own tune), aamar modhye tomaar prakash tai ato madhur</i>'<i> </i><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The second line
is indicative of Tagore experiencing 'sat-cit-ananda' - through the confluence of his finite 'I' (mere Self or individual consciousness) with the
Infinite 'I' (Higher Self, Supersoul or universal consciousness) ~
self-realization or Param-atma realization - the realization of the <i>Infinite</i>
'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I' - his journey towards inner perfection. Tagore <i>also</i> hints
at the source of his inspiration; he credits the Goddess for his multifaceted
talent and vast oeuvre.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mor Bina Othe</span>': </span><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY1YTXGPoss"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></span></b></i><span style="color: #a64d79;">. <span style="color: #351c75;">('<i>Mor bina othe kon suurey baaji kon naba
chanchala chhandey <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mama antara kampita aaji nikhiler hridayaspandey</i>')</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->On a separate note: the name Vivekananda - 'one who derives happiness through one's
consciousness' or one who has achieved eternal bliss of self-realization (Sat-cit-ananda) - too conveys this essence and is indicative of the communion of the mere Self (individual consciousness) with the Higher Self (universal consciousness).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-realization is (therefore)
the pathway or route to inner perfection. <span class="ital-inline"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The
process of <i>Self-realization</i> is a spiritual transition or spiritual awakening ~
wherein humans reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of his or her
inferior manas (lower mind or lower self) and into the superior manas (higher
mind or Higher Self). </span>~ This transition or awakening must be experienced to be understood, since it
lies beyond the domain of scriptural description or academic definition (terminologies, etc). <span class="textexposedshow"></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><i>Self-realization</i></span> is the essence of Sanaatan Dharma. This 'way of life' is performative and is (therefore) to be experienced. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is no one path or
hard-and-fast rule to self-realization. It depends on individuals. ~ </span></span><i>Thus, the central concepts of dharma and
karm-yog elude translation. <b><span style="color: #660000;"></span></b></i></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Almighty does not
discriminate.</span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ This conveys
boundlessness.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">The Rig Veda says: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Ekam
Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti</i> </span>|| ~ Truth is one, but the wise know/call it as
many. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
In other words: God is one, but we can approach the Almighty in many ways.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">Truth/Sat/Satya
= </span><span class="text">Shaashvata or
Sanaatana - Eternal. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sat/Satya = the Eternal Truth</span><span class="hp">; <i>also</i>, timeless essence or true
(non-transient) knowledge - enlightenment or complete wisdom - the wisdom of non-transient knowledge -<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">para vidya</span></i>. ~ The ability to see the big picture and/or to find the deeper meaning inherent in all things. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The awareness that the finite is inseparable from or is a part of the Infinite<i> - divine</i>
(Param-atma).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore envisioned a parallelism - the
parallelism of welding together (i.e. amalgamation) into one body various
peoples (~ and <i>this</i> is reminiscent of the Universal Form - Vishwaroop or
Viraat-roop - of the Primordial.)<span class="usercontent"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="usercontent">A
quote from Swami Vivekananda's speech (Welcome Address - Chicago, Sept 11,
1893) ~ in response to the warm and cordial welcome he received: </span><span class="kword">"<i>As the different streams having their sources in different places all
mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take
through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight,
all lead to Thee</i>."</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ketechhe Akela</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAtrf-pHOFE"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->'<i>Shhob
path eshey miley gyalo shheshey tomaarii duu-khani nayone</i>...' ~ It is a reference to
Rudraksha or eye of Rudra. Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">rudrākşa</span> =
rudra and <span class="unicode">akşa</span> = eye. [Rudraksha and Virupaksha are non-different. Virupaksha = with oblique eyes.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva is said
to have healing remedies - as the best physician of physicians, and as
possessor of a thousand medicines. This is described in Rudra-Siva's
alternative name <i>Vaidyanatha</i> (Lord of Remedies). ~ Rudra-Siva and
Dhanvantari (the Supreme Druid) are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> However, the eyes of Rudra
could also be a reference to two pools (sarasa) - one
at Pushkara in Rajasthan and the other - <span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span>Ketaksha - in the Salt Range. Both
are associated with Rudra-Siva. ~ The Sarasvati River is an important river
goddess in the Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name means, "having many
pools". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Matsya kingdom of the
Mahabharata times is probably modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati hailed from this
kingdom, and is therefore referred to as Matsya-kanya. (It does not mean
fisherwoman or daughter of a fisherman. Kanya = female). She later became the
queen of Hastinapura. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arjun spent the final year of his <i>vana vasa</i>
(exile period) - on Krishn's advice - as Brihannala, teaching dance and music -
in Virata kingdom (then ruled by the Matsya king - Virata Raj). It was in his <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">court</span></b><b> </b>that the Pandavas spent
a year in concealment (ajgnata vasa) during their exile period. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The thirteenth year was the period of concealment; if
discovered the Pandavas were to undergo another thirteen years of exile - as
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</xml><![endif]-->Alternatively, given some
of their rituals, it is also possible that the Pandavas' final year of exile - ajgnata vasa - was spent among the Kalasha people (<i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span>.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> As for the Matsya kingdom: maybe their insignia
or emblem was that of a fish. Did the matsya-avatar hail from this ancient
kingdom ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Incidentally, one of the only two <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> temples in the country is in Jaipur... quietly awaiting the coming of the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' - the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar.</span></span> [The other temple is in Uttar Pradesh - probably built by Rani Ahilyabai of the Holkar dynasty.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sawai Jai Singh, the
founder king of Jaipur, built the temple around 1727 AD - at the time of making
the city. Of scholarly inclinations, Jai Singh was a keen student of Vedic
texts. He built the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>
temple right opposite the eastern entrance to the city palace [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.21:
|| <i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i> || ~ "of
radiance I am the radiant sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman)], which opens into
the Sireh Deori bazaar, famous for its Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i>pavanaḥ pavatām asmi </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind among the purifiers."] ~ </span>Its
important location is indicative of the temple's significance for Jai Singh.
<span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>However, instead of opening directly into the street, the temple was set behind
the street facades of impressive structures. Only the temple top is seen rising
into the sky from the street-scape. Facing the temple in one corner is a
canopied kiosk, which contains a fine white marble statue of a horse.
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">[Kalkiḥ, </span>also referred to as Kalkin and Kalaki, is<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time
is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) </span>~ Another etymology (for "<span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>")
from Sanskrit is 'white horse'</span></span></span>.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Constructed in stone, the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>
temple conforms to the typical style of the North Indian Temple Architecture.
However, there is one architectural feature in the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> temple that is unique. It is the
presence of two shikhars or temple tops instead of the usual one. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <i>meruh sikharinam aham</i> || ~
"and of mountains I am Meru."] ~ But the
temple itself is closed. In fact, it has been closed ever since it was built.
(Though it is periodically opened for cleaning purposes). Otherwise, the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> temple has a
deserted look. No devotees. No prayers. No temple bells. ~ Maybe, this is so since the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' is stated to be a 'Sampoorna Avatar' ~ a total,
complete, all-encompassing manifestation (maha-avatar). And so, cannot be associated exclusively with any faith, nor will </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar</span></span></span></span> be the passive preceptor of
any new faith. [~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tomaar Aason Pathbo Kothaay</span>' (composed in Mishra Basant Bahar): <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vRrGSTOQuM"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhengechho Duaar Eshechho Jyotirmay</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy_MExaePT4"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></span></a> (~ bhengechho duaar/the tearing down of metaphoric doors = the dispelling of inertia, slothfulness, apathy, illusion, confusion, hackneyed and stale aspects, and so on). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> And, possibly: '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tomaar Aason Shunya Aaji</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdD615-NRls"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></span></a>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aaloker Ei Jharna Dharaaye Dhuiye Dao</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOP1-hV9VhM"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></span></a>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Oi Mahamanob Aashhe</span>' (Cometh the great one): <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuLubAGYgE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a></span>.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span><i>Instead of opening directly into the street, the temple was set behind
the street facades of impressive structures. Only the temple top is seen rising
into the sky from the street-scape</i>. ~ <span class="text">BG 9.11: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>avajānanti
māḿ mūḍhā mānuṣīḿ tanum āśritam paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto mama
bhūta-maheśvaram</i></span> || ~ "The ignorant deride Me since my form/appearance is
human-like (i.e. since I appear to be like any other human). They do not know
(are unaware of) My transcendental nature </span>and My <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">supreme</span></b><b>
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">dominion</span></b> over all
that be (~ <span class="text">as the Supreme Lord
[maheśvaram] of all that be)." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā</i> (The
ignorant deride Me since my form/appearance is human-like, i.e. since I appear
to be like any other human): Is this an indication that he puts on a veneer? ~ <i>My
guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The location of this </span><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ temple is very significant. Since
</span>Ketaksha or Katas Raj - also believed to
have been Ayudhya - is nearby. ~ <span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">pavanaḥ
pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham</span> </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind
among the purifiers, and Sri Ram among the warriors" ~ i.e. warrior
against moribund aspects, retrogressive mindset, worldview, and so on.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The rare blue lotus is
termed <i>pushkara</i>. It is also known as <i>krishna kamal</i> - signifying
the 'perfection of wisdom' - wisdom of knowledge (brought about by the complete 'awakening' of the kundalini energy - <i>refer</i> <i>the relevant passages on kundalini</i>).
[Blue Lotus signifies wisdom and knowledge, and stands for the victory over the senses. It defines a person's control over his or her mind and consciousness, to let go of materialistic aspirations in life and rise to a selfless soul. The blue lotus flower is not fully open, the bud is closed towards the centre, which is never revealed. This state of the flower (the partially-opened bud) is indicative that one should not stop attaining knowledge and wisdom in life. ~ It is associated with the <i>Bodhisattva</i> of wisdom, known as <i>Manjushri </i>(Buddha Manjushri - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the Wisdom Buddha - the embodiment of the omniscient wisdom of all enlightened beings), and <i>Prajnaparamita</i>, the one who signifies the 'perfection of wisdom'. ~ The <i>Buddha</i> (Buddha Shakyamuni) is shown seated on a pale-red lotus. A full-bloomed pale-red lotus signifies enlightenment or the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained.] ~ Many say: there is no blue lotus, no such flower exists or ever has; that it
is a botanical chimera. ~ However, it could be that the blue lotus is
an allegory or imagery - a <i>symbolic</i> reference to the Cosmic Entity (the Almighty) and/or the Krishna-avatar (the
only <i>Purna Avatar</i> - one in whom divinity is manifested fully, since he
possessed all 16 divine attributes). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: the rare blue lotus could
be indicative of the unicorn (symbolizing rarity). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Indus Unicorn Seals
depict a one-horned horse. [One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is
depicted with a single tusk.] It is <i>imagery</i> - to denote rarity or
uniqueness. The Cosmic Entity is <i>vishama </i>(unequaled); <i>atulah</i>
(incomparable); <i>ekah</i> (the one); <i>naikah</i> (the many); <i>ekaatmaa</i>
(the one self); <i>asankhyeyah</i> (with countless names and forms); <i>shoorah-veerah</i>
(the valiant); <i>vikramee</i> (the most daring); <i>saattvikah</i> (one who is
full of <i>sattvic</i> or noble traits and qualities); <i>kartaa</i> (the
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Vishvaatma </i>(Soul of the Universe - guiding spirit); <i>aadidevah</i> (the first devah; aadi =
foremost, primal); <i>mahaadevah</i> (the great devah); <i>deveshah</i> (the
Lord of all devas) and <i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
However, a closer look at the unicorn seals reveals a body reminiscent of a
horse as well as that of a cow. So, the unicorn could be denoting Goddess
Sarasvati - Varadey Kaamarupinee or kamadhenu (the fulfiller of wishes,
Destiny or 'Lady Luck'). [~ The <i>saguna</i>, manifested Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is non-different.] ~ Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in
the Rig Veda. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Goddess Sarasvati (Varadey Kaamarupinee), Sri Krishn and Sri Ganesh
(Vignesh or Vighna-vinashak - the remover of obstacles or impediments in the
path of good/positive deeds) are non-different.<span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span><i>Ketaksha</i> means,
"raining eyes" (aksha = eye). ~ Perhaps it was originally meant as: spring
(sarasa) of the raining eyes. ~ However, with the passage of time and changing
phonetics, Ketaksha probably became <i>Katas</i>. ~ The ancient Katas Raj temple
complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. [Mahabharata = the
Great history of the Bharatas. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For Bharatas </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>- refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a>.</b></i></span></span></span></span>] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> It is also associated with the 'Shiv-Sati' story ~ large parts of which (very likely) describes some cosmic event. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The name "Sati" probably is derived from Sat or Satya; possibly a
feminine version of Sat or Satya. ~
However, 'Shiva wandering about in the cosmos with Sati's lifeless body on his
shoulders' - is very likely a description (in the style of story-telling) of some cosmic
event. ... Maybe, pieces of meteors and/or other celestial debris rained down on
earth - which (gradually) resulted in the many "Shakti Peeths", as well as
pools (sarasa-s or sarovaras). ~ Later translators probably took the allegorical
cosmic events in the literal sense. And with the passage of time, the story of
Parvati too converged with the narrative. ~ Rudra-Siva is Goddess Parvati
herself - simultaneously (as indicated by the syncretic form of Rudra-Shakti).
The manifested, <i>saguna</i> Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Goddess Parvati's consort (namesake Shiva) is very likely the Shiva of the <i>Bhasmasura</i>
story (<i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span>.)
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> (Though, perhaps, a few of the "Shakti Peeths" are in honour of some or the
other great woman. Or [maybe] both; i.e. celestial debris + a great human).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> Daksha Prajapati's yagna and Sati's
'agni-pariksha': "Prajapati" is a 'title' indicative of a leader, king or
chieftain. ~ Therefore, Sati's father - Daksha - was an influential personage.
~ Daksha Prajapati's yagna and Sati's 'agni-pariksha' = Daksha initiated some
activity or process (karm-yagna) which turned out to be (his daughter) Dakshayani Sati's 'test by fire'
instead, more than his own. Thus, Sati was vulcanized via the most trying of
circumstances; it is indicative of her unmatched tenacity and resilience. [~ In '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aamar Mukti Aloye Aloye</span>' (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET9d1PnUBc0"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></span></a>), Tagore says: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'<i>Aamar mukti sharbajoner moner majhe dukkha-bipad tuchha kora kothhin kaaje</i>' <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>My salvation is in the universal mind (sharbajoner moner majhe - in their collective consciousness), a</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>nd in my exertions belittling/defying all sorrows/disappointments and perils (dukkha bipad tucchha kora), in tasks difficult (kothhin kaaje)</i>. ~ Tagore, a humanist, is referring to karm yog, nishkam (selfless) karm yog. To him, this world is the karm-bhoomi (euphemistically yagna-shala) of the World's Master. ... And, he aspires to become a karm-yogi ~ to turn his life and efforts (exertions and creativity) as an offering. Therein lay his salvation. ~ For Swami Vivekananda, service to humanity was the path to self-realization and salvation.] ~ It is possible
though that Daksha had a dim view of his somewhat rustic
son-in-law named Shiva... and considered him unworthy of his accomplished
daughter. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dakshayani means: daughter of Daksha. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The name "Sati" probably is derived from Sat or Satya; possibly a
feminine version of Sat or Satya. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sati and Parvati (popularly known as goddess Durga) is non-different. ~ And both are Rudra-Siva.</span>]</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Another version of this legend involves the
death of Shiva's horse Katas (Ketaksha?) ... Ketaksha or Katas is also believed to have been Ayudhya. [~ Ayudhya<span class="textexposedshow"> probably became Ayodhya due to changing phonetics.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Ayudhya = invincible, unconquerable or eternal. "Ayudhya" comes from
the root word "yudh" meaning "not to be fought". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There is an Ayutha and Dvaravati in Thailand too. ~ A</span>ncient
Ayutha or Ayutthaya - the former capital of Thailand - apparently rose from the
earlier, nearby kingdoms of Lavo and Suphannaphoom (Suvarnabhumi). The seaport
city of Ayothaya<i> </i>is <i>Ayothaya Si Raam Thep Nakhon </i>- the Angelic
City of Sri Rama. ~ The new city was known as Ayothaya, or <i>Krung Thep
Dvaravadi Si Ayothaya</i>. Later it became widely known as <i>Ayutthaya</i>,
the Invincible City. ~ It is believed that this city is associated with the Thai
national epic Ramakien, which is a southeastern version of the Ramayana ('The
Exertions of Sri Ram'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dvaravati was part of the Mon kingdom - </span><span style="color: #351c75;">and refers to both a culture and a conglomerate of ancient city-states or principalities in the lower plain (riverine region) of the Chao Phraya river. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The term Dvaravati derives from coins which were inscribed in Sanskrit with <i>śrī dvāravatī</i>. The Sanskrit word <i>dvāravatī</i> means "she with many gates" (from <i>dvar</i> "door gate"). Its name is probably derived from the city of Dvāraka (Dvaraka) in ancient India.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">The seven greatest capital
cities of the Rama Empire/civilization were known in classical texts as 'The
Seven Rishi Cities'. Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment, wisdom and
knowledge; it was also an honorific for highly learned and knowledgeable persons. ... Maybe, these Seven Rishi Cities were knowledge hubs or thinking
hub. Priest-Kings (meaning: "Great Teachers" or "Masters")
who governed the cities were essentially Brahmana statesmen. [Brahmana implies the
light of wisdom or the wisdom of knowledge; Brahmana can also be interpreted as
sensible and enlightened persons with a broader worldview or outlook.] Some of
them belonged to the benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization. Today
they are generally called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently persons
whose mental powers/intellect were of a degree that would seem incredible to
most moderns. (Even Chanakya can be called a Brahmana statesman.)</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Some legends also state that the very first "Shiva
Ling" was in Katas. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Shiva Ling is very likely the
depiction of the Brhmaanda or Brahmaanda (the "Cosmic Egg"; Brh = to grow or to expand; aanda = egg) and
"Garbhodaka Ocean" that lies at the bottom of the universe. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> How and when the word "ling" came to be associated with "phallus" ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ There is a vast
'ocean' (the 'ocean of Garbha') present at the bottom of our universe
(Brhmaanda or Brahmaand - the "Cosmic Egg"). This 'ocean' is very likely a combination of
cosmic dust, energy and gas, even gas hydrates formed under conditions of high
pressures and low temperatures, and so on... and maybe, even a great amount of
suction force. Its appearance is in the form of 'concentric circles or bands' ~
though none of it is visible to the unaided eye. During "Prakritik Maha
Pralaya" ~ (i.e. when Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos is completely
dissolved - signifying the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution") - Material Universe or
Manifested Cosmos 'dissolves' into this 'ocean of Garbha'. ~ Our ancients
visualized this 'ocean of Garbha' as the endless serpent 'Adi-Sesha' or
'Ananta-Sesha'. [Ananta = infinity, endless, eternal. Sesha = zero, shunya.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
"Prakritik Maha Pralaya" (the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution")
occurs when 'Ananta' becomes 'Sesha', infinity becomes zero and Yog-maya (the
ever changing and evolving [mayamayi or transient] Material Universe or
Manifested Cosmos) becomes Yog-nidra (the big sleep). Therefore, in a manner of
speaking, it is said that when Adishesa 'uncoils', time (kaal, kaalah) moves
forward and creation takes place. When Adisesha/ Śeṣanāga 'coils back', the
universe ceases to exist. ("Shesha" in Sanskrit texts, especially
those relating to mathematical calculation, also implies the
"remainder" - <i>that which remains when all else ceases to exist</i>.)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ So, very likely, what
is today known as the "Shiv Ling" was actually a depiction of this
above phenomenon ~ the "Cosmic Egg" (Brhmaanda or Brahmaanda) and
"Garbhodaka Ocean" that lies at the bottom of the Brahmaand. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> If we can understand this, we will also understand what the
concept of "Hiranyagarbha" means. (~ Maybe the Gupta emperors too installed the
"Shiv Ling" - to depict the cosmic phenomenon of "creation" and
"dissolution".) ... However, with the passage of time - possibly after
the decline of the Gupta era - due to various interpolations, extrapolations,
mistranslations and so on, other connotations have come about. Just like <i>Purusha</i>
actually means: Cosmic Energy or Primal Creative Energy, although now it has come to mean: a male. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> We can only marvel at the ancients' immense knowledge and vaulting
imagination. They could - so effortlessly - simplify complex science to such an
extent ~ that even a child could easily grasp it. Amazing, indeed!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vadavagni is a form of
Agni (fire) - depicted as a mare that breathes fire. It is believed that
it is the escape of this 'fire' (Vadavagni) from under the 'ocean' (very likely the 'ocean
of Garbha'), which will finally consume the current cycle of creation and
prepare the universe (Brhmaanda or Brahmaanda - the "Cosmic Egg") for the next cycle of
creation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Vadavagni is (believed to be) located beneath the 'ocean' (possibly the 'ocean of Garbha') and is allegorically depicted with the face of a
mare. Apparently, mists and clouds are formed due to the activity of Vadavagni
(below the 'ocean' - the 'ocean of Garbha'). This also prevents the 'ocean'
from consuming the Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos. ~ This probably means:
Vadavagni (allegory for a tremendous force/energy and/or some kind of Cosmic
Fire?) causes the (metaphoric) 'ocean water' to 'evaporate' and turn into
'mist' ~ thus preventing the 'ocean' from ever overflowing on to the Material
Universe or Manifested Cosmos. ~ It is said that just before 'Prakritik Maha
Pralaya' (cataclysmic events - Nataraj - the symbolic dance of "dissolution" - heralding
the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution"), Vadavagni will stop doing this,
causing the 'ocean' to expand and submerge the Universe or Manifested Cosmos. ~
At this time, Vadavagni will burst forth as (in the form of) 'volcanoes' from
under the 'ocean' and escape (~ i.e. the cosmic fire of dissolution
will [gradually] consume the whole of Material Nature or Manifested Cosmos).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 11.32: śrī-bhagavān
uvāca (The Blessed Lord said): || <i>kālo 'smi loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddho </i>||
~ "Now I am Time (kālo 'smi), the destroyer of all." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Alternatively:
"Time I am, the shatterer of worlds." ~ He is referring to the cosmic
phenomenon of "dissolution".</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, in
the Trinity test in New Mexico. Oppenheimer, often called the "father of
the atomic bomb", remarked later that it brought to (his) mind words from
the Bhagavad-Gita. He interpreted it as: "Now I am become Death, the
destroyer of worlds." ~ <i>We knew the world would not be the same. A few
people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. ... I suppose we
all thought that one way or another</i>.]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, BG 10.33: || </span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">aham evākṣayaḥ kālo</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ "I am also
inexhaustible time."<span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">And, BG 10.34: || </span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</span></i><span style="color: #0c343d;">m</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am
the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~
Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all
that shall come into being.")</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">[<u>Note</u>: The above verses could be a reference to the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' - the </span><span class="text"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar or </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="blue"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span></span></span></span>. ~ Unlike the Krishn-avatar - a 'Purna-Avatar'</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> (~ one in whom divinity is manifested fully, indicative of all 16 divine attributes), the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' is addressed as 'Jagat-patih' - Sovereign/Monarch of the Cosmos or Lord of Creation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ, </span>also referred to as Kalkin and Kalaki, is<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time
is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) ~ [Kaliyug is the shortest of all eras/yugs. The later part, or the end of Kaliyug, is termed as the <i>ghor kaliyug phase</i> - the metaphoric 'Iron Age' of stagnation, ignorance and decay.] ~ This maha-avatar will "close" Kaliyug, set the stage for the next 'Maha-Yug' to manifest... and will also be the avatar of the next 'Maha-Yug' - which will commence with the advent of a whole new era/yug - the next Sat Yug or Satya Yug (~ the metaphoric "Golden Age" of progress, positivity, fresh thinking, prosperity, vigour, rejuvenation, etc). ... There will be no further individual avatars after the coming of the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>Avatar</i> comes from the Sanskrit 'Avatirna'. Avatar = manifestation.</span></span>]</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">BG 10.33: || <i>akṣarāṇām
a-kāro 'smi</i> || <span style="color: #351c75;">~ "Of letters I am the letter 'A'."</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is also referring to the latent spiritual energy lying dormant at the base of the spine - <span style="color: #351c75;">the</span> kundalini energy<span style="color: #351c75;">. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The sound 'A' is the foremost of the sounds.
All the alphabets begin with the letter 'A', thus is number 1. Before number
one it can only be zero (shunya). ~ Zero (shunya) is the potential Creation,
the <i>Cosmic Egg</i>, which would manifest in due course of time, and Fire (Cosmic
Fire/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence or the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahm-jyotih' / 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy) is the basis for such manifestation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> All the planes of
existence are the result of the work of <i>Agni</i> (Cosmic Light or Light Divine - the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>
Absolute OM). Agni transforms; transforms that
which is subtle to gross and also transforms the gross to subtle. In the
beginning it is from subtle to gross and later from gross to subtle. The
evolution and involution is the work of Agni. ~ The whole
creation-related work
commences from Agni, and Agni is the one who emerges from the unfamiliar
to the
known as the Cosmic Bang - indicative of the commencement of the cosmic
phenomenon of "Creation". ~ Thus, it is probably said: Brahma emerged
from the Cosmic Egg due to the Cosmic Bang. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The dynamism in us is also Fire. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ The Kundalini
'Fire' causes enlightenment of the brain cells. </span>But enflaming the Kundalini
'Fire' requires service to the fellow beings, to the society (steadfast, selfless/nishkam
service or action... that contributes towards a better society.) One has to dedicate
oneself to nishkam karm - without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is not ignited. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
Agni: exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at
the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual
energy known as the <i>kundalini.</i></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kundalini
Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the
diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is
Electric Fire (brilliant white). <span style="color: #4c1130;">As one progresses regularly (in nishkam karm),
the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' (Solar Fire) grows. Just as the morning Sun who is
Golden in colour grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized
at the eyebrow centre (ajna chakra - the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) rises to Ajnea
center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ... This is the final
state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. ~ When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the
opening of the (symbolic) Third Eye.</span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The
sixth chakra, the third eye chakra</span>, is
located in the center of the forehead above the eyebrows. The
orientation
is self-reflection and the main function is seeing, cognizance and
accurate interpretation. In this chakra, an individual aims to open his
or her internal
wisdom and see at a deeper, more <i>perceptive</i> level. One can do this though the <i>third eye center</i>
which is located between the eyes and is the organ for <i>inner
perception.</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i> Opening the third eye allows an individual to see the big
picture, transcend egocentricity, and find the deeper meaning inherent in
all things (para vidya). As inner sight develops, illusions disappear, clarity begins, and consciousness (cit) extends yet
another step beyond what was available through the lower five chakras alone. As an individual makes his or her way up from the root chakra and
out the crown of the head (<span style="color: #4c1130;">sahasrara</span>), he or she is gaining insight and delving deeper into his or her
internal wisdom. And so, a person's actions become not only significant and purposeful,
but also thoughtful. This road to thoughtful action is cognizance and accurate interpretation, <i>insight</i> - it guides an individual towards responding and
acting appropriately (~ the path of "dharma" and "nishkam karm-yog"). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~</span> <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Chakras</span> are centers of
Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the
physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>
are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Kundalini
</span>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy)
to be fully</i> '<i>awakened</i>'<i>. ~ And <span style="color: #351c75;">this</span> happens when the latent spiritual energy lying d<span style="color: #351c75;">ormant at the base of the spine - kundalini</span> - reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>
chakra - the <span style="color: #351c75;">Sahasrara</span> or crown chakra (the highest chakra). ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;">The symbolic crown jewel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">............................................................</span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Gayatri
Mantra</span>,
also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Savitr Mantra</span>, is the greatest mantra (spiritual experience or self-reflection - to
connect with the Higher Self (universal consciousness); <i>not</i> ritualistic or mechanical chant).<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> A
24-syllable hymn from the Rig Veda, it is one of the most auspicious and oldest
of mantras. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The auspicious Gayatri Mantra is considered one of the most
universal mantra, invoking the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested </i>(avyaktah, nirakaar - without form) Absolute OM/Brahmn
(~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine or Divine Effulgence - the impersonal Brahm-jyotih or 'Aadi
Shakti') as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial
sun.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This auspicious mantra also invokes the <i>saguna, vyaktah, sakaar</i> (manifested + with qualities) 'Brahm-putri' - the Almighty. [Putri = manifestation, embodiment, personification.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ BG 10.35: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">gāyatrī chandasām aham</span> ||</i> ~ "I am Gayatri mantra among the Vedic mantras."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Primordial Sun = Impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>niraakar,
avyaktah</i> - without form) Absolute OM or Absolute Brahmn.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Savitr = the Sun-god (Surya-dev) - the majestic effulgent Sun-god (Sūrya,
Aaditya). ~ In other words: Pratyaksh-Brahmn.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pratyaksh = embodiment. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Pratyaksh-Brahmn: since the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM (Brahmn)
is Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Divine Effulgence - it cannot be seen with mortal eyes. | And so, the Sun-god or Surya-dev is considered to be its <i>embodiment</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>through</i></span> the majestic, effulgent Sun-god
(Surya-dev) we can (in a manner of speaking) 'see' the otherwise impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and <i>unmanifested</i>
(avyaktah, narakaar - without form) Absolute Brahmn ~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine or Divine Effulgence - <i>Brahm-jyotih</i>
or 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Thus, the majestic Sun-god <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>symbolizes</i></span> the one self-effulgent
impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM or Absolute Brahmn (~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine, Divine
Effulgence - <i>Brahm-jyotih</i> or 'Aadi Shakti'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Sun-god <i>also</i> stands for an
embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual
illumination, culture, creativity, and so on.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">BG 15.12: || </span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">yadaadityagatam
tejo jagad bhaasayate'khilam yacchandramasi yacchaagnau tattejo viddhi
maamakam</span></i></b></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span>|| </span><i>~ </i></b><i><span style="font-style: normal;">"That
light which, residing in the sun, illumines the whole world, that which is in
the moon and in the fire - know that light as Mine."</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"You shine, all living things emerge. You disappear, they go to
rest. Recognizing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun, arise; let each day be
better than the last." ~ the Rig Veda.</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Technically speaking, what promotes life is the energy of the sun. The
rays from the sun not only support life, but the rays of the sun are indeed the
source of life itself. It enhances the efficacy of the life principles,
including one's body, mind and soul. ~ When one prays to or
meditates upon the sun, one is <i>also</i> visualizing the sun's rays
streaming forth into one's body, mind and soul... guiding him or her
through the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa).</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Gayatri Mantra: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat</span> </i>||</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pronounced</u>:</span> ||
OHM BUR BOO-VAH SVA-HA TAHT SAH-VEE-TOOR VAHR-EHN-YUM BHAHR-GO DEH-VAHS-YAH
DEE-MAH-HEE DEE-YOH YOHN-AH PRAH-CHOD-DAH-YAHT ||</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Meaning</u>:</span> AUM. Let the light of Savitri (the goddess of dawn and embodiment of the sun - </span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa) =</span></i></span> Universal Consciousness or Higher Self) enter into My Spirit and illumine My mind and enrich My Spirit (individual consciousness or mere Self).</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">This, in a nutshell, explains 'Self-realization' or Paramatma-realization</span>
~ the realization of the <i>Infinite</i> 'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I' ~ the
confluence or convergence of the individual consciousness (mere Self or
jiva-atma) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self or Supersoul/Atman - the
Param-atma) ~ leading
to an individual's spiritual and intellectual awakening and evolution - one's
progress as a human being. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ In other words: the
journey towards inner perfection and Supreme Enlightenment.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore expressed it as: '<i>aamar
modhye tomaar prakash tai ato madhur</i></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">'</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>. </i></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aanandamayi Chaitanyamayi</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghQP8mxYywY"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></a>.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ BG 10.35: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>gāyatrī chandasām aham</i></span><i> ||</i> ~ "I am Gayatri mantra among the Vedic mantras."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This is because Goddess Sarasvati is the manifestation of the
impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM or Absolute Brahmn.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->She, as the manifested OM/Brahmn ~ Para Brahmn - the Almighty (~ Cosmic Entity - Mahat or
Ishvari) is thus, Brahma-putri. ['Putri' = manifestation, embodiment or
personification.] ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">She is the Absolute Truth (Sat/Satya) - the eternal divine person/entity.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is the <i>deity</i> (manifestation, personification or embodiment) of
Gayatri (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>refer the above passages</i></span>); the fountain of fine arts and science. She is also <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Savitri</i> - the goddess of dawn</span> -
who dispels the fog of ignorance and confusion... and lights the <i>diya</i> or
lamp of Eternal Knowledge (non-transient knowledge) - i.e. the wisdom of knowledge or the light of wisdom - enlightenment - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>para vidya</i></span> ~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the ability to see the big picture, transcend egocentricity, and find the deeper meaning inherent in all things. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mere Mann Ke... Var de Var de'</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47PthgCd_eM"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.] </span>~ This happens as inner sight develops; then illusions disappear, clarity begins, and consciousness (individual consciousness/sentience - the mere Self) extends yet
another step beyond what was available through the lower five chakras alone. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Rajanikanta Sen's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tumi
Nirmala Karo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGoq6cLXL70"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->] ~ As one makes his or her way up from the root chakra and
out the crown of the head, he or she is gaining insight and delving deeper into his or her
internal wisdom. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Then actions become not only significant and
purposeful, but also thoughtful. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->This road to thoughtful action, is <i>insight</i> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(seeing the larger picture): which guides an individual towards
responding and acting appropriately. It also </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->adds meaning and depth to his or her lives. [The Sanskrit word <i>sara</i>
means essence and <i>sva</i> means self. Thus, <i>Sarasvati</i> denotes the
essence of the self. ~ Possibly indicative of Atman - the Higher Self.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Goddess Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in her
role as a goddess of knowledge (not merely text-bookish or transient knowledge -
<i>apara vidya</i>) - hence she holds a lotus - the symbol of true (non-transient) or eternal knowledge
- <i>para
vidya.</i> [Maybe the lotus
symbolizes the Sahasrara - <i>refer relevant passages</i>.] ~ Goddess Sarasvati is
wisdom personified. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In the Rig Ved, SarasvatI is a river as well as its
personification as a goddess. [Veda = The Book of Knowledge/The Book of
Enlightenment. Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root
"vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya",
which also means: knowledge.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Goddess Sarasvati is depicted as extremely fair-complexioned and clad in <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>pristine white attire. ~ This could be indicative of the highly revered Puṇḍarīka (<span class="med1">Pundarika) or Pankaja/Svetakamala/DhavalaH
kamala or Shubhra Kamala - "pure white
lotus". [Dhavala is </span><span class="med1"><span class="med1">pronounced as DA wahl.] </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Pure white symbolizes pristine - purity of mind (supreme or highest enlightenment or the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained), calmness, serenity and spiritual perfection + embodiment of true (non-transient) eternal knowledge (Para
Vidya). It also signifies tranquility. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Pure white lotus could also be a
reference to the final state of kundalini energy - when it reaches the Sahasrara - the 7th chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra, signifying t</span>he light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti
Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>White <span class="highlight_yellow">reflects all the colours of the visible light spectrum to the eyes. </span>The sum of all the colours of light add up to white. Thus, white is the blending of all colours. [White light is made up primarily of red, blue and green.] ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">Light appears colorless or white. Sunlight is white light that is
composed of all the colours of the spectrum. A rainbow is proof. We
can't see the colours of sunlight except when atmospheric conditions bend
the light rays and create a rainbow. One can also use a prism to
demonstrate this. Thus, white is a combination of all colours, i.e. </span><span style="font-size: small;">white
reflects all colours. </span><span style="font-size: small;">White objects, tend to reflect all types of light equally well, and tend to
reflect most of the light falling on it. ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">An object we call 'white' reflects all
wavelengths of visible light and therefore could be considered all-coloured. </span><span style="font-size: small;">White light contains light of all frequencies. In that sense, white is a
combination of all colours. [~ Rainbow is called Meghdhanush, Ramdhanu or Indra-dhanuSha in Sanskrit. It symbolizes hope. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Indra-dhanuSha = bow of Lord Indra, king of the gods (Devas - Higher Beings). The Almighty is Mahendra - Lord of Indra.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sarasvati Mantra, 'Pranam mantra' or Sanskrit prayer: </span>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>OM Sarasvati
Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamalalochaney </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i>|</i></b><i> Viswarupey Vishalakshi, Vidyam Dehi
Namohastutey || Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta
Haarey | Veena Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati, Devi Namohastutey</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ O, the great Goddess
Sarasvati, the lotus-eyed personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess,
taking the form of the whole universe (~ large-eyed in the Vishwaroop or Viraat-roop - the Universal Form, or [maybe] the Primal Form), thou shower us with all the powers and
glories of all knowledge that exist. </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> Salutations to the Goddess who is wisdom
personified, who is the Goddess of knowledge and arts, whose essence is
all-pervading; who is serene and adorned in radiant white attire (embellished with white flowers and white pearls); who is bearer
of the musical instrument (veena) and a book (pustak); O wise and benevolent
Goddess Sarasvati (Bharati - the Goddess of fine speech/persuasive powers/
vāk or vāc), we pay our respectful obeisance unto you. May you bless
and guide us.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">'</span>Sarasvati Vandana Mantra<span style="color: #351c75;">'</span></span> (for guidance and the wisdom of knowledge, or the light of wisdom: <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tVppu4JJ60"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i>) </span><span style="color: #351c75;">||</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> "<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>May Goddess
Sarasvati, who is fair like the jasmine-coloured moon, and whose pure white
garland shines like (i.e is as bright as) frosted dew drops [dew is the purest form
of water]; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests
the veena, and whose throne is a pure white lotus blooming in a wide stretch of water (neluhini); who is surrounded and
respected by the Gods, bless us. May the goddess fully remove our lethargy,
sluggishness, and ignorance.</i></span>" || </span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ It is believed that Goddess Sarasvati endows humans with the powers of
fine speech/<span class="text">vāk</span> (persuasive powers) and the wisdom of knowledge (~ the ability to discriminate between the enduring or the essentials and evanescent/trivial or between positive and negative aspects - like the swan). </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Her symbolic four hands represent four aspects of human personality in
learning: mind, intellect, alertness and self. She plays the music of
compassion, wisdom, assimilation, universal love and life on a string instrument called
the veena. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The goddess is not associated with transient or trivial aspects - thus the imagery of a swan.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="med1">T</span>he light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti
Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Shri Ganesh represents <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>a set of qualities</i></span>: great retention power or
vast intelligence (as symbolized by the elephant head - implying elephant's
memory). The elephant-head: represents calm disposition, intelligence,
perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom as well as the wisdom of knowledge. [The light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti
Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns.]<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> The big head = think big.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ Talent, steadfast effort or endeavour (towards a positive deed, such as: contributing to the society) aught to be nurtured, appreciated and acknowledged. These make the world a better place. ~ It is also important to develop a broader vision or to take a holistic view... so as to not miss out on the enduring or essential aspects. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">~ However, if the mind is focused on the ephemeral, then the mind lacks the
mental maturity and intellectual discrimination (of the swan) to distinguish
between the positive and negative aspects as well as between the eternal
(enduring or essential) and the evanescent (unimportant, superficial or trivial). </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">Being enthralled in superficial nitpicking and/or mixing up two entities that are not similar or are completely different = inability to understand the bigger picture. ~ This in turn reflects on society and civilization (i.e. on societal or civilizational values and ideals). ~ Excessive focus on unimportant or transient aspects cloud the mind and intellect; one then tends to overlook the enduring i.e. not perceive, understand or experience the larger picture </span><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>airāvataḿ gajendrāṇāḿ</i></span> || ~ "Of lordly elephants I am Airavata". </span></span><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">~ This could be a reference to Sri Ganesh. [~ </span></span></span>Sri Ganesh represents a set of qualities.]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text">~ The small eyes
= concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise,
more efficiency (complete opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent
trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in
other words: non-ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening
ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing'). The single tusk = retaining the good and discarding the rest. Also: non-extravagant. The big body (Maha-Kaaya) = immense strength: to stop all
obstacles - in the path of good deeds or actions. The large stomach = not constricted; <i>digests</i> or accepts everything (all that life has to offer) without being affected. The swift <i>mooshika-vahana</i>
(the 'mooshika' or the <i>mouse</i> as 'vehicle') - represents: <i>swiftness</i>
(obviously), but a <i>mooshika</i> finds its way through all kinds of terrains
and tears down all sorts of obstacles (vighn) - with its sharp teeth. ~ And, since the <i>mooshika</i>
is his 'vaahan' or vehicle - the latter remains under control and
cannot take Sri Ganesh for a ride. In other words: lack of negative
greed or avoidable desire. The <i>parasu</i> or axe = to strike down all obstacles in the path of good (positive) deeds. The
rope + lotus = to pull an individual closer to the goal + to pull him or her away from
negative aspects, negative thinking, and the like. [<span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span>A <i>lotus</i> grows in muddy water
yet remains untouched by it.] The palm in <i>abhaya mudra = </i>blessings + reassurance. The tasty <i>Modakas</i> = the rewards/fruition of one's single-minded efforts [karm-yog.] All that Sri Ganesh
symbolizes can achieve any goal or purpose: <i>Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> When
one prays to Sri Ganesh, one is essentially praying to be bestowed with all
these traits or qualities so as to be able to surmount all odds and impediments... and complete a good deed
or task successfully always (Sarvadaa). Hence, Sri Ganesh is worshiped <i>before</i> the commencement of
any auspicious task. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Gan + esh = Ganesh. ~ 'Gan' can indicate people (gana) or even good traits (guna). 'Esh' = the best of or the master of. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span>Lord Buddha is depicted with large ears, while the similarity between Sri Ganesh and the Laughing Buddha is remarkable. Goddess Sarasvati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography.]</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><i><b>*</b><span style="color: #4c1130;">The lotus in muddy water</span></i> is not to be misconstrued as: a lotus flower
blooms brightly if more mud is poured on it. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The roots of a lotus are <span class="ilad">in the mud (muddy water)</span>, <span class="ilad">the stem</span>
grows up through the (muddy) water, and the heavily <span class="ilad">scented</span>
flower lies pristine above the water,<i> </i>basking in the sunlight. ~ The
lotus remains <i>Nirmal</i> (pristine), even though rooted in the muddiest
waters. <i>~ This pattern of growth signifies the </i><i>progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism (attachment
to sense objects - glory, fame, accolades, etc), through <span class="ilad">the waters</span> of experience,
and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment (the wisdom of knowledge).</i> ~ The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>lotus</i></span> represents a self-realized soul (one who has achieved inner perfection);
the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>muddy water</i></span> represents sense objects. The lotus remaining <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Nirmal</i></span>
(pristine), even though rooted in the muddiest waters - represents
non-attachment to sense objects and the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment </i>(Jeevan Mukta).
~ It is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). The spirit of
such persons is pristine (Nirmal).</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or "lotus feet" and kara-puṣkara or
"lotus-palm" has come about. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The goals and objectives is important ~ so long there is non-attachment to sense objects (personal accolades, fame, etc) and so
long the means (ingenuity, etc) is a step towards the greater cause - the
larger or collective good ~ e.g. working towards creating a better (progressive and vibrant) society. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="st">The </span><span class="st">lotus flower and the swan (hamsah) are (thus) embodiments of <i>nishkam karm</i> and inner detachment
(Jeevan Mukta - the <i>dharmic freedom</i> of inner detachment) and exemplify a
true yogi - a real ascetic (hamsan) or </span>sanyaasi (~ it indicates inner detachment or jeevan mukt - not
renunciation). ~ Such a one is<span class="st"> a true yogi<i> - a </i></span><span class="st"><i>nishkam karm-yogi</i>. Such a yogi is called <i>hamsah - the swan</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is also known as <i>Hamsah</i> - the swan; his was the highest dharmic mission. Humanity was faced with bigger and mightier
odds/challenges/impediments in Dvapar than in Treta, but this did not deter
him. He was </span><span class="hp">clear-eyed (non-deluded) and steered the course through tortuous events ~ to put things on firmer ground (upward trajectory or a positive turnaround).</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The lotus is an aquatic perennial plant. The lotus flower is considered divine and represents the purity of the mind (highest enlightenment) and consciousness (inner perfection). Lotus is the embodiment of spiritual perfection. It defines the capacity of
the soul to expand and embrace the beauty of life with a clear
conscience. ~ This magnificent flower emerges from the muddy waters
of a pond or lake, but still remains unstained by the mud
surrounding it in the pond or lake. This unique quality of the flower is
believed to represent a higher soul (mahatmanah), beauty (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sundar = <i>sattvic</i> traits - auspiciousness, goodness, non-selfish and devoid of narrow perspective; in other words: inner perfection) and transcendence. The quality of the lotus flower to remain unblemished by the water
and mud of the pond, where it grows, is compared with the quality of a
wise and spiritually enlightened person, who performs his or her duty without
any material desire. This quality of detachment enables
one to remain unaffected by all worldly pleasures and gain, and achieve
spiritual perfection. The lotus bud is compared with a folded soul, which has the ability to blossom or awaken to realize the divine
truth. ~ This symbolizes the journey from the darkness of ignorance to the
light or spiritual illumination. (<i>Asato maa Sat-gamaya</i> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>Tamaso maa Jyotir-gamaya</i> ~ From delusion or illusion lead us to the Truth [eternal/non-transient knowledge or highest enlightenment - <i>para vidya</i>) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> From darkness/ignorance or confusion lead us towards light and wisdom...)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><i>Airavata</i> is said to have been white in colour. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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Burma (also: Burmah, now Myanmar) was actually Brahm Desha or the 'Land of
Brahm'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Sindhu and SarasvatI rivers too were regarded by the Rig Vedic people as the
holiest of holy grounds - <i>Brahmadesa</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Sarasvati. [Putra or Putri indicates manifestation, personification or
embodiment.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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major river in Burma has now been anglicized to Irrawaddy, but is pronounced very
differently in the Burmese tongue as Ayeyarawati. This is because: it is
derived from the Sanskrit name <i>Airavata</i> (~ maybe it issued forth from a
mountain snout or rock shaped like the mouth of an elephant). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Besides, the <i>Acirvati</i>
was an ancient river flowing through what are now Nepal and the northern
portion of Uttar Pradesh. The Aciravati was also known as the Ajiravati or the
Airavati. The Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang knew it as A-chi-lo. Jain texts
mention it as Eravai. ~ The ancient city of Sravasti stood on the western bank of
the Aciravati. It was one of the five great rivers that constituted the Ganges
group of rivers. It was one of the sacred rivers of the Buddhist midland. [This
system of five rivers too probably issued from a mountain snout or rock shaped
like the mouth of an elephant.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Thailand whitish-gray elephants are found. Elephants are considered special in
Thailand, and white-hued elephants in particular are regarded as sacred and
lucky because they are associated with the birth of the Buddha. Legend holds
that the more white-hued elephants found during a king's reign, the more
glorious and prosperous his reign will be. Today, they are commonly thought to
bring good luck. Most white-hued elephants are not truly white or albino, but are
paler in colour than other elephants.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><b>........................................................... </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow">BG 10.21: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i></span> || ~ "of radiance I am the radiant
sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman). ~ It is a reference to the majestic Sun-god
[Pratyaksh-Brahmn] as well as to the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form)<i> Brahmn-jyoti</i>. (<i>Refer the passages on the Gayatri Mantra</i>). ~ Goddess Sarasvati is the <i>manifestation</i> of both - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow">the majestic Sun-god
[Pratyaksh-Brahmn] + the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form)<i> Brahm-jyoti </i>(Absolute OM).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> In this verse, Krishn is also referring to the Summer Solstice (Sanskrit: Dakshinayana -
June 21 or 22.) ~ On this day even Druids celebrate. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sudarshan Vasudev Dhanvantari - the Supreme
Druid - arrives to stem the societal 'churn'/manthan whenever it
becomes too great, i.e. whenever it becomes a bane. ~ Dhanvantari, the
Supreme Druid, stabilizes and re-energizes by administering <i>aoushata</i> (cure, remedy) - so that
human society can (gradually) regain its health and vigour. [Rudra-Siva (Vaidyanatha - Lord of Remedies) and
Dhanvantari (the Supreme Druid) are non-different.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ This verse is essentially indicative of Goddess Sarasvati. The <i>saguna</i>, unmanifested Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' (Rudra-Siva) is non-different.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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apon bege pagal paraa (</i><span class="textexposedshow">'flowing rapidly'<i> -
pra-sasre; </i>'moving faultlessly'<i> - akuvari)</i></span><i> path-e path-e
bahir hoye apon haara (Rudra-Siva, Sadasiva or Bhola Nath</i>...)'</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">**</span>Dakshinayana or Pitrayana is referred to as Karka Sankraman or
Karkataka Sankranti. On this day, Sun enters into Karka rashi (Cancer) [Tropic
of Cancer]. Dakshinayana or Karka Sankraman is a time for performing Pitru tarpan - to
pay respect to Pitr Devatas (ancestors), it is also a time for performing
charitable deeds, worshipping Lord Vishnu (<span class="kword">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>
cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> - the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of
the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM);</span> chanting
Vishnusahasranama stotram ("the thousand names of Vishnu"), chanting Lalita
Sahasranama stotram ("the thousand names of Goddess Lalita" - the <i>saguna</i>,
manifested Goddess Aadi Shakti; in other words: Goddess Sarasvati); worshipping
Lord Varaha (the 3rd avatar of the Dasavatara, the supreme form of <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>Goddess Narayani
- the manifested <i>saguna</i> Vishnu/Narayan - Goddess Sarasvati.) ~ Incidentally,
the current kalpa is known as "Svhetavaraha Kalpa". (Svheta = white.
Varaha = the one-tusked great boar.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>G<span class="kword">oddess
Sarasvati/Narayani is also the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer of all the worlds;
thus She is depicted as<i> Lakshmi </i>alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>
cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> - the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of
the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested</i> (avyaktah,
niraakar - without form) Absolute OM - Cosmic Light or Light Divine. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Sanskrit, <i>sahasra</i> means "a thousand" and <i>nāma</i>
(nominative, the stem is <i>nāman</i>) means, "name". </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nāman = to pay obeisance to.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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viddhi mām amṛtodbhavam airāvataḿ gajendrāṇāḿ narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</i></span> || ~ "Of horses know Me to be
Uccaiḥśravā, of lordly elephants I am Airāvata, and among humans I am the
monarch." (Cakravartin)</span></span><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">|| <i>uccaiḥśravasam aśvānāḿ viddhi mām
amṛtodbhavam </i>|| ~ Uccaiḥśravā (Uchchaihshravas): the snow-white and seven-headed flying horse, considered
the best of horses and king of horses, produced/created during the churning of
the ocean (</span>'samudra-manthan' or 'sagar-manthan' i.e. kshira-sagara manthan - for
'amrit'). </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Flying horse: peacock + swan imagery. [</span><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo
Kajal Nayona Harini</span><span style="color: #351c75;">': </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N3LoL5XdAk"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore's </span><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji
Jhara Jhara Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>': </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">li</span></a></i></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">nk</span></a></i></b></span>.<span style="color: #351c75;"> ('... <i>oi balaka-r pathakhani nitey chiney</i>...' balaka = white goose or hamsa. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<i>Meghamallar shara dinaman <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> baje jharonaro (spring, fountain) gaan</i>...' is a reference to Goddess Sarasvati</span>).]</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Here 'amrit' is a metaphor. It refers to new,
fresh or positive aspects that emerge or evolve out of societal churn (~ the proverbial </span><span class="text"><span class="text"></span>'samudra-manthan' or 'sagar-manthan' - </span><span class="text">kṣīroda, kṣīradhi or Ksheera Sagara manthan). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Lord Rudra-Siva (as 'Neelkanth' - the allegorical 'blue-throated one') </span>accepts the 'toxic aspects' or negativism resulting out of 'societal manthan/churn' - for the good of
humanity/mankind ~ to allow it to evolve, so that a better and vibrant society emerges. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
Negativism (referred to as halahala or kaalkoot) = the metaphoric 'toxic aspects' (such as: barbs, bile, confusion, ignorance, delusion, illusion, hopelessness, retrogressiveness, vanity, hubris, pettiness, inertia, apathy or indifference, narrow-mindedness, triviality, selfish concerns, and so on) which - if allowed to accumulate - would lead to stagnation and societal degeneration (i.e. degeneration or decline in civilizational values and ideals). ~ Lord Rudra-Siva's actions helps to curb these negative aspects... thereby laying the foundations for a rejuvenated and vibrant society to emerge. <span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">The River </span>SarasvatI is (also) called "she with seven
sisters" (saptasvasā). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu'
("seven rivers" - </span>Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>,
<i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">) refers to the
rivers SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum), Sindhu (Indus) and</span>
probably KubhA. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ And this should probably explain <span class="text">'the snow-white
and seven-headed flying horse', considered the best of horses and king of horses
(unicorn - the one-horned horse - symbolizing rarity and uniqueness). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>[One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is
depicted with a single tusk.] It is <i>imagery</i> - to denote rarity or
uniqueness (~ being the only one of its kind, i.e. unparalleled or extraordinary). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> On a side note: </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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SarasvatI and the seven rivers - "she with seven sisters"
(saptasvasa). ~ The story, though, may have undergone several variations and/or is largely unrelated.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="kword"><span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</span> </i></span></span>|| ~ "and among humans I am the monarch." (Cakravartin) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Cakravartin = a sagacious and sensible consensus-builder, someone with stature and a broader
outlook/vision, an able leader and administrator + guardian
(protector/preserver and guide)</span> ~ <i>kartaa</i> (the
doer), <i>maargah</i> (the path), and <i>neyah</i> (the guide).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">**</span>The month of Śrāvaṇa (Shravan) begins with the Sun's entry into Leo. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> During Dakshinayana or Pitrayana (the Summer Solstice - June 21st or 22nd) the
Sun enters into Karkataka (Karka) rashi (Cancer). [Tropic of Cancer.] Hence, Dakshinayanam or
Pitrayana is also referred to as Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti. [<i>Sankranti</i> means transition; transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi
(constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in
late July and ending in the third week of August. Śrāvaṇa begins with the Sun's
entry into Leo. [Dates of
Janmashtami are decided by the star constellations Ashtami and Rohini.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In the traditional lunar calendars,
Śrāvaṇa begins on the new moon and is the fifth month of the year. ~ The
Shravan masa vratam is the most auspicious of all vrata-s. ~ Shravan masa (the
month of Shravan) is the best time to worship Lord Vishnu (~ <span class="kword">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>
cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> - the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of
the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn)</span>. ~ People observing this vratam take meals once a day (eka bhukta bhojan) or Naktha Vratam (keeping fast during daytime
and taking <i>prasad</i> or fruits or a light meal at night). Besides Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped. [<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer of all the worlds; thus She is depicted as<i>
Lakshmi </i>alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic <i>Vishnu</i>
(the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the Absolute OM/Brahmn).] </span>Goddess Lakshmi represents not only
material wealth, but also the wealth of grains, courage, valour, wisdom, success, prosperity, well-being and eternal bliss or spiritual contentment of self-realization: sat-cit-ananda. [Though it is mentioned as grains (and unhusked rice is kept near
the idol), it means nutrition, healthy and balanced nutrition.] People generally abstain from non-vegetarian
food. ~ This is essentially done keeping the season and change of weather in mind. ~ Fruits, milk,
etc enhance one's immunity. In the coastal areas... it is thought that most
fish spawn during this period and so, abstaining from fishing during Śrāvaṇa (Shravan) will
lead to increased availability of fish throughout the year.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">BG 10.31: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś
cāsmi</i></span> || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes". ~ A crocodile can be associated with patience
and precision, but crocodile is <i>makara</i> in Sanskrit. It is
associated with </span>Makara Sankranti or Uttarayan (also known as: Pongal) - the most important Sankranti and one of the
most auspicious occasions, signifying renewal or re-energizing (~ it is, therefore,
regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase). <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sankranti</i></span> means transition; i.e. transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi
(constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next. ~ Makara Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi (Capricorn). Scientifically, this day
marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights; thus the chill of winter in on decline. In other
words, Sankranti marks the termination or closure of winter season and beginning of a new
harvest or spring season. ~ It is perhaps the only festival or occasion whose date
always falls on the same day every year: 14 January, with some exceptions, when
the festival is celebrated on 13 January or 15 January (in a leap year). ~ Makara
Sankranti marks the arrival of spring in India. ... And the spring season is
associated with Krishn; he is the personification of spring. BG 10.35: ||<i> </i><span class="text"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ ||</i></span><span class="text"> </span>~ "<span class="text">and of seasons I am spring". ~ Shyamsundar Krishn is the personification of spring. The spring season also (symbolically) indicates a new
beginning. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="text">Makara Sankranti (or Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan. [This time
of year is generally associated with Goddess Sarasvati and Lord Vishnu. </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Uttarayan begins from
the day of Makara Sankranti - heralding the arrival of
spring and marking the beginning of Vasant Panchami (~ also known as Shree
Panchami or Sarasvati Puja) - to pay our respect for knowledge and
learning (~ non-transient knowledge). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="fcknormaltext0">Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, 'uttar'
meaning northward and 'ayan' meaning movement towards. It celebrates the
Sun-god's northward movement. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Makara
Sankranti is the day when the majestic Sun-god (Suryadev or Pratyaksh-Brahmn) begins his movement towards the northern
hemisphere, and thus it signifies: <i>'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya</span></i>' - may you
go higher and higher, towards more and more Light (knowledge, prosperity,
spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on). It
is the time to shun negative thinking (downward slide, hopelessness, cynicism, moribund aspects, and so on); positive
thinking is re-energizing. ~ The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of
knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light,
the wisdom of knowledge, intellectual illumination, etc. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Makara Sankranti signifies renewal or new life: to turn away from (symbolic) negativism - confusion, delusion, ignorance, pessimism, and the like... and to begin to create a new life with bright light (within
us) - to shine brighter (i.e. inner progress).
It is a festival/occasion celebrated all over the country with great fervour, gaiety and kite-flying. [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Shankhachil or "Brahminy Kite" is distinctive and
contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and chest
and black wing tips. In India, the noble-natured Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
is considered as the contemporary representation of Garuda. ~ The Brahminy Kite (often referred to as the Singapore Bald
Eagle) is also called Shankhachil, since the white plumage of this bird is similar to
the white of a conch-shell. ~ Brahminy is derived from Brhm (non-transient knowledge or <i>para vidya</i> leading to the wisdom of knowledge - enlightenment).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Post-Makara Sankranti, when the earth begins to get closer to
the sun, the cold winter begins to yield to delightful spring. ~ Vasant Panchami
marks the beginning of Vasant or spring, when it is time for every tree, branch
and bower to spring to new life with blooms and bursts of colour and fragrance,
vibrant in festive display. ~ The flower (kusumā) is a beautiful symbol of life and
regeneration. ... Hence, the spring season is <i>Kusumakar</i> (kusumākaraḥ) or
<i>Rituraj</i>, the king of all seasons. [<span class="text">BG 10.35: || <i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i> || ~ </span><span class="kword"><span class="text"><span class="text">"and of seasons I am spring"</span>.]</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="text">..........................................................</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">BG 2.47: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā
phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> <span class="usercontent">mā
te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi</span></i></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span>|| ~ Do your duty (i.e.
imbibe the spirit of <i>dharma</i> - steadfast, tangible and effective action...
whether individual or collaborative - for the larger good, e.g. collective societal
goals, etc) ~ to the best of your ability. Overcome your limitations. Avoid
action(s) not backed by adequate thoughtful consideration/cogitation. Instead of indulging in linear thinking (leading to simplistic or utopian 'quick-fix'), cultivate
a broader vision or holistic view - to be able to comprehend the larger canvas
or bigger picture ~ so as to be able to discriminate/differentiate between the
enduring or essentials and transient aspects (superficial or trivial). Concentrate
on your convergences. Do not highlight your divergences. Shun lethargy and
volubility (loquacity and grandiloquence). Overcome inertia. Imbibe positivism
(in attitude and approach). Never lose hope.</span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[In other words: Perform your karm (to the best of your ability) - for the
larger/collective good... and leave the rest to God. Also: Never give up. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ Cultivate mental equanimity: don't be deterred by lack of instant solutions or outcome; try not to feel exalted or carried away by success, accolades, fame, etc; try not to feel dejected or overwhelmed by barbs, bile, impediments, and so on. These are transient aspects. Instead, endeavour to
remain cheerful (positive attitude/morale). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Collective shirking of
responsibility or being a fence-sitter or being weak-minded is not advisable. Rather,
the focus should be on an objective understanding of the genesis, prioritization, longer-term planning (not ad hoc fixes) and performing well-thought out + collaborative, tangible, sustained karm-yog (continuous effort) - as best as possible. Perfunctoryness or platitude is not a substitute. Nor is pessimism, despondency, cynicism, complacency, procrastination, etc advisable. Be a problem-solver; remain steadfast in
reaching
the collective societal goals/objectives. Develop inner fortitude. ~ Frustration or dejection is for the
weak-minded, and serves no purpose. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">The higher cause (the
greater good) and the struggle (continuous effort) alone should inspire the thoughts and actions. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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that it is simply a matter of doing the <i>dharmic</i> thing (e.g. for a better
society to emerge) - <i>not</i> for the
results or outcome, <i>not</i> out of desire for personal glory or fame.
Nothing more, nothing less. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn's advise is: do your duty. Let your life become
one with the cause of the greater whole. That, and that alone.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Collaborative karm-yog <i>also</i> provides a national sense of direction, of
collective achievement; it helps build character and mettle, otherwise a
glorious past is no guarantee for a great future. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While in Japan Tagore wrote: "The Japanese do not waste their
energy in useless screaming and quarreling, and because there is no waste of
energy it is not found wanting when required. This calmness and fortitude of
body and mind is part of their national self-realization."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ Krishn was a most extraordinary figure - at a crucial turn of our history. He led by example, and instructed through his own behaviour
(acharan) - the mark of a true <i>guru</i>. His was
the highest <i>dharmic</i> mission; by his very appearance and diligent efforts, he not only
revived/reinvigorated the principles of <i>dharma</i> (dharma-samsthapanarthaya),
he also urged (advised) humanity to action (karm) - <i>to <span style="font-style: normal;"><i>duty</i>. To karm yog. </span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The maha-avatars are Cosmic Teachers and
steward-mentors. They impart lessons and advise through their own behaviour and actions. It
is for humanity to comprehend the lessons imparted via the words and deeds.</span><span class="textexposedshow" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Krishn comes across as ubercool - sorted and approachable, and not some distant authoritative figure.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">... The Rig Vedic people
regarded the region between the Sindhu and SarasvatI rivers as the holiest of
holy grounds - Brahmadesa (possibly a reference to Brahm-putri). </span><span class="hp">BG
10.24: || <i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i> ||</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> </b></span></i><span class="textexposedshow">They developed
a unique world-view blending material prosperity with spirituality and a
scientific temper (knowledge, innovation and creativity). Spirituality (not to
be misconstrued for ritualism or religiofication) and contentment (sat-cit-ananda)
constituted the core of the accepted value system. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span>Krishn
(or for that matter, Chanakya) emphasized on <i>dharma</i> (that which makes a
human a human: duties and responsibilities - whether performed individually or
collaboratively - resulting in or contributing towards the larger societal goals)
and diligent <i>karm-yog </i>(steadfast, well-thought-out action(s) instead of adhoc
fixes, ritualism or ceremonialism, platitudes or insouciance).<i> </i>They
advised against blinkered or unifocal worldview. It is counterproductive. ... Instead,
they exhorted for a wise, holistic understanding and perspective - to make the
effort to comprehend the larger picture. E.g. Chanakya viewed Alexander's
arrival as an event that could completely transform the essence of the cherished
civilizational values and ideals... and thus the ethos of the land. [He did not
see Alexander as a marauder or likely plunderer of ancient India's fabled
riches.] ~ Krishn too viewed the probability of Duryodhan's ascension to the
throne in the same light. ~<span style="color: #660000;"><b></b></span> Besides, an assortment of destructive weaponry and unnatural
humans (sort of human-like humanoids - begotten through advanced genetic engineering
and cloning technology) had to be done away with ~ so as to let human
civilization progress and flourish naturally, organically and peacefully. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Some genetic defects were found in subsequent generations
which too were set right through medical procedures. 'Kaalsarpa Dosha', 'Sarpa
Dosha' or 'Nag Dosha' refers to genetic disorder. A genetic disorder is an
illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. ~ If one observes the
shape of DNA, it resembles two snakes coiled together (something we now refer
to as: DNA coiled into the double helix structure as a ladder, a twisted rope
ladder, or a spiral staircase). In ancient times, the Rishis or Munis (honorifics for highly learned
and knowledgeable persons) visualized everything - and thus (euphemistically or maybe
symbolically) referred to DNA as 'Sarpa', and any disorder in the DNA was hence
termed as 'Sarpa Dosha'. [Dosha = bio-energies found in the body.] ~ Raja
Janamajaya/Janamejaya's 'yagna' (euphemism for a 'scientific procedure') to correct
'Kaalsarpa Dosha' or genetic disorder took up twelve years. [~ A big chunk of the 'yagna' etc
mentioned in our ancient texts is a reference to one or the other
scientific or medical procedure. From the narrative one can figure out what sort
of procedure has been indicated. Also, the logo of the Indian Medical
Association is self-explanatory.] ~</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Parikshit is derived from the word "Parikshan" - indicating
a 'test' or 'scientific procedure' (unnatural human?) There is a 'sarpa' involved in the story of Parikshit (Janamejaya's father) - though the story has largely been mistranslated.
This 'sarpa' is indicative of some genetic disorder. ... Maybe <i>Rishi</i> Shameek
and his son (Shringi) diagnosed this disorder, but were unable to
cure it. Perhaps during the procedure itself or while undergoing
therapy the disorder aggravated and/or his body reacted negatively to the
therapy or medication and thus, Parikshit died (as indicated by 'Takshak hiding
himself within an apple'.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thereupon, Parikshit's son Janmejaya ascended the throne... and promptly
took remedial measures - to correct his own genetic anomaly or disorder ('Sarpa
Dosha' or 'Kaalsarpa Dosha'). In all likelihood, Janmejaya probably engaged a number of renowned Maharshis, Rishis and Munis (honorifics for highly knowledgeable and
learned persons) - to conduct research and experiments... so as to find a
remedy. ~ And this time - after twelve years' of continuous efforts - they were
successful.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Due
to the positive actions of Sri Ram and his siblings (which benefited society), Treta accepted humans born due to IVF therapy (~ and this would have
helped childless couples too), while Dvapar rejected genetically engineered and
cloned humans. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There were two Magadha-s: one on the eastern parts of
modern India (consisting of eastern U.P., Bihar,
possibly Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha) and the other on the
western parts of ancient India. ~ The latter (the one on the western parts of
ancient India) was also known as Prachya - Eastern Country; maybe east to the Persians, Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Apparently, "The
Indus skirts the frontiers of Praesii".</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">There is no River Indus in
the eastern parts of modern India.</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> After the great
dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress -
for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society to emerge) - <i>this</i>
Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with the new capital
Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ <i>this</i> 'Ganges'
could be a reference to ancient India... and not the river). <span class="text">BG
10.31: || </span><span class="text"><i>srotasām
asmi jāhnavī</i> || ~ "and of flowing
waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span>~ Jarasandh, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later
the Guptas were associated with <i>this</i> Magadha - the one on the western
parts of ancient India. ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled <i>this</i> kingdom. And
even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned
far and wide. ~ Lord Krishn founded <i>this</i> city of Pataliputra (<i>~ Palibothra</i>
or Palimbothra to the Greeks) - 138 generations before the reign of
Chandragupta Maurya. [~ Krishn is <i>Lohitah</i> or Rohit - pale-red in complexion. Pale-red = paTalaH in Sanskrit. Putra = embodiment, personification or manifestation. ~ Lotus is one of the few flowers that has fascinated mankind since time immemorial, with its exotic beauty. Lotus also inspires the human mind to achieve perfection (inner perfection) even in adversities. It is always possible to overcome the tribulations of life to attain fulfillment and perfection (inner perfection). ~ The lotus flower signifies a 'way of life' based on dharma (strong dharmic principles and virtues), purity (inner perfection), dignity, wisdom and harmony. The pale-red lotus is the Supreme Lotus; this lotus is highly revered and signifies the highest deity. Krishn thus embodies or personifies the highest lotus (paTalaH-putra or Pataliputra.) In other words: He is the manifestation of the pale-red lotus. Goddess Lakshmi is also associated with the pale-red lotus. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> A pale-red lotus denotes the state of a person's mind; a full-bloomed pale-red lotus means: Supreme or highest Enlightenment or the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained - the state of a Buddha.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ The lotus grows elegantly out of the muddy waters, unaffected and
untouched by the mud, so it is considered supreme among all
flowers, and is often compared to a person with strong virtues (including selflessness) and <i>dharmic</i> principles.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The all-conquering Alexander did not cross the Indus
region. Rather, his <span class="textexposedshow">career pretty much came to a
halt... after his brief encounter with the mighty king of the Indus region - Raja
Paurava (Parvateshvar or Puru; Porus to the Greeks). [Paurava hailed from the
Puruvansh (Pauravas) or the Bharatas/Bharatvansh - descendents of Raja Yayati's
youngest-born Puru.] ~ </span>The Greeks however had some success ruling as
kings in north-western cities such as the one in Takshashila...
the decline of which marked the decline in Indian education, thought and
structure (direction, innovation, cohesion, etc). However, the so-called Macedonian empire in the east lasted less
than ten years after the invasion. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Quintus Curtius mentions that when
Alexander squared off against King Porus (also known as: Puru, Paurava or Parvateshvar)...
Porus' soldiers were carrying an image of 'Herakles' in their vanguard. ~ Megasthenes' Herakles was <i>not</i> the classical Greek
deity <i>per se</i>. ...</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> Megasthenes was reasonably
familiar with the places he visited in ancient India.</span> During his travels
(as the ambassador of the Seleucids) at the time of the reign of Samrat Chandragupta
Maurya of the Maurya Empire/Dynasty (lineage)... Megasthenes came upon an Indian deity, a
fascinating figure... and equated him with the classical Greek divinity -
Herakles. <i>This</i> Herakles was none other than Krishn or Hari-Krishna.
~ Megasthenes also described an Indian clan called <i>Sourasenoi</i>, who
especially worshipped 'Herakles' in their land, and this land had two cities,
Methora (Mathura) and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. ... As was common
in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign deities/gods in
terms of their own divinities, and there is little doubt that the 'Sourasenoi'
refers to the Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus <span class="textexposedshow">~ a
branch of the Yadu clan/kula (descendents of Raja Yayati’s eldest-born Yadu).
Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage
of Harikula or Harivansh. [The Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or
late Greek <i>Sarakēnos</i>) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, apart from
the Vrishnis. [Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as
Varshneya.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya very likely was a Vrishni. He is called </span>Brahmana (an honorific + indicative of his personality traits or innate nature) since he trod the path of knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment (the wisdom of
knowledge; also: he was a highly learned and knowledgable person). There are some indications that he was a "Dramila" - possibly a word used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who
escaped the great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Chanakya
probably was born into one such family. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Pandit" indicates a wise,
learned and knowledgable person. "Acharya" means: "He who
instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". <i>That is the mark of a
true teacher/guru</i>.<span class="textexposedshow">] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But what is meant by the river Erannoboas? Is it a reference to Chandrabhaga (Chenab)? ~ According to Classical accounts the river
Jomanes/Jobares (Yamuna?) flows through Palibothra (Pataliputra - built by Krishn) into the Ganges (this may not be the river, it could be a reference to ancient India) between the towns of Methora
(Mathura) and Carisobaras. ~ So, this Methora (Mathura) was very likely part of
Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). But what is meant by Carisobaras? Here,
Jomares or Jomanes (Yamuna) is very likely a metaphor. It could not have been the
river by the same name... 'coz the river Yamuna is part of the
Madhyadesa or Middle Country region (of the Mahabharata times). ~ And Krishn was not part of this region. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, who is Sandrokottas (to the Greeks)? Is it a reference to Chandragupta Maurya? ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is also reference to a king called Chandraketu (as the head of the Prabhadraka
Kshatriyas). Was this Chandraketu - Sandrokottas to the Greeks? Also, who
then was Sandrokyptos? Who was Sasicottus? And who was Xandramas?</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>...........................................................</b></span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The name <i>Basant</i> is from Sanskrit "<i>vasant</i>"
meaning "spring", and during this season of the year <i>Basant</i> may be
performed at any time of the day or night. The Raagmala gives Basant as a <i>putra</i>
(son) of Hindol, also a spring raga. Today it belongs to the Purvi thaat. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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depicts quiet joy.</span><b> </b></span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">1. <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Basant</span> by Pt. Jasraj:</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2M6GJixaOk"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>.</i></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">2.</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Hindol</span> by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi:</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTE06PzryXI"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">1</span></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">and</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvuibN95Vrg"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">2</span></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">3.</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Basant Bahar</span> by Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty: </span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SuUa24eIk"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a>. </span></b></span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">4.</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Basant</span> by Pt. Kumar Gandharva:</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bur33XHa0aE"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">5. <span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Gauri Basant</span> by Pt. Kumar Gandharva: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53mu6-cYKv4"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>. </span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">H</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ere </span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">are a couple of</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> Bhairavi Bhajans - '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jo Bhaje Hari ko Saadaa</span>' and '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prabhuh Kar Sab Dukh Duur</span>' by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqlYN2hHYtY"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>1<b> </b>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LZfrc1MEkI"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>2.</span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">T</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ruly blessed - Sarasvati-putra ~ the great masters of the ever-lasting art. Creative geniuses. Pranam.</span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;">~ A riveting masterpiece rendered impeccably - '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sarasvati Vandana</span>' (Var De Veena Vadini): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEzwETM3sE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b></span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">H</span><span style="color: #674ea7;">a</span><span style="color: #0c343d;">p</span><span style="color: #783f04;">p</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">y</span> <span style="color: #660000;">H</span><span style="color: #7f6000;">o</span><span style="color: #741b47;">l</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">i</span></b>, everyone</span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">!!!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">.........................................................</span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The first avatar - the matsya avatar - appeared as a dolphin. </span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">This is allegoric. ~ The matsya-avatar was </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">a wise and benevolent guide through the swirling waters (real and allegoric). During the last great deluge ('Mahajal Pralaya') the specially-built ships (nao) followed the path shown by the 'dolphin'. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Incidentally, a Sisumara (dolphin) also represents Sri Vishnu. ... And a
dolphin is well-known for guiding ships through turbulent waters. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There are two <i>aspects</i> to the 'dolphin'. ~ We will understand this, if we comprehend the concept of dualism or duality (Dvaita). </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">~ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The three cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation (Brahma)-Maintenance (Vishnu)-Dissolution (Shiva)' represents the
three <i>aspects</i> of the impersonal <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn <i>as</i>
the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Cosmic Trimurti - 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva'. ~ Thus, 'Sri Vishnu' is a reference to the 'Maintenance' <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Absolute OM/Brahmn ~ Cosmic Light or Light Divine - the impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi-Shakti' - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Almighty (Mahat or Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri' - manifestation/embodiment/personification [putri] of the Absolute OM/Brahmn) <i>represents</i> the saguna, <i>manifested</i>
Trimurti - 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> T</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">he Almighty is the </span><span style="font-style: normal;">higher power embedded in the fabric of the universe
(signifying permanent or eternal authority) - and is responsible for its continuing existence and operation.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution' is (therefore) represented by the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva' + <i>manifested</i> 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' (Rudra-Siva or Sadashiva) ~ signifying the dualism or duality (the concept of <i>Dvaita</i>). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For purposes of comprehension, the concept of ArdhaNarishvara or ArdhaNarishvari has come about. <b><span style="color: #660000;">||</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">brahmā vishnu sadāshiv <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>ardhāngī dhārā = To Brahmā, Vishnu and Sadashiva, partial holders of one body. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> hansānan garudāsan vrishavāhan sāje = To the One whose vehicle is the swan, the eagle, the bull. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> teeno rūp nirakhtā tribhuvan mann mohe (this should explain the 'Mohini-avatar') = The three worlds take delight in seeing Thine three forms <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> chandan mrigamad sohe bhāle shashidhārī = Anointed with chandan and musk (a reference to deer - symbolizing 'destiny'), forehead adorned with the crescent-moon. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> shvetāmbar pītāmbar bāghāmbar ange sanakādik brahmādik bhūtādik sange = To the One clad in white robes, in yellow robes, in tiger skins, worshipped by the Devas, the sages (highly learned and knowledgeable persons) and all beings. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> kar ke bīch kamandal chakra trishul dharatā jag karatā jag hartā jag pālan kartā = To the One who holds the waterpot, the sudarshan-chakra, the trident, the Creator, the Sustainer and Dissolver of the world. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> brahmā vishnu sadāshiva jānat avivekā pranavākshar ke madhye yeh tīno ekā aum jai shiv omkārā = The truly enlightened (like the swan or the self-realized) know Brahmā, Vishnu and Sadashiva are indeed one within the holy/sacred/auspicious syllable Pranava (AUM). Aum, victory to Shiva-Omkaara. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Chaander Haasir Baandh Bhengechhe</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Ens7XGwV8"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG
9.17: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ vedyaḿ pavitram oḿkāra</i></span>
|| ~ "I am the father (pitah)<i> </i>of this universe (jagato), the mother
(mata), the support (dhata) and the grandsire (pitamahaḥ). I am the bestower
of non-transient knowledge - the wisdom of knowledge leading to supreme or highest enlightenment (<i>para vidya</i> - when kundalini energy travels to the Sahasrara - the 7th chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra), the
purifier (dispeller of unwanted aspects, such as ignorance, confusion, delusion, etc) and the syllable oḿ." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Omkara = the
praṇava or <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. ~ The Almighty is saguna,
manifested OM - Para Brahmn, Brahm-putri or Omswaroop.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ If we can understand this, we will <i>also</i> comprehend: what the
impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Narayana' is all about, and what the <i>saguna</i>,
manifested 'Narayani' represents. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And then, we can also gain clarity about which of
them is indicated in the 'Dasavatara' - the ten principal manifestations (avatars) - to help and guide mankind/humanity whenever malevolence gains the upper-hand (i.e. when negativism becomes a bane) -
yuge-yuge, yug/era after yug/era ~ as per
the promised: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam
adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> </i>- BG IV-7<i> ||</i> ~ <i>dharma-samsthapanarthaya</i> - to
renew/revive/re-energize/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate the
principles of <i>dharma</i> [<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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and responsibilities - whether performed individually or collaboratively -
resulting in or contributing towards the larger societal goals]
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</xml><![endif]-->diligent
<i>karm-yog </i>(steadfast, well-thought-out action(s) instead of adhoc fixes, platitudes, insouciance, etc) ~ <i> </i>I manifest Myself (sambhavami) <i>yuge-yuge</i> - yug/era
after yug/era. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: whenever and wherever societal 'churn' (manthan) becomes too
difficult... so much so that humanity is bewildered - unable to find
a solution or direction, or is hurtling towards 'quicksand' (quagmire)... only then, the Almighty manifests - to stem the 'churn' (manthan), to
stabilize and to rejuvenate. ... In other words: When the 'churn' (manthan) becomes too great, the avatars manifest themselves to correct or reset the course. ~ Only an avatar can lift humanity from zero level or from sub-zero level (i.e. from the lowest point - from considerable
ignorance, confusion, stagnation, decay etc - signifying the metaphoric 'quicksand' or quagmire)... and put it back on an
upward trajectory; only an avatar has the capacity/caliber/ability to be
that catalyst: to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind, to prevent
humanity's slide into 'quicksand' or quagmire (or to pull it
out from one) ~ to achieve a turn-around... to set the ball rolling, so to speak. [~ And,
this should help us understand what the Varaha-avatar (the great one-tusked boar)
is indicative of. This avatar is regarded as the supreme form of Sri Vishnu; if we comprehend the concept of dualism or duality... we can also understand what this means.]<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Perhaps, only the Almighty (Mahat, Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri') is
familiar with the cosmic architecture - about the three cosmic phenomenon of
'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution' (represented by the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Trimurti of 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva'). And so, the Almighty is aware of the growth and
evolution of the Manifested Cosmos, and so on.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The impersonal<i>, unmanifested </i>Absolute OM/Brahmn (Primal Creative Energy) is beyond all thought. ~ <i>Energy has no form or gender</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> ||
</i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings
(bhutanam) I am the living force (<i>cit</i> or cetana - sentience)."<b> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> If we can understand this, we will also understand what has been meant by Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> When an individual loses consciousness ~ it is a reference to the living force or vital energy (cit or cetana - <i>sentience</i>), also known as life force or vital breath (prana).</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Purusha</span> = </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Primal Cosmic Energy (Absolute OM/Brahmn) or the Self-existent impersonal spirit/energy; </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">the
<i>Divine Essence</i>, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and
to which they return. ~ <i>Jiva-atma</i> (mere Self or individual consciousness - <i>sentience</i> or cetana - living force or vital energy) too is part of this <span style="font-style: normal;">Self-existent impersonal spirit/energy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Param-atma or Para-Brahmn represents the Atman or Supersoul - Higher Self or Universal Consciousness (<i>universal intelligence or cosmic mind</i>). In other words: the Almighty. </span>~ BG
9.4: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mayā tatam idaḿ sarvaḿ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā mat-sthāni
sarva-bhūtāni na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ</i></span> || ~ "By Me, in My unmanifested
form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in
them." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The first-half of this verse indicates the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn (Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Self-existent impersonal spirit/energy or divine essence). The latter-half is indicative of the <i>Atman</i> or Supersoul (Universal Consciousness or Higher Self - <i>Param-atma </i>or Para-Brahmn).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... For <i>this</i> confluence, i.e. for the merging or<i> confluence</i> of the mere Self (individual consciousness - <i>cetana</i> or sentience) with the Higher Self (universal consciousness; universal intelligence or cosmic mind) to happen - the gentle 'awakening' or 'rousing' of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - lying dormant at the base of the spine - is required... so that this living and conscious
energy pervades an individual's entire being. [~ 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening of the Fountain' or 'Rousing of the
Fountain'). Fountain = spring, sarasa.] ~ Devoted and unselfish service to society or humanity - Nishkam karm-yog - is one path. ... However, there is no hard-and-fast rule. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Self-realization</i></span> is the process of genuine, inner
spiritual transformation and must be experienced to be understood, since it
lies beyond the domain of scriptural description or academic definition (terminologies, etc). <span class="textexposedshow">~ The union or confluence of the <i>jiva-atma</i> (the mere Self or individual consciousness - cetana or<i> sentience</i>) with the <i>Atman</i>
(Higher Self or Supersoul - the Universal Consciousness i.e. universal
mind or cosmic intelligence - <i>Param-atma </i>or Para Brahmn) is called Sanaatan Dharma or Aadi Dharma. ~ This 'way of life' is performative and is (therefore) to be experienced.</span> <span class="textexposedshow"><i>Thus, the central concepts of dharma and
karm-yog elude translation. | </i></span>Self-realization can be described as <i>the </i><i>pathway or route to inner perfection</i> ~ one's progress as a human being... leading to Supreme or highest Enlightenment (a pure or perfect person - the state of complete wisdom, the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained - the state of a Buddha). [~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.] </span></span>... With the complete 'awakening' or 'rousing' of the kundalini energy... illusions disappear and clarity begins... thus barriers such as inflated ego, arrogance, confusion, delusion,
selfish considerations, vainglory, etc can be surmounted. This brings about self-knowledge (<i>atma-vidya</i> - self-reflection or knowledge of the Self) - leading to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat-cit-ananda</i></span> - inner joy and contentment - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization". [~ When the <i>Sat</i> (universal consciousness) pervades one's sentience or consciousness (cit) it brings about true contentment (ananda) - inner joy, peace and tranquility... melting away or surmounting ego, vanity, delusions, etc. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>~</i> '<i>Aaro
alo, aaro alo, ei nayaney prabhu (My Lord) dhalo <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
surey surey banshi purey tumi aaro
aaro aaro dao taan. ... Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey
sudhadharey aponare (universal consciousness/Supersoul/Higher Self) tumi aaro
aaro aaro karo daan</i>'.</span>] ~ Kundalini
awakening connects a <i>jiva-atma</i> (mere Self or sentience - finite 'I') to his or her <i>Atman</i> (Supersoul, Para Brahmn, Param-atma or Higher Self - Infinite 'I' - universal intelligence or cosmic mind)</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">. ~ This Atman is the eternal aspect of an individual's personality;
when an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a
Buddha (the Enlightened One - imbued with the light of wisdom or the state of complete wisdom, non-transient knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>).
~ Such a person attains <i>nirvana</i>; in other words: such a person is non-deluded - due to non-attachment to materialistic aspects or sense objects, or by the
transient nature of the material or manifested world that he or she
inhabits; such a person (therefore) gains eternal (sat or perfect [satya] i.e. non-transient) knowledge - <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">para
vidya </span>~ </i>internal wisdom or perception, insight and accurate interpretation - the ability</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> to see the larger
picture, transcend egocentricity, and to find the deeper meaning inherent in
all things. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> T</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">he
confluence or convergence of the finite into the Infinite, the mere Self (finite 'I') within
the Higher Self (Infinite 'I')... leading to an individual's spiritual and intellectual awakening and evolution ~ the journey
towards the awareness that the finite is inseparable from the Infinite<i> </i>is <i>self-realization</i>. ~ In other words: Self-realization (or
Param-atma realization) is to fully know and understand oneself (<i>atmavidya</i> - self-reflection).
Before knowing God, it is important to know oneself (<i>Atmavidya</i> or "knowledge of the
Self"). If one understands oneself... only then it is possible to understand
God, i.e. only then can one gain <i>Brahmavidya</i> or "knowledge of Brahmn", Manifested Cosmos, etc. [~ Here,<i> Brahmn</i> = Higher Self, Atman, Param-atma, Para Brahmn or Supersoul - Universal Consciousness - universal intelligence or cosmic mind.] With the realization of the
Universal Consciousness (Atman, Supersoul, Para Brahmn or Higher Self) come universal
compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher
knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cosmic Entity or Primal/Eternal Being (Para Brahmn) is <i>Purushottama</i> or Purusha-uttama (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead. ~ Mahadeva (God of Gods) or<i> adhaataa</i> - above whom there is no other. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
The impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn is <i>Omprakash </i>(Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Divine Effulgence).
~ The Almighty is Para Brahmn, Brahm-putri or <i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation or personification of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM. [~ Purusha does not mean 'male'; that is mistranslation.] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">... The Matsya kingdom of the
Mahabharata times is probably modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati hailed from this
kingdom (Matsya kingdom of the Mahabharata times), and is therefore referred to as "Matsya-kanya". (It does not mean fisher-woman or daughter of a fisherman. Kanya = female. ... In Treta or Dvapar, the concept of "caste" did not exist. An individual was known by his or her personality traits, i.e. innate nature (pravritti) and qualities (gunas or talent). It was not based on birth or heredity. ~ Even the Nandas, Mauryas and the Gupta emperors came from humble origins. Valmiki or Hanuman-ji was a "vaan-nar" - forest-(vaan)-dwelling human (nar). Maharshi Valmiki, before his spiritual transformation, was a </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->niṣāda<span style="color: #351c75;"> (nishada) or vyadh (forest-dwelling hunter-gather) known as Ratnakara. Vaan-nars, including nishadas, were adivasi. Sri Ram and his associates' sustained effort mainstreamed them, i.e. it proved to the other groups of humans that these too were full-fledged humans - with a distinct 'way of life', and not sub-humans or animals (as indicated by Hanuman-ji's symbolic tail). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Hanu" means jaw in Sanskrit. It probably refers to a prominent jaw as a distinctive facial feature of these groups. Hanuman = one with a distinctive jaw. Greeva = jawline; Su = good or handsome. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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was a seeker of knowledge, or trod the path of knowledge and/or was a wise and highly learned or knowledgeable
person was a "Brahmana". Anyone engaged in or having a talent for administrative
or defense-related activities/functions was a "Kshatriya". Someone with a
talent for mercantile or trading activities was a "Vaishya". While a person engaged in or having a talent for agro-based activities or artisanship or craftsmanship
was a "Sudra". [There was also a Sudra kingdom, an ancient kingdom mentioned in the Mahabharata.] The "varnaH-system" was essentially indicative of the available talent
and work force. It was not meant to indicate a social hierarchy, although "Brahmanas" probably were accorded respect due to their wisdom and knowledge. [~ Adivasi groups have always existed. Adi = original or foremost; vasi = dwellers. ... The "varnaH-system" enumerated four varnas. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> VarnaH = innate nature (pravritti) and qualities (gunas or talent). ~ What became of it though is a result of the post Gupta era drift and flounder; it probably started with the decline of this era. ~ The word "caste" is derived from "casta" which is a Portuguese word - meaning, 'purity of descent'. Also, the previous eras and even the pre Gupta era was much different with respect to civic sense, town-planning, etc; our ancients possessed much more knowledge and extremely advanced technology than we moderns, given our linear view of history, are willing to give them credit for. ~ Decline of the Gupta era also saw mistranslation of the ancient texts, as well as stratification of society... based on various aspects, including on gender lines.<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> Several paths centred around social reformers came about after the decline of the Gupta era... thereby giving an opportunity to various groups of people who were being marginalized in the societal 'churn' (manthan) that came about after the decline of the Gupta era. ~ It is possible that what is now known as Jainism and Buddhism too evolved during this period - to accommodate various groups of people, - i.e. to basically become part of the reform process. An objective assessment also indicates that colonization too was a part of the solution. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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= list. The concept of "outcaste" came about after the decline of the Gupta
era, as part of the societal 'churn' (manthan) for influence and power. E.g. certain
groups 'stooped to conquer' and successfully excommunicated other (influential)
groups, e.g. from the court of kings or minor rulers etc. ~ The former then replaced
the latter in position, influence, and so on. ~ Traveling overseas on board
ships (i.e. crossing the seas) too was deemed reason enough to be
excommunicated. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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medical facilities were denied, entry to places of worship was barred. Gradually
other retrogressive 'customs' came about. Doctors treating the 'marginalized' were excommunicated. In certain parts, women from so-called marginalized groups were barred from covering their upper torso; there are also instances where women from relatively well-off groups (non-marginalized) had to appear bare-torsoed in front of the priestly class, so on and
so forth. ~ One will be hard-pressed to find such parallels even in Mlechcha (savage, uncivilized) cultures.]<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> Satyavati later became the
queen of Hastinapura. ~ As for the Matsya kingdom: maybe their insignia
or emblem was that of a fish or dolphin. ... Did the matsya-avatar hail from this ancient
kingdom ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In Rajasthan there are many temples of Meenesh,
but the first Meenesh temple was in Pushkara, Rajasthan. T</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">he seventh and current
"Manu" (honorific for the overseer of a manavantar) - Vaivasvata Manu or Surya (original name: Satyavrata) is also the father of Ikshvaku
- the progenitor of the Ikshvaku lineage (also known as: </span><span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span><span class="textexposedshow"> lineage) - to which greats like Mandhata, Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and
Sri Ram belonged. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">~ Satyavrata built specially-designed ships (nao) before the last great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) - as per the advise of the Matsya-Avatar (one-horned fish). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><i>Noukeshwar </i>is at best a title
or honorific, meaning - Principal/Chief/Captain of the <i>nao</i>. (Here 'nao' or 'boat'
indicates specially-designed-and-equipped-ship.) ~ Whether 'Noukeshwar' has
been abbreviated to 'Noah' (due to the passage of time + change in
phonetics), and/or<i> </i>whether Satyavrata aka Vaivasvata Manu is also
referred to as "Noah" or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours. </i></span><span class="textexposedshow">The Maurya clan is believed
to have been an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to which Shri Gautam Buddh
belonged. The Shakya clan is in turn believed to be a tributary of the Ikshvaku
clan - to which Shri Ram belonged. The Ikshvaku clan is also known as the
Raghuvanshi lineage (Raghuvansh or Raghukula) - after Sri Ram's illustrious
ancestor, Raghu.</span> ... Sri Ram is known as Raghav (meaning: belonging to the Raghus or Raghuvansh/Raghukula - lineage of Raghu). ~ And since he is considered as the jewel of the Raghu lineage... he is therefore known as Raghupati.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Description of the Stars of S'is'umâra, our Coiling Galaxy: <span style="text-decoration: none;">Sri Vishnu (~ the Maintenance or Stabilizing<i> </i>[cosmic architecture] <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn) is <i>Swastika</i>, the coiled
baby dolphin of galaxy: Sishumara. </span>~ With its tail pointing to the end of the row of
fixed stars in the sky [dhruva] and with its head bent downwards, it has its
body coiled. The [planets of] Prajâpati, Agni, Indra and Dharma are found on
the tail with [those of] Dhâtâ and Vidhâtâ at its base. The seven
sages [Saptarishi] are situated on its hip. With its body coiling to the right there are as
its separate body parts at its northern side the constellations of the fourteen
stars [from Abhijit to Punarvasu] that mark the northern course [of the sun]
and to the south there are the same number of them [from Pushyâ to
Uttarâshâdhâ] marking the southern course. Together the both sides appear like
the coiled body of a dolphin. On its back one sees the stars called Ajavîthî and
on the belly one sees the 'celestial Ganges' [the series of stars along the
full body of the S'is'umâra we know as our Milky Way.] Some imagine this great army of luminaries to be
a s'is'umâra [a dolphin] and describe it, concentrated in yoga, as [that what
can be seen of] Sri Vishnu (~ the Maintenance/Stabilizing <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The right-handed <i>swastika</i>
symbol originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty
River SarasvatI as well as 'Aryavarsha' - also known as the
Sindhu-SarasvatI Sabhyata/Civilization (~ possibly the oldest
civilization in the world, and thus the cradle of civilization.) It is
also the sign of Sanaatan Dharma (Aadi Dharma). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">The most common design on
the Indus seals is the <i>swastika. </i>~ The Swastika </span>represents the cosmic
spinning vortex. ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the <i>swastika</i> represents the
Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the (symbolic) forefinger of Sri Vishnu. ~
This carries most significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and
the arms as 'kaalah' or time. [Time is ‘kaalah’ in Sanskrit.]</span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Swastika is considered to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune.
Red Swastika (made with red vermilion, prepared with natural ingredients) is
the sign of Sanaatan Dharma; it depicts a cross with four arms of equal
lengths. The end of each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots
are also added between the arms. The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika)
in the decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The most traditional form
of the swastika's symbolization in Sanaatan Dharma is that the symbol
represents the <i>purusharthas</i> (~ the eternal, enlightened 'way of life' guided by the <i>purusha-uttama</i> - the Almighty): <i>dharma</i> (that which makes a human a human), <i>artha</i>
(wealth), <i>kama</i> (desire, all kinds of desire), and <i>moksha</i>
(liberation). All four are needed for a full life. However, two (wealth and
desire) are limited and can only give limited joy. They are the two closed arms
of the swastika. The other two are unlimited and are the open arms of the
swastika. [Purusha-uttama = the greatest of all beings, and refers to the Almighty.]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">The term Swastika has been derived from the
Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means well-being: "SU"
means "good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means
"to be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally
means, "to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher
self" (Supersoul or Universal Consciousness), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka"
as a suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher
self". <i>Suasti</i> thus means "well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i>
either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i>
might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with
well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that
is auspicious." ~ Thus <i>swastika</i> means any lucky or auspicious object, and in
particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness, good
luck or well-being.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-51001536122361679732014-02-25T20:39:00.002+05:302014-02-25T21:27:51.859+05:30Been There Bungled That by Paddy Rangappa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkAqE8KVjP_Z700vjrcHbxgrNfUjAp6NyZklNoEjazJD9pF6hfKyeBy5g0vLpbjqZg-4mG9YaRGUSVoiIHv8v2Pxn8FvyclUZ8HhTbFDZwB8Kq6oOGuVXTxoktaWQoMfwQWrP9OImmQo/s1600/Been+There+Bungled+That+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkAqE8KVjP_Z700vjrcHbxgrNfUjAp6NyZklNoEjazJD9pF6hfKyeBy5g0vLpbjqZg-4mG9YaRGUSVoiIHv8v2Pxn8FvyclUZ8HhTbFDZwB8Kq6oOGuVXTxoktaWQoMfwQWrP9OImmQo/s1600/Been+There+Bungled+That+01.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i>Been
There Bungled That</i></b></span>
is a fictionalized autobiographical story stretched across <span style="font-weight: normal;">almost</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 300 pages. They endeavour to put together
snippets and anecdotes from the protagonist Jagannath Srinivasan's life. With a
first-person narrative, it is a</span></b> collection of <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">unconnected</span></b><b> </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">short</span></b> pieces<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> more reminiscent of a blog or column than a
book/novel. </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jagannath Srinivasan, fondly referred to as Jags (not
Jughead), drifts through life in benign autopilot... armed with the impressive
combo of IIT-IIM degrees.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Like
mi</span></b>llions of Indians he
studied engineering - not out of interest, but because he took the entrance
examination and secured admission. Rote learning played the all-important role.
Soon the natural progression to Amul country follows - to fortify him with degree
#2 (~ while also applying for an MS degree in the US - just in case).
Thereupon, he embarks on a rudderless career journey... with carefully worded
versions of resume - each expressing his boundless passion for banking,
consulting, marketing and advertising. He finally settles for whichever offer
comes his way ~ based on herd mentality or peer perception, i.e. whichever is
more coveted by others. For example, banks and consulting firms come to campus
on day 1, which means they are ranked higher. Even the best marketing jobs are
all on day 2.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Highly confused and
upwardly mobile, he is easily swayed by things he reads, people he meets, and
advice he actively seeks and receives. Except sane ones of course, such as the
ones offered by (his father's friend) Dr Sidelinger Wakefield (a professor at
Brown University) and later from his wife, Vidya. Both counsel reflection - to
discover and identify what <i>he</i> wishes to do. ~ These sorts of advice he
instantly disregards - since their source(s) are ignorant of the managerial
decision making process - that requires one to start at ground zero, which is
data collection. This insight helps Jags to make discerning (in Jags' view)
shifts from engineering to consultancy to advertising to marketing to banking -
by trimming one to three years on the typical career curve.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is a snippet -
Jags' discussion with Dr. Wakefield:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'You're studying
engineering now, right?' I nodded. 'Why?'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Thats easy,' I
said. 'I passed the JEE - the Joint Entrance Exam. ... I did badly in the medical
college entrance test.'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'What?! You actually
wanted to be a doctor?'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Of course not,' I
said. 'Why do you ask?'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Because you took the
medical college entrance test. You just told me!' The professor was getting
agitated and his voice was rising.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Yes, I did,' I
replied soothingly. 'But that was only as a back-up. I was not serious.'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The professor shook
his head in bewilderment. 'Ok, so you really wanted to do engineering but just
for fun, took the medical college test too. I understand - or at least I think
I do...'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Wakefield is even
more puzzled to know that Jags chose his area of specialization based on its
relative popularity and the popularity of the institute. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Yes, but it's not
just the relative popularity of the specialization and the institute
separately. It's the </i>combination<i>
that's important. ... It's very complicated,' I said smugly. ('And therefore
beyond your comprehension,' I added, but only to myself.)</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'I'm not going to try
to follow that,' said Wakefield. ('Exactly,' I said, again to myself.)</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's the bit about a
strict professor (Prof. Thampi) and his charming daughter (Vidya) whom he eventually marries - whiff of '3
Idiots'.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>My twopenceworth</u></b><b>:</b> </span>The
chapter titles including the chance meeting with Vidya while trying
to submit a late assignment: 'Submitting the POM report... and meeting
someone' - reveals too much, and dilutes the charm of the following pages. It somewhat interferes with (read: diminishes) the readers' interest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside
jokes about copywriters, bankers, consultants, brand managers etc pepper the
book. There are anecdotes regarding Jags' travails on foreign shores. However,
none of them can be called fresh or original. In humour writing, especially one with large
dollops of perceptive satire, novelty makes all the difference. It is also
advisable to eschew unnecessary meanderings... that alters the flavour and
wearies the readers' mind. Reading becomes a chore then. With humour or satire
that is a no no.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Using
lots of very short chapters creates an impression in the reader of very rapid
pace and lots of movement. For some genres (such as thrillers), this
accelerated pace is exactly the effect that a reader wants. The same may or may
not be applicable to other genres, such as humour or satire. Here the quality
of writing makes all the difference. Having longer chapters doesn't quite
preclude fast-paced movement, but it does allow for more breathing space and a
sense of scope and continuity.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Been There Bungled That</span></i></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> has been
compared to Wodehouse... and <i>this</i> piqued my expectations. But after plodding
through the frequent and needless winding </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">of</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> nearly 300 pages, the content leaves
me quite wooden. It neither makes nor leaves an impact. Besides, it is</span></b> Jags narrating the story, talking
about himself, or explaining his points of view. The rest of the characters
appear quite abrupt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However,
the book is genuinely funny in bits and parts; for instance, when Jags' mother
wants to have a serious discussion, he coveys it with "So I did the South Indian
equivalent of laying down my fork and spoon: I stopped mashing rice with my
fingers and gave her my full attention."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The jacket cover is
attractive. The author is observant and a decent raconteur, apart from having a good hand at humour and
insightful satire (including a dash of gentle snarkiness). What's missing is some sharp
editing to curb the debutant author's prodigal instincts.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Been There Bungled
That</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;">/
Author: Paddy Rangappa/ Publisher: Ebury Press, an imprint of Random House
India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date: Nov. 2013/
Genre: Humour/ ISBN-10: 978-8-184-00433-5/ ISBN-13: 9788184004335/ Pages: 300/
Price: INR 250.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>Been
There Bungled That.</i> Courtesy: randomhouse.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-20037833155696534232014-01-22T22:26:00.003+05:302014-01-25T23:54:07.230+05:30Train To Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mXzWdhWvQjsPDZnJBvD_j4oEa2nFK1DnEWpcgU_xKFG6t9ha2mcSFhvvaMMu_pviSqMioQ87FPMtwPbm2cDdeDzQKo21V-v1_upSakSQHa3ArD7MKNCaTHYSO33CagHq1i1TU7_7IzQ/s1600/Train+to+Delhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mXzWdhWvQjsPDZnJBvD_j4oEa2nFK1DnEWpcgU_xKFG6t9ha2mcSFhvvaMMu_pviSqMioQ87FPMtwPbm2cDdeDzQKo21V-v1_upSakSQHa3ArD7MKNCaTHYSO33CagHq1i1TU7_7IzQ/s1600/Train+to+Delhi.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>A Note on the author:</i> </span>Shiv K. Kumar (born August
16, 1921) is a distinguished poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright,
translator, academic and critic. He has published thirteen volumes of poetry,
five novels, two collections of short stories, a play and a dozen books on
literary criticism. Following stints as a lecturer and as programme officer
at the All India Radio, he obtained his doctorate in English Literature from
the University of Cambridge (~ here he was also tutored by the influential
British critic F.R. Leavis). Kumar has been an academic, teaching British and
American literature in India and abroad, for about four decades. In 1978, he
was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL), London. ~
Several of his poems and short stories have been broadcast over the BBC, and
published in various widely-read journals, newspapers and magazines - like the <i>New
York Times</i>, <i>Poetry Review</i> (London), <i>Western Humanities Review</i>,
among others. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987. In 2001, he was
awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to literature. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>Train To Delhi</b></i></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is portrayed as a "<i>rollicking journey set in
Delhi of 1947</i>". [The novel was first published in 1998 as <i>A River with
Three Banks</i>.]</span></b><i> </i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><span class="readable">recounts the tale of Gautam Mehta,
</span>a journalist
in Delhi (<span class="readable">assistant editor of <i>The Challenge</i>) - and </span>the
novel's quick-witted protagonist, alongside enameled snuffboxes, and
hobson-jobson conversations ~ as India made its tryst with destiny. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mehta arranges a quick divorce from his adulterous wife ~ by <span class="readable">convincing
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</xml><![endif]-->[However, during the simple ceremony, and before
Father Jones sprinkles holy water on his head and shoulders, Gautam is
particularly touched by a passage from Joshua in which Moses asks his followers
to cross the river Jordan into the land of new promise. "<i>Wasn't he too about to
cross over to freedom!</i>" He is also struck by the dignified manner in which the ceremony was conducted -
including the bishop's prayer wishing him happiness - nobody was "mumbling
incomprehensibly all the time."] ~ T<span class="readable">he
Delhi of 1947 is chaotic and restless; despite the proficient Commissioner
Thornton at the helm, there is considerable lawlessness. Gautam finds a dead
man, and learns that the deceased was </span>in search of his abducted daughter
Haseen<span class="readable">a who had been kidnapped in Allahabad, and sold
into flesh trade (in Delhi). This disturbs him, especially </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->since he finds a striking resemblance between the
deceased, Abdul Rahim, and his own father, Shamlal Mehta, ("the same arched eyebrows,
the same chiseled chin and nose.") ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Later, after sharing a bottle of champagne and some
pakoras, followed by a supper of seekh kebab, raita, nan and some fried
chicken at the Neel Kamal, his best friend Berry
(Birendra Dhawan) suggests availing the services of a lady of the night to
celebrate Gautam's divorce. Sensing his hesitancy, Berry playfully teases him as 'Knight-saviour' and 'Gautam Buddha'. ~ Somewhat reluctantly, Gautam negotiates with the
pimp... and ends up (at the Bridge Hotel, run in close partnership with Neel Kamal) with a hauntingly beautiful Muslim woman of quiet dignity -
Haseena. ~ Gallant Gautam introduces himself and informs her about the deceased man. Thereupon,
they embark on an elaborate plan - to help the damsel in distress escape the
clutches of the pimp (which the protagonist-hero compares to a concentration camp). With the help of Berry - who by now has adopted Haseena
as his sister-in-law - they manage to get away from the villain/pimp (who is in
hot pursuit) and are soon on the train to Allahabad to see her family. The rest of the story involves Gautam explaining the situation to his family,
meeting Haseena's family (and asking their permission for marriage ~ in the
process becoming Saleem Gautam); his one-on-one with the villain/pimp; their attempts to steer clear of the discord
and antagonism; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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a rhythmical hand-clapping and head-swaying to the Ramdhun); Berry's dalliances; snippets of the twilight of the Raj, and so
on. Gautam - with the help of Berry's British connections - also arranges for
(expedites the process, that is) the immigration papers... of Haseena's family (her mother - Begum Rahim and younger sister - Salma),
and then escorts them safely to Wagah. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Haseena, of course, stays back. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><span class="readable">(However, given the disquiet, they all travel up to Wagah under assumed names: Begum Rahim as mataji and Salma as Durga, while
Haseena and Gautam sees them off as Seema and Gautam respectively.) </span>~ All in
all, the novel ends on a strong note of spiritual universalism, optimism and humanism ~ that of a
people having a definite past, their present somewhat disturbed by partition
(of the sub-continent)... but that the future is possible.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Among the secondary cast of characters, Shamlal Mehta (Gautam's father) is relatively well delineated.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ After his divorce Gautam moves in with his parents,
into their small house at Anand Parvat. His father, a former
Arya Samaji, initially assumes a somber expression on learning about Gautam's conversion
- for the sake of easy divorce. But finally responds (as an indulgent father) with:
"Maybe Christ too was a yogi, a real karma yogi," and then proceeds to argue
his point. When Gautam counters, "But Christ died on the cross, nailed and bleeding till
the end. Stone-dead he was when they pulled him down." Shamlal responds with, "No, my dear, Christ
didn't die on the cross," ..."He was left there unconscious by the
Romans as 'stone-dead' and buried later. But now I earnestly believe that being
a yogi, he had controlled his organs, had sort of anesthetized himself before
they nailed him on the cross. And since he went into a deep Samadhi, a yogic
trance, he felt no pain - nor did he really die, so, he rose from his grave
after a brief spell of what I think was a kind of subterranean meditation. That
was the Resurrection!" ~ Shamlal later tells the Bishop (with a straight face) ~ that he has now come
to believe in Christ as another manifestation (avatar) of Vishnu.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">~ There's the bit about insipid British food -
steam-boiled Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. An
Englishman's perennial obsession with weather too is woven in quite neatly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Lovely weather - isn't it? Not too
oppressive.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Yes, it isn't too sultry.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'We really don't mind the Indian
weather at all,' the major said, ... 'We'd prefer it to the vile British winter -
blizzard, mist and smog.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Yes, I guess.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>A brief pause.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'It's a great pity we have to
leave India,' Foster resumed, rather wistfully...'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Any other Indians coming?' Berry
asked.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'No. Only my compatriots. All
packed up to return home - to London, Liverpool, Glasgow...'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'So it's a sort of farewell
party.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Yes, the play's done.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'You know, Bob, they did a marvelous
job here. I do feel sorry for them. I'm sure they're going to miss this bloody,
hot country.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Miss?' said Bob, '...they're
already feeling very low. A poor life awaits them out there. Meagre pensions,
no servants, freezing winters - and the fog, the deadly, yellow fog.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Sounds ghastly,' said Berry. 'Then it was better here in spite of the heat and dust.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Any time. One can always beat
down the heat with ceiling fans, khus-khus, and a little dust doesn't do you
much harm,' Bob said, spraying himself with some perfume.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>My twopenceworth</u>:</b></span> Written with the Partition
(which was a rather complex phenomenon) as the temporal setting, the author
does try to portray a realistic picture of Allahabad and Delhi of that era. He
has also attempted to weave the various aspects of partition (cultural,
historical, spiritual, emotional, economic, and so on)... apart from the
political/geographic division of the country into the texture of the novel. The
Gautam-Haseena track provides a strong romantic tinge/motif through the story -
though the eponymous train journey probably is an allegorical one,
since in the book it takes up all of ten pages. <span class="readable">The novel
is more of a novella... and quite crisp; editing is decent, the language is
simple and easy to understand, and so the story rolls along quite well, but the
narrative sometimes </span>meanders on. Gautam's character is reasonably
well-etched, however, there is scope for improvement; the other central
character, Haseena, comes across as uni-dimensional - so, plenty of space for
improvement here as well; t<span class="readable">he secondary characters too
could have done with some more exploration, fleshing-out and insight ~ to move
the story along more succulently and cohesively. Maybe a better mix of drama,
history and romance coupled with a sustained flow of satire and comic relief
could have turned a great story into a great read.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Train To Delhi</i>/ Author: Shiv K.
Kumar/ Publisher: Vintage Classics, an imprint of Random House India/ Binding:
Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date: 1998, 2013/ Genre: Fiction/
ISBN-10: 978-81-8400-396-3/ ISBN-13: 9788184003963/ Pages: Approx 250/ Price:
INR 299.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;">
<b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>Train
To Delhi.</i> Courtesy: randomhouse.</span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-73312389611514751502013-12-31T23:15:00.004+05:302014-02-23T22:08:00.891+05:30Notes on Sri Krishn, the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), Indus Seals, etc.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">[There has never been an Aryan Invasion. ~ A humble endeavour: Notes on Sri Krishn, the
Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), etc ~ <i>do read the post in its
entirety... to grasp its scope et al</i>.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhagavad</span> comes from Bhagavan (honorific for Ishvara/Ishvari) - 'the Eternal One'. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Gita</span> comes from <i>Geet</i> or <i>Geeta</i> - meaning
"song". ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Therefore, the Bhagavad-Gita means, the song of the Eternal One.<i> </i>In
other words: the Song of the Primordial</span>. Srimad is honorific. [~ The Sanskrit
language is both <span class="textexposedshow">erudite and mellifluous. With
correct diction and timbre/tonal quality (which comes with practice, and practice
makes perfect), it resonates; one can (then) even call it <i>song</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Krishn<span class="ital-inline"> speaks in sublime metaphors, allegories, similies,
and so on. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="ital-inline">Therefore, literal translations or over-simplification is misleading. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.32: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>vādaḥ
pravadatām aham</i></span> || ~ "I am logic of the
logician." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>The Sanskrit language is not meant to be spoken from the tongue or even the voice-box (larynx), instead the words should emerge from within - like a perennial fountain or stream, thereupon it takes on a resonating quality. This is the essence of the Sanskrit language. ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="style2"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as
the mother of all languages, of scriptures and scholarship.</span></span> The Goddess is also revered as the mother of the Vedas and as the mother of the Indian Civilization/Indus-Sarasvati Civilization/'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aryavarsha</span>' (~ abode of the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Arya</i></span> people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The right-handed <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>swastika</i></span> symbol originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River SarasvatI as well as 'Aryavarsha' - also known as the Sindhu-SarasvatI Sabhyata/Civilization (~ possibly the oldest civilization in the world, and thus the cradle of civilization.) It is also the sign of Sanaatan Dharma. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Do refer the relevant passages on Aryavarsha, Swastika and the etymology of </i>"<i>Hindu</i>"<i> and </i>"<i>India</i>".</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The so-called </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Aryan
blitzkrieg' or 'Aryan Invasion theory' is fictitious. </span>It never happened. ~ When the British archaeologist
(Wheeler) discovered a dozen skeletons, he propounded a theory
about the final massacre by 'marauding invaders' that put an end to the Indus
civilization. When an Indian scholar told him of <i>Hariyuppa</i> (or "Hariyupiyah") being mentioned in the Rig Veda,
he took it to mean Harappa. ~ And since a fort was known as <i>pur</i>, and
Indra (possibly a 'title' for the king/ruler/chief of the ancient 'Deva'
people) was known as <i>Purandhara</i> or destroyer of forts, it all fitted
neatly. After all, weren't the Indus cities among the most fortified? ~
Archaeologists are known to stumble, but the kind of knocking that the 'Aryan
Invasion theory' has taken has few parallels. There are still many misconceptions about this
culture that has resulted from the theoretical and cultural biases of the
earliest excavators. One other misconception is that the Indus
urban society was the result of colonization from Mesopotamia to the west (in
modern Iraq).<span class="textexposedshow"> </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The ancient
Indus
people couldn't have copied their town-planning from Egypt and Mesopotamia
because in those civilizations the roads meandered like village streets. Nor
was the writing similar to Sumer's (Sumerian
Civilization - ancient Iraq, etc) cuneiform or the Egyptian (ancient<b> </b>Miṣr) hieroglyphics. The ancient Indus people had their own distinctive
style. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The greatness of the Indus-Sarasvati
Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata or 'Aryavarsha') can be attributed to ancient
Indian genius (~ and trade was the driving force/factor.)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The term <span style="color: #4c1130;">Swastika</span> has been derived from the Sanskrit word
"Svastika", which means well-being: "SU" means
"good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means "to
be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally means,
"to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher
self" (Supersoul), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a
suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher
self". <i>Suasti</i> thus means "well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i>
either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i>
might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with
well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that
is auspicious." <span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus <i>swastika</i> means any lucky or auspicious object,
and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness,
good luck or well-being</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Probably the most common design on the Indus
seals is the <i>swastika. </i></span></span></span>The Swastika </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">represents the
cosmic spinning vortex. ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the <i>swastika</i>
represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the forefinger of the
Cosmic Entity. This carries most
significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as
'kaalah' or time. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
union of Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) with the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul) is called <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sanaatan Dharma</i></span>; in other words: connecting (yog/sanjog) with the Higher Self ~
seeking communion (yog/sanjog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or
Param-atma; Cosmic Light or Light Divine). This results in Self-realization</span> ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">leading to the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization: <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i>.</span><span class="textexposedshow"> This 'way of life' is performative and (therefore) is to be experienced. <span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, the central concepts of dharma and karm-yog eludes translation.</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">[~ The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being - the highest authority of the universe - is the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>manifestation</i></span> of the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn (Universal Consciousness or Cosmic Light or Light Divine). Brahmn is OM or AUM. OM is <i>also</i> regarded as </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i> -
pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad - the sound of the universe itself; </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">*Bhairava = the Primordial Sound (vak or vani). </span>[Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Arup tomar Bani</span>': </span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjVlAi_QowA"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">. He has incorporated it into our national anthem too.] OM or AUM - is
very auspicious</span>; the Cosmic Entity is </span><i>Omswaroop</i>, <span style="color: #351c75;">manifestation of Brahmn - OM or AUM. [For purposes of comprehension: e.g. Sri Krishn is a manifestation/transcendental avatar of the Cosmic Entity; he also possesses all 16 qualities of a <i>Purna Avatar</i> - one in whom divinity is manifested fully; therefore, he is Omswaroop;</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"> the words emanating from his mouth is thus Bhairava/Primordial sound or pranava naad/pranavah/Omkara.] </span>~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, <span style="color: #4c1130;">Advaita</span> (monism), <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dvaita</span> (dualism) and <span style="color: #4c1130;">Astika</span> (theism). </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">Unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the
Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita also integrates dualism (Dvaita) and theism
(āstika). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Swastika is part of Buddhism and Jainism as well.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Bhairava/Primordial sound or </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">pranava naad/pranavah/Omkara probably was also known as 'daiva vani'. While 'aakash vani' perhaps was related to celestial events and/or the constellation Orion. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>|| </i>~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span><i> </i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also
spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as
used in Vedic<span style="color: #351c75;"> astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known
as <i>Kaalpurush</i>, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient; kaal or kaalah <span style="color: #4c1130;">= time</span>). </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation
as Mriga/Mṛga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, <i>mṛga</i>
meaning animal (can also mean: deer) and <i>śira</i> meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. [~ The Indus 'Pasupati Seal' probably has something to do with this. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Our ancients seem to have been very familiar with the workings of the universe/cosmos.]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">*BG 10.35: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span></i> || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kalabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa
Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~
November-December). On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in
the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>
- pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM -
is very auspicious. The impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn is Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence). The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation of OM or AUM. (<i>Refer the note on Rudra-Siva</i>.)</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the
decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. ~ Shri Ganesh has the Swastika on
his palm. <span style="color: #4c1130;">The swastika is at times considered a symbolic representation of
Shri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak - the remover of obstacles) and is
hence offered first offerings in every <i>puja</i>.</span> The swastika is made with
red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during rituals. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Shri </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Ganesh - represents <i>a set of qualities</i>:</span> great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the
elephant head - implying elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm
disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[The light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti
Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns.] The big head</span> = think big. The small eyes
= concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise,
more efficiency (complete opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent
trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in
other words: non-ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening
ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing'). </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The single tusk = retaining the good and discarding the rest. Also: non-extravagant. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The big body (Maha-Kaaya) = immense strength: to stop all
obstacles - in the path of good deeds or actions. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The large stomach = not constricted; <i>digests</i> or accepts everything (all that life has to offer) without being affected. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The swift <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>mooshika-vahana</i></span>
(the 'mooshika' or the <i>mouse</i> as 'vehicle') - represents: <i>swiftness</i>
(obviously), but a <i>mooshika</i> finds its way through all kinds of terrains
and tears down all sorts of obstacles (vighn) - with its sharp teeth. And since the <i>mooshika</i> is his 'vaahan' or vehicle - the latter remains under control and cannot take Shri Ganesh for a ride. In other words: lack of negative greed or avoidable desire. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <i>parasu</i> or axe = to strike down all obstacles in the path of good/positive/constructive deeds. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The rope + lotus = to pull you closer to the goal + to pull you away from negative aspects, negative thinking, etc. [A lotus: grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by it (<i>refer the relevant passages</i>.)] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The palm in <i>abhaya mudra = </i>blessings + reassurance. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The tasty <i>Modakas</i> = the rewards/fruition of one's single-minded efforts [karm-yog.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">All that Shri Ganesh
symbolizes can achieve any goal or purpose: <i>Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa</i>. [~ When
one prays to Shri Ganesh, one is essentially praying to be bestowed with all
these traits or qualities so as to be able to surmount all odds and impediments and complete a good deed
or task successfully - always (</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sarvadaa)</span>. Hence, Shri Ganesh is worshiped <i>before</i> the commencement of
any auspicious task. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Gan + esh = Ganesh. 'Gan' can indicate people (gana) or even good traits (guna). 'Esh' = the best of or the master of. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Lord Buddha is depicted with large ears, while the similarity between Sri Ganesh and the Laughing Buddha is remarkable. <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ And, all this should help us understand who the Sri Ganesh who assisted Maharshi Vedavyasa to compile the 'Mahabharata' (originally titled: 'Jaya' - Victory) was. Sri Ganesh and <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati are non-different. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak (the remover of obstacles) and Varadey Kaamarupinee (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck') are non-different.]</span> </span></span></span></span>Sri Ganesh is not a physical 'son' of Goddess Parvati. 'Gauri-tanaya' can also mean manifestation, personification or embodiment. Goddess Parvati and Goddess Sarasvati (the river goddess) are transcendental avatars of Goddess Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Goddess Parvati's daughter is also named Sarasvati - but she is a namesake.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Parvati (<i>Devi</i> Durga) and Goddess Sarasvati (the river goddess) are non-different. Here is the <i>Sharada Maa Bhajan</i> in Raag Bhairavi: <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6X5IDI7SA4"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>link</b></span></a></i>. </span></span></span> There is an Indus seal depicting the </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>"Ashta-Matrika" or
Ashta-Matara - Eight female Divinities. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span><span>This seal depicts a goddess (standing in the arch of a peepal tree), wearing a headdress of bullhorns, with bangles on both arms; a devotee is kneeling before her. An
animal, most likely a large ram, is facing her. Seven figures, wearing long dresses
and bangles on their arms, are moving in a procession before her. ~ Very likely,
the seven figures represent the "Sapta Matrikas" or the seven female Divinities.
The central female figure is <i>Devi</i> Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga) ~ Together, they constitute the "Asta Matrikas" or the eight female Divinities. Some Indus glyphs are also seen. </span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Goddess Adi Shakti possesses the power of the cosmic phenomenon of Creation, and hence She is Brahma - the Creator. (<i>Refer the Devi Mahatmyam stotra-s</i>.) The River SarasvatI can (thus) also be referred to as Brahm-putri. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Brhm = wisdom, enlightenment; eternal knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>. Here, putri = manifestation, personification or embodiment.] Hence, Goddess SarasvatI - the river goddess - is also known as Brahmi or Brahmani ~ <i>manifestation</i> of Brhm. She is wisdom personified - </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>. ~ <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati represents
intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education,
culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (persuasion/<span class="text"> vāk)</span> and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents
the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. [Wisdom or enlightenment has no form by itself.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sri Hayagriva [Haya = horse, griva = jaw] is the male equivalent of <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati... and may be considered as Brahm</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-putra. [Goddess Sarasvati is a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography. She is also worshipped in Bali and Japan.]</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>.......................................................... </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess
in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of ancient
Vedic culture. </span>In the Rig Veda, the SarasvatI is described with all </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #4c1130;">the grandeur of a mighty and a very large river</span>. ~ She is </span>called 'the best
of the rivers' (naditama). It seems to have been a great river with perennial
water. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Along the banks of the Sarasvati and the
adjoining river basins </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->lived our enlightened ancestors who developed a
unique world-view blending material prosperity with spirituality and a scientific temper (knowledge, innovation and creativity). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Spiritualism (not to be misconstrued for ritualism or religiofication) and contentment constituted the core of the accepted
value system. The</span></span><span class="textexposedshow"> famous <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Pancha-janah</i></span> (the five peoples), namely, the
Purus, Anus, Druhyus, Yadus and Tursvasas (</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow">descendents of Raja Yayati) </span></span>lived in the Sarasvati Valley
before moving onto different places in various directions. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">~ Yayati hailed from a
Chandravanshi (lunar lineage/clan) i.e. moon-flag-bearing clan. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In the Rig Veda, the Anus are repeatedly
identified with the ParuSNI river (Ravi), the central river of the Punjab, and the
Purus (also known as the "Bharatas") are identified with the SarasvatI. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Raja Yayati, as we know, did away with primogeniture to crown his youngest-born, Puru, as the heir to his "existing" kingdom ~ i.e. the areas he ruled <i>before </i>he underwent stem-cell therapy. Thus, Puru ruled his kingdom in the Gangetic plain. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span>~ While, the other sons of Yayati - Yadu, Turvasu, Anu and Druhyu - subsequently settled </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->in the "newer" areas (~ the ones Raja Yayati brought under his
rule - during his "borrowed youth" ~ i.e. <i>after</i> his stem cell
therapy.) ~ Puru, thus became the progenitor of the "Puruvansh" (also
known as the "Bharatvansh"); and so his heirs came to be known as the
"Bharatas". ~ The Pandavas and the Kauravas were Purus (or Bharatas). King Porus (Puru/Paurava/Parvateshvar) too hailed from the
Puruvansh (Pauravas). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ The all-conquering Alexander's career pretty
much came to a halt... after his brief encounter with this mighty king of the
Indus region. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn, on the other hand, was a Chandravanshi (lunar lineage/clan) - moon-flag-bearing Yadu: more precisely a Shurasena Yadu (Megasthenes' <i>Sourasenoi</i>) ~ a branch of the Yadu clan/kula. Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. T</span><span class="textexposedshow">he Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or late Greek <i>Sarakēnos</i>) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, a<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">part from the Vrishnis, that is. (Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya). </span><b>|</b><b> </b></span>T</span><span class="textexposedshow">he Persians, on the other hand, can be fully identifiable with the
Anus - descendents of Yayati's son, Anu, the particular Dasas (non-Purus) of the Rig Veda. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->A major Persian clan which is not named in the
Rig Veda, but appears as a
prominent Anu clan/kula in the Puranas and the epics is the Madrakas (also known as: Madras or Medes or Madai). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Madri hailed from this clan.] ~ The name Anu or Anava for the Persians appears to
have survived even in later times: the country and the people in the very
heart of Avestan land, to the immediate north of the Hamun-i Hilmand, were
known, as late as Greek times, as the Anauon or Anauoi<b>. <span style="color: #660000;">| </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Yayati made Turvasu the ruler of the far western regions. The
descendants of Turvasu were known as Turvasus, who founded Turvaski. Even the
Tusharas </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Tukharas, Tócharoi) are believed to be descendents of Turvasu. The Tushara country
mentioned in the Mahabharata could be Turkmenistan, now a Central Asian
Republic and/or the Turkistan of Afghanistan. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"> As for Druhyu, he and his descendents (the Druhyus) very likely
settled in the areas that came under ancient Uruk (modern Iraq)... and
perhaps had something to do with the Sumerian Civilization. [Devayani was the ancestress of the Yadus and Turvasus, while Sharmishtha was the ancestress of the Purus, Anus and Druhyus.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The seven greatest capital
cities of the Rama Empire/civilization were known in classical texts as The Seven Rishi
Cities. Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment, wisdom and knowledge.
... So, were these Seven Rishi Cities knowledge hubs or thinking hub? </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Priest-Kings (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"Great Teachers"
or "Masters") </span>who governed
the cities were essentially Brahmana statesmen. [Brahmana implies erudition; can also be interpreted as enlightened persons with a broader view or outlook. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Some of them belonged to the benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization. Today they are generally
called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently men whose mental powers/intellect were of a degree that would seem incredible to most moderns. (Even Chanakya can be called a Brahmana statesman.)</span>] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Ayodhya = unconquerable or
eternal. "Ayodhya" comes from the root word
"yudh" meaning "not to be fought". Ikshvaku or Ikhaku or Ikkhaku; </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Skt.
Ifahvaku; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Pali:
OjcTcaka, Okkaka. <span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> </span>Ikshvaku (son of Vaivasvata
Manu - the 7th and current Manu) is the founder/progenitor of the Ikshvaku (or <span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span>) lineage - to which greats like Mandhata,
Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and Shri Ram belonged. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Rama Empire or the
Ikshvaku dynasty/empire encompassed wide swathes of land, culture and 'way of
life'. [</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Akkadian may be a variant
of Ikshvaku.] </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ And, from what we can
gather, the Maurya clan is believed to have been an offshoot of the Shakya clan
- to which Shri Gautam Buddh belonged. The Shakya clan is in turn believed to
be a tributary of the Ikshvaku clan - to which Shri Ram belonged. The </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Ikshvaku clan is also known
as the Raghuvanshi lineage/Raghuvansh or Raghukula - after one of Shri Ram's illustrious
ancestors, Raghu. </span><span class="textexposedshow">The fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala is believed
to have been the ashram/abode of Vamana ~ the seventh and current "Manu" - Vaivasvata Manu (also known as
Surya and the father of Ikshvaku - the progenitor of the Ikshvaku lineage). ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Born to Saranya and
Vivasvat, his original name is Satyavrata. He saved humanity from the
(previous) great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) - by building specially-designed
ships (<i>nao</i>) - as per the advise of the Matsya-Avatar. <i>Noukeshwar </i>is at best a <i>title</i> and means - Principal/Chief/Captain of the <i>nao</i>.
(Here 'nao' or 'boat' indicates specially-designed-and-equipped-ship.) ~ Whether 'Noukeshwar' has been abbreviated/altered to 'Noah' (due to the passage
of time + change in phonetics), and/or<i> </i>whether Satyavrat aka Vaivasvata Manu is
also referred to as "Noah" or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
The </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'Harappan' or 'Indus-Sarasvati' civilization is
a phase (marked by the rise, intensification, diversification and subsequent evolution of an urban process)
within the much earlier, more extensive and more durable Vedic Civilization
that still continues. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow">The material and spiritual benefits the river
SarasvatI brought to the people is immense. </span>In the Rig Vedic times, it was a mighty river
flowing from the mountains to the sea (giribhyah asamudrat). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The abundance and tremendous force of its water
had an enchanting impact on the minds of the poets who repeatedly described it as: </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'abounding in waters' - </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>maho-arnah</i>;<i> </i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'flowing rapidly'<i> - </i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>pra-sasre</i></i>;<i><i> </i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'moving fautlessly'<i><i> - </i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>akuvari</i></i></i>;<i><i><i> </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'possessing unlimited strength'<i><i><i> - </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->yasyah amah ananto</i></i></i>;<i><i><i> </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'roaring'<i><i><i> - </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->charati roruvat</i></i></i>,<i><i><i> </i></i></i>and<i><i><i> </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'fierce'<i><i><i> - </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->ghora.</i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> </i></i></i>Thus, the realistic picture in the Rig Veda is that of a mighty and
highly glorified river named SarasvatI descending from the Himalayas.</span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i><i><i> ~ </i></i></i>The river disappeared at a place called Vinasana (literally 'disappearance'), though many believe it still flows below the ground.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Nadi Apon Bege</span>':</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a><span style="color: #351c75;">.]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The River SarasvatI is described as 'the purest of all rivers' (nadinam
suchiryati) and<i> </i>'auspicious'. ~ Nahushas, descendents of Nahusha, on whom the
Sarasvati had poured her grace and blessings. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Yayati was son of king Nahusha.] </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pancha-janah (the five peoples), that is, Anus,
Druhyus, Yadus, Turvasas and Purus, whose welfare the Sarasvati had increased. (<i>refer previous paragraph</i>.) ~ The material and spiritual benefits the River
SarasvatI brought to the people is reflected in several epithets attributed to
her, for example: 'rich in grains' (Vajinivati);<i> </i>'strong in wealth and power' (vajeshu vajini) and<i> </i>'promoter of the welfare of the five peoples' (panchajata
vardhayanti). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> While </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Panis, the 'churlish - </span><span style="font-size: small;">thinking only of themselves' whom the Sarasvati consumed; Paravatas, who were destroyed by the Sarasvati, and Brisyas, whom the Sarasvati rooted out. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Indus Unicorn Seals depict a one-horned horse. [One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is depicted with a single tusk.] It is <i>imagery</i> - to denote rarity or uniqueness. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cosmic Entity is <i>vishama </i>(unequaled); <i>atulah</i> (incomparable); <i>ekah</i> (the one); <i>naikah</i> (the many); <i>ekaatmaa</i> (the one self); <i>asankhyeyah</i> (with countless names and forms); <i>shoorah-veerah</i> (the valiant); <i>vikramee</i> (the most daring); <i>saattvikah</i> (one who is full of <i>saatvic</i> or noble traits and qualities); <i>kartaa</i> (the doer); <i>maargah</i> (the path); <i>neyah</i> (the guide); <i>k</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>eshavah</i> (one whose rays illumine the cosmos, and one
who is the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i>
Shiva-Rudra); </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>vishvam</i> (one who is the universe); </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Vishvaroopa </i>(one whose body/form is the Universe - the Universal Form - the Viraat-roop); <i>Vishvaatma </i>(Soul of the Universe - guiding spirit); <i>vanamaalee </i>(one who
wears a garland of forest flowers); <i>sragvee</i> (one who always wears
a garland of undecaying flowers) and <i>Mayur </i>(the Lord Who Has A
Peacock Feathered-Crest). All of which is applicable to Krishn as well. [The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is also: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><i>aadidevah</i> (the first devah); <i>mahaadevah</i> (the great devah); <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>deveshah</i> (the Lord of all devas) and </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other).] ~ However, a closer look at the unicorn seals reveals a body reminiscent of a horse as well as that of a cow. So, the unicorn could be denoting <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati too - </span><span style="font-size: small;">Varadey Kaamarupinee or kamadhenu (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck'). </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated
in the Rig Veda. <span class="text">BG 10.28: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i></span> || ~
"among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as <i>kamadhenu</i> - the
"wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a <i>metaphor</i> for prosperity, luck, etc.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Indus seal depicting a
three-headed composite animal figure is the seal of Vasudev Krishn - the Lord
of Dvarka. The three-heads are: bull (Vrishabha), unicorn (ekashringa horse) and antelope (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">mṛga)</span></span></span></span>. The
symbolism associated with the <i>unicorn</i>: rarity and uniqueness; <i>bull</i>: i<span class="text">n Sanaatan Dharmic thought, dharma/justice is denoted by the bull
(Vṛṣabha). Vrisha Uttamam means Supreme Judge; </span>Vrishaakritih = dharma
personified<span class="text">. Antelope: deer. Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras
(also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira): the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> -
as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also
known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). </span>The Rig
Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga (The Deer). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Indus glyphs also indicate matsya and kurma, besides other symbols such as: peepal tree, peepal leaves, crocodile, parasu, chakra, peacock, eagle,
conch-shell, arrow and Swastika.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The
Indus </span>(River Sindhu), on the other hand, issues from a lion's mouth. Hence this river is called <i>Sinh ka
bab ~</i> the lion's gate or mouth. ~ The once-mighty River Indus, it is said, originates from the mouth of a
lion (<i>Senge Khabab </i>or "Lion's Mouth")<i> </i>- a perennial
spring - in Tibet. (Possibly a mountain snout shaped like a lion's mouth.) Thus, it is also called <i>Sengge Tsangpo</i> or
'Lion River'. This river is a common lifeline, and symbolically binds the people
of more than one nation. Few rivers in the world flow through as stunning a
landscape as the Sindhu (River Indus). It flow</span><span class="textexposedshow">s through plains, villages,
hamlets and towns, as well as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues. </span>[Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus. "Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in
Sanskrit.] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ "Hindu" is simply the variant of Sindhu (~ the mighty
River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile -
Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel.) <b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tibet is 'Tripishtaka' or 'Trivistaka' in Sanskrit, meaning: the land of the Devas (an ancient clan or people) to the north of the Himalayas. ~ So, was Tibet </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Tripishtaka or 'Trivistaka) part of the ancient Himalayan kingdom ~ ruled over by Goddess Parvati's father, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Himavat (also known as Himavant - <span style="color: #4c1130;">the </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">ruler</span> of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India and <span style="color: #4c1130;">the personification</span> of the Himalayan mountains</i>)? ... And <i>this</i> perhaps explains why Goddess Parvati is <i>also</i> known as 'Himalaya-putri'. [Putri = daughter. Can also be interpreted as personification, manifestation or embodiment.] BG 10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "</span><span class="text">and of immovable things I
am the Himalayas." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The image of India is in the image of Goddess Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga.) <span style="color: #4c1130;">She <i>is</i> Rudra-Siva</span>. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ There are eleven Rudras, of
whom Rudra-Siva, is preeminent ~ Goddess Parvati/Durga Herself.</span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Rudra-Siva is also an honorific
- for the manifestations or transcendental avatars of the Cosmic Entity
(Goddess Adi Shakti) - due to their karm and contribution. Goddess Adi Shakti is <i>also</i> Rudra-Siva - since she possess the power of the cosmic phenomenon of dissolution; therefore, She is Nataraj.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>The <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) represent the Sivaliks - part of the Himalayan ranges. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "</span><span class="text">and of immovable things I
am the Himalayas." T</span></span>he gushing Ganga emerges from these mountains through the snout known as Gomukh. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~
"and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." </span></span>The tiger-skin represents her valiant nature; it could also be an allegory for the River Indus. (<i>refer the previous paragraph</i>.) The smurf-blue colour - <i>refer </i>'<i>Meghavarnam</i>'. Trishul could be a reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could be an allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or both. [</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as Triveni Sangam or Prayag.</span></span> Triveni and Trishul; tri = three.] The crescent moon represents lunar mansion. For the crescent moon affixed to the <i>jata</i> of Rudra-Siva - we have to consider </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span> </i></span><span class="text"><i>|| </i>~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December]". ~<i> </i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kalabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa
Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~
November-December).</span><i> </i><i>On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in
the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava</i>.<i> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </i>Sri = respectful honorific. Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>
- pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM -
is very auspicious. The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Omswaroop</i></span> - manifestation of OM or AUM. (<i>Also refer the note on Rudra-Siva</i>.)<i> </i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span><i> </i></span>Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also
spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira): </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as
used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known
as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ The first two <i>carana/pada</i>
(quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). [In Sanaatan Dharmic thought, dharma/justice is denoted by the bull (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Vṛṣabha)</span></span></span></span>. Vrisha Uttamam means Supreme Judge. The two Indus Yogi Seals - depicting two figures seated in a yogic posture and wearing a headdress of bull-horn, represent Vrisha Uttamam - the Supreme Judge.] The
latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Gemini - the
twins, but that is not literal. ~ This should also help us understand what the syncretic form of Rudra-Siva and Shakti is all about. Rudra-Siva and Shakti are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Nestled amidst the Himalayas are the Kalasha or Kalash people. ... And t</span>hough they are
thought to be descendents of Alexander’s army ~ due to
their distinct appearance, customs, language and 'way of life', yet, even a cursory
study of their culture indicates otherwise. [No wonder Goddess Parvati/Durga is referred to as 'Gauri' - the radiant one.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kalasha are agro-pastoral people who live in tune with nature,
surrounded by lush green fields and natural springs. Their houses are
constructed on solid stone foundation, but the walls are made of wooden planks
- fashioned out of the Deodar tree. [Deodar is anglicized. In Sanskrit, it is
known as devadāru, which means "wood of the devas", a compound of
deva (very likely, the ancient Deva people) and dāru (wood, etym.
tree).] ~ They adhere to a tradition based on ancestor worship, and believe
in a single, creator God, though different Kalasha places of worship are
incorrectly understood to be places of worship for separate and distinct
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they initiate any activities like harvesting, ploughing and construction +
whenever the favour and honour of that single, creative God is needed. Most prayers are offered during Kalasha festivities. [Indrain is probably an altar dedicated to and/or named after Indra - a 'title' for the Ruler/King/Chief of the ancient Deva
people. Maybe the 'Indra' was a chieftain under Himavat/Himavant - the <i>ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India</i>.] ~ The Kalash people worship 'Mahandeo' ~ possibly a variant of 'Mahadev'. [Mahadev is a reference to Rudra-Siva ~ which would mean Goddess Parvati herself. ~ She is Kailashpati (Ruler/Chief of Kailash) as well as Shambhu Nath - the Ruler (Nath) and Guardian of Shambhala ~ <span class="blue"><span class="text">also considered to be the </span><i><span class="text">real</span></i> Haridvar, the
actual Manas Sarovara, Prayag, Kailash and Rishikesh or 'Agni
Tirtha'. It is a land of immortals</span>. But Kailashpati could also mean: Chief of the Kalasha people ~ part of the ancient Deva clan/people. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The ancient Himalayan kingdom probably consisted of wide swathes of land - along the entire stretch of the Himalayan ranges; and so, Goddess Parvati/Durga and her many forms, like Vaishno Devi, <i>Devi</i> Katyayani, <i>Devi</i> Varahi, <i>Devi</i> Narasimhi, <i>Devi </i>Chamunda, <span class="text"><span class="text"><i>Devi</i> Brahmi or Brahmani (goddess Sarasvati)</span></span> et al is worshipped. ~ Maybe, the eastern regions of modern India too were part of the ancient Himalayan kingdom, and so, <i>Devi</i> Durga is widely worshipped and even considered as a daughter in these parts. Durga Puja is treated as the Goddess' homecoming. Even Himachal Pradesh is 'Devabhoomi' - abode of the Deva people.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kalasha myths and beliefs centre on the relationship between the
human soul and the universe. This relationship, according to Kalash mythology,
manifests itself in music and dance. In their festivals, music and dance are performed not only for
entertainment, but also as a ritual. The Kalash celebrate four major festivals commemorating seasonal change
and significant events in agro-pastoral life. These festivals are 'Joshi' or
'Chilimjusht', 'Uchal', 'Phoo' ('Pul' festival - pũ. from pūrṇa, purnima - full moon - in Sept.) and 'Chowmos'. They celebrate these festivals by
cooking traditional meals and dancing to traditional music during the week-long
events. The festival of 'Joshi'<b> </b>is for spring harvest, and
lasts 4-6 days in mid-May and the 'Uchao' festival in August celebrates the
pre-harvest with cheese, corn and wine. The 'Choimus' in mid-December for the
winter solstice is the most impressive, lasting 10 days. The most important Kalash festival is the Chowmos/Choimus/Chawmos
(cawmōs, ghona chawmos yat, Khowar "chitrimas" from *cāturmāsya),
which is celebrated for two weeks during winter solstice (c. Dec. 7-22), at the
beginning of the month chawmos mastruk. It marks the end of the year's
fieldwork and harvest. It involves much music, dancing and feasting. [And, aren't were familiar with the concept of Chaturmaas? Or even Chaitra - associated with the coming of Spring, since Holi, the spring festival of colour, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra (namely, the last day of Phalgun month)? BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| </i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i><span class="text"><i>māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham </i></span>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span></span> || </i>~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am
spring".</span>] Durga Puja is also held in the spring season, it is known as <i>Basanti Puja</i>. Basanti comes from Basanta or Spring. It is believed that Shri Ram invoked the goddess in the month of Ashvina (Ashvin/Asvayuja/Autumn) before his battle with Ravana to seek her blessings; it was an untimely invocation - <i>akal bodhan</i>. Since it is held in the month of autumn, this puja is known as <i>Sharadutsab</i> or Sharadiya Puja - autumnal worship. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kalash believe that a new sun is born on December 21 (winter solstice) and that the
new sun affects the flora and fauna of the land. [~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We celebrate Makara Sankranti or Pongal; but many people conflate Makara Sankranti (Uttarayan) with the Winter Solstice (which falls on
December 21/22). BG 10.31: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">|| </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś
cāsmi</i></span> || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes" ~ is a reference to Makara Sankranti. A crocodile can be associated with patience and precision, but the crocodile allegory can also be indicative of a chieftain.</span>] The Kalasha way of life is
finely balanced, allowing both men and women to do their duties freely. The
Kalasha society is not a male-dominated one, their social organization is very
effective, and ensures there is no cruelty or discrimination based on issues of
gender. The Kalash society is optimistic. Crows represent the ancestors, and are frequently fed. The rituals
is basically, though not always, temple-less, involving fire, sacred wood,
three circumambulations, and the *hotṛ (indicating fire-ritual). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus, despite the passage of time, we can clearly
find traces of their ancient and original way of life. ... And it isn't much different from what we do. So much for myths involving Alexander.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Bharatavarsha</i> means: the continent (Sanskrit: continent = 'varsha') that is dedicated (Sanskrit: dedicated = 'rata') to light, wisdom (Sanskrit: wisdom = 'bha')</span>. ~ Bharatavarsha
or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land"<i>. </i>(However, it is unlikely that the contours of
modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha.) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Yet another name for ancient India is Jambudveepa or
Jambadveepa. [Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry.]</span> So, maybe, there was an abundance
of this tree (obviously a much different version of what we find now) ~ and
hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu or Jambul (Indian
blackberry) trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian
blackberry. ~ Now whether the contours of
modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati
represent the divine forces in play in the growth, expansion and evolution of
the Universe. This aspect of the growth of the Universe is thus steeped with
the knowledge of all that has transpired since the moment of Creation and
continues to drive the further evolution of the Universe. This
driving force of knowledge is called as the divinity Sarasvati as it is a
knowledge that continues to flow through the expanse of the cosmos gracefully
and incessantly like waves. [Saras means gracefully flowing.] This knowledge
power forms the root for all forms of knowledge, speech, skill, arts, fine
arts, craft etc. Sarasvati is therefore the divinity that promotes the
development of all of these capabilities in mankind, society and civilization.<i> </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic
knowledge, creativity, education (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>not limited to text-bookish knowledge</i></span>), culture, enlightenment, music, the arts,
eloquence (persuasion/ vāk) and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts
represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Goddess Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in her role as
a goddess of knowledge (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>not transient/apara vidya though</i></span>; hence she holds a
lotus - the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>para vidya</i></span>). She is
wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved, Sarasvati is a river as well as its
personification as a goddess. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Veda = The Book of Knowledge/The Book of Enlightenment. Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" -
to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means:
knowledge. <span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b></span></span></span></span> The wisdom of the Panchatantra, Hitopadesha, Jataka tales and Jain tales are universal and timeless, hence they too can be called <i>para vidya</i> - non-transient.<span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Knowledge or education does not have a narrow or linear definition.</span> It is <i>not</i> confined to mechanical thinking or regurgitation; it is not bookish or armchair theories (transient or <i>apara vidya</i>) either. It involves intellectual pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning). K</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">nowledge is
likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum/void. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> ||
</i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings
(bhutanam) I am the living force" ~ (cetana, consciousness; consciousness
and conscience are two different things;<i> <i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">consciousness</span></i>
</i></i>[cetana]<i><i> </i></i>is awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, think, perceive,<i><i>
</i></i>comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception. <i>If the mind/intellect is dulled, there is a cascading effect - the consciousness (ability to think, perceive, comprehend etc too gets dulled</i>. ~ This can be applicable to a civilization too.) </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Creativity and innovation is also part of knowledge and education, and these are <i>not</i> confined to textbooks alone; knowledge can <i>also</i> be passed on from one generation to the next - minus formal schools or text-books - one can even learn via osmosis; therefore, e.g. an agriculturist or a horticulturist or someone who is involved in animal husbandry, or even a sculptor, an artisan or craftsman is not devoid of knowledge or education. Even people with automobile and electrical or electronics engineering degrees depend on technicians, mechanics (mistri) and handymen. In earlier times, kusalavyas (wandering poets) too were greatly respected - since they disseminated stories from our ancient heritage and history through songs, couplets and the like. There was dignity of labour and skill; e.g. we marvel at the town-planning feats of the ancient Indus engineers, however, there would also have been a multitude of labourers to accomplish or give shape to this feat. [The Indian Civilization (Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or 'Aryavarsha') was a knowledge-based culture/civilization that was also attuned to economic activity. ~ So (probably) skill-building/development, vocational training, etc too received due attention, alongside what we now understand as primary education.] ~ True knowledge (<i>para vidya</i>), education and wisdom is also the ability to eschew perfunctoryness, finger-pointing, mechanical thinking, and the like and to do non-linear thinking; to have a broader vision, to take a wholesome view of issues and to emerge with holistic solutions. [Something that both Krishn and Chanakya possessed. ~ Krishn vs the Kauravas + Krishn vs Jarasandh and allies (anti-Krishn) were key turning points, they put things on the road to recovery. Similarly, Chanakya vs Dhana Nanda breathed new life and energy into ancient India. ~ The <i>matsya</i> (the fish) - swims against the tide/flow despite all odds (and blazes a trail for others to follow), <i>matsya</i> is Neelkanth (soaking up bile and negativism, thereby making the journey - since there are no instant solutions - easier for others; it is work-in-progress, and if it <i>also</i> involves perception and mindset changing it takes time), <i>matsya</i> never rises to the bait. The swan (hamsah) is not ignorant; the swan </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">possess the ability to separate the
water from the cream (in milk) - symbolizing the need to differentiate between </span>the positive and the negative, between the enduring and the transient (trivia); the swan thus is able to see and comprehend the larger picture/canvas/vision and prioritize accordingly. 'Coz putting the cart before the horse doesn't help.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> There is no indication (in our ancient texts) that our ancients arrived at uniform solutions based on abstract figures and statistics. [It is more likely that they were unaware of what statistical figures meant. Parameters and yardsticks (and perhaps even terminology and nomenclature) that is applicable to other civilizations or newer cultures or relatively homogeneous cultures or small/smaller nations or even larger nations with smaller populations, may not work w.r.t India - a nation where high-end phones, IT/BT, plasma television sets, space research and allopathy coexist with radio, type-writer, bullock-carts, village fairs/melas and ayurveda/homeopathy; a nation whose geography incorporates deserts, mountains, valleys, plains and what-not.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore's </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards understanding the
dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He also felt that the West should be
capable of "<i>imparting to the East what is best in herself, and of accepting in a
right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored for centuries</i>."] ~ India has never been a monolith with a homogeneous culture and peoples; India has always been a kaleidoscope with complex population demographics, mindset, worldview and unique regional dynamics. [Tagore</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> envisioned a parallelism - the
parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and <i>this</i>
is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial.)] </span>Therefore, what could be applicable to some parts/regions may not work or be applicable to others. Besides, each region have had their own history and geographical and evolutionary aspects... and therefore, disparate dynamics. [Even in modern India, arid and difficult landscape have fueled mercantile energy; mountainous regions have given a hardy people; a mixed landscape have nourished agro-based functions and artisanship, while lush-greenery have nurtured literature, art, creativity, innovation and other intellectual pursuits (besides agro-based activities and artisanship).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Ancient India was also the seat of learning - due to research and innovation in multiple areas. And this attracted seekers of knowledge from far and wide. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The decline of Takshashila marked the decline in Indian education, thought and
structure. Fewer and fewer knowledge-seekers, students and travelers made the
trip to India.</i></span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore advised that it is important for a
nation/people to develop herself from within, instead of merely adopting
(relying upon) Western or borrowed methods; 'coz borrowing other people's history will not
be enduring. </span>~ There is an anecdote involving Tenali Rama or Tenali Ramakrishna - the great wit. ~ Tenali Rama prayed to the Goddess. After a while She appeared before him - carrying a bowl of milk (representing wealth) and a bowl of curd (representing wisdom). She asked him to choose. Tenali Rama (very intelligently) mixed the contents of the two bowls and drank it. The goddess, impressed with him, blessed him with wealth and wisdom. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...........................................................</span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Megasthenes' Herakles was <i>not</i> the classical Greek
deity <i>per se</i>.</span> ~ During his travels (as the ambassador of the Seleucids)
during the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya of the Maurya Empire/Dynasty...
Megasthenes came upon an Indian deity, a fascinating figure... and equated him
with the classical Greek divinity - Herakles. <i>This</i> Herakles was none other than
Krishn or Hari-Krishna. Megasthenes also described an Indian clan called <i>Sourasenoi</i>,
who especially worshipped 'Herakles' in their land, and this land had two
cities, Methora and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. ... As was
common in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign
deities/gods in terms of their own divinities, and there is little doubt that
the 'Sourasenoi' refers to the Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">~
a branch of the Yadu clan/kula. Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be
identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. [T</span><span class="textexposedshow">he Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or late Greek <i>Sarakēnos</i>) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, a<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">part from the Vrishnis, that is. Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya.]</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: small;">~
Quintus Curtius also mentions that when
Alexander confronted King Porus (Puru or Raja Paurava/Parvateshvar)... Porus'
soldiers
were carrying an image of 'Herakles' in their vanguard. ~ The
all-conquering Alexander's career pretty much came to a halt... after
his brief encounter
with this mighty king of the Indus region. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus. "Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in
Sanskrit.] </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." </span>[The Greeks however had some success ruling as
kings in north-western cities such as the one in Takshashila... the
decline of which marked the decline in Indian
education, thought and structure. However, the so-called Macedonian empire in the east lasted
less than ten years after the invasion.]</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Persia" very likely evolved from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring'
or 'nearby'). The Rig Vedic <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Parsus</i> or <i>Parsavas</i> has been anglicized to Persians. So, maybe, the ancient Indus people (<i>refer relevant passages on the etymology of the word </i>"<i>Hindu</i>") called the people of the
first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva". ~ Did the ancient
Persians in turn (also) refer to the ancient Indus people and/or those living
to the east of them as "Prachya" (meaning: 'Eastern' or Eastern Country) - the Greek Praesii or </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Prasioi</span>? ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours.</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn founded the city of
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Pataliputra</span> - 138 generations before the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya.
(The despotic Nandas' reign ended ~ after Chanakya outmaneuvered Dhana Nanda
and his allies.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Now, was <i>this</i> Pataliputra
(founded by Krishn) <i>Palibothra</i> or Palimbothra to the Greeks? That is: was <i>this</i> Pataliputra,
Megasthenes' <i>Palibothra</i>?</span> Was the Greek Praesii or Prasioi ~ "Prachya" or 'Eastern Country'? ... Praesii or Prasioi is said to have been very prosperous ~ the
capital being Palibothra, a very large, industrious and wealthy city, after which the people
themselves were known as Palibothri. Apparently, Palibothra was located (from
the north-west) before the Ganges-Yamuna confluence. ... But modern Patna lies
southeast of the confluence. ~ <i>So, is this </i>'<i>Ganga</i>'<i> a reference to the river or is
it a metaphor</i>? More likely the latter. Maybe it is a reference to ancient
India. <span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~
"and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." || </span>So, was Praesii (of the
Greeks) actually <i>Prachya</i>, which in Sanskrit means 'Eastern country', the capital of which was the Pataliputra built by Krishn - 138 generations before Chandragupta Maurya? </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was Praesii or Prasioi (of the
Greeks) - </span></span></span>East to the
ancient Persians? ~ Therefore, were there two Magadh-s ~ which has resulted in much
confusion? ~ Megasthenes' <i>Palibothra</i> (the Pataliputra built by Krishn) may not
have been located in the eastern parts of modern India. Alexander did not cross the Indus region, and so, could not
have gone all the way to the eastern parts of modern India to battle with Chandragupta
Maurya. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> So, what areas did Megasthenes refer to by the city of <i>Palibothra</i>,
the country of <i>Praesii</i> and the river <i>Erannoboas</i>? ... Megasthenes was reasonably
familiar with the places he visited in ancient India. Apparently, "The
Indus skirts the frontiers of Praesii". ... But there is no River Indus in
the eastern parts of modern India. ~ According to Classical accounts the river
Jomanes flows through Palibothra into the Ganges between the towns of Methora
(Mathura) and Carisobaras. ~ So, this Methora (Mathura) was very likely part of
Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). But what is meant by Carisobaras? River
Sarasvati? Or River <span class="bodyarl">C</span>handrabhaga <span class="bodyarl">(Chenab)?</span> Here, Jomares (Yamuna) is very likely a metaphor. It could not have been the river by the same name ~ since the river Yamuna is part of the Madhyadesa or Middle Country region (of the Mahabharata times). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There is the country of Prabhadraka, Prabhadra or
Palibhadra/Paribhadra, (part of Madhyadesa from the Mahabharata times). There
is also reference to a king called Chandraketu (as the head of the Prabhadraka
Kshatriyas). Was this Chandraketu the Sandrokottas of the Greek accounts? But
Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks) could not have been part of Madhyadesa (Middle Country). Also, who
then was Sandrokyptos? Who was Sasicottus? And who was Xandramas? <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Apparently,
Magadha (the Prachya, "Easterners," Greek, <i>Prasioi</i>) had
attained a dominating position. ... Therefore, it appears that there
were <i>two</i> Magadha-s: One on the eastern parts of modern India (consisting of
eastern U.P., Bihar, possibly Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha) and the other
on the western parts of ancient India. [~ Two countries bearing the same
name was not unusual, though. There were two Kamboja-s (actually three, if we
consider Kambuja Desa or modern Cambodia).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> So, in all likelihood, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later the Guptas were associated with <i>this</i>
Magadha - the one on the western parts of ancient India ~ i.e. Prachya, Eastern Country; Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks. Even Jarasandha was associated with <i>this</i> Magadh (Prachya/ Praseii or Prasioi to the Greeks). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> After the great dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas,
principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for
a prosperous and vibrant society) - <i>this</i> Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with
the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ this
'Ganges' could be a reference to ancient India). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span></span>Did Lothal have anything to do
with the port city? ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. And even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned
far and wide. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For the Maurya Chandragupta to have fought the Greeks all the way from the
eastern parts of modern India (the <i>other</i> Magadha, that is) is quite far-fetched, especially
given the time and logistics involved - equipment, cavalry, elephants,
provisions, other paraphernalia and so on. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The etymology of Pataliputra is unclear. "Putra" means son, and "pāţali" is a species of rice or the plant <i>Bignonia suaveolens. </i>However, given that Krishn was a manifestation of Bhairava - the Primordial sound, this name may have evolved from Patal Bhairava.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Chanakya was
a Brahmana, implying erudition. [~ A
"Brahmana" was someone who trod in the path of knowledge - Brahmacharya. [Brhm refers to knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment. Goddess Sarasvati is also known as <i>Devi</i> Brahmi or Brahmani.] Brahmacharya does not indicate celibacy. That is mistranslation. The Vedic Rishis and Rishikas were not required to be celibate. It was a matter of choice, not compulsion. In Sanaatan Dharma there is no such thing as compulsion or straitjacketing. It is a 'way of life'.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Chanakya
is <i>also</i> addressed by two honorifics: Pandit and Acharya. ~ "Pandit"
indicates a wise, learned and enlightened person. "Acharya" means:
"He who instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". <i>That is the
mark of a true teacher/guru</i>. His father, Rishi Canak, too was a teacher/professor, and hence was also known as Acharya Canak. Chanakya means: son of Canak. [Rishi or Rishika is an honorific indicating erudition.] </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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'shikha') is a Sanskrit word that refers to a long tuft, or lock of hair left
on the top or on the back of the shaven head of a male Brahmana (erudite or learned person). However, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">traditionally, all males were required to wear a 'sikha', yet, today it is seen mainly
amongst temple priests</span>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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knotted during the performance of rites or ceremonies. Only funerals and death
anniversaries are performed with the 'sikha' tuft untied</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Maurya comes from 'Moriya'
or 'Mura'. [Pali: Mora.] It is derived from 'Mor' meaning, peacock. With time Moriya/Mura
became 'Maurya'. The Moriya were peacock-feather gatherers and Chandragupta's
mother hailed from this clan. There is some indication that she was the
daughter of a village headman, others indicate that she was the chief attendant (dasi) of the despotic Dhana Nanda (and that the latter sired
Chandragupta); this makes Chandragupta a 'dasi-putra'. (Though some versions
state that he belonged to a minor clan - the Moriya or Mura, and that his
father was the chief of a forest area called Pippatavana/Pippalivana.) It is
also believed that the Mura/Moriya clan was an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to
which Prince Siddharth, later Shri Gautam Buddh, belonged. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Sanskrit
language has no equivalent for a slave. [Das/Dasi = attendant.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Even the
celebrated Gupta emperors came from humble origins as did the Nandas. Dhana Nanda (son of Mahapadma Nanda) was the last ruler
of the Nanda dynasty. Dhana Nanda was of course despised on account of his
meanness and unscrupulous nature and the wickedness of his disposition.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Some accounts indicate that Chanakya was a "Dramila".</span> Now, "Dramila"
means, "running away" or "escaping". It is possible that
this word was used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who escaped the
great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Later, these displaced
people settled down in other parts. Chanakya probably was
born into one such family. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Dramila" is believed to be the root of the word "Dravida" by some scholars. Therefore, perhaps with the passage of time, this
word - Dramila - underwent certain changes, and gave rise to a new word,
"Dravida". ~ It is not indicative of 'race'. The <span class="textexposedshow">Indian Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization) is 'Aryavarsha' (~ abode of the <i>Arya</i>
people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people
who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha =
continent, in Sanskrit)</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There are multiple opinions about Chanakya's birthplace. According to Buddhist texts, his birthplace was Takshashila - located in north-western ancient India; he attended the famed university at the age of sixteen. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The university offered courses spanning a period of more than eight
years. So
prominent was the place where Chanakya received his education that it goes to
show the making of the genius. After acquiring vast knowledge in various
branches of study, the young Chanakya... believing in the dissemination of knowledge and not in the storage of it, became a professor (acharya) of economics and political science at
the ancient Takshashila University. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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students looked up to him as an ideal teacher who inspired and exemplified great
knowledge. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya's life was connected to two cities:
Takshashila and Pataliputra (Megasthenes' Palibothra - <i>refer the passages above</i>). This Pataliputra
(originally built by Krishn) was the capital of the Magadha kingdom on the western regions of ancient India (it was also known as <i>Prachya</i> or Eastern Country; Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). This Pataliputra was connected to Takshashila by
Uttarapatha, the northern high road of commerce. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Chanakya was still a teacher (acharya) at the Takshashila University when certain seminal geo-political events took place. Gandhara
Republic </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(it was an important kingdom and probably
consisted much of ancient/Vedic Upaganasthan, meaning: land [sthan] of the allied
clans) </span>was unable to come out of the shock of the comprehensive defeat at
the hands of the province of Porus, when a new contingency loomed over Takshashila. Thousands of refugees poured into Takshashila - as a result of the widespread
attacks by the armies of Alexander. Faced with this sudden influx, important and influential personalities decided to extend shelter to the refugees on humanitarian grounds. Accordingly, a
stretch of land outside Takshashila was allotted to them. This incident was (however) just a precursor to a series of events which reverberated across
ancient India - as a result of the attacks of Alexander. At such a time, Chanakya responded to the call of duty ~ to salvage the situation and save the country from the onslaught of the invaders. [Alexander was not Arya. The Greeks were regarded as Yavana. ~ Yavana indicates a
people who are reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and
architects, and yet... indulge in un-Aryan (ignoble) behaviour like
slave-taking, buying and selling of humans in
markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and so on. | Mlechcha, on the other hand, implies uncivilized or savage.] ~ Chanakya left Takshashila University for Patliputra, (Megasthenes' Palibothra) ~ which paved the way for watershed
changes in the politics of ancient India and Patliputra. A masterful
political strategist, he was an ace at turning tables irrespective of the
circumstances. Praised for his profound political wisdom, diplomacy
in a politically charged environment also shows his long-term thinking and clarity of vision, besides the ability
to stay calm in trying situations. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya is also known as 'Kaultilya' - the wily one (for his guiles). However, Vishnugupt probably is a different person ~ possibly a redactor of the original work of Kautilya.</span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Issues are <i>not</i>
one-dimensional or simplistic, and therefore, there are or have been no instant or
simplistic solutions either.</span> This has been the norm.
Statecraft/kutniti/politics has never been played out between or involved
upright, high-minded and righteous souls... simply because the dynamics of human nature is different. [And, <i>this</i>
includes the nature, mindset and worldview of the general populace too.
Or, at least, a large chunk of it. 'Coz statecraft/kutini/politics does
not exist in a vacuum/void or in isolation. It involves interaction and
social dynamics. The mindset or worldview of the people shapes the
social conditions. The general populace has never quite been upright,
righteous souls, themselves.
Therefore, statecraft/kutniti/politics have always involved dealing
with a multitude of emotions. In a diverse nation like India that is
self-explanatory.] Reciprocity (or some kind of barter system) has
always been the norm. (~ <i>The intensity, though, may have
differed from era/yug to era/yug</i>.) ~ And yet, Krishn, Chanakya and even Shri Ram or even the Mauryans and the Guptas have been
statesmen, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>not mere politicians</i></span> (~ 'coz their motives have <i>not</i> been selfish or self-serving). <span style="color: #4c1130;">They were not only clear about what needed to
be done, but also (most importantly) were clear about how to go about it. It is
here that their sagacity/prudence, astuteness, foresight, superior intelligence and wiles and guiles came into
good use.<span style="color: #351c75;"> (<i>refer the passage on Yug Purush</i>.)</span></span> ~ Their decisions, words and deeds were based on a rational analysis of the situation... factoring in
long-term aspects. They prudently eschewed short-term
considerations or ad hoc-ism (~ their actions were essentially a means to the broader vision, the bigger
picture/canvas - the larger goals/objectives, <i>not</i> personal glory). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
Neither Krishn nor Chanakya were up against well-intentioned and
upright, righteous souls. Nor was the prevalent society perfect. On the
contrary, it was fractious; besides people were either too self-centred
or too aloof to even protest. Things were simply spiraling out of
control. ~ But, how did Chanakya generate the funds that was necessary
to fructify his vision? How did Krishn do it? How did he generate the
funds to rebuild
the city of Dvarka (after the relentless attacks by Jarasandh on
Mathura/Megasthenes' Methora)? We don't quite know. ~ Maybe the
motives, purposes, goals and objectives, contributions, opportunities
and momentum created were what mattered and therefore gained primacy,
not the means. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so, the concept of 'lotus palm' and 'lotus feet' - the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment</i>... and the analogies
regarding the <i>lotus</i> (which grows in muddy water and yet remains pristine) and the <i>swan</i>
- whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in water. Both metaphors
indicate a real <i>karm-yogi</i>, a <i>nishkama karm-yogi</i> - such a
karm-yogi is called <i>hamsah</i> - the swan.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
Also, we find the system of 'utkoch'; this
word could be interpreted as 'ghus' (in modern terminology). ~ Perhaps
our
ancients interpreted it as 'gift' or reward or consideration - for
services rendered. The 'utkoch'
probably varied depending on the matters, issues and services provided. ~
So, did our
ancients prudently accept human nature, societal dynamics as well as the
nature and dynamics of statecraft/kutniti/politics besides commercial
and mercantile activities? ['Coz commercial functions and </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">statecraft/kutniti/politics
have never been mutually exclusive; they have always been part of the
same ecosystem. Power-brokers and middlemen have always existed.] </span></span>~
So, did such a rational and prudent world-view (instead of an utopian
or rhetorical one) in turn lead to the streamlining and smooth
functioning of administrative and commercial matters, instead of
avoidable logjams, stagnation and bottlenecks? 'Coz our ancient texts
don't
seem to be over-flowing with stories or anecdotes about 'bribery', and
the like. [~ <i>However, it
is unlikely that people would have been drastically different</i>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chanakya
was prescient and pithy: "It's
just as difficult to detect an official's dishonesty as it is to
discover how much
water is drunk by the swimming fish". [This can be applied w.r.t the
general populace as well.] Even the wise Nasreddin Hodja advised that
one must understand the nature of the beast before trying to tame it. <i>This is timeless wisdom</i>. ~ Therefore, did
our ancients devise a mechanism that legalized 'utkoch' - besides giving it a semblance of respectability...
not only with regard to nomenclature but also by bringing in slabs, ceilings, parameters
and the like? Did they recognize 'utkoch' as an important aspect/function - sort of
an intrinsic cog in the wheel of statecraft/kutniti/politics as well as that of
economic activity (commercial functions)? Did they also recognize it as part of economic activity itself as well as
a means of employment generation? 'Coz (e.g.) gambling was very much prevalent. ~ <i>My
guess is as good as yours</i>. Also, is that the reason why our ancient
texts are not littered with stories and/or anecdotes about 'utkoch' and
the like? Simply because it may have been an accepted fact and so, did
not raise eyebrows? 'Coz given the times and given the nature of their
functions - which was very much a part and parcel of
statecraft/kutniti/politics (of which 'utkoch' was an intrinsic cog in
the wheel), </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">it is unlikely that Shri Ram or Shri Krishn or for that matter Chanakya, the Mauryans or the Guptas</span></span>
would have got on without this particular cog - given human nature (~
they would have had to deal with a cross-section of people and
emotions). After all, statecraft or kutniti is all about dealing with
human nature, mere people-management (abstract phraseology) is not
enough. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ And so, reciprocity (or some kind of barter system) has always been the norm. (~ The intensity, though, may have
differed from era/yug to era/yug. Population as well as social complexities too would have been lesser.) </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
However, despite power-brokers, middlemen, statecraft/kutniti/politics
and 'utkoch', ancient India achieved remarkable strides in innovation,
creativity, research, town-planning, trade and other economic activity;
science, mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, art,
architecture, literature, poetry and sculpture flourished, and the
cultural
development of ancient India reached its zenith. So, our ancients
may not have viewed 'utkoch' as a stymieing factor to development and
progress; they probably accepted it as a constant/reality and an
integral part of human nature, and therefore took practical measures and
rationalized it, instead of letting it fester or tilting at windmills.
Also, avarice, gambling, petty crimes and so on will always exist; a
society will not function otherwise. Only when their intensity increases
tremendously do such activities or traits become a bane (i.e. hamper
societal progress and vibrancy). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dynasty or lineage too does not seem
to have been an issue. From the ancient Himalayan kingdom to the
celebrated Rama Empire, the Pandava Empire to the Mauryas and the Gupta
Empire - all have been dynasties/empires. In a kaleidoscopic ancient India, they lent stability, this in
turn helped ancient India to prosper and progress. Besides these
dynasties/empires, there have been several other empires and kingdoms
led by able rulers and administrators - under whose guidance and
leadership parts of ancient India flourished.
Administration/administrative functions and governance (which are also
intrinsic to empires and kingdoms) requires extensive networking (since
it is a cumulative or sum-total of various functions), holding of
dialogues, decision-making and alliance-building is necessary, and
therefore familiarity is an important criteria. Besides, arriving at a
common roadmap/framework for the future. The 'Cakravartin system of
governance' was very much dynasty/empire-based - lead by an able and
prominent member of a preeminent <i>kula</i> or clan (~ else it might
have been 'too many cooks spoil the broth'); there have been exceptions
though, when able persons from modest origins have risen and shone...
and gone on to become progenitors of dynasties/empires. [For a
Cakravartin-raja, dharma and karm-yog gained primacy. They probably arrived at a shared roadmap/guidelines/framework/architecture for the future - with their allies and other smaller kings/chieftains/satraps (janapadin). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Cakravartin-raja
was (thus) a unifier, a binding force/factor; a leader, a ruler, an administrator, a
teacher, a guiding spirit, a catalyst, a reformer and a well-wisher of the people; one who could take
diversities (of all kinds) along. His empire was not a monolith, but rather a
confederation (with maximum internal autonomy). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There were kings and chieftains
(janapadin<i>) </i>governing their own big and small
regions/kingdoms/territories (janapadas and mahajanapadas), and yet,
they all
functioned under the wise and reassuring presence of the Cakravartin. ~
He was the proverbial banyan tree beneath which all others sheltered. BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ ca
narādhipam</span> || ~ </i>"</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">and among humans I am the monarch" (Cakravartin).</span></span> ~ BG 10.25: || </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</span> || ~ </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: small;">"Of all trees I am the (asvatthah)" - fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as
well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ, or maybe both).</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Cakravartin were</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> not harbingers of
stagnation or short-termism or ad hocism/tactical measures; they had the mettle, capacity
and foresight
to effectively deal with societal dynamics, take longer-term planning
(a lucid plan of action), set strategic objectives and
follow through with them; they did not shy-away or postpone reforms
either, i.e. taking tangible measures for mindset change or for altering prejudices. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the latter - for it to be durable and organic. Optimism, a sense of hope and prioritizing were a hallmark to their leadership - it was integral to the way they led. ~ In fact, that <i>is</i> true leadership.] Perhaps stability,
stature, reassurance and continuity were overweening factors (important
pillars) for the rest to fall in place. [A nucleus is necessary.] Trying to rebuild the wheel or
framework/architecture at short intervals may not have been prudent,
probably counterproductive too (as is evident from the post Gupta era
gradual drift and flounder - the repercussions of which have been
extremely far-reaching). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Certain other line of work
such as business, diplomacy, medicine, the legal profession and even
entertainment (to some extent) - follow this trend/model, perhaps familiarity
(generational ties) and the strength borne out of it (networking, ease of
interaction, trust, confidence, etc) matters. These are critical intangibles,
and not quite quantifiable. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The many
monuments and ruins are a testimony to aesthetics; none of them are an
eyesore. Our ancients also lived in harmony with nature; they did not
pollute the water-bodies, etc. Plastic and other non-biodegradable
wastes were unknown to them. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Various sculptures and others forms of art tell
us about the attitude towards 'tritiya-prakriti'. The nomenclature itself is an
indication that three kinds of humans were accepted. Sculptures, art and texts also inform us about the attitude regarding <i>kama</i> (desire). BG 10.28: || </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>prajanaś
cāsmi kandarpaḥ || </i>~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">"of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa (or Cupid), the god of love." </span></span>Short-term marriage (termed 'Gandharva Vivaah') - that lasted for a few hours or a few days - were prevalent. No ritual was required, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">though the consent of the
female was essential. Gandharva Vivaah happened either to beget progeny
or for pleasure. </span>[Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born out of one such marriage between Matsyakanya Satyavati and Maharshi Parashara. Matsyakanya does not mean daughter of a fisherman or even fisherwoman. The ancient Matsya kingdom probably is modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati thus hailed from the ancient Matsya kingdom (of the Mahabharata times). She later became the queen of Hastinapura. ~ Ladies of the night too
existed, but were referred to as ganikas and nagar-vadhus. [Appropriate measures
for healthcare and hygiene were not withheld.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The terminologies give us a
glimpse into the mindset and culture of the earlier peoples and eras. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
earlier eras perhaps were able to streamline and rationalize, and thus
the nation too prospered. The social conditions were therefore much less
convoluted. They probably did not pile on unresolved issues and build a
mountain out of it. It is ultimately self-defeating and
counterproductive.] </span></span></span></span>The
Sanskrit language is a very erudite language. A very cultured language.
The
same can be said about the classical versions of other languages. [The
cuss-words and/or derogatory terminologies and/or phraseology of modern
times have
no parallel either in the Sanskrit language or in the classical versions
of
other Indian languages. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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what something as innocuous as phraseology or terminology can do to a people, a
society and (thereby) a civilization. Coinage is easy; altering or reversing it is a
Herculean task.] <span style="color: #4c1130;">Therefore, our ancients very likely based their
worldview
on a rational and realistic analysis of human nature (characteristics, thought
process, virtues, strengths, motivations, weaknesses/shortcomings/inadequacies et al) and human society, and
thus built-in
appropriate measures to prevent and/or mitigate unwanted/unpleasant
aspects.</span> [~
All this is before the post-Gupta era drift and flounder. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Not only did India lose her
preeminence in various areas, her reputation and respect (in the eyes of the
world) as a cultured civilization too was lost at the altar of myopia, expediency
and avarice. The state of the river Ganga was reminiscent of the state of the
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ The character of a society or civilization
can be easily gauged by how it views women (~ that is not to say womenfolk are merely 'mothers' and 'sisters'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Draupadi was insulted and none
spoke up (including the likes of Dhritatashtra, Bheeshma and Dronacharya - who
enjoyed much clout) - due to fear of antagonizing Duryodhana or due to petty
considerations (like Dronacharya - a <i>guru</i> no less). So engrossed were
they in deliberating about who should ascend the throne - Yudhishtira or Duryodhana
- that they were unable to see <i>adharm</i> unfold right in front of their
eyes. So much for foresight and priority. Krishn later remarks: a society that
stood by silently and simply watched - when a prominent and accomplished person
like Draupadi (who was <i>also</i> the princess of Panchal, daughter of King
Drupad, and so on) was insulted in such an <i>unarya</i> manner - in the most
derogatory language and gestures, what will such a society do when ordinary
women are mistreated. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> What kind of society or civilization emerges is in the
hands of the people... due to their actions, conditioning, thought process, vocabulary, idioms, hygiene, civic sense, mindset,
attitude, worldview and so forth ~ all of which influence and shape up the following generations... and thereby the social fabric. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For our ancients it was woven around Arya Dharma... which later unraveled. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother, Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, etc - were all 'born' or begotten through various medical procedures (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology). They were unnatural humans; they could not procreate naturally. </span><span style="font-size: small;">[Bheeshma refused to get himself cloned. ~ He was the outcome of DNA taken from multiple sources - after seven unsuccessful attempts. He was practically immortal, and thus the metaphor of 'shara-sajya' or 'bed of arrows' has been used. Despite grievous injuries, he was unable to leave his mortal body.] ~ Even Draupadi's
five sons (one by each of the Pandavas): Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti,
Satanika and Srutakarma are said to have been spitting images of their
respective fathers - the 5 Pandavas. This again points towards cloning. Therefore, 'the Pandavas announcing
to Kunti their arrival with excellent "alms", and a
supposedly busy Kunti replying without
turning to look at Draupadi (the supposed "alms")
and advising/ordering the brothers to share the "alms" equally amongst the five of
them' ~ is a later-day addition, courtesy
translators - who, unable to understand technology, etc improvised. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The great 'dharma-yuddha' </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(battle of ideas,
principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for
a prosperous and vibrant society) </span>also eliminated unnatural humans and destructive weaponry and allowed the earth to "heal"... thus civilization could progress naturally and peacefully. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Some genetic defects were found in subsequent generations which too were set right through medical procedures. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Kaalsarpa Dosha', 'Sarpa Dosha' or 'Nag Dosha' refers to genetic disorder. A
genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or
chromosomes. ~ If one observes the shape of DNA, it resembles two snakes
coiled together (something we now refer to as: DNA coiled into the double helix structure as
a ladder, a twisted rope ladder, or a spiral staircase). In ancient
times, our Rishis/Munis (learned persons) visualized everything ~ and
thus (euphemistically or maybe symbolically) referred to DNA as 'Sarpa',
and any disorder in the DNA was hence termed as 'Sarpa Dosha'. [Dosha = bio-energies found in the body.] Raja Janamajaya/Janamejaya's 'yagna' (euphemism for a 'scientific procedure' to correct 'Kaalsarpa Dosha') took up twelve years. [~ A
big chunk of the 'yagna' etc mentioned in our ancient texts is merely a reference to one or the other
scientific or medical procedure. From the narrative we can figure out
what sort of procedure has been indicated. Also, the
logo of the Indian Medical Association is self-explanatory.] With Parikshit (Janamejaya's father) too there is a 'sarpa' involved (though the story has largely
been mistranslated). This 'sarpa' is indicative of some genetic disorder. Maybe
<i>Rishi</i> Shameek and his son (Shringi) diagnosed this
disorder, but were unable to cure/eliminate it. Perhaps during the
procedure itself or
while undergoing therapy the disorder aggravated and/or his body reacted
negatively to the therapy/medication and thus, Parikshit died (as
indicated by 'Takshak hiding himself within
an apple'.) His son Janmejaya ascended the throne ~ and promptly took remedial measures -
to correct
his own genetic anomaly/disorder ('Sarpa Dosha' or 'Kaalsarpa Dosha').
In all
likelihood, Janmejaya probably engaged a battery of renowned Maharshis,
Rishis and Munis - highly knowledgeable and learned persons (to conduct
research and experiments... so as to find a remedy.) And this time -
after twelve years' of continuous effort - they were successful.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Human nature or traits are
innate or intrinsic aspects and hence different from conditioning. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Negative mindset
perpetrated for generations or information overload, etc can result in negative
conditioning... which in turn percolates into the social fabric and thereby
affects social conditions. However, negative conditioning can be altered,
through sustained efforts and tangible steps/measures. Various greats and even
unsung people have successfully altered or curbed negative mindset,
conditioning, etc. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> While certain aspects of human nature is <i>interlinked</i>
with certain activities or line of work, and therefore
statecraft/kutniti/politics, diplomacy and commercial and mercantile functions
have never been without quid pro quo, or some sort of reciprocity and even
'utkoch'. Given the very nature of the former (competitiveness, profit maximization,
information gathering, manipulation, manoeuvres, alliance-building and the like), the latter are
intrinsic, innate and (hence) an integral part of these activities; it is not merely
top-down but also bottom-up. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Maybe our ancients took a sensible view, and
(therefore) legalized or regularized it - by putting a cap or ceiling and bringing in parameters
etc along with appropriate nomenclature and so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> However, the purposes or
motives may differ. And therefore, 'lotus feet', 'lotus palm' (the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment</i>), and the swan
analogy (~ and the need to separate milk from water).]<span class="textexposedshow"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>...........................................................</b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Brahmn</i></span><b> </b></span>(Cosmic
Light or Light Divine/ Supreme/Universal Consciousness)
and<b> </b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Mahat</i> or <i>Ishvara</i>/<i>Ishvari</i></span><i><b> </b></i>(Primal Creative Energy/Cosmic Entity).</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow">BG 11.12: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>divi surya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah
sadrisi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah</i></span> || ~ "If the radiance of a
thousand suns were to suddenly come forth in the sky, that would be like the
light of the Param-atma." (Supreme Cosmic Spirit or Energy - Supreme/Universal Consciousness.) <span style="color: #660000;">| </span>[mahatmanah =
higher soul/Param-atma. ~ Krishn is referring to the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn (the Absolute) and
Brahm-jyotih (Cosmic Light or Light Divine).] </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Brahmn</i></span> - the Absolute; in other words: Cosmic Light or Light Divine
(divine effulgence); <i>also</i>: Param-atma - Supreme/Universal Consciousness. All
creation-related work is the work of Fire (i.e. Cosmic Fire, Cosmic Light/Brahmn-jyotih or Light Divine.) [... The impersonal Brahmn is thus revered as the <i>Supreme Creator</i>
(Srashtaa).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i>Brahmn
is
defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from
which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they
return</i>. ~ It is the light (divine effulgence) that
impersonalists perceive in the <i>Nirguna </i>(unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) <i>mode</i> of God/Almighty. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
AUM (also written as OM) represents Brahmn (the <i>Supreme Creator</i>/Srashtaa), as
well as the whole of creation. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The impersonal<i> Brahmn</i> - Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence) - is <i>thus</i> the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>unmanifested</i></span> (avyaktah/Niraakar) form of the Almighty. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahat</span> or <span style="color: #4c1130;">Ishvara/Ishvari</span> (Primal Creative Energy) is the Cosmic Entity - <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">the supreme power/authority of the universe/cosmos</span> - </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other)</span>: the
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Cosmic Ruler</span> (Jagat-patih - Sovereign of the Universe/Vishva Nath and Lord of Creation; Jagadishvara-Jagadishvari/Jagadish/Tribhuvaneshvar-Tribhuvaneshvari) and <span style="color: #4c1130;">Cosmic Teacher</span> (Palanhare). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Cosmic Entity is the highest possible
conception of the Absolute (impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine; divine effulgence), which is beyond
all thought</span>. <span style="color: #0c343d;">Thus, Ishvara/Ishvari is <i>manifested</i> Brahmn - vyaktah/Saakar
Brahmn.</span> ~ And so, Ishvara/Ishvari is <i>Brahma</i> -
the Creator. In other words: <span class="text"><i>Brahmā</i> is</span><span class="text">
the Creator <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being (Ishvara/Ishvari). Mahat or Ishvara/Ishvari is (thus) also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Vishwakarma</i></span>: Creator of the Universe. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As <i>manifested</i> Brahmn (vyaktah/saakar Brahmn), Ishvara/Ishvari (the Cosmic Entity) is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Omswaroop</span> (manifestation of OM). ~ </span>S/He is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically
precise universes. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">S/He is also <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>:
The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus, it is said: The seen (<i>manifested</i> - vyaktah/Saakar
Brahmn) and the unseen (<i>unmanifested</i> - avyaktah/Niraakar
Brahmn) are both one</span>. ~ This explains the concept of <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Advaita</i></span> (monism - Nirguna/Niraakar [formless/unmanifested] mode of God/Almighty, i.e. the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn);
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Dvaita</i></span> (dualism; impersonal, unmanifested or avyaktah/Niraakar
Brahmn i.e. Cosmic Light/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence + manifested or vyaktah/Saakar
Brahmn - the Cosmic Entity/Ishvara/Ishvari) and <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>āstika</i></span> (theism). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the
Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita also integrates dualism (Dvaita) and theism
(āstika).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Pratham Adi taba Shakti</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiWBB4sW-4"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link01</span></a></i></b>.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca</span> </i>||
~ "And among compound words I am the dual compound." ~ A reference to the
Cosmic Duality (~ the concept of <i>ArdhaNarishvara</i> or more precisely -<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">ArdhaNarishvari</span></i>.)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham </span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span></span> || </i>~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am
spring".<i> </i><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b><i> </i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also
spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as
used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known
as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient).</span> ~ The first two <i>carana/pada</i>
(quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). The
latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). <span style="color: #660000;">| </span>Gemini - the
twins, but that is not literal.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> ~ Here, it a reference to the concept of ArdhaNarishvara or ArdhaNarishvari. ~ Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka" incorporates this <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>essence</i></span>: </span></span><span class="text" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a>.</i></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">[</span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> As for the Bull or Vṛṣabha
aspect: <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dharma is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull (Vrishabha)</span>. ~ Thus, Lord Narayana (the Cosmic Entity/Ishvara - or rather, the Vishnu or preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity) is also called Vṛṣabha -
the Great Bull. ... This is because, S/<span class="text">He is </span>Dharmadhyaksha
- Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam or Supreme Dharma)<span class="text">. ~ Perhaps
S/He dispenses justice - for negative (Prarabda) karma - during presence
amongst humanity (as one or the other avatar). ~ In case the negative (Prarabda) karma has not been
"washed off" by the performance of adequate amounts of good karma - for the
benefit of humanity and society, that is.] ~ Copious amounts of g</span>ood/positive
karma is required to "wash off" (any existing or carried over)
Prarabda karma (negative karma); this in turn gives the individual and/or the
jiva-atma (human soul) a clean slate, or a positive amount (remainder) of good
karma. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Therefore, probably, the transmigration of a human soul (jiva-atma) is as per the presence of or lack thereof... of a positive amount (remainder) of
good karma. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i>Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for redemption</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Bhu-Loka or the Earth-Realm (part
of the Madhya-loka or Middle Planets) is karm-bhoomi; it is sort of a launch-pad
from where the jiva-atma (human soul or mere Self) can reach (i.e. transmigrate to) the other worlds/lokas (Urdhva-loka or Higher Planets and Adho-loka or Lower
Realms, also known as Bilva-Svarga - technologically and materially opulent but spiritually deficient lokas/planets) -
based on one's karma. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">Excessive Prarabda karma (negative karma) = the jiva-atma (human soul) may even have to suffer in one of the Hellish planets/Narak-loka.</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ In Sanaatan Dharmic thought there is no concept of rest in peace. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Instead, there is the concept of <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Charaiveti</i></span>:
to keep going, in this cycle of <i>samsara</i> - the constant cycle of birth and
re-birth - until one attains "moksha" (liberation) ~ based on one's (accumulated) positive karm, i.e.
nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking action/service... that contributes towards the greater good or a
better and vibrant society. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Every jiva-atma (human
soul or mere Self) will be reborn based on its accumulated karm-phal, the
fruits of one's karma, and (thus) get an opportunity to redeem itself.]<span class="blue"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Avatar</span>' means: descent, and
refers to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>a descent of the divine into earthly form</i></span>. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Avatar</span> comes from the
Sanskrit <i>avatirna</i>: "manifest/descent from the Lord" (Cosmic Entity or Ishvara/Ishvari).</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The manifestations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water. BG 10.40: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">||</span> <span style="color: #0c343d;">nānto 'sti mama divyānāḿ vibhūtīnāḿ parantapa
eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā</span></span></i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">|| ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">"There is no end of My divine manifestations, O
Arjun. What I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite
manifestations." </span></span><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Apart from the direct manifestations, there are innumerable empowered manifestations. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Partial avatars are called aḿśa. </span>The indirectly empowered ones are called vibhūtis. [~ 'Avatar' is <i>not</i> to be misconstrued as incarnation or re-incarnation ~ since the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <i>not</i> part of the cycle of <i>samsara</i> - the karmic cycle of birth and re-birth. 'Avatar' is <i>not</i> role play either. ... If we can understand what the avatars do, their contribution and purpose, we can then fully grasp the significance of the 'avatar' concept.]</span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~<span class="blue"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic
Teacher and Cosmic Ruler, <i>in his totality of manifestation</i></span>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In other words: </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is <i>not</i> an Avatar
of the Cosmic Ruler/Teacher/Entity (the Primordial), but is considered as the Cosmic Entity (albeit, in human form) i.e. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan) - the <i>human</i> manifestation [sagun swaroop] of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being</span></span></span></span></span></span> - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>in his totality of manifestation</i></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span>|| <i>krishnas
tu bhagavan svayam</i> || <span class="text">Krishn means, "the
all-attractive/absorbing One" (~ </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;">also symbolized
by the Universal Form of the Primordial</span>).</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> However, although in their human forms, the avatars possess certain qualities.
The 7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu (the Ram-avatar) possessed 12. While the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu
(the Krishna-avatar) possessed all 16; thus he is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Purna Avatar</i></span> (~ one in whom divinity is manifested fully.) The 10th Vishnu (<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar or </span>Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span>), on the other hand, is regarded as '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sampoorna Avatar</span>' (~ a total,
complete, all-encompassing avatar). Thus, this </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">avatar is stated as indescribable (kim api). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Now whether this could also mean that Lord
Krishna - in his totality of manifestation - is
Lord Kalki</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">ḥ</span></span></span></span> (<span class="blue">the Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span>) ~ <i>my
guess is as good as yours</i>. [~ But the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar, a Knight-saviour, is regarded as Krishna+ and the best of the Dasavatara. ... A lone warrior who will stand against negativism and calamity at the end of Kaliyug (the 'Dark Age' - the age of ignorance/confusion/degeneration/decay; euphemistically also called the Metal/Machine Age or the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) and put things on the road to recovery. This avatar is also the least worldly of all the avatars - on account of association with kundalini.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cosmic Entity has <span style="color: #4c1130;">ten principal avatars or manifestations</span> (not to be misconstrued for re-incarnation; the Cosmic Entity is <i>not</i> part of the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>samsara</i></span> or karmic cycle of birth and re-birth) - to stabilize, preserve and guide
the universe (and humanity) from time to time (as per:<i> <span style="color: #0c343d;">dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge</span></i> - to revive/rebuild/revitalize the principles of <i>dharma</i> - right, tangible actions for the greater/collective good, and <i>karm-yog</i> - individual and collective action i.e. effective, tangible and sustained karm-yog, even <i>nishkama karm-yog</i> ~ for the progress and betterment of society.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dashavatara</span></i>
(<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vevmG-pmNw"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i>) refers to the ten principal avatars - as per his<i> </i>promised: <i>||
<span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> </i>(BG 4.7)<i> || ~ </i><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Cosmic Entity manifests (as a transcendental avatar) ~ whenever there is a great amount of turmoil and/or stagnation, confusion, deterioration and degeneration, i.e. when societal churn/'manthan' becomes too great ~ to prevent a collapse of basic structure of
mankind; to stabilize the events/situation from spiraling out of control, and to help and guide mankind/humanity face the challenges posed...
whenever negativism become too dominant and/or when there is stagnation and/or a
lack of a sense of direction; or when humanity is unable to find a doable/effective solution to
their myriad issues (i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges/impediments overtake and loom
above the collective ability of humanity to find an effective solution/remedy). ~ Thus, the Cosmic Entity </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;">is also known as <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>:
The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide</span>. And thus, S/He is also known as 'Sudarshan' Vasudev Dhanvantari (</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">the Supreme Druid) - who arrives to stem the churn/manthan/turmoil ~ to stabilize, and to re-energize/rejuvenate... by providing <i>aoushata</i>
(remedy, solutions) ~ so that humanity can (gradually) "heal", i.e. overcome/surmount the odds/challenges and find/regain its rhythm/mojo. [<i>Refer to Sahasrara Chakra, Kundalini, Ajna Chakra, etc - for 'Sudarshan Chakra'</i>.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Narayana/Narayani or Keshavah (<span style="color: #4c1130;">this nomenclature is not constrained by gender</span>) is the Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih)
and Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare); also known as Ishvara/Ishvari, Mahat, God or the Almighty.
[Keshavah means: one who is the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i>
Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva; indicating the p<span class="kword">ower</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span>
and <span class="kword">Dissolution (i.e. </span>the three <i>aspects</i> of Ishvara/Ishvari -
the Cosmic Entity)<span class="kword">. </span>Narayana, as <i>Brahma</i>
(the Creator aspect) has created fourteen planetary
systems; Narayana sustains, maintains and preserves the
universe as <i>Vishnu</i> (the Preserver/Maintainer aspect) and dissolves the
universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra. ~ Thus the holy Trimurti
is non-different from Narayana.<span class="kword"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
</span>Narayana is the name of Ishvara/Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being ~ in
the infinite, all pervading form. Narayana also means: Enlightened
Supreme/Primordial Being. Also: well-wisher and refuge of all beings. 'Coz Ishvara
does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of the Primordial.<span class="kword">]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="usercontent">A quote from Swami Vivekananda's speech (Welcome
Address - Chicago, Sept 11, 1893) ~ in response to the warm and cordial welcome
he received: </span>"<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>As
the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their
water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through
different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead
to Thee</i></span>."</span><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">[Here is <span style="color: #4c1130;">'Tahare Arati Kare Chandra Tapan<span style="color: #351c75;"> Deva Manava</span>'</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXJRACZvmKU"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">|| <i>Ekam Sat Vipraha
Bahudha Vadanti</i> || ~ Truth (meaning: </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="hp">the Eternal/</span><span class="text">Shaashvata i.e. </span><span class="hp">Sat/Satya; <i>also</i>, timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) </span>is one, but the wise know/call it as many. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> In other words: God
is one, but we can approach the Almighty in many ways.</span><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">|| <i>eko vai nārāyaṇa
āsīn na brahmā na īśāno nāpo nāgni-samau neme dyāv-āp</i></span></span><i> </i></b><i>ṛthivī na</i><b><i> </i></b><i>nakṣatrāṇi na sūryaḥ</i> || ~ "In the
beginning of the creation there was only<b> </b>the Supreme/Primeval Being Nārāyaṇa.
There was no Brahmā, no Śiva, no water, no fire,<b> </b>no<b> </b>moon, no stars in the sky,
no sun."<b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">~ This </span></span></b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(perhaps)</span></span><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> indicates that... in
the beginning (of the creation) only the <i>Vishnu</i> aspect (i.e. the
Preserver/Stabilizer/Maintainer <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>aspect</i></span>) of the Primordial Being existed.</span></span><span class="text"> </span></b></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">|| <i>nārāyaṇaḥ paro devas tasmāj jātaś
caturmukhaḥ tasmād rudro 'bhavad devaḥ sa ca sarva-jñatāḿ gataḥ</i> || ~
"Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme/Primordial/Primeval Being ~ from whom Brahmā was born,
from whom Śiva was born."</span><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ This indicates the gradual 'birth' (coming
about/emergence) of the <i>other two aspects</i> of the Primordial Being #1. <i>Brahmā</i>
(the Creator - i.e. the '</span>Srashtaa'<span class="text"> or Creator <i>aspect</i>
of the Primordial Being) and #2. <i>Śiva</i> (~ the Dissolution <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being).</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || <i>dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ</i>
|| ~ "and of creators I am Brahmā."</span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.23: || <i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i> || ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>].<span class="text"></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Brahmā (Creator <i>aspect</i>) and Śiva
(Dissolution <i>aspect</i>) are <i>time-specific</i>. While the <i>Vishnu</i>
(Preserver/Stabilizer/Maintainer) <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being (Cosmic Entity) is <i>eternal</i>.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus, BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aham evākṣayaḥ kālo</i></span> || ~ "I am also inexhaustible time."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">And, BG 10.34: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mṛtyuḥ
sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</i>m</span> || ~ "I am all-consuming time,
and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be."
(~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all
that shall come into being.")</span><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ The universe is mathematically precise, 'coz <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>time and tide wait for none</i></span>. </span>~ And so, the commencement and closure of yugs
and maha-yugs; the transition from one yug to another or one maha-yug to another, too will happen on time. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The universe/cosmos functions as per the Cosmic
Plan. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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maanav-species; however, the avatars appear in their human/transcendental form (leela-avatars). And, whichever form the Purna Avatar or sagun swaroop (totality of manifestation/God manifest in human form) appears, <i>is</i> the Universal Form of the Primordial. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Cosmic Entity does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of
the Primordial. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Tagore envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together into
one body various peoples (~ and this is reminiscent of the Universal Form of
the Primordial. <i>Refer the relevant passages</i>.)</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">...................................................................... </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The
Bhagavad-Gita is a magnificent text; the jewel of ancient Eastern spiritual
wisdom, it is a text for all time, it is ever relevant, it is universal, and it
belongs to the world</span>. The eighteen chapters (and 700 verses) are a part of the
celebrated Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), and a
treasure-trove of guidance, knowledge, wisdom, philosophical concepts and
insights... about the purpose of life, the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->two-fold path or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>dvi-vidha nistha</i></span> - for karm-yogis and gyan-yogis respectively; about dharma (dharmic principles -
right/positive, tangible actions for the greater/collective good) and karm-yog
(walking the talk; to act, individually and collectively in a sustained
manner - toward the common/collective goals/objectives); about prioritizing; about the need to differentiate between the
positive and enduring (what is necessary/required/needed) and the negative and
transient/ephemeral (trivia) - the swan/hamsah analogy; to finding happiness and contentment, inner
transformation and tranquility; harmonious living; to building a good
society - a better and vibrant society; about the cosmos, about the Cosmic Entity's various manifestations, the Universal Form, and much more. ~ Including: the distinction between
the <i>Higher Self</i> (Supersoul/Param-atma) and the <i>mere Self</i> (Jiva-atma or
the individual soul) - about the organic and deep
connection (yog/sanjog) between Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul - <i>finites</i>) and Param-atma (the Higher
Self or Supersoul - <i>the</i> <i>Infinite</i>). ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">This
union of Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) with the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul) is called <i>Sanaatan Dharma</i>; in other words: connecting (yog/sanjog) with the Higher Self ~
seeking communion (yog/sanjog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or
Param-atma).</span> This results in Self-realization. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i>Brahmn</i> is defined as the one
self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things
emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. ~ It is the
light (divine effulgence, Cosmic Light or Divine Light) that impersonalists
perceive in the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Nirguna</span> </i>(unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) <i>mode</i>
of God/Almighty. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul), on the other hand - transmigrates from
one material body to another or to the other worlds/loka - based on one's karma. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for
redemption. [Therefore, perhaps, the transmigration of a Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual
soul) is as per the presence of or lack thereof... of a positive amount (remainder)
of good karma.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.13:<i> || dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha
dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati || </i>~ "As the embodied soul
continuously passes, in the material body, from childhood to youth to old age,
the soul similarly transmigrates from one body to another. The self-realized (wherein the mere Self/Jiva-atma has achieved communion with the Higher Self/Param-atma, and therefore experienced eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda) or
the temperate (dhirah = the temperate) is not bewildered/deluded by such a
change."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 2.22<b><i> </i></b><i>|| vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti
naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī || </i>~<b>
</b>"Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off old and
worn-out ones, the soul (Jiva-atma or mere Self) similarly takes up residence within
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The verses can also be taken as a conversation between Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual
soul, <i>finite</i> ~ represented by Arjun)
and the Param-atma (the Higher Self or
Supersoul, <i>the</i> <i>Infinite</i> ~ Sri
Krishn</span>. ... Since the Cosmic Entity is <i>manifested</i> Brahmn -
vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn; Krishn is a male manifestation - transcendental form or leela-avatar - of the Cosmic Entity, the Primordial.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arjun (and possibly even Draupadi) probably realized that Krishn was no ordinary human. Tagore said: <i>aamar khela jakhon chhilo tomar shoney, takhon keye tumi ta keye janto</i>. ~ Tagore also said: <i>praan chay chokkhu na chay... sundar eshe phire jaye tobe kaar lagi mithya ae shojja</i>. ~ Only the enlightened or self-realized </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(wherein the mere Self/Jiva-atma has achieved communion with the Higher Self/Param-atma, and therefore experienced the eternal/bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda) can recognize the avatars ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'coz they become a connected part of the greater cosmos. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">This happens due to the awakening of the subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the <i>kundalini</i> (</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">which exists in the sacrum bone - a large, triangular bone - at the base of the spine</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">. <span style="color: #4c1130;">The process of
Enlightenment or in other words Self-realization involves the gentle awakening
of this living and conscious energy, so that it pervades the individual's
entire being. Once this occurs, an individual is no longer disconnected from
the universe around them - i.e. he/she is no longer confined inside his/her own head (due to ego, confusion,
delusion, vainglory, etc).</span> Instead, the</span> mind is lit
up, in a manner of speaking; </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">the metaphoric <i>dimaag ki batti</i> is lit up - possibly depicted by
the "halo"; it brings about self-knowledge and contentment - leading
to Sat-cit-ānanda, the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of
"self-realization".</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"> Kundalini awakening connects a human to his or her Atman (Supersoul/Higher Self) -
which is the source of all things. When an individual become totally connected with it,
such a person becomes a Buddha (the Enlightened One) - eternal and filled with
pure/timeless knowledge (para vidya). ~ Thus, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">probably Arjun could fully understand/comprehend + imbibe all that Krishn imparted to him. ... And so, BG 10.37: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">pāṇḍavānāḿ dhanañjayaḥ</span> </i></span>|| <span style="color: #351c75;">~ "I am <span class="text">Arjun among the Pandavs". <b>|</b></span> However, though the
number of verses is 700, there is indication suggesting that the old manuscripts
had 745 verses. Whether there were more than 745 verses, many of which now lost in the mists of time ~ <i>my guess is as
good as yours.</i></span><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->By<i> <i>praan chay chokkhu na
chay... sundar eshe phire jaye tobe kaar lagi mithya ae shojja</i></i> -<i><i> </i></i>Tagore probably advised/cautioned against excessive ritualism and focus/emphasis on trivia (unimportant or transient <i>aspects</i>) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">which
clouds the mind and intellect</span> - then one cannot connect to the greater whole, and so, one tends to miss the larger picture - the enduring (~ as symbolized by the <i>swan metaphor</i>). Tagore also emphasized on education - intellectual
pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning) ~ 'coz
knowledge is likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum.<i><b> </b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>One infinite pure and holy - beyond thought beyond qualities I
bow down to thee</i></span>." - Swami Vivekananda.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous</i></span>." ~ Albert Einstein.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Cannot agree more. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>........................................................... </b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">~ Krishn is universal (</span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>also refer to the passages on Krishn and Yug
Purush/Renaissance Man</i>.) He is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Eternal/</span></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text">Shaashvata</span></span> (<i>Sat/Satya - eternal; </i></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>also timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya</i>) and exudes grace, wisdom, generosity, work ethic, workmanship, dharmic excellence (right actions for the larger good: loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha), enlightenment and compassion/goodness (<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sundar</span>). </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is <i>Mahat</i> - the Great
One; He is <i>Viraat</i> - the Infinite. He is well-wisher of humanity, and thinks about the welfare, progress and prosperity of all beings throughout the cosmos; He is beyond human pettiness or
small-mindedness. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->For the Cosmic Entity (Ishvara), as Cakravartin, the goals/objectives, the greater/collective good, the welfare
of mankind/humanity and (thus) prioritization is important.] And so, he is compared to the swan. </span><span class="hp">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The swan is supposed to possess the ability to separate the
water from the cream (in milk) - symbolizing the need to differentiate between positive aspects and negative
aspects, the enduring (what is required/necessary or needed) and the ephemeral/transient (or trivial)</span>. He is also <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>matsya</i></span> - the fish; for the betterment of mankind/humanity he will, if need be, swim against the tide; he will, thus, create opportunity and blaze a trail where none exists - for others to follow. <span style="color: #4c1130;">('Toxin' - negativism, including abuse, insults, slights, derision) does not deter him. [He is Ghanshyam - the all-absorbing one.]</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">He </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">and never shirked from standing by his
convictions/commitment - the collective goals/objectives: the larger good, the betterment of society.</span> (<i>Also, refer to Nishkama karma and karm-yogi at the end of this post</i>.) ~ Krishn is eternal; he is the Primordial (Aadinath), and therefore, has a wealth of experience, sagacity and wise counsel; he is also very clear-eyed, and hence, prescient; he thus</span><span class="hp"> steered the course through tortuous
events et al... and put things on firmer ground (upward trajectory). </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">A clear head, sound judgment, plenty of common sense, a pleasant
personality, quietly magnificent, indomitable energy, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->personal magnetism, strategic and far-thinking, gumption and purpose, a quiet determination, magnanimity/generosity of spirit, </span></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">a long-term vision and abundant patience, steadfastness (to stay the course, and not get demotivated by the magnitude of odds/challenges, or give up - due to slights or lack of instant results), tremendous ingenuity
and work ethic, ardent convictions of duty (right, tangible actions, and not merely words or philosophy - for the betterment of society), the fortitude of the hero, with an
unflinching courage of those convictions... he was not easily turned aside/away
from whatever he undertook... by bigger and mightier
obstacles/impediments/odds/challenges (than those of Treta).</span> [</span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Each era/age/yug is distinct; viewing them through the prism of another
will be misleading.] </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">His intensity is balanced by his enthusiasm and
energy. However, usually appended to the more forceful
virtues were gentler ones - humility, affability, approachability, affection and a genuine concern for the welfare of humanity. Krishn, thus, we can say, was striking in appearance and
personality/character traits, but without ego (ahamkara) or vainglory</span>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ He is the Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare) and
Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih/Jagadishvar) - rather a male manifestation of Ishvari (~ <i>as indicated by a non-rugged face</i>. The same holds for Shri Ram, Rudra-Siva, etc.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">As the Cosmic Teacher, he puts on a
veneer - the avatars never announce themselves; he (also) holds a mirror to humanity</span>. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ This <i>veneer</i> (probably) helps them to assesses humanity (~ their
thought process, comprehension, perspective and cognitive abilities, calibre, mettle,
the talent at hand, and so on). Also, whether they can (like the swan) differentiate between
positive aspects and negative aspects; between what is necessary/important (enduring)
and what is transient (trivial). ~ This is probably integral to his holding a
mirror to society ~ to usher in clarity (so as to dispel confusion, apathy, indifference and
ignorance). ~ To (thereby) help humanity/society to access itself; to 'awaken',
to take cognizance, to shun negativism/pessimism/despondency/narrow parochial
thoughts et al; to individually and collectively introspect... and then resort to
collective, sustained and tangible actions (karm-yog) - to the best of their
abilities; to also reset their inner compass. ~ All this will lead to gradual
corrective action/course correction, including attitudinal and mindset change; in other words: towards organic, positive
change - upward trajectory/turnaround</span>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> As he says, everything happens due to collective karm-yog
(effective, tangible actions - for the betterment of society) or lack of collective, timely
and tangible karm-yog; thus, the downward slide (into quagmire) or the gradual
degeneration/decay of a society/civilization also comes about due to lack of timely
action (i.e. lack of timely, collective, tangible and sustained karm-yog). BG
2.47: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>karmaNi eva adhikaaraste maa phaleshu
kadaachana, maa karma phala hetuH bhuH maa sanghaH astu akarmaNi</i></span> || ~ "Thy business is with the action (i.e. timely,
tangible, effective and sustained karm-yog) only, never with its fruits (outcome); so let
not the fruits of action be thy motive, nor be thou to inaction (apathy,
indifference) attached." [In other words: <i>Do
your karma (to the best of your ability) and leave the rest to God</i>. Also: <span style="color: #0c343d;">Never give up</span>.] ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus, remaining inactive (i.e. collective shirking of
responsibility, based on individual responsibility, inclination, nature or
traits) or being a fence-sitter or being weak-minded is not advisable</span>. Instead,
the focus should be on performing collective, tangible and sustained karm-yog... as best as possible. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Perfunctoryness is not a substitute</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> [sri-bhagavan uvaca/Sri Bhagavan said (2-2)]: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>kutas tva
kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya-justam asvargyam akirti-karam arjuna</i> </span>|| ~ "Arjuna! Why are you indulging in such negative thoughts at
such a critical time? Such ignoble/un-Aryan (AnArya Justam) behaviour (traits) is unbecoming, it will not gain you entry into higher
worlds (Asvargyam = heavenly planets); it will also not allow you to
perform your sva-dharma (duties and responsibilities based on his nature, traits, position, etc)." [~ Krishn chides Arjun - for shirking/running away from his true
calling as a warrior (in the battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress
and vision - for the betterment of society, for the future of humanity).] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It is also an
exhortation/advise to all of humanity: to overcome dejection/pessimism etc; to shun
cynicism, complacency, procrastination and negative thoughts/negativism - to the best of their ability; to remain cheerful (positive attitude/morale), to cultivate inner fortitude;
to not get overwhelmed by negativism and/or lack of quick, instant outcome (to seemingly insurmountable odds), and to remain steadfast in reaching
the collective goals/objectives. ~ Frustration or dejection is for the
weak-minded, and serves no purpose</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">There is no magic wand, no quick-fix,
no instant solutions (to overcome challenges/impediments to collective/societal progress and prosperity,
especially if these have been left to fester or have come about over a period of time or over several generations; 'coz
it then requires attitudinal/mindset changing as well; it is thus work-in-progress); humanity will (therefore) have to sort out
their own issues - through collective/cumulative, comprehensive and sustained effort; there is no one
"out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it</span>. ~ There is no
alternative to sustained, collective and tangible karm-yog; mere words is not
enough. ~ This has been the message of the Krishn-avatar (the 8<sup>th</sup>
Vishnu). And, this has also been the message of the Buddh-avatar (the 9th
Vishnu). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Collective karm-yog also provides a national sense of direction, of collective
achievement; it helps build character and mettle, otherwise a glorious past is no guarantee for a great future</span>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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not waste their energy in useless screaming and quarreling, and because there
is no waste of energy it is not found wanting when required. This calmness and
fortitude of body and mind is part of their national self-realization</i>."<b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Emulating the Krishn-avatar, etc is futile; as the Cosmic Entity (Ishvara/Ishvari), their purpose is different; humanity needs to (instead) deliberate deeply, understand/comprehend and imbibe the essence of the lessons imparted... and continue to perform their collective karm-yog (as per their dharma).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.........................................................</span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 3.3: (sri-bhagavan uvaca/Sri Bhagavan said)<b>: || </b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>loke 'smin dvi-vidha nistha pura prokta mayanagha jnana-yogena
sankhyanam karma-yogena yoginam</i></span> || ~ "O noble one [Arjun], in this world a two-fold path has been expounded by
Me of old: by the discipline of <i>knowledge</i> (jnana-yogena) for the followers of saNkhya (i.e. gyana-yogi - teachers/academics, preachers, etc),
and by the discipline of <i>action</i> (karma-yogena) for the followers of karm-yog (karm-yogi - rulers, reformers, anyone in a decision-making or leadership role.)"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Dharma</i></span> is (thus) not linear, not straight and
narrow; it is not armchair feel-good philosophy or even rhetoric, it is not self-righteousness or abstract moralism or even utopian/impractical idealism; it is not quite
ethics or principles by itself - since dharma does not exist in a vacuum/void. It all depends on the motive and objectives - whether <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>sakama karm</i>a</span> (selfish action/karm - for narrow parochial gains) or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>nishkama karma</i></span> (selfless, non-glory-seeking action/karm - for the larger good, e.g. to build a better and vibrant society). <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="hp">The motives and goals/objectives is important. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dharma is practical application, result-oriented</span>.<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> Also, <span style="color: #4c1130;">e</span></span><span class="hp"><span style="color: #4c1130;">ach era/age/yug is distinct</span>, their dynamics, odds and challenges differ, even the nature of humanity, their individual and collective worldview, mindset/attitudinal aspects, social conditions, population demographics, comprehension/cognitive abilities, technological aspects, mettle and caliber/competence, and so on does not remain constant; there is a quarterly decline/deterioration, and so, </span><span class="hp"><span class="hp">the principles of dharma and karm-yog too does not remain the same. V</span>iewing each era/yug through the prism of another
will be, therefore, misleading.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="hp">[~ A Maha-Yug (i.e. four-yug cycle, viz Sat/Satya/Krita Yug,
Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug and Kaliyug) follows a ratio of 4:3:2:1, hence Kaliyug is the
shortest of all yugs. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Sat/Satya/Krita is the metaphoric 'Golden Age' of<i> </i>revival, renaissance, prosperity, progress, and so on; Treta is the metaphoric 'Silver Age'; Dvapar is 'Copper Age'; while the </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->end of Kaliyug is euphemistically known as the 'Dark Age', the 'Metal/Machine Age' or<i> ghor
Kaliyug phase </i>or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ There is a quarterly decline in karm-yog, dharmic principles, mettle, calibre, comprehension/perceptive/cognitive
abilities, humanism, worldview, social conditions et al of humanity at the end of each era/yug.</span> </span>The end of Kaliyug is (thus) regarded as the lowest of all phases and the most degenerate of all eras/yugs. ~ The renaissance or revival will (however) <i>not</i> happen by itself; sustained, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->positive, well-thought-out and tangible actions - individual and collective
action/effort - is necessary.]</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus the duties and responsibilities (dharma) of a ruler
(king/emperor/Cakravartin-raja, anyone in a leadership or decision-making role, etc) is not quite the same as that of an academic/teacher
or preacher</span>. ~ The essence may remain the same, but the context does not. And
so, their karm-yog too is not similar (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">as per <i>dvi-vidha nistha</i> or two-fold path). Theorizing is different from practical aspects. A ruler, e.g. cannot resort to sermonizing, lecturing, grandstanding, exhortations, etc ~ if faced with governance or administrative issues. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Philosophy alone will not suffice. Practical and well thought-out steps/corrective actions/reforms are required to address them</i></span>.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> It is, more often than not, a tortuous path/process, also requiring abundant patience and diligence. Even involving mindset, attitudinal change. <i>It is work-in-progress</i>. Postponement, procrastination or ad hoc measures will only aggravate the issues/challenges. [~ Therefore, the endeavour should be to gradually achieve a turnaround, to put things on an upward trajectory, positive organic change. It requires collective and sustained effort.] <span style="color: #4c1130;">A ruler needs to (therefore) possess the courage of convictions and follow through with it - to the best of their abilities; and so, they need to prioritize, have a roadmap, be clear-eyed, strategic and far-thinking; possess a long-term vision, and so on; a ruler/leader needs to take cognizance of what is necessary/required/needed to be done (like the swan) - for a better society to emerge, for the larger/collective good (loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha, i.e. "welfare of all" or for the benefit of society). An ideal ruler, if need be, will have to swim against the tide, create opportunity - where none exist. ~ A ruler, or for that matter, anyone in a leadership or decision-making role cannot be daunted by frowns or overwhelmed by smiles</span>.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn was born under unusual circumstances. He grew up... away from his parental home, was
sent away to study at the age of 5 or 7 (at
Maharshi Sandeepani and Garga Muni's ashram), and returned only to be instantly drawn into a whirlpool of intrigue
(unleashed by the machinations of the tyrannical Jarasandha, Kansh and their allies). [<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jain tradition recognizes Krishn as Vasudev and Jarasandh as the
prati-Vasudev (possibly: anti-Krishna) - and this shows how important the
rivalry between the two was</span>.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Krishn appeared on the scene with his
heroic abilities, superior intellect and tremendous political foresight (when
the political situation of the country was most difficult with the likes of Jarasandh and allies holding sway; his background or erudition did not buffer him); however, he, having been
thrown into the situation, was quite clear in his objective</i></span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn, as a <i>Purna Avatar</i> (one in whom divinity is manifested fully - a reference to all 16 qualities) is not part of maanav-species; he is also <i>not</i> part of the karmic cycle of <i>samsara</i> - of birth and re-birth. What the avatars do is as per the Cosmic Plan. <span style="color: #0c343d;">When avatars arrive, they bring forth or accelerate karmas; they
create situations - opportunity - that bring forth both the positive as well as the negative (the swan allegory - ability to separate the milk from the cream in milk); e.g. Krishn brought out both the
positive and the negative. [Possibly: to destroy/dispel delusion, illusion, confusion et al; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to clear the
'cobwebs', to lift the 'fog' of confusion, delusion, negativism, etc, to "awaken"
humanity ... as well as to hold a mirror to society</span></span> ~ in order to generate vital force in order to take corrective action, to reform; to urge humanity into
introspection ~ so that it leads <span class="ital-inline">to a natural process
of unraveling (from ignorance to discovery and from reformation to
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Drifting with the flow or following the herd is
easy; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #0c343d;">to merely express
unhappiness or to ascribe fault/blame to others as a matter of routine, to
lament, complain or bemoan events/situation/happenings - is no sweat; but to be <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>matsya</i></span> - <span class="hp">the fish; to lead
from the front; to, if need be, swim against the tide - for the betterment of
mankind/humanity; to hold a mirror to society (toward deep-set and regressive mindset, conditioning, indifference, cavalier attitude et al); to create momentum and opportunity and blaze a trail where none exists -
for others to follow; to achieve a positive turnaround or to put things on firmer ground; to reform; to take tangible steps or perform
positive actions for mindset and attitudinal change... and to do all of that not from a position of strength + in a
spirit of </span></span><span class="hp"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>nishkam karma</i> (selfless,
non-glory-seeking action) is in a league of its own</span>. To be a trendsetter in a difficult/challenging environment and/or to create opportunity even for others - is a class act. ~ The avatars make seemingly
insurmountable odds and challenges seem easy and (thus) capable of being
accomplished with little effort; and so, e.g., the Krishn-avatar is called '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Giridhari</span>'
<span style="color: #4c1130;">- the lifter of mountains</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">To be 'Neelkanth' (the allegorical 'blue-throated one')</span> - to soak up 'toxin'/negativism, slights, barbs, insults et al ~ to 'cleanse', to
remove pettiness residing in peoples' hearts and minds - arising out of societal churn/'manthan': to correct the course/achieve a turnaround; to renew/re-energize/rejuvenate; to help
mankind/humanity ~ so that human society can function and progress and prosper - only can avatar can do that. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">O</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">nly an avatar can lift humanity (human society/civilization) from
zero level or rather sub-zero level; i.e. from the <i>lowest point</i> - from
considerable ignorance/stagnation/decay etc (signifying the metaphoric
'quicksand'/'mud'/quagmire)... and put it back on an upward trajectory, on the road to recovery; only an avatar has the capacity/caliber/ability to be that catalyst: to prevent a
collapse of basic structure of mankind, to prevent humanity (and/or the
planet's) slide into 'quicksand'/quagmire (or to pull it out from one) - to
re-energize... to set the ball rolling, so to speak</span>. ~ And, <i>this</i> should help
us understand what the <span style="color: #4c1130;">Varaha-avatar</span> (the unicorn boar) indicates; this avatar
is regarded as the supreme form of Narayana/Narayani/Vishnu/Hari (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>aspect</i></span> of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial). ... Incidentally,
the current kalpa is known as "<span style="color: #4c1130;">Svhetavaraha Kalpa</span>". (Svheta = white.
Varaha = the great boar.)</span> </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> To not be affected by negativism; to not turn into a
negative person; to not become pessimistic or sullen. To be a catalyst for positive change. To remain cheerful,
resilient and invigorating... requires equanimity, nerves of steel, long-term vision, statesmanship, political sagacity (astuteness), and plenty of guile and gumption.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~
To steadfastly perform <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>nishkam karm</i></span> (selfless/non-glory-seeking karm) with inner detachment ~ for a greater cause (e.g. for a better/progressive, prosperous
and inclusive society to emerge)... provides the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment</i> -<span style="color: #4c1130;">
symbolized by
the lotus in muddy water and the hamsah/swan in water</span>. [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Inner detachment/Jeevan Mukt or even equanimity is not to be
inferred as robotic or machine-like, but that impediments should not
deject or demoralize. It is important to persevere, to remain optimistic and not give up</i></span>.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b> </span><span style="color: #0c343d;">The roots of a lotus are <span class="ilad">in the
mud (muddy water)</span>, <span class="ilad">the stem</span> grows up through the
water, and the heavily <span class="ilad">scented</span> flower lies pristine
above the water. ~ <i>The lotus remains Nirmal - pristine, even
though rooted in the muddiest waters</i>. ~ While, <i>t</i><span class="st"><i>he swan's
feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water</i>. ~ </span>It
is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). The spirit of such persons is spotless (Nirmal). Therefore, the concept of caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or "lotus feet" and kara-puṣkara
or "lotus-palm" has come about. </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The goals/objectives is important, not the means ~ so long the means (ingenuity, etc) is a step towards the greater cause - the larger/collective good ~ building a better society (i.e. loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha).</span> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <span class="st">The
<span style="color: #0c343d;">lotus flower and the swan/hamsah</span> are (thus) embodiments of <i>nishkam karm</i> and inner detachment (and the <i>dharmic freedom</i> it bestows) and exemplify a true yogi - a real ascetic
(hamsan) or </span>sanyaasi (~ it indicates inner detachment/jeevan mukt - not renunciation). ~ Such a one is<span class="st"> a true yogi<i> - a <span style="color: #4c1130;">nishkam karm-yogi</span></i>. </span><span class="st">Such a yogi is called <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>hamsah - the swan</i></span>. [Krishn is known as Hamsah - the swan; <span style="color: #4c1130;">his was the highest dharmic mission</span>. Humanity was faced with bigger and mightier odds/challenges/impediments in Dvapar than in Treta, but that did not deter him.] (<i>~ Do also read the relevant passages on hamsah -
the swan and nishkam karm</i>.)]</span></span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 4.7:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir
bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> ||</i> ~
"Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy in
dharma/dharmic principles (for the greater good, and/or for humanity/society
to progress and prosper/flourish); or when such an alarming decline is
perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata (addressing Arjun, who belonged to
the Puru-vansh/Bharat-vansh lineage/clan), only then, I, manifest Myself." ~ Thus, whenever and wherever societal 'churn'/manthan/turmoil
becomes too great or difficult (i.e. whenever and wherever there is a great amount of stagnation, degeneration/deterioration) ... so much so that humanity is 'paralyzed'/bewildered and lacks a sense of direction, or is hurtling towards 'quicksand'/quagmire, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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myriad issues (i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges/impediments overtake and
loom above the collective ability of humanity to find an effective
solution/remedy)... only then, the Cosmic Entity manifests as one or the other major avatar - to stem the
'churn'/manthan, to stabilize (and to re-energize/turnaround). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Thus, the Primordial Being <span class="text">is also known as <i>kartaa</i>:
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus, for the <i>7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">the Ram-avatar</span>, Warrior-Prince - warrior against negativism; a <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>karm-yogi</i></span> and Cakravartin-raja. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Treta - the symbolic 'Silver Age' - since there is a quarterly decline in karm-yog, dharmic principles, mettle, comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities, humanism, social conditions, worldview et al of humanity at the end of each era/yug): || <i>vitarasi dikshu
rane dik-pati-kamaniyam dasha-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam keshava-dhrita-rama-sharira
jaya jagadish hare</i> || ~ To destroy the ten-headed ~ an allegory for various
elements that were troubling humanity and disturbing peace, including Meghnaad
and Vali - both of whom would have posed a massive challenge to humanity, peace, progress
and prosperity in the future - on account of their nature and overweening
ambition; to destroy dangerous weaponry (including <i>nagpaas</i>
- incorrectly translated/understood as "a trap made of a million
snakes". Snakes = poisonous. So the <i>nagpaas</i> is very likely an
allusion to very potent nerve agents, etc - that could also cause long-term damage - both genetic and environmental); besides gigantic humanoid-robots like
"Kumbhakarna" - that carried a variety of hi-tech weaponry); to dismantle the
"Shiv-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear
weapons (after an all-round agreement/general consensus) ~ to protect the
planet and civilizations therein... O Keshavah! O Lord of the universe (Jagadish)! O Lord Hari, who
have assumed the form (sharira) of Ramachandra (the Ram-avatar; <i>keshava-dhrita-rama-sharira</i>). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> [Hari/Hare = Dispeller
[Haran] of Misery/Troubles/Calamity/Sankat - of humanity/human society/civilization.]</span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]-->For the <i>8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">the Krishn-avatar</span> - Soldier-Statesman; soldier against negativism; a philosopher-mentor + karm-yogi + an epoch-making avatar/Renaissance man/Yug Purush (<i>refer the relevant passages on Yug Purush</i>); Dvarkadheesh, but a Cakravartin by dint of his actions/karm-yog. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Dvapar - the symbolic 'Copper Age'): || <i>vahasi vapushi
vishade vasanam jaladabham hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham keshava
dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadish hare</i> || ~ O You who dispel misery and vanquish the arrogance of the wicked
(~ a reference to Duryodhan, Shakuni, Dushshana, Karna, Jarasandh, Kansh, etc,
their allies + their collective machinations). O Keshavah! O Lord of the
universe! O Lord Hari. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> [~ Hari/Hare = Dispeller
(Haran) of Misery/Troubles/Calamity/Sankat - of humanity/human society/civilization.] </span><span style="font-size: small;">The Krishn-avatar brought about a complete change of course and lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge. (</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>keshava
dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadish hare.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </i>~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Mahabharata ('The Great History of the
Bharatas') was a <i>dharma-yuddha</i> - battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity,
progress and vision - for the future of humanity/human society; for a better society
to emerge, for a constructive 'way of life'</span>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> For a ruler or leader (i.e. anyone in a leadership or decision-making role), dharma (duties and responsibilities) does not mean utopian moralism,
self-righteousness or unrealistic/impractical idealism, and so on. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ It is about what should
prevail? What should happen to humanity and human society? (for Krishn, it was about Dvapar and beyond).
~ Downward spiral or an upward movement? ~ E.g., if Jarasandh (and his allies) or
Duryodhan and Shakuni (and their allies) were to prevail - what would have been the outcome?
What turn would the Mahabharata (~ and by extension, human society of Dvapar and beyond) have taken?</span>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ </span><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Therefore, </span>Krishn's was the highest dharmic mission</i>:</span> to stem the downward
slide, to steady the churn/manthan; to stabilize, to preserve (i.e. prevent a collapse of basic
structure of mankind); to dispel the misery/sankat/calamity confronting the people, and to re-energize/revive i.e. put things on firmer ground/upward trajectory. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ As
the Jagat-patih, Sovereign of the Universe/Lord of Creation, he
upheld Raj-dharma (~ <i>the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign</i>; as Dvarkadheesh too he upheld Raj-dharma; he
protected humanity and put things on firmer ground – upward trajectory; he was the catalyst for a better society to emerge, instead of sliding deeper into quagmire. He stemmed/mitigated the long-term damage.) </span>He also rid the planet of
extremely destructive weaponry and unnatural humans (highly evolved humanoids -
genetically engineered and cloned) ~ to allow the planet, humanity and human
civilization to "heal"... so as to progress naturally and peacefully.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>vahasi vapushi vishade vasanam jaladabham</i>: Krishn is fair-complexioned; probably reddish-hued or crimson
(Lohith/Rohitah or Rohit). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i>vasanam jaladabham:</i> Your attire is the colour
of a fresh blue rain cloud. ~ This is allegorical. ... Wherever there is the <span style="color: #4c1130;">convergence</span> of purity (i.e. Sat-cit-ānanda or the
eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization, and non-glory-seeking karm)
and depth (boundlessness) ~ it produces the colour blue. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Meghavarnam</i></span>.
The water of the seas and the sky - both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the
Almighty combines both purity and depth or boundlessness, S/He too is
(allegorically) 'blue-hued'. (~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It's a concept - to indicate divine
attribute/divinity</span>.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">Blue</span> also stands for: meditation/introspection, peace, tranquility,
depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, patience,
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Both Ram and Krishn are described as tall, handsome and with eyes shaped like lotus petals (maybe, big-eyed). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> For
Krishn: coral lips (maybe reddish or the colour of red-coral); head bedecked with peacock
feathers (that would very likely be the headgear or crown); a fascinating face;
an enthralling/captivating smile. ~ His features probably were a
result of the delicate blending of the martian, saturnine, venusian and lunar
characteristics. In other words: due to the dominance of the influences of the
Moon and Venus, with Saturn and Mars]. <i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the <i>9<sup>th</sup> Vishnu</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">the
Buddh-avatar</span>, Sage-Prince - a <span style="color: #4c1130;">teacher-philosopher;<i> </i>gyana-yogi</span>): || <i>nindasi jajna-vidher ahaha shruti-jatam sadaya-hridaya
darshita-pashu-ghatam keshava dhrita-buddha-sharira jaya jagadish hare</i> ||
~ O Buddha (the Enlightened One), of compassionate heart, You show compassion to all living entities; You
preach the doctrine of peace, co-existence, non-violence (ahimsa) and universal brotherhood. O
Keshavah! O Lord of the universe (Jagadish)! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of
Buddha (the Buddh-avatar; <i>keshava dhrita-buddha-sharira</i>).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->For the <i>10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">the </span><span class="blue"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Kalkiḥ-avatar</span> or Kalkiḥ Maitreya; a karm-yogi + Maitreya Buddha + an epoch-making avatar/Renaissance Man (Yug Purush) + Knight-saviour ~ 'coz </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the changeover from one era/yug to another, including one maha-yug to another, becomes
possible by the coming of an <i>avatar of an era/yug</i> - a <span style="color: #4c1130;">yugavatara</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The end of Kaliyug (<i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) is the symbolic Dark Age - the Age of Machines or Metal/'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay - since dharmic principles, values, ethics and karm-yog will fall <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>below</i></span> the minimum level; humanism + comprehension/perceptive/perspective/cognitive abilities, mettle et al of humanity too will fall <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>below</i></span> the minimum level... this will impact their worldview, social conditions et al ~ thus, humanity will become symbolic machines/robots). The end of Kaliyug is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>thus</i></span> the lowest point: ||</span> <i>mleccha-nivaha-nidhane
kalayasi karavalam dhumaketum iva kim api karalam keshava dhrita-kalki-sharira
jaya jagadish hare </i>|| ~ This avatar will be
indescribable (<i>kim api</i>). To "close" the 'Dark Age' -<i> </i>the<i> ghor Kaliyug phase</i> or the Metal/Machine Age - 'Iron
Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay,<span class="blue"> the Kalkiḥ-avatar </span>appears
like a comet (<i>dhumaketum iva</i>), holding a sword of light - the (metaphoric)
brilliant/effulgent sword (known as "Ratna Maru") - it is the
(symbolic) "sword" of destiny, of hope and opportunity: signifying knowledge,
discernment and wisdom - to guide humanity through the 'fog' of confusion, ignorance,
apathy/indifference, ennui, stagnation, degeneration, decay, etc (at the end of
Kaliyug, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->euphemistically known as the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>
or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay. This phase is therefore also known as the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>most degenerate</i></span> of all yugs/ages). This avatar's 'vehicle' is the white winged
horse/flying horse (Devadutta). O Keshavah! O Lord of the universe (Jagadish)! O Lord Hari, who
have assumed the form of <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>
(the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>-avatar;
<i>keshava dhrita-kalki-sharira</i>). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>-avatar is <i>predicted</i> to be an erudite, intelligent and
valiant (shaurya) personage who will possess Sattva Guna-s (noble
traits/qualities). This avatar will (thus) be a cogent,
sagacious, clear-sighted and far-sighted avatar, characterized by steady, earnest and energetic
effort ~ someone with <i>dhrti</i> (courage of the mind - resilient, steadfast,
patient and displaying fortitude and endurance). [Valour/<span style="color: #4c1130;">Shaurya</span> <i>is a
special human quality, usually demonstrated in the performance of extraordinary
and unselfish deeds (nishkam karm) in the face of great challenges - for the
greater/collective good</i>.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Parasurama (the 6<sup>th</sup> avatar of the
Dasavatara) will be the martial guru of the </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span>-avatar.</span></span> </span><b>|</b></span> ~ <span class="ital-inline">This avatar is<i> not</i> quite the "Apocalyptic
Horse Rider", but a <span style="color: #4c1130;">pathfinder and preserver/stabilizer</span>: to prevent turmoil/</span>Pralaya (on earth); and to bring about the <span style="color: #4c1130;">transition</span> from the end of Kaliyug to Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next Maha-yug. This avatar will probably also <span style="color: #4c1130;">set the stage</span> for the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">Sat/Satya/Krita Yug (the metaphoric 'Golden Age' - <span style="color: #4c1130;">the age of
gradual rejuvenation, renaissance, prosperity and progress</span>) of the <i>next Maha-Yug</i> to manifest</span>. This avatar will very likely also be <i>the avatar of the next Sat/Satya/Krita Yug</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ, </span>also referred to as Kalkin and Kalaki, is<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time
is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) </span>~ Another etymology (for "<span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>")
from Sanskrit is 'white horse'; maybe indicative of equine features.]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">From what we can gather, Yajña, better known as </span>Svayambhuva Manu (the first
"Manu") - performed <i>tapasya</i> at Naimisa on the banks of the Gomati river - for acquiring the privilege of having Lord Narayan/Narayani (the Cosmic Entity) as his offspring in three different lifetimes. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Yajña or </span>Svayambhuva Manu - who (earlier) appeared as Raja Dasarath (Lord Ram's father -
in Treta) and as Vasudev (Lord Krshn's father - in Dvapar) is predicted to
finally appear as Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash Sharma (Lord <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ's father - at <i>yuga-sandhyāyām</i>/at the conjunction/cusp of two yugs
[Kaliyug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle; sandhyāyām = evening,
twilight, cusp]). || <i>bhavane vishnuyashasah kalkih pradurbhavishyati</i> || ~ Lord Kalki
will appear (prādúr) in the home (bhavanê) of Vishnuyasha in the future
(bhavishyati). And be born to Vishnuyasha (<i>janitā viṣṇu-yaśaso</i>). || </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">namna</span></i></b><i> kalkir jagat-patih ||</i> ~ The
appearance (of the Lord of Creation/Sovereign of the Universe) would be during: <i>athāsau yuga-sandhyāyām</i>: at the conjunction/cusp of two
yugs (Kaliyug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/maha-yug; sandhyāyām = evening,
twilight, dusk, cusp.) ~ At this time the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay - i.e. the negative aspects of Kaliyug (<i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) will
be at its peak. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> N</span>ow,
Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas could be a name per se, or it could be an allegorical
name; it could also mean: devotee of Lord Narayan (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity). Vishnuyash is described as Brahmanasya, i.e. he will be a Brahmana,
implying erudition; he will also be the head of Shambhala village:
shambhala-grama-mukhyasya.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Alternatively:</span> <i>shambhala-grama-mukhyasya brahmanasya mahatmanah</i> could be a reference to Lord Kalkiḥ. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>shambhala-grama-mukhyasya</i>
</span>could imply Shambhu Nath (the Ruler/Guardian [Nath] of Shambhala). <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Brahmanasya</i></span> implies erudition. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Mahatmanah</i></span> implies
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<i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Shambhala</span> is a mystical kingdom that guards the most sacred spiritual teachings
of the world, including the <i>Kalachakra</i> ('Wheel of Time'), the pinnacle of
Buddhist wisdom. Perhaps, Shambhala is synonymous with Shangri-la; or, maybe,
the lost kingdom of Shangri-La was inspired by the legend of Shambala. Shambhala (ruled over by
Lord Maitreya/Buddha Maitreya/Maitreya Buddha) is also mentioned in various
ancient texts, including the Kalachakra Tantra + other texts that predate
Tibetan Buddhism in western Tibet. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another meaning of
Shambhala: "Bhal" refers to the forehead. Therefore, Shambhala can
also mean: "Born of the Forehead" or "Place of the
Forehead" ~ indicating "destiny". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Shambhala is the land of great Rishi-s. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Guru Nanakdev-ji called it Sach Khand. It is our past - our future - yet
exists in our present. It is the 'land of bliss' (eternal bliss/spiritual
ecstasy of self-realization ~ Sat-cit-ānanda) of the earliest Vedic times. It
is also called "Aryavarsha" (abode of the Arya people; the
Land of the Noble Ones) ~ the land from which the Vedas (Book of Knowledge or
Book of Enlightenment; Veda comes from the root 'Vid' which means, "to
know") came from. Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Anandaloke Mangal-aloke</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeo5I8KmCKw"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>-avatar
is synonymous with the Krishn-avatar. Maybe that's why this avatar is regarded as
the second coming of Krishna. [<span class="hp">The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Krishn-avatar</span> is depicted with an
allegorical <span style="color: #4c1130;">golden disc/chakra</span> ~ indicative of the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra (Ajna
Chakra or Brow Chakra, the symbolic third-eye-chakra; possibly the <i>allegoric</i> third eye of Shiva), while the 7<sup>th</sup> Chakra (the Sahasrara Chakra, the highest chakra)
is associated with the Kalkiḥ</span><span class="blue">-avatar,
indicative of <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini-power</span> (symbolized by <span style="color: #4c1130;">brilliant white</span>). [And <i>this</i> should help us understand what <i>Durga Kshama Shiva dhatri</i> means. Kshama = magnanimity, high-mindedness, nobility of spirit: <i>the ability to rise above selfish considerations</i>. Dhatri = mother.] The combination of the 6th and 7th chakras is 'Sudarshan Chakra' - possibly depicted by the <i>syncretic form</i> of Rudra/Shiva-Shakti.] ~ Thus, the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>-avatar</span></span></span> </span><span class="hp">is
regarded as Krishna+ (<i>refer the relevant passages on kundalini,
sahasrara chakra, ajna chakra, etc</i>).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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mam viddhi paartha brihaspatim senaninam aham skandah sarasam asmi sagarah</i> || ~ </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Of preceptors, O Arjun, know <i>Me</i> to be the
chief, Brihaspati. Of leaders I am Skandah, and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ Skandah is also known as Devasenapati - leader of the positive forces - the Virupakshas. [Deva = positive entities/forces.] Virupaksha = oblique eyes; Rudraksha (eye of Rudra) and Virupaksha is one and the same. Goddess Parvati - the transcendental form/leela-avatar of the Cosmic Entity (Goddess Adi Shakti) <i>is</i> Rudra-Siva Herself. She <i>is</i> Kailashpati. She is <i>thus</i> Shambhu Nath (the Ruler/Guardian (Nath) of Shambhala. So, Skandah probably was an able leader of the Virupakshas. Skandah and Gauri-tanaya Kartik are taken as one and the same. But then, Skandah is also known as Kartikeya meaning 'of Kartik'. Therefore, in all likelihood, Shanda is Kartik's son. [Probably Kartik and Kartikeya have caused some confusion. Kartik is most closely associated with the lance - given to him by his mother, goddess Parvati.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(<i>Refer to the earlier part of the above paragraph</i>). However, given that the conditions at the end of Kaliyug will be considerably different from those that prevailed at the end of Dvapar ~ we can expect a mix of Krishn and Chanakya. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the larger/collective/national goals/objectives above him, Chanakya (also known as Kautilya - <i>for his guile</i> <i>and wiles</i>) did not seek power for the
sake of power; instead, he maneuvered and out-maneuvered (not to be misconstrued as manipulation, that is indicative of selfish motives), in a series of
masterful strokes ~ eschewing myopia/short-term considerations. Instead, he thought of the future, of future generations</span>. He was a problem-solver - a do-er with a rare </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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and dispassionate/objective nature (coupled with monk-like self-discipline and focus) probably helped him to take prudent and well-thought-out decisions
- that in turn helped him to bring together various regions/nations/cultures/peoples; this
temperament also stood him in good stead as an able administrator. Chanakya thus
was not the one to squander momentum or to let go of strategic opportunities, indigenous or otherwise. [He wouldn't be Chanakya then.] ~
It is unlikely though that he would have actually advised the state to create
issues in order to keep a handle on the people; simply because such a route is
self-defeating/counterproductive/detrimental in the mid to long-run; issues never remain constant/unchanged, besides creating diverse mindset
as a corollary; issues are an ever-growing list that tends to prolong, meander,
get complicated and fester... ultimately weaving their way into the national
fabric, thereby impacting and stymieing the stability, prosperity and progress of a nation. [Krishna's
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gave his views/insights (as a cautionary note) regarding how the end of Kaliyug (the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) could turn out to be (in the absence of a common or collective roadmap/architecture/framework and Cakravartin, that is). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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sense and pithy, unflowery wisdom, he perhaps
foresaw it all. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Chanakya
was a fine statesman, a political scientist and a nation-builder, besides being a very
able administrator; he eschewed parochialism, unrealistic/armchair worldview, textbook
knowledge/wisdom et al, and clearly understood what needed to be done. Pragmatism and realism coupled with geo-political savvy, drive and far-sightedness helped him to be</span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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reading of events and regional dynamics was <i>thus</i> prescient. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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in his choices, meticulous in his preparation (planning - plan of action, strategizing, negotiating,
networking, alliance-building... the works), </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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a unifocal view; he did not choose to look the other way, he did not choose utopian
idealism, self-preservation or verbosity - to merely crib and carp/complain and do
nothing</span>. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Instead, he took the initiative; he chose <i>nishkama karm-yog </i>- the doctrine of action (for a karm-yogi): selfless, positive, tangible and sustained action. Thus, his too was the highest
dharmic mission</span>. Else, ancient India would have been trampled + washed away by
various torrent (of troubles/calamities) and myriad internal rot. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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he was an extraordinary figure/personage for/at an extraordinary time/turn of
our history</span>. He was the Renaissance man - Yug Purush <i>(refer the relevant passages on Yug Purush</i>). The decadent, venal, vainglorious
and tyrannical (allegorical
Magadhan python) Dhana Nanda (and his allies) held sway, and later the devastating (allegorical
Macedonian python) Alexander was at the gates. ~ Even a semblance of values and ethics (and karm-yog) had taken a backseat... deception, parochialism and survival of the fittest had become order of the day; there was lack of cohesion, <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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reigned - culminating in a greatly diminished quality of life or
degradation of values, including shared values; crumbling of the basic fabric of society and symbolized values ~ resulting in selfishness,
gloom and distrust - lack
of an underlying feeling of faith
and warmth amongst the common
people, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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was divisive and sort of dysfunctional, people lived in apprehension; humanity was in shambles; might
was right; there was sheep in
lion's clothing, none realized the gravity of the situation and spirituality was being sold for a price. ... At such a time and scenario - to salvage the situation, to uplift society back on
firmer ground, to achieve a turnaround ~ is a gigantic task. <span style="color: #4c1130;">It was only with a firm resolve (born out of his long-term vision + the unshakable courage of his convictions) that Chanakya handled the spiraling situation</span>. Steadily navigating through choppy waters and a myriad of tortuous events, relying only on his quiet confidence, intelligence, sagacity and willpower, he united/galvanized a fractured/fractious nation and lay the foundation of
a glorious era </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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that was marked by all-round progress, from the arts to the sciences, literature and
innovation as well as trade and other economic activity; as a result ancient India developed
from within and evolved into a preeminent nation that shared a multidimensional
relationship with other nations. Chanakya did not possess the charm of Krishn; it was his innate ability and extraordinary brilliance that helped him
tackle the difficult and myriad situations and challenges. He was valiant
(shaurya) - a true braveheart. <span style="color: #4c1130;">What he accomplished
was phenomenal</span>. He possessed the courage of the mind to make things happen + the mettle
of grit and fortitude (inner strength, the strength of his karma) and
was clear-eyed enough to recognize the <i>enduring</i> (what was
required/needed/necessary, i.e. what had to be done) and what was <i>transient</i> (trivial). Born
a commoner but
exhibiting the power of
an enlightened one - the knower of the Bhagavad-Gita, he achieved
the unachievable ~ given the circumstances and given the magnitude of odds and challenges. ... To work out an
amicable solution when all seems haywire/precarious - it is only the power of
Chanakya that can pin pointedly give an effective solution. As per the
Bhagavad-Gita ~ the 10th and final avatar of Lord Vishnu (i.e.
the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity) - Bhagavan <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> - would be almost like a one-man army (possibly, a Krishn-Chanakya-esque knight-saviour + Renaissance man/Yug Purush, not one-person show). ~ For one who does not fear death... taking control of happenings would
be easier - to prevent turmoil/Pralaya on earth + to put things on firmer ground/achieve a turnaround or positive change of course, instead of being pushed deeper into quagmire. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> History is not boring, the teacher is. And, if humanity does not learn from history, it tends to repeat itself.] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;">To <i>comprehend</i> rare personages like Krishn and Chanakya - Yug Purush - one needs to really think big</span>. ~ Trying to forcefit them into narrow viewpoints, parochilism, perfunctoryness, indifference, small worldview et al will be misleading.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Being trapped within one's own head - courtesy ego, vainglory, etc will cloud the mind and intellect. Greatness or mettle cannot be acquired, just as respect cannot be demanded. ~ Swami Vivekananda, Tagore and Einstein were great - not merely due to their achievements, but 'coz they did not try to imagine themselves as Krishn. They were under no illusions regarding their stature and contributions. ~ 'Coz such personages (Krishn and Chanakya) are epoch-making. ~ Once we are able to comprehend the magnitude of their karm, contribution and purpose, besides the momentum and opportunity they create - when none exist - we can then (perhaps) understand what dharma and karm-yog is all about, what the swan analogy means, and what a <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>nishkama karm-yogi</i></span> is really like. ~ To answer the call of duty despite spiraling challenges ~ is a test of mettle and calibre. Leadership cannot be acquired. Character cannot be acquired. A change of circumstances will not repair character flaws/weaknesses/deficiencies. Nishkam karm-yog is about shunning bluster, finger-pointing, shortcut-ism/ad hoc-ism, and selfish motives. It is about embracing toil wholeheartedly, about giving one's all - blood, sweat and tears - for a greater cause, for the long-term, for the future - to change well-entrenched mindset, to reform, to bring about an organic cultural shift - to build a better, prosperous, progressive and vibrant society and nation (~ not to be misconstrued as nationalism, though). It is result-oriented action - for the larger/collective good. One has to <i>also</i> be prepared for the myriad barbs, slights, bile, insults and so forth - if one decides to be <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>matsya</i></span> - the fish - and swim against the tide/flow. Thus the <i>allegories</i> of <span style="color: #4c1130;">Neelkanth</span> (the 'blue-throated one') and <span style="color: #4c1130;">Ghanshyam</span> (the all-absorbing one). ~ Nishkam karm-yogis are Neelkanth-s - they are <i>not</i> deterred or daunted by frowns and taunts; they not only say/speak but also perform actions that are ground-breaking/pioneering and far-reaching in nature. They, thus, blaze a trail for others to follow. <span style="color: #4c1130;">They make it easier for others, while soaking up the barbs, slights and negativism themselves. </span>This helps to 'cleanse' and <i>thus</i> contributes toward a positive/constructive culture shift. They also possess enough guiles and wiles (not to be misconstrued for 'stooping to conquer') - to bring forth the 'amrit' (positive aspects) from amidst a cacophony or cloud of negativism. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ Only avatars possess this kind of ardent convictions of duty and the unflinching courage of convictions, ingenuity (imagination) and work ethic - to steer the course through tortuous events and choppy waters... to put things on the road to recovery. They <i>thus</i> teach through their own behaviour/actions and lead from the front. They inspire. They are inspirational figures. Eternally</span>.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is also a strong possibility that Chanakya
infiltrated Alexander's army by getting Chandragupta recruited into it. The
latter's humble origins made no difference to the great Master. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Chanakya was
a Brahmana, implying erudition. [~ A
"Brahmana" was someone who trod in the path of knowledge.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> He
is <i>also</i> addressed by two honorifics: Pandit and Acharya. ~ "Pandit"
indicates a wise, learned and enlightened person. "Acharya" means:
"He who instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". <i>That is the
mark of a true teacher/guru</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> One can only marvel at how a brilliant and intrepid
young man -<span class="moretext"> with unmatched resiliency,</span> vulcanized
via the most trying of circumstances, and who went to Takshashila at the age
of sixteen, but had no practical experience whatsoever in the treacherous world
of <i>kutniti </i>and politics was (gradually) able to outmaneuver an
assortment of experienced and powerful (albeit negative) entities - and that
too from a position of weakness + checkmated the rampaging Macedonians - to
unite a fractured nation and lay the foundations of a glorious era. ~ He was <i>thus</i> a
Renaissance Man, a Yug Purush; he turned the wheel - despite all odds. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> His life is a lesson in equanimity; he did not let difficult circumstances/situations/events + an assortment of
challenges and impediments deject or demoralize him. Instead, he persevered. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>He never lost sight of the larger cause - the goals/objective. He
never gave up</i>.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">He was a finisher, he took all that he set out to do across the finish line.</span></span><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Chanakya is unlike the robotic, unethical entity that he has
been made out to be. Though he taught politics and economics at Takshashila, he
was essentially a karm-yogi, not a gyan-yogi (refer Krishn's two-fold path or <i>dvi-vidha nistha</i>). Also, his motive, purpose, goals/objective were <i>not</i> selfish. ~ <i>Amatya</i> Rakshasa was the venal and tyrannical Dhana Nanda's
trusted aide and minister (amatya)... and did all he could - to humiliate and destroy
Chanakya. ... And yet, when the time came the latter was able to look through all
that and hand over the baton to the former. Chanakya not only cleverly brought <i>Amatya</i> Rakshasa (real name: Kartikeya) back, but also publicly de-demonized him. ~ A shallow person with a petty mind could not have done
this. Thus Chanakya did possess a great deal of character depth. [~ Both Krishn and Chanakya were bathed in real-life struggle, but neither was given to vainglorious behaviour, they did not beat their own drums. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya is also associated with what can be called the 'porridge-bowl theory' ~ something he imbibed from an unlettered village woman. ... That when handed a piping-hot bowl of porridge, one must not attempt to eat from the middle. Eating from the sides is advisable. ~ This is pithy wisdom. And one is struck by its similarity with Krishn's advise. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span class="usercontent">BG 2.47: || </span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="usercontent"><i>karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā
karma-phala-hetur bhūr</i></span><i> <span class="usercontent">mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi</span></i></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span>|| ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit
of dharma - positive/constructive, tangible action for the greater good + individual and collective/cumulative/concerted karm-yog) to the best of your ability.
Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do not highlight
your divergences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be positive.
Never lose hope.</span>]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Glimpses of all the major avatars probably can be seen in </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">the Kalkiḥ-</span></span></span></span>avatar. [<span style="color: #4c1130;">A merging of various avatars into one form/manifestation - the Universal Form</span>.] 'Coz they are non-different from the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being. And, given that the 10th Vishnu<span class="blue"> </span>is a 'Sampoorna Avatar' ~ a total, complete, all-encompassing avatar, it is quite possible
that this
avatar could also be (e.g.) Lord Maitreya Buddha, Saoshyant of the Zoroastrians, <span class="blue">the
second coming of Christ, and so on</span><span class="blue">.</span> <span class="blue">~ Kalkiḥ Ma</span><span class="blue">itreya</span> <span class="blue">and
Maitreya Buddha</span><span class="blue"> </span><span class="blue">(the
next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Sakyamuni Buddha), share
a Shambhala
connection - both are said to be the ruler/king of the fabled Buddhist land or
mythical kingdom of Shambhala. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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"the source of happiness"</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>
Shambhala
= Shambhu (Shiv) + Le (of). [So, Shambhala could very well be Kailash.] Therefore, the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya could
also be Shambhu Nath - </span>possibly a <i>title</i> or honorific, indicative of the Ruler (Nath) and Guardian/Protector of Shambhala. [BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" (Rudra-Siva).] ~
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Shambhala <span class="text">is also considered to be the </span><i><span class="text">real</span></i> Haridvar. Some believe it to be the
actual Manas Sarovara, Prayag, Kailash and Rishikesh or 'Agni
Tirtha'. It is a land of immortals. ~ Probably all of these have contributed towards Shambhala being regarded as </span><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span style="color: #4c1130;">the world's <i>spiritual powerhouse</i>.</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">The Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mt Meru (the central 'mountain' of the world) as
the location of </span><span class="blue">the fabled Buddhist
land or mythical kingdom of </span><span class="text">Shambhala.
[<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mt Meru: </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="fcknormaltext0">is
taken as the true centre of the planet and the world's spiritual powerhouse; it
is the heartbeat of whole universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart
of divinity; it </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;">is the center of the
cosmos</span>. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of Ursa
Major, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole (Dhruva Loka?)] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>BG
10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>meruh sikharinam aham</i></span> || ~ "and of mountains I
am Meru." ~ Mt. Meru is very likely an allegorical mountain. The
<i>Dasavatara</i> depicts Lord Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizing/preserving/maintainer <i>aspect</i>
of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being) as supporting Mt. Meru on His back ~ as the Kurma
Avatar. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Śrīvatsa
mark</span> on Lord Vishnu's chest, symbolizes His 'consort' Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi as well as His eternal aspect.
Vishnu is thus Srivatsankita, the one who bears the sign of Srivatsa.<b> </b>[It is said that the 10th and final Maha Avatar of
Lord Vishnu (i.e. the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being), </span></span><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue">the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar</span></span>, will be
the bearer of the Srivatsa mark. SrivatsavakshaaH is another name of Lord Vishnu ~ </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being</span></span></span></span></span>. ~ </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">Srivatsa is an ancient auspicious symbol in India. </span></span>The Śrīvatsa mark also adorns the images of the Jain Tirthankaras
and of the Buddha.)]</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi</span></span> </span></span> as the <span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">'consort' </span></span><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">of Lord Vishnu i.e. </span></span><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>may not be literal</i></span></span></span>. </span></span>It could be indicative of the energy <i>aspect</i> of the <span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being. [Therefore, both the <i>aspects</i> - known as Vishnu and Lakshmi respectively - is Ishvari/Devi Shakti Herself. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Our ancients probably assigned different names and nomenclatures to different aspects, energies, and so on - to be able to distinguish between them ~ <i>later these may have been taken literally</i></span>. ... Thus, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam:
the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution, denoted by the names Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra have come to be regarded as three different entities, instead. ~ <i>Though they are all one and the same</i> - three different <i>aspects</i> of Ishvari/Devi Shakti/Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Lakshmi who is <i>Devi</i> Parvati's daughter is <i>thus</i> a namesake. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Perhaps similarity in names have caused later translators to merge the respective narratives</i></span>.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">~ (<i>Refer the previous paragraph</i>.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span></span>Even our raags or <i>ragas</i> were classified as 'husband',
'wife' and even 'son'. <i>Rāginī</i> is a term for the "feminine"
counterpart or "wife" to a rāga. The rāga-rāgini scheme from about
the 14th century aligned 6 "male" rāgas with 6 "wives"
(rāginis) and a number of sons (putras) and even 'daughters-in-law'. ~ So, taking <i>it literally could be misleading. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b> </span></i>The holiest of our raags is <i>Shree Bhairavi</i> ~
named after Shakti; hence Bhairavi is respectfully addressed as Shree Bhairavi.
Bhairavi makes use of all the komal swars, Rishabh, Gandhar, Dhaivat, Nishad...
and lends itself well to brisk, taut bandishes. Bhairavi is performed early in
the morning, and is a powerful raag filled with devotion and compassion. Here
is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sharada Maa Bhajan</i></span> (dedicated to <i>Devi</i>
Sarasvati) by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LvAaSbn8qc"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhairavi's looming presence
in the Indian musical mind is in no small measure on account of it's close
association with this great land's spiritual repertoire. No bhajani baithak can
be complete without a generous dose of Bhairavi. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The corresponding raga of Shree Bhairavi is the raga Bhairava (a sampoorn raag). Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kālabhairava Jayanti)
falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa <i>(</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Mrigashīrsha ~</span> November-December. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: || <i>māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</i> || ~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i>Mrigashīrsha</i> - the 5th nakṣatra or lunar mansion - as used in Vedic
astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion, also known as Kaalpurush,
meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Kāla
= time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i> -
pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is
very auspicious. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Bhairava-Bhairavi represent the concept of <i>ArdhaNarishvari</i>.) In old treatises Bhairava is referred to as the
adi-raga and comes attached with a wealth of lore. Bhairava is so
fundamental to Indian tradition that its impaction on the nation's musical soul
can never be overstated. <b>|</b> Bhairava and Bhairavi are one and the same ~ two different <i>aspects</i> of <span style="color: #4c1130;">Shakti </span>[Primal Cosmic Energy/Cosmic Entity/Ishvari] - as per the <i>ArdhaNarishvari</i> concept.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a few <i>stotra</i> from the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the
Sri Sri chandipATh): </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Vissnnumaayeti
Shabditaa |<br />Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||6||</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="lnum">6.1:</span></i></span> </span><span class="kword">To that Devi</span> Who in <span class="kword">All Beings</span> is <span class="kword">Called Vishnumaya</span>,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="lnum">6.2:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>,
<span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations</span>
again and again.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus, the Vishnu <i>aspect</i>, <span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">i.e. </span></span><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0">the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being ~ is very likely an <i>aspect</i> of the latter's divine powers (Yogmaya). [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sri is a respectful honorific. For female deities this honorific is used twice</span>.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Lakssmii-Ruupenna
Samsthitaa |<br />
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||20||</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="lnum">20.2:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>,
<span class="kword">Salutations</span> again and again.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus, Lakshmi is very likely an <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>aspect</i></span> of Devi [Shakti/Narayani/Adi Shakti]. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Therefore, Devi Parvati's daughter is a namesake (similarity in name have resulted in the confluence of narrative</i></span>.)</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>.......................................................</b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Here is another <i>shloka</i> from Devi Mahatmyam:</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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Sarvaartha-Saadhike |<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sharannye Trya<span class="sword">[i-A]</span>mbake
Gauri Naaraayanni Namo<span class="sword">[ah-A]</span>stu Te ||</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i><span class="lnum">1:</span></i> (Salutations to You O Narayani) Who is the <span class="kword">Auspiciousness</span> in <span class="kword">All</span> the <span class="kword">Auspicious</span>, <span class="kword">Auspiciousness</span> Herself
and <span class="kword">Complete</span> with All the <span class="kword">Auspicious
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="lnum">2:</span> </i>The <span class="kword">Giver of Refuge (</span>Sharannye),
With <span class="kword">Three Eyes</span> (implying Trikalagya - the Master of all things that exist in
the past, future, and present) and a <span class="kword">Shining Complexion
(Gauri)</span>; <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to You O <span class="kword">Narayani</span>. </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here are a few more <i>stotra</i> from the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the
Sri Sri chandipATh): </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam Shakti-Bhuute Sanaatani | </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gunna-<span class="sword">[A]</span>ashraye Gunnamaye Naaraayanni Namo<span class="sword">[ah-A]</span>stu
Te ||9|| </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>9.1: </i>(Salutations to You O Narayani) In Whom is <span class="kword">Present</span> the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span>
and <span class="kword">Dissolution</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">(Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra) </span></span></span></span></span>and Who is <span class="kword">Eternal</span>, </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>9.2:</i> Who is the <span class="kword">Support</span> of the <span class="kword">Gunas</span> (all noble aspects, attributes) and the <span class="kword">Embodiment</span> of the <span class="kword">Gunas</span>; <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to You O <span class="kword">Narayani</span>. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam</span>:
the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution (<span style="color: #4c1130;">distinguished by the names: Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra</span>). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span>Keshavah</span> -<span style="color: #351c75;"> one who is the three: </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>kah</i></span> Brahma, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>ah</i></span> Vishnu and <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Isa</i></span> Shiva</span> ~<span style="color: #351c75;"> indicating the p<span class="kword">ower</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span>
and <span class="kword">Dissolution (i.e. </span>the three <i>aspects</i> of the Cosmic
Entity</span>/Primordial Being<span style="color: #351c75;">)<span class="kword">.]</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">And therefore, </span><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>aspect</i>) has created fourteen planetary systems; Narayani sustains, maintains and preserves the universe as <i>Vishnu</i> (the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer
<i>aspect</i>) and dissolves the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra.
~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Thus the holy Trimurti is non-different from Narayani</i></span>.<span class="kword"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Narayani</span> is the name of Ishvari/Cosmic
Entity/Primordial Being ~ in the infinite, all pervading form. Narayani also means: Enlightened Supreme/Primordial Being. Also:
well-wisher and refuge of all beings. 'Coz <i>Ishvari</i> does not discriminate ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">as indicated by the Universal
Form of the Primordial</span>.<span class="kword">]</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="kword"><span class="kword">The avatars can be male or female. ~ And this should
perhaps explain the <span style="color: #4c1130;">Cosmic Duality</span> - the concept of <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>ArdhaNarishvari
</i></span>- its essence, that is. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It should (perhaps) also explain as to why the
Krishn-avatar or even the Vishnu <i>aspect</i> (i.e. the Stabilizer/</span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Preserver/Maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being) - is
depicted the way they are depicted.</span> ~ It is the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="spelle">And thus: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Tvameva</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> Mata cha Pita <span class="spelle">Tvameva</span><span class="spelle"> |</span> <span class="spelle">Tvameva</span> <span class="spelle">Bandhu</span> cha <span class="spelle">Sakha</span> <span class="spelle">Tvameva</span></i></span><span class="spelle"> || ~ </span>You are the Mother, And you are the Father, You are
the Relative (with Whom we are eternally related as Jiva-atma
(Soul-self or mere Self) with <span class="spelle">Param-atma</span> (the Supreme Self/Higher Self or Supersoul), true Friend,
Support, eternal Companion and dearest Confidant. [Soul/spirit is energy; it has no form or gender.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti</i></span> || ~ Truth (</span><span class="hp">the Eternal/</span><span class="text">Shaashvata or </span><span class="hp">Sat/Satya; also, timeless essence/knowledge - para
vidya) </span><span class="kword">is
one, but the wise know/call it as many. | In other words: God is one, but we
can approach the Almighty in many ways.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Namo Devyai Mahaa-Devyai Shivaayai Satatam Namah
|<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="lnum">1.1:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to the <span class="kword">Devi</span>, to the <span class="kword">Mahadevi</span>; <span class="kword">Salutations Always</span> to Her Who is One with <span class="kword">Shiva</span>
(the Auspicious One).<span class="lnum"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="lnum">1.2:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to Her Who is
the <span class="kword">Auspicious</span> (being One with Shiva) <span class="kword">Primordial Source</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span> and <span class="kword">Controller</span> of Everything; <span class="kword">We Bow Always</span>
to <span class="kword">Her. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Here, <span style="color: #4c1130;">Shiva is <i>not</i> an entity</span>, but a reference to the 6th chakra (Ajna chakra, also known as the symbolic third-eye chakra). </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Shiva and the Shakti - the masculine and feminine - join within
Sahasrara (the 7th chakra, the highest chakra) to create <i>brahma-ranhdra</i>, the transcendence of both. It is a reference to 'Sudarshan Chakra' as well as the <i>ArdhaNarishvari</i> concept.</span>.. <span style="color: #4c1130;">denoted by the syncretic form of Shiva-Parvati</span> (possibly 6th and 7th chakra). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Ishvari/Shakti is Shivah Herself. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>She is the Shivah of Sankara/Rudra-Siva/Neelkath/Byomkesh </i>fame ~ in a human/transcendental manifestation (leela-avatars)</span>. The way this Shivah is depicted is largely allegorical; however the face is <i>not</i> a rugged face. (<i>For Shiv-Sati and Shiv-Parvati refer the relevant passages</i>.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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therefore, a <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>namesake</i></span> Shiva... and <i>not</i> the Shiva of Neelkanth/Byomkesh/Sankara/Rudra-Siva
fame. The former is not worshipped during Durga Puja. Even
Himavat (also known as Himavant, the <i>ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India and the personification of the Himalayan mountains</i>) -
Parvati's father - is believed to not have considered him worthy of his illustrious
daughter. [~ This Shiva is thought to have been rather irresponsible and given to spending time in avoidable company. Parvati's</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> consort is unwelcome in her family; during Durga
Puja a tiny idol of this Shiva is kept behind the idol of the Goddess - to symbolize
this. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->So, probably, he was a source of considerable disappointment and/or embarrassment and/or annoyance. <i>Devi</i> Parvati also brings up her children. Her consort's
involvement is very little. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">Goddess Parvati seems to have rejected her consort - the namesake Shiva.
She does not appear to have done so publicly, though; but there is a subtle
severance of the bonds - as can be gathered from the Annapoorna story. ~ Kashi
is mentioned - she moved to Kashi along with her children. But then, since the
fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala is believed to be the
real </span>Haridvar, the actual Manas
Sarovar, Kailash, Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha' as well as the real Prayag...
this story may have actually transpired in Shambhala.] ~ However, given the similarity in name (Rudra-Siva and the consort/namesake Shiva), narratives (probably) have confluenced
and merged. The Shiva of Neelkanth/Byomkesh/Sankara/Rudra-Siva fame <i>is</i> Parvati
Herself. (And, this perhaps also is a part of the Gemini (the twins) <i>aspect</i>). ~ Himavat's wife and queen consort is Meena or Minavati, the <i>daughter of Mt. Meru</i>. Probably some allegory is involved here. Or maybe Minavati hailed from Shambhala, since the allegorical Mt. Meru is </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="text">regarded as
the location of </span><span class="blue">the fabled Buddhist
land or mythical kingdom of </span><span class="text">Shambhala</span></span></span>. ~ And, therefore, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Devi</i> Parvati - popularly known as Goddess Durga - hailed from the <i>ancient Himalaya kingdom</i> and/or Shambhala</span>. <span style="color: #4c1130;">And so, very likely, She is the Shivah of Shambhu Nath (~ Ruler/Guardian [Nath] of Shambhala) fame as well. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "</span><span class="text">and of immovable things I
am the Himālayas". ~ </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Therefore, it is <i>unlikely</i> that Parvati actually hailed from the eastern parts of modern India</span>. ... <i>Probably - given her great deeds (which protected and preserved), her fame traveled f</i>ar <i>and wide - she was respected and revered by all; thus, her story was adopted by other regions too</i>. She became their own. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> BG 10.34: || </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>kīrtiḥ śrīr vāk ca nārīṇāḿ
smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā</i></span> || ~ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">"Among women I am glorious
deeds (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>kīrtiḥ</i></span>), radiance (<i><span style="color: #4c1130;">śrīr</span> </i>- Gauri), fine speech/persuasion (<i><span style="color: #4c1130;">vāk</span> - </i>think of <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati/Brahmi and the Mohini-avatar), memory/clarity
of thought/discernment (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>smṛtir</i></span> - think of <i>Devi</i> Parvati and the Mohini-avatar), intelligence (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>medhā</i></span> - think of <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati and the Mohini-avatar),
resilience/steadfastness (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>dhṛtiḥ </i>- courage of the mind - think of <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati and <i>Devi</i> Parvati and her various forms</span>) and
patience/forgiveness/high-mindedness/magnanimity/nobility of spirit (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>kṣamā</i></span> - the ability to rise above selfish interests or pettimindedness)." <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Katyayani, <i>Devi</i> Chamunda, <i>Devi</i> Brahmi or Brahmani (goddess Sarasvati), <i>Devi</i> Narasimhi, <i>Devi</i> Varahi,
<i>Devi</i> Maheshvari (also known as Raudri and Rudrani) et al - is all different (female) forms or transcendental manifestations
of Goddess Adi Shakti (the Cosmic Entity or Ishvari.)</span></span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Parvati's consort - <i>also</i> named Shiva - is very likely the Shiva of the <i>Bhasmasura</i> story. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Shiva is not to be confused for Rudra-Siva - who was also
Neelkanth/Sankara/Shambhu Nath/Byomkesh simultaneously. That is Devi Parvati herself. </i>Therefore, the Rudra-Siva of all those glorious deeds was a <i>female</i>. <b>|</b> <i>Devi</i> Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity, Ishvari - is <i>also</i> Rudra-Siva since she possesses the powers of dissolution (<i>refer the above stotra-s</i>.) <i>Devi</i> Parvati - popularly known as Goddess Durga - is Goddess Adi Shakti's human manifestation - transcendental avatar.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">]</span> </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhasmasura</span></i> (tr: Ash-Man) performed penance/prayed to or propitiated Shiva = he flattered Shiva (Parvati's consort). ~ So, maybe, <i>this</i> Shiva was a somewhat obtuse character, easily pliable and/or easily susceptible to flattery. ... The power to <i>turn anyone into ash by merely touching their head</i> could be interpreted as disproportionate and detrimental authority. Maybe, Parvati's consort - in a bout of (over)generosity and impulsiveness, or perhaps that was his nature - granted such powers/authority to Bhasmasura, a malevolent/negative entity. (~ This Shiva is known to have had all sorts of bhakts.) However, the wily Bhasmasura - having obtained the said powers/authority - wanted to test it on Shiva himself... prompting the latter to run for dear life - straight to Lord Vishnu (~ the name given to the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity) - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Parvati Herself</i></span>. ~ He narrates his predicament and implores her to rescue him. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thereupon, realizing the threat Bhasmasura posed to humanity (as a result of the disproportionate/detrimental authority), Parvati (as the ace diplomat
and negotiator - the Mohini-avatar) meets Bhasmasura... and confuses him sufficiently enough to touch his own head. ~ Thus, <i>Bhasmasura turns into
ashes</i>. Touch his own head = self-destruct. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Krishn, a male, is also known as
"Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of
"Mohan"... and indicates a female</i>. [Mohini means: rare, uncommon.]</span> ~ The 'Sudarshan Chakra' is associated with this avatar - and <i>this</i> itself is indicative of all 16 qualities of a <i>Purna Avatar</i> (one in whom divinity is manifested fully.) <span style="color: #660000;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> This tale could well be an allegorical and cautionary tale,
applicable to all eras/yugs ~ about the flipside of susceptibility to flattery, avoidable company, excessive and unthinking generosity, impulsive nature and/or actions, and so forth and what it could lead to ~ self-inflicted and entirely avoidable troubles. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The other tale involving the Mohini-avatar and Mt. Meru (maybe) can be explained thus:</i></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;">she acquired the (metaphoric/allegoric) pot of
'ambrosia' from the malevolent entities ~ via diplomacy, and returned it to the
positive forces; thereby enabling the latter to regain their position/pre-eminence. Thus, the machinations of the malevolent/negative entities came to a naught.
(~ The positive entities of course had to perform their collective, sustained
and tangible karm-yog - to regain that pre-eminence.) ... This tale too can well be
an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras/yugs.] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here are a few more <i>stotra</i> from the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the
Sri Sri chandipATh): </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Raudraayai Namo Nityaayai Gauryai Dhaatryai Namo
Namah |<br />
Jyotsnaayai Ce<span class="sword">[a-I]</span>ndu-Ruupinnyai Sukhaayai Satatam
Namah ||2||<span class="lnum"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="lnum">2.1:</span> </i><span class="kword">Salutations</span> to the <span class="kword">Rudra</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to the <span class="kword">Eternal</span>, the <span class="kword">Shining One</span> (Gauryai) and the <span class="kword">Supporter</span> of the <span class="kword">Universe,</span><span class="lnum"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="lnum">2.2:</span> </i><span class="kword">Salutations Always</span> to Her,
Who has a Cool Brightness like the <span class="kword">Moonlit Night</span>, <span class="kword">And</span> the Radiant <span class="kword">Form</span> of the <span class="kword">Moon</span>, and Who is <span class="kword">Joy</span> Herself. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <i>Devi</i> Shakti <i>is</i> Rudra. Therefore, <i>She is Hari-Hara Herself</i>. And so, the word Virupaksha - with oblique eyes - is used for both the aspects (Hari and Hara - ArdhaNarishvari + Gemini aspect); Virupaksha and Rudraksh (eye of Rudra) are, thus, one and the same. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> In Bangla, oblique eyes is also known as lokkhi-tyara; [lokkhi = lakshmi] therefore, Lakshmi/Rudra-Siva/Shakti et al are very likely one and the same. ~ <i>Different forms, different aspects, different eras/yugs, different challenges</i>. ~ And, this should (perhaps)<i> </i>also explain what Hari-Hara Putra (Aiyappa) means.<i> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Hari-Hara or Parvati - in some </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">other manifestation (transcendental avatar) - probably was his mother.</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i> </i>Hari-Hara Putra and Kartik (</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">Gauri-tanaya</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>) </i>may not be same.</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">B</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">oth probably belonged to different eras. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Vishnu and Shiva did not have a son who later came to be known as
Hari-Hara Putra</i> <i>(Aiyappa)</i>. </span>That is a result of misunderstanding and subsequent mistranslation of the
ancient texts. ~ Vishnu (Hari) and Shivah (Hara - Rudra-Siva) are simply two
<i>aspects</i> of the Cosmic Entity - <i>Ishvari</i> - Shakti/Adi Shakti - whose <i>human
manifestation</i> or transcendental avatar is <i>Devi</i> Parvati. ~ Thus, Ishvari/Shakti/Adi-Shakti/Parvati <i>is</i> Hari-Hara
Herself.]</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">~ And, BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of
all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Siva].</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
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</xml><![endif]-->|| Ati-Saumya-Ati-Raudraayai Nataas-Tasyai Namo
Namah |<br />
Namo Jagat-Pratisstthaayai Devyai Krtyai Namo Namah ||5||<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="lnum">5.1:</span> </i><span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span> Who is <span class="kword">Extremely Serene and Gentle</span> like the <span class="kword">Moon</span> and
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="lnum">5.2:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to the <span class="kword">Devi</span> Who is the <span class="kword">Supporter</span> of the <span class="kword">Universe</span> and <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to Her Who
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Yaa
Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Cetanety-Abhidhiiyate |<br />
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||7||</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="lnum"><i>7.2:</i></span> <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>,
<span class="kword">Salutations</span> again and again.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Indriyaannaam-Adhisstthaatrii Bhutaanaam
Ca-Akhilessu Yaa |<br />
Bhuutessu Satatam Tasyai Vyaapti-Devyai Namo Namah ||27||</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="lnum">27.1:</span></i> (Salutations) <span class="kword">To that Devi</span>
Who <span class="kword">Governs</span> the <span class="kword">Faculty of Senses</span>
(~ the sentience <i>aspect</i>: </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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perceive, and comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition) </span></span>of <span class="kword">Beings</span> in <span class="kword">All the Worlds</span>,</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="lnum">27.2:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span> Who is
the <span class="kword">Devi</span> Who <span class="kword">Always Pervades</span>
all <span class="kword">Beings.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">|| Citi-Ruupenna Yaa Krtsnam-Etad-Vyaapya Sthitaa
Jagat |<br />
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||28||</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><i><span class="lnum">28.1:</span></i> (Salutations to Her) Who in the <span class="kword">Form</span>
of <span class="kword">Consciousness Pervades This Universe</span> and <span class="kword">Abides</span> in It,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><i><span class="lnum">28.2:</span></i> <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>,
<span class="kword">Salutations</span> again and again.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ And, BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> ||
</i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings
(bhutanam) I am the living force" ~ (cetana, consciousness; consciousness
and conscience are two different things;<i> <i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">consciousness</span></i>
</i></i>[cetana]<i><i> </i></i>is awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, think, perceive,<i><i>
</i></i>comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception.)<span class="hp"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">Here
is Tagore's 'Tumi ki Kebali Chhobi': <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8l-fT3LkPY"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link02.</span></a></b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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what Mona Lisa's mysterious smile is all about</span>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Note on Rudra or Rudra-Siva</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><span style="color: #4c1130;">:</span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"> </span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Shivam means "kind". Shiva (Sanskrit <span class="unicode"><i>śiva</i>) means:</span> "the kindly/auspicious one" ~ the Lord of mercy and kindness. <i><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Rudra</span></i> means: the dispeller
of darkness/ignorance/negativism and usherer of peace. Rudra is called "the archer"
(Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">Śarva</span>) and the arrow is an essential
attribute of Rudra. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root <span class="unicode"><i>śarv</i>, which</span> means, "to negate" or "to
dispel". Hence, the name <i><span class="unicode">Śarva</span></i> can be
interpreted as: "One who can dispel/drive away darkness". The names <span class="unicode">Dhanvin</span> ("bowman") and <span class="unicode">Bāṇahasta</span>
("archer", literally: "Armed with arrows in hands"/ <span class="unicode">Bāṇa = arrow, hasta = hand</span>) also refer to archery/the
archer. Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows (baan/b<span class="unicode">āṇa</span>). [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu, i.e. the preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is also known as "Shaarnga-dhanvaa": One who aims the shaarnga bow.] Rudra-Siva - paradoxical and complex - is the Lord of mercy and kindness. He is also the destroyer and restorer - simultaneously. He first destroys and then restores; that is: he first destroys/dispels ignorance, confusion, illusion, delusion and the like. This brings forth introspection and transformation, change and reform - from within - it is thus an organic process. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.34: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mṛtyuḥ
sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</i>m</span> || ~ "I am all-consuming time,
and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be."
(~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all
that shall come into being." </span></span>~ Here is Tagore's </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Aloker ei jharna dharaye dhuiye dao'</span>:</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black;"> <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ZnbfFzhf0"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #351c75;">. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Rudra: also means: one who makes everyone weep:
"ru", to cry or to teach, "rud", to make a person weep, and
"dra" to flow. Hence Rudra is considered as a deity who teaches the
supreme knowledge to all and whose energy flows in everything. Rudra
essentially means, "to go beyond suffering". When the word is split
as RU and DRA it implies "flight from lamentation", or "travel
away from tears" - a state beyond suffering. Rudra is sometimes referred
to as "The
Lord or Sovereign of the Universe" (īśānādasya bhuvanasya). Rudra is <span class="unicode">also "the roarer". </span>In the Rg Veda, Rudra has been
praised as the "mightiest of the mighty". Rudra can also mean:
"the red one, the brilliant one" from a lost root <i>rud-</i>, "to be
red" or "to shine". ~ "rukh draavayathi, iti rudraha"
- where 'rukh' means sorrow/misery, 'draavayathi' means to drive out or
eliminate and 'iti' means that which or he who, implies 'Rudra' to be the
eliminator of darkness/ignorance and usherer of peace. In other contexts the
word rudra can simply mean Ekadasa Rudras<b> </b>- the eleven Rudras. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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whom Sankara, Rudra-Siva, is preeminent. Goddess Parvati/Durga Herself. ~ Rudra-Siva is also an honorific - for the manifestations or transcendental avatars of the Cosmic Entity - Goddess Adi Shakti... due to their karm and contribution.]<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i>In other contexts, the word <i>rudra</i> can simply mean "the number eleven". The word "rudraksha" (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">rudrākşa</span> = rudra and <span class="unicode">akşa</span>
"eye"), or "eye of Rudra", is used as a name both for the
berry of the Rudraksha tree, and a name for a string of the prayer beads made
from those seeds. Rudra is said to have healing remedies, as the best physician
of physicians, and as possessed of a thousand medicines. This is described in
Rudra-Siva's alternative name Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies). [Rudraksha and Virupaksha are thus one and the same.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rudra Gayatri Mantra: || <i>yo rudro agnau yo apsu ya oṣadhīṣu yo rudro viśvā bhuvanā viveśa tasmai
rudrāya namo astu</i> || ~ "To the Rudra who is fire, who is in water,
who is in trees and plants, who has entered into the entire Universe, to that
Rudra let our salutations go." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Here is a popular Rabindrasangeet, possibly Tagore's ode to <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHg9HPTHdg"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a>. There is forever the Primordial in him. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the universe as it goes through a dawning somewhere deep within time and space. ~ What is remarkable though is the similarity of the lyrics with those of the Rudra Gayatri Mantra. ... So, was <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>also</i></span> Rudra-Siva? [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Also</i></span>, 'coz even Krishn, a male, is Rudra-Siva*. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Therefore, Rudra-Siva may not have been a single entity</i>;<i> </i>it perhaps was an honorific too</span>. However, Rudra-Siva does not have a rugged face. 'Coz the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is a <i>female</i> - Ishvari - Adi Shakti or Goddess Shakti. The avatars - including the male ones, like Ram or Krishn, are Her human manifestations or transcendental avatars. Hence, they are <i>not </i>depicted with a rugged countenance. It is <i>symbolic</i>. ~ If we understand this, we can then fully comprehend the concept of <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">ArdhaNarishvari</span></i> + what Mona Lisa's mysterious smile is all about.]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>].</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</span> || </i>~
"Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am
spring". <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit
mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar
mansion</i> - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation
Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). ~ The
first two <i>carana/pada</i> (quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha
Rāśi or Taurus (bull). The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi
(Gemini). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Gemini - the twins, but that is not literal. [Here, it a reference
to the concept of <i>ArdhaNarishvari</i>.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation
as Mriga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, <i>mṛga</i>
meaning animal (can also mean: deer) and <i>śira</i> meaning head or precisely, the top of the head.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Kajal
Nayona Harini</span>' - possibly yet another ode to <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N3LoL5XdAk"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a>. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span></i> || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kālabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa
Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~
November-December). On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in
the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. [Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>
- pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM -
is very auspicious. The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation of OM or AUM.] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</span> || ~ </i><span class="text">"and of seasons I am
spring."<i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>~ </i></span>Makara Sankranti (or Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan. [This time
of year is generally associated with Sarasvati and Vishnu (the
stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity.)] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Uttarayan begins from
the day of Makara Sankranti ~ heralding the arrival of
spring and marking the beginning of Vasant Panchami (~ also known as: Shree
Panchami/Sarasvati Puja] - to pay our respect for knowledge and
learning. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> 'Vasant'
comes from the word 'spring' as this festival heralds the beginning of the
spring season. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of
new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big
springtime event - Holi, the festival of colours. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="fcknormaltext0">Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, 'uttar'
meaning northward and 'ayan' meaning movement towards. It celebrates the
sun-god's northward movement. ~ It was on this day that Lord Vishnu is believed
to have (symbolically curbed)/buried the heads of ever-increasing negativism
(euphemistically known as Asuras) under the Mandar Parvat (Mt. Meru - t</span><span class="text">he
central 'mountain' of the world.</span><span class="fcknormaltext0">) So this occasion also
represents the beginning of a new era. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Vishnu -<span style="color: #660000;"> </span>i.e. the stabilizing/preserving/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic
Entity/Primordial Being -<span style="color: #660000;"> </span>as supporting Mt. Meru on his back ~ as the Kurma
Avatar.)</span></span><b><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span>|</b></span> </span>Many people also conflate Makara Sankranti (Uttarayan) with the Winter Solstice (which falls on
December 21/22).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Thus, Rudra-</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Śiva</span>, Hari-Hara, Vishnu-Rudra, Sankara, Neelkanth, Shakti (Goddess Adi Shakti), Parvati, Krishn, Shri Ram, Dasavatara, etc are all one and the same. ~ <i>Different forms </i>(male and female of the Cosmic Entity - Ishvari - Goddess Adi Shakti) ~ different times, different eras and different challenges. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Here is Tagore's ode to destiny (<i>Devi</i> Sarasvati) - '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mayabano Biharini Harini<span style="color: #351c75;">'</span></span>: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOYI2x82fB0"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[~ And this should help us understand what the golden deer mentioned in the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Shri Ram') means.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> But then, Shri Ram is <i>also</i> a manifestation or transcendental avatar of the Cosmic Entity. Ravana was not quite a negative entity per se, but (his favourite son) Meghnaad was. And, Ravana (later) succumbed to his base nature - excessive ego, vainglory and anger - which in turn clouded his better judgement. Ravana's ten heads alludes to this; it also represents ten kingdoms. Despite this, Ravana was not a Cakravartin-raja. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Top-heavy and 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.] </span></span></span>~ Mandodari - Ravana's queen - was Sita's real mother; both were so alike that even Hanuman-ji was confused. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> After the fall of Ravana, and the dismantling of various weaponry - the sagacious Vibhisana (Ravana's younger brother) was installed on the throne - by Shri Ram. Vibhisana, Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman-ji, Angad, Riksharaj Jambavan et al became firm friends and allies. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus, Ayodhaya, Lanka, Kishkindha, etc became firm allies. It was a multidimensional relationship, almost a confederation, and not merely a transactional alliance. Peace was restored. And this would have given a fillip to trade and other economic activity, besides curbing unwanted wars... and drainage of resources.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And, <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Varadey Kaamarupinee</span> (~ the fulfiller of wishes.</span><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"> In other words: Destiny or 'Lady Luck'. Kaamarupinee = kamadhenu).</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.28: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i></span> || ~
"among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as <i>kamadhenu</i> - the
"wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a <i>metaphor</i> for prosperity, luck, etc.)</span></span> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated
in the Rig Veda</span>. (~ Cows emerging out of mountains - is a reference to various rivers; in the Arya 'way of life' rivers and water-bodies were not polluted. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> This should <i>also</i> help us understand what 'cows' are associated with Krishn. Gopa = ruler, king. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, Krishn is associated with <i>Prachya</i> - Eastern Country - Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks, not Madhyadesha - Middle Country.)</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">... Tagore's
"<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka...</span>" (ruler/leader/captain of the minds of
all people) - our national anthem - too is an ode to that <i>Bhagya Vidhata </i>[ed. Lord of Destiny] -
who (in Tagore's own words) "<i><span style="color: #4c1130;">has from age after age held
steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the
straight path and the curved</span>.</i>" [Here is the complete five stanzas: <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i>.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore says, Chir-saarathy; it means: perennial guide. ~ Lord Krishn is depicted with feminine features, it is <i>symbolic</i>. Possibly to indicate: it is Goddess Sarasvati (Destiny) as Lord Krishn - at yet another crucial turn of our history. </span> </span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is <span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mor Bina Othe</span>'</span><span style="color: #351c75;">: </span><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY1YTXGPoss"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></span></b></i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Chaander Haasir Baandh Bhengechhe</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Ens7XGwV8"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></b></span></span></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Neel gaganer lalatkhani chandan-e aaj makha,</span></span></span></span></span></i><b> </b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">b</span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>anibaner hamsa-mithun
melechhe aaj pakha <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Parijaater keshar niye dharaye, sashi, chadao ki e <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>
Indrapuri-r kon ramoni bashar pradeep jaalo.</i>' </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #351c75;">- This sublime composition transcends an ode to Goddess Sarasvati (Destiny). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Also, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span>BG 10.25: || </span><span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</span> || ~ </i></span></span><span><span class="text"><span>"Of all trees I am the (asvatthah)" - fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as
well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ, or maybe both). ~ The Parijaat tree (Kalpataru or Kalpavrisha - wish-bearing tree) is very likely the peepal. It is associated with heaven (svargaloka); parts of the ancient Himalayan kingdom too can be associated with svarga on earth.</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span><b><span style="color: #660000;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore - a multifaceted personality: universal bard, renaissance poet and a veritable colossus; a versatile genuis, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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eminence, a playwright/dramatist/lyricist, a thought leader, a humanitarian, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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enthusiast and one of the finest ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought and philosophy to the rest of the world. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The maestro's oeuvre is the life-work of a titan. ~ To understand the three
most important notions in philosophy (darshan-sastra): of harmony, balance, and
integrity - Tagore delved into the bottomless treasure-trove of the
Upanishads, and these he imbibed. He let these ideas define him, not in the
sense of limiting him, but lifting him up to meet the Higher Self (the Supersoul).</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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character.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Gayatri Mantra/Savitr Mantra:</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> || </span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat</span></i><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26ZvKY--KY"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link2</span></b></a>]
|| ~ Aum. Let the light of Savitri enter into My Spirit and illumine My mind and
Enrich My Spirit. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[~ The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Gayatri Mantra</span> is also known as Savitr Mantra; <span style="color: #4c1130;">Savitr</span>
means the Sun (Surya-dev), the majestic effulgent Sun-god (jyotiḥ, Sūrya,
Aaditya) - Pratyaksh-Brahmn - the manifest (pratyaksh) God ~ who symbolizes,
the One, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one and all. ~ This</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> 24-syllable hymn from the Rig Veda is the greatest of all mantras; one of the most auspicious and oldest of mantras, it is considered one of the most universal of all mantras, invoking the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness/Param-atma as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial sun.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ BG 10.35: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">gāyatrī chandasām aham</span> ||</i> ~ "I am Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras."</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati, the Goddess of Learning, is the deity of Gayatri, <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Vedantic knowledge; she is
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Thus, <i>Sarasvati</i> denotes the essence of the
self. She is also known as 'Veena-pustak dharini' or bearer of the musical instrument (veena) and a book (pustak).]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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humanity as she is the great synthesizer and unifier in the midst of manifold
differences through centuries. The bard wrote: "... <i>Hethay
shobarey hobe milibarey anato shirey, aaji Bharat-er mahamanob-er sagaro-tirey</i>."
~ Tagore's sublime "Mahamanober Shagoro
Tirey" ('Indian Pilgrimage' or 'India - the Pilgrim Centre') goes much beyond unity in diversity. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> During his </span><span style="font-size: small;">travels and lecture-tours he carried his message of human unity to all the important countries of
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that which perceives the unity of all things in God." ~ Tagore's philosophical and
spiritual thoughts transcend all limits of language, culture, and nationality.
In his writings, the poet endowed with intuitive perception<span style="color: #351c75;"> takes us on a spiritual quest and gives us
a glimpse of the infinite in the midst of the finite, unity at the heart of all
diversity, and the Divine in all beings and things of the universe. Tagore, the universal bard brought out
the essence of Eastern spirituality in his poetry like no other poet</span>. <span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore, almost as
a pilgrim, moved around the world either in person or in his thoughts - to search for
the universalism of humanity, or the wholeness of being. Much of what Tagore experienced
in life has been expressed in songs with musical and verbal imagery and
rhythms designed to support and enhance each other. [~ Those who are familiar
with the original in Bangla can never quite be satiated with their English translations.]
~ </span></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->To Tagore, reality was not an idea, but rather that ecstatic awakening when God and the soul
(human soul or jiva-atma) in a vivid and transcendent moment of communion are known to be one [~ </span></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">eternal bliss/contentment/spiritual ecstasy of
"self-realization" ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat-cit-ānanda</span></span>. <i>The confluence of the universal conscious</i></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>ness or Supersoul with the mere Self or Jiva-atma</i>.</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">] Tagore's religion of humanity is the awakening of the individual self's
ego-consciousness in the universal consciousness - a process of realizing the
<i>Infinite</i> 'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I', or a process of transcending the narrow or self-centred philosophy to the philosophy of life. ~ It is brilliantly conveyed through 'Nirjarer
Swapnabhango' ('Awakening of the Fountain'). </span></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His gift of lyricism and song shines forth. </span></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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passion felt in the heart's deep core; it is refreshing to say the least. It is
like a draught from a pure spring, or a spiritual oasis in a desert of
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '... <i>Tabo bhubhaney tabo bhabhaney morey aaro aaro aaro dao sthan <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Aaro
alo, aaro alo, ei nayaney prabhu (My Lord) dhalo <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> surey surey banshi purey tumi aaro
aaro aaro dao taan. ... Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal consciousness/Supersoul) tumi aaro
aaro aaro karo daan</i>' ~ Tagore is referring to the spiritual ecstasy of
'self-realization' (~ the confluence of the mere Self/finite with the Higher
Self/Infinite). </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></span></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Sheemar majhe ashim tumi / bajao apon shur </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">(<i>Within the finites, you
the Infinite play your own tune - </i></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv0BZvEgYJc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">). ~ It is a song that
takes you closer to Creation, indeed imbues you with thoughts of the ties that
bind you to your Creator.</span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jagorane Jaay Bibhabori</span>':</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><i><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDHT4Tac_Qk"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></span></b></i><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Oi Mahamanaba Aashe</span>' (Cometh the great one): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuLubAGYgE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.</span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <b> </b></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Akash Bhora Surjo Tara</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzaT4b1eqw"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>. </span></span></b></span></span> </span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="hp"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">...................................................................</span> </b> </span></i></span><i><span class="hp"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></i></div>
<i>
</i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"></span> </span></span></span></i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">Krishn</span> is very simple... and at the same time
infinitely sublime. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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pravadatām aham</i></span> || ~ "I am logic of the
logician".] ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is characterized by nobility/noble-mindedness; quietly
magnificent; exalted, rather of ultimate spiritual and intellectual quality; <span class="hwc">inspiring</span> <span class="hwc">reverence and wonder </span>because
of its nobility, grandeur and
immensity. ~ Thus he is <i>Gabheeratma</i>: whose essence is beyond understanding, one who is too deep to be fathomed (<i>refer Meghavarnam</i>). [~ And so, it is said that Mahat or Ishvara (Primal
Creative Energy) - the Cosmic Entity/Being - the highest pos<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Brahmn (the one self-existent impersonal spirit, the Divine Essence), is beyond
all thought.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He exhorts/advises humanity to collective action; his call is a call to duty (right actions for the greater good) - to combined/collaborative
action/karm-yog - to walk the talk - for the larger good - Loka-kalyana or
Loka-sangraha ("welfare of all" - the common good: to build and sustain a better [prosperous, progressive and inclusive] society/civilization.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Literal translations, over-simplification or over-complication are misleading. [~ One needs to contemplate and deliberate deeply - to
understand/comprehend his purpose, his <i>karm</i> and his message/advise/guidance/guidelines - now known as the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Only then it will
percolate.] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He<span class="ital-inline"> speaks in sublime metaphors, allegories, similies,
and so on. So, when he says: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś
cāsmi</i></span> || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes" (can also mean aquatic
creatures) - it is not literal. ~ A crocodile can be associated with patience
and precision - yes, but crocodile is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>makara</i></span> in Sanskrit; it is
associated with </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Makara Sankranti</span> (also known as: Pongal) - the most important Sankranti and one of the
most auspicious occasions, signifying renewal/re-energizing (it is [therefore]
regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sankranti means transition; transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi
(constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Makara Sankranti</span> marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi (Capricorn). <span style="color: #4c1130;">Scientifically, this day
marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">thus the chill of winter in on decline. In other
words, Sankranti marks the termination/closure of winter season and beginning of a new
harvest or spring season</span>. ~ It is perhaps the only festival/occasion whose date
always falls on the same day every year: 14 January, with some exceptions, when
the festival is celebrated on 13 January or 15 January (in a leap year). <span style="color: #4c1130;">Makara
Sankranti marks the arrival of spring in India.</span> ... And the spring season is
associated with Krishn; he is the personification of spring. BG 10.35: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</span> ||</i></span><span class="text"> </span>~ "<span class="text">Of
months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring" (maybe
that's why Shyamsundar Krishn is the personification of spring. He is Lord of Nature. The spring season also [symbolically] indicates a new beginning.) </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span>Agrahāyaṇa
or Mārgaśīrṣa: The word Agrahāyaṇa means the month of Ayana or Equinox (agra =
first + ayana = travel of the sun, equinox). AgrahAYanI is related to 'beginning of the year'.] </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Makara
Sankranti</span> is the day when the majestic Sun-god (Suryadev/Pratyaksh-Brahmn) begins his movement towards the northern
hemisphere, and thus it signifies: <i>'<span style="color: #0c343d;">Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya</span></i>' <span style="color: #4c1130;">- may you
go higher and higher, towards more and more Light (knowledge, prosperity,
spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on</span>). </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the time to shun negative thinking (downward slide, etc); positive thinking is re-energizing. ~ The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light,
wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. He</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"> also stands for Pratyaksha-Brahmn - the manifest God - who symbolizes, the one, self-effulgent, glorious
divinity blessing one and all</span>.] ~ <span style="color: #0c343d;">Makara Sankranti signifies renewal/new life: to turn away from the (symbolic)
'darkness'/confusion of delusion, ignorance, pessimism, et al, and to begin to
build a new life with bright light/auspicious effulgence/light divine (within
us) - to shine brighter and brighter (i.e. to progress, flourish and prosper).
It is a festival/occasion celebrated all over the country with great fervour, gaiety and kite-flying</span>. [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the Shankhachil or "Brahminy Kite" is distinctive and
contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and chest
and black wing tips. In India, the noble-natured Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
is considered as the contemporary representation of Garuda, the 'vaahan' of Lord
Narayan/Vishnu. ~ The Brahminy Kite (often referred to as the Singapore Bald
Eagle) is also called Shankhachil, 'coz the white plumage of this bird is similar to
the white of a conch-shell. ~ Brahminy is derived from Brhm </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(pure knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment, and so on) or Brahmn - Universal Consciousness.]</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <i>If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? asked Shelley.</i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b></span></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Spring/Rituraj -</span></b>
the King of all seasons - represents beauty, new life, and creation</span>. [~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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understand the true significance of the spring festival/Vasant Panchami it is important to understand the essence of Goddess Sarasvati, the presiding deity of learning,
aesthetics and creativity.] <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ Post-Makara Sankranti, when the earth begins to get closer to
the sun, the cold winter begins to yield to delightful spring. Vasant Panchami
marks the beginning of Vasant or spring, when it is time for every tree, branch
and bower to spring to new life with blooms and bursts of colour and fragrance,
vibrant in festive display. The flower (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">kusumā) is a beautiful symbol of life and
regeneration</span>. ~ Hence the spring season is Kusumakar (kusumākaraḥ) or
Rituraj, the king of all seasons [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.35: ~ <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</span></i> - </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">"and of seasons I am spring"</span>]</span>.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> ... </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn not only associates himself with trees and plants... but also with animals, aquatic creatures, birds, etc. ~ Maybe to
indicate that as the Creator he does not discriminate. [Thus, he is <i>suhrit</i>: Friend of all creatures. In other words: Pasupati. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ However, <i>pasu</i> does not mean animals alone; it refers to
all creatures - and so, the animals depicted in the "Pasupati Seal" are very
likely allegorical.) ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">Lord Krishn is, after all, the manifestation of the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness.</span><span style="font-size: small;">]<i> </i>~ But then, even Einstein advised not to judge a fish by its ability to climb
a tree.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Uttarayan</span> begins from the day of Makara Sankranti
(January 14, 2014)... heralding the arrival of spring and marking the beginning of <span style="color: #4c1130;">Vasant Panchami</span> (~ also known as: Shree Panchami/Sarasvati Puja </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">[04/02/2014]</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> - </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->to pay our respect for knowledge and learning. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b> </span>'Vasant' comes from the word 'spring' as this
festival heralds the beginning of the spring season. New leaves and blossoms
appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also
announces the arrival of another big springtime event - Holi, the festival of
colours. </i>Here is: <span style="color: #4c1130;">'Esho Shyamala Sundara'</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjomhLcv3KU"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>link</b></span></i></a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Tagore said: <span style="color: #4c1130;">'Naba Anande Jaago</span>': <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JksQUh93ZAg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>. ~ ParaBrahmn/Brahmn is Universal Consciousness (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). Pratyaksha-Brahmn
- the manifest (pratyaksh) God, who symbolizes, the One, self-effulgent, glorious divinity
blessing one and all is the Sun-god (Suryadev). ~ The Sun-god stands for an
embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual
illumination, and so on.<i> ~ Refer the relevant passages on Makara Sankranti/Pongal</i>.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Narayan Gayatri Mantra: || <i>Om Narayanaye Vidmahe,
Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat</i> || ~ "OM.
Let us meditate on Sri Narayana, the Lord who dwells in all beings, and is
known as the Sovereign of the world. May that Sri Vishnu inspire and illumine
our mind and understanding." <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Alternatively</u>:</span> "OM. Let us meditate on
the Great Lord Narayana who pervades all creation. May that glorious Maha
Vishnu, who appeared on Earth as the adorable Sri Krishna, son of Vasudeva,
inspire and illumine our mind and understanding."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>|| Mangalam
Bhagavaan Vishnu Mangalam Garuda-Dhvaja Mangalam Pundarikaaksho Mangalaayatano
Hari ||</i> ~ Mangalam = auspicious. Mangalaayatano = manifestation of auspiciousness. Pundarikaaksho =
lotus-eyed or large-eyed; one whose eyes are shaped like lotus petals. [Puṇḍarīka/<span class="med1">Pundarika or Pankaja/Svetakamala/Dhavala (pronounced: DA wahl)
kamala/Shubhra Kamala is "white/pure white lotus". Pure white
signifies pristine, embodiment of pure knowledge (Para Vidya). It also
signifies tranquility.] </span>Garuda-Dhvaja = the symbol or insignia of Lord
Narayan. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Lord Narayan is also shown holding a lotus flower; it is usually pale
red in colour. [The pale-red lotus is padma in Sanskrit.] This is the supreme
lotus, for the highest deity. Lord Narayan is <i>Anish</i> - Supreme; He is <i>Aadinath</i>
- the Cosmic/Primordial Being/the Foremost: the Highest Creative
Intelligence; the Lord of Creation - </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Creator of the universe (and
all that is to be found within it); the motive power and
guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes<i> </i>(in other
words: the supreme authority of the
universe/cosmos - Jagat-patih.) </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Gayatri Mantra/Savitr Mantra:</span> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>AUM
Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah
Prachodayat</i></span><b> </b>[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26ZvKY--KY"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link2</span></b></a>] || ~ Let the light of Savitri enter into My Spirit
and illumine My mind and Enrich My Spirit. [~ The
Gayatri Mantra is also known as Savitr Mantra; Savitr means the Sun (Surya-dev),
the majestic effulgent Sun-god (jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) - Pratyaksh-Brahmn - the
manifest (pratyaksh) God ~ who symbolizes, the One, self-effulgent, glorious divinity
blessing one and all.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Gayatri Mantra</span> - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>a 24-syllable hymn from
the Rig Ved is the greatest of all mantras</i>; one of the most auspicious
and oldest of mantras, it is considered one of the most universal of all mantras,
invoking the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness as the principle of
knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun. ~ BG 10.35: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i>gāyatrī chandasām aham</i></span></span><span class="text"><i> ||</i></span> ~ <span class="text">I am
Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras. [~ Krishn is essentially indicating that
He is the manifestation of that (unmanifested) universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">t<span class="style2">he
Goddess of Learning, is the deity of Gayatri; </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="style2"><span style="color: #4c1130;">she is also <i>Savitri</i> - the goddess of dawn</span>.</span>] ~ (<i>Do also read the relevant passages on
Gayatri Mantra.</i>)</span> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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phrase <i>OM Bhoor Bhuvah Svah</i> is added to the mantra, when it is
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<i>Svah</i> are the three planes or levels of consciousness. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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savitur varenyam</i> means "that revered God (Surya-dev, the self-effulgent majestic Sun-god - Pratyaksh/Manifest-Brahmn - the manifestation of whom is Gayatri)";
<i>bhargo devasya dhimahi</i> means "dispel the ignorance with divine
wisdom"; </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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yo nah prachodayat</i> means "lead our intellects (buddhi) and energy in
right direction". </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Savitur: The creative principle of light
manifesting through the sun (Surya-dev/Sun-god). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Sarasvati Mahabhage Vidye Kamalalochane Vishwaroope Vishaalaakshi Vidyam Dehi Namosthute</i></span> || ~ O, the great Goddess Sarasvati, the lotus-eyed
personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess, taking the form of the whole
universe, thou shower us with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sarasvati Gayatri Mantra: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>OM Sarasvatyei Vidmahe,
Brahmaputriye Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat</i></span> [<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK8wVcGzD68"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link1</span></a></b>] || ~ "OM. May we meditate on the Great Goddess Sri Sarasvati,
the embodiment/manifestation of the Sun-God/Pratyaksh-Brahmn as well as Brhm/Brahma* (knowledge,
learning, wisdom, culture, enlightenment, creativity, and so on). May that effulgent Maha Sarasvati Devi
inspire and illumine our mind and understanding." [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence she is known as *<span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahmi</span>.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Surya Gayatri Mantra: || </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>OM Baskaraya Vidhmahe, Divakaraya Dhimahi, Tanno Suryah Pracodayat</i> || ~ "OM. May we realize Bhaskara, the shining one. Let us meditate on that
Divakara, the presiding deity over the day, and may that Surya, the sun god,
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</xml><![endif]--></span>The Sanskrit word <i>sara</i> means essence and <i>sva</i> means self. Thus <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sarasvati</i> </span>denotes the essence of the self. She is also <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Savitri</i></span> - the goddess of dawn (<i>refer the passages on Gayatri/Savitr Mantra</i>) who dispels the fog of ignorance and lights the <i>diya</i> or lamp of Eternal Knowledge/Para Vidya. <i>~ </i>Sri Sarasvati is considered as the daughter of the
Sun-god (Surya-dev - Pratyaksh/Manifest-Brahmn) or Surya Kanya - t<span class="style2">he
Goddess of Learning, the deity of Gayatri (<i>refer the passages on Gayatri Mantra</i>),
the fountain of fine arts and science, and the symbol of supreme Vedantic
knowledge. She is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all
languages, of scriptures and scholarship. It is also believed that it was her
who discovered soma or amrita (*Somras?). </span><span class="style2"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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day (Sarasvati Puja day) is considered particularly auspicious for initiation into the realm of
knowledge... and so, on the day of Sarasvati Puja, </span>children
are taught reading and writing their first word - in a symbolic initiation. Besides floral offerings (especially marigold and palash/</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">kiṁśuka/Flame of the Forest - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjomhLcv3KU"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link3</span></b></a></i>), books, musical instruments, and other
objects related to the arts and scholarship are placed in front of the goddess
to receive her blessings (~ all
objects of writing and study are not used that day, but worshipped in veneration
of the process of learning.) Earthen ink-pots (dawat: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">a = pronounced as "awe"</span></span></span>) and bamboo quills (khAger kalam / khAger: A = aa; kalam: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->though many spell it as kolom, but O = the Sanskrit "o") too
are placed before her. The ink is made from unboiled milk water, red colour
powder and silver glitter called <i>abhro</i>. On this day nobody writes or
read any books. (~ This signifies that the goddess bless the learners through the
books placed in front of her.) Sarasvati is the
patron of libraries; the goddess can also be symbolized by something as simple
as a book, or an inkstand and a pen. School children, students, teachers, academicians, scientists, artists and craftsmen worship her to seek guidance and blessing. On her day of worship (Sarasvati Puja), offerings and
flowers (marigold and palash) are placed in front of a symbol of the goddess and prayers (Sanskrit hymns) are chanted.
Alpana/Rangoli - the design of a fish is considered auspicious. Students set a book aside for her to bless. Many worship
their equipment - ploughs, carts, etc - because wisdom need not be acquired only through books. ~ Charnamrit is distributed at the end of the puja, while </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> 'bhog prasad' (sweets made of khowa and paneer - like sandesh and barfi; shankalu (jicama) - the name derives from alu (tuber) and white shankh, which means conch, refers to its pearly white flesh; different types of fruits including guava, apples, dates, sugarcane, kul (Indian plum/Indian jijube); poori/luchi, baingan bhaja/fried eggplant, aloo ki sabji and halwa) from the offering (bhog) is consumed at the end of the puja. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[</span><span style="font-size: small;">'Bhuni mung ki khichri' (made with roasted mung dal and ghee), mixed vegetable curry
called 'labra', chutney, papad and chaler payesh/rice kheer pudding too are eaten on Sarasvati Puja day.] Students also keep some flowers from the Goddess's
feet inside their books - as symbolic blessing (for good results in forthcoming examinations.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The correct Vedic pronunciation is 'Sarasvati', though
many pronounce it as 'Saraswati'. She is known as 'Veena-pustak dharini' or
bearer of the musical instrument (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">veena</span></i>),
and a book (pustak). Sarasvati Mantra, 'Pranam mantra' or Sanskrit prayer: || <i>OM Sarasvati
Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamalalochaney <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Viswarupey Vishalakshi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey || Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey | Veena Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati, Devi Namohastutey</i> || ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">O, the great Goddess Sarasvati, the lotus-eyed
personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess, taking the form of the whole
universe, thou shower us with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that
exist. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Salutations to the Goddess who is wisdom personified,
who is the Goddess of knowledge and arts, whose essence is all-pervading; who
is serene and adorned in radiant white attire; who is bearer
of the musical instrument (veena) and a book (pustak); O wise and benevolent
Goddess Sarasvati (Bharati - the Goddess of fine speech/persuasive powers/
vāk or vāc), we pay our respectful
obeisance unto you. May you bless and guide us.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[*<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Somras wasn't quite the 'elixir of immortality' (amrita); it is unlikely
that such a drink ever existed. ~ <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Somras or Somaras probably was
prepared from ingredients - some of which (very likely) no longer exist, and so, the Somaras </span></b>too went into a Nirvikalpa
Samadhi to awaken to moksha.<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Somras or Somaras was meant only
for those who pursued the path of Brhm (knowledge); others consumed (e.g.)
Madhu (prepared from grapes, etc). ~ Therefore, Somras or Somaras probably
helped their mind (manas) to connect (yog) to the various layers of the
universe/cosmos, and to other elements of nature, and so on, besides also boosting
their energy, immunity and physical endurance. The ancient Vedic rishis and
munis perhaps used it to take energy from the aether to awaken kundalini
energy - to further their understanding of </span></b>Vigjnana/Vedic Science - Laghima (becoming almost weightless/anti-gravity: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->ancient Vimanas - which were much more advanced
than modern aircrafts - utilized this concept), Garima
(becoming infinitely heavy/gravity-resistant), Aṇimā (reducing one's body even to the size of an
</span><span style="font-size: small;">aṇu/atom, i.e. infinite smallness; so a</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ṇu is probably derived from </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">aṇimā, though it may have been smaller than an atom), maybe even that of Pranavayu and Udanavayu (oxygen and hydrogen), and so on.
(The Bose-Einstein condensate probably used the concept of "Avichi" [meaning
waveless] and "Garbhodaka Ocean" that lies at the bottom of the
universe; possibly a reference to the "sea" of Bose-Einstein
Condensate that exists below the physical plane.) <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">~ The rishis and munis of yore were exceptionally
learned beings, and pursued the path of knowledge (Brhm); therefore, Rishi,
Maharshi and Brhmarishi were (very likely) honorifics - to indicate their
levels of <i>jnana</i>. (Brhmarishi probably indicated the highest level.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The
terms force and matter is used for the Sanskrit terms Prana and Akasha (e.g.
**Swami Vivekananda), though some (e.g. Tesla) understood these Sanskrit terms as
energy and mass. (~ It is possible though that in the first half of the
previous century, force and energy were not always clearly differentiated.
Energy is considered to be a more proper translation of the Sanskrit term
Prana.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></b>Soma becomes
<i>Haoma</i> in the Avestan language, on account of the change in phonetics: wherein
'S' becomes 'Ha'. ~ A<span class="unicode"> city called
Hamunaptra was found in India in the 1850s when British engineers, trying to
build a railroad, pillaged the area for bricks. In the 1920s, archaeologists
began serious excavations. They found at the site a lost civilization; it was a complex/diversified, literate, urbanized, centrally located society; raw materials located
in the area indicated that the civilization had long-distance trade with
Mesopotamia. The civilization ended between 1900 and 1700 BC. ~ </span>Perhaps
due to a combination of factors, such as: climate change, change in rainfall
pattern, rise in pollution levels, decline in trade, multiple challenges
arising out of over expansion, and so on; maybe even a massive earthquake
and/or flood. ~ Was <span class="unicode">Hamunaptra derived from Somaputra ~ <i>my
guess is as good as yours</i>.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> It is possible that later, other varieties of Somras or Somaras were discovered. The ancient Gandharva (<i>do read the relevant passages on Gandharva</i>) as well as the ancient Yaksha people (small-sized
humans; e.g. Manthara is mentioned as Vamani, therefore, she was very likely a Yakshi; even Hanuman<i>ji</i> was helped/guided by the Yaksha people to identify the hill with the medicinal herbs - sanjivni-booti - to revive Lakshman) too may have been aware of the ingredients required to make <i>this variety</i>
of "Somras" - due to their extensive knowledge of plants and herbs. Probably: some variant of
the "Asvagandha" was an important ingredient for this
drink, since this herb is<i> </i>still known to enhance immunity and physical
endurance, apart from its anti-inflammatory effects, besides being a
traditional treatment for general fatigue, nervous exhaustion, malnutrition,
insomnia, etc. (Note the presence of <i>som</i> in insomnia.) ~ <i>Ashvagandha</i> in Sanskrit
means: "horse's smell" (ashva = horse, gandha<i> =</i> smell),
probably also originating from the odour of its root which is similar to that
of a sweaty horse. Thus this new variety of Somras probably infused anyone
that partook of it with the strength/power of a horse; the metaphoric <i>horse-power</i>. ~ Even the shatavari and the licorice too may have
gone into making this variety of Somras/Somaras. All these herbs are known to give the body and
mind an energy boost or <i>ojas </i>(vigour), and hence, are referred to as
'soma-producing herbs' in Ayurveda. Therefore, "som" or "soma" may have been a reference
to various vigour-enhancing herbs - that were required to prepare this energy drink. ~ However, it is possible that over time one or
the other of the ingredients gradually disappeared from the face of
the earth... and so, had to be replaced
by lesser or alternative ingredients - the effect of which may
not have been quite the same. ~ Thus, the later types of Somras or Somaras may not have been a uniform, homogeneous drink; in
other words:
there probably was various types of Somras: one for enduring the cold weather, another for curing various ailments,
yet another for enhancing one's stamina (getting an energy boost), so on and so forth. ~ And this is quite reminiscent of the Druid Getafix's
"magic potion" that worked wonders for the Gauls - by infusing them
with awesome power.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">**<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from
which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they
return. Mahat or Ishvara (Primal Creative Energy) is the Cosmic Ruler/Cosmic
Entity/Being - the highest possible conception of the Absolute, which is beyond
all thought. (Mahat means literally the Great One, and is also interpreted as
meaning universal mind or cosmic intelligence. Prana means energy [usually
translated as life force] and Akasha means matter [usually translated as
aether].) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Swami Vivekananda met with many of the well-known scientists of the time
including Professor Helmholtz, Lord Kelvin and ***Nikola Tesla (the great
scientist who specialized in the field of electricity.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The meeting with
the Swami<i>ji</i> greatly stimulated Tesla's interest in Eastern Science;
Vivekananda's explanation of the Samkhya cosmogony and the theory of cycles
given by the Vedas impressed him immensely. He was particularly struck by the
resemblance between the Samkhya theory of matter and energy and that of modern
physics. Swami<i>ji</i> later remarked during a lecture in India, "<i>I
myself have been told by some of the best scientific minds of the day, how
wonderfully rational the conclusions of the Vedanta are. I know of one of them
personally, who scarcely has time to eat his meal, or go out of his laboratory,
but who would stand by the hour to attend my lectures on the Vedanta; for, as
he expresses it, they are so scientific, they so exactly harmonize with the
aspirations of the age and with the conclusions to which modern science is
coming at the present time</i>". Maybe Swami<i>ji</i> was hopeful that Tesla
would be able to show that what we call matter is simply potential energy
because that would reconcile the teachings of the Vedas with modern science.
Tesla understood the Sanskrit terminology and philosophy and found that it was
a good means to describe the physical mechanisms of the universe as seen
through his eyes. (It would behoove anyone attempting to understand the
science behind the inventions of Nikola Tesla to study Sanskrit and Vedic
philosophy.) ~ Tesla apparently </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">was unable</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> to show the identity of energy and
matter. The mathematical proof of the principle did come until about ten years
later when Albert Einstein published his paper on relativity. ... Thus, the West
then knew what had been known in the East for millenniums.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">***Born, so the stories go, in the middle of a
thunderstorm in Serbia, Tesla has left a fascinating legacy to the world today.
Magnetism is measured in Tesla, a unit named after him. He also showed that
alternating current (A/C) was superior to direct current (D/C) - when it came
to transmitting electricity over a distance. If he hadn't... the world would have
been filled with electrical substations at the end of each road, because D/C
doesn't do distance well. [~ AC is better for distributing power over a
distance because it allows the easy changing of voltages with a transformer.
Power is calculated as current times voltage (P = IV). For a given amount of
power to be sent, a low voltage requires a higher current. But metal conducting
wires have resistance; some of that precious power will be lost as heat in the
wires. Power loss is given by P = I²R. So from this its obvious that
low-voltage, high-current transmissions will cause a much greater power loss
than high-voltage, low-current ones. This fact holds whether DC or AC is used.
~ But, and here is the clincher, transforming DC power from one voltage to
another is difficult and expensive. But with AC these voltage changes can be
done with simple and cheap transformer coils with no moving parts and no
maintenance. Tesla wins in theory and in practice. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>He also claimed to have
worked out a 'dynamic theory of gravity' - even Einstein was unsuccessful at
this - but it is yet to be published. So whether it is about plugging in mobile
phone chargers or using wifi, it was Tesla, the unsung genius who made it all
possible. His alternating current system for one still keeps the world alight
to the present day. His other inventions and theories... all represent
engineering feats of revolutionary capacity, opening new vistas of scientific
advancement since their inception. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The question now, when one considers the
current technological advances, the global energy demands and the effects on
nature and climate, is - who will be the next great Tesla, to transform our
technology age with a new way of thinking?</span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Note on Swami Vivekananda:</i></span> 'If
you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is
positive and nothing negative.'
was Rabindranath Tagore's advice to Romain Rolland<b> </b>(<b>~ </b>French
dramatist, novelist, essayist and art historian who was awarded the Nobel Prize
for Literature in 1915 "<i>as a tribute to the lofty idealism of his literary
production and to the sympathy and love of truth with which he has described
different types of human beings</i>".) [More on <span style="color: #4c1130;">Tagore</span>: <i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i>.]</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">Swamiji's
stature makes him a universal figure. Vivekananda's message was really the message of modern
humanity.</span> His personality was rich and profound; unceasing
in his activity, boundless in his love, profound and versatile in his wisdom, exuberant in his emotions - he was indeed a rare personality. ~ A
fighter (for humanity, for universalism, and so on) to the core of his being, he
was a worshipper of <i>Shakti</i> and gave a practical interpretation to the Vedanta ~ for the uplift of his countrymen. A Yogi of the highest spiritual level in direct
communion with the truth, he
devoted his whole life for the moral
and spiritual uplift of his nation and of humanity. Vivekananda was energy personified, and action (karm-yog) was his message to humanity. <span style="color: #4c1130;">In every way, he was integrating; he was seeing the forces for good, the constructive
forces, in the different countries (he visited)</span>. <span style="color: #0c343d;">Thus,
Vivekananda's
call to India to recognize herself - this again was not
nationalism in the smaller sense, it was a kind of internationalism sublimated</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">Vivekananda
preached a great message that is not tied to any dos and don'ts. He addressed one and all</span>. His message thus roused the heart of the youths in a most
pervasive way. This message (at one and the same time) was about dignity and respect along with energy and power – dynamism; it imparted to others and pervaded his
life with a wonderful dynamism. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">It was Swamiji's hope that India would create a new social order and a
new civilization by combining her best spiritual traditions with the latest
advancements in science and technology. She would be rich both materially and
spiritually.</span> He knew that affluence was not enough, humanity had to be human too (humanism). Through his realization of the unique harmony that lies in all he wanted
India to set an example before the whole world. <span style="color: #4c1130;">"Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached" was his message.</span> Swami
Vivekananda propagated
the ideal of performing
selfless service to all (<i>nishkam karma</i>, selfless
non-glory-seeking actions/service to humanity); his message enthused
the youth of India and of the whole world to realize one's own self. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Swamiji
made a tremendous impression, first in the USA and then also in England. The
press paid him the highest tributes as an exponent of India's age-old values. This was the starting point of the Indian
renaissance. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Vivekananda advised against <i>kupa-mandup</i> syndrome (a frog in a well imagines the little well to be
the whole world)</span>. He was
not opposed to learning from the West, for he knew the West had some great
qualities and it was because of those qualities that they had become so developed and exerted a
great deal of influence. He
wanted India to learn science and technology from the West and its power to
organize and its practical sense, but, at the same time, retain her high dharmic</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> value</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">s
and spiritual wealth. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Emulating such a personality is futile; if humanity can understand/comprehend and imbibe his message and teachings, that should be good enough</span>.]</span></b> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Sarasvati River is an important river goddess in
the Rig Ved</span>. (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Many of the Rig Vedic hymns mention a sacred river called SarasvatI, describing
it as the foremost of rivers, big as the ocean, rising in the mountains and
flowing between the Yamuna and Sutlej [<span class="bodyarl">Sutudri/</span>Satadru/<span class="bodyarl">SuturI]</span> before entering the sea. <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Sarasvati is
portrayed as "surpassing in majesty and might all other waters" and
"pure in her course from mountains to the ocean.")</span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span>Devi</i> Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in
her role as a goddess of knowledge (not transient/apara vidya though; hence she holds
a lotus - the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - para vidya). She is wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved, Sarasvati is a river
as well as its personification as a goddess. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also
means: knowledge.] She is <i>Varadey Kaamarupinee</i> (the
fulfiller of wishes) and is </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">associated with literature, arts, crafts, music, etc</span>. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: Sri Hayagriva is the male equivalent of Devi Sarasvati. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><i>R</i>efer the passages on Lord Hayagreeva/Hayagriva</i>: <span class="fcknormaltext0"><b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>. <i>~ Devi</i> Sarasvati is symbolically known as Brahmaputri...</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> 'coz she is <i>wisdom personified</i>; she is considered as the embodiment/manifestation of Brhm (knowledge,
learning, culture, wisdom, enlightenment, creativity, and so on)</span>; so whether Lord Hayagreeva/Hayagriva is symbolically referred to as Brahmaputra or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.) ... <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom,
consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, culture, enlightenment, music,
the arts, eloquence (persuasion/<span class="text"> vāk)</span>
and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom
and consciousness. The Vedas (The Book of Knowledge/The Book of Enlightenment)
are associated with her, and chants to her are called the 'Sarasvati Vandana Mantra' (for guidance, wisdom and knowledge: <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tVppu4JJ60"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"<i>May Goddess Sarasvati, who is fair like
the jasmine-coloured moon, and whose pure white garland shines like (is as bright as) frosted dew
drops [dew is the purest form of water]; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the
veena, and whose throne is a pure white lotus; who is surrounded and respected by
the Gods, bless us. May the goddess fully remove our lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance.</i>") [Sometimes
a <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">peacock</span></i> is shown beside her ~ it is imagery, implying not to be concerned
with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth (Sat/Satya).]
~ It is believed that goddess Sarasvati endows humans with the powers of fine speech/<span class="text">vāk</span> (persuasive powers),
wisdom and learning. Her symbolic four hands represent four aspects of human
personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and self. She plays the
music of compassion, wisdom, assimilation, love and life on a string instrument called
the Veena. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sarasvati
is also referred to as Hamsahvahini, which means "she who has a hamsah (the swan)
as her 'vehicle'". [~ She is also a prominent figure in Buddhism (Buddhist iconography). It is believed that
Mahasarasvati destroyed Shumbha and Nishumbha. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Incidentally: Rakta-bija is mistranslated to blood-seeds, it is an allusion to
entrenched negative/destructive mindset/perception et al that alters the very
essence of the land/culture/people; the consequences of which are far-reaching... like a torrent, like the
weed in a garden or perhaps akin to water hyacinth.] ~ <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is mainly
associated with the colour white (pure white), which signifies the purity of
true knowledge (para vidya or eternal knowledge) as well as Sattva Guna (noble traits). (<i>Refer the relevant passages on hamsah/swan</i>.) Occasionally,
however, she is also associated with the colour yellow (basanti), the colour of the
flowers of the mustard plant that bloom at the time of her festival in the
spring. [~ Pure white: Puṇḍarīka, <span class="med1">Svetakamala
or Shubhra Kamal - the metaphoric "pure white lotus". Pure white
indicates pristine, embodiment of pure knowledge: kundalini (Sahasrara Chakra -
the 7th Chakra, the highest Chakra). It also signifies tranquility.]</span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| AUM Ayeim Sarasvatye Namah AUM || ~ It is an invocation to the Goddess Sarasvati.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Lord Krishn is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Hamsah</span>: The swan; <span style="color: #4c1130;">Hamsah means "He with a large-hearted intelligence"</span>; (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn is Trikalagya,
and therefore, clear-eyed, strategic and far-thinking; he also keeps Loka-sangraha or Loka-kalyana - the greater/collective
good - above himself. If e.g. Duryodhan and allies (Shakuni, Jarasandh, Dushashana, Karna et al) were to prevail what turn would the Mahabharata have taken? With what devastating consequences? ~ As the Jagat-patih - Sovereign of the Universe/Lord of Creation - he
upheld Raj-dharma (the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[~ Krishn's was the highest dharmic mission (<i>dharma-samsthapanarthaya</i> -
to rebuild/revive/reinvigorate/rejuvenate the principles of <i>dharma</i>/right
action for the greater good, and <i>karm-yog</i>/action - to walk the talk). ~ He also advised humanity to dharma (right action - for the greater good; even
selfless (nishkam/non-glory-seeking) action/service to humanity/society),
collective introspection and concerted action (karm-yog) - <i>to duty</i>. 'Coz there is no instant
results or success; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">it is work-in progress</span></span></span>.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The hamsah (swan) is supposed to possess the ability to separate the
water from the cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to separate milk and water
symbolizes the need to differentiate between positive aspects and negative
aspects as well as the eternal/enduring and the evanescent/ephemeral/transient. E.g: The English language, in a generic sense, was
the (metaphoric/proverbial) 'amrit' that arose out of a (symbolic) 'manthan' - colonization. ~ And yet, today this language is a link language - globally</span>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Hamsa</span> = a bird; either the white swan or bar-headed
white goose. The white swan is called Raja-Hamsa, literally: royal swan.
<span style="color: #4c1130;">The Hamsa is an important element in the symbology found in Sanaatan Dharma and represents: wisdom and beauty. The Hamsa
is seen as a symbol of purity (self-realization), inner detachment (dharmic freedom of nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking karm), divine knowledge, cosmic breath
(prana) and the highest spiritual accomplishment. It is supposed to transcend
the limitations of creation - for it can walk on the earth, fly in the sky
(air) and swim in the water</span>. Just as the swan or hamsa lives on water
but its feathers do not get damp, similarly a Hamsan (a true "yogi" - a nishkam karm-yogi)
lives in this material world full of Maya (transience), yet
remains detached and is not impacted by its transient nature. <span style="color: #4c1130;">A constant repetition of the word "hamso" changes
it to "Soaham", which means: "That I am" or "I am
He". Ham-sa when inverted reads as sa-ham, which in Sanskrit
means: 'the oneness of the human (finite) and the divine (Infinite)'. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ One who completely realizes/understands the Avyakta (nirākārā + nirguna) and the Vyakta (ākārā + saguna) form of the Brahmn/Universal Consciousness is a Siddha - self-realized.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hamsah Gayatri Mantra: || <i>Aum Paramhamsaye Vidmahe,
Mahahamsaye Dhimahi, Tanno Hamsah Prachodayat</i> || ~ "OM.
Let us meditate on Sri Hamsa Deva, the glorious, pure white divine swan of
supreme discrimination (<i>ability to differentiate between positive aspects
and negative aspects, between the eternal and evanescent i.e. between what is necessary/important/enduring and what is transient/ephemeral/trivial</i>.) May
that great Lord in the form of a swan (hamsah), who exemplifies paramahamsas (supreme swan),
blissful self-realized souls, inspire and illumine our mind and understanding."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The <span style="color: #4c1130;">symbolism</span> associated with <i>pure white</i>/kundalini (Ajnea centre/7th Chakra - Crown chakra or Sahasrara Chakra, the highest chakra) and <i>golden yellow</i> (6th Chakra - Ajna Chakra - the symbolic third eye-chakra): ~ BG 10.22: || <i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana || </i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force" (cetana,
consciousness.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ Chakras are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or
vital energy. (<i>These Chakras are not literal</i>.) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Chakras correspond to vital
points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves.
The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through</span>.
~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Kundalini</i> (Electric Fire - symbolized
by brilliant
white</span> ~ <i>do refer the relevant passages on kundalini</i>)
<span style="color: #4c1130;">is
vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to
be fully 'awakened'. And <i>this</i> happens when Kundalini reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>
chakra - Sahasrara/the crown chakra (the highest chakra). [~ The seventh chakra
(Sahasrara) is the chakra that integrates all the chakras with their respective
qualities. It is the last milestone of the evolution of human awareness. This happens when Kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the
fontanel area. ... When the Kundalini reaches the Sahasrara, the metaphoric/symbolic 'lotus petals' open and
enlightenment takes place.] ~ This state is also said to be the state of complete wisdom</span>. ~ "swa" is "higher self", "asti" meaning
"being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation (of
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Swastika</span>) can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also known as
"Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness (~ i.e.
dispeller of troubles/calamity; pathfinder). ~ <i>Do refer <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b> - for more details on Swastika</i>.] ~ The Sahasrara (7<sup>th</sup>
Chakra/highest Chakra) is the chakra of (metaphoric/symbolic) one thousand petals. Sahasrara is
unique in many ways. All other chakras feature upward, pointing lotuses. In the
Sahasrara, the lotuses point downward, symbolizing freedom from the mundane
(i.e. a Siddha, self-realized; <i>refer </i><b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </i></b><i>-
to know more about self-realization</i>), and divine rain from its petals. ~ The Sahasrara chakra was not considered an in-body chakra; (earlier) it
was pictured as lying atop the head. The Saharsara is considered beyond most
symbolic representations, although the chakra is usually perceived as white. ~ It is often described without a seed syllable, although some sources
depict it with an OM. (~ OM or AUM represents the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. It is the primeval sound
- <i>pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad</i> - the sound of the universe itself. The Cosmic Entity [Ishvara-Ishvari] is Omswaroop - the <i>manifestation</i> of OM or AUM.) ~ Krishn is depicted with a symbolic 'golden disc' indicating third eye
chakra (i.e. Ajna chakra or Brow Chakra, also known as the 6<sup>th</sup>
chakra) - denoting spiritual guidance. <span style="color: #4c1130;">A two-petalled lotus symbolizes Ajna chakra. </span>The left petal represents
the moon or the <i>ida nadi</i> and the right petal represents the sun or the <i>pingala
nadi</i> - which meet the central <i>Sushumna nadi</i> (here nadi = channel; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sushumna nadi is </span></span></span>one of the body's main
energy channels) before rising to the crown chakra, Sahasrara (i.e. the 7th
chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra). Within the (metaphoric) two-petalled
lotus is a perfectly round circle that symbolizes the "shoonya" or
the void - symbolizing the state completely devoid of ego/ahamkara. In this circle the
symbol OM is written. ... 'OM' is the mantra and the symbol of ajna chakra (the third eye chakra or 6th Chakra - symbolically depicted as a 'golden disc/chakra'). ~ Sushumna awakening is part of kundalini
awakening. The two additional energy channels that play an important role in
our energy system are "ida" and "pingala". [And, all this probably also symbolizes the allegorical <span style="color: #4c1130;">manas-sarovara</span>.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The integration of the 6th and 7th Chakra is the Sudarshan Chakra. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(And <i>this</i> should also give us an idea as to what 'Krishna
hurled his Sudarsahn Chakra' means.) ~ The 6<sup>th</sup> Chakra (Ajna Chakra) and the 7<sup>th</sup>
Chakra join
within Sahasrara to create <i>brahma-ranhdra</i> - the transcendence of both ~ metaphorically represented by the Shiva and Shakti -
the masculine and feminine.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In literal terms, the 'samudra-manthan' tale is
(also) an allegorical description of what transpires during a
<span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini-awakening process</span>. ~ *Kundalini is a latent energy that lies dormant
in the spine. Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a slithering
reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also represented by the [allegoric]
Mt Meru [Mandar Parvat] in the story. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <i>meruh sikharinam
aham</i> || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." (~ Here Mt Meru is an
allegory for Sahasrara Chakra/the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra - the crown
chakra/the highest chakra). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <span class="text">BG 10.28: <i>sarpāṇām asmi
vāsukiḥ</i> ~ and of serpents I am Vāsuki. </span>~ Here Vasuki is an allegory
for kundalini. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> If we look at the human brain: there is the left hemisphere
(side 1) and the right hemisphere (side 2)... the area in the middle is
(allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'. (~ Therefore, we can say, kundalini is
'serpent power'.) ~ Maybe, this power 'ignites' or 'illumines' the mind, in a
manner of speaking; this in turn results in an immense amount of intelligence,
foresight, wisdom, perception, vision, sagacity, and so on - which (then) leads
to great deeds/karm. ~ Its all interconnected (yog/sanjog); therefore, kunda =
"to coil or to spiral". The Kundalini (then) unites the individual consciousness
with the Universal Consciousness (the finites to the Infinite). ~ This state
is also said to be the state of complete wisdom. ~ "Swa" is
"higher self", "asti" meaning "being", and
"ka" as a suffix, so the translation (of <span style="color: #4c1130;">Swastika</span> - <i>refer</i> <b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>) can be interpreted as:
"being with higher self" (i.e. yog/sanjog with the Universal
Consciousness.) ~ Lord Narayan is also known as "Svasti": One
who is the source of all auspiciousness. (<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Just as the morning Sun
(Golden in colour) grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' (6<sup>th</sup>
chakra) visualized at the eyebrow centre (Ajna Chakra) rises to Ajnea
center/chakra (7<sup>th</sup> chakra) and shines forth like a diamond
disc/chakra. ~ This is the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. When this
'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the (symbolic) third eye (Ajna
Chakra/6th chakra). ~ Only when humans gain enlightenment/the state of complete wisdom - eternal, pure/timeless knowledge - para vidya (~ the state of a Buddha - i.e. when the Sahasrara Chakra/the 7<sup>th</sup> Chakra - the [metaphoric/symbolic]
thousand-petalled Lotus opens up
fully)... the kundalini power has been fully awakened.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*<span style="color: #4c1130;">In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at
the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual
energy known as the kundalini. The process of Enlightenment or in other words
Self-realization involves the gentle awakening of this living and conscious
energy, so that it pervades the individual's entire being.</span> Once this occurs, an
individual is no longer disconnected from the universe around them - i.e. confined inside their own head (ego, confusion, delusion, vainglory, etc) - but becomes a connected part of the greater
cosmos (~ the mind is lit up, in a manner of speaking; in other words: the metaphoric <i>dimaag ki batti</i> is lit up - possibly depicted by the "halo"); it brings about self-knowledge and contentment
- leading to Sat-cit-ānanda, the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization". [<i>Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and timeless; c<i>it </i>is consciousness (<span class="text">awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, perceive, and comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition)</span>; <i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss or spiritual
ecstasy.] ~ One who has achieved the
eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (Sat-cit-ānanda) of self-realization is a Siddha - a pure/perfect being. ~ Kundalini
awakening connects a human to his or her Atman (Supersoul) - which is the source
of all things. This Atman is the eternal aspect of an individual's personality;
when an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a
Buddha (the Enlightened One) - eternal and filled with pure/timeless knowledge (para
vidya).]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i> ~ </i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Makara Sankranti (or Pongal) marks the beginning of
Uttarayan</span>. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This time of year is generally associated with
Sarasvati and Vishnu - the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity.] <span class="fcknormaltext0"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ Devi</i> Sarasvati is shown sitting on a "pure white lotus" (Puṇḍarīka,
<span class="med1">Svetakamala or Shubhra Kamal). Pure white indicates pristine;
embodiment/manifestation of pure knowledge; in other words: kundalini (Sahasrara Chakra - the 7th Chakra, the highest Chakra). It also
signifies tranquility. ~ <i>Devi</i></span>
Sarasvati is the embodiment/symbol/manifestation of pure knowledge (kundalini). ~ She is also depicted with the hamsah (the swan; <span class="st">embodiment/symbol
of inner "detachment"; the swan signifies</span> nishkam/selfless karm
+ dharmic freedom [inner detachment] - for the greater good; a higher cause - </span><span class="fcknormaltext0">Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha. Hari-Krishna/Vishnu-Krishna is also known as the Hamsah.) ~ This inner detachment (dharmic freedom) signifies a true "yogi" - </span><span class="st">hamsan. The <span style="color: #4c1130;">swan/hamsah</span> </span>- <span class="st">whose
feathers do not get damp despite remaining in water - </span>is the symbol of an
enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). ~ Selfless action (nishkam karm) does not suppress the senses, but merely sublimates them, <i>spiritualizes</i>
them - for a higher purpose, a greater cause; therefore, ascetic does not mean renunciation. ~ Without nishkam karm/selfless action and the dharmic
freedom (inner detachment) it bestows, one cannot become a "yogi" [~ the connect/confluence (yog) between nishkam karm and dharmic freedom (inner detachment) is necessary. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ The <span id="IL_AD9"><span class="ilad">spirit/soul</span></span>
of such persons is spotless, like the swan in water or like the lotus in the muddy water (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">kalka)</span>.] ~ Also, t</span><span style="font-size: small;">here have been various scholars and other greats who have
risen and shone... from modest origins. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Even the illustrious Maurya
and Gupta Emperors had humble origins.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Uttarayan</span> is a combination of two
Sanskrit words, 'uttar' meaning northward and 'ayan' meaning movement towards.
It celebrates the sun-god's northward movement. ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It was on this day that Lord Vishnu is believed to have (symbolically curbed)/buried the heads of ever-increasing
negativism (euphemistically known as Asuras) under the Mandar Parvat (Mt. Meru - t<span class="text">he central 'mountain' of
the world.</span>) So this occasion also represents the beginning of a new era. [<span class="text">The Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mt Meru as the location of
Shambhala. (Mt Meru: </span>is taken as the true centre of the planet and the world's spiritual powerhouse; it is the heartbeat of whole
universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart of divinity; it <span class="text">i</span><span class="text">s the center of the cosmos. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling
constellation of Ursa Major, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole.) Do refer </span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b> - for more info on Kurma-avatar,
samudra-manthan, Mohini-avatar, Bhasmasura, Mt Meru, Shambhala, </span></i><i>etc</i>. Mohini = rare, uncommon.]<span class="text"> </span>~ </span>It is also believed that
Ganga reached the earth from heaven on this day. [~ Now, whether this is the
River Ganga that Bhagirath is believed to have brought out after clearing the
terrain... thereby bringing her waters to the whole of this land - (and thus)
solving the drinking water needs, etc of the populace; or whether it is the
(metaphoric/allegoric) tide of the Ganga that Lord Shiva is supposed to have held in his <i>jata</i>
(dredlocks) and (thus) become *Byomkesh - <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.] Many people also conflate Makara Sankranti with the Winter
Solstice (which falls on December 21/22). ~ If only the script/glyphs of various extinct
civilizations could be deciphered... [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*Byomkesh:
Another name for Lord Shiva (Sankara/Hara): it i<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">s derived from <i>byom</i> (sky or air)
and <i>kesh</i> (hair). ~ </span>Lord Shiva received into his dredlocks (jata) the
Ganga - to minimize the immense impact (devastation) of her fall. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(This Ganga is a metaphor; it cannot be a reference to a river per se.) <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Perhaps it is an allegory to indicate that his actions saved/protected
humanity from great misery and/or mitigated (in force or intensity) the
long-term damage. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe, it brought about a positive change of course and lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.21:
|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i></span> || ~ "of
radiance I am the radiant sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman). ... It is a reference to the
majestic Sun-god [Pratyaksh-Brahmn], to the Brahmn-jyoti, as well as to ParaBrahmn/Brahmn (Universal Consciousness). <span class="text">Krishn is not only indicating that he is that universal Brahmn, Omswaroop;
h</span>e is (also) referring to the Summer Solstice (Sanskrit: Dakshinayana - June 21/22.)
[On this day even Druids celebrate. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do also refer to the Gayatri mantra. ~ Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari (Narayan/Vishnu/Hari) is the Supreme Druid; he
arrives to stem the 'churn'/manthan/turmoil - to
stabilize and to re-energize; he administers <i>aoushata</i> (medicine, cure, remedy) so that human
society can (gradually) regain its health and vigour. ~ Hari-Hara. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord Shiva (Hara/Sankara) is also known as Vaidyanatha (Lord of
Remedies).</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">] ~ Dakshinayana or Pitrayana is referred to
as Karka Sankraman/Sankranti. On this day, Sun enters into Karka rashi (Cancer) [Tropic of Cancer].
Dakshinayana or Karka Sankraman is a time for performing Pitru tarpan - rituals
to pay respect to Pitr Devatas (ancestors), performing charitable deeds,
worshipping Lord Vishnu, chanting Vishnusahasranama stotram ("the thousand names of Vishnu"), worshipping Lord
Varaha (the 3rd avatar of the Dasavatara, the supreme form of Lord
Vishnu/Narayan.) [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Vishnupadagiri is located on the Tropic of Cancer and, therefore, was a
centre of astronomical studies during the Gupta era. The Iron Pillar served
an important astronomical function; its early morning
shadow fell in the direction of the foot of Anantasayain/Anantasayana Vishnu (in one of the
panels at Udayagiri) only in the time around summer solstice (June 21/22).] ~ The Udayagiri site appears to have been guided by a highly
developed astronomical knowledge. Therefore, Udayagiri in general, and the Iron
Pillar location in particular, provide ample evidence of the astronomical
knowledge in India around 400 CE.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo </span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i><span class="text"><i>'ham </i></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><span class="text"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;">ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ </span></span></i></span>|| </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa
[November-December], and of seasons I am spring".<i> ~ </i></span>Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled
Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as used in Vedic
astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion. The first two <i>carana/pada</i> (quarters) of this
nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi<b> </b>or Taurus (bull). The
latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). Dharma is generally symbolized in Sanaatan
Dharmic thought by the bull, Vrishabha. ~ And so, Lord Narayan/Vishnu<i> </i>is <i>also</i> called Vṛṣabha
(the Great Bull). ~ <span class="text">He is </span>Dharmadhyaksha
- Lord of Dharma [Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma<span class="text">.] BG ~ 10.29 || <i>yamaḥ saḿyamatām aham</i> || ~ and among the dispensers of justice (for negative/Prarabda
karma) I am Yama (the lord of dharma/final, eternal judgment.) [~ Yama
does not mean Lord of Death; that is mistranslation. ~ The other </span>Yamaraj is Devaraj Indra's Dharmaraj/law and justice
minister<i>.</i> ~ Lord Narayan is<span class="text"> Mahendrah (The Lord of Indra).<i>
</i>~ The task assigned to the Devas/Higher Beings is to manage the affairs of the universe.]</span> [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span>
For Rudra-Siva, Hari-Hara, Vishnu-Rudra, and Hari-Sankara, <i>do refer to other parts of this post</i>.
~ The two Indus "Yogi Seals" are depicted with bullhorns - maybe indicative of
Vrishaakritih (Dharma/ Vrisha Himself) as
well as Dharmadhyaksha [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma]</span></span></span>; the three faces probably also indicate <i>keshavah,</i>
one who is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i>
Shiva - Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (<i>refer the relevant passages on Keshavah</i>). ~ "Yogi" is derived from "yog", not
to be construed as "ascetic", but someone who has gained freedom from
the mundane i.e. a Siddha; <i>do refer to the paragraphs on Sahasrara Chakra,
Ajna Chakra, Kundalini, etc [in this post] </i><i>as well as self-realization: <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>). ~ Thus the two Indus "Yogi Seals" very likely depict Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara - possibly the presiding deity/personage of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization; <i>do refer</i> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </b>- for more info on </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hariyuppa or Hariyupiyah, Meluha/Meluhha, etc; the Indus Valley Civilization covered wide swathes; it was one of the oldest of civilizations, and possibly, the most ancient of all civilizations.</i>]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[</span><u>Note</u>: </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Rishabha</span> is an avatar of Lord Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizer/preserver/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity). ~ Bhagvan
Rishabhdev, first Jain Tirthankara Rshabha (also known as Adinath), an
enlightened soul, is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. And considering
the depiction of Shri Parshvanath, whether any of the two Indus "Yogi
Seals" (and/or other seals, etc) also indicate them or not ~ <i>my guess
is as good as yours</i>. The symbol of Adinath is a Bull (Rshabha - derived from </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vṛṣabha, the Great Bull</span>) - hence he
is also known as Rshabha Dev. ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord Narayan<i> </i>is <i>also</i> called Vṛṣabha
(the Great Bull). ~ <span class="text">He is </span>Dharmadhyaksha
- Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma<span class="text">.)</span></span></span></span>] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Sat-Satya
Sundar/ Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram: ~ Sat comes from Satya; it does not mean
moralism, utopian idealism etc; it means <i>eternal</i> (Shaashvata); it also means dharma - right actions for the greater good. Lord Narayan/Vishnu is </span>Dharmadhyaksha - the Lord of Dharma [Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme
Dharma<span class="text">.] He is </span>Vrishaakritih - Dharma (Vrisha) Himself ~ symbolized by the
'thousand-horned great bull with a hundred heads'. [Dharma is generally
symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull (Vrishabha). ~ Lord
Narayan/Vishnu/Harih is <i>also</i> called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). <span class="text">Therefore,
though Sat/Satya-Sundar gets (mis)translated to "Truth" and "Beauty"
respectively, Sat/Satya means "Ultimate Truth" ~ Supreme Dharma. ~ </span>"Sundar" indicates auspiciousness, generosity, dharmic
excellence (actions for the greater good), work ethic, workmanship, etc. ~ Lord Narayan/Vishnu is
also known as "Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness.
[<i>Do refer <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b> - for more details on </i>Swastika.] </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">[Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the time for all-round rejuvenation... including intellectual, perceptive/cognitive and spiritual awakening/transition </span><span class="ital-inline"><span class="ital-inline"></span>- wherein humans
reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of the inferior manas (lower
mind or lower self) and into the superior manas (higher mind or Higher Self) ~ leading to a gradual transformation/awakening. Since this is work-in-progress, therefore, dharma nad karm-yog - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">for building/creating a better,
prosperous, progressive and inclusive society.]</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation
as Mriga (The Deer). ~ The term <span style="color: #4c1130;">Mṛgaśira</span> is a composite of two Sanskrit
words, mṛga meaning animal and śira meaning head or precisely, the
top of the head. The names Mṛgaśira and Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśīrṣa are sometimes used interchangeably. Grammatically, Mārgaśīrṣa
means "of Mṛgaśira" or "related to Mṛgaśira".
Thus Mṛgaśira is the correct name of the star, while Mārgaśīrṣa is the name of the month related to Mṛgaśira, i.e, the month in
which moon will be in conjuncture with the Mṛgaśira nakṣatra. [The two "Yogi Seals" - possibly indicating Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara - probably also indicate Mrigashīrsha
or Mṛgaśira: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme
Dharma. ~ So much for 'Aryan Invasion Theory'.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Agrahāyaṇa or Mārgaśīrṣa</span> [November-December]:
Since Vedic times, this month is known as Mārgaśīrṣa after the Nakṣatra
(asterisms) Mṛgaśiras. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The aligning of this name with the Mṛgaśiras Nakṣatra,
gives rise to speculation that this name may have been given when the sun was
near Orion at the time of vernal equinox, i.e. around 7000 years ago.] ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kālabhairava Jayanti) falls on
Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of this month of Mārgaśīṣa. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kāla = time; </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i> - pranavah/Omkara/pranava
naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious.] On this day it is said that Lord
Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava.
[</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kāla or kaalah = time; the bull/ Vrishabha is also associated with Lord Shiva.
Thus he too is </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme
Dharma<span class="text">.] </span></span></span>~ And so, Hari-Hara, Hari-Sankara, Vishnu-Rudra are not three different
personages/entities... but Hari as Hara/Sankara/Rudra. ~ And thus, it is Hari-Hara,
Hari-Sankara or Vishnu-Rudra. Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i> - pranavah/Omkara/pranava
naad, the sound of the universe itself. Vishnu-Krishna is the manifestation
(Omswaroop) of OM or AUM. ~ Hariom. || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Hari OM Tat Sat</i></span> || ~ Hari OM is the Ultimate Truth (Sat). ~ The seen (<i>manifested</i>/vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn) and
the unseen (<i>unmanifested</i>/avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn) are both one. | HA=
sky, RA= fire, I= energy. HARI = effulgent omnipresent omniconscient </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(sarvajno; possessing all wisdom) cosmic energy [ParaBrahmn]. Hari also means: Lord of Nature/Earth. OM or AUM is used for both Hari and Hara.</span></span>]<i> </i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Inside the great pyramids sun god
Osiris is Orion (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Mṛgaśira)</span>; Isis is Sirius (the brightest star as seen from
Earth, apart from the sun); Horus is the Falcon-god or
the Falcon-headed man. (<i>Refer:</i> <b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i>)<i><b> </b></i>Here it probably
is a reference to the Eagle Nebula. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">~ There is a possibility though that Ramesses II
(referred as Ramesses the Great), ancient<b> </b>Miṣr/Egypt's most prolific
ruler, often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful
pharaoh of the (ancient) Egyptian Empire, is named after Shri Ram. Ramesses is
anglicized; it could be a variant of Ram-Ashish (due to change in
phonetics. <i>Refer</i> <b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </i></b><i>-</i><i></i><b><i> </i></b><i>for more info on ancient Miṣr</i>.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.37: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">vṛṣṇīnāḿ
vāsudevo 'smi</span> </i>|| <i>~ </i>"Among the Vrishnis I am Vasudev" (Varshneya; the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Here Krishn is introducing himself. ~ He is Dvarkadheesh
Krishn - Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn. [~ Vasudev was the name of his father. But
Vasudev also means: Lord/Protector of the Earth.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i>pavanaḥ
pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind among the purifiers, and Shri Ram among the warriors." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~
<i>pavanaḥ pavatām asmi</i> ~ "I am the wind among the purifiers": He is essentially saying that he is the
personification of spring. ~ Wind (vayu) is one of the five </span><span class="fbphotocaptiontext">elements of nature (Sanskrit: [maha]panchabhuta/PanchaMahaBhuta or
Pancha Bhuta). The others being: agni (fire), water (jal), earth (prthvi) and
aether (aakash, space). ~ Lord Shiva - the Hara aspect (also known as: Rudra/Sankara/Hara/Shambhu
Nath) is also called </span>Bhoota/Bhuta Nath - Lord/Protector of
Mankind (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">living beings = bhutanam)</span>. ~ The Hari aspect means Lord of Nature. ~ Thus,
Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara is not two different persons, but two
aspects of Hari-Krishna. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Shivah is not destroyer-destroyer. This
aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect) of Hari-Krishn
indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat - of humanity/human society, as well as
dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion,
delusion, confusion, 'toxin' (~ thus he is known as Neelkanth - the allegorical 'blue-throated one'; he soaks up negativism - for the good of humanity/society - to enable it to function (progress and prosper), and so on. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Lord Shiva [the Hara aspect]
is regarded as a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (jiva or humans), while
Hari-Krishna (or rather the Hari aspect) is also known as Govind - the (allegoric/metaphoric) shepherd to
his flock. Hari/Hara/Hare = Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat - of humanity/human society/civilization; a
Pathfinder through tortuous events/circumstances/paths. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> 'Bhoota' as in 'spirits' is very likely a much
recent association ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. Therefore, aspects
like ash smearing, chillum smoking, etc is (probably) courtesy the many cultic movements that sprang up in his name
(maybe led by Gorakhnathji, etc) - in the last millennium or so ~ <i>my guess
is as good as yours</i>. But then, the way Lord Shiva - the Hara aspect - (<span class="fbphotocaptiontext">also known as: Rudra/Sankara/Hara/Shambhu Nath)</span>
is depicted is largely allegorical.<span class="text"> [~ Gorakh is probably derived from the name of some Parvat/Mountain or maybe Hill.] </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">|| <i>rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām
aham</i> || ~ "and Shri Ram among the warriors." [Here, warrior
= reformer, protector, preserver, stabilizing and re-energizing force - for a
better/progressive, prosperous, and inclusive society. ~ Shri Ram was a
Cakravartin and steadfast reformer, not perfunctory; thus his contribution was not transient. He also upheld Raj-dharma. Krishn was </span>a Cakravartin (by dint of his actions/karm; he too upheld Raj-dharma.) ~
<i>Do read <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </b>- for more details on Cakravartin, Pavan-putra Hanumanji, Shiv-dhanu, etc. </i>~
A <span style="color: #4c1130;">Cakravartin-raja</span> is a 'wheel-turning ruler' - considered a wise, progressive,
inclusive and ideal ruler, since he upholds Raj-dharma. ~ Here wheel or chakra
refers to Sudarshana Chakra - the 6<sup>th</sup> Chakra (symbolic Golden chakra/disc) also
known as Ajna Chakra or Brow Chakra - the third-eye chakra ~ denoting spiritual
guidance, and the Sahasrara (~ the 7th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest
chakra). [~ <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Do read the paragraphs on Ajna Chakra/Brow Chakra,
Shasrara and Kundalini.]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.22: || <i>indriyanam manas
casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i> || ~ "Of the senses
(indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am
the living force" (cetana, consciousness; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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things; <i>consciousness</i> (cetana) is awareness, sentience - the ability to
feel, think, perceive, comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception. ~ Here, living force (cetana) is essentially a reference to kundalini energy (spiritual energy; conscious energy). <i>Do read the relevant passages on Kundalini</i> <i>and Sahasrara Chakra</i>.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ *So, this should give us an
idea as to what Karna's "kavacha" and "kundal" means. [~ Krishna would have impacted Karna's ability to perceive and comprehend, and thus, his capacity to think clearly.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> So, does it also mean that he can control the mind? ~ Hari-Hara is one and
the same, two different aspects, not two different entities. (<i>Do read the relevant passages - to understand
this</i>.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ Shivah means: the kindly auspicious one; he is a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (jiva or humans.) ~ If they lack direction, he guides them, shows them the way; a pathfinder. ~ The Hari <i>aspect</i> of Keshavah (<i>refer relevant passages</i>) is also a shepherd: Govind - the (allegoric/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. ~ The Shivah/Hara (aspect)
does not mean destroyer per se; this aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara
aspect - <i>do also read the relevant paragraphs</i>) of Hari-Krishn indicates:
destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat of humanity/human society + dispeller/destroyer of
ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion, delusion, confusion. [<i>Do also
read about the Vamana-avatar: </i><b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.]
~ He
is also Neelkanth (the allegorical 'blue-throated one') - who
soaks up 'halahala' or 'kaalkoot' (resulting out of immense societal
'manthan'/churn/'dark clouds/negativism/pessimism that engulf the hearts and minds') - for the
benefit of human society/mankind ~ to enable it to "heal" (the Hari aspect is also
Dhanvantari, while the Hara aspect is Vaidyanatha - Supreme Druid/Lord of Remedies) - so that it can
evolve/transform and function better, i.e. progress and prosper.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> *<span style="color: #4c1130;">Karna's
"kavacha" and "kundal" and what could be meant by Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>'</span>. [Literally: Karna = ears. Kundal = ear-ring; though it
is probably derived from "kundalini" (<i>refer the relevant passages on Kundalini,
Sahasrara Chakra</i>).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As per the narrative, Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>' at a crucial time; he was, thus, unable to recollect the 'mantra'
(appropriate incantations) for unleashing certain weaponry. ~ This 'chariot
wheel' is not literal. Wheel = cakra or chakra, and (very likely) refers to
Karna's mind chakra or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of the head
(especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect. [Maybe, only by weakening of Karna's "kundal"... could this unnatural human,
('son' of Lord Surya, a higher being, and Kunti ~ begotten through very
advanced genetic engineering) be rendered inactive; otherwise nothing else
could affect him (~ as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of
his genetic makeup.) Hence, Karna could never have donated either his
"kaavacha" or his "kundaal". Ever. [~ Perhaps, later-day
translators, unable to understand the technology aspects described
in the narrative, improvised by bringing in Brahmin's 'curse', Parasurama's
'curse', Sutaputra, fate, and so on. ~ There was no concept of Brahmin in Dvapar; it was Brahmana - indicating erudition. Also, there were three kinds of warriors; the Suta, though highly skilled, did not pick
up weapons.) A renowned "kusalavya" of that era was Ugrasrava, son
of Lomarsana, known as Sauti to one and all. Sauti is derived from
"Suta". Kusalavya (roughly translates to) a wandering poet; they were greatly respected. Even
Sanjay was held in high esteem.] <span style="color: #4c1130;">Therefore, Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep
into the ground</i>' could mean: his memory weakened. ~ Krishn, perhaps made this happen (via some sort of
mind-control/'inception'); as a <i>Purna Avatar</i> he possessed 16 qualities.</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Apparently - and perhaps realizing his
condition - Karna invoked the Arya dharmic tenets of "fair play" and
"chivalry"... perhaps in a bid to buy time (maybe to get himself
treated; to [symbolically/metaphorically] '<i>pull out his chariot wheel that had
sunk deep into the ground</i>', that is.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Krishn then (sarcastically) asked him
whether he ever walked on the path of Arya Dharma and followed "fair
play" and/or displayed "chivalry". Krishn further reminded Karna
about the latter's role during the fraudulent game of dice (that cheated the
Pandavas out of their right and banished them for 13 long years instead); his
willing participation in the various machinations against the Pandavas; his
conduct when Draupadi was insulted, and when Kunti was treated shabbily, etc. ~
Krishn further said that Karna's demand for a fair chance was disgusting, since
as an ally and co-conspirator of Duryodhan, he was not only privy to, but was
also a willing partner of, all of the latter's heinous deeds. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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aham</i></span> || ~ "and among the dispensers of justice (for negative/Prarabda
karma) I am Yamah/Dharmaraj" (the lord of dharma - final and/or eternal judgment.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Krishn very clearly states that he is the Supreme Judge ~ and thus will deliver his judgement on prarabdha karma (negative karma) and/or provide an opportunity for redemption. ~ In his conversations with Karna, Krishn is actually spelling out his judgement ~ as Dharmadhyaksha - Supreme Dharma.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> With Karna rendered
inactive, Duryodhan was greatly weakened, so much so that the course of the
greatest of dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity,
progress and vision - for the future of humanity/human society) was clear to one and all.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Pratyaksha/Manifest-Brahmn is the Sun-god (Suryadev). The
confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati is known as Prayag -
Triveni Sangam. ~ Tagore said: <span class="text"><i>shab patho eshe miley gyalo shheshe tomaro dukhani
nayone nayone</i>.</span> (<i>Do</i> <i>refer the relevant passages on the Sahasrara
Chakra, Ajna Chakra, kundalini, etc</i>.)]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 9.11: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā mānuṣīḿ
tanum āśritam paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram</i></span> || ~
"The ignorant deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know
(are unaware of) My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord (maheśvaram) of all that be."<b> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ Thus he is Rishikesha - one who has not only gained mastery over his own senses (indriyas), but also over
those of others. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><i>avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā</i></span> (The ignorant deride Me when I descend in the human form): Is this an indication that he puts on a veneer? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span class="text">|</span></b></span> [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ <span class="blue">'Avatar' means descent, and
refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the
Sanskrit avatirna: "manifest/descent from the Lord."</span> ~ However, though in their human forms they possess certain
qualities. The 7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu possesses 12. While the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu
(Keshavah himself) possesses all 16; thus he is <span class="blue">Lord Narayan's </span><i>Purna Avatar</i> (one in whom divinity is manifested fully.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span>) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Sudarshan Chakra is
associated with Krishn/Keshavah. ~ (<i>Do read the paragraphs on Sudarshan
Chakra, Kundalini, Sahasrara, etc</i>.) ~ He is also known as Sudarshan Vasudev
Krishn. [~ Here is Tagore's <i>Heye Khaniker
Atithi: <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDom2FtUK_A"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 4.5: śrī-bhagavān uvāca (Sri Bhagavan said): || <i>bahūni me
vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna tāny ahaḿ veda sarvāṇi na tvaḿ vettha
parantapa</i> || ~ "O Arjun, many are the lives I have passed through and
thou too. But I know them all, whilst thou knowest not."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 7.26: || <i>vedaham samatitanivartamanani
carjunabhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana</i> || ~ "O Arjun, I
know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the
present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities;
but Me no one knows." ~ Thus Krishn was all-knowing (Trikalagya). He also knew each
soul (individual or human soul/jiva-atma).</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">BG 10.30: || <i>mṛgāṇāḿ ca mṛgendro 'haḿ vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām</i> || ~ "among animals I am the lion, and among birds I am Garuḍa." <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Lord Narayan is Garuda-Dhvaja; Garuda is His insignia, as well as 'vehicle'; it also indicates eagle or maybe
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text" style="font-size: small;">BG 10.28: || <i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i> || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as kamadhenu - the wish-fulfilling cow ~ possibly a metaphor for prosperity, etc.)</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || </span></span></span><span class="text"><i>akṣarāṇām a-kāro 'smi
dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca aham</i> </span><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><i>evākṣayaḥ kālo
dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ</i> || ~ </span>"</span></span>Of letters I am the letter A (<i>refer</i> <i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b>)</i>. <span class="text">And among compound words I
am the dual compound (maybe a reference to </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">hydrogen-oxygen bonds present in water. <i>Refer </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </b>- for Dvarka.</i>)<i><b> </b></i></span></span></span>I am also inexhaustible
time (Kaalah; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">Kālah/</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text">kālo</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> = time; <span style="font-size: small;">Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i> - pranavah/Omkara/pranava
naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - this sound is auspicious)</span></span></span>, and of creators I am Brahmā" (a metaphor for rejuvenation, regeneration, reinvigoration; also <i>refer the passages on Keshavah.</i>)</span></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG
10.34: || <i>mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām </i>|| ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating
principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I
am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into
being.")</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.40: || <span class="text"><i>nānto 'sti mama divyānāḿ
vibhūtīnāḿ parantapa eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā </i>|| ~ "There is no end of My divine manifestations, O Arjun. What I have spoken
to you is but a mere indication of My infinite manifestations." [</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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not monolithic. The Peepal tree (Ashvatha)
represents
the entire cosmos: 'Shva' in Sanskrit means tomorrow, 'a' indicates negation,
and 'tha' means one that stands or remains. ~
Thus,
Ashvatha can also indicate: "One which does not remain the same tomorrow",
or the universe itself. ~ Maybe there is no
stagnation. BG: 10.26 || <i>aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</i> ||<b> ~ </b>among trees, I am the
peepal (ashvattha).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span class="blue">Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari's </span><i>Purna Avatar</i> (one in whom divinity is
manifested fully) is Shri Hari-Krishna. ~<span class="blue"> </span><i>Lord
Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being in his totality of
manifestation. He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Person/Being, but is considered
as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself (albeit, in human form; all the avatars come in their human manifestation</i>).<i> || </i>krishnas
tu bhagavan svayam<i> || </i>~ He is the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler; as a <i>leela-avatar</i> - he (also) holds a mirror to humanity; he instructs
and assesses humanity (whether they can differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects, between the eternal and evanescent </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">i.e. what is necessary/important and what is transient/trivial </span>[like the swan/hamsah]; comprehension (thought process), perspective and cognitive abilities, karm-yog, mettle, and so on) - to awaken them into introspection and collective karm-yog; and so, he leads by example and instructs through his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true
teacher/guru/mentor. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> He is God manifest in human
form (svayam Bhagavan, the <i>human</i> manifestation [sagun swaroop] of Lord
Vishnu/Narayan - His Purna Avatar.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Leela
is the interplay/synergy (yog) between the finite and Infinite, between created and
Uncreated, between evanescent and Eternal.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.26: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</i></span>
||<b> ~ </b>"among trees, I am the peepal (ashvattha)" ~
Shri
Narayan/Keshavah/Vishnu, the Lord of the Universe (symbolically) dwells in the roots of this tree, Keshavah in the trunk, Narayan dwells in the branches, Shri Hari in the leaves
and all the deities dwell in the fruits of this sacred tree. The peepal tree is
(therefore) the personification of Shri Narayan/Vishnu.
<b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>The
peepal tree (the Bodhi tree/the 'tree of enlightenment') or the <span style="color: #4c1130;">transpersonal
World Tree</span> is the personification of Shri Vishnu/Keshavah/Narayan/Hari. The Bodhi tree, the Tree of Enlightenment, is also the
symbol of (the 9th Vishnu) Shri Gautam Buddh's message in general (since he had
overcome his human boundaries and become one with the world spirit.) ~ The peepal (ashvattha) is the tree of eternal
life. This sacred tree stands for wisdom, knowledge,
enlightenment, happiness, prosperity, peace and good luck. Every peepal tree is
a reservoir of oxygen. People who stay near it have a plentiful supply of oxygen.
This majestic tree gives ample shade to humans and animals alike. It is also
home to a lot of birds and insects. The holy fig tree has medicinal properties
as well. In Sanskrit, this tree is known as Ashvattha,
Bodhivriksha and Plaksha. This tree represents the entire cosmos. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> in some of the old Indus sites, clay objects with
peepal leaf markings have been unearthed. There are seals depicting the peepal
leaf. ~ And, all this shows that the peepal tree has been
worshipped from very early times. So
much for 'Aryan Invasion Theory.' ~ Sometimes the holy fig tree is taken as the Banyan tree (Vata Vrikhsha). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>~ (Refer the relevant passages - for more details on Chakravartin and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration').</i></span>]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.42: || <i>idaḿ kṛtsnam ekāḿśena sthito jagat</i> || ~ "I continually support the entire universe/cosmos by a small fraction of My
divine power (YogMaya)." ~ Therefore, the manifest creation (Prakriti/Manifest Nature or Material Nature) is a very small fraction
of the Absolute (Cosmic Purusha/Cosmic Energy). </span>[~ "<i>When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous</i>." ~ Albert Einstein. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">"<i>One infinite pure and holy -
beyond thought beyond qualities I bow down to thee</i>" - Swami Vivekananda.</span></b>]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.13:<i> </i><i>|| dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam
jara tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati || </i>~ "As the embodied soul continuously passes, in the material body,
from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly transmigrates from one body
to another. The self-realized or the temperate (dhirah = the temperate) is not bewildered/deluded by such a
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.22<b><i> </i></b><i>|| vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti
naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī || </i>~<b> </b>"Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off
old and worn-out ones, the (human) soul (Jiva-atma) similarly takes
up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and infirm
ones." [~ The "First Law of Thermodynamics" (Conservation)
states that energy is always conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed. In
essence, energy can be converted from one form into another. ~ <i>'Energy can be
changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The
total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely
changing from one form to another</i>.' <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ Soul is energy; it has no form or gender;
only the outer shell (material body) differs. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ For humans, there is no guarantee that the soul
(jiva-atma) won't transmigrate as (e.g.) an animal, bird, and so on. It all depends on one's karma. The only certain way to come out of
this <i>Samsara</i> or the constant cycle of birth and re-birth (transmigration) - is by
performing copious amounts of good karma (nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking
karma). Good/positive karma is essential to "wash off" any (carried
over) Prarabda karma (negative karma); this in turn gives the jiva/atma (human
soul) a clean slate and/or a positive amount (remainder) of good karma.] ~ Krishn
not only associates himself with trees and plants... but also with animals,
aquatic creatures, birds, etc. ~ Perhaps to indicate that as the manifestation of the universal Brahmn/Universal
Consciousness (and Creator/Sraasta) he does not discriminate. That, for the manifestation of the Param-atma (Supreme Cosmic Spirit), there is no distinction between differing material bodies. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Universal Form of the One encompasses
everything. [~ Swami Vivekananda imbibed and conveyed this essence
succinctly: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Bohu-rupe sammukhe tomar aami, kotha
khunjichho Ishvar? Jibe prem kare jei jan, Shei jan shebichhe Ishvar</i></span> || ~ Service
to mankind (not restricted to humanity alone) is service to God. That is
true worship. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ This,
to Vivekananda, was the path to self-realization (or Param-atma realization);
it was his path to direct communion with the truth (eternal truth/Sat/Satya)...
leading to the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization: <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i>. [<i>Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and timeless; <i>cit</i> is
consciousness (<span class="text">awareness, sentience - the ability to feel,
perceive, and comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition)</span>;
<i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Our ancients too very likely understood this concept. ~ And so,
the Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess'/ also known as the Sri Sri
chandipATh)<sup> </sup>says: || Srs<i>stti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam
Shakti-Bhuute Sanaatani <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Gunna-<span class="sword">[A]</span>ashraye Gunnamaye Naaraayanni Namo<span class="sword">[ah-A]</span>stu Te</i> ||9|| ~ <i>9.1: </i>(Salutations
to You O Narayani) In Whom is <span class="kword">Present</span> the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution</span> and Who
is <span class="kword">Eternal</span>, <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>9.2:</i> Who is the <span class="kword">Support</span>
of the <span class="kword">Gunas</span> (all noble aspects, attributes) and the <span class="kword">Embodiment</span> of the <span class="kword">Gunas</span>; <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to You O <span class="kword">Narayani</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam: the <span class="kword">Power</span>
of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution: Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra</span><span class="kword">. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Narayan-Narayani. Ishvar-Ishvari. Parameshvar-Parameshvari.
Jagadishvar-Jagadishvari. </span>Tribhuvaneshvar<span class="kword">-</span>Tribhuvaneshvari. T<span class="kword">he duality. ... And, perhaps, this
duality gave rise to the concept of ArdhaNarishvara. It is not literal, though. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Here is Tagore's 'Pratham Adi taba Shakti': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiWBB4sW-4"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link01</span></a></i></b>.]</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It does seem that Tagore incorporated this
concept in our National Anthem. Here is the complete five stanza of Tagore's
"Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka..." (ruler/leader/captain of the minds of
all people)</span>: <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span>Controversy shadowed Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka from
the day of its first rendition in 1911 at the Congress session in Calcutta. King
George V arrived in India the day the song was first sung... and sections of the
Anglo-Indian English press in Calcutta thought - and duly reported - that
Tagore's anthem was homage to the emperor. ~ Tagore responded thus: "<i>I
should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of
such unbounded stupidity</i>." He later wrote, "<i>A certain high
official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I
write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me.
It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I
pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. Lord of
Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's
chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That
Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial
Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my
official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his
admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common
sense</i>."]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="kword"><sup>..................................................................... </sup></span></span> </span></span></span></b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Lord Krishn
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(<i>do also refer </i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b>)</i> </span>is a most extraordinary figure: resilient, diligent (work ethic), incredibly charismatic, effortlessly cool (unpretentious, though he does not come
across as someone who might have suffered fools, gladly or otherwise; not to be construed as rude or boorish though); an
inspirational leader, a pathfinder, a nation-builder, a hero (due to his karm and wisdom), a strategist, sagacious and farsighted, a far-thinker, possessed plenty of guile and gumption no matter how daunting the issues and challenges </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">confronting the respective eras/humanity/society</span>, a Cakravartin (by dint of his actions/karm-yog; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>do refer <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b> - for more details on Chakravartin and </i>'<i>Cakravartin system of governance/administration</i>'), a legend,
an enlightening personage, a guiding spirit, a karm-yogi (man of action: ability to walk the talk, not workaholic), a
transformational/renaissance figure (Yug Purush/Renaissance man), God manifest in human form (svayam
Bhagavan, the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu; the <i>human</i> manifestation [sagun
swaroop] of Lord Vishnu/Narayan, His Purna Avatar)... and yet, an everyman. ~
Awesomeness. He is truly a rockstar of the ineffable. He's also a
Soldier-Statesman-par-excellence (soldier against pessimism, confusion, decay
and so on). He was up against tremendous odds; [dharma is not abstract moralism, and the like] ~ sermons would have had no effect
on the likes of Shakuni, Duryodhan et al (who, along with their allies, not
only wielded a great amount of clout, but also played with loaded dice -
literally and figuratively. So, it was a veritable David against Goliath, in a manner
of speaking.) [... One can truly understand him and
the magnitude of his karm - only in one's mind's eye.] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Each era/age/yug is distinct. Viewing them through
the prism of another will be misleading. </span>~ The challenges
at the end of Dvapar were manifold, and very different from those of Treta;
humanity was different - their mindset, worldview, (perceptive and cognitive
abilities) were different, ethical and social conditions were not the same
either. Decay, indifference/impassiveness, inertia et al had set in. ~ Krishn's
was the highest dharmic mission - right action for the greater good (not to be construed for moralism, etc - he was the catalyst for positive change; he stemmed the slide into quagmire); and by his very appearance (karm-yog + guidance),
he reinvigorated/re-energized the principles of dharma (duty/action, even
selfless action, for the benefit of humanity, for the greater good - to build a
better society: dharma-samsthapanarthaya); he also urged (advised) humanity to
(collective) introspection and action (karm-yog) - <i>to duty</i>. [Dharma is not quite ethics
or duty alone, since dharma does not exist in a vacuum/void; it also means a constructive 'way of life' i.e. actions/karm - for the larger good. It goes hand-in-hand with
karm-yog.] ... Krishn advised humanity to shake-off inertia and embrace karm-yog.
[There is no magic wand; thus, he also led by example and instructed through
his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true teacher/guru/mentor (but then,
besides being the Cosmic Ruler, he is also the Cosmic Teacher); this
aspect/dynamism remains constant, be it the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Shri
Ram'/ Shri Ram was a Reformer-Prince and Cakravartin) or the Mahabharata ('The
Great History of the Bharatas'). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Shri Krishn is a Soldier-Statesman, but a
Cakravartin (<i>do refer</i> <i>the relevant passages</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
for more details on Cakravartin</i> <i>and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration'</i>) by dint of his actions/karm; his actions were for a higher cause -
Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater/collective good. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> As a pathfinder his
focus, tenacity and determination remains unwavering, he keeps the
goals/objectives above himself. He was not amongst humans to become emperor
himself. He is perennial guide. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is the complete five stanza of Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka..." </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">(ruler/leader/captain of the minds of all people)... </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">who has (in Tagore's own words) <i>from age after age held steadfast the
reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and
the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India,
that Perennial Guide</i>... is none other than the eternal charioteer
(perennial guide): </span></span><i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.</span></span>] ... There is no alternative to cumulative karm-yog (collective
action/duty/responsibility, even selfless/non-glory-seeking action/service to humanity/society) - to create/build [and sustain] a better (i.e. progressive, prosperous and
inclusive) society/civilization. This is his message/advise/mantra. ~ One needs
to contemplate and deliberate deeply - to understand his purpose, his <i>karm</i>
and his message/advise. Only then it will percolate.] ~ Instead of being active
participants in their own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers and mere
spectators/bystanders. ~ That will lead to a gradual all-round
degeneration/degradation. This is the core of his message. (... Thus, there is an
organic interplay [yog] between finites and Infinite. ~ Karm-yog is the channel to establish this connection/yog; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->to unite our individual consciousness with the
Universal Consciousness - the Jiva-atma/finites to the Param-aatma/Infinite.) ~ Krishn is the Perennial
Guide - the (allegoric/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. ~
There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solution; humanity will have
to sort out their own issues - through collective effort, there is no one
"out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it. They
(avatars/empowered entities, maha-avatars/great incarnations and Purna
Avatar - one in whom divinity is manifested fully) will guide and show the way -
yes, however, there is no alternative to sustained karm-yog. ~ This has been the message
of the Krishn-avatar (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu). And this has also been the
message of the Buddh-avatar (the 9th Vishnu). [Prince Siddhartha/Shri Gautam
Buddh - the 'Enlightened One' - was a Sage-Prince. He traveled
widely; instead of isolating himself in some remote corner, he remained within
society, engaged with the people (answered their queries, cleared their many
doubts and confusions) and thus, disseminated his message of peace/co-existence,
karm-yog (karma) and dharma (dhamma). Apart from being a fine teacher
(guru/mentor) and guide, he was also a reformer. ~ Now whether he left his
family in the wake of his quest for the 'truth' (dharma/dhamma, actions that benefit
society) or met them whenever he could (i.e. whenever he could make time from
all the traveling, sermons, meditation, and so on) - <i>my guess is as good as
yours</i>.] ~ Krishn (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) also 'closed' Dvapar...
and navigated through complex/tortuous paths/events/situations to bring about
the transition from Dvapar to Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower)... which
commenced from midnight of 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian
calendar. (Maybe from the confluence/conjunction of 17/18 February 3102 BC i.e. midnight onwards.) [This is because he departed on this date. The period after his
departure marks the beginning of Kaliyug. (Lord Narayan/Harih/Vishnu is the
motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universe. So,
one can only wonder at the clockwork fashion/precision (work ethic) with which His
maha-avatars work.) ~ Kali means bud/flower. Thus, Krishn was also a
stabilizing factor (a preserver) - a catalyst for positive change, as well as a
revitalizing entity (Renaissance Man/Yug Purush; he was the cause/catalyst that ushered in a new era/age/yug through circuitous/complex/tortuous events - by stemming the tide/slide into quagmire/'quicksand'.) ~ Only at the end of Kaliyug, when the
metaphoric bud/flower withers away, the negative aspects of
Kaliyug - i.e. the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>/ the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay will be at its peak: cognitive abilities
fall, intellectual faculties dim, comprehension/perception level is enveloped by a (symbolic) 'fog' of ignorance,
apathy/indifference, delusion, stagnation, and so on; hence, it (the end of
Kaliyug, that is) is (also) called the most degenerate of all ages/yugs). [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> A
cycle of four yugs (Chatur-Yug) - whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1 is
also known as a 'Maha-Yug' viz. Sat/Satya/Krita [the metaphoric Golden Age; the age of renewal/resurgence: prosperity, progress, wisdom, intellectual and spiritual illumination, and so on], Treta [Silver Age],
Dvapar [Copper Age] and Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower, but the end of Kaliyug
is termed as ghor Kaliyug phase/'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay; this 'Iron Age' is a negative
term). ~ A Maha-Yug (four-yug cycle) follows a ratio of 4:3:2:1 - hence Kaliyug is the shortest of all yugs.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Dharma is not straight and narrow; it is not
abstract moralism or utopian/impractical idealism; it is not quite ethics, principles or duty alone - 'coz dharma does not exist by itself in a vacuum/void; dharma means right<i> </i>actions that lead to the greater/collective good - towards a better,
prosperous and progressive society/civilization. It is not instant; it is collective/cumulative work-in-progress. ... Dharma is connect (yog) between action/duty and its
outcome. ~ Thus, dharma goes hand-in-hand with karm-yog </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(collective/cumulative work-in-progress</span></span></span>). </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Karm-yog does not mean self-help. ... The
conjunction/confluence of "karm" and "yog" indicate connect (yog/sanyog) i.e.
sustained and cumulative or composite effort. Imbibing the spirit of <i>dharma</i> (right, tangible action for the greater good with the dharmic freedom of inner detachment/non-glory-seeking) and <i>karm-yog</i> is necessary. A combined/concerted/aggregate effort is
sustainable; it also brings about positive organic change. Else it is unproductive.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Each era/age/yug is distinct; viewing them through the prism of another will be misleading. E.g. one
cannot quite compare Treta to Dvapar. ~ Treta is known as Silver Age, while Dvapar is
called Copper Age - since there is a quarterly decline in dharmic principles, attitudes, value system, thought
process, and so on and karm-yog (collective duty/right action - for the
greater good). ~ And, all of this affects human society: social conditions, dynamics, mindset, perception, perspective, and so
on... which in turn affects/shapes the worldview. Thus, comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities too undergo a corresponding
change;
and so, a corresponding amount of ignorance, decay and so on
sets in</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> (gradually, that is - with the passage of each era/yug. ~ Thus, the end of Kaliyug - euphemistically called the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> or 'Iron Age' of ignorance/confusion/stagnation/decay - is the <i>lowest phase</i> of all; it is therefore regarded as the most degenerate of all ages/yugs/phases). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn navigated through (a maze of) shifting power centers, tortuous events, intrigues,
smokescreen, choppy waters, parochialism, 'cross-currents', politics,
diplomacy, and so on... armed with only his brilliance ('Sudarshan Chakra'), his
clear-sightedness/acumen, his wise counsel and his charm: observing, evaluating,
assessing, networking, negotiating - sometimes with a gentle force of
persuasion, (maybe even throwing in some platitudes or praise as and when
required. It's all part of Dandaniti.) ~ He used his overpowering wisdom and
intelligence in the struggle for supremacy, resulting finally in the re-establishment
of a good phase/</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">upward trajectory (the subduing/subjugation of assorted negative
elements + their actions) and of right (the Pandavas and their allies) over
wrong (Duryodhan and his allies). [He (thus)</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> stemmed the slide into quagmire; he prevented events from spiraling out of control.] The tremendous political acumen of Krishn is
highlighted in the way he used all the four principles of Dandaniti to destroy
the malignant power centers, create new alliances that emerged as counter
balances to the existing power structure and used diplomacy to bolster what was
right. He used his basic superior intelligence for this one purpose. It took
some time. It also took some effort (obviously, 'coz there's no quick fix, no magic wand - to bring about instant organic change to a myriad of challenges/issues). ~ But in the
final analysis, he emerged as the leader whose judgment and veracity could not
be disputed. His political acumen combined with his sharp intellect and personal
courage established him as a major force. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn comes across as pleasant, affable; regal - maybe, but sorted and approachable; he <span class="norm">exudes a quite confidence and gravitas
without breaking a sweat; </span>he is on the ball, far-thinking and decisive... though not 'rigid rigid'/intransigent. That would be folly, not strategic. Instead, he comes across as 'savvy flexible'... a
tactic sometimes necessary in dealing with inimical forces/entities (...
especially if the latter were to wield great power and influence.) ~ In the
world of diplomacy there is no such thing as promises or permanent
friendship/alliances - without mutual commonalities. Both the quality and the
quantity of mutual commonalities may advance positive alliance. It is crucial
to tactfully employ alliance-building strategies. Nothing is cast-iron
otherwise. (Events and situations are dynamic and ever-changing.) There are
issues and interests, there is give-and-take; people and groups (even
adversaries and unknown entities... who may have asymmetric resources, power
and clout) sit across the table/meet with each other, interact and discuss
(issues, concerns and points) - over a period of time - to align their
interests, to identify commonalities and areas of convergence ~ to finally come
to an acceptable agreement/convergence of interests/views or a reasonably win-win
situation. [There would be no progress otherwise; it would result in a
perpetual stalemate, and letting go of opportunities... and ultimately the
converse of 'a stitch in time saves nine'. How then would a people and nation
move into the direction they want to go?] In such a world/scenario... being
'rigid-rigid' is folly. [Savvy-flexible: visionary/far-sighted/far-thinking,
sagacious (discerning enough to read situations/events... and how they are likely to unfold); to be able to see/keep the big (macro) picture in
mind.] ~ An understanding of issues/events/situations and how they are likely to play out
in the short/mid-term and long-term is crucial. ~ Krishn was a diplomat par
excellence; he was simultaneously a nation-builder, a catalyst, and
statesman-par-excellence as well - one who was among humans for a purpose; one who also
thought about the future of humanity and civilizational progress... and this
reflects in his many endeavours. (He was also the one who steered the
intra-yug transition - from one era/yug to another - from Dvapar to Kaliyug.) ~ His sharpness, foresight and courage
coupled with his visceral fortitude, ability to stay the course,
savvy-flexibility and alchemic nature (i.e. his ability to withstand adversities + his ability to soak up 'toxin') made things happen (despite great obstacles/impediments, and despite him not being in a position of strength vis-à-vis his
adversaries and so forth.) ~ Thus he is Yug Purush (Renaissance Man). <span style="color: #660000;">| </span>In
Treta, one of the major reasons for the Ramayana War... was to destroy
dangerous weaponry (including nagpaas and gigantic humanoid-robots like
"Kumbhakarna" - that carried a variety of weaponry) ~ to protect this
planet and civilizations therein. Shri Ram (the Ram-avatar/the 7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu)
also dismantled the "Shiv-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most
destructive nuclear weapons - after an all-round agreement/general consensus. ~
In Dvapar, one of the major purposes of the Dharm-Yudh (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity/human society; dharm = right action for the greater good) was to rid the planet of extremely
destructive weaponry and unnatural humans (highly evolved humanoids - genetically
engineered and cloned) - to allow the planet, humanity and human civilization
to "heal"... so as to progress naturally and peacefully.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn bide his time (the crocodile allegory ~ </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - since a crocodile can be associated with patience and precision) and
chose the moment of action with precision; he also reinstated the old Ugrasena
back on the throne. The opposite of Jarasandha in his goal, Krishn would be no
'samrat' (emperor) ~ for his status is that of 'svarat/svarāṭ' (one who removes
tyrants - those who establish hegemony to the detriment of the people and
society, and other such negative entities.) The fall of Jarasandh freed nearly
a hundred chieftains/kings, various clans and indeed the whole country of the
spectre of the (proverbial) all-constricting Magadhan python.
Here is the idea of loka-sangraha ("welfare of all" or the
"larger/collective good") exemplified. Krishn's brilliance, his overwhelming
intelligence, far-sightedness and motives are precisely what should have
engaged and inspired the likes of Dhritarashtra, Dronacharya, Bhishma Pitamah
et al: to shun inertia/complacency, to overcome negative thoughts and narrow
parochial motives... and to perform their dharma and duty/karm (i.e. to work for the
greater/collective good - loka-sangraha or loka-kalyana.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Krishn was not
motivated by personal glory. His actions enabled the planet to gradually
"heal", and humanity to gradually find its rhythm; it helped create a new and peaceful society that was progressive and prosperous. Thus, his thoughts
and actions personify 'loka kalyana' (the greater good). His was <i>nishkam karma</i>
at its finest (selfless/non-glory-seeking karm - for the larger/collective good); he
simply performed his duty/karm (as the Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher). ~ The
whole life of Lord Krishn is (thus) like the roaring sound of a conch (~
shankhadhvani is considered auspicious; it is soothing). Krishn exudes grace and
goodness (and so, is also known as <i>Sundar</i>). He is a true karm-yogi (<i>do
refer the relevant passages on karm-yogi, nishkam karm and hamsah - the swan</i>.)
~ It is the very human-ness of Krishn that is part of his aura... and transcends
era/yugs. | The remarkable qualities of the head and the heart (noble
traits/sattva guna) that makes Krishn pre-eminent among statesmen, counselors,
diplomats and philosophers as well as among leaders of people and nations
shines forth brilliantly. Thus, he is also a transcendent legend, a
magnificent 'Yug Purush' (Renaissance man/Millennium Man/Man of Destiny or
the Timeless Man). Sri Krishn has transcended eras/yug, his karm and his
philosophy is timeless, he continues to inspire. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The renowned American
thinker, poet, author, historian, philosopher and leading transcendentalist,
Henry David Thoreau said, "<i>A man is wise with the wisdom of his time only,
and ignorant with its ignorance</i>." This is true of ordinary people. But, in
every era (yug), a handful of people appear amidst us once in a while, who
prove to be an exception. At one level, these exceptional and
extraordinary people are products of their time. But at another level they
transcend their times. ~ Their perceptions, their insights, their thoughts, their
actions and their concerns are truly universal - in all respects; they are
neither constrained by the circumstances of their birth nor are they limited by
the ignorance of their time. They are truly incomparable. Krishn is the
foremost of such exceptional transcendental '<span style="color: #0c343d;">Yug Purush</span>'. [~ Perhaps we can also call the very erudite (Brahmana is derived from Brhm - wisdom, knowledge - and signifies erudition) Chanakya Vishnugupt a 'Yug Purush'. Chanakya, who not only rid the country of yet another (proverbial) all-constricting Magadhan python, Dhana Nanda, but also the rampaging Alexander,
in another era - </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Chandragupta Maurya's humble origins made no
difference to the great Master. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>refer<span style="color: #351c75;">: <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></span></i>. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maurya comes from 'Moriya' or 'Mura'. (Pali: Mora) - the Moriya were
peacock-feather gatherers.]~ Maybe even Samraat Chandragupta II Vikramaditya... who, by
thwarting the designs (negative/malignant imperialistic ambitions) of the Sakas, and driving them
out of wide swathes of land, (perhaps almost the whole of modern Asia)...
established peace and prosperity under his wise, benevolent and enlightened
rule. Thereafter, he assumed the title of Vikramaditya. (Vikram means: one who
is wise, diligent, brave and strong as well as victorious. The Sanskrit word
<i>-kram</i> is a root word meaning 'step or stride', so the name Vikram can be
understood to mean Vishnu's stride in itself, or as a name which reflects the
qualities of Vishnu's stride. In Vedic scripture, Vishnu's stride is said to be
over the earth, the sky, and the all-pervading omnipresent essence of the
universe/cosmos. Hence Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Keshavah is also known as
Trivikram.) Aaditya = the Sun. Thus, Vikramaditya roughly translates to: the
radiance of Vikram.] ~ Krishn - the Renaissance Man - is therefore, timeless and universal.
He belongs to all eras/yug; his wisdom, his knowledge, his advice/counsel and
his philosophy are ever relevant. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a trove of knowledge,
philosophy, guidance and counsel ~ that transcends eras/yugs. Krishn's advise is to
shun negative thinking. He did not try to micromanage either. Instead, he let Arjun make his own decision. ~ And so, even
when Arjun was overcome with feelings of confusion, Krishn very patiently
brushed away the cobwebs of the mind (through the sublime and illuminating conversation now known as the Srimad Bhagavad Gita). He did not command Arjun. On
the contrary, he was persuasive,
provided sustained support and wise counsel. Thus the course of the Mahabharata resulted in an upward trajectory.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn remains an enigma. He is deep blue. We
admire the blue pre-dawn hours. The waters of the ocean look blue from afar.
But if you go near and take it in your palms, you will no longer find it blue;
it will be very clear, transparent. The oceans continue to remain an enigma. ~ Krishna too is just like the deep blue waters of the ocean: Achintya
(inscrutable, enigmatic). Thus, he is often shown as having a dark-blue
complexion: not just blue, but a deep blue, like the velvet blue/indigo that
sometimes can be seen in a dark sky, like a blue that one may have at times
seen from the deck of a ship thousands of miles from shore on the Pacific Ocean
or perhaps on the Atlantic Ocean. ... And whenever there is something of
unfathomable depth, it appears to be deep blue. ... <span style="color: #4c1130;">Lord Krishn is like a deep and
mighty river flowing through the history of our nation</span>. The Mahabharata ('The
Great History of the Bharatas') would have been very different without him. <span class="norm">He was the fulcrum. ~ </span>This transcendent man started out with tremendous
disadvantage: his dethroned clan could not have made matters easier for him; his old grandfather (the dethroned Ugrasena) or even his father (Vasudev) could not have given him a leg up or lent him a helping hand either; also, influential members of his clan had aligned their interests with Jarasandha, Duryodhan, Kansh, etc; so all that coupled with the latters' machinations - thus Krishn found himself in the middle of events and circumstances so
nebulous... that perhaps even its creators may not have fully understood. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ However, all that did not turn him into a
negative person; he was not pessimistic or sullen. He remained cheerful,
resilient and invigorating. Besides, he was steely-nerved and politically
astute, and possessed plenty of guile and intestinal fortitude. Besides,
his understanding/reading/assessment of events/situations was prescient; his
timing was perfect. And so, he worked tirelessly, ushered in/facilitated positive change, reformed,
engaged, removed numerous obstacles, soaked up 'toxin', cleared
away the 'cobwebs' of the past, "healed", provided guidance, traced the trajectory, put in
place a framework/architecture... set the ball rolling, so to speak. </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span class="usercontent">BG 2.47: || </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><i>karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā
karma-phala-hetur bhūr</i></span><i> <span class="usercontent">mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi</span></i><span class="usercontent"> || ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit
of dharma - right action for the greater good + collective/cumulative karm-yog) to the best of your ability.
Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do not highlight
your divergences/differences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be positive.
Never lose hope.</span> ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He led by example and instructed through
his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true teacher/guru/mentor. As per his stated: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| <i>dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge ||</i>
~ to renew/rebuild/re-energize/revive/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate the principles of
"dharma" [right action for the greater/collective good] and "karm-yog" - for the benefit of
mankind/humanity ~ so as to help create/build and sustain a better [progressive,
prosperous, inclusive] human society/civilization,<i> </i>I manifest Myself <i>yuge-yuge</i>,
yug/age/era after yug/age/era. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ So much so that even
some five millenniums down the line... his life and times, his work/
contributions, his vision, his indomitable spirit, his philosophy and advice
remain as fresh and as relevant as ever. They are timeless and seminal, and
will remain so ~ forever. He comes across as approachable, not snobbish or aloof - though
he may not have suffered fools gladly; and, he was neither a quitter nor
impractical or unrealistic. He did not let a
political vacuum/void to follow important events, e.g. he did not let a 'vacuum' or void to
aftercede Jarasandh. He was not someone who lived in a world of fantasy, nor
was his ideas and thoughts un-doable or impractical. Instead, he was a clear-eyed realist, a doer (karm-yogi - man of action; he possessed the ability to walk the talk), a
catalyst, a phenomenon, and a force of nature. He is a trailblazer/pathfinder (he is the perennial guide, after all). ~ Frankly,
Krishn is such a sparkling, riveting
personage... no matter how much we write about him, it's still not enough. He's
not transient/ephemeral; he does not come across as superficial or perfunctory either. He is trikalagya and 'turns the wheel of dharma (right action - for the greater/collective good) and karm-yog'; he awakens -
by bringing out both the positive and the negative ~ so as to dispel confusion, apathy
and ignorance (~ to usher in clarity, introspection and thereby organic transformation... leading to
gradual corrective action/course correction - organic, positive change; upward trajectory.) He soaks up 'toxin'/negativism (to
'cleanse'/to remove human pettiness: to correct the course; to
renew/re-energize; to help humanity ~ so that human society can function and
progress). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> However, wherever there is the convergence of purity (self-realization and non-glory-seeking) and depth (boundlessness) it
produces the colour blue. <i>Meghavarnam</i>. The water of the seas and the sky
- both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the Almighty combines both purity and depth
or boundlessness... He too is (allegorically) 'blue-hued'. (~ It's a concept -
to indicate His divine attribute/divinity.)</span></span></span><br />
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Ram was a Chakravartin and reformer </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(<i>refer</i> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i> -
for more details on Cakravartin</i> <i>and 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration'</i>)</span>, he upheld Raj-dharma and established a prosperous, progressive and inclusive society, euphemistically known as 'Ram-Rajya'. Prince Siddhartha was a teacher, guide/mentor and reformer. Treta and Dvapar was very different. ~ The Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas') was a
dharma-yuddha; it was a battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress and vision - for the future of humanity/human society (~ not moralism or
impractical idealism, etc) - for a better 'way of life'. It was about what should prevail? What should happen to humanity and human society of Dvapar and beyond? ~ Downward spiral or an upward movement? ~ Hence he is Brahma, a regenerating force - one who is the cause of/for revival.) ~ Imagine if Jarasandh (and his allies) or Duryodhan
(and his allies) were to prevail - what would have been the outcome? What turn would the Mahabharata have taken? ~ Therefore, Krishn's
was the highest dharmic mission: to stem the free-fall/churn/manthan; to protect, to preserve, to dispel sankat/calamity, and to stabilize and re-energize. He not only upheld Raj-dharma (the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign/ruler - to protect/preserve/regenerate/revive/reform/guide and show the way forward), but also upheld dharma - Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater good. ~ Shri Ram and Shri Krishn performed nishkam/selfless karm with the dharmic freedom of inner detachment; they were Cosmic Teachers as well as catalysts; they were pathfinders... no matter how daunting the issues and challenges confronting the respective eras/humanity/society. ~ That is why they are known as Hare-Ram and Hare-Krishna. ~ They did not discriminate. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">~ BG 10.34: || <i>kīrtiḥ śrīr vāk ca nārīṇāḿ smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā</i> || ~ Among women I am glorious deeds (kīrtiḥ), radiance (śrīr), fine
speech/persuasion (vāk), memory/clarity of thought/discernment (smṛtir),
intelligence (medhā), resilience/steadfastness (dhṛtiḥ) and
patience/forgiveness/high-mindedness/magnanimity/nobility of spirit (kṣamā).</span>]</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The Chandravanshi/Chandradhvaj/Moon-flag-bearing Yaduvansh derives its name from Yayati's
eldest son, Yadu; Devayani was their ancestress. [~ Yayati hailed from a
Chandravanshi/ Moon-flag-bearing clan.] ~ Yayati, as we know, did away with
primogeniture, and crowned his youngest-born, Puru, as the heir to his "existing"
kingdom (~ i.e. the areas he ruled... before he underwent stem cell therapy). Thus,
Puru ruled
his kingdom in the Gangetic plain. While Yayati's
other four sons - Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu - were settled in the
"newer" areas (~ the ones Yayati brought under his rule/control -
during his "borrowed youth" ~ i.e. post his stem cell therapy.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Yadu was the progenitor of the Yaduvansh (~ Sharmishtha
was their ancestress.) Puru started the "Puruvansh" (also known as
the "Bharatvansh"); thus his heirs came to be known as the
"Bharatas". King Porus (Puru/Paurava/Parvateshvar) hailed from the Puruvansh
(Pauravas). [Yayati and Dushyant's stories are part of the same history.
Dushyant's son was Bharat.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus (Megasthenes' Sourasenoi - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>refer</i> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span></span>)
were a branch of the Yadu clan/kula (the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or
Harivansh) to which Krishn belonged. ~ But then, who were the Vrishnis? <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Ancient
tales speak of vimanas. Great wars have been described in various ancient
texts. Weapons could literally level the land like a moving force field. The
deserts on a number of continents today are the result of (prehistoric) nuclear
warfare. ~ Historian K. M. Ganguli says that an atomic war is documented
in the Mahabharata. Passages describe an ancient battle that included powerful Vimana, nagpaas (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->incorrectly translated/understood as "a trap made of a million
snakes". Snakes = poisonous. So the nagpaas could be an allusion to very
potent nerve agents, etc),</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> and explosions of weapons ("shaft" or high-tech "missiles") that could "decimate
entire armies, casting crowds of warriors with steeds and elephants and weapons
to be carried away as if they were dry leaves of trees." Instead of mushroom
clouds, the writer describes a perpendicular explosion with its billowing smoke
clouds as consecutive openings of giant parasols. There are comments about the
contamination of food and people's hair falling out. Even water boiling. ~ Consider
these verses from the Mahabharata referring to an unknown weapon, an
"iron thunderbolt": ... <i>An incandescent column
of smoke and flame as bright as the thousand suns rose in all its splendour... a
perpendicular explosion with its billowing smoke clouds... the cloud of smoke
rising after its first explosion formed into expanding round circles like the
opening of giant parasols... it was an unknown weapon, an iron thunderbolt, a
gigantic messenger of death, which reduced to ashes the entire clan of the
Vrishnis and the Andhakas. ...The corpses were so burned as to be unrecognizable. The hair and nails fell out; pottery broke without apparent cause, and the
birds turned white. After a few hours all foodstuffs were infected... to escape
from this fire, the soldiers threw themselves in streams to wash themselves and
their equipment</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Until the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, modern mankind
could not imagine any weapon as devastating as those described in
the ancient Indian texts. Yet, they very accurately described the effects of an
atomic explosion. Radioactive poisoning will make hair and nails fall out.
Immersing oneself in water gives some respite, though it is not a cure. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Other
cities have been found in northern India that shows indications of explosions
of great magnitude. One such city, found between the Ganges and the mountains
of Rajmahal, seems to have been subjected to intense heat. Huge masses of walls
and foundations of the ancient city are fused together, literally vitrified.
~ And since there is no indication of a volcanic eruption, the intense heat to
melt clay vessels can only be explained by an atomic blast or some other
unknown weapon. The cities were wiped out entirely. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The Indus valley is now
the Thar desert, and the site of the radioactive ash found west of Jodhpur is
around there. A heavy layer of radioactive ash in Rajasthan covers a
three-square mile area, ten miles west of Jodhpur. For some time it has been
established that there is a very high rate of birth defects and cancer in the
area under construction. The levels of radiation there have registered very
high on investigators' gauges. Scientists have unearthed an ancient city where
evidence shows an atomic blast dating back thousands of years, from 8,000 to
12,000 years, destroyed most of the buildings and probably a half-million
people. ~ Archeologist Francis Taylor says that etchings in some nearby
temples he managed to translate suggest that the people prayed to be spared
from the great light that was coming to lay ruin to the city. "It's so
mid-boggling to imagine that some civilization had nuclear technology before we
did. The radioactive ash adds credibility to the ancient Indian records that
describe atomic warfare." <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The Indus ruins: everything
was crystallized, fused or melted. Even the bricks were melted on one side
indicating a blast. ~ Walls, furniture, people melted, then crystallized. No
natural burning flame or volcanic eruption could have produced a heat intense
enough to cause this phenomenon. Only the heat released through something like
atomic energy could have done this damage. Radioactive skeletons and melted
remains; excavations found skeletons (flattened to the ground) scattered about
the cities, in the streets - as if some instant, horrible doom had taken place.
These skeletons are among the most radioactive ever found. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Researcher David
Davenport claimed to have found a 50-yard-wide epicenter where everything
appeared to have been fused through a transformative process known as
vitrification. ~ Vitrification is a
process in which regular-type stone gets molten into a magma state, and then it
hardens again. But once the stone is hardened again it feels like glass. Amidst
the ruins there is evidence of vitrification, which could only have been
achieved if the material was exposed to extreme heat by some type of blast. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i><span style="font-style: normal;">Several Indus Seals show the Zebu Bull ~ was it the
symbol/insignia of the Vrishnis? Was the bison the symbol/insignia of the Andhakas? ~ </span>My
guess is as good as yours</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></i>What could have happened in the Indus Valley? Was parts of a well-populated, ancient city destroyed by a horrendous explosion that seemingly could have been caused by an atomic bomb, evidenced by vitrified stones, crystallized, fused and melted together by a 1500 deg. C heat across 50 yards wide? | Was there a nuclear warfare between ancient civilizations?
And did these skeletons give rise to the 'Aryan Invasion theory'? ~ <i>My guess
is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> There is evidence that part of the Rama empire was
devastated by nuclear war. ~ The Indus valley is now the Thar desert, and the
site of the radioactive ash found west of Jodhpur is around there. A heavy
layer of radioactive ash in Rajasthan, covers a three-square mile area, ten
miles west of Jodhpur. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Who was this "Indra" also known as <i>Purandhara</i>
or destroyer of forts? Was it a reference to King Saalva (was he from Atlantis?) or someone else? </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Krishna. In the process it describes weapons which have all the
earmarks of rocketry and aerial vehicles which have capabilities far
beyond what we find today. [A Vimana could be made to become invisible - by 'Goodha', a mechanism that harnessed the powers, Yaasaa, Viyaasaa, Prayaasaa in the 8th atmospheric layer covering the earth, to attract the dark content of the solar ray, and then using it to hide the Vimana from the adversary.] Krishna of the Vrishnis and Krishna of the Mahabharata ~ are they same? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Or was it Jarasandha (the king of Magadha) who
launched a relentless assault against Krishn and his fellow Vrishnis in Mathura? [~
Vrishnis were the descendant of Vrishni (who in turn was a descendent of Yadu
in Yaduvansh.) Krishn belonged to this branch of the Chandravansh of
Vrishnis (~ and thus, he was also known as Varshneya). [~ The people of Dvarka were
also known as the Vrishnis.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Jarasandha had friendly relations with the Chedi king
Shishupala, the Kuru king Duryodhana and the Anga king Karna. After the dharma-yuddha
(battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity/human society; in other words: right action - for the greater good), Magadha became the foremost of ancient
kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the
river Ganges. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">K</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">rishna founded the city of Pataliputra - 138 generations
before the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. <i>(Refer</i></span> </span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </b>- for Pataliputra.)</i></span></span>]</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. And maybe even the
Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned far and
wide. This empire was formidable even to Alexander (<i>refer </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JksQUh93ZAg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </i></b></span></span></span>- for Chanakya, Pataliputra, etc)</i>.] [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Ram was a nation-builder and Chakravartin-raja; whether his empire was confined to the
contours of modern India or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. (<i>Refer the relevant passages -</i><i>
for more details on Chakravartin and 'Chakravartin system of
governance/administration'.) </i>| Takshasila/Taxila: Taksha and Pushkala were
Bharat and Mandavi's sons. [Mandavi was Sita's cousin; daughter of Kushadwaj
(younger brother of Sita's foster-father, Sheeradwaj). Sheeradwaj is best known
as Raja Janak; "Janak" being the title assumed by the kings of Videha,
also known as Janakpur.] ~ Yudhajeet (Kaikeyi's brother) and Bharat (Kaikeyi's
son) assimilated the kingdom of Gandhara... and built the city of Takshasila
(named after Taksha - Bharat's son.) Bharat also built another city after his
other son Pushkala; this city was known as Pushkala-vati or "Lotus
City". ~ It was also known as Purusha-pura - the abode/city dedicated to
the Cosmic Spirit/Energy (Purushottam Satya). ~ Takshasila: to the east of the river
Indus was known to Alexander and the Greeks as: Taxila, while Pushkala-vati (Lotus
City; possibly modern Peshawar) - to the west of the river Indus, was known to them as: Peukelaotis. ~ Later,
the descendants of Bharat ruled this region from Takshasila. [... Now whether Takshasila,
the place where the famed university existed, got its name from Taksha (son of
Bharat and Mandavi) or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. ~ Bharat's
kingdom was probably known as Taksha Khanda, and very likely extended
up to modern Tashkent. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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better/progressive society but also gave him the required gravitas and goodwill... once he ascended the
throne; he (probably) deferred the coronation - to bring about positive
societal change, Kaikeyi and Manthara aided him. ~ His 14-years-long exile was
(very likely) a voluntary one; in his absence, (Kaikeyi's son) Bharat - younger
to Ram but older than (Sumitra's twins) Lakshman and Shatrughna - was an acceptable
alternative. [He may not have acquiesced on his own; 'coz even in Ram's absence he chose to sit next to the throne.] ~ Raja Dasarath was suffering from an assortment of old
age-related ailments, and was (thus) keen to arrange the coronation. Shri Ram,
however, (probably) wanted to defer it, 'coz as Dasarath's heir he would not
have had the required gravitas to bring about social reform (~ to change perceptions,
mindset, and so on, 'coz no amount of legislation or even royal decree would have achieved it); besides, kingly duties et al would have
straitjacketed him. ~ Thus he is hailed as "Maryada Purushottam". ~ His actions resulted
in a prosperous and inclusive society (euphemistically known as 'Ram Rajya'). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "Rama Empire" (also known as the Ikshvaku Empire) was a nation of many
large, sophisticated cities; it existed parallel to the Atlantean civilization
(possibly in the mid-Atlantic Ocean), and was ruled by enlightened Priest-Kings
who governed the cities. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->["Great Teachers" or "Masters" who were the
benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization led these cities. Today they
are generally called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently men whose
mental and yogic powers were of a degree that seems incredible to most people
of today.] The seven greatest capital cities of the Rama Empire
were known in classical texts as The Seven Rishi Cities. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment,
wisdom and knowledge. ... So, were these Seven Rishi Cities knowledge hubs or thinking hub? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. [~ The
yet-to-be-deciphered Rongo Rongo glyphs (in Easter Island) are strikingly
similar to the still undeciphered Indus glyphs/script. So, was Easter Island an
air base for the Rama Empire's Vimana route? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.
Also, 'agni-pariksha' is <i>not</i> literal; it is a colloquial phrase ('test by fire' or 'baptized by fire') indicative of challenges, tough times or hardships... something that Siya-Ram together persevered (along with Lakshman, etc) ~ in their quest/effort to bring about positive societal change - through change of long-held perception and mindset. They persevered, and mainstreamed various marginalized and underprivileged groups such as the adi-vasi or forest-dwelling human (van-nar) and 'tritiya prakriti' (various groups under this nomenclature); Shri Ram also improved the position of women by undoing several negative aspects prevalent in Treta. He thus established a progressive, prosperous and inclusive society, euphemistically known as 'Ram-Rajya'. It is very likely that there was dignity of labour. ~ 'Nose-cut' too is a colloquial phrase, indicative of hurt ego/pride or affront. Lakshman (very likely) spurned Surpanakha and she probably felt slighted. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> With the cataclysmic sinking of Atlantis and the wiping out/destruction of (parts of) the
Rama Empire with atomic weapons, the world collapsed into a "stone
age" of sorts, and modern history picks up a few thousand years later.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Kaikeyi belonged to the
Kekaya Mahajanapada (kingdom) and hailed from a
clan known as the Kekaya (also: Kaikaya or Kaikeya). Hence her name was Kaikeyi (i.e. of/from the Kaikeya); it also
refers to the ruling clan of the Kekaya/Kaikeya clans (from which Kaikeyi
hailed). The Kekaya/Kaikeya clans were settled in
ancient Udyana/<span class="unicode"><span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">Oḍḍiyāna</span></span>
and is said to have dwelt between Gandhara
and the <span class="bodyarl">VipASa</span> (Beas). ~ She
was the daughter of the mighty Ashwapati/Aśwapati
(Ashwa/Aśwa = horse; Ashwapati/Aśwapati = Lord/Master of Horses; since the Kekayas were exceptional
cavalrymen) - a long-term ally of Ayodhya. [The
Kekayas also stood with Krishn during the dharma-yuddh - battle of ideas,
principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity/human society.] ~ Madri belonged to a clan
known as the Madrakas or Medes (also: Madai); this clan probably migrated
to ancient Persia, but later returned to 'Sapta-Sindhu' (Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; <i>refer <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JksQUh93ZAg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.)
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Madrakas/Medes may also have been Anus - descendents of
Yayati's son, Anu. ~ Gandhari, on the other hand, hailed from ancient
Gandhar (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->it was an important kingdom and probably
consisted much of ancient/Vedic Upaganasthan, meaning: land (sthan) of the allied
clans. | </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->|| <i>gandharvāṇāḿ citrarathaḥ siddhānāḿ kapilo muniḥ</i>
|| ~ "Of the Gandharvas I am Citraratha (king of the Gandharvas), and among
perfected beings I am the sage Kapila." ~ Gandhara probably derived its name
from Gandharva. There is a well-known medicinal herb known as Asvagandha. Asva
= horse. But asva may also mean <i>Ashvaka</i> - the people renowned for their
horsemanship, i.e. people who were expert cavalry-men (aśva-yuddha-Kuśalah).
Gandha = fragrance, odour or smell (though this may have been mistakenly taken
as 'a reference to the odour of the root'). This herb probably was abundant in
the <i>Ashvaka</i> lands (ancient Kamboja, the land of the ancient Gandharvas.)
Therefore, apart from being adept at the performing arts and having mastery
over an assortment of musical instruments, the Gandharvas were expert
horsemen as well. The ancient Gandharva and Ashvaka were Soma-drinking
guardians of our heritage. (<i>Do also read the passages on Apsara</i>.) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> However, due to the excellent breed of horses
and the sharp horsemanship of the people there, Upaganasthan gave way to Aspaganistan
(Persian). ~ Just like how Ashv (Sanskrit) became Asp (Old
Persian). Or how Sapta-Sindhu (Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ) became Hapta-Handu (Persian) - finally culminating in the word "Hindu".
[~ The
Avesta-speakers probably referred to Sapta Sindhavaḥ as Hapta-HAndu. ~ In Old Persian the 'S' for Sindhu/Sindhavaḥ (River Indus) becomes 'H' (due to lack of phonetics).
Therefore: Sapta Sindhu/ Sapta Sindhavaḥ becomes Hapta HAndu. <i>R</i><i>efer <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JksQUh93ZAg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b> - for the genesis of the word "Hindu" and "India"</i>.] ~ There were two Kambojas: eastern and western Aśvakas.
~ The horse was a much sought-after animal or means
of transport in these parts (ancient Kambojas). So much so that it became
indispensable and an integral part of the people's lives (they took pride in
horsemanship). [~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is possible
that some groups or clans were more attached to the horse than the others... and
so, these groups/clans came to be known as the 'Children of the Horse' or 'Son of the Horse'
- the Aspzai. The Greeks called them the Aspasioi. (Panini's Ashvakayanas<i>
</i>is very likely an amalgamation of two words: Ashvaka + Ayana. Ayana = story,
journey; Asva = horse, Ashvaka = horsemen.) ~ Much later, the asp became Esop... and so, the Aspzai became Esopzai.]
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Sanskrit, ashv means horse. The generic term for these
horsemen was Ashvaka (or Aśvakan - in Sanskrit). They were also known as: Assaka - derived from the Prakrit Assa
(meaning: horse). Aśvaka/Aśvakan or Assaka literally meant: someone connected
with the horses: a horseman, or a cavalryman or breeder of horses.
Aśvaka is also interpreted as 'land or home of
horses'. Kamboja was known as "the country of horses" (Asvanam
ayatanam), and it was perhaps this aspect that the
horse-breeders of ancient Udyana/<span class="unicode"><span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">Oḍḍiyāna</span></span>
became known as Aspasioi (from the Old Pali aspa) and Assakenoi (from the
Sanskrit asva - horse). Ashv became Aspa or Asp in ancient Persian, while Ashvaka
(or Ashvakan) became Aspagan and Sthan (Sanskrit) became Stan (Persian). (<span class="textexposedshow">The Sanskrit 'sthan' (meaning: land or place) is 'stan'
in Persian. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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mellifluous languages, the Old Persian-Sanskrit connection go back a long way.</span>)</span> The Kambojas were famous for their horses (ashv or aśva)
and as expert cavalry-men (aśva-yuddha-kuśalah). Ashvakas (or Aśvakas),
'horsemen', was the term popularly applied to them, though they were included
within the more general term: Kambojas. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></span></i></b> ) was
worshipped in these parts or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours.</i> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Even </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Chaturanga (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode"><i>caturaṅga</i></span>) - an
ancient Indian strategy game, (and the common ancestor of the board games chess,
shogi, makruk, xiangqi and janggi) was developed during the Gupta era (around
the 6th century AD). In the 7th century, it was adopted as shatranj in Sassanid
Persia, which in turn was the form of chess brought to late-medieval Europe. C<span class="unicode">aturaṅga and </span>shatranj - the tonal similarity is due to the
Avestan Persian-Sanskrit connection.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Arya or Aryan</span> is not 'race', it means noble or noble-natured; it refers
to a noble 'way of life'. (<span style="color: #4c1130;">Arya Dharma</span> = the Aryan way of life). The Arya
people followed a pattern of life based on Arya-Dharma or Arya ethics/tenets, i.e.
a noble way of life.</span><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Aryan-ness</span> was simply their 'way of life'; they
were inherently noble-minded or noble-natured. I</span>n ancient times there was no Central Asia, etc.
'Aryavarta' ('land inhabited by the Arya people') stretched far and wide. ~ It
does not indicate homogeneity though; population demographics, physical
characteristics, culture et al were not homogeneous or monolithic; and yet
there was an underlying similarity/affinity in their 'way of life'. | </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ancient civilizations were understood as
Aryan, Mlechcha and Yavana. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Alexander was a Yavana. ~ Yavana indicates a
people who were reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and
architects, and yet... indulged in un-Aryan (ignoble) behaviour like
slave-taking, buying and selling of humans in
markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and so on. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span>
Mlechcha = uncivilized. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> As for the Aryans: not that there were no military
conquests. There were. However, the emphasis was on synergy-creation (connect/confluence) and assimilation, learning from the new. There was no colonization, exploitation,
slave-taking, et al <i>a la</i> (e.g.) Alexander - who left a trail of
devastation in his wake. ~ A conquered nation and people were not treated
shabbily; their 'way of life' etc were not overhauled; the women-folk, elderly
people and children were not mistreated; livestock/animals, plants/trees were
not harmed, water-bodies were not polluted - 'coz all of these were against
Arya Dharma (noble 'way of life'). Instead, a conquered nation and people were provided with the same
level of governance/administration (that the others experienced) and/or a
better governance/administration (~ than what they experienced before). This
helped to generate goodwill - for both cultures/peoples to comprehend each
other better - a win-win. [~ Thus, examples were also set, and lessons
effortlessly passed on to the next/future generation(s) ~ the quiet 'turning of
the wheel' of karm-yog.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Krishn means "all-attractive/absorbing one" (and therefore, "black"; it is allegorical, not to be taken literally.) ~ <span class="usercontent">Lord Narayan is Rohit (Rohitah/Lohitah in
Sanskrit). And so, Krishn too is</span> probably reddish-hued (Lohith/Rohitah
or Rohit). ~ The rare blue lotus is termed pushkara or
indivara. It is also known as krishna kamal - signifying the wisdom of
knowledge (Kundalini). ~ Many say: there is no blue
lotus, no such flower exists or ever has; that it is a botanical chimera. So,
whether blue lotus is allegorical or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.
<span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ The seal bearing the motif
of a 3-headed animal representing the bull, unicorn and goat is the seal of
Dvarkadheesh Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn. ~ The symbology of the Bull: Dharma (selfless/nishkam karm<i> +</i> dharmic freedom [inner detachment])
is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, Vrishabha. (~ Therefore, Lord Narayan<i>
</i>is also called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). ~ <span class="text">He is also </span>Dharmadhyaksha
- Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam/Supreme Dharma<span class="text">.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span>The Unicorn (eka-shringa or one-horned horse) is imagery, it signifies
blue lotus: rarity. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The goat probably indicates Aries (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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constellation Orion). [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Also, since Shri Ram's eyes are compared to the Blue Lotus (pushkara or
indivara), could it be that he was blue-eyed? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ But then, the term 'blue lotus' is allegorical; it refers to Krishn/Keshavah
- the Unicorn - symbolizing rarity). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The rare
blue lotus is known as krishna kamal - signifying the wisdom of knowledge
(Kundalini - <i>do read the passages on Kundalini</i>). ~ The seal bearing the
motif of a 3-headed animal representing the bull, unicorn and goat is the seal
of Dvarkadheesh Sudarshan Vasudev Krishn (also known as <i>Keshavah</i>) - <i>refer
the relevant paragraphs to know what Keshavah and the symbology behind the seal
means</i>.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Therefore, Shri Ram's eyes - compared to the Blue Lotus probably
is allegorical. [Tagore said: <i>nayan o somukhe tumi nai/ nayanero maajhkhaane
niechho je thnai/ ... shyamale shyamal tumi neelimaye neel</i>.] </span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Krishn means t</span><span style="color: #351c75;">he "all-absorbing one"/Shyam/Ghanshyam
</span><span style="color: #351c75;">(it is allegorical, not to be taken
literally.)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn is
eternal, rustproof; therefore his appearance is celebrated, while his departure is not
commemorated. [Probably the same is applicable for the other maha-avatars.] ... His advise, message and
guidance is ever-relevant; they are not lofty, impractical or presumptuous; on
the contrary they are realistic, pragmatic and doable - based on the nature and
complexities of the challenges (faced by human society/civilization). ~ 'Coz e</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ach era/age/yug is distinct. Viewing them
through the prism of another will be misleading. E.g. one cannot compare Treta to Dvapar. ~ Treta is known as Silver Age, while Dvapar is called Copper Age - since there is a quarterly decline in dharma and karm-yog, and this affects human society: social conditions, population, dynamics, mindset, worldview (comprehension/perceptive/cognitive abilities), etc too undergo a change; and so, some amount of decay sets in. When the manthan/churn becomes too great, the maha-avatars arrive to correct the course - to put it back on an upward trajectory; however collective and sustained karm-yog needs to continue. [~ The maha-avatars are Cosmic Teachers; protectors, preservers, stabilizing factors, catalysts, reformers, and so on; </span><span style="font-size: small;">they don't prove anything. They guide (based on the challenges of the era/time), they change the course, they also<span class="blue"> shine a light/hold a mirror to society - for it to collectively introspect and take necessary measures</span>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solution - that is the lesson; humanity will have
to sort out their own issues - through concerted effort, there is no one
"out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it.] Positive transformation/change is not immediate/instant, that is impractical; there is no magic wand etc; it is incremental - the outcome of cumulative/collective work-in-progress. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Only that will sustain. ~ Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the metaphoric Golden Age; it is the
age of renewal/resurgence/rejuvenation: prosperity, progress, wisdom, intellectual and
spiritual illumination, and so on. Not instant or sudden transformation, but slow and steady work-in-progress. ~ Kali means bud/flower; however, the end of Kaliyug is known as <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> or 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay. [Here, 'Iron Age' is a negative term.] Ghor Kaliyug phase is thus the <i>lowest point</i> of all - based on the cumulative quarterly decline/decay of human society. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> However, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Dvapar was the most advanced of all ages/eras/yugs. [</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Do refer
<b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b>
- for more details</i>.] ~ And i</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">f
we are to factor in the all-round achievements (in
science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, metallurgy, art,
architecture,
literature, poetry, sculpture, education, innovation,
research, knowledge, technical know-how, trade et al) in Kaliyug - until
the Gupta Era (where it all reached its zenith) - we can get an idea of
how Kaliyug actually was ~ before decay set
in... leading to the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay.)</span> ~ A <i>complete</i> cycle of four yugs is called Chatur-Yug or Maha-Yug; </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->their lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1. Thus, Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the longest, while Kaliyug is the shortest. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Narayan/Harih/Vishnu/Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram/Satya-Sundar is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the
mathematically precise universe. ... One can only wonder at the clockwork
fashion/precision with which His maha-avatars work; 'coz</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> the eras/yugs will 'close' and
a new one 'commence' with precision. Even transition will happen with precision. ~ Time and tide waits for none.] </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>~ Keshavah</i> - one who
is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma (Creator; Universal Consciousness, Omswaroop; creator/usherer of a new "dawn"/era/yug; re-energizer/regenerator/Renaissance Man/Yug Purush), <i>ah</i> Vishnu (protector and preserver/stabilizing factor) and <i>Isa</i> Shiva (destroyer/dispeller of calamity/sankat/troubles of humanity/human society; "Neelkanth" - the allegoric 'blue-throated one') - thus, Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (<i>do</i> <i>refer the relevant passage on Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram</i>). He is Omswaroop - the manifestation (swaroop) of OM or AUM - auspicious sound, the sound of the universe itself. Thus he is HariOM. | ~ BG 10.23: || <i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i> || ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]. ~ Thus, Rudra-Siva. [They are not different entities.] ~ And so, Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara are not three different entities either. ~ Krishn (Hari-Krishna) himself is Shiva/Hara/Rudra/Sankara simultaneously. These are three different aspects. ~ Shivah
means: the kindly auspicious one; one who is eternally pure; a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (individual or human souls.) ~ Shivah does not mean destroyer-destroyer; </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">this aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect) of Hari-Krishn indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat, as well as dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance, illusion, delusion, confusion, 'toxin' (Neelkanth), and so on. </span><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Since <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Hari-Krishn himself is Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara, therefore, Virupaksha (oblique eyes) is used for both the aspects: the Hari (aspect) as well as the Hara (aspect). ~ Rudraksha means: eye
of Rudra (Rudra-Siva/Hara/Sankara). ... So, whether Virupaksha and Rudraksha have different meaning or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Hari/Hara/Hare also means: </span><span style="font-size: small;">destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat; in other words: one who protects, preserves/stabilizes.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>keshavah</i>: one who is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i>
Shiva; in other words: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(<i>do</i> <i>refer the relevant passage on Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram</i>). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> One who is himself the three: <i>kah</i>
(refers to Brahma; He is also Prapitaamahah: The creator of
Lord Brahma (father of the 'father of beings'/thus Lord Brahma is also known as Pitamah); <i>ah</i> (refers to Vishnu - the Preserver-Stabilizer)
and <i>Isa </i>(refers to Shiva - the Destroyer; but Shivah is not
destroyer-destroyer); thus, <i>keshavah</i> indicates the three aspects: of Creation-Stabilizing/Preservation-Destruction.
~ And therefore, Lord Narayan (Satya-Sundar: Satya/Eternal-Sundar/Grace and Goodness) is also known as Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.
<span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i>kah</i> Brahma denotes Brhm (enlightenment/knowledge/wisdom, etc ~ indicative of the Sahasrara
- the 7th chakra/the crown chakra - the highest chakra); <i>ah</i> Vishnu/Narayan
(stabilizer-preserver - depicted with the Sudarshan Chakra); and <i>Isa</i> Shivah
(destroyer/dispeller; it also indicates the 6<sup>th</sup> Chakra, also known
as Ajna Chakra or Brow Chakra - the third-eye chakra.) [~ <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Do read the paragraphs on Ajna
Chakra/Brow Chakra, Shasrara and Kundalini.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Krishn is <i>Trikalagya</i>:
a "bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhu" ("The Master of all things that
exist in the past, future, and present"). ~ As he says to Arjun, that (as
Almighty) he knows everything that has happened in the past, all that is
happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. ~ BG 7.26: || <i>vedaham samatitanivartamanani carjunabhavisyani
ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana</i> || ~ Therefore, his advise, message, guidelines/guidance is
intrinsically linked to this aspect. (After all, he is Supreme Creator
and Universal Consciousness (Brahmn); the highest authority of the universe/cosmos - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Aadidevah or Aadinath</span>.) ~ Hari-Krishna is Lord
Narayan's Purna Avatar; God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan). ~ However,
this is his manifestation to humanity; this is how he appears and interacts with
earthlings/human society. ~ His primal/primordial form - as
the Supreme Lord/Lord of Lords [maheśvaram] is the "Vishwa-roop" or
"Viraat-roop". ... And that is intimidating; even Arjun felt overawed. ~ Hence he
assumes a human form. He appears as the Cosmic Teacher - as a karm-yogi, a friend, a mentor, a guide/pathfinder
and well-wisher of mankind. He engages and interacts; he assesses the nature and condition(s) of human
society (caliber, mettle, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and so on); he also shines a light/holds
a mirror to human society... and (accordingly) provides his guidance/advise. ~ He
divests himself of his godliness - (probably) 'coz humanity (maanava-s/human species) is different from Higher
Beings, therefore, human society has its own dynamics; and so, only organic change will sustain. [Thus,
there is no alternative to collective and sustained karm-yog... to create/build (and sustain) a better
society/civilization.] ~ In their human form we can find similarities in
personality/character traits between the Ram-avatar (the 7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu)
and the Krishn-avatar (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu). ~ Krishn remains the same -
his caliber and brilliance/wisdom/sagacity/far-sightedness et al
(known as Sudarshan Chakra) does not change. [He is not Garuda-Dhvaja
for nothing.] ... What changes though are the eras/yugs: its challenges, dynamics and
complexities, the social conditions, nature/mindset/intellectual capacity/worldview, etc of humanity/human
society/civilization. ~ As the Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher, his actions and
guidelines/guidance (thus) takes into account these aspects/factors. E.g.: #1. What he
could impart to Arjun may not have been the same as what he can impart to
someone of a lesser caliber. [~ There is no magic wand, etc - to bring about
instant positive change/transformation in society; the alternative (therefore) is
karm-yog; 'coz only incremental and organic change will sustain.] #2. The humanity/human society of Dvapar was (somewhat)
prepared (w.r.t. mettle, caliber, cognitive abilities, social conditions, and so on) - to be able
to imbibe and incorporate what Krishn imparted; they could grasp some of it. In fact, Dvapar was the most advanced of all ages/eras/yugs. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do refer
<b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b>
- for more details</i>. ~ I</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">f we are to factor in the all-round achievements (in
science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, metallurgy, art, architecture,
literature, poetry, sculpture, education, innovation,
research, knowledge, technical know-how, trade etc) in Kaliyug - until the Gupta Era (where it all reached its zenith) - we can get an idea of how Kaliyug actually was ~ before decay set
in... leading to the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> (euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay).]<i> </i>~ Synergy/Connect
(yog) is required between finites and Infinite. This awakens kundalini power. [And, therefore, karm-yog is important.] ~ However, if the Jiva-atma (human
souls/finites) is unable to connect (yog) with the Param-aatma (Supersoul/Infinite)
there will be no synergy creation; and therefore, humanity/human society/civilization
will be unable to benefit from the One's guidance and wisdom. ~ Hence Krishn
constantly advises humanity to connect with His energy; he also advises
humanity to (sustained) introspection and karm-yog. (~ Thus, there is a perennial organic interplay [yog] between finite and
Infinite, between created and Uncreated, between evanescent and Eternal.) </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(e.g.) Arjun understood Krishn
very well: his actions, advise, ideas, guidelines and so on. Thus Krishn says: <span class="text"><i>pāṇḍavānāḿ dhanañjayaḥ </i></span><span class="text">~ I am </span><span class="text">Arjun among the Paandavs. ~ It indicates </span>connect (yog) between them, and
therefore, synergy creation.<span class="text"> [</span>~ However, this may not have been
the same with someone of a lesser mettle, caliber and intellectual and perceptive abilities than Arjun.] ~
It does seem that the arrival of maha-avatars (including the Purna Avatar) is
for a specific period of time, details of which were shared with our ancients
well in advance (possibly due to their interactions with Higher Beings);
(maybe) so as to not only intimate humanity of the arrival of the maha-avatar, but to also provide human society with an opportunity to prepare itself (~ to benefit fully
from the avatar's guidance). ... The avatars never proclaim themselves.
[~ Though in their human form, their portrayal e.g. in the Ramayana ('The
Exertions of Shri Ram') and the Mahabharata ('The Great
History of the Bharatas') - is ample indication.] <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Shri Ram is integral to the Ramayana and the face
of the Suryavanshi/Sun-flag-bearing Raghukula/Raghuvansh (his clan, lineage). While </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Shri Krishn is at the heart of the Mahabharata and
the face of the Chandravanshi/Moon-flag-bearing Yaduvansh. </span></span>~ Also, the
avatars' arrival and departure (very likely) is in a clockwork fashion, since
the universe is mathematically precise; and so, the eras/yugs will 'close' and
a new one 'commence' with precision. ~ As they say, time and tide waits for
none.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Kundalini and Sahasrara Chakra</i>:<i> </i></span>Kundalini = a concentrated field of intelligent, cosmic, invisible
energy absolutely vital to life; beginning in the base of the spine when an individual begins to evolve - as wisdom is gained. ["Kundalini"
(kuṇḍalinī), means: coiled. Sanskrit: kund = "to burn"; kunda =
"to coil or to spiral".] ~ Kundalini has been described as liquid fire
and liquid light. The ultimate outcome of kundalini is the union of Will
(sakti-kundalini), Knowledge (prana-kundalini) and Action (para-kundalini).
(~ And this should help us gauge/understand what level of kundalini/'serpent power' Krishn
and even e.g. Chanakya possessed, or for that matter, Chandragupta Maurya and
Vikramaditya possessed.) ~ In literal terms, the 'samudra-manthan' or
'sagar-manthan' tale is (also) an allegorical description of what transpires
during a kundalini-awakening process. ... Kundalini is a latent energy that lies
dormant in the spine. Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a
slithering reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also represented by the [allegoric] Mount
Meru [Mandar Parvat] in the story. ~ <i>Allegoric</i> - 'coz Mt Meru or Mandar Parvat is not a real mountain.) </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <i>meruh sikharinam aham</i> || ~
"and of mountains I am Meru." ~ Here Mt Meru is an allegory for Sahasrara Chakra - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra - the crown
chakra (the highest chakra)</span></span></span>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">BG 10.28: <i>sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ</i> ~ and of serpents I am Vāsuki. </span>~ Here Vasuki is an allegory for kundalini. ~ If we look at the human brain: there is the
left hemisphere (side 1) and the right hemisphere (side 2)... the area in the
middle is (allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'. [~ Therefore, we can say,
kundalini is 'serpent power'.] Maybe, this power 'ignites' or 'illumines' the
mind, in a manner of speaking; this in turn results in an immense amount of
intelligence, foresight, wisdom, perception, vision, sagacity, and so on - which (then) leads to great deeds/karm. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Its all interconnected (yog); therefore, kunda =
"to coil or to spiral"</span></span></span>. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> It is possible that
this power (kundalini or 'serpent power') was mistranslated/misinterpreted to
mean: 'a serpent's crown jewel' or 'the priceless jewel found inside the head
of serpents'.]<i> </i>~ Chakras are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy.
Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of
arteries, veins and nerves. The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in
which energy flows through. ~ <i>Kundalini</i> is vital for all the 7 Chakras
(centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully 'awakened'. And <i>this</i>
happens when Kundalini reaches the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra - Sahasrara/the crown
chakra (the highest chakra). [~ The seventh chakra (Sahasrara) is the chakra that
integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities. It is the last
milestone of the evolution of human awareness. This happens when Kundalini
passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel area. ... When the Kundalini
reaches the Sahasrara, the 'lotus petals' open and enlightenment takes place. ~ The
Kundalini (then) unites our individual consciousness with the Universal Consciousness
(the jiva-atma/finites to the Param-aatma/Infinite).] ~ This state is also said to be the state of
complete wisdom. [All this emphasizes the organic and deep connection (yog) between
Jiva-atma (the individual/human souls/finites) and Param-aatma (the Supersoul/Infinite). ... This
union of Jiva-atma (the individual/human soul) with the Param-aatma (Supersoul)
is called "Sanaatan Dharma": connecting (yog) with the Higher Self
or seeking communion (yog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or
Param-aatma or Almighty). ~ "swa" is "higher self",
"asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so
the translation (of Swastika) can be interpreted as: "being with higher
self" (i.e. yog/sanjog with the Supersoul). Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also known as "Svasti": One who is
the source of all auspiciousness (~ i.e. dispeller of troubles/calamity; pathfinder). [<i>Do refer
<b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b>
- for more details on Swastika, Vishwa-roop or Viraat-roop, Kurma-avatar, samudra-manthan,
etc.</i>]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[More on <span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Sahasrara</i> -<b> </b></span></b>the
7<sup>th</sup> chakra/the crown chakra (the highest chakra)</span>; <i>do also read the above paragraph</i>: The
Shiva and the Shakti - the masculine and feminine - join within <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sahasrara</span></b> to create <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>brahma-ranhdra</i></span>,
the transcendence of both (Ardhanarishvara?</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">) ~ Within this chakra, the individual personality
dissolves into the essence of the all. ... This is the chakra of (metaphoric/symbolic)
one thousand petals. <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sahasrara</span></b>
is unique in many ways. All other chakras feature upward, pointing lotuses. In
the Sahasrara, the lotuses point downward, symbolizing freedom from the
mundane (i.e. a Siddha, self-realized), and divine rain from its petals. The <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sahasrara</span></b> chakra was not considered an in-body chakra; (earlier)
it was pictured as lying atop the head. The Saharsara is considered beyond most
symbolic representations, although the chakra is usually perceived as white. ~ The
Sahasrara is considered beyond senses, sense organs, and vital breath. As such,
it is often described without a seed syllable, although some sources depict it
with an OM. [~ OM or AUM is associated with both the Hari aspect and Hara aspect - Hari-Hara.] (<i>Do also read the earlier paragraphs for more info on Sahasrara chakra and Hari-Hara</i>.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">AUM (also known as OM):</span> </i>The syllable OM
(written out as AUM with each letter having its own significance) represents
Brahmn, the supreme creator (Srashtaa), as well as the whole of creation. OM
represents the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. It is the primeval sound - <i>pranavah/Omkara/pranava
naad</i> - the sound of the universe itself. The uttering of the sacred and mystical
OM is called Onkar or Omkar. It is the sound of the origination and dissolution
of the universe. The past, present, future and all that transcends time are all
included in this sound. It represents that Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi - Brahm-jyoti
- the Divine effulgence/Cosmic Light or Light Divine (also referred to as "Brahmn"/Universal Consciousness) - emanating
from Goloka-Paravyoma (the spiritual abode of Shri Hari/Krishn). ~ It is the light
that impersonalists perceive in the Nirguna (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>unmanifested - </i>avyaktah/Niraakar)<i> </i>mode of God/Almighty. Lord
Narayan is the personification/<i>manifestation</i> (Omswaroop) of OM or AUM. Thus, He
is Hariom. He is Omprakash - light of OM, light of the world. ~ The
Gayatri Mantra (one of the most auspicious and oldest of mantras) is a prayer to this Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi (effulgent
Brahmn/Brahma-jyoti) as well as to the Pratyaksha-Brahmn - the Sun (jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) ~ without whom there
can be no life on the earth-plane. [~ Technically speaking, what promotes life is
the energy of the sun. The rays from the sun not only support life, but the
rays of the sun are indeed the source of life itself.] ~ Enhance the efficacy
of the life principles, including one's body, mind and soul. ~ Visualize the
sun's rays streaming forth into your body, mind and soul... guiding you
through the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa): || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat</i></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26ZvKY--KY"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link2</span></b></a></span>] </span>|| ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pronounced</u>:</span>
|| OHM BUR BOO-VAH SVA-HA TAHT SAH-VEE-TOOR VAHR-EHN-YUM BHAHR-GO DEH-VAHS-YAH
DEE-MAH-HEE DEE-YOH YOHN-AH PRAH-CHOD-DAH-YAHT || ~ <i>OM. I revere the Divine
Self who illuminates the three worlds - physical, astral and causal; I offer my
prayers to that God who shines like the Sun. May He enlighten our intellect.
</i>[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Alternatively</u></span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">:</span> </i><span class="caption1"><i>"O Lord, You are the protector of
life and of breath, dispeller of miseries and bestower of happiness. You are
the creator and the most acceptable intelligence, possessing eternal qualities.
May Your qualities and Your inspiration pass to us</i>."] | The Gayatri Mantra is also known as Savitr Mantra; Savitr means </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="caption1"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the Sun, the majestic effulgent Sun-god </span><span class="caption1"><span class="caption1">(jyotiḥ, Sūrya, Aaditya) </span>- Pratyaksh/Manifest-Brahmn ~ without whom there
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</xml><![endif]--> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light,
wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Gayatri mantra</span> is considered one of the most
universal of all mantras, invoking the universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness as the principle of
knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun. ~ BG 10.35: || </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">gāyatrī chandasām aham</span> ||</i></span></span></span> ~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">I am Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras. [Krishn is essentially indicating that He is the <i>manifestation</i> of that universal Brahmn ~ <i>refer the earlier part of the post to know more about Brahmn - the Absolute, Cosmic Light or Light Divine</i>.] </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Here are some
of the meanings embedded in this mantra</i>:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhur</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(earth) / Pranaswaroop</span></span></span></div>
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<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhuvah</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(atmosphere) / Dukh Nashak</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swaha</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(heavens) / Sukh Swaroop</span></span></span></div>
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<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tat</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(that)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Savitur</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(of the source) / Tejasvi</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Varenyam</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(to be held sacred) / Shresht</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhargo</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(light) / Paap-nashak</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Devasya</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(of the effulgent) / Divyo ko</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dhimahi</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(we meditate on) / Dharan karen</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dhiyo</span></span></span></div>
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<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(that illumined intelligence, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">wisdom) / Buddhi ko</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yo</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(which) / Jo</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nah</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(us) / Hamari</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prachodayat</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(inspires) / Prerit kare</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ BG 4:42: || <i>tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaḿ hṛt-sthaḿ
jñānāsinātmanaḥ chittvainaḿ saḿśayaḿ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata</i>
|| ~ Therefore, sever the ignorant doubt (ego, ignorance, vainglory, etc) in your heart with
the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline (i.e. duty, responsibility; in other words: to imbibe the essence of dharma/inner detachment/actions that lead to the greater good + karm-yog).
Arise. (i.e. shun ennui, tardiness or slothfulness, despondency, pessimism, and
so on. Embrace karm-yog - for the betterment of society.) ~ Here, Krishn is (also) advising
us to awaken Kundalini. ~ The dynamism in us is also Fire*. The Kundalini 'Fire'
causes enlightenment of the brain cells. But enflaming the Kundalini 'Fire'
requires service to the fellow beings, to the society
(selfless/non-glory-seeking/nishkam service/action... that helps build a better
society.) ~ One has to dedicate oneself to nishkam karm
(selfless/non-glory-seeking karm)... without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is not
ignited/'awakened'. ~ Agni (auspicious effulgence, Light Divine) exists as
Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. The Kundalini Fire is
Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the
diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is
Electric Fire (brilliant white). ~ As one progresses regularly (in nishkam karm/selfless, non-glory-seeking action/service for the benefit of humanity and human society),
the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' grows. Just as the morning Sun (Golden in
colour) grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized at the
eyebrow centre rises to Ajnea center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ~ This is the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. When this
'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the (symbolic) Third Eye (Ajna Chakra)*. ~
Only when human beings gain enlightenment (the state of complete wisdom) - i.e.
when the Sahasrara Chakra (the [metaphoric/symbolic] thousand-petalled Lotus) within the
brain (behind the forehead) opens up fully... the kundalini power has been fully
awakened. ~ Krishn is associated with the mind, heart and soul/spirit. (For Sudarshan Chakra - do refer to the later parts of this post, as well as to the paragraphs mentioning Shahasrara Chakra.) The Krishn-avatar (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) and the Kalki-avatar (Krishna-<span class="blue">Kalkiḥ; </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;">the 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, the final avatar of the Dasavatara -</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->keshava dhrta-kalki-sharira - </span>Krishn as <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ);</span> is
associated with Kundalini (and the Sahasrara: the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra/the
crown chakra - the highest chakra). [~ This maybe 'coz when Krishn arrived some
amount of degeneration/decay had set in. (Hence, Dvapar is called 'Copper Age').
... He not only 'closed' Dvapar but also put things on an upward trajectory -
Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower). Thereafter, the collective karm-yog of
humanity/human society continued on this path. ~ However, the 10<sup>th</sup>
Vishnu is expected to arrive when the negative aspects (i.e. the ghor Kaliyug phase/the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay) will be at its peak. <i>'Iron Age' is a metaphor to indicate
the extent of all-round stagnation and decay.</i> (Thus, the end of Kaliyug - euphemistically known as 'Iron Age'/ghor Kaliyug phase is considered
as the most degenerate/degraded (worst) of all ages/yugs.) ~ The 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu
is (therefore) Renaissance Man/Yug Purush... who will not only 'close' Kaliyug (including the 'Iron Age'/ghor Kaliyug phase), but also set
the stage for the (metaphoric 'Golden Age' - the <i>best</i> of eras/ages/yugs - Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/Maha-Yug to manifest.)
However, for a complete renewal/renaissance, kundalini awakening is vital. And so, a confluence of dharma and karm-yog is important. ~ Thus, Krishn's advice is perennial/ever-relevant. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span>
<span class="blue">The Kalki-avatar is depicted as a </span>'lone warrior' (not
to be construed as 'one-man show'); it is simply a sign of the times; since ghor
Kaliyug phase or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay will be at its peak... he alone will 'pull chestnuts out of the fire' (i.e. be a dispeller of
Troubles/Calamity/Sankat, a Pathfinder); everyone else will be too busy working
at cross-purposes and/or in pursuit of narrow/parochial interests. ~ Hence,
many regard the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar (Krishna-Kalki) as Krishn+ (as
the best form of the Krishn-avatar), as well as the best of the Dasavatara. ~ But
then, Krishn and Kalkiḥ are a continuation.</span>] ~ || <i>Sri Krishna Govind
Hare Murare, Heye Nath Narayan, Vasudeva, Tribhuvan ke Swami, Sakha Hamare,
Heye Nath Narayan Vasudeva</i> || [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Hare = dispeller [Haran] of
Troubles/Calamity/Sankat, Pathfinder; Murare = metaphor for calamity/sankat.
Govind = the (allegorical/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. Vasudeva = Lord of
the Earth/Father of the World. Tribhuvan ke Swami = Lord of Creation/Sovereign
of the Universe. Narayan = benefactor of mankind/human society/civilization.
Sakha hamare = eternal friend, guide and well-wisher of humanity. Nath = Cosmic
Ruler/Guardian.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">*The (symbolic) "third eye" (very likely)
indicates the Ajna chakra (Brow Chakra, the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra, the third
eye chakra ~ denoting spiritual guidance.) It is
also known as the "divya chakshu" (the divine eye) or the eye of
knowledge. The <span style="color: #4c1130;">third eye chakra</span> is located in the brain, directly behind the
eyebrow center at the top of spinal chord i.e. at the medulla oblongata. A
two-petalled lotus symbolizes Ajna chakra. The left petal represents the moon
or the <i>ida nadi</i> and the right petal represents the sun or the <i>pingala nadi</i> ~
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</xml><![endif]-->which meet the central<i> Sushumna nadi</i> (channel; one of the body's main energy channels)
before rising to the crown chakra, Sahasrara (~ the 7th chakra/the
crown chakra - the highest chakra). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Within the (symbolic) two-petalled lotus is a perfectly round circle that symbolizes the
"shoonya" or the void - i.e. the state completely devoid of
ego/ahamkara. In this circle the symbol OM is written. 'OM' is the mantra and
the symbol of ajna chakra (the "third eye"). ~ Krishn is depicted with a symbolic 'golden disc' indicating third eye chakra. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Sushumna awakening is part of kundalini awakening. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The two additional energy channels that play an important role in our
energy system are "ida" and "pingala".]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">~ </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">On a separate note:</span> </i>*Agni (auspicious effulgence,
Light Divine) also symbolically represents the spiritual fire of life and the
processes of transformation. Agni is the foremost amongst purifiers - to overcome the negativism/pessimism/confusion et al clouding the
hearts and minds. ~ Agni, therefore, signifies renewal/re-energizing.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
'chakra' in Sudarshan Chakra (<i>do also read about the </i>Sahasrara Chakra<i>
discussed earlier in the post</i>) - is a reference to the mind chakra or
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Manasa Chakra</span> (Mind Lotus), which is connected with most of the head (especially
the brain), it is a combination of sensing and intellect. That's the ability to
see and hear the world, to make sense of things, sort them out, and figure out
how they all fit together. Possibly this is the intellect and intuition aspect of the
(metaphoric/symbolic) Third Eye. (Su = good,
auspicious. Darshan/darshanah = appearance. It refers to Krishna's charismatic
presence, personality, intelligence, wisdom, sentience, sagacity, foresight and handsome looks. Sudarshanah:
He whose meeting is auspicious. ~ Thus, Sudarshan Chakra is a reference to Krishn's Kundalini power... that awakens the Sahasrara Chakra, the 7th chakra - the
crown chakra/the highest chakra. ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Krishna's symbolic 'golden disc' is indicative of third eye chakra - the Ajna Chakra or 6th Chakra.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">) [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The correct spelling of
chakra is <i>cakra</i>, though pronounced with a <i>ch</i>. ~ The word is also a
metaphor for the sun, and denotes the eternal cycle of time (kaalah) called the
kalacakra, or wheel of time. Chakra = wheel. ~ The name is derived from the
Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning". Both Krishn and Gautama
Buddh spoke about karm-yog/karma and dharma/dhamma. ... The word Dharmachakra, or the "Wheel of Dharma", is often used to describe the
teachings/message of Shri Gautam Buddh (the 9<sup>th</sup> Vishnu). In other
words: his teachings/message is expressed as: "the turning of the wheel of
dharma." ~ This wheel/chakra is now our national emblem (Ashok Chakra).] (<i>Do
read <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a>
</b>- for more details on Cakravartin</i>.) ~ A Cakravartin-raja (a
'wheel-turning ruler') is considered a wise, progressive, inclusive and ideal king, since he upholds Raj-dharma.
Shri Ram was a Cakravartin-raja, while Shri Krishn too was a Cakravartin by
dint of his actions/karm. (Thus, both upheld Raj-dharma). ~ The Buddh-avatar arrived when Kaliyug
was still in full bloom (though some amount of withering may have commenced); he shared his teachings/message with the ordinary people - as a guide,
teacher, mentor and reformer; thus, he too (in a manner of speaking) upheld
Raj-dharma. ~ While the Kalki-avatar is expected to arrive when the ghor
Kaliyug phase (i.e. <span class="ital-inline">the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay etc) </span>is at its peak: <span class="blue">at
yuga-sandhyāyām (~ at the conjunction of two yugs - Kaliyug of the current
cycle and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/Maha-Yug.</span>] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... The
transition from Kaliyug to Sat/Satya/Krita Yug will not merely be an <i>intra-yug</i>
transition (i.e. from one yug/era to another yug/era within a Chatur-yug/Maha-Yug.) ~ Instead: it will herald the
'closure' of an entire "Maha-Yug"; in other words: it will signify
the 'closure' of a complete Chatur-yug/Maha-Yug or four-yug cycle... and the
commencement/transition into a whole new one. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> a Chatur-Yug or Maha-Yug refers to a four-yug
cycle: Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and Kaliyug. </span>~ Thus the 'closure' of kaliyug
will mean a transition from one "Maha-Yug" to an entirely new one; ~ from the <i>lowest point</i>/ghor Kaliyug phase/the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay
to the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug - the <i>best</i> of eras/yugs.] ~ In other
words: a complete renaissance; from the <i>lowest point</i> (the <i>ghor Kaliyug
phase</i>, also known as the most degraded/degenerate of all ages/eras/yugs) to the
<i>best </i>of eras/ages/yugs (Sat/Satya/Krita Yug). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ This
reshaping/transformation of humanity/human society indicates a whole new era, a
new age, a renewal, a new "dawn"; humanity/human society/civilization
will have to find its rhythm - gradually, incrementally... slow but steady - <span class="ital-inline">through patience and collective effort</span>. <span class="ital-inline">This will enable/allow it to "heal"... so as to
rejuvenate/reinvigorate itself sufficiently enough to find its mojo (~ which
in turn will [gradually] lead to all-round progress and prosperity - a better human society/civilization). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ However, instant transformation is impractical; it is akin to putting a lump of fine
gold (signifying 'Golden Age' - Sat/Satya/Krita Yug) into a glass of water. The
gold will remain gold; the water will remain water. ~ This is because... the
<i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> (euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay) is
characterized by considerable pessimism, despondency, loss of hope, confusion,
delusion, apathy, 'toxin'/halahala, decay, and so on; thus</span>,
perception/cognitive abilities get dulled, <span class="ital-inline">intellectual capacity dims, stagnation/apathy/ennui/indifference
et al holds sway</span>. [~ Sat or Satya means: Eternal, Ultimate Truth:
Satya-Sundar/ Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. ~ A reference to Lord
Narayan/Vishnu/Harih.] ~ Only a maha-avatar can lift humanity (human
society/civilization) from zero level or rather sub-zero level; i.e. from the lowest point - from considerable
ignorance/stagnation/decay etc (signifying the metaphoric 'quicksand'/'mud'/quagmire)... and put it back on an
upward trajectory; only a maha-avatar has the capacity/caliber/ability to be
that catalyst: to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind, to prevent
humanity (and/or the planet's) slide into 'quicksand'/quagmire (or to pull it
out from one) - to re-energize... to set the ball rolling, so to speak. [~ And,
this should help us understand what the Varaha-avatar (the unicorn boar)
indicates; this avatar is regarded as the supreme form of Lord
Narayan/Vishnu/Hari. ... Incidentally, the current kalpa is known as
"Svhetavaraha Kalpa". (Svheta = white. Varaha = the great boar.)] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...
Maybe this should help us understand what has been meant by: Lord
Dhanvantari (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari) "emerged" during "samudra-manthan" holding the
pot of celestial nectar (of immortality). [Now celestial nectar (of
immortality) is not literal.] ~ The Supreme Druid (primordial God of
healthcare) is well-wisher and benefactor of humanity. He is the
"healer" of <i>Jiva</i>-souls (the individual/human souls/finites); he
arrives to administer <i>aoushata</i> (medicine, cure, remedy) so that human
society can (gradually) regain its health and vigour (as per: <i>yada yada hi
dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham
</i>~ whenever and wherever societal 'churn'/manthan/turmoil becomes too
difficult... so much so that humanity is 'paralyzed'/bewildered, unable to find
a solution/direction, or is in free-fall... hurtling towards an
abyss/'quicksand'/quagmire... only then, He manifests Himself - to stem the 'churn'/manthan, to
stabilize (and to re-energize). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> ... Umm, does it have something to do with the
story of Lord Shiva holding the River Ganga in his <i>jata</i> [dredlocks] to minimize the impact (devastation) of her fall - to become Byomkesh? Is this
story allegorical? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Lord Shiva (Hara/Sankara) is also known as Vaidyanatha (Lord of
Remedies).</span> ... And, maybe, all
this can (also) help us understand what has been meant by: "Neelkanth"
('the blue-throated one') - who soaks up 'halahala' or 'kaalkoot' (resulting
out of immense societal 'manthan'/churn/'dark clouds that engulf the hearts and
minds') - for the benefit of human society/mankind ~ to enable it to
"heal" and evolve/transform - so that it can function better, progress and prosper.
[~ 'Halahala' or 'Kaalkoot' is the most vicious (metaphoric) "toxin" -
that would otherwise destroy humanity/human society/civilization... if allowed
to accumulate. ~ Only a maha-avatar has the capacity to be that selfless ~ to become "Neelkanth" - the allegorical blue-throated one.) ~
Thus, Hari-Hara (these are two aspects/ <i>do refer to the next paragraph - for more details.</i>) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Thus, <i>rudranam sankaras casmi </i>(~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ... Thus, <i>keshavah</i>: one who
is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva;
in other words: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Narayan means:
well-wisher and benefactor of mankind (nara). Harih/Hari means: fire/energy
(auspicious effulgence, Light Divine - it renews/re-energizes/rejuvenates/revitalizes.)
Hari also means: Lord of Nature/Earth. ... And, since Lord Narayan/Vishnu is
(also) protector and preserver (a guiding, stabilizing entity) Hari or Hare also means:
Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat, a Pathfinder. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Hara
also means: Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Calamity/Sankat. ~ While Bhoota/Bhuta
Nath means: Lord/Guardian/Protector of Mankind.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>~ Keshavah</i> - one who
is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma (Universal Consciousness, Omswaroop; creator/usherer of a new "dawn"/era/yug; re-energizer/Renaissance Man/Yug Purush), <i>ah</i> Vishnu (protector and preserver/stabilizing factor) and <i>Isa</i> Shiva (destroyer/dispeller of calamity/sankat/troubles; the allegorical "Neelkanth"). Therefore, <i>Keshavah</i> is: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram (<i>do refer the relevant passage on Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram</i>). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ BG 10.23: || <i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i>
|| ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]. ~ Therefore, Rudra-Siva. [They are not
different entities.] ~ And so, Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara may not have been three different entities. ~ Hari-Krishna himself is
Shiva/Hara/Rudra/Sankara simultaneously. ~ Shivah is used for both Hari and Hara. Shivah
means: the kindly auspicious one; one who is eternally pure;</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a kind herdsman (shepherd) of jiva-souls (jiva or humans/ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">living beings = bhutanam) ~ Shivah does not mean destroyer-destroyer; this
aspect (i.e. the Shiva/Sankara/Rudra/Hara aspect) of Hari-Krishn
indicates: destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat - of humanity/human society, as well as
dispeller/destroyer of ego/vanity/vainglory, ignorance,
illusion, delusion, confusion, 'toxin' (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ thus he is known as Neelkanth - the
allegorical 'blue-throated one'; he soaks up negativism - for the good of
humanity/society - to enable it to function (progress and prosper), and so on. </span><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>PS</u>:</span> Since
Hari-Krishn himself is Hari-Hara/Vishnu-Rudra/Hari-Sankara, therefore,
Virupaksha (oblique eyes) is used for both the aspects: the Hari
(aspect) as well as the Hara (aspect). Both are auspicious. ~ Rudraksha means: eye
of Rudra (Rudra-Siva/Hara/Sankara). ... So, whether Virupaksha and
Rudraksha have different meanings or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Hari/Hara/Hare also means: </span><span style="font-size: small;">destroyer/dispeller of troubles/calamities/Sankat - of humanity/human society; in other words: one who protects and preserves (stabilizes).]</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 4.7:<i> ||
yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham ||</i> ~ Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy
in dharma/dharmic principles (for the greater good, and/or for humanity/human
society/civilization to progress and prosper/flourish); or when such an
alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata* (addressing Arjun, <i>who
belonged to the Puru-vansh/Bharat-vansh</i>/lineage/clan), only then, I,
manifest Myself. [<i>~ <span class="blue">'Avatar' means: descent, and refers to
a descent of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the Sanskrit
avatirna: "manifest/descent from the Lord."</span></i><span class="blue"> ~ However, not every avatar is the Almighty Himself (albeit in
human form); most are partial avatars or empowered entities; Lord
Narayan/Vishnu/Hari's </span><i>Purna Avatar</i> (one in whom divinity is
manifested fully) is Shri Hari-Krishna. ~<span class="blue"> </span><i>Lord
Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being in his totality of
manifestation. He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Person/Being, but is
considered as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself (albeit, in human form</i>).<i>
|| krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || </i>He is the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic
Ruler; he is God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan, the 8<sup>th</sup>
Vishnu; the <i>human</i> manifestation [sagun swaroop] of Lord Vishnu/Narayan -
His Purna Avatar.) ~ And, as per His stated <i>'dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge</i>' (to renew/re-energize/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate
the principles of "dharma" and "karm-yog" - for the benefit of
mankind/humanity ~ so as to help create/build a better [progressive, prosperous, inclusive] human society/civilization,<i> </i>I
manifest Myself <i>yuge-yuge</i>, yug/age/era after yug/age/era)... Keshavah will
return (assuming the form of <span class="blue">the Kalkiḥ-avatar</span>/</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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dhrta-kalki-sarira) to 'close'
Kaliyug (including the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> or the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay), to provide guidance ~ to bring
about the <i>inter-mahayug</i> transition (from one Maha-Yug to another
Maha-Yug; from the <i>lowest point</i>/ghor Kaliyug phase [the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay] to the <i>best </i>of
eras/ages/yugs - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the Sat/Satya/Krita Yug</span> - the 'Golden Age' of prosperity, progress, etc.) ~ The 10th Vishnu will be indescribable (</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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api). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> ~ Since Dvapar to Kaliyug was an <i>intra-yug</i>
transition, Kaliyug began from midnight of 18 February in 3102 BC (or perhaps from the conjunction of 17/18 February 3102 BC i.e. midnight onwards) in the
proleptic Julian calendar... since Krishn departed (very likely in the
evening/shyam) on this date. (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ He is kaalah/time himself; therefore, when the
hunter's arrow hit him on his foot, he only smiled before departing... while Jara grieved over the empty shell.) The period after his departure
(midnight onwards) marked the beginning of Kaliyug. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ However, since the
transition from Kaliyug to Sat/Satya/Krita Yug (of the next cycle) is an <i>inter-mahayug</i> movement/transition, it signifies the 'closure' of an entire/complete Maha-Yug and the
commencement of a whole new one; so... whether this transition will be immediate
or not (i.e. immediately after the departure of the 10th Vishnu or not) ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[*<i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Bharatavarsha</span></i> means: the continent (Sanskrit: 'varsha') that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). ~ Bharatavarsha
or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land"<i>.</i> <i>For the
etymology of the word "Hindu" and the name "India", do read: <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.
~ However, it is unlikely that the contours of
modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha. ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Yet another name for ancient India is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Jambudveepa</span> or
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jambadveepa</span>. Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry. Maybe there was an abundance
of this tree (obviously a much different version of what we have now)... and
hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu/Jambul/Indian
blackberry trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian
blackberry. ~ Now whether </span><span style="font-size: small;">the contours of
modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Kalki/ Kalkiḥ is </span>also referred to as: Kalkin<b> </b>and<b> </b>Kalaki -<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) ~ When the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay etc (i.e. the
negative/<i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) will be at its peak ~ will arrive Kalkiḥ, the
Lord of Creation/Sovereign of the Universe/Father of the World (nāmnā kalkir
jagat-patiḥ) </span>... And from what we can gather, Keshavah will return as the
Kalki-avatar (the 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, the final maha-avatar of the
Dasavatara) <span class="blue">at yuga-sandhyāyām (i.e. at the conjunction of two
yugs: Kaliyug of the current cycle/Maha-Yug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle/Maha-Yug;
sandhyāyām = evening, dusk, twilight)</span>. ~ He will <span class="blue">appear
(prādúr) in the home (bhavanê) of Vishnuyashah/</span>Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash
Sharma - an erudite person (Brahmanasya) and the head of Shambhala village
(shambhala-grama-mukhyasya). [Now, <span class="blue">Vishnuyashah (also, </span>Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash
Sharma) can be a name <i>per se</i>, or it can also be an allegorical name - to
indicate: devotee of Lord Vishnu/Narayan, etc.] The <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar
will be born to Vishnuyasha/</span>Vishnuyash Sharma<span class="blue"> (~ Yajña,
better known as </span>Svayambhuva Manu [the first "Manu"] - who
(earlier) also appeared as Raja Dasarath (Lord Ram's father - in Treta) and as
Vasudev (Lord Krshn's father - in Dvapar). [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Shambhala = Shambhu (Shiv) + Le (of). ~ So,
whether Shambhala (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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"the source of happiness") was also known as Shivalaya; whether Shambhala
is the land of Shambhu Nath - the Ruler (Nath) as well as Guardian/Protector of
Shambhala or not; and if so, whether this Shambhu Nath is the Sankara of <i>rudranam
sankaras casmi </i>(~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara") or not ~ <i>my
guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(~ Shambhala <span class="text">is also considered to
be the gateway between the physical and spiritual world</span> ~ Haridvar? Some
believe it to be the actual Manas Sarovar, Kalilash as well as Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha'. It is also believed to be the real Prayag - Triveni Sangam: the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> ... The <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar's '</span>vehicle'
is the winged horse/flying horse (Devadutta); this avatar appears like a comet (</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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iva), holding
a (metaphoric) brilliant/effulgent sword (known as "Ratna Maru"). ~ It is the
(symbolic) "sword" of destiny, a ray of hope: signifying knowledge,
discernment and wisdom - to guide</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">; to </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue">shine a light/hold a mirror to society</span></span></span>; to "close" the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>, to lift the (metaphoric) "fog"/"filth" of
ignorance, pessimism, confusion, delusion, 'toxin', degeneration, decay,
apathy/indifference/ennui, stagnation, and so on (~ that clouds the hearts and
minds... when the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay - the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> - is at its peak). ~ As per: </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>|| Asato mā sad
gamaya </i></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya || </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>~ </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Asato mā sad
gamaya</i>: From ignorance/untruth, lead me unto truth (dharma/actions that
result in the greater/collective good. ~ Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari is Satya-Sundara/ Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i>Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya</i>: From stagnation (the symbolic 'fog'/'filth' of <span class="blue">decay</span>, delusion, ignorance, confusion, pessimism, despondency and so on), lead me unto light
(towards knowledge, hope, wisdom, enlightenment, prosperity, etc) - so as to
build/create [and sustain] a better/progressive/prosperous/inclusive society/ civilization.] <span class="blue">~ He will also guide, as well as shine a light/hold a mirror to society - to 'awaken'; for humanity to perform their collective karm-yog. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> | ~ BG 4:42: || <i>tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaḿ hṛt-sthaḿ jñānāsinātmanaḥ
chittvainaḿ saḿśayaḿ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha bhārata</i> || ~ "Therefore,
sever the ignorant doubt (ego, ignorance, confusion, apathy, etc) in your heart with the sword of
self-knowledge. Observe your discipline (duty, responsibility; imbibe the spirit of dharma + karm-yog). Arise." (i.e.
shun ennui, tardiness or slothfulness, despondency, pessimism, and so on.
Embrace [cumulative and sustained] karm-yog - for the betterment of society.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Krishn is (also) advising us to awaken Kundalini. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">[<i>Do
also refer to the paragraphs on Kundalini</i>.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Thus, "Ratna Maru" </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->is the (symbolic) sword of destiny, a ray of hope:
signifying knowledge, discernment and wisdom - to guide, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">as well as to shine a light/hold a mirror to society</span>; </span><span class="blue">to
'awaken'; to lift the symbolic "fog"/"filth" of
ignorance, pessimism, confusion, delusion, 'toxin', degeneration, decay,
apathy/indifference/ennui, stagnation, and so on (~ that clouds the
hearts and
minds... when the 'Iron Age' of
ignorance/stagnation/decay - i.e. the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> is at its peak). ~ It is also the (symbolic) sword of self-knowledge (self-realization). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">[Refer to what Krishn says earlier/BG 4.42. <i>Also refer </i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a> </b></span></span></span>- for self-realization</i>.] ~ Hence
Kalkiḥ also<b> </b>means: </span>Annihilator of ignorance, or Dispeller of
confusion (the allegoric "fog"/"filth" - clouding the hearts and minds in the ghor Kaliyug phase ~ when the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay is at its peak.)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="ital-inline">In the ghor Kaliyug phase
(i.e. in the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay)... since there is considerable tamasic-ness
(pessimism, confusion, </span>delusion,<span class="ital-inline"> 'toxin', etc) ~ </span>perception/cognitive abilities get dulled, comprehension and <span class="ital-inline">intellectual
capacity dims, apathy/ennui/indifference, etc holds sway</span>. This leads to
ignorance, confusion, stagnation and decay. ~ Thus the end of Kaliyug (i.e. the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) is also known as the
(symbolic) '<span class="ital-inline">Iron Age' (of ignorance/stagnation/decay) - the 'Age of
Machines'. [~ 'Machine' 'coz comprehension, p</span>erception/cognitive abilities
[of human society] get dulled, <span class="ital-inline">intellectual capacity dims.] ~ </span><span class="ital-inline">It does not imply that this avatar (the </span><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar/</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span></span>)
is</span><span class="ital-inline"> a robot made of metal, but
that his appearance is in the lowest phase of Kaliyug - the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug (~ the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>,
or the [symbolic] Age of 'Machines') - an age when intellectual capacity and
sentience/perception/perspective/cognitive abilities (of human society) diminishes/get dulled (falls below the minimum level). </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Instead of being active participants in their
own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers and mere spectators/bystanders [symbolic 'machines']. That will lead to a gradual all-round degeneration/stagnation/decay. This is the
core of Krishn's message. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">BG 2.47: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>karmaṇy
evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> <span class="usercontent">mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi</span></i></span><span class="usercontent"> || ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit of dharma/right action for the greater/collective good + collective/cumulative/concerted karm-yog) to the best of
your ability. Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do
not highlight your divergences/differences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be
positive. Never lose hope.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #4c1130;">.......................................................................</span> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ancient
Indus
people <span style="color: #4c1130;">couldn't have copied</span> their town-planning from Egypt and Mesopotamia
because in those civilizations the roads meandered like village streets. Nor
was the writing similar to Sumer's (Sumerian
Civilization - ancient Iraq, etc) cuneiform or the Egyptian (<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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style. [</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">efficient and finest of plumbing/sewage/drainage systems, a network of underground drainage was a
scientific system of drainage <span class="bodytext">that shows a remarkably
forward thinking concern for hygiene and sanitation. The </span>cities were so well designed that (modern) Indians have not been able to
replicate the town-planning feats/achievement of the ancient Indus engineers... even five millenniums later</span>.] ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The greatness of the Indus Valley
Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata) can be attributed to ancient
Indian genius (<span style="color: #351c75;">~ and trade was the driving force/factor.)</span></span><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span> </span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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have uncovered a civilization so vast in its extent that at its peak it is estimated
to have encompassed a staggering 1.5 million sq km - an area larger than
Western Europe. In size, it dwarfed contemporary civilizations in the Nile
Valley in Egypt and in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Sumer (Sumerian Civilization - modern Iraq).
Its geographical boundaries are now believed to extend up to the Iranian border
on the west, (one site in Afghanistan), Turkmenistan and Kashmir in the north, Delhi in the east and the
Godavari Valley in the south. Even extending to Rupnagar, in India, at the
foot of the Shimla Hills 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to the northeast. </span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ Discovery of a large cache of gold and other ornaments reportedly
belonging to the Harappan period (2600-1900 BC) by the villagers of Mandi in
the Muzaffarnagar District of UP (in the year 2000) has also challenged previous
notions about the geographic reach of the Indus Valley civilization. ~ Two things
are clear: that Indus Valley was a misnomer, and that in size it was the largest
prehistoric (pracheen) urban civilization - even
bigger than Pharaonic Egypt. That it was governed much like a democracy
(collectivism) and the ancient Indus people were the world's top exporters</i>. ~ What is now known as the Indus Valley Civilization included the whole of modern India. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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seals is the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>swastika</i></span>. This symbol wards off negativities. It represents the
cosmic spinning vortex. The right-handed swastika symbol originated in
ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River SarasvatI as well as the
Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata/Civilization (<i>possibly the oldest civilization in
the world, and thus the cradle of civilization</i>.) ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the <i>swastika</i>
represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the forefinger of the
Cosmic Entity (Ishvara-Ishvari/Narayan-Narayani). This carries most
significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as
'kaalah' or time. [~ Also, the chakra/disc on Lord Narayan's forefinger probably
indicates the galaxies; maybe all galaxies (including the Milky Way/Aakash
Ganga) were disc-shaped in the beginning... and gradually opened up to assume a
spiral form.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">More on the Swastika:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">(<i>also refer the previous paragraph</i>) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The term Swastika has been derived from the Sanskrit word
"Svastika", which means well-being: "SU" means
"good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means "to
be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally means,
"to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher
self" (Supersoul), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a
suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher
self". <i>Suasti</i> thus means "well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i>
either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i>
might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with
well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that
is auspicious." Thus <i>swastika</i> means any lucky or auspicious object,
and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness,
good luck or well-being. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The most traditional form of the swastika's
symbolization in Sanaatan Dharma is that the symbol represents the purusharthas
(representative of the Cosmic Energy - the Purusha): <i>dharma</i> (that which makes a human
a human), <i>artha</i> (wealth), desire, and <i>moksha</i> (liberation). All four are
needed for a full life. However, two (wealth and desire) are limited and can only
give limited joy. They are the two closed arms of the swastika. The other two
are unlimited and are the open arms of the swastika. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Swastika is considered
to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune. Red Swastika (made with
red vermilion, prepared with natural ingredients during rituals) is the sign of
Sanaatan Dharma; it depicts a cross with four arms of equal lengths. The end of
each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots are also added
between the arms. The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the
decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. [~ Shri Ganesh has the Swastika on
his palm. The swastika is at times considered a symbolic representation of
Shri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak - the remover of obstacles) and is
hence offered first offerings in every <i>puja</i>. The swastika is made with
red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during rituals.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The
Swastika is a symbol of good fortune in Buddhism. It represents the footprints
and heart of Shri Gautam Buddh. Thus, it is considered to be
very holy and extensively brought to use by Buddhists. In the
images of Shri Gautam Buddh, the Swastik is imprinted on his chest,
palms and feet. In Jainism, Swastika represents the Seventh <i>Jina</i>, more
popularly known as the Tirthankara Suparsva. It is one of the most prominent
auspicious symbols of the present era. In the cultural traditions of Svetambar
Jains, Swastika is one of the main symbols of the ashta-mangalas. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Ganesh - represents a set of qualities; is very likely
a reference to the most intelligent, perceptive and wise person. Shri Ganesh
represents: great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the
elephant head and elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm
disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom. The small eyes
= concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise,
more efficiency (opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent
trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in
other words: one who is not ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening
ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing').]<i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>On a separate note</i>:</span> "Hindu" is not the
name of any "religion" or a set of religious beliefs whatsoever... it was simply a label for a specific landmass; at best the word simply implied
someone associated with (or dwelling in) the geographical area the boundaries
of which were roughly covered by the SarasvatI-Sindhu Rivers and their
tributaries. [Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus.] ~ "Hindu" is simply the variant of Sindhu (the mighty
River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile -
Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Indus (River Sindhu) issues from a lion's mouth. Hence that river is called <i>Sinh ka
bab</i>. the lion's gate or mouth. ~ The once-mighty River Indus, it is said, originates from the mouth of a
lion (<i>Senge Khabab </i>or "Lion's Mouth")<i> </i>- a perennial
spring - in Tibet. (Possibly a mountain snout shaped like a lion's mouth.) Thus, it is also called <i>Sengge Tsangpo</i> or
Lion River. This river is a common lifeline, and symbolically binds the people
of more than the one nation. Few rivers in the world flow through as stunning a
landscape as the Sindhu (River Indus). It flow</span><span class="textexposedshow">s through plains, villages,
hamlets and towns, as well as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span></span> The word "Hindu" came about courtesy
the ancient Persians (another class of Aryans), who - due to a lack of
appropriate phonetics (in their language) - called the people living east of them as
"Hindu". ~ In Old Persian... the 'S' for Sindhu becomes 'H' (due to a
lack of phonetics). Therefore: the Vedic <i>Sapta Sindhavaḥ</i> or Sapta Sindhu became
<i>Hapta HAndu</i>. ~ Thus, 'Hindu' is derived from the Persian 'HAndu', which in turn
is derived from 'Sindhu'. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The people living around the River Indus, and on
the east of the River Indus (Sindhu) followed a pattern of life that was
distinct. Thus, "Hindu Dharma" is another name for "Arya
Dharma". [Arya = noble or noble-natured; based on noble values, principles, and so on. Dharma
= path or 'way of life'; Arya Dharma = a pattern of life based on noble
tenets/values/principles... that resulted and/or contributed towards the
greater good and therefore, a better society. Not that there were any dos and don'ts, <i>Aryan-ness</i> was their 'way of life'.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did "Persia" evolve from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring'
or 'nearby')? Did the ancient Indus people (Hindu people) call the people of the
first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva"? Did the ancient
Persians in turn (also) refer to the ancient Indus people and/or those living
to the east of them as "Prachya" (meaning: 'Eastern' or Eastern Country) - the Greek Praesii? ~ <i>We can only speculate. </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Bharatavarsha</span></i> means: the continent (Sanskrit: 'varsha') that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). ~ Bharatavarsha
or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land"<i>.</i> ~ However, it is unlikely that the contours of
modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet another name for ancient India is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Jambudveepa</span> or
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jambadveepa</span>. Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry. Maybe there was an abundance
of this tree (very likely a much different version of what we have now)... and
hence the name. ... Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu/Jambul/Indian
blackberry trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian
blackberry. ~ Now whether </span><span style="font-size: small;">the contours of
modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - <i>my guess is as good as yours.</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Genesis of the name
"India"</i>:</span> In ancient times, the entire Indus river system (along with its seven
tributaries - <span class="bodyarl">Sutudri or </span>Satadru<span class="bodyarl">
or SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span>AsiknI/<span class="bodyarl">C</span>handrabhaga
<span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum) </span>and the
now lost River SarasvatI) and the area it covered, was called "Sapta
Sindhu" (the Vedic <i>Sapta Sindhavaḥ</i>) i.e. the land of seven rivers
("Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in
Sanskrit). The word "Sindhu" not only referred to the river system
and adjoining area but also became the label to denote the culture that had
developed along its valleys. [<i>The "Indus Valley Civilization" should
more accurately be called the Sarasvati-Sindhu Civilization considering the
landmass where it developed</i>).] ~ Thus, courtesy the ancient Persians... to the
world beyond, the area around the Sarasvati-Sindhu rivers and its culture came
to be known as the area of "Hindus" (thus the name
"Hindustan" which literally means the <i>land of "Hindus"</i>.
(Stan = land or place in Persian. Similar to <i>Sthan</i> in Sanskrit. ~ The
similarity between "Stan" and "Sthan" is again due to <span class="textexposedshow">the<i> </i></span>ancient Avestan Persian<span class="textexposedshow">-Sanskrit connection which go back a long way.</span>) ~
This nomenclature stuck and became particularly prevalent after the arrival of
the Mughals. The Mughals (based on the earlier Persian terminology) used the
term "Hindu" to refer to the original inhabitants of the land and
this label became the way to distinguish the indigenous/ancient culture from
theirs. ~ When the Greeks first reached the river plains of the Punjab, they
borrowed the name of the region (Hindu) from the Persians and simply modified
it to "Indós". "Indós" later morphed into "Indus"
in Latin - by which name the river is still known in the West. [The ancient
Greeks referred to the ancient Indians as <i>Indói</i>, the people of the
Indus.] The Romans began to call the whole landmass after this river and thus
the name "India" came to stay ~ which has been the form used by
Europeans over the ages. ~ Thus the word "India" too is derived from the
River Indus.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Incidentally, the </span>SarasvatI is (also) called
"she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā), indicating a group of
eight rivers. ~ T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu' ("seven rivers" - </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Vedic
Sapta Sindhavaḥ</span>; </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in
Sanskrit</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bodyarl">) refers to the rivers SarasvatI, </span><span class="bodyarl">SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab),
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="bodyarl">Among these, the rivers SarasvatI and the Sindhu </span>were considered the most sacred. [Though the Vedic SarasvatI</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> is now lost, yet many believe that it still flows below the ground.] And, of all the Vedic
rivers, the Sindhu is both masculine and feminine. [A masculine river is called "Nad", a feminine one
"Nadi".] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Apart from its striking
cultural continuity with subsequent diversification, transformation, assimilation and evolution of Indian civilization, which makes up a total tapestry of (at
least) 10,000 years (~ since much of the excavation is yet to happen), the
ancient Indus people <span style="color: #4c1130;">exhibited the following traits</span>: <i>an enterprising spirit, a
knowledge-based and forward-looking culture, a remarkable adaptability to
changing conditions, a spiritual content, and, most importantly, a capacity for
a broader view, without which such a vast area could not have had such a
cultural affinity (and all-round progress and flourishing trade) free from
major hiccups</i>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> However, post the decline of the Gupta era - in the absence of
a Chakravartin (<i>do read the relevant passages on Cakravartin and 'Cakravartin
system of governance/administration'</i>) - the years were marked by a lack of
intellectual stimulation, gradual all-round stagnation... and (eventual) decay.
India lost her preeminence in all aspects and areas. Ancient India was no
longer the seat of innovation and learning. ~ Also, the feeling of oneness and
internal unity (yog/sanyog/confluence) despite the myriad diversity (gradually and steadily)
unraveled... all kinds of fissures, schisms and fault-lines
appeared/developed/came about; Arya Dharma and the social fabric woven around
it too came apart. ... In the absence of a nucleus (a shared
roadmap/framework/architecture/vision) and a guiding and binding force/factor
(a Cakravartin) - the post Gupta era India (gradually and steadily) went
adrift. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Vigjnana - in the (ancient) Indian thought/system - was never boring
or cut-and-dried narrative. For our ancients, science did not signify a
mechanistic analysis of facts, but rather a broader interpretation, a wider
perception of the universe. ~ The combination of our ancient enlightened
wisdom, guidance, philosophy, art, literature et al alongside science, math, research
and innovation... is what brought seekers of knowledge (both students and
learned persons alike) from distant lands. They went away enriched... carrying
with them a piece of ancient India. Thus, Indian thought and knowledge
illumined the minds of denizens of far-off lands. ~ It was <i>the</i> route
to/of ancient India's preeminence. It helped establish 'yoga' or 'sanjog'
(connect/confluence) - cutting across distance and diversities. As a result, trade too
flourished. While labour-intensive activities... that not only generated
employment and revenue, but also nurtured creativity (concentration and
application of mind), was aplenty. Besides, our ancient Brahmanas (learned
persons) were very welcoming of synergy-creation. Hence they (also) studied the
works of the ancient Greeks and the Romans... and then wrote and shared their
own comments, treatises and views on them. And so, there was no stagnation or
intellectual regimentation (leading to a gradual intellectual degeneration and
decay ~ a veritable 'quicksand'... emerging from which is a mammoth task.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~
<i>The decline of Takshashila marked the decline in Indian education, thought and
structure. Fewer and fewer knowledge-seekers, students and travelers made the
trip to India. ... Earlier, the world looked to India for answers, the post-Gupta
era India floundered</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess
in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of ancient
Vedic culture. ... <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved,
SarasvatI is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. [<span style="color: #4c1130;">Veda</span>
(meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda
has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means: knowledge.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span>
The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Balinese Goddess Vac</span> is associated with purification (cleansing, tidiness),
protection, offerings and communication; She is believed to be a dispeller of
negativities/negativism. Artistic renderings depict Goddess Vac as an
elegant, graceful golden-skinned woman dressed in gold (an allusion to solar
energy). *In Her secondary capacity (aspect) as a mother Goddess, She is depicted as a
cow. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Vāk or Vāc is
the Sanskrit word for "speech", "voice", "talk", or "language", from
a verbal root <i>vac</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span>-</i> "speak,
tell, utter". Personified, Vāk is a Goddess; She is also frequently identified
with Bharati or Sarasvati, the Goddess of speech. ~ <i>Devi</i>
Sarasvati is also known as Vakdevi (Goddess of speech) or Vani. She is
described in the Rig Ved as not only speech (vāk) itself, but also as
truth (satya/eternal or timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) and
perception, which allows humans to turn divine knowledge into words. Goddess
Sarasvati is worshipped by the Balinese people in Indonesia. She is a prominent figure in Buddhist
iconography as well. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Japan, Sarasvati is known by different names. She is associated with different
faculties like music, prosperity, grace/elegance, happiness,
eloquence, and wisdom and as one who confer strength on warriors (~ this form
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and Her forms are popular divinities in Japan. In one of Her form, She is an inspirer
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with a flute in her hands (reminiscent of Sri Krishn?) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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form (reminiscent of Goddess Parvati?) is worshipped by generals before going to war. ~ Therefore, can it be inferred that the so-called Indus
Valley Civilization stretched up to Bali - in the Far East? ~ <i>My guess is as
good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Indus Valley Civilization is a
misnomer; it should be called </span></i><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;">"Aryavarsha"</span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> instead (~ abode of the Aryans/Arya people;</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">the Land of the Noble Ones; Arya = noble, noble
natured, or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values</span></i><span style="color: #4c1130;">. Varsha
= </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">the continent (Sanskrit).</span> ~ Across this
wide swathe of land (much of which may have also been part of the Rama Empire), there was no cultural homogeneity or monolithicism,
whatsoever. There was a diverse mix of population too... and so, people of varied physical appearance/features peopled this civilization. And yet, an underlying
cultural affinity existed - a shared 'way of life', history, experience,
knowledge, know-how, trade, and so on. ~ <i>Thus, our unity in diversity go back a long way</i>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The emphasis has been on acceptance and assimilation, not the condescending/superiority-complex-inducing 'tolerance'.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[*The Balinese Goddess Vac, in Her secondary capacity (aspect) as a mother Goddess, is depicted as a
cow. (<i>Refer the above paragraph</i>.) | <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is Varadey Kaamarupinee
(the fulfiller of wishes) and is associated with literature, arts, crafts, music,
etc. ~ BG 10.28: || <i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i> || ~
"among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as kamadhenu ~ possibly a
metaphor for prosperity, etc.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> So, can it be inferred that <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati and Lord Krishn are one and the same? | And if so, then this <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati - the river goddess (river as well as its personification as a goddess) - is also <i>Devi</i> Parvati in another form? ~ And therefore, the other <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is a namesake? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. [A <i>stotra</i> from the Devi Mahatmyam: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Yaa Devii Sarva-Bhutessu Buddhi-Ruupenna Samsthitaa <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai
Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah</i> ||8|| ~ <span class="lnum"><i>8.1:</i></span> <span class="kword">To that Devi</span> Who in <span class="kword">All Beings</span> is <span class="kword">Abiding</span> in the <span class="kword">Form</span> of <span class="kword">Intelligence</span>, <span class="lnum"><i>8.2:</i></span> <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>, <span class="kword">Salutations to Her</span>,
<span class="kword">Salutations</span> again and again. |</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Also, who is Lord Shiva? The same as Krishn/Sarasvati/Parvati? <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Can it be that there were many Shiva(s), and this caused various narratives to confluence and merge? | ~ BG 10.23: || <i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i> || ~ "Of all the
Rudras I am Sankara" [Lord Shiva]. ~ Therefore, can it be that the Shiva who is revered and worshipped (as Sankara, Byomkesh, Rudra-Siva, Neelkanth - the allegoric 'blue-throated one' - who soaks in negativism for the good/betterment of humanity ~ to allow it to function, progress and prosper, etc) is the same entity as Krishn/Sarasvati/Parvati? Just another form? Different time? ~ And that, Parvati's consort is simply a namesake Shiva? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. (Shiva means the kindly, auspicious one; one who is eternally pure/self-realized, i.e. one who has gained the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy [Sat-cit-ānanda] of self-realization.) <i>Do also refer the passages on kundalini</i>. ~ The depiction of Shiva is probably allegorical; e.g. the tiger-skin perhaps indicates his courageous nature/valiance. Also, the Ganga cannot flow from his dredlocks (jata) - at least not literally; maybe it is a reference to Akash Ganga - the Milky Way? </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of <span style="color: #4c1130;">aryaman</span> (the noble one) or
the ganges (the name etymologically related to going) of the sky (akash-ganga). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Byomkesh: it i<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">s derived from <i>byom/vyom</i>
(sky or air) and <i>kesh</i> (hair). ~ </span>Lord Shiva received into his
dredlocks (<i>jata</i>) the Ganga - to minimize the immense impact
(devastation) of her fall. It is the (<i>metaphoric/allegoric</i>) tide/torrent of the
Ganga that Lord Shiva is supposed to have held in his <i>jata</i> (dredlocks)
and (thus) become <span style="color: #4c1130;">Byomkesh</span>. (This Ganga is a metaphor; it cannot be a reference to a river per se.) ~ Perhaps it is an allegory to indicate that his actions saved/protected humanity from great misery and/or mitigated (in force or intensity) the long-term damage. Maybe, it </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">brought about a positive change of course and lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge.] <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Also, large parts of the <span style="color: #4c1130;">'Shiv-Sati' story</span> (very likely) describes some
cosmic event; 'Shiva wandering about in the cosmos with Sati's lifeless body on
his shoulders' - is a description (in the style of story-telling)
of some cosmic event. ... Maybe pieces of meteors and/or other celestial debris
rained down on earth... and this (gradually) gave rise to our 'Shakti Peeths'.
(Though a few of the 'Shakti Peeths' probably is
in honour of some or the other great woman. Or [maybe] both. That is: Celestial debris +
a great human.) ~ The Shiva (of the 'Shiva-Sati' story) and the Shiva of 'Shiva-Parvati' story may not have been the same person. And both these Shiva(s) and the Shiva of Sankara/Rudra-Siva/Byomkesh too may not have been the same. ~ However,
with the passage of time, all the stories/narratives, etc have converged and even fused together
(perhaps due to a similarity in names). ~
Perhaps, there could be 'Asta-Matrikas' (the Eight Forms of Parvati) and other female deities; but having
multiple Shiva(s) would have been confusing; and so, when Sanaatan Dharma
assimilated temples and worship of idols (from the Greeks and perhaps even the Buddhists)... the various Shiva(s) were fused into
a single figure. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>On a separate note:</i> <span style="color: #0c343d;">It is because of these inspirational female
avatars that generations of people ~ have been relatively free from
troglodytism, vis-à-vis women</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->. Being accustomed to watching programs, listening
to and reading (from an early age) ~ stories and anecdotes of their exploits
and keerti (great and awe-inspiring deeds), besides watching/observing female
deities being prayed to, worshipped and revered... by a large number of people
(irrespective of gender and age) ~ have made it easier (for all manner of
people, especially the vast multitude... who are not quite educated or even
literate) ~ to, at least, accept women in various leadership and strategic and
tactical roles; to see women step out of their homes and go about their
business - and not find it unusual. Else, one can only wonder about the level of obscurantism
and troglodytism that these would have generated and (in turn) engulfed
Sanaatan Dharma (or even what is known as Hinduism). ~ No amount of sermons or even legislation could or would have changed
anything. [Also, mere education is no guarantee for a progressive outlook.
Cultural conditioning is much deeper than that. ~ Changing well-entrenched
perceptions, mindset, conditioning and so on is a truly herculean task.] The female avatars
(i.e. the female deities) have played myriad roles: as saviours/rescuers; as
protectors, preservers, strategists and warriors; as teachers (through their
own behaviour/acharan, or by sharing their thoughts and vision with humanity at
large); as bestowers of knowledge, wisdom, enlightenment, wealth, well-being,
prosperity and happiness, and even as diplomat (the Mohini-avatar;
though her story has largely been misinterpreted. Krishn, a male, is also known
as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of
"Mohan"... and indicates a female. Mohini means: rare, uncommon. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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avatar - and that itself is self-explanatory) ~ acquires the (metaphoric/allegoric) pot of 'ambrosia' from the malevolent entities ~ via diplomacy, and returns it to the positive
entities; thereby enabling them to regain their position/pre-eminence. Thus,
the machinations of the malevolent/negative entities came to a naught. (The positive entities of course have to perform
their collective, sustained and tangible karm-yog - to regain that
pre-eminence.) ~ <i>This tale could well be an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras</i>. | </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ BG 4.7: <i>|| yada yada hi
dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham || ~ </i>The Cosmic Entity manifests (in earthly form) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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mankind; to help and guide mankind/humanity face the challenges posed... whenever negativism become too dominant and/or when there is stagnation and a lack of a sense of
direction; or when humanity is unable to find a solution to their myriad issues
(i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges overtake and loom above the collective ability
of humanity to find an effective solution/remedy). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> However, it is unlikely that most of the female avatars would have actually worn a saree; just
as it is unlikely that most of the male avatars actually wore a dhoti. This is, therefore, a result of contemporization ~ maybe, so that people, especially the
vast multitude, could relate to and thus, establish a connect. Besides, there have
been various reform movements, apart from numerous plays, dance-dramas,
literature, verses, songs/bhajans, hymns, mantra-s, stuti-s, shloka-s,
stotra-s, picture books, painting, art, iconography and so on - dedicated to the many female deities/goddesses. And, all
these, have enabled people to watch/see (as well as hear/listen) and read ~
continuously (over generations). Thus, many positive things/aspects
vis-à-vis women have percolated. Sanaatan Dharma and/or Hinduism is much the richer for it. Else,
given our geographic size, diversity and very complex demographics, one can only wonder as to how hard it would have been and how challenging it would have been to undo
epic levels of troglodytism ~ in case it were to engulf Hinduism. That it
hasn't, and we have managed to remain relatively progressive, is courtesy the
inspirational female avatars (and other deities). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> All the avatars have an universal appeal. However, d</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">id the female deities/avatars
wade through and surmount/tackle greater odds and obstacles (compared to the male deities/avatars), besides
various barriers... on account of their gender, etc ~ given the 'societal
churn' (the intensity of which depends on the respective era/yug), apart from stereotyping,
prejudice, obscurantism and negative/regressive attitudes? Or misogyny, contempt, discrimination; maybe even envy (and all the taunt/vitriol/resentment and scorn arising out of it; perhaps some amount of
objectification too?) ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.</span> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> This should not be construed as man's world; it is simply an indication of the progressive deterioration of society (which the avatars and other greats endeavour to correct/set right/change - there's no instant solution or quick-fix, though) ~ due to negative conditioning, mindset, prejudice and so on... all of which impact the subsequent generations, and thus weave their way into + shape the societal dynamics, which in turn define the civilizational values and culture.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sanskriti (culture) is a perennial knowledge stream</span>; it can also be described as the
core/nucleus/kernel of a nation. However, culture (sanskriti) is not narrow in
its scope; it is not merely about language or cuisine, and the like. ~ Culture is
a confluence, the collective 'way of life' - a veritable kaleidoscope. ~ The
ideals of a nation/people - their adaptability to changing conditions, as well
as their capacity for a broader view - i.e. an equanimous and actively open
mind (in other words: their ability to learn and assimilate from other nations
and peoples, 'coz a rolling stone gathers no moss) is crucial. ~ A
forward-looking culture - that involves a constructive and positive way of
living can (thus) provide the foundation for cultural exchange and engagement,
exercising their own creativity by integrating intellectual virtues in the
process. ~ "<i>We must recognize that it is providential that the West has come
to India. And yet some one must show the East to the West, and convince the
West that the East has her contribution to make to the history of civilization</i>."
- said <span style="color: #4c1130;">Tagore</span> (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->one of the finest ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought to the rest of
the world.) ~ He was a passionate Indian, but his worldview transcends into universalism;
his philosophy of humanism is enriched with the tranquil touch of
internationalism ~ where one may find a unique blending of the best of the East
and that of the West. Tagore was an Indian by birth but a world citizen by his
perception. India in Tagore's vision is the pilgrimage (pilgrim centre) of
world humanity as she is the great synthesizer and unifier in the midst of
manifold differences through centuries. ... Thus, his poetry with its message
of harmony, universalism and humanism is ever relevant. And harmony, balance
and integrity are what <i>Gurudev</i> has consistently focused on... through his
considerable oeuvre. ~ A widely-traveled man... Tagore was a curious and keen
observer of socio-political life in the numerous countries he visited. He was a
citizen of the world. ~ He believed in an intellectual union of world cultures;
his vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards understanding the
dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He felt that the West should be
capable of "<i>imparting to the East what is best in herself, and of accepting in a
right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored for centuries</i>." Tagore, though
critical of the excesses and exploitation of colonial rule, did not reject
western civilization per se. <i>"... I am not for thrusting off Western
civilization and becoming segregated in our independence</i>." ~ He also
distrusted "narrow domestic walls" and hollow/cynical/specious arguments ("the
dreary desert sand of dead habit") ~ and recognized the importance of
what India could learn - from other nations/cultures/peoples – to/for her own benefit
and progress. "<i>If Providence wants England to be the channel of that
communication, of that deeper association, I am willing to accept it with all
humility. I have great faith in human nature, and I think the West will find
its true mission</i>." ~ Tagore emphasized on education - intellectual pursuits
and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning) ~ 'coz knowledge is
likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum. ... He believed that besides
moral sympathy intellectual sympathy too was very much required for the
understanding of nations, cultures and peoples that are different from one's
own. And that, an attitude of apathy and contempt founded upon national
selfishness and pride is ultimately detrimental/self-defeating; therefore, the responsibility of
a great future must be "<i>untrammelled by the grasping miserliness of a past.</i>"<i>
</i>~ He believed that all countries of the earth must be fully conscious of the
future, and that her vision must not be obscured and her faith in humanity must
be strong with the strength of youth.<i> </i>He envisioned a parallelism - the
parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and <i>this</i>
is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial.) ~ Tagore felt
it was necessary to find out something common to all peoples/culture, which will
prove their real unity (yog/sanyog/confluence), but that looking for a
mere political or commercial basis of unity is not sufficient ~ discovering the
spiritual unity is the way to go. He also advised that it is important for a
nation/people to develop herself from within, instead of merely adopting
(relying upon) Western methods; 'coz borrowing other people's history will not
be enduring. ["... </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>it does India no good to compete with Western
civilization in its own field.</i>"] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cultural homogeneity is chimeric. </span></span></span>Ancient India has always been a kaleidoscope; there
was never a homogeneous or monolithic culture (sanskriti); even languages (each language, that is) have
not been homogeneous. Sanaatan Dharma itself is the best example of unity in
diversity. ~ This egalitarianism, this pluralism, this all-encompassingness is once again reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial; this harmony and ability to assimilate diverse thoughts, aspects, viewpoints etc
has been our strength. It has been our greatest strength. And this has shaped the 'way of life'. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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"narrow domestic walls") - post the decline of the Gupta era - led us into the "dreary desert sand of dead habit"; it proved to be our
undoing; and so, a once-glorious ancient India lost her preeminence... </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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monarchies, independent kingdoms and feudatory states (that were antagonistic to each other). [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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our current ills can be blamed on it. However, throughout colonization the
majority remained an overwhelming majority, and yet... myriad internal fissures and
schism came about and increased manifold. So, does three fingers point right
back at us? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> <i>Also, from our pracheen itihasa what
we can gather is this: that the people of ancient civilizations not only possessed the most vaulting
imaginations but also extremely advanced technology - that
the modern world is as yet unaware of. ~ They had much more knowledge and sophisticated technology at
their disposal than most of us moderns (given our linear view of history) - are
willing to give them credit for</i>.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ After the decline of the Gupta era (hailed as one
of the 'Golden Age' of [ancient] India - since all-round achievements in
knowledge, research, medicine, literature, art, crafts, technical know-how, trade
et al reached its zenith) the metaphoric kali (bud/flower of Kaliyug) began to
(symbolically) wither (in the absence of a *Cakravartin/'Cakravartin system of governance/administration')... thereby gradually giving way to the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i> (euphemistically known as
the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay.) ~ This phase is characterized by <span class="ital-inline">stagnation/apathy/ennui/indifference; considerable pessimism, despondency, loss of hope, confusion, delusion, and so on hold sway; thus</span>, perception/perspective/comprehension/cognitive
abilities too get diminished/dulled, <span class="ital-inline">intellectual
capacity dims</span><span class="ital-inline">. ~
Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the time to move out of this </span>metaphoric
'quicksand'/'mud'/quagmire... onto an upward
trajectory. In other words: a complete renaissance: from the <i>lowest point</i>
(the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>, also known as the most degraded/degenerate of
all ages/eras/yugs) to the <i>best </i>of eras/ages/yugs
(Sat/Satya/Krita Yug). ... This reshaping/transformation of humanity/human society indicates a
whole new era, a new age, a renewal/rejuvenation, a new dawn - wherein humanity/human society/civilization will have to
find its rhythm - gradually, incrementally... but steadily - <span class="ital-inline">through patience and collective effort</span>. ... <span class="ital-inline">This will enable/allow it
to "heal"... so as to reinvigorate/revitalize itself sufficiently enough
to find its mojo (~ which in turn will [gradually] lead to all-round
progress and prosperity - a better human society/civilization.)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*There was a well-thought-out system of governance/administration under a Cakravartin; so (maybe) long-term thinking (culminating in organic solutions/measures - for governance challenges, etc) and prioritization... with allies/other kings/chieftains/satraps was involved... (also) resulting in some (long-term) mechanism - collective guidelines/roadmap/framework/architecture in place; the macro-picture was kept in mind. [~ 'Coz adhocism, piecemeal-ism would have resulted in a constant back-and-forth, endless changes in those guidelines/framework... culminating in stagnation, letting go of opportunities, and so forth. The history of ancient India would have been very different then.] There was no "polity-based" system, though. 'Coz ancient India (no matter by what name this land was
called) was no stranger to immense diversity (as well as very complex
demographics). However, a Cakravartin knew how to turn all of that into
strength, and therefore, an advantage. A Cakravartin-raja was (thus) a unifier, a
binding force/factor; a leader, a ruler, an administrator, a far-thinker, a teacher, a
catalyst, a reformer and a well-wisher of the people; one who could take
diversities (of all kinds) along. His empire was not a monolith, but rather a
confederation (with maximum internal autonomy). There were kings and chieftains
(janapadin<i>) </i>governing their own big and small
regions/kingdoms/territories (janapadas and mahajanapadas), and yet, they all
functioned under the all-embracing "umbrella" (and wise, far-sighted, reassuring
presence) of the Cakravartin. It was not a "polity-based" system, but
a symbiotic one, a synergy-creating one. ~ He was the proverbial banyan tree
beneath which all others sheltered. [They did not merely defend the
territories/empire from external aggression - together, but enjoyed maximum
internal autonomy as well. ~ Yet again, a win-win. In a way, we can say,
collectivism/democracy at its best... under the "wisdom tree"
(guiding spirit - Chakravartin). There was co-dependence (including economic dependence), and therefore,
co-operation and collaboration; this ensured peace; they progressed and
prospered together.] ... And, as we know, ancient India was marked by all-round
progress, prosperity and preeminence. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Ancient India (whose contours were not confined to modern India) had
a long-lived civilization and culture. Collaboration is the key to success in
any venture... and <i>this</i> explains the multifarious achievements of the
ancient Indians. ... The economy was robust and trade flourished (both overland
trade and sea-borne trade... in raw materials, manufactured goods and objects).
The wisdom behind the 'Chakravartin system of
governance/administration' is this: diverse nations/cultures/peoples were able
to celebrate and share their ideals and aspirations... leading to harmony,
wholeness and integrity. [A veritable rainbow.] As
a result: they were (largely) able to rise above their petty identities, narrow
self-interests, and prejudices/disputes; they were (thus) also able to identify
with their commonalities (~ and in the process develop some sort of cultural affinity). ~ This balanced and holistic worldview was a
prerequisite for a sustainable and resilient future. This was the big vision...
integrating the multifaceted nature of their co-existence with collaboration. ~
It needed collective effort: coexistence and cooperation. Recognizing and/or
accepting intricacies (composite culture/diversities, etc) required forbearance and
understanding. It needed<i> </i>energetic engagement with diversity - an
achievement, 'coz mere diversity without real (organic) relationship would have
yielded schisms/misunderstandings; the 'Chakravartin system of
governance/administration' (instead) sought understanding across lines of
difference, thus their ignorance of one another was minimized. They could hold
their deepest differences not in isolation, but in relationship to one another:
through constructive dialogue (both speaking and listening) and engagement,
give and take, mutual respect, and so on... and this process (very likely)
revealed both common understandings and real differences; however, given their
guiding/management principles and qualitative approach/attitude/disposition,
they could surge over or submerge these differences... leading to an organic
confederation (of composite cultures/peoples/nations) that defended together
and shared/created together. Coercion or
craftiness/cunning (as opposed to diplomacy, patience, give and take, long-term vision and
tactfulness) may not have achieved this level/quality of cohesion and endurance
between superdiversities; instead, it may have widened and/or given rise to all
manner of asymmetries and (ultimately) become a nemesis (ruinous or
self-defeating). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Post the decline of the Gupta era, the importance of prioritizing - a collective roadmap/framework </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">['Cakravartin system of governance/administration'] and a binding and guiding factor [Cakravartin] was acutely clear to one and all... when an once-prosperous ancient India rapidly crumbled into smaller and fragmented monarchies, independent
kingdoms and feudatory states. (~ Gradually... the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>, euphemistically known as the 'Iron Age' of ignorance/stagnation/decay set in.)</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In ancient India (which may not have been confined to the
contours of modern India), the 'Cakravartin system of governance/administration' pretty much held
good (~ until the decline of the Gupta period, that is). Thereafter, there was lack of wisdom, sagacity, long-term vision, foresight, and so forth; collective myopia precipitated the decline of ancient
India. ~ Therefore,
the earlier Cakravartins (very likely) also concentrated (i.e. invested time
and effort) in building a framework/architecture/roadmap - through consensus.
And, perhaps, this architecture/roadmap was not tied to them (meaning, it was
irrespective of any personality, etc). Maybe, it was based on a
comprehensive and long-term understanding of issues, events (and the like), besides, on the
future needs of the various lands/regions and peoples (that came under the all-embracing/encompassing "umbrella" of the Cakravartin). Therefore, even when there were some
hiccups... the consensus-based framework/guidelines/roadmap/architecture generally held good. ~ Maybe, such a broad-based/consensus-based framework/architecture/roadmap/system was
required to manage/govern diverse cultures and peoples, with relative seamlessness. Maybe, it (also) aided in a relatively
smooth change of guard/transfer of power/succession/transition (in any part of
the empire)... and (thus) ensured continuity and peace with minimal turbulence.
Also, each emperor/ruler/king/chieftain may not have possessed the same caliber
and stature as the one preceding them. So (perhaps) having a
consensus-based framework/architecture/roadmap/system made sense. ~ It
(probably also) helped to unify while maintaining the cultural diversities et
al. ... And this (perhaps) also enabled the Cakravartin to concentrate (invest
time, energy and effort) on other important aspects, such as
all-round progress, trade, innovation, and so on... instead of having to
firefight all the time or expend all his time and energies in
dispute-resolution/crisis-management.<span style="color: #660000;"> |</span> Sri
Ram was a fine Chakravartin (~ though his empire was not confined to the contours of modern India). Sri Krishn too, despite
not being a samraat
(emperor) himself, was a fine Chakravartin, given his actions, wisdom, foresight and guidance/counsel.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Another etymology (for
"<span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>") from Sanskrit is 'white horse';
meaning: <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> is the 'white horse'; maybe: someone
with equine features. ~ The 'white' horse allegory: probably signifies
Puṇḍarīka, <span class="med1">Svetakamala or Shubhra Kamal - the metaphoric
"pure white lotus". Pure white indicates pristine, embodiment of pure
knowledge: kundalini power. It also signifies tranquility. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ... Krishn is also
known as </span><i>keshavah</i>: one who is himself the three: <i>kah</i>
Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva; in other words:
Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. [<i>~ Do refer to the relevant passages on Keshavah</i>.] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Brahma, 'coz He is universal Brahmn/Universal Consciousness; He is also Prapitaamahah: The creator of
Lord Brahma (father of the 'father of beings'/thus Lord Brahma is also known as Pitamah), it is He who instructs Lord
Brahma. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(The 10th Vishnu is the avatar for the
coming age or Yug, and is synonymous with Krishna. Maybe that's why this avatar is regarded as the second coming of Krishna.) </span>~ The 10th Vishnu is also regarded as 'Sampoorna Avatar' (a total,
complete, all-encompassing avatar; now whether it means that glimpses of all avatars can be seen in this avatar or not? ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.) ... As for whether this avatar will also be
(e.g.) Lord Maitreya Buddha (the next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Sakyamuni
Buddha), Saoshyant of the Zoroastrians, <span class="blue">the second coming of
Christ, and so on ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(~ Also, given the Shambhala connection - since
both are said to be the ruler/king of the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala - whether </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> Maitreya and/or
Maitreya Buddha will also be Shambhu Nath or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as
yours</i>.) [... However, if at all
this were to be an </span>all-encompassing avatar, it will not only be
unprecedented, but none other than Krishn can manifest such an avatar.] (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maitreya - Pāli:
mettā, Sanskrit: maitrī/maitree - means: 'One whose name is kindness or
friendliness'. Maitreya could also mean, 'One who brings about maitrī'. A more
fluent translation of Metteya in English would be "friend" - since
maitrī (Pāli: mettā) is in turn derived from the noun mitra (Pāli: mitta) which
means "friend". Buddha is derived from the root "Budh",
meaning both to "wake up" and "to know". Thus, Buddha = One
who is Enlightened or "Awakened".) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ <span class="blue">The 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu </span><span class="ital-inline">(Vishnu-Kalki
or Krishna-Kalki) is the Renaissance Man/Yug Purush who will </span>#1. set the stage <span class="blue">for Sat/Satya/Krita Yug ('Golden Age' - the age of rejuvenation, prosperity and progress) of the next cycle/Maha-Yug to manifest; </span><span class="ital-inline">#2. he will also provide the guidance for this </span><i>inter-mahayug</i>
transition (from the 'Iron Age'<i>/lowest point</i>/worst of Kaliyug to the <i>best</i> era/yug of all - the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug). #3. A<span class="ital-inline">
preserver and stabilizing entity, he will be amongst humanity to prevent
calamity/turmoil/destruction ('Pralaya' on earth); #4. to 'close' Kaliyug + the
current Maha-Yug (four-yug cycle); to provide guidance and set the stage for a complete (though gradual) renaissance/renewal.</span> <span style="color: #660000;">| </span>... <span class="ital-inline">The
Kalki-avatar (Krishna-Kalki) is not quite the "Apocalyptic Horse Rider".</span>
<span class="ital-inline">~ He is a guide/pathfinder as well as protector and
preserver/stabilizinger: one who will arrive to prevent </span>Pralaya (on earth). ~ However, one wonders what the confusion and
concern over the Mayan calendar - supposedly predicting the 'end of the world'
(on December 21, 2012) was all about? Was it misunderstood or <i>misinterpreted</i>?
Did the Mayans actually predict apocalypse/'end of the world'? Or, did they
indicate the sun changing direction? Or was it indicative of the 'closure' of a yug (as they saw
it)... and the subsequent transition into another... (and therefore), an
opportunity to connect to greater wisdom and light?
~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. (Maybe, a deeper study of their
literature will throw more light. ~ If only the script/glyphs of various
extinct civilizations could be deciphered...) [<i>Do read: <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/shubho-janmashtami.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b>
- for more details on Shambhala, etc.</i>]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Umm, did the Mayan Calendar indicate the closure
of a cycle of time [yug - as they saw it; <i>but then, did the later
translators misinterpret it</i>?] ~ Was it also indicative of
the Galactic Alignment (~ the transition in to a whole new Yug - a Maha-Yug as
per Sanaatan Dharmic thought; ~ not to a sudden total
change/transformation/self enlightenment/self realization of the human species in totality... but
to a gradual, incremental, slow but steady finding of its rhythm - <span class="ital-inline">through patience and collective effort... for a prosperous, progressive and inclusive society</span>? ~ In other
words: The [gradual] evolution/awakening/upgrade of human consciousness. The
gradual awakening of the Chakras and kundalini, leading to the awakening of the
Sahasrara - the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra, the crown chakra (the highest chakra). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Here is Tagore's <i>Aloker ei jharna dharaye dhuiye dao:</i> <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ZnbfFzhf0"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Satyajit Ray's documentary on Tagore (~ t</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">he Biswa-kabi/Universal Bard is the first-ever Asian to be awarded with the Nobel Prize): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPqQ7-XuLeA"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b><span style="color: #a64d79;">.]</span></span></a></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.............................................................................. </span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Nishkama</i> <i>karma</i></span> (selfless/non-glory-seeking karma) is the dynamic power of duty (i.e. dharma/right action - for the greater good - a better/progressive society/civilization) exalted
by (the dharmic freedom of) inner detachment. ~ It is freedom <i>in</i>
action, not freedom <i>from</i> action. As such, it is an expression of deepest
dharma (dharmic consciousness). It is a Cause far greater than the individual selves. It is one of Life. It is one of Right (dharma/ right action - for the greater good</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">) and
Truth - of our fundamental being. It is through disciplined karm that the
individual comes to realize his or her true nature as well as his or her true
purpose. [~ In other words: only by performing good deeds
indefinitely/continuously, sakama (selfish, glory-seeking) karm gets
transformed into nishkam (selfless/non-glory-seeking) karm.] ... It is then
that one transcends the dualism of hope and despondency, gain and loss, joy and
sorrow, hate and personal desire. It is then that one becomes a Siddha - a pure/perfect being - one's heart becomes larger
than the universe itself (i.e. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sat-cit-ānanda or the eternal bliss/spiritual
ecstasy of self-realization.) ~ Wisdom is firmly set. Material desire (for praise,
glory or thoughts of achieving 'eternal life' or moksha etc) is replaced by the
desire of the soul and the realization of this inner self (self-realization) - one's <i>true</i> being - as part of a greater
Whole, which is the proper goal of all one's striving. Those who are endowed with the knowledge of <i>selfless </i><i>(non-glory-seeking) action</i> renouncing all motives of
personal glory etc - perform their actions
(duty/karm)
without attachment to their consequences (fruits). They are not carried away by
success or depressed by lack of quick results, but enjoy mental equanimity.
Nothing can affect their resolve. Thus, they have achieved sovereign control of
the mind and through it that inner <i>freedom</i>
(dharmic freedom of inner detachment), which provides for unity </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(yog/sanyog) </span></span></span>of thought, word and
deed - which is the hallmark of
Aryan consciousness ('Arya Dharma'). <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The advantage that flows
from the performance of <i>selfless action</i> may be summarized quite briefly. The imperative of dharma as detached (inner detachment, freedom from attachment) duty now
reveals its own intrinsic values of dignity, purity and sublimity. It must be
emphasized that <i>selfless (non-glory-seeking) action</i> does not suggest unconcern for a given
goal or purpose. Indeed, implicit in the very concept is the idea of a <i>cause</i>,
or purpose, beyond the interests of the individual (a cause much higher than
oneself - for the greater good/Loka Kalyana or Loka-sangraha), which provides
the necessary field for action. And there can be no higher cause than Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha (the greater good - to build a better society and
civilization).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ To work for a greater cause (e.g. for a better/progressive, prosperous and inclusive society and civilization), but to work in detachment (i.e. with inner detachment - with the dharmic freedom it bestows - symbolized by
the lotus in muddy water and the hamsah/swan in water; not to be inferred as robotic or machine-like but that impediments should not deject or demoralize). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[The roots of a lotus are <span class="ilad">in the
mud (muddy water)</span>, <span class="ilad">the stem</span> grows up through the
water, and the heavily <span class="ilad">scented</span> flower lies pristine
above the water. ~ The lotus remains Nirmal - pristine, even
though rooted in the muddiest waters. ~ While t<span class="st">he swan's
feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water. ~ </span>It
is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). T</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">he spirit of such persons is spotless. Therefore, the concept of caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or "lotus feet" and kara-puṣkara
or "lotus-palm" has come about. ~ <span class="st">The
lotus flower and the swan/hamsah are (thus) embodiments of inner detachment (~
the dharmic freedom it bestows) and exemplify a true yogi - a real ascetic
(hamsan) or </span>sanyaasi (inner detachment/jeevan mukt - it does not
indicate renunciation). ~ Such a one is<span class="st"> a <i>nishkam karm-yogi</i>.] </span><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> To not feel upset if unsuccessful (i.e. if instant
results are not achieved); to not feel pride if successful. To be
indifferent/stoic to disparagement. To not feel exalted by praise. Instead, to feel indifferent.
To cultivate equanimity and equipoise. That is intrinsic to karm yog. ~ Struggle
(continuous effort) does not necessarily guarantee (instant) success; but
without it, no positive change is possible. And the call to struggle is called
- <i>duty</i>. The higher cause (for Loka Kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the
greater good) and the struggle (continuous effort) alone should inspire the thoughts and actions. The struggle, however, is one of <i>protraction -</i>
extending over decades and generations. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It also involves course correction, including resetting/redirection
of humanity/society's inner compass.] It cannot be sustained by ephemeral
passions or the whims of the moment, but only by focused and
unrelenting resolve which is unaffected by the vagaries of success and
setback. Therefore, it is important to cultivate the yoga of struggle (that of equanimity and equipoise). ~ BG 2.15: || <i>yam hi na vyathayanty
ete purusam purusarsabha sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram so 'mrtatvaya kalpate</i> ||
~ "O noble one [Arjun], that person of wise judgment equipoise in
happiness and distress, and is steady in both, is certainly eligible for
'eternal life' (immortality/mrityunjay - due to their karm)." <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Through the practice of selfless
action, one achieves equanimity and <i>efficiency</i>. It is this efficiency of
all those working in concert for the common cause which is the prerequisite for
positive societal change. By choosing to become instruments of this higher
cause (i.e. for Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater
good) and struggle (continuous effort) ~ one becomes part of a higher destiny.
Therefore, (Krishn's advise is): do your duty. Let your life become one with
the Cause of the greater whole. That, and that alone. [~ That is nishkam (selfless/non-glory-seeking) karm and karm yog.] ~ If everyone concerned were to embrace the higher cause (leading to
the greater good - a better society/world/civilization) and act upon it with
dedication and consistency, the struggle (continuous effort) could certainly be
mastered, no matter the odds. It requires staying-power (dharmic stamina and
steadfastness). One cannot grow weary and give up, without committing
themselves unreservedly to the struggle (i.e. to continuous effort for the higher cause - leading to the greater good: Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha). Instead of
being active participants in their own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers
and spectators. The higher Cause is impossible and hopeless for the weak-minded
(in his or her own <i>subjective</i> judgment); it is not objectively hopeless
or impossible for those worthy of it. For the former, this unimpressive attitude is the
(result of) expectation of quick, easy, effortless results. If a certain
outcome is not realized within a set period of time, they tend to despair, and
(therefore) give up... and the whole enterprise is (thus) abandoned. ~ Ironically, it is this very focus on fixed (quick/instant, tangible) results, rather than on fulfillment
of duty (steadfast karm/effort with inner detachment – for the greater good), which obscures the
vision and blinds one to those possibilities which might otherwise open up as a
<i>by-product</i> of correct thinking and acting, and thus lead to that very
change they all seek. Amidst all the talk of the need for positive change, this fixation on (instant) outcome quickly leads to frustration and
despair when success is not easily and readily achieved. But this attitude -
this mental posture - is wrong and self-defeating. It is therefore prudent to
shun such an attitude/outlook, and <i>detach</i> oneself. [i.e. to cultivate
equanimity and equipoise - for inner detachment
and the dharmic freedom it bestows. ~ This would give freedom <i>in</i>
action, not freedom <i>from</i> action.] ~ The ancient Aryans (noble-minded or noble-natured people) called it <i>nishkâma</i> <i>karma</i>
- action without attachment (to karmphal/outcome), action without personal
desire (for quick/instant results or for personal glory). It is
selfless endeavor, efficient (and continuous) action without fear or doubt, and
may be defined as the performance of one's duty without desire for the fruits
of one's action(s). [~ Here there is no regard for personal glory of any kind.
One might say that it is simply a matter of doing the dharmic thing (for a
better society/civilization - the greater/collective
good) -
<i>not</i> for the results or outcome, <i>not</i> out of desire for personal
glory or praise. Nothing more, nothing less.] ... Put another way, <i>selfless
action</i> (nishkam karm) is disciplined action directed toward a goal greater than one's own
personal whims and interests; a higher cause - for the greater good (Loka
Kalyana or Loka-sangraha). It is about becoming part of a higher destiny. The person of action (karm yogi - one who walks the talk) does not withdraw and
turn inward, but cheerfully embraces struggle and toil as the ideal in life. [And so, Shri Ram is known as 'Adarsh/Ideal Purush'; he accepted continuous struggle and toil as being intrinsic to bringing about positive societal change; change in firmly held/ingrained mindset, viewpoints, conditioning, perceptions and so on.] For a karm yogi, selflessness consists of the renunciation of
personal desire (a carefree life, personal
glory, praise, etc),
<i>not</i> of action itself. Restraint and discipline of the senses (i.e. inner detachment [Jeevan Mukt] and the dharmic freedom it bestows) must, accordingly, not be
seen as selfish ends in themselves, enabling one to escape from the rigours of
life. Rather - along with action (steadfast
karm-yog) itself
- they are to be considered a <i>means</i> by which one is able to discharge
one's duty in the service of a higher cause (Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater/collective good, e.g. a
progressive, prosperous and inclusive society). ~ Such a one is a <i>karm-yogi </i>- hamsan; such a yogi is called <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>hamsah - the swan</i></span>. (<i>~ Do also read the relevant passages on hamsah -
the swan</i>.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">..........................................................................</span> </span></span></span><span class="usercontent"><i><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">What does the
joining of the palms indicate?</span> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The gesture used when bowing in <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Namaste</i></span> is
the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person -
usually at the chest, or a higher level such as below the chin, below the nose,
or above the head.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ This gesture is a <i>mudra</i>, a well-recognized
<i>symbolic hand position</i> in the ancient Vedic faith (Sanaatan Dharma). One hand represents the higher, spiritual
nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the
person making the gesture is attempting to rise above his or her differences with
others, to connect him or herself to the person they bow to. The bow is a symbolic
bow of love and respect. [Sanaatan = timeless, eternal. Dharma = path or 'way of life'.] </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Particularly
in the Sanaatan Dharma, when one
worships or bows in reverence, the symbolism of the two palms touching is of
great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities - the feet of
the Divine, with the head of the devotee. The right palm denotes the feet of
the Divine and the left palm denotes the head of the devotee. The Divine feet
constitute the ultimate solace for all sorrows. ~ This is a time-honoured thought
that runs through the entire ethos - of this timeless Vedic faith.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-46601016115259552132013-12-14T18:50:00.000+05:302013-12-14T19:06:15.420+05:30The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"But
man is not made for defeat," </i>he said<i>. "A man can be destroyed but not defeated." </i>- Ernest Hemingway, <i>The Old Man and the Sea.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Great
quote.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Born (to Clarence and Grace Hemingway) on July 21, 1899,
in Cicero (now in Oak Park), Illinois, Ernest Miller Hemingway served in World
War I and worked in journalism before publishing his story collection <i>In Our
Time</i>. He was renowned for novels like <i>The Sun Also Rises</i>, <i>A
Farewell to Arms</i>, <i>For Whom the Bell Tolls </i>(nominated for the
Pulitzer Prize), and <i>The Old Man and the Sea</i>, which won the 1953
Pulitzer. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Clarence and Grace Hemingway raised their son in this
conservative suburb of Chicago, but the family also spent a great deal of time
in northern Michigan, where they had a cabin. It was there that Hemingway
learned to hunt, fish and appreciate the outdoors. In high school, Hemingway
worked on his school newspaper, <i>Trapeze and Tabula</i>, writing primarily
about sports. Immediately after graduation, the budding journalist went to work
for the <i>Kansas City Star</i>, gaining experience that would later influence
his distinctively stripped-down prose style. ~ While working as a foreign
correspondent for the <i>Star</i>, Hemingway made the acquaintance of many of
the great writers and artists of his generation, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra
Pound, Pablo Picasso and James Joyce.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hemingway's first novel, <i>The Sun Also Rises</i> (1926)
is widely considered his greatest work, artfully examining the postwar
disillusionment of his generation. ~ His celebrated World War I novel<i> A
Farewell to Arms</i> (1929), secured his lasting place in the literary canon. ...
When he wasn't writing, Hemingway spent much of the 1930s chasing adventure:
big-game hunting in Africa, bullfighting in Spain, deep-sea fishing in Florida.
In 1951, Hemingway wrote <i>The Old Man and the Sea</i>, which would become
perhaps his most famous book, finally winning him the Pulitzer Prize he had
long been denied.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1954, Hemingway won the Nobel Prize (in Literature) <i>"for
his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in The Old Man
and the Sea, and for the influence that he has exerted on contemporary
style"</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u><i>The Old Man and the Sea</i> & my twopenceworth</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>Among
Hemingway's later works, the most outstanding is (perhaps) this short novel, <i>The
Old Man and the Sea - </i>the story of a Cuban fisherman who refuses to be
defeated by nature. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the
Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. In the
first forty days a boy had been with him. But after forty days without a fish
the boy's parents had told him that the old man was now definitely and finally
salao, which is the worst form of unlucky, and the boy had gone at their orders
in another boat which caught three good fish the first week. It made the boy
sad to see the old man come in each day with his skiff empty and he always went
down to help him carry either the coiled lines or the gaff and harpoon and the
sail that was furled around the mast. The sail was patched with flour sacks
and, furled, it looked like the flag of permanent defeat."</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though
a slim volume, do not expect it to be a breezy read. Reading a classic requires
lot of patience; this novella (Hemingway's last major work of fiction and
published in his lifetime) packs in a lot... while meticulously chronicling the
story of an old fisherman's journey - his long and lonely struggle with a giant
Marlin and the sea, and his victory in defeat. [~ Hemingway said, "I was
trying to show the experience of the fisherman so exactly and directly that it
became part of the reader's experience."]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>The Old Man and the Sea</i></span><span class="readable"> is in many
ways a deceptively simple tale (especially given Hemingway's use of sparse,
straight-forward prose). Santiago, the old Cuban fisherman, has had a
significant run of bad luck (i.e., 84 days </span><i>without taking a fish</i><span class="readable">). </span><i>"Everything about him was old
except his eyes and they were the same colour as the sea and were cheerful and
undefeated."</i><span class="readable"> Attempting to change his luck, he decides to take his
skiff further out than he has ever gone before, "</span><i>beyond all the people of the
world.</i><span class="readable">" Eventually, he lands the largest Marlin he's ever
seen and the bulk of the narrative details his epic struggle to reel in the
fish and get it back to shore. </span><i>“The fish is my friend too...I have never seen or heard of
such a fish.”</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"He rested sitting on the un-stepped mast and sail and
tried not to think but only to endure."</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I
would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready."</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">... It takes some getting used to - in order to feel a
connection to the story and/or be moved by the restrained power of the
narrative. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Despite the many hardships and struggles that Santiago
faces, or the epic battles he endures on the open sea (what with the elements,
sharks and so on), one does not feel sorry for him. One does not pity him. ~ He
is simply doing what he loves to do, it gave him purpose and fulfillment in
life: struggling with an iron will to accomplish his goal. </span><i>"I may not be as strong as I think,
but I know many tricks and I have resolution."</i>
<span class="readable">The struggle is long, hard and difficult... but the
reader only feels a great deal of admiration for Santiago. He is thin and
gaunt. He lay cramping himself against the line with all of his body. The rope cuts
his hands. His muscles strain. He talks to himself. He has no food or water.
And yet he does not give up. He never loses</span> hope or
faith in himself.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"And
what beat you, he thought. 'Nothing,' he said aloud. 'I went out too
far.'" </i></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
<h1 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the
journey that matters, in the end." - Ernest Hemingway.</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></span></span></span></h1>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">The author's writing style coupled with spare dialogue and
sparse simple prose can make this one a somewhat difficult-to-comprehend read:
one that </span></i><span class="readable">may not quite stir much within every reader. (~ So you
will have to read and decide for yourself.)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">However, this story can also mirror </span></i><span class="readable">man's
struggle with challenges (including old age and fading memory), and his
indomitable will to win - with resoluteness or pride, no matter the odds. ~ To
not be defeated. Come what may. </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">There's also reminiscing of/for youth and vitality. ~ </span>Santiago
is mentor and old age; Manolin, the boy, is pupil and youth. He loves and cares
for Santiago. In him, the old man wishes to entrust his skill as a fisherman, and
his memory.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Maybe
the story in a way (metaphorically) also chronicles </span>Hemingway's
own struggle with depression and numerous conditions and ailments... that slowly
but surely sapped his burly body and mind - even at the peak of his literary
career. ["</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most
people were heartless about turtles because a turtle's heart will beat for
hours after it has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought, I have
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Hemingway, <i>The
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
never knows.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Santiago survives on a bottle of water and on (raw) dolphin
fillets and a couple of flying fish (and eventually some of the marlin's flesh
to sustain himself)... but ultimately succeeds in hauling the giant Marlin to
shore to the collective wide-eyed admiration and awe - of tourists and
fishermen alike. Upon his return (to his shack) delirious and exhausted,
Santiago dreams of his youth - of lions on an African beach. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though the great fish is now merely an 18-feet-long skeleton,
its flesh eaten away by mako sharks, it is nevertheless a prized catch if there
was one. It is the stuff legends are made of; it is (after all) the largest fish
the villagers have ever known to come out of the Gulf Stream. It is to become a
mute (yet permanent) testimony to Santiago's greatness. <i>"There has never
been such a fish."</i> ~ It represents and brings Santiago the intangibles he
craves... to give his existence meaning and dignity. It represents perseverance,
hard work and also highlights the indomitable nature of the human spirit. ~ The
boy, Manolin, too returns, eager to fish together, convinced he has much to
learn. He no longer cares about <i>luck</i> anymore, or what his family might say. He
professes his faith in Santiago (the old man) and everything he represents. ... And,
when Manolin accepts the (marlin's) spear, he truly becomes his legatee; he accepts
for all time everything that Santiago wishes to bequeath him.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Does it also symbolize Hemingway's last hurrah amidst his battle
with deteriorating mental and physical health? ~ <i>Well, my guess is as good
as yours</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book feels good to hold; hardly any editing errors - and
that adds to the reading pleasure. The jacket cover is eye-catching; appropriate
but could have been better. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span class="readable">Hemingway, known for his brevity and predilection for
understatement, had a unique style. Here are a couple of his quotes:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>1.</i></span> "Never
confuse movement with action."</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>2.</i></span> "Write
drunk, edit sober." </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Succinct, right?!</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Old Man and the
Sea</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;">/
Author: Ernest Hemingway/ Publisher: Arrow Books, an imprint of Random House
India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date: September 2013/
Genre: Fiction/ ISBN-10: 978-0-09-990840-1/ ISBN-13: 9780099908401/ Pages: 99/
Price: INR 110.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket
cover of <i>The Old Man and the Sea</i><i>.</i> Courtesy: <a href="http://www.randomhouse.co.in/BookDetails.aspx?BookId=qvcUIONQCyQ%3d"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-50911574495453845552013-11-18T15:49:00.001+05:302013-12-04T08:55:41.170+05:30Ghanta College: The Art of Topping College Life by Clyde D'Souza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VUo5sDR-KyHZ5kBFcb7iecnzypH4xCGHGrVlN4a7t1n93zU-m0ng49f9B9NTDNnS3pQfMtTIfUUSIOWWqhKWuxghwTrIzWVPQxd8fwFgHYH4O9GakSfg2e1r52j-f-l_bst0z4Qgq-o/s1600/Ghanta+College+-+Jacket+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VUo5sDR-KyHZ5kBFcb7iecnzypH4xCGHGrVlN4a7t1n93zU-m0ng49f9B9NTDNnS3pQfMtTIfUUSIOWWqhKWuxghwTrIzWVPQxd8fwFgHYH4O9GakSfg2e1r52j-f-l_bst0z4Qgq-o/s1600/Ghanta+College+-+Jacket+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>Ghanta
College: The Art of Topping College Life</i></b></span> is (author) <a href="http://clydoscope.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">Clyde
D'Souza</span></a>'s (somewhat cumourously-titled, that's a portmanteau made from 'curious' and 'humourous') second
offering. It's not a book of short stories; it's not a novel or novella either.
Its 'humour' and non-fiction, though the eye-catching book jacket cover somewhat
flatters to deceive. ~ Some writers seem to achieve an effortless humour.
But then, humour is very difficult to get right, and it is almost impossible to
define what makes something "funny", particularly in books. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Book blurb</u></b><u></u>:</span> '...<i> For
the first time in India comes a non-pakao book that gives students straight
answers to nervous questions. ... The ultimate college guide as you go from
nervous fresher to confident graduate. With true college stories from
celebrities and gyan in the form of Professor's Tips, Topper's Secrets, and
Nerd's Warnings, if there’s any book you even pretend to read during college,
make it Ghanta College.' </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>About
the book (along with my twopenceworth)</u></b><b>:</b></span> The author has given some tips on how to have fun in college and
manage the academics. There are some quick solutions (or even consolation, and some
purportedly entertaining snippets) on how one should spend the last few days in
school, besides some tips on how to go about choosing the right college, being
cool, hostel life, and so on. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Umm, did I
say <i>some purportedly entertaining snippets</i>? ... Well, make that some (purportedly)
quick solutions or even consolation. That's because D'Souza has tried too
hard - to be humourous, funny and cool. He has tried his bestest to make it all
seem full of wit and wisdom... the sort that tickles the funny bone and bring a
smile to your face, or will have you laughing out loud. ~ The end result is
somewhat underwhelming (though there are some bits of spontaneous fun and humour.)
However, it could have been a quick and informal read, an unboring
read (though, without any take-away or lasting effect) - if only it had been more free-flowing
and compact, and paired with inventive situations. That way it would have capitalized
on a promising premise, instead of being tripped up by (a somewhat) poor/tepid execution.
Having said that, it could still work for you... but for that you will have to read the book to find out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ghanta
College has 11 chapters: Leaving School; Choosing a College;
Fresher Year; Academics; Being Cool; Dating & Relationships; Parties &
Dancing; Hostel Life; Internet & Mobile; Alcohol & Drugs, and Beyond
College. ~ They cover topics like: The Last Day in School; Bluffmaster Guide on
Board Exams; Types of College; The Classroom Map; Student Stereotypes; Time
Table vs Timepass Table; Bluffmaster Guide to Classroom; Canteen Behaviour;
Bluffmaster Guide on Bunking; Extra-curricular Activities; The Party Guide;
Typical Roomies; Hostel Food; Dropping Out, and so on.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Guest
Lecturers are: TV personality <b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Rajiv
Lakshman</span></i></b>, Singer <b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ramona
Arena</span></i></b>, Author <b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Vrushali
Telang, </span></i></b>IIT dude <b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gaurav
Sahni</span></i></b> and Stand Up Comedian <b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chris Lazarus</span></i></b>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is
an excerpt from 'Types of College':</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'K-JO College: This is the kind of college you dream of
securing admission to - a place where the college building looks like it's been
licked everyday by the Principal himself. The students can easily pass off as
actors and have equally befitting surnames like Kapoor and Khan. Everyone
drives a fancy car to college and there's always one poor kid (how did he get
there, I wonder?) madly in love with a rich guy's daughter.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Three
Idiots College: This type of college is marked by hardcore studying, corridors
filled with bespectacled geeks on the verge of a new invention, and most
importantly, NO GIRLS.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Emraan Hashmi College: You could refer to this kind as
the Madhur Bhandarkar College. Everyone looks normal, like they actually travel
by train, have pimples, and look as ordinary and real as...well...Emraan.'</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.................................</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the
issue of <i>dropping out</i>, however, D'Souza rightly points out that
famous dropouts (like Mark Zuckerberg) did not get bitten by the
genius bug one night, got up the next morning and created Facebook. ~ That in
truth these guys were already ahead of the curve and possibly found formal
education a little too slow for them. And that: even if they were out of the
system they spent much of time poring over textbooks - teaching themselves
without the help of professors and help from fellow students. ~ That takes a
lot of motivation, a cool intellect and single-minded ambition. Bottomline: They did not 'drop out' to escape
studying.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Rating</u></b><b>:</b></span> I am going with a 2/5 for Clyde D'Souza's
latest. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There aren't too many editing errors. But it could have been a sparkling (time-pass) read or (at
least) a good time-pass read... full of fun and wit, instead of a convoluted and
laboured one - if only the author had been less conscious about making it <i>humourous</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Ghanta College: The Art of Topping
College Life</i>/ Author: Clyde D'Souza/ Publisher: Ebury Press, an imprint of
Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date:
September 2013/ Genre: Humour; Non-Fiction/ ISBN-10: 8184003765/ ISBN-13:
9788184003765/ Pages: 264/ Price: INR 199.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>Ghanta College: The Art of Topping College Life.</i> Courtesy: <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/ghanta-college-art-topping-life/p/itmdnsgpcdzwaqcs?pid=9788184003765&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=ghanta+college&ref=87c4a9bb-3243-4582-806c-8249b42715e1"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-56884893089263835112013-10-22T21:38:00.001+05:302013-10-23T21:20:33.263+05:30Happy Birthday! by Meghna Pant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrk17d63ekdsLqjsdeW1xtG7JRaorPiG6NEZHhujfi6eoIGWcV8PDIa1_rg9w4pzREdjGr_BqsNCKTHeJH7IZ-ltTiKKWVMDnxiJRiyRzGJcUmgPRpOj8shmSV_i7c_KR9pM-3u8QHUE/s1600/Happy+Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrk17d63ekdsLqjsdeW1xtG7JRaorPiG6NEZHhujfi6eoIGWcV8PDIa1_rg9w4pzREdjGr_BqsNCKTHeJH7IZ-ltTiKKWVMDnxiJRiyRzGJcUmgPRpOj8shmSV_i7c_KR9pM-3u8QHUE/s1600/Happy+Birthday.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
</h6>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">A f</span></i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">inancial journalist with NDTV Profit and </span></b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bloomberg-UTV</span></span><b>,</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.meghnapant.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">Meghna Pant</span></a></span></i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> inhabits two worlds: the quantitative world of finance and
the creative world of storytelling. </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">She has
reported from the New York Stock Exchange</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">and has met and interviewed a
galaxy of personalities representing politics, business and entertainment.</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Happy
Birthday!</i> (July 2013, Random House India) is her second offering in as
many years. <i>One & A Half Wife</i> (May 2012, Westland) - Meghna's bestselling debut novel - was shortlisted for a
clutch of awards, including the <i>Amazon</i> Breakthrough Novel Award and the <i>Cinnamon
Press</i> Novel Writing Award. It received critical and commercial acclaim,
and went into multiple reprints. And thereupon began her writerly journey...</span></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="readable"><u>About
the book</u></span><span class="readable">:</span></span><span class="readable"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Happy Birthday! is a celebration
of the complex, mysterious inner lives of our fellow human beings, by the
award-winning novelist Meghna Pant. A dedicated friend undertakes one last labour of love for a
childless woman. Nadia - married into money - finds herself facing
uncomfortable truths about her comfortably numb marriage. A retired civil servant of modest means
struggles to support his snooty foreign-returned daughter. And so on...</span></i></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Meghna Pant's knife-sharp stories are compelling,
emotionally intelligent and provide a rare glimpse into the strange workings of
the human heart. They evade neat categorization, and are the perfect read for
all curious spirits.'</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>My
twopenceworth</u>:</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The jacket cover is tastefully
done; it exudes joy and serenity. However, the title is misleading - perhaps deliberately
so, and each balloon (on the cover) contains a story vignette. <i>Happy
Birthday! And Other Stories</i> is a collection of thirteen many-flavoured and thought-provoking
tales that make for a compelling read. Of myriads of layers... they are akin to peeling
shallots; each tale is a slice-of-life; realties we see around us, realities we
do not pay much attention to... realities we'd rather ignore. And forget. The
stories are not interconnected, but unlike random brushstrokes on a canvas or
<span class="readable">a series of linked vignettes...</span> they resemble a multi-hued
kaleidoscope. Impactful, the stories are sure to leave their imprint on the
readers and stay with them for a long time. '<span class="apple-style-span">The Gecko on the Wall' and 'Clip and Cane' are a tad
predictable, while 'Friends' and 'Happy Birthday' (the title story) is not all
that novel... though you'd still want to read them. The pages turn easily... but
none of the stories make for a breezy read. And so, one can only put <i>this</i> down
to a.) their content and b.) Meghna's simple-yet-powerful writing style. However,
'</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Gola Master',</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 'Lemon and Chilli' and '</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hoopsters' are quite well-crafted; they bring forth a multitude
of emotions in the reader: </span><span class="readable"><span style="font-weight: normal;">sometimes
funny-yet-moving, at other times heartbreaking-but-never-sentimental.</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;">'Shoulder Blades' is somewhat underdone (or
maybe overdone - can't quite make up my mind). Perhaps the author's pen lost
focus a wee bit. Or, maybe, it's a bit of both. In</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 'The Message', 'The Bailout', 'After Ashes', etc ~
t</span><span class="readable"><span style="font-weight: normal;">he emotions are many and
complicated. </span></span></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">~ Umm, I wouldn't like to</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> play
spoilsport. So, do grab a copy and read all you can. The few editing errors are
</span><span class="readable"><span style="font-weight: normal;">easy to let go. Hopefully, the
author will continue perfecting </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">the
precision of her language and attention to detail, the seamless shifts of moods,
feelings and emotions, and the novelty and logic of her storytelling - to bring
before us every shade of human behaviour.</span><span class="readable"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here are a few lines from <i>Hoopsters</i>:</span></span></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"We enter a narrow muddy path with jhopadpattis on both
sides. Lalit apologetically turns his head towards me; the car can move no
further. Seven or eight dusty children in ragged clothes surround our car,
their noses pressed flat against the windows, their teeth white through the
tinted glass. If we leave the car here they'll scratch the silver-grey paint,
sit on the hood or steal the rear-view mirrors, so I tell Lalit, 'I don't trust
these slum people. I think you better stay in the car.' </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Memsahib, I can take you to Mary's house,' he says
gently. </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'How would you know the way around this kachra place?' I
ask. 'I live here,' he says, and our eyes meet in the mirror. </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I look away and croak a reply, 'Wait for us here.' </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">He nods his head slowly as Sara and I squeeze through the
small space between the car and the corrugated iron wall of a jhopadpatti. The
children scatter." </span></i></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Rating</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">:</span> </b>3.5/5. <span class="readable"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Meghna Pant
is a gifted storyteller,</span> a unique voice... and someone to look out for in the
future.</span></span></span></div>
<h6 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></h6>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b><u>Details of the book</u></b><b>:</b><b> </b></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Happy Birthday! And
Other Stories</i>/ Author: Meghna Pant/ Publisher: Vintage Books, an imprint of
Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date:
2013/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN-10: 8184004038 ISBN-13: 9788184004038/ Pages: 296/
Price: INR 299.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><u>Picture</u>:</b> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket
cover of <i>Happy Birthday!</i> Courtesy: <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/happy-birthday-other-stories/p/itmdhxafn3p9yke7"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a>.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-3031953826116195202013-09-19T23:49:00.001+05:302013-09-25T21:30:40.010+05:30Amreekandesi: Master’s Of America by Atulya Mahajan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2rIPVDAt4EaOVZqEllK1roHHKBHd99TXA8Z7JtyXQc6cZs1T0usr18mgWDmgfN70Lg-e1K9Qd2c5c5iDLGL5xImCAIDG5FdRkVMMiwJPB_ArWm_YxLt1XJF5eAl_Y5proNFnl6JNrG4/s1600/Amreekandesi-Front-Cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2rIPVDAt4EaOVZqEllK1roHHKBHd99TXA8Z7JtyXQc6cZs1T0usr18mgWDmgfN70Lg-e1K9Qd2c5c5iDLGL5xImCAIDG5FdRkVMMiwJPB_ArWm_YxLt1XJF5eAl_Y5proNFnl6JNrG4/s1600/Amreekandesi-Front-Cover1.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://amreekandesi.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">Atulya Mahajan</span></a>'s
debut novel <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Amreekandesi: Master's Of America</b></span> is a decent one-time fun read.
Choc-a-bloc with all the clichés one can think of about a middle-class Indian
boy's journey to the "land of opportunity"... and subsequent events, complete
with all the troubles, travails, struggles, disorientation, lifestyle changes,
reality checks, road trips, matters of the heart, Indian English and an alien
education system. The author covers almost every aspect of a <i>desi</i> student's
life in the US of A: right from reading Barron's GRE guides, running around
institutes for GRE coaching, using new words and American lingo (in
everyday conversations), applying to colleges, getting recommendation letters, visa interviews, tickets, packing (to accommodate an assortment of <i>desi</i> snacks, <i>masala</i>,
et al); bidding farewell to friends, withstanding endless advises from family,
friends and the much-revered neighbourhood uncle (whose
high-achieving-greatly-admired son already resides in <i>the</i> hallowed land; uncle
isn't too pleased though, to share that <i>halo </i>henceforth). There's also
the subdued drive to the airport (luggage bursting at the seams in tow),
emotional farewell, take-off from Indian shores, connecting flights,
foreign airports, landing in an alien land, Indian community @ campus, helpful
seniors, new <i>desi</i> friends, classes, assignments, academic rigour, hard
work, superior facilities, stern but compassionate professor, <i>desi </i>food
... graduation day ceremony - Mahajan has pretty much covered all facets of a <i>desi</i>
student's life in the US.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Not surprising, since the
author himself has 'been there, done that'.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->In Amreeka there are no roadside vendors selling cut fruits, coconut slices or assorted
papads. There are no beggars either, and homeless persons did not appreciate a
plate of rajma chawal and kheer. And yes, there's the bit about FOBs (Fresh off the Boat)
and ABCDs (second generation Indian Americans, derided as 'American-Born Confused
Desi'). There's a smattering of Indian English too: what's your 'good name'? <i>Myself
</i>so-and-so. 'I will give you a ring tomorrow,' and the like. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The story revolves around two boys who dream to fly off to
America for a better future. Akhil Arora, an engineer from Delhi. Jaspreet
Singh (aka <i>Jassi</i> aka <i>Jazz</i>) from a small town in the Punjab. Both
get to live their dream in Florida State University (FSU). <span class="readable">They become friends and share an apartment with Kedar (a Math
major). The trio gel well and call themselves </span><i>The MSketeers</i>. K<span class="readable">edar,
being the joker, always clowns around and cracks jokes. Their other <i>desi</i>
friends are Sundar, Venkat, </span>Dilpreet and Ruksh - who go out
of their way to help the newcomers settle in. Sundar even lays out a delicious dinner for a
tired and jet-lagged Akhil and his dad, courtesy ready-to-eat frozen food:
parantha with saag paneer (which so revives Akhil's spirits that he takes to it
like Popeye to spinach.)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They shop for grocery, cook, host parties and
get-togethers, visit beaches and Disneyland, celebrate festivals with fellow
Indian students, and like every Indian fresh out of India, they convert
everything into rupees (... and end up goggle-eyed and wobbly-kneed.) Of course, they gradually
learn to just roll their eyes and move on. They are also pleasantly surprised
on being handed back the precise balance amount... instead of Cadbury éclairs
candy. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During Lakshmi Puja - since none of them (neither Akhil nor any of his
friends, that is) know the entire Lakshmi Aarti by heart, they perform the puja with the
20-odd Indian heads bowed in reverence as Anoop Jalota sings praises of Goddess
Lakshmi on YouTube. After prasad (halwa), the most important thing
(that everybody was waiting for) is laid out: food. 'For the next one hour, everybody ate,
and ate some more. Dilpreet handed out Hajmolas at the end.'</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They make
it to Subway,
ask for vegetarian options, and are given two choices: Veggie Patty or Veggie Delite. And
since the word
'delight' sounded better, they promptly opt for the latter. Thereafter they come across a whole bunch of bread in fancy sounding
names: whole wheat, parmesan oregano, etc. And since they also want
capsicum with their Veggie Delite, they try their bestest to communicate it (Capsicum. Cap-see-cum?) ... Only to be told it was <i>bell pepper</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During their
infrequent road trips they stay in Potels (Patel owned Motels). And are fascinated by how a
hard-working, entrepreneurial community had achieved its American dream by
providing Americans comfortable places to dream. Along the way they also discover quaint little
Indian restaurants... and immediately get busy with the sumptuous spread on offer: chicken
tikka, paneer butter masala, dal makhani, and gulab jamun (for dessert). Only Ruksh
looks on wistfully at the chicken tikka - tuesday <i>vrat</i> coming in the way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They get-together with other friends and chat over a delicious meal of rajma chawal, egg curry and frozen paranthas.
For someone who had not cooked even a simple <i>dal</i> in India, Akhil
gradually learns to whip up full meals, while Jassi prides himself on his
ability to make Maggi noodles and boiled eggs without burning them. They also
discover there's no <i>aloo-tikki</i> burger in America, but hunger pangs compel a
vegetarian Akhil into eating chicken sandwiches (and since 'it tasted like
paneer,' he finishes it off in a couple of minutes.)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They make some American friends too and learn about the latter's experiences in India. Jassi goes to watch his first football game (an
inter-university game) with Nigel and some others - <i>American football</i>,
not the one Indians knew. That was <i>soccer</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Akhil is
a decent, sincere and studious chap, sometimes homesick. <span class="apple-style-span">He is determined to prove
himself and make his parents happy ('coz with FSU not being in the top 100 US
universities, they are worried about his future.) </span>He plans to
return to India after a few years, and eventually falls in love with Nandita -
a fellow FSU student he had met on the flight to America. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jassi, on the other hand, is <span class="apple-style-span">the cool dude (or at least that is what he thinks of
himself)</span>. He wishes to live the American dream, a la the movie
"American Pie". He is embarrassed by his Indian identity and so, plans to look
for an American girl... and settle down in Amreeka. Jassi, unlike Akhil, has no intentions of returning to his country, ever. His character is essentially that of an average Joe...
dreaming of bikini-clad girls, beaches and Pamela-ji (in no particular order,
though.) However, a few of the incidents involving him are somewhat
over-the-top.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But here's a funny one:</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"'Hi Victoria,' he finally managed.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Whoa there. Looks like somebody's working hard to get rid of the love handles.'</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Love handles?' Jassi's ears stood at alert at the mention of love.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She laughed loudly. 'Oh, these.' She grabbed a tire of fat on Jassi's side.</span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>She touched him, and Jassi knew that he was back in business. In his mind, there was no doubt that Victoria was definitely interested in him."</i> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's also the <i>desi tadka</i> offered by Akhil's dad
who addresses <i>Mindy</i> as "Miss Bhindi" - to register his pique, attempts to
haggle, turns up at a popular convenience store (managed by <i>desis</i>) armed
with notepad and pen... all in a bid to <i>prove</i> how much they overcharge. He
also eyes Akhils's
new friends with
nervous suspicion...
imagining his precious son turning into a drug addict dancing to <i>dum maaro
dum</i> on the streets of America, while wearing yellow coloured bell-bottom
pants and shirts with red and orange floral patterns. On
their first visit to a famous
Mexican fast food joint Mr. Gyaneshwar Arora takes
one bite of his Burrito, puts it down and opens up the wrap. Then
discovering it is 'just rajma wrapped in a lousy roti' (for which they have
paid 5 dollars!), he chides Dilpreet for calling it 'Mexican food'. Dilpreet
only manages to smile while wondering what he would say when he found out that Taco
Bell also served kidney beans with rice: Rajma chawal. (No wonder some of his
friends refer to Taco Bell as Taco <i>Balle Balle</i>, for its closeness to
Punjabi tradition.) </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The unfit Arora Sr. also manages to run after a 'tall, very strongly
built man with a bald head and green eyes' - to respond to the latter's casual "How
are you doing?" And after striking up an acquaintance, tries to pass himself off as an Indian
prince. Akhil (of course) gets to meet a strongly built man with green eyes and a shiny bald head - David Apostolov, Director (Admissions), Dept. of Computer
Science, FSU. Prof. Apostolov taught the database course and 'had the demeanour
of an African lion that had just escaped from captivity'. But Akhil's <i>dimaag-ki-batti</i>
doesn't flicker until much later. Until a 'tall, very strongly built man with a
bald head and green eyes' congratulates him on his successful presentation to Google - with
the following words: 'Well done, Akhil. "Your people" must be so happy. Do you guys have some kind
of celebration in your kingdom when the prince completes a degree?' Needless to say, Akhil nearly choked on hearing those words.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, Goyal-ji's supposedly star son, Priyank,
prefers to call himself "Perry" in this fabled land. (Goyal-ji is Akhil's
advise-dispensing-samosa-gulab-jamun-devouring neighbour, mentioned
earlier.) </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Arora's character is enjoyable, while Goyal-ji and
"Perry" are plain amusing. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My twopenceworth</u></b><b>:</b></span> Though Mahajan has included witty
insights and humorous anecdotes while chronicling the experiences of an
immigrant (including identity crises, <span class="readable">trying to find their
feet in a foreign land</span>, attempts to live India away from India et al) -
none of it can be called novel. However, given Mahajan's neat writing style,
you end up enjoying the <span class="apple-style-span">journey
till the end. Very few editing errors, and that adds to the reading pleasure.
The book jacket cover is quite funky.</span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the book is a tad too long, at some
places the story just drags on. Needlessly. Some sharp editing... to prune out
these unnecessary and over-the-top bits would make it more crisp.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My
rating</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">3/5. Predictable, but a fun read
nevertheless. </span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't
expect a "Dil Chahta Hai" or a "3 Idiots" set in Amreeka. It's not in the genre of Nagesh Kukunoor's
path-breaking "Hyderabad Blues" too. And it's not up there with Anurag
Mathur's hugely popular "The Inscrutable Americans" either. The latter
is a timeless polished read with intensity and depth, an unabashedly humourous
take (tinged with pathos) on the travails of a simpleton, a small town Indian
boy, who goes to the U.S. to pursue his higher studies... and is confronted with
myriad culture shocks. This book has achieved cult status now. There's no
comparison whatsoever.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>About Atulya
Mahajan: </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">Atulya
Mahajan is an Indian author and is the creator of the Indian satire blog <i>amreekandesi.com</i>.
Professionally a technologist in an investment bank, Mahajan went to the US in
2004 to complete his Master's degree. He worked there for five years and then
returned to India. He started this blog while studying in the US and used it as
a platform to share his experiences of people living in a foreign land. Besides
this blog, Mahajan also works with the <i>Crest Edition of The Times of India </i>as
a columnist and writes occasional humor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Amreekandesi: Master’s Of America</i>/ Author: Atulya
Mahajan/ Publisher: Ebury Press, an imprint of Random House India/ Binding:
Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2013/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN: 978-8-184-00395-6/
ISBN-13: 9788184003956/ Pages: 310/ Price: INR 199.</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
<b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #783f04;">:</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket
cover of <i>Amreekandesi: Master’s Of America</i>. Courtesy: <span style="color: #4c1130;"><a href="http://amreekandesi.com/2013/04/27/amreekandesi-masters-of-america-the-book/"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a></span>. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-30234207454795532072013-08-28T21:19:00.001+05:302014-01-01T17:02:57.257+05:30Shubho Janmashtami !!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">|| karmaṇy evādhikāras te</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span class="usercontent">mā phaleṣu kadācana</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span class="usercontent">mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span class="usercontent">mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi ||</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><i>Do your duty to the best of your
ability. Overcome your limitations. Concentrate on your convergences. Do not
highlight your divergences/differences. Shun lethargy. Overcome inertia. Be
positive. Never lose hope.</i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नम: ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">|| Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Om</i>, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, O Vasudeva, O all-pervading Eternal Spirit, I
offer my respectful obeisance unto You.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to the Lord who is <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Jagad-Guruh</i></span> -
the Preceptor of the universe. I bow to the <span style="color: #660000;"><i>gurutamah</i></span>: The greatest teacher and guide.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow in reverence
to the Universal Guruh, the primeval Guruh, and the <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Satguruh</i></span>.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I bow to Yogeshwara, the Lord of the Yogis.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[This <i>seal </i>depicts that Universal Guruh
- the Jagad-Guruh and Satguruh: the Supreme Parama-hamsah, the Yogi
(the Supreme Master, since all wisdom and knowledge emanates from Him.)<i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It is a square seal depicting a male deity with three faces, seated in yogic position
on a throne, wearing bangles on both arms and an elaborate headdress. Five
symbols of the Indus script appear on either side of the headdress, which is
made of two outward projecting curved horns, with two upward projecting points.
A single branch with three peepal leaves rises from the middle of the
headdress. </i><br />
<i><br />
Seven bangles are depicted on the left arm and six on the right, with the hands
resting on the knees. The heels are pressed together and the feet project
beyond the edge of the throne. The feet of the throne are carved with the hoof
of a bovine as is seen on the bull and unicorn seals. The seal may not have
been fired, but the stone is very hard. A grooved and perforated boss is
present on the back of the seal.</i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The three faces =
the three loka (Trilok) or the three worlds (tri-bhUvan). Hence the seated Yogi
is none other than the Lord of the three worlds: the 'tribhUvaneshvar', the
Trilok Sundar: Purushottam Satya (who is also the cosmic
Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram) ~ Lord Narayan. The elaborate headdress is made of two outward
projecting <i>curved horns</i>, with two upward projecting points: 'coz Narayan/Krishna
is also the Supreme Bull (vrisha uttamam) or Lord of<i> </i>Dharma. He is
Dharma (justice and duty, actions that benefit society) personified. [Dharma is
generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, vrishabha. It
does not refer to a bovine creature<i> per se</i>. <i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>*</b></span>Do also refer to the
Unicorn seal and the three-head-seal below.</i>] Five symbols of the Indus script
that appear on either side of the headdress: probably <i>this</i> was how Vishnu
or Krsna was written in the Indus script (Hieroglyphs). The horned headdress
has a branch with three prongs or peepal leaves emerging from the center. In the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse: 26), Shri Krishna
describes the glory of the peepal tree thus:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ ||<span style="color: #351c75;"><b> ~ </b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">among trees, I am the peepal (</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ashvattha</span>)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Indus seal depicts Shri Vishnu/Krishna <i>as</i> the peepal tree. <span style="color: #660000;">|| aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ ||</span> ~ <i>among
trees, I am the peepal (ashvattha)</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The peepal tree (the Bodhi tree/the 'tree of enlightenment') or the transpersonal World Tree is the
personification of Shri Vishnu/Keshav/Narayan/Hari. The Bodhi tree, the Tree of
Enlightenment, is also the symbol of (the 9th Vishnu) Shri Gautam Buddh's message in general
(since he had overcome his human boundaries and become one with the world
spirit.) The holy fig tree therefore, holds a very important place in Indian civilization
(be it with respect to faith, medicinal and social point of views), and hence is worthy of worship. It is the tree of eternal life. The <i>ashvattha</i>
symbolizes the continuity of life because the tree itself lives and grows for
hundreds of years. The heart-shaped leaves on long, thin stems shimmer easily
in a light breeze. This sacred tree stands for wisdom, knowledge,
enlightenment, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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prosperity, peace, longevity and good luck. Every peepal tree is a reservoir of oxygen.
People who stay near it have a plentiful supply of oxygen. This majestic tree
gives ample shade to humans and animals alike. It is also home to a lot of
birds and insects. The holy fig tree has medicinal properties as well.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ashvatha literally means, "Where horses stood" (ashva + tha). In Sanskrit, this tree is known as Ashvattha, Bodhivriksha and Plaksha. This tree represents the entire cosmos: 'Shva' in Sanskrit means tomorrow, 'a' indicates negation, and 'tha' means one that stands or remains. Hence, Ashvatha can indicate: "One which does not remain the same tomorrow", or the universe itself. The Ashvatha tree is quite remarkable because it grows both upwards as well as vice versa. The branches themselves morph into roots, so even if the original tree decays and perishes, its branches underneath are young and continue to enclose the parent. This eternal life of the Peepal tree has inspired many Indian philosophers; this tree has its own symbolic meaning of enlightenment and peace... all of which has enriched Sanaatan Dharma. In the Upanishads, the fruit of the peepal is thus used as an example to explain the difference between the body (i.e. the individual soul: the Jiva-aatma) and the soul (i.e. the supersoul: the Param-aatma). The body (the Jiva-aatma) is like the fruit which, being outside, feels and enjoys things, while the soul (the Param-aatma) is like the seed, which is inside and therefore witnesses things. <i>Tree of Roots above; branches below; this Ashvattha is reputed to be imperishable; whose leaves are the Vedas; One who knows this is a knower of all the vedas.</i> [Kathopanishad and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And it was beneath this very tree that Shri Krishna
was resting when the vyadh/hunter (Jara) unknowingly hit him with his arrow
(mistaking him for a deer). On finding out (who he has hit), he begs and pleads
to be forgiven. But Krishna only smiles, blesses him and departs. ['Coz with His task
already accomplished, the mortal coil had to go... for Him to return to
Vaikunth-loka. And so, while Jara continued to grieve over the empty shell (the discarded
outer coil) Krishna reaches Vaikunth-loka in a matter of seconds.] Thus, the
midnight of 18<sup>th</sup> February 3102 (in the proleptic Julian calendar)
heralded the advent of Kaliyug. [Kali does not mean demon. Kali means bud. Only at the end of Kaliyug when the metaphoric bud/flower withers away will the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug be at its peak.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Probably the most common design on the Indus
seals is the swastika. It occurs in dozens of seals and is sometimes aligned
with various animals like the elephant. This symbol wards off negativities. It
represents the cosmic spinning vortex. The right-handed swastika symbol
originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River Sarasvati as
well as the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata/Civilization - one of the oldest civilizations of
the world [and who knows whether many many millenniums ago this land was the cradle of civilization or not.] In
Sanaatan Dharma, the <i>swastika</i> represents the Universe in our own spiral
galaxy in the forefinger of Shri Vishnu. This carries most significance in
establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as 'kaalah' or time. [Also, the chakra/disc on Lord Narayan's forefinger probably indicates the galaxies; maybe all galaxies (including the Milky Way/Aakash Ganga) were disc-shaped in the beginning... and gradually opened up to assume a spiral form.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The mighty River Indus is Sindhu in Sanskrit.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Old Persian... the 'S' for Sindhu becomes 'H' (due to lack of
phonetics). Therefore: the Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ or Sapta
Sindhu becomes Hapta HAndu </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ancient Persians called the people living around the river Indus and to the east of the River
Indus as: Hindu.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, 'Hindu' is derived from 'HAndu', which in turn is derived
from 'Sindhu'.<span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Note:</span> T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu' refers to the rivers SarasvatI, Sutudri
or </span>Satadru<span class="bodyarl"> or SuturI (Sutlej),
VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI/Ashkini</span><span class="bodyarl">/C</span>handrabhaga/Iskmati<span class="bodyarl">
(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum) and Sindhu (Indus). Among these, the
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originates from the mouth of a lion </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="usercontent">(<i>Senge Khabab </i>or "Lion's Mouth")<i> </i>- a perennial spring - </span></span>in Manas Sarovar, in Tibet. Thus, it is
also called Sengge Tsangpo or Lion River. This river is a common lifeline, and
symbolically binds the people of more than one nation. Few rivers in the world
flow through as stunning a landscape as the Sindhu/River Indus. It flow</span><span class="textexposedshow">s through plains, villages, hamlets and towns, as well
as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues. As for the River Sarasvati,
it contains the word "saras", indicating the Saras Crane. Therefore,
this now lost river probably emerged from a mountain rock/snout that resembled
the beak of a Saras Crane. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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'Asva' (horse) is 'Asp' in Persian. The Sanskrit 'sthan' (meaning: land or place) is 'stan' in Persian. 'Namaz' is 'Namah' or 'Naman' in Sanskrit, and both mean the
same: to pay obeisance, or to bow and pray. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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ḥ </span>does not indicate mere physical obeisance, but
total surrender of oneself, taking refuge in the Almighty through body, mind
and soul/spirit.)</span>]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The term Swastika
has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means
well-being: "SU" means "good" or "auspicious,"
"ASTI" means "to be," and "KA" as a suffix. The
swastika literally means, "to be good". Alternatively:
"swa" is "higher self", "asti" meaning
"being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation can be
interpreted as: "being with higher self". <i>Suasti</i> thus means
"well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i> either forms a diminutive or intensifies
the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i> might thus be translated literally as
"that which is associated with well-being," corresponding to
"lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious." Thus <i>swastika</i>
means any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons
and things to denote auspiciousness, good luck or well-being. Shri Vishnu is also known as </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">svasti: One who is the source of all auspiciousness.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most
traditional form of the swastika's symbolization in Sanaatan Dharma is that the
symbol represents the purusharthas (representative of the cosmic energy/spirit - the Purusha): <span style="color: #660000;">dharma</span> (that which makes a human a human), <span style="color: #660000;">artha</span> (wealth), <span style="color: #660000;">kama</span> (desire), and <span style="color: #660000;">moksha</span> (liberation). All four are needed
for a full life. However, two (artha and kama) are limited and can only give
limited joy. They are the two closed arms of the swastika. The other two are
unlimited and are the open arms of the swastika.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swastika is
considered to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune. Red Swastika is the
sign of Sanaatan Dharma; it depicts a cross with four arms of equal lengths.
The end of each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots are also
added between the arms. The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the
decorative form, used to evoke sacred force. [Shri Ganesh has the Swastika on
his palm. The swastika is at times considered a symbolic representation of
Shri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak - the remover of obstacles) and
is hence offered first offerings in every <i>puja</i>. The swastika is made
with red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during rituals.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Swastika is a symbol of good fortune in Buddhism. It represents the
footprints and heart of <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh. Thus, it is
considered to be very holy and extensively brought to use by Buddhists. In
fact, in all the images of Shri Gautam Buddh, you'll find the Swastik imprinted
on his chest, palms and feet. In Jainism, Swastika represents the Seventh <i>Jina</i>,
more popularly known as the Tirthankara Suparsva. It is one of the most
prominent auspicious symbols of the present era. In the cultural traditions of
Svetambar Jains, Swastika is one of the main symbols of the ashta-mangalas.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [</span><span style="font-size: small;">The Rishabha Avatar is also the first 'Tirthankara'.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="bigcap">L</span>et me
not pray to be sheltered from dangers<br />
but to be fearless in facing them.<br />
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Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain<br />
but for the heart to conquer it.<br />
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Let me not look for allies in life's battlefield<br />
but to my own strength.<br />
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Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved<br />
but hope for the patience to win my freedom.<br />
<br />
Grant that I may not be a coward,<br />
feeling Your mercy in my success alone;<br />
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But let me find the grasp of Your hand in my failure.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">~ <i>Gurudev</i> Rabindranath
Tagore [1916]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As per the
proleptic Julian calendar, Krishna's date of birth is July 21, 3228 BC. [Though
some accounts say: 3227 BC.] </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">The Nag was a serpent-worshiping
clan. Probably they displayed a serpent totem/insignia too. One of their
prominent king/chieftain, Vasuki, shielded the baby Krishna (from inclement
weather) during Vasudev's journey to Gokul. However, later translators misinterpreted
this... thereby turning Vasuki into a gigantic serpent. He was very much human!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna (also:
Krishn, Krshn, Krsna) - the "all-attractive one" - was born under the Rohini nakshatra, in the month of
Bhadrapada, on the 8th day of the waning moon at midnight. Hence, the annual
commemoration of the birth of this magnificent avatar, Krishna Janmashtami (<span class="unicode">kṛṣṇa janmāṣṭami</span>), also known as: <i>Krishnashtami</i>, <i>Saatam
Aatham</i>, <i>Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini</i>, <i>Srikrishna Jayanti</i>, <i>Sree
Jayanti</i> or sometimes merely as <i>Janmashtami... </i>is celebrated on the
eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of
Shraavan (August-September).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2013: Krishna
Janmashtami falls on August 28. <span style="color: #660000;">Today is August 28</span>. Today is the birthday of
Shri Krishna - the magnificent Maha Avatar, Lord Narayan's <i>Purna avatar</i> - one in whom divinity is manifested fully (as is also depicted in this Indus seal; the two unicorns represent Shri Hari Vishnu and Sri Krishn respectively. <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Do refer to the Unicorn Seal below to know more about the symbolism behind the unicorn</i></span>.) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The peepal tree (the Bodhi tree/the
'tree of enlightenment') or the transpersonal World Tree is the personification
of Shri Vishnu/Keshav/Narayan/Hari: <span style="color: #660000;">|| aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ
||</span> ~ among trees, I am the peepal (ashvattha).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| krishnas tu bhagavan svayam ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">Shubho
Janmashtami.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur rightly said: "<i>aamare
tumi ashesh korechho, amon-i leela tabo</i>" (tr. Thou hast made me
endless, such is thy pleasure/leela).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">On this joyous
occasion, May the Lord touch each of our hearts.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span class="usercontent">|| Tumi nirmalo karo mangalo kare, molino marmo muchhaaye,
</span><br />
<span class="usercontent">Tabo punnyo-kiran diye jaak mor moho-kalima ghuchaye ||</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="usercontent"><i>Purify me with your virtues, wiping off the vices of
our hearts,</i></span><i><br />
<span class="usercontent">Let your auspicious effulgence take away the darkness
and greed of our souls.</span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">A quote from Swami Vivekananda's speech (Welcome
Address - Chicago, Sept 11, 1893) - in response to the warm and cordial welcome
he received:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"As
the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their
water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through
different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead
to Thee."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>No wonder then, that in the current
maha-yuga (the four-yug cycle: Krita/Sat/Satya Yug, Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug and
Kali Yug) the ninth avatar, Bhagavan Shri Gautam Buddh, is not exclusive to any
faith, while the 10<sup>th</sup> Maha Avatar (great incarnation), the Kalki-avatar,
too appears to be part of many faiths.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span class="blue">'Avatar' means: descent
and refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. <i>Avatar</i> comes
from the Sanskrit <i>avatirna</i>: "manifest/descent from the Lord."]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A wonderful verse in the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad
Geeta says: "Whosoever comes to Me,
through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths
which in the end lead to me."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Hari Om Tat Sat ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The seen </i>(manifested/vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn) <i>and
the unseen </i>(unmanifested/avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn)<i> are both one.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Lord Hari/Narayan is the Supreme
Being, the Kaal Purush. He is Shaashvata, He is Sanaatana - Eternal. He is Satyah, the Ultimate Truth. He is Lord of
Creation. He is the Supreme Creator [Brahmn, </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>the motive power behind the mathematically precise universes.] He is the Supreme Absolute Truth [ParaBrahmn]</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Thou art the sky, and thou
art the nest as well.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Glory be to Thee.</i></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HA=
sky<br />
RA= fire<br />
I= energy<br />
HARI = effulgent omnipresent omnipotent </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">omniconscient </span></span></span>cosmic energy. [Hari also means: green, The Lord of Nature. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(As for Hari-Hara: "Hara" also means green.) He is <i>Kshiteeshah</i>: The Lord of the earth.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">OM
or AUM: Refers to the Supreme Infinite Spirit or Being, the Adi Purusha ~ Shri Hari Vishnu. OM represents the <i>Shabda
Brahmn</i>. It is the primeval sound - <i>pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad</i>, the sound of
the universe itself. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The uttering of the sacred and mystical OM is
called Onkar or Omkar. It is the sound of the origination and dissolution of
the universe<span style="color: #351c75;">. The past, present, future and all that transcends time are all
included in this sound. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord Narayan is the personification/manifestation (Omswaroop) of OM or
AUM. Thus, He is Hariom. He is Omprakash - light of OM, light of the world.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">TAT
= that. Refers to the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniconscient Parabrahman
Parameshvarah. [Parabrahmn = Absolute. Parameshvarah = the Supreme Being, the Supreme Lord, the
Almighty Lord (prabhuh). Omniconscient (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->sarvajno) = possessing all wisdom.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">SAT=
truth. Parabrahmn is beyond truth and untruth. Yet what is fundamentally true
is Parabrahmn.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The
Kaal Purush is <i>beyond time</i>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Kaal Purush is <i>puraatanah</i>: He who was even before time. [Kaal or Kaalah = Time. Purush/Purusha =
Cosmic Energy.] </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">The Almighty - the Viraat Purush, the Cosmic Being, or the Primordial Being... is
the motive power behind the mathematically precise universes.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKtvi49DXrlEvat_HjGpkb03Q9228mWGkQPV_O0YXDyuepbtHEJyq2Jvyo1TcI04yAHypeuXWXgOQ6PzgfROA0rKUwoGo1dg-Dl29LPs_ZbilUlIQS137TBETm5RIZEBVhis96RxzFUg/s1600/vishnu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKtvi49DXrlEvat_HjGpkb03Q9228mWGkQPV_O0YXDyuepbtHEJyq2Jvyo1TcI04yAHypeuXWXgOQ6PzgfROA0rKUwoGo1dg-Dl29LPs_ZbilUlIQS137TBETm5RIZEBVhis96RxzFUg/s1600/vishnu1.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <br />
Every thing is consumed by time except the Viraat-Purush. He is
eternal-uncreated. [Viraat = very big, unlimited, infinite. So much so that the
human mind can never fully comprehend Him. He is <i>Achintya</i>, inscrutable,
an enigma. And shall remain so, always. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In His "Vishwaroop" (His Universal form) He incorporates
everything that is a part of the entire universe, whether seen or unseen,
animate or inanimate, tangible or intangible. The universes are therefore His 'body'. And, He is <i>also</i> the motive
power and guiding spirit behind the
mathematically precise universes.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In this Universal Form (Vishwaroop) of the Lord, Arjun could see
the entire cosmos. Eternity manifests itself in endless ways on endless planes
of existence and from head to toe Arjun saw the 'body' of Lord
Krishna encompassing 14 different planetary dimensions. ~ Let us
try to understand what the fourteen planetary systems or Lokas refer to... and
what is their geographical and spatial arrangement. ~ Each Universe is
shaped like an egg (<i>Brahmand</i>) and within it exist the three levels of
Lokas (Urdha Lokas/Higher Planets/Abodes; Madhya Lokas/Middle Planets; and
Adho-Lokas/Lower Realms). There are 14 planetary systems comprising the
three Lokas and below them exist the 28 different Hells (Hellish
Planets/Narak-Loka - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->where retribution is rendered by Dharmaraj Yamaraj and team... against sins/paap or prarabda karm (bad/negative karm) committed by various Beings.)] ~ There are fourteen Manu who
are prominent within this universe, each overseeing a "manvantara" or
"manuvantara". "Manu" is a title for the one who rules a
manvantara. Each "Manu" is endowed with great knowledge and wisdom. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->A Manvantara is equal to seventy-one
times the number of years contained in the four Yugas (Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta,
Dvapar and Kaliyug), with some additional years: this is the duration of each
Manu, the (attendant) divinities (Indra, etc), and the rest. (We have discussed the Manu-s in some detail - later in this post; please do
look it up - to know more.) <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The Adho-Lokas or Lower Realms (also known as Bilva-svarga) are not to be mistaken for the Hellish
Planets/Narak-Loka. The former are inhabited by different beings;
technologically much more advanced than us (earthlings and/or inhabitants of
the Middle Planets/Madhya-Lokas); these being live longer, are great architects
and are more materially opulent. However, these Adho-Lokas or Lower Realms are
(very likely) lit up by artificial lighting, and not by the rays of the sun.
Also, the inhabitants of these planets (known as Daityas, Danavas, Asuras and Nagas) are attached to extreme material
enjoyment; they are spiritually very low (unlike the inhabitants of
the Urdha Lokas/Higher Planets/Abodes [including Svarga-Loka] - who are higher
spiritual beings.) [The inhabitants of the Urdha Lokas/Higher Planets/Abodes are extremely intelligent beings, far more advanced - technologically,
spiritually as well as w.r.t intellect and knowledge than the beings inhabiting the other lokas. However, they are not to
be confused for the human-species (manushya-jaati); they are not part of humanity we find on
earth. Their appearance, height, strength, longevity,
caliber, intelligence, intellect, perception, knowledge, and so on greatly
differ from the rest.] ~ Through <i>good</i> Karma and right inclination (nishkam and spiritual),
one can ascend to the Spiritually advanced Higher
Planets/Urdhva-Lokas (including Svarga-Loka); through <i>OKay-ish</i> Karma, indulgence of senses and unbridled
desires, one can descend to the Spiritually deprived but Materially
advanced Lower Planets/Adho-Lokas (also known as Bilva-Svarga). And through really really really <i>bad/ Prarabda</i>
Karma, one may have to suffer in one of the Hellish planets/Narak-Loka. (~ Materialistic does not imply actions alone; it
signifies an <i>attachment</i> to things/aspects that are mundane and temporary
(transient) and would definitely perish (e.g.) indulgent of the senses.
Spiritual inclinations on the other hand, do not focus on temporary
objects/aspects or sensory pleasures... but the "Truth" (dharma) and the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (complete contentment) of "self-realization" ~
Sat-cit-ānanda. This (in turn) enables one to perform great deeds for
the greater good... and
thus [Spiritual inclinations] is considered superior.) ~ Besides earthlings/humans there are other advanced humans/beings/humanoids
inhabiting the other Middle Planets/Madhya-Lokas; they could be a few maha-yug/four-yug
cycle ahead of us, some of them probably have perpetual Treta Yug.
If earthlings (or the inhabitants of the Middle Planets/Madhya-Lokas) or
the inhabitants of the Adho-Lokas/Lower Realms become advanced in spiritual
conditions - through right inclinations and <i>good</i> karma (i.e. through nishkam
karm/selfless action - without expecting praise or glory, etc in return), they
can advance to one of the higher Munilokas (Spiritually
advanced planets inhabited by Higher spiritual and enlightened beings). But if
they become attached to material enjoyment (indulgence of senses and unbridled
desires, etc) - they will degrade into a lower position of a
semi-divine being, a Human, or even to the Adho-Lokas/Lower Realms ~ again. And
through really really really <i>bad/Prarabda</i> Karma, one may have to suffer in
one of the Hellish planets/Narak-Loka. ~ Even if one is a 'Deva' or a 'Rishi' (both: Spiritually advanced Higher beings residing in different Urdhva
Lokas/Higher Planets; Rishi = ray of light, illumination; it indicates an enlightened
person with an illumined mind) - there is no guarantee that he or she won't be re-born (e.g.) as a Human
or as an inhabitant of the Adho-Lokas or as an animal, etc - in his or her next
birth. It all depends on one's karma. The only certain way to come out of
this <i>Samsara</i> or the Never-ending Cycle of Birth, Death and Re-birth - is by performing
copious amounts of <i>good</i> karma (nishkam/selfless karma/non-benefit/glory-seeking
karma) ~ that would "wash off" any (carried over) Prarabda karm (bad, negative
karma) - thereby giving the jiva-aatma (human or individual soul) a clean slate and/or
a positive balance of good karm. <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The Almighty does not put us through any
kind of test. (He is not human; He is Aadinath - the Supreme Almighty, the Absolute; He is
the Highest Being; He is Narayan - the benefactor of mankind/humanity (nara); He
is a father-figure. We
can associate with Him in many ways: as a friend/teacher/guru/guide/mentor/sibling/parent.) ~ Whatever happens, happens due to our karm only - whether
good karm or Prarabda karm (bad, negative karm) - carried over from our past (positive
or negative balance of karma). [It not only affects humanity, but also society and
civilization as well.] 'Karm' or 'Karma' is not
punishment; it is an opportunity to redeem oneself. (Good/positive) karm is
essential to get rid of (bad/negative) karm. Hence, in order to get rid of
Prarabda (bad, negative) Karm - whether done by us or by others - we have to
perform good deeds (Sat Karm) in copious quantities. ... And as we go on performing
good deeds indefinitely/continuously, sakama (selfish, glory-seeking) karm
gets transformed into Nishkam (selfless) Karm. ~ In this way, Prarabda/bad/negative karm gets
"washed off"... and is replaced by a positive (balance of) karm. ... By continuing on
this path, a jiva-aatma (human soul or individual soul) can move upward - i.e. gain
entry into the various Spiritually advanced Higher Planets... and finally into the
eternal Vaikunth planets (the abode of the Almighty). ~ Or, it can achieve "Moksha" (liberation from the
constant cycle of Life, Death and Re-birth) on the Earth-Realm itself, thereby
gaining entry into the eternal Vaikunth planets: by performing an enormous
amount of nishkam karm/deeds (non-glory-seeking karm) - in the selfless service
of humanity... that (in turn) contributes towards a better society and civilization. ~ On a separate note, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">a large chunk of various ailments and disorders can be
traced to health and hygiene issues, lifestyle issues, heredity, stress, environmental
factors, chemical content, pollution, and so on. [Bhu-Loka or the
Earth-Realm seems to be sort of a launch-pad from where one
can reach the other worlds/lokas - based on one's Karma.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">]<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> I bow to the Kaal Purush who is beyond time and who presides over the
all-destructive time.</i> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>I bow to mahendrah: The lord of Indra. </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to gabheeraatmaa:
One who is too deep to be fathomed.</span></span></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpUdZqyb0m3dOCS3xroJ8vvgGxuiyqTCnCgC-sES7IZ0p3i7csFf_cDdEcIEJeriBVSo4YWQSsN4cmRWlH27a1DZQGMmnYO-xtPJHnpGFwZ_3ooF0ZCnyOHY5Giqb8TzggxLcZswywa8/s1600/Unicorn+seal.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpUdZqyb0m3dOCS3xroJ8vvgGxuiyqTCnCgC-sES7IZ0p3i7csFf_cDdEcIEJeriBVSo4YWQSsN4cmRWlH27a1DZQGMmnYO-xtPJHnpGFwZ_3ooF0ZCnyOHY5Giqb8TzggxLcZswywa8/s1600/Unicorn+seal.gif" height="190" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I bow to the Unicorn, the rarest of the rare (not to be found anywhere else). </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">I bow to the <i>purusattamah</i>: The greatest of the great. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to <i>anuttamah</i>: Incomparably great.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I bow to the<i> vishama, </i>(unequaled); the <i>atulah</i>, (incomparable); the <i>ekah</i> (the one); </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the <i>ekaatmaa</i>: The one self. I bow to the One without a parallel. </span><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #660000;">Note:</span> <i>t<span style="color: #0c343d;">he Unicorn, depicted, as a one-horned horse
is imagery - to indicate rarity and peerlessness. It is not to be taken at face value. It does not refer to any creature, mythical or otherwise</span></i><span style="color: #0c343d;">. There has never been a one-horned horse in reality. It is simply an imagery to (figuratively or symbolically) convey certain concepts.</span>] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to the <span style="color: #660000;">Unicorn</span>. I bow to the thousand-horned great bull with a hundred heads. I bow to </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vrishaakritih - </span>Dharma
(<span style="color: #660000;">Vrisha</span>) Himself</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I bow to Vrishaparvaa, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma. I bow to the illustrious God of gods who is <i>also</i>
called <span style="color: #660000;">Vṛṣabha</span> (the Great Bull). I bow to <span style="color: #660000;">Vrisha Uttamam</span>, the Supreme Bull
(Supreme Dharma). I bow to <span style="color: #660000;"><i>mahaavaraaho</i></span>: The great boar. I bow to <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Kapih</i></span>, the foremost of boars - eka
(one) shringa (horned) varaha. I pay my humble obeisance to <i>Vrishakapi</i>
- the one-horned Varaha, the Supreme form of Shri Vishnu. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Note:</span> The 'thousand-horned
great bull with a hundred heads' <span style="color: #660000;">does not </span>refer to any animal or creature. It
is a <span style="color: #660000;">metaphor/symbol</span> or imagery for Dharma (actions that benefit society/humanity). </span>Krishna personifies dharma, and through his actions rejuvenates and re-establishes dharma. It takes a great deal of (unmatched) tenacity, strength, energy, drive, valiance and determination to do so. Hence the metaphor of the </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'thousand-horned
great bull with a hundred heads'. Dharma = justice; also, actions that benefit
humanity/society. The one-horned boar: <i>ekashringa</i> varaha or unicorn boar <i>also</i>
<span style="color: #660000;">does not</span> refer to any animal <i>per se</i>. It means, the rarest of the rare;
not to be found anywhere else. Ekashringa Varaha or Unicorn Boar: One without a
parallel. <i>This Indus seal is the seal of Lord Krishna</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna is protector and preserver. He rescues/pulls society out of 'quicksand', or prevents its slide into 'quicksand'/quagmire, hence the <span style="color: #660000;">metaphor</span> of '</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ekashringa Varaha' or Unicorn Boar</span></span></span></span></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to the Grandest Master of all. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The great
poet and composer, Rajonikanto Sen, said:</span><span class="usercontent"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Tumi aachho Bishwanatho ashimo rahoshyo majhe... nirabe,
ekaki ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">O
Lord of the Universe, You reside amidst endless cosmic mysteries... in absolute
quietude.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Bishwanath = Lord of the Cosmos. Bishwa =
Universe, Cosmos; Nath = Lord, Master.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span class="usercontent">|| Prabhuh, Bishwa-bipado-hanta, Tumi danrao rudhiya pantha
||</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="usercontent"><i>O My Lord, You are the benefactor of humanity; You
are the dispeller of great calamity; You stand between.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"> || Tabo, charono nimne, utshabomoyi shyamo-dharini sharosa,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">urdhe chaho agonito-moni-ronjito navo neelanchala </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">shaumyo-modhur-dibyangana shanto-kushalo-darosha ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Beneath your feet lies the prosperous and bountiful earth</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Behold the blue sky engraved with countless gems above</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>She is like a sweet and graceful angel</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur said:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Anando-loke Mangal-aloke birajo Satya-Sundaro</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Mohima Tabo udbhashito maha-gagono-majhe</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Bishwa-jagoto monibhushano-beshtito-charone... ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In Ananda-lok, amidst auspicious glow (Mangal-aloke) resides the
Satya-Sundar. Your majesty is manifest in the firmament complete. Creation's
jewels are strewn at your feet.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| The world sings Your glory great<br />
In fearless refuge at Your feet<br />
You who are our treasure and wealth<br />
You who enclose all of this earth ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This prayerful
song (rendered by Indranil Sen) is on truth and beauty, on the bounties of
nature and the splendour that this universe is. Most of what the poet laureate
wrote is sublime and none, I repeat, none... can even begin to try to translate
what he so effortlessly expressed through this highly lyrical poem. Do listen:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is <i>Kabiguru </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Rabindranath Tagore's</span></i> dream of a free and
glorious India. Inspiring and timeless words, indeed: </span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Where the mind is without fear and
the head is held high<br />
Where knowledge is free<br />
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments<br />
By narrow domestic walls<br />
Where words come out from the depth of truth<br />
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection<br />
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way<br />
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit<br />
Where the mind is led forward by thee<br />
Into ever-widening thought and action<br />
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake ||</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This poem (no. 35) is</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">from Tagore's Noble prize-winning literary</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">work <span style="font-style: normal;">'Gitanjali' (tr: </span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">An Offering of Songs)</span>.</i></i></span></span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Git/Geet = Songs. Anjali = Offering.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An audio-visual version of the above
poem read by Samuel Godfrey George:</span></span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zb3vdfk7EMA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the most beautiful of all the Rabindrasangeet/Tagore-songs, <span style="color: #660000;"><b><i>Aaguner Paroshmoni</i></b></span>, happens to be one of my personal
favourites too. Rendered by the peerless Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. Do listen:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Aagun'eyr
Pawroshmoni chhnoyao praane <br />
(Ey jibon punya kaw'ro) - </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ey jibon
punya kaw'ro dwahon-daane<br />
Aagun'eyr pawroshmoni chhonyao praane</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Aamaar
eyi dehokhaani tulay dhaw'ro<br />
Tomaar oi debaaloy-e pradip kaw'ro) - </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
(Nishi din aalok shikhaa joluk gaane) -
</span></span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Aagun'eyr pawroshmoni chhonyao praane</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Aandhareyr
gaaye gaaye pawrosh tawbo<br />
Shaaraa raat photaak taaraa nawbo nawbo) - </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Nawyoneyr drishti hote ghnuchbe kaalo<br />
Jekhane poRbe setha'ye dey'khbe aalo<br />
(Bya'tha mor uthbe jol'ey urd'dha'-paane) - </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aaguner
poroshmoni chonwao prane <br />
(Ey jibon punno koro) - </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ey jibon
punya kaw'ro dwahon-daane<br />
Aagun'eyr Pawroshmoni chhnoyao praane ||</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The annotation given above... to make your
pronunciation as close to authentic <i>Bangla</i> as possible. Please follow
the romanized annotation with slight pauses at the apostrophes.]</span><span class="usercontent"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i><span class="usercontent"><b><u>Translation</u></b></span><span class="usercontent"><b>:</b></span></i></span><span class="usercontent"> </span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Touch
my heart with Your fire</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
purify it,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So it
can burn as a glorious offering to You.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Let me
be like a lamp in Your temple</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And let
every song of mine pour out as its flame.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Whenever
there's a feeling of darkness within,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May I be
blessed to feel Your touch</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And let
my mind sparkle forever with newer and newer thoughts</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just as
You light the stars one after another all through the night.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Let the
veil of darkness be lifted from my sight</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And let
me see wondrous light wherever I gaze.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> And
turn all my pain into a blazing intensity in all that I do...<i> ||</i></span><span class="usercontent"></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Paroshmoni is the <i>philosopher's stone</i> which when
touched... alchemically transmutes the baser nature to a divine one. It is
symbolic... though some believe it truly exists. Fire = auspicious effulgence, Light
Divine. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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is another <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe7U1A3VDxQ"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b>
with English translation, though it is impossible to translate. Simply because:
Tagore's oeuvre is one of those things that cannot survive translation (into
English), however much one tries; anyone who has had the experience of soaking
in the magic of Tagore's lyrics... can and will vouch for this.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to <i>archishmaan</i>: The effulgent one. I bow to
the <i>paramaatmaa</i>: The Supersoul. I bow to <i>Nara-Narayan</i>. [Narah:
The guide. Narayan: The benefactor of humanity/mankind (not restricted to
humans alone, though).] I bow to <i>amoghah</i>: He whose acts are for a great purpose. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I bow to <i>hamsah</i>:
The swan. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He
with a large-hearted intelligence. I bow to <i>ekah</i>: The one. I bow to <i>naikah</i>: The many. I
bow to <i>asankhyeyah</i>: He who has countless names and forms. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to <i>mangalam
param</i>: The Supreme auspiciousness. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bow to <i>shoorah-veerah</i>:
The valiant. I bow to <i>vikramee</i>: The most daring. I bow to <i>saattvikah</i>:
One who is full of <i>sattvic</i> qualities. I bow to <i>kartaa</i>: The doer.
I bow to <i>maargah</i>: The path. I bow to <i>neyah</i>: The guide. I bow to <i>aadidevah</i>:
The first devah/deity [34 = 33+1, 'coz Shri Vishnu is the Supreme Creator, <i>Brahmn</i>.] I bow to <i>mahaadevah</i>: The great
devah/deity. I bow to <i>deveshah</i>: The Lord of all devas. I bow to <i>adhaataa</i>:
Above whom there is no other [34 = 33+1].</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
bow to <i>keshavah</i>: One whose rays illumine the cosmos, and </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->one who is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu
and <i>Isa</i> Shiva. I bow to </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>vishvam</i>: He who is the universe, the
virat-purusha. I bow to <i>Vishvaroopa</i>: One whose <i>body</i> is the Universe. I bow to <i>Vishvaatma</i>: Soul of the Universe. I bow to <i>vanamaalee</i>:
One who wears a garland of forest flowers. I bow to <i>sragvee</i>: He who
always wears a garland of undecaying flowers. I bow to <i>Mayur</i>: </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The
Lord Who Has A Peacock Feathered-Crest. I bow to <i>shikhandee</i>: He
who wears a peacock feather.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS7ZruhKJ_f7cADNCvfTE5S2ScXaKBHyo_7oCr1rIFrcikHgw56yZrBs1fHao8Eo0i5s_U2_vZ0znbA76w_JeLtVSPGdL13T08lU7OFfuaJoaK7o58eIUflIUWGhnW_c_DlV25z8Jk74/s1600/lord-krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS7ZruhKJ_f7cADNCvfTE5S2ScXaKBHyo_7oCr1rIFrcikHgw56yZrBs1fHao8Eo0i5s_U2_vZ0znbA76w_JeLtVSPGdL13T08lU7OFfuaJoaK7o58eIUflIUWGhnW_c_DlV25z8Jk74/s1600/lord-krishna.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">O Lord, You are the Mother, You are the
Father, You Are the Kinsman and You are the Friend. You Are My Wealth Of
Knowledge, Strength, Power And Valour. You Are My God Of Gods.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4DkRnZ_QI8NysoK94ozxS3Chkm6ucNlfon-4UhF3FIyuOw9GDbkg_836vVyqtEuF0-zO4eZu_cte2lHql6MMuz1S4LXTgMO5n0bcNuwJ6Lnj2J22gadCXwa7lnrR0lEi_m3fc_DVY74/s1600/Boat+and+Boatman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4DkRnZ_QI8NysoK94ozxS3Chkm6ucNlfon-4UhF3FIyuOw9GDbkg_836vVyqtEuF0-zO4eZu_cte2lHql6MMuz1S4LXTgMO5n0bcNuwJ6Lnj2J22gadCXwa7lnrR0lEi_m3fc_DVY74/s1600/Boat+and+Boatman.jpg" height="76" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You are the boat and You are the boatman. You
are the companion and You the support.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
God who is in fire, who is in water, who interpenetrates the whole universe,
who is in herbs, who is in trees, to that God I bow down again and again.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thou
art, O Lord, the Creator of this Universe. Thou art the Protector of this
world. Thou art in the grass and the rose. Thou art in the sun and the stars.
Salutations unto Thee, O Destroyer of the cycle of births and deaths!
Salutations unto Thee, O Bestower of Bliss and Immortality!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDW3usVf-vb2IMUYoNR1V6NTUo-aifLZCqhER8aMxQlvhTJLBABFXjjYoJwR8w7zhtC0wresU1wMkV5TOEG7KY28zOpmulAOzSLqUkmU_tTypHbLNkBj9biCH6LAp3oDqSPsM4ybipGQ/s1600/Indus+Seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDW3usVf-vb2IMUYoNR1V6NTUo-aifLZCqhER8aMxQlvhTJLBABFXjjYoJwR8w7zhtC0wresU1wMkV5TOEG7KY28zOpmulAOzSLqUkmU_tTypHbLNkBj9biCH6LAp3oDqSPsM4ybipGQ/s1600/Indus+Seal.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Salutations
to Thee, the Supreme Lord! Thou art without beginning and end. Thou art the
flower. Thou art the bee. Thou art woman. Thou art man. Thou art the sea. Thou
art the waves. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The above seal </span><span style="font-size: small;">very likely depicts the <i>Ashta-Matrika</i> or
Ashta-Matara - Eight Divine Mothers: Brahmani (or <span class="unicode">Brāhmī)</span>, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari <span class="unicode">(</span>also known as Raudri, Rudrani and Maheshi; wa<i>s
she a sister or cousin of Shambhu Nath/Shiva?</i>), Indrani <span class="unicode">(</span><i>also known as Aindri, Mahendri, Shakri, Shachi
and Vajri</i>), Kaumari <span class="unicode">(<i>also known as </i></span><i>Kumari
and Karttikeyani</i>),
Varahi, Chamunda <span class="unicode">(<i>a</i></span><i>lso known as Chamundi</i>) and Narasimhi.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thou
art Self-luminous. Thou art Self-effulgent (jyotih).</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyACQiwXkCSNnrKowlJhiFqrI2UYPlVNm6_lTemYIYNU7VTGowfr0duWJ3AybxFnTdklbjbwC6Asgq1TTRDkm_oobeDATGE_0ewXIv-bgtZaBS2Ci6dzwVjh2XgqkSVzrTYeM8IUya0cg/s1600/Thou+art+Light+Divine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyACQiwXkCSNnrKowlJhiFqrI2UYPlVNm6_lTemYIYNU7VTGowfr0duWJ3AybxFnTdklbjbwC6Asgq1TTRDkm_oobeDATGE_0ewXIv-bgtZaBS2Ci6dzwVjh2XgqkSVzrTYeM8IUya0cg/s1600/Thou+art+Light+Divine.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Thou art Light Divine. Thou art Light of knowledge. Thou
art the dispeller of darkness. Thou art the Supreme Guru. Thou art beyond the
reach of mind and speech. Thou art beyond any kind of limitation. Thou art the
Self of this universe.</span><span class="usercontent"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Om
Santih! Santih! Santih!</b></span><span class="usercontent"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Aum let there be peace within us, let there be peace in the
world, let there be peace in the universe.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><i>Aaguner Paroshmoni</i></b></span> by Indrani Sen and
Ambar Chakraborty (along with Srikanta Acharjo and Gauri Ghosh):</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><i>Purify me with your virtues, wiping off the
vices of our hearts,</i></span><br /><i>
<span class="usercontent">Let your auspicious effulgence take away the darkness
and greed of our souls.</span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->[A humble endeavour: Notes on Shri Krishn,
deciphering the Mahabharata, etc ~ do read the post in its entirety... to grasp its scope, et al.]</span></span><i><span class="usercontent"> </span></i></span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 11.5: sri-bhagavan uvaca (Sri Bhagavan said): || pasya
me paartha rupani sataso 'tha sahasrasah nana-vidhani divyani nana-varnakrtini
ca || ~ "Behold, O Paartha [O son of Prtha],
by hundreds and thousands, My different forms: celestial, varied in colours and
shapes." </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Prtha = Kunti's real name.] | </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being
in his totality of manifestation. He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Person/Being,
but is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself (albeit, in the flesh). || krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || He is the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler. He is
the sum-total of all the Cosmic, Solar and Planetary Devas. He is the Yogi of
the Yogis. The Deva of the Devas. He is the Synthesis of the universe. | ... There is noone on this planet that can really
depict how our Gods actually look like. There is none who can authenticate the
actual appearance of God (</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>Satyam-Sivam-Sundaram: Satyam = Eternal/Truth/Dharma; Sivam = Auspiciousness; Sundaram = Goodness/Principles)</i>. In the last few hundred generations, nobody has
actually seen Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; therefore, nobody can vouch for their
exact appearances. [</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>And, the same is applicable to the Dasavatara. E.g. noone knows how Krishn actually looked like.] </i>The visual depictions/idols or images of our gods are
(therefore) based on imagination (very likely that of more than one person.)
However, these images and idols incorporate postures, symbolism and
metaphorical understanding ~ to communicate and define the entire functioning
of the universe/cosmos. [None of which is to be taken literally; they are all allegorical and full of symbolism.] Also, Sanaatan Dharma does not promote fear toward God (therefore, the human-like images are serene-faced and reassuring).
There is no concept of 'fear of god'. ~ And though we are very familiar with Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva, not all of the Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (mentioned in our
ancient texts and scriptures) are entities. Some of them are just metaphors
for one or the other cosmic force (even sub-force or energy.) For example, Lord Shiva's physical form itself
(with which we all are very familiar)... is just imagery (not to be taken literally) for a (namesake) force
of the universe. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Also, cosmic turbulence is euphemistically called 'tandav'
or 'tandav nritya'. Its physical depiction - the Nataraj form of the cosmic 'Shiva-force' - alludes to
this.] Besides, there have also been keertiman humans by the
name of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (possibly, more than one set of Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva ~ following the last great flood/Mahajal Pralaya.) Lakshmi, Sarasvati
and Parvati are higher cosmic entities/beings, while their human namesakes have achieved amaratva/'eternal life' (and are thus, 'mrityunjay') on the strength of their karm. And while there was a Kaali on
earth, elsewhere in the cosmos 'Kaali' is the name of a cosmic force (rather a sub-force)... that
keeps the cosmic 'Shiva-force' inert. However, due to the passage of time...
multiple narratives have converged and fused into one. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>There were human Varuna and Indra (very likely a 'title' for the chief/king of the 'Asura' and 'Deva' clans respectively); probably a somewhat monolithic clan that later branched into two. One of these
'Indra' defeated Varuna. Eons later... Meghnaad defeated another 'Indra' ~ and took
on the title of 'Indrajeet'. [</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->For great kings and emperors... to assume a title was
common in earlier eras/yugs. In the current yug, Samraat Chandragupta II had
assumed the title of "Vikramaditya" ~ after thwarting
the imperialistic designs/machinations and ambitions of the Sakas, and driving them out of
wide swathes of land, (probably almost the whole of modern Asia). <i>He then</i> established peace and prosperity under his wise, benevolent
and enlightened rule.] However, by Krishn's time... there was no human Varuna
or Indra. ['Deva' does not mean "demi-god", and 'Asura' does not mean "demon". Such connotations have come about... thanks to mistranslation.] '</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Danava', 'Rakshasa' and 'Daitya' were 'Asura'
sub-clans, while 'Gandharva' and maybe the 'Suparnah' (falcon or golden eagle
emblem/insignia/totem-bearing clan) and the 'Shakuna' (vulture
emblem/insignia/totem-bearing clan) were 'Deva' sub-clans. Garuda was a
prominent 'Suparnah': probably a 'title' for the leader or chief. As for the 'Shakuna' clan:
think of Jatayu and Sampati, they were not birds per se. Also, Shakuntala was
cared for and brought up by the Shakuna people. (Shakuntala: one
who grew up under the care of the Shakuna; the 'shakun' in Shakuntala is not 'vulture' per
se. Tala = under the care of.)</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> [<u>Note</u>: It is possible that the </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Danava', 'Rakshasa' and 'Daitya' </i></span></span></span>were
considerably taller than the others, and so, this could have been a
distinguishing feature. (However, there has never been a homogeneous set of humans on earth.) The humans of the earlier eras would have (in
all likelihood) differed in height, longevity, appearance and other physical characteristics, etc...
compared to modern humans. Even the adivasis (descendents of the first set of
humans that evolved on earth; </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->do also read paragraph #6 ~ from the last) of the earlier eras/yugs would have been different from their modern
counterparts. Also, somewhere down the line, whether various adivasi clans came
to be regarded as 'Danava', 'Rakshasa' and 'Daitya' or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. Plus, various ancient humans/groups have become extinct... whether they were replaced by others ~ my guess is as good as yours. </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, the
earth has been witness to numerous events and has undergone enormous amounts of
changes over the past several million or billions of years. And this would also
include the great deluge (Mahajal Pralaya) and other forms of "Pralaya"
(cataclysmic events). However, the last great deluge/flood (Mahajal Pralaya) cannot be millions of years old. Therefore, how many types of flora, fauna and humans
have inhabited or walked on this earth ~ my guess is as good as yours. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Besides, (e.g.) perhaps, once upon a time the Antarctic was habitable. [So
the topography there as well as the Antarctic ice will surely contain millions
of years of our climate history, etc.] Also, due to these Pralayas (cataclysmic
events) and Mahajal Pralaya (great flood) we do not quite know how the
terrain/topography, geography, flora and fauna, et al of the world looked
like (in earlier eras/yugs) or has evolved. As to how various extinct (or lost) flora and fauna
make their re-appearance ~ my guess is as good as yours. So, will the blue lotus
(pushkara or indivara) and/or the red lotus (kokonada, kamala) re-appear - once
mankind/humanity reaches the 'Golden Age' (Sat/Satya/Krita Yug)? - My guess is as good
as yours.] <span style="color: #741b47;"><u>Note</u>: </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>After the decline of the Gupta era, the various
translations and interpretations (of the earlier texts) as well as the many new
texts that emerged... not only missed out on the symbolic, metaphorical and
allegorical aspects of Sanaatan Dharma, the post-Gupta era translators also
could not quite figure out the many scientific and technological verses
(involving advanced medical science, biotechnology and quantum physics - that were an integral
part of the earlier eras, texts and scriptures; some of which were even related
to celestial events involving stars, planets, etc.) Not only did the later
translators lack the necessary vocabulary, the Sanskrit language too did not
remain stagnant; so there were changes in phonetics, meanings and so on. ...
And these (very likely) also impacted the later translations and
interpretations (besides newer works that were based on these post-Gupta era
translations). Similar-sounding names and nomenclature too may have given rise to confusion. Plus, many events/aspects have been taken literally, while
several narratives have fused into one. ~ 'Yagna' or 'Yagna-kund' indicated research, scientific procedures, etc... and not fire-ritual per se. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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concepts (such as propitiation) came about - thanks to the ritual-heavy
"Brahminical faith"; however, prarabda karm (bad, negative karm) cannot be
"washed off" and (thereby gradually) a positive balance of karm gained -
through propitiation, rituals, and so on; there is no alternative to karm yog. Also,
the Cosmic Being/Cosmic Ruler as well as the Cosmic Plan has nothing to do with
propitiation, and the like. That apart, there have been innumerable retelling, interpolations, extrapolations, re-writings,
simplification, and over-simplification even... for the purposes of stage plays,
songs, poetry, and so on. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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(unfortunately) was not marked by a scientific temperament/achievements or by intellectual
stimulation, unlike the Gupta era and before*. ... So objectivity or objective
narration may have become a casualty to emotions and the sign of the
times. ~ My guess is as good as yours. [*</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Bharatavarsha, "cherished land": the
continent ('varsha'; Sanskrit) that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6REMzfDo4oXeUrlAImWOQZh3MWFfdpMeINrRdW4YnRsSax9Tt7k_tCOUravEbbwB92lw8wIS2uxnpZtcKqhYGSJh-oBT9htJS8xO0tLo4rlsxAVSut4HfKAUQ3Jc6AqX82yX2sKD_Myw/s1600/3D+illustration+-+Lord+Vishnu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6REMzfDo4oXeUrlAImWOQZh3MWFfdpMeINrRdW4YnRsSax9Tt7k_tCOUravEbbwB92lw8wIS2uxnpZtcKqhYGSJh-oBT9htJS8xO0tLo4rlsxAVSut4HfKAUQ3Jc6AqX82yX2sKD_Myw/s1600/3D+illustration+-+Lord+Vishnu.jpg" height="117" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>|<span style="color: #0c343d;">| Mangalam Bhagavaan Vishnu Mangalam Garuda-Dhvaja
Mangalam Pundarikaaksho Mangalaayatano Harih || [<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ9yjIZtd_I"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Link</span></a></b>] </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Pundarikaaksho = lotus-eyed; one whose eyes are shaped
like lotus petals. [</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Puṇḍarīka</i>/</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="med1"><span class="med1">Pundarika or Pankaja/Svetakamala/</span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="med1"><span class="med1"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Dhavala (pronounced: </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="med1"><span class="med1"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->DA wahl) kamala/Shubhra Kamala is "white/pure white lotus". Pure white signifies pristine, embodiment of pure knowledge. It also signifies tranquility.] </span></span>Garuda-Dhvaja = the symbol or insignia of Lord Narayan.
Garuda = the divine bird, also: the king of birds. Here, "Garuda" refers to eagle or maybe falcon (may
not be similar to what we see on Earth.) </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Lord Narayan is also shown holding a lotus flower; it
is usually pink (pale red or red-pink) in colour. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->This is the supreme lotus, for the highest deity; Lord Narayan is "Anish" - Supreme; He is "Aadinath" - the Foremost, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Absolute. [The pink lotus (pale-red) is padma in Sanskrit. The rare blue
lotus is termed <i>pushkara</i> or <i>indivara</i>. </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is also known as krishna kamal. This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the
senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The <i>Neel-kamal</i> - the blue water-lily (utpala) is also called krishna kamal. The blue
lotus (pushkara or indivara) and the blue water-lily
(utpala) are often confused despite the distinct
differences between the two plants. Many say: there is <i>no</i> blue lotus, no
such flower exists or ever has; that it is a <i>botanical chimera</i>. That:
lotuses can be white (pundarika, svetakamala, </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="med1"><span class="med1">dhavala kamala, shubhra kamala, </span></span></span></i></span></span>pankaja), pink (padma) or
pink-going-on-red (kokonada, kamala), but they are <i>never</i> blue. ... But
then, perhaps a long time ago the blue lotus was indeed blue; that there indeed
was a blue lotus (pushkara or indivara) - known to our ancients; maybe it was a rare flower. And maybe, due to
environmental factors, etc the blue lotus (pushkara or indivara) went into a <i>Nirvikalpa
Samadhi</i> to awaken to <i>moksha</i>. ~ And when <i>this</i> happened, our
forefathers began to consider the blue water-lily (utpala) as a replacement. (The
blue water-lily (<i>utpala</i>) is actually a delicate shade of indigo.) ~ Perhaps, a similar thing happened with the <i>red lotus</i> (kokonad, kamala)
too, who can say? Meaning: the actual red lotus may have faded away from the
face of the earth, and therefore, had to be replaced by the pink-going-on-red
variety.] </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="usercontent"><i>Lord Narayan is "Rohit"
(Rohitah/Lohitah in Sanskrit ~ </i></span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">rosy-white.
Rosy-hued or reddish is Rohitah or Lohitah in Sanskrit.) Therefore, Lord
Narayan Himself is (the personification of) the Supreme Lotus (the pink or pale-red lotus). </span></i>Various gods, such as Shri
Brahma </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Chief Engineer/Scientist of the Cosmos), Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi (</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the consort of Lord Vishnu/Narayan, and the deity/symbol/bestower
of wealth, well-being, prosperity, generosity, auspiciousness and happiness) and Goddess Sarasvati (</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the consort of Lord Brahma, and the deity/symbol/bestower of knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment) are also depicted as 'sitting' on a
lotus flower: only the most enlightened and blessed (i.e. highly favoured or fortunate - by divine grace, or worthy
of deep reverence, veneration and worship) can 'sit' on a lotus flower.
[</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Goddess Lakshmi is shown sitting on a full-blown red lotus
(since<b> </b>red-colored Lotus symbolizes wealth and prosperity) </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->holding lotus buds in two of Her hands and
benignly blessing all those who come to Her for succour. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The fully-bloomed lotus She is seated on,
represents the seat of Divine Truth. The aura of joy surrounding Her depicts
mental and spiritual balance. Peace and prosperity always exist around Her. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Gayatri Mantra for Goddess Lakshmi: || <i>Om
Mahalakshmai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmihi Prachodayat
||</i> ~ <i>"Om. May we meditate on the Great Goddess Sri Lakshmi, the
consort of Sri Maha Vishnu. May that effulgent Maha Lakshmi Devi inspire and
illumine our mind and understanding." ~ </i>The name "Lakshmi"
is derived from the Sanskrit elemental form "lakS," meaning to
observe or perceive. This is also synonymous with "lakSya," meaning
aim, goal or objective. Lakshmi is thus a Goddess who is regarded as the means
to achieving several goals, importantly, becoming prosperous. Goddess
Sarasvati, on the other hand, is shown sitting on a white lotus (Puṇḍarīka/Pundarika
or Shubhra Kamal). White signifies pure knowledge. Goddess Sarasvati is the embodiment/symbol of pure knowledge.] </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Goddess Parvati holds a lotus, and is sometimes
seen as standing on a lotus. [Her eighteen arms signify that she possesses
combined power of nine incarnations of Lord Vishnu that have appeared on the
earth at different times in the past. She preserves "dharma" by dispelling/destroying negative
aspects of human nature such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred,
anger, and ego.] Suryadev/Lord Surya (not to be mistaken for the sun that rises in the east and sets in the west) is sometimes depicted sitting on a red lotus (kokonada, kamala).
[</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The red lotus signifies the original nature and purity of the heart (hrdya).] However, other higher entities/beings like Devaraj Indra, Dharmaraj Yamaraj, Pavandev, Chitragupt, et
al are not depicted 'sitting' on a lotus flower. ~ The roots of a lotus are <span id="IL_AD1"><span class="ilad">in the mud</span></span>, <span id="IL_AD4"><span class="ilad">the stem</span></span> grows up through the water, and the heavily <span id="IL_AD8"><span class="ilad">scented</span></span> flower lies pristine above
the water, basking in the sunlight. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The lotus remains completely uncontaminated,
even though rooted in the dirtiest, muddiest waters. This pattern of growth signifies the <span style="color: #660000;">progress
of the soul</span> from the primeval mud of materialism, through <span id="IL_AD7"><span class="ilad">the waters</span></span> of experience, and into
the bright sunshine of enlightenment. Also, for those performing nishkam
karm/selfless service/actions... for a better society - it is 'lotus feet' and kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm'. [</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>puṣkara = blue lotus; </i></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the blue lotus is completely up and out of the
(muddy) water.] </i>The
<span id="IL_AD9"><span class="ilad">spirit</span></span> of such persons is
spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water that remains "detached" [does not
adhere to it.] ~ BG 11.12: || divi
surya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad bhasas tasya
mahatmanah || ~ "If hundreds of
thousands of suns were to rise at once into the sky, their radiance might
resemble the effulgence of the Supreme One/Great Soul/Param-aatma." Alternatively: "If the radiance of a thousand suns were to suddenly burst forth in the sky, that would be like the light of the exalted one." ... The Gayatri/Savitr
Mantra is a prayer to that Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi: </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->possibly, Brahm-jyoti - the Divine effulgence
(also referred to as "Brahmn") - emanating from Goloka-Paravyoma (the spiritual abode of Shri Krishn). ~ </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is the light that impersonalists perceive in
the Nirguna mode of the God/Almighty. (The Supreme Being/Almighty is the manifestation (saguna) of this Brahmn. He is also the manifestation of Om or Aum - the Pranava-naad.) </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The Gayatri/Savitr
Mantra is a prayer to t</span></i>he Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi (effulgent Brahmn) as well as to the Sun (jyotiḥ, Sūrya,
Aaditya) ~ without whom there can be no life on the earth-plane. [Technically
speaking, what promotes life is the energy of the sun. The rays from the sun
not only support life, but the rays of the sun are indeed the source of life
itself.] Enhance the efficacy of the life principles, including one's body,
mind and soul. ~ Visualize the sun's rays streaming forth into your body, mind
and soul... and guiding you through the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa): || Aum Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo
Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat || ~ <u>Pronounced</u>: || OHM BUR BOO-VAH
SVA-HA TAHT SAH-VEE-TOOR VAHR-EHN-YUM BHAHR-GO DEH-VAHS-YAH DEE-MAH-HEE DEE-YOH
YOHN-AH PRAH-CHOD-DAH-YAHT || ~ OM. I
revere the Divine Self who illuminates the three worlds - physical, astral and
causal; I offer my prayers to that God who shines like the Sun. May He
enlighten our intellect. [Alternatively: </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="caption">"O Lord, You are the protector of life and of
breath, dispeller of miseries and bestower of happiness. You are the
creator and the most acceptable intelligence, possessing eternal
qualities. May Your qualities and Your inspiration pass to us."]</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbC2kSnFEu6RYEtoRvbwC_IYM25bKYAM4uxWMI-ykju1cj5RC5nsJBz62vYX6wrr6k4jSBuZ3w5W_QHUHLV7WQoMDBbsFOA6TY7m8iDeCuQZksNNEBpaucJCNVk9lrE_Oa6mbmUInOMY/s1600/AUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbC2kSnFEu6RYEtoRvbwC_IYM25bKYAM4uxWMI-ykju1cj5RC5nsJBz62vYX6wrr6k4jSBuZ3w5W_QHUHLV7WQoMDBbsFOA6TY7m8iDeCuQZksNNEBpaucJCNVk9lrE_Oa6mbmUInOMY/s1600/AUM.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>AUM (also known as OM): The syllable OM (written out as
AUM with each letter having its own significance) represents Brahmn, the
supreme creator (Srashtaa), as well as the
whole of creation. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>OM represents the <i>Shabda
Brahmn</i>. It is the primeval sound - <i>pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad</i>, the sound of
the universe itself. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The uttering of the sacred and mystical OM is
called Onkar or Omkar. It is the sound of the origination and dissolution of
the universe. The past, present, future and all that transcends time are all
included in this sound. </i><i><i>It represents that Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi - </i><i>Brahm-jyoti - the Divine effulgence
(also referred to as "Brahmn") - emanating from Goloka-Paravyoma (the spiritual abode of Shri Krishn). ~ </i><i>It is the light that impersonalists perceive in
the Nirguna mode of the God/Almighty.</i> Lord Narayan is the
personification/manifestation (Omswaroop) of OM or AUM. Thus, He is Hariom. He is Omprakash - light of OM, light of the world. Here are some of
the meanings embedded in this mantra:</i></span></span></span></div>
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<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bhur</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left; width: 171.75pt;" width="286"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(earth) / Pranaswaroop</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bhuvah</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(atmosphere) / Dukh Nashak</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Swaha</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(heavens) / Sukh Swaroop</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tat</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(that)</span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Savitur</span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(of the source) / Tejasvi</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Varenyam</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(to be held sacred) / Shresht</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bhargo</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(light) / Paap-nashak</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Devasya</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(of the effulgent) / Divyo ko</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dhimahi</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(we meditate on) / Dharan karen</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dhiyo</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(that illumined intelligence, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">wisdom) / Buddhi ko</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yo</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(which) / Jo</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nah</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(us) / Hamari</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Prachodayat</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(inspires) / Prerit kare</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Krishna's birth. Let's consider. The guards "magically" <i>falling
asleep</i> and the <i>prison gates opening and closing </i>"miraculously" -
these can be attributed to the many acts of kindness displayed by the palace,
kitchen and jail staff. Krishna's mother (Devaki) was the daughter of the
deposed king, Ugrasena, and she (along with Vasudev) was suffering at the hands
of her own brother Kansh. Hence, we <i>cannot</i> rule out the presence of
sympathetic people within the rank and file - even during Kansh's reign, [since Kansh's powerful minister Akrura himself was sympathetic towards Krishna (in
later years).] Therefore: the food may have been spiked (to make some of the
guards on duty to fall into a deep slumber) while the other guards (who were
sympathetic towards Krishna's parents) opened the prison gates, thus enabling
Vasudev to take the baby Krishna to a safer place. Once he returned, these
guards simply locked the prison gates. </span></i><i><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span></i><i><span class="usercontent"><span class="usercontent">Also: the Nag was a serpent-worshiping
clan. Probably they displayed a serpent totem/insignia too. One of their
prominent king/chieftain, Vasuki, shielded the baby Krishna (from inclement
weather) during Vasudev's journey. However, later translators misinterpreted
this... thereby turning Vasuki into a gigantic serpent. He was very much human! </span>The 'daiva-vaani' (<i>divine announcement</i> - that
the 8<sup>th</sup> child of Devaki-Vasudev would be Kansh's nemesis) probably
is #1. a reference (and interpretation) of Kansh's dream - by his royal astrologer, or #2. a reference to
the latter's prediction. Kansh was a megalomaniac and tyrant
(who was also under the influence of the despotic Jarasandha), so it is entirely possible that he
physically battered Devaki's babies, or it could also be that he denied them (and her) all
forms of medical assistance (during and after the deliveries). Either way, all
the babies died soon after birth. [Whatever little help the staff may have
extended... wouldn't have been enough.] However, the 7<sup>th</sup> child,
Balarama, was transferred from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb (via embryo
transfer. Here 'Rohini' is a reference to an incubator - that acted as a surrogate
womb, just like 'Ganga' is a reference/metaphor for a lab). This 'embryo
transfer' (probably) happened due to the combined efforts of certain members
of the staff (who were sympathetic to Devaki and Vasudev) and other influential figures (like Kansh's minister, Akrura.) </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->As for Yogmaya or Vishnu-maya (supposedly the "daughter"
of King Nand, and a replacement for the newborn Krishna) - probably "she" was a
life-like baby doll (</span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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life-like movement and positioning or posing.) Maybe the word "maya" has, therefore, been used (perhaps, to
indicate "illusion", i.e. something that induced the "illusion" of a real/human
baby. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Or in other words: something that simulated the
characteristics of a human baby.) As for Subhadra, supposedly Krishna's "half-sister" (who was "born" of
Rohini)... well, '<span class="usercontent">Rohini' is (a
reference to) an incubator - that acted
as a surrogate womb. So, one isn't quite sure
what is meant by "half-sister", except that later-day translators have yet again not
understood technology... and, therefore, interpolated. </span></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="usercontent"><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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story) is courtesy later interpolations or not - my guess is as good as yours.]</span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYjT6Of2EmwCJFwAOlIkch9fD57DY_n-n6NXQ0sRPVUv213hnEy6i8tCD8ysXoZA5jq30e2QmPmaM4jNQmA5nBv95GVYQG7GY10DHAoqTlmaTIWDPqPLLgJMahQqdRNLc7RRMdlN2fKs/s1600/Vishnu-Krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYjT6Of2EmwCJFwAOlIkch9fD57DY_n-n6NXQ0sRPVUv213hnEy6i8tCD8ysXoZA5jq30e2QmPmaM4jNQmA5nBv95GVYQG7GY10DHAoqTlmaTIWDPqPLLgJMahQqdRNLc7RRMdlN2fKs/s1600/Vishnu-Krishna.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Krishna, the wielder of 'Sudarshan Chakra'; Krishna, the
celestial flautist; </i><i>Krishna, the primeval guru; Krishna, the Satguru; Krishna, the greatest guide; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, one who has no leader (anaya); Krishna, leader of men (jahnuh); Krishna, the twinkle-eyed makkhan-chor (</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Navanitachora); Krishna, one who accomplishes great and noble tasks; Krishna, the
Giridhari - one who accomplishes Herculean tasks (against huge obstacles, hence the metaphor of 'Giridhari'. It is not literal.) Krishna, Ghanshyam - the </i><i>"all absorbing one". [During
his lifetime, (it is said) he was the target of malicious attacks. Accusations,
abuse and insults were hurled at him; several small-minded people orchestrated
these. But Krishna never stooped low nor responded back in kind. Instead: He
simply absorbed them all - with his characteristic grace, and hence, is also
known as Ghanshyam - the all-absorbing one.] </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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eyes (Ravilochan); Krishna, Kamalnayan - one with eyes shaped like lotus petals; Krishna, grayish to dusky blue (similar to the
colour of a newborn's skin immediately after birth); </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Blue also stands for: meditation/introspection,
peace, tranquility, depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence,
intelligence, patience, decision-making and truth/dharma: actions that benefit
society.] Krishna, Neelamber, velvet blue-hued - Supreme Neelkanth: </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->One who absorbs "poison" or "toxin" (arising out of <i>societal
churning</i>) - thereby cleansing it sufficiently enough... for it to "heal", so
as to be able to function (in a positive manner). He thus lifts the cloud of negativity as well as the 'fog of
untruth and make-believe' (from our eyes, thoughts and hearts), clears past cobwebs... thus showing the way forward. Krishna, of the magnetic personality, good looks (Shrikant), matchless charm, charisma, brilliance, perception, energy, drive, patience, tenacity and valiance; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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as 'Sudarshan Chakra') cuts through every <i>vyuh</i>; Krishna, whose 'Sudarshan
Chakra' pre-empts or negates the plans/designs/machinations of negative
entities. Krishna, a Reformer-Soldier-Statesman par excellence; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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assorted negative entities... </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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(Duryodhan, Dushshasana, Karna, Shakuni, Kansh, Jarasandha, et al and their machinations); Krishna, "bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhu" - the Master of all things past, future and
present; Krishna, the possessor of Tritiya-Nayan (the metaphoric Third Eye); Krishna, who holds a mirror to society; </i><i><i><i>Krishna,
a human who is unlike any other mere mortal; Krishna, a 'lila-avatar'; Krishna, a human who is not part
of the constant cycle of life and death; </i></i>Krishna, </i><i>Ekam Eva Advitiyam - The One. The Peerless; </i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, Peetamber or Peetabasa (draped in the colour gold/golden-yellow - the colour of enlightenment, represented by the metaphoric/symbolic 'halo'); </i></i><i><i>Krishna, wrapped in cool cyan - </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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[So, is </i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i>Lord Narayan/Shri Hari Vishnu (or maybe His third form/aspect - </i></i><i><i>Kṣīrodakaśāyī-Viṣṇu)</i></i></span></span></i></i><i><i> bluish
green-hued? Thus making him the Cosmic Mayur? - My guess is as good as yours. </i></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Is He blue-hued like the Robin? Or is He <span class="usercontent">the most magnificent of all blues
~ the one adorning the plumage of the Indian Roller (Neelkanth)? ... But then,
since He is also known as "Rohit" (Rohitah/Lohitah in Sanskrit) ~ is he </span>rosy-white? (Rosy-hued or reddish is Rohitah or Lohitah
in Sanskrit.) ~ Well, my guess is as good as yours.] <u>Note</u>: Apart
from the līlā incarnations (which includes the "Dasavatara"), there are
qualitative incarnations (</i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->guṇa-avatāras) such as Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva (or Rudra/</i></i></span></span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rudra-Śiva</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i>) who take
charge of the different modes of material nature. Therefore, all three - namely Brahmā,
Viṣṇu (also: </i></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>Mahā-Viṣṇu or </i></i><i><i>Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣṇu's third form/aspect -
Kṣīrodakaśāyī-Viṣṇu) and
Śiva, are incarnations of the </i></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->puruṣa). </i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i>Rudra means:
the dispeller of darkness and usherer of peace. He is called "the
archer" (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode"><i>Śarva</i></span>) and the arrow
is an essential attribute of Rudra. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root <span class="unicode"><i>śarv, </i>which</span> means, "to negate" or
"to dispel". Hence, the name <span class="unicode">Śarva</span> can be
interpreted as: "One who can dispel/drive away darkness". The names <span class="unicode">Dhanvin</span> ("bowman") and <span class="unicode">Bāṇahasta</span>
("archer", literally: "Armed with arrows in his hands"/ <span class="unicode">Bāṇa = arrow, hasta = hand</span>) also refer to archery/the
archer. Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows (baan/b<span class="unicode">āṇa</span>). Rudra: also
means: one who makes everyone weep: "ru", to cry or to teach, "rud", to make a person weep,
and "dra" to flow. Hence Rudra is considered as a deity who teaches the supreme
knowledge to all and whose energy flows in everything. Shiva (Sanskrit <span class="unicode"><i>śiva</i>) means:</span>
"the kindly/auspicious one". </i></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is also the Lord of mercy and kindness.|| yo rudro agnau yo apsu ya
oṣadhīṣu yo rudro viśvā bhuvanā viveśa tasmai rudrāya namo astu || ~ Meaning:
To the Rudra who is fire, who is in water, who is in trees and plants, who has
entered into the entire Universe, to that Rudra let our salutations go.</i><i><i>] </i></i><i><i>The Paśupati seal (very likely) depicts Rudra-Śiva </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Shivah Gayatri Mantra:<b> || </b>Aum Panchvakraye
Vidmahe Mahadevaye Dheemahi Tanno Rudra Prachodayat || </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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his right eye; the Moon is the left eye and fire (agni), the third eye. [The
"third eye" (very likely) indicates the Ajnea chakra
(Brow Chakra, the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra, the
third eye chakra ~ denoting spiritual guidance.) The word <i>ajna</i>
comes from the Sanskrit root which means 'to know, to obey and to follow'.<b> </b>Among
Indians, it is also known as the <i>"divya chakshu</i>" (the divine eye) or <i>the
eye of knowledge.</i> The third eye chakra is located in the brain, directly
behind the eyebrow center at the top of spinal chord i.e. at the medulla
oblongata. A two-petalled lotus symbolizes Ajna chakra. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The left petal represents the moon or the ida nadi and the right petal represents the sun or the pingla nadi. Within the two-petalled lotus is a perfectly round
circle that symbolizes the <i>"shoonya"</i> or the void i.e. the state completely
devoid of ego/ahamkara. In this circle the symbol <i>Om</i> is written. 'Om' is the
mantra and the symbol of ajna chakra. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Shivah is the destroyer and the restorer (simultaneously): He is the </i></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><i><i>destroyer of ego/ahamkara, ignorance, etc;</i></i> </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the great ascetic (hamsan, "yogi"; do read the fourth paragraph from last... to know more
about "yogi" and "detachment"), and the kind herdsman
(shepherd) of souls (jiva-atmas/human or individual souls.)] (</i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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One who aims His shaarnga bow, and "Chakree": Carrier of Sudarsana. ~ Do refer to paragraph # 18 ~ from the top, to know what
'Sudarshan Chakra' means/indicates.) Krishna, Shri Hari Vishnu's Purna avatar - one in whom divinity is manifested fully; Krishna, the eternal Mayur - </i></i><i><i>regal, playful, dazzling (dynamic presence), captivating (Manohar), self-assured and a joy to
behold. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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great bull with a hundred heads': Vrishaakritih - Dharma (Vrisha) Himself; Krishna, </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, the illustrious God of gods who is <i>also</i>
called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull); Krishna,
Vrisha Uttamam - the Supreme Bull (Supreme
Dharma). Krishna, <i>mahaavaraaho</i>: The great boar; Krishna, <i>Kapih</i>, the foremost of boars - eka (one) shringa (horned) varaha; Krishna, <i>Vrishakapi</i>
- the one-horned Varaha, the Supreme form of Shri Vishnu; </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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|| ~ among trees, I am the peepal (ashvattha); [<b>*</b>Please refer to the
Indus seals above - for all of these.] Krishna, a fine blend of the right values/ideals and principles as well as pragmatism; </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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a repository of intelligence, wisdom and enlightenment; Krishna, who spent time
on earth in Dvapar. [S</i></i><i><i>o,
some five millenniums down the line... sitting in Kaliyug if one were to imagine him, then maybe: take a much taller Gregory Peck, neat and clean-shaven - especially the one from "Roman Holiday", (along with all of Peck's quiet strength, aura, demeanour, reassuring presence, et al - many times over), add all of Chanakya's brilliance, knowledge, single-minded determination, wisdom, vision, perception, sagacity, resiliency, magnanimity
and statesmanship - many times over, then add Cary Grant's charm - many times over, followed by several dashes of Steve McQueen and Ronald Colman, and finally, bucketfuls of </i></i><i><i>Nicola Tesla (his vision, imagination and genius) and Steve Jobs (his finesse) besides (vast quantities of the confidence, acceleration, grit, drive, balance, zen, class, poise, energy, agility, never-say-die attitude, etc of) Usain Bolt, Viv Richards, Chris Gayle, Roger Federer (at his peak), Rafael Nadal and Djokovic. ... And still find that its not enough. That it's way, wayyy short.] Krishna, the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu; </i> Krishna, who personifies dharma and karm; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, a nation-builder par excellence; Krishna, a magnificent karm-yogi; Krishna, the other name for selfless/nishkam karm (</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->not 'sacrifice', He is Vrishakapi - one-horned Varaha: </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></span>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, who was born under unusual circumstances, who grew up... away from
his parental home, was sent away to study at the age of 5 or 7, and who returned only to be instantly drawn into a whirlpool of intrigue (unleashed by the
machinations of the tyrannical Jarasandha and Kansh). [</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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and Jarasandh as the <i>prati-Vasudev</i> (possibly: anti-Krishna) - and this shows how
important the rivalry between the two was.] Krishna, who appeared on
the scene with his heroic abilities, superior intellect and tremendous
political foresight (when the political situation of the country was most difficult); He, having been thrown into the situation, was quite clear
in his objective. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, of the Mahabharata and the <i>Srimad</i>
Bhagavad Geeta - far removed from the flute-wielding romantic who figures in
Jayadev's "Geet Gobind"; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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is very likely the consort of the Krishna of Jayadev's "Geet Gobind". Due to the
similarity in names, narratives have confluenced. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Shri Krishna was part of Dvapar - an era when
#1. The human species on earth was very small in number and #2. Within that too
the male-female ratio was heavily skewed. So, if at all there were a large number of
milkmaids, they would have been unnatural humans (genetically
engineered, cloned) and humanoids. Umm, we all are very familiar with the Meerabai
story, aren't we? But then she lived about five centuries ago and Krishna was part
of Dvapar. However, if five or six centuries down the line someone were to retell
the Mahabharata story yet again, can we rule out the possibility of both these
narratives merging? </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also: Krishna was sent to study at <i>Maharshi</i>
Sandeepani and Garga Muni's ashram at the age of 5 or 7. Here he would have
been put through a rigorous training regimen, spending his time reading a
variety of subjects. (Ashrams or gurukul-s were situated in isolated/remote
places and the students followed a strict/disciplined life.) So, it is quite
unlikely that Krishn would have been able to spend his time, especially his teenage years, in the company of milkmaids (including Radha) or by playing with village boys (Sudama included). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, Jambavan was part of Treta. So Krishna
could not have married Jambavani in Dvapar. As for his supposed 16,108 'wives' or even 700,000 'wives'
and 180,000 'sons', these cannot be taken at face value. These figures (very
likely) came about courtesy the many cultic groups and movements that sprung up in
Krishna's name, especially the 'Bhakti Movement'. Members of this movement
considered themselves "married" to Shri Krishn. Yes, even the men. Also, the
'Bhakti Movement' being a reform movement, it is possible that many of these
stories were woven in order to mainstream some marginalized groups, such as the
'tritiya prakriti', etc. A multitude of retelling, paintings, poems, songs,
music, stage plays et al followed, and over time... bits and pieces of these have
made their way into the narrative concerning Krishn. As for (his consort)
Rukmini (or Rukmani), Krishna had heroically eloped
with her (at her request)... to prevent an unwanted marriage with
Shishupal, the crown prince of Chedi (a vassal country under the suzerainty of
Emperor Jarasandh of Magadh). Since Rukmini's father (Bhismaka) too ruled over a vassal
country (under the suzerainty of Magadh), her ambitious brother, Rukmi, proposed that she be married to his friend Shishupal. But having heard much
about Krishn... Rukmini had her heart set on him. However, Rukmi did not want to earn
the wrath of the ruthless Jarasandh and so, convinced Bhismaka as well. Frankly, the Krishna-Rukmini story reminds me of the great Scottish novelist
and an amazingly popular poet, Sir Walter Scott's lovely
poem: <a href="http://quotations.about.com/cs/poemlyrics/a/Lochinvar.htm"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Lochinvar</span></a>. [This poem, once memorized
by every schoolchild in Britain and Ireland and many others across the globe,
is from his long narrative epic poem, <i>Marmion</i>.] Note: Even our <i>raags/</i><i>ragas</i> were classified as 'husband', 'wife'
and even 'son'. <i>Rāginī</i> is a term for the "feminine" counterpart or
"wife" to a rāga. The rāga-rāgini scheme from about the 14th century
aligned 6 "male" rāgas with 6 "wives" (rāginis) and a
number of sons (putras) and even 'daughters-in-law'... none of which should be
taken literally or at face value. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Plus, the way Krishna is depicted, his attire, etc... perhaps
can be traced back to the 'Bhakti Movement'. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Krishna has been an integral part of the many indigenous
reform and renaissance movements that has happened over the last millennium or so. These were able
to undo/change and/or dilute several of the unwanted aspects/social
ills, etc that had seeped into society and Sanaatan Dharm... by creating
awareness, thereby changing mindset, perceptions, etc via stage plays, open air theatres, poetry, couplets, story-telling, books, paintings/visual
arts/iconography, songs and music [also rendered by wandering minstrels] and
the like.</i> </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also: all these stories involving Krishn, Rukmini,
Narad Muni, etc are (very likely) later additions... for the purpose of stage
plays, verses, poetry, and so on. It is unlikely that anyone else would have known
what transpired between Krishn and Rukmini (since either of them is unlikely to
have invited any witness.) [</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And this is also applicable to Rukmini's letter (to
Krishn). It is unlikely that either of them would have shared its contents with
other people. So, the version we have now... is (very likely) the outcome of later-day
writers' and translators' imagination.] Besides, Krishn, the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, was in
his human form, and therefore, would not only have behaved like one; he would
also have expected to be treated like a human. Therefore, he is unlikely to have
behaved like the Lord of Creation with Rukmini, especially. Though it is quite likely that being an intelligent and perceptive person, Rukmini,
like Arjun, (and maybe even Draupadi), probably - at some point - understood that her husband (Krishn) was
not an ordinary human. But this is something Krishn himself never went around
declaring/announcing. [As for Arjun, he was (at some point) able to see beyond the veneer...
created by Krishn himself. ... And that is how the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta came
about. And that is how Krishn's real identity became known to one and all.] It is quite possible, though, that Krishn was surprised at Rukmini's choice (of a
veritable wanderer with a nomadic lifestyle) for a husband... since he was an extremely busy person (with
barely any time for himself... courtesy all the 'push' and 'pull' and 'cross
currents'.) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He was a live wire, and led an intense life. He led a tough life full of stress, numerous pressures and high-velocity... and there was a
multitude of tasks to be accomplished under very difficult/challenging circumstances.
Krishn is detached from Rukmini in the sense that he is not concerned or
bothered about whether she was beautiful or not or whether she was highly
intelligent or knowledgeable or not and the like. [</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Though, given her background, she would certainly have
been erudite and knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects, besides (very
likely) having many and varied interests. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Therefore, they would have been intellectually quite
well-matched and compatible, </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> besides being emotionally suited to one another in terms of temperament. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And, from what we can gather... they would have also looked
stunning together.] It is unlikely that Krishn would
have expected her 'devotion' (he was human, not a deity.) He saw her as a
person, and accepted her the way she was. Rukmini, on the other hand, comes
across as an intelligent, perceptive and balanced person. She does not come across as
immature, boastful, envious, demanding, imprudent, petty or arrogant, or as someone given to sulking, either.
In short, one can say that she was (in every way) worthy of being the consort
of someone like Krishn. They (probably) were, what we call, soul-mates. [</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In case she were to be envious/jealous of him, meaning if
there were to be "samudra-manthan" between them, that would have been an
additional burden on Krishn, a mental as well as an emotional burden, that too. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And that kind of mind games would have affected him (and perhaps even hurt him) in a
manner that nothing else could ever have (including all the machinations of Jarasandh, Duryodhan, Shishupal, etc etc put
together.)] Perhaps she was his anchor. Perhaps... she was able to
understand Krishn (and his life)... and (hence) could become his anchor. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His patience, magnanimity and forgiveness can be gauged
from the fact that he is none other than God himself (albeit, in the flesh).
And He remembers who he is, what his purpose on earth is (as well as all his previous
incarnations/avatars.) The 'toxin' directed at him does not rile him: BG
Chapter 9, verse 11: || avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā
mānuṣīḿ tanum āśritam paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram || ~ "The ignorant deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do
not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be." Krishn is
a karm yogi and totally "detached" (one has to understand him, his life, his purpose, the path he tread and his karm to get this). He
is a complete yogi... and yet, he is also the most magnificent householder (</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->he was non-monastic; he did not renounce "home
life".)
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</xml><![endif]-->He also comes across as spartan, effortless and sorted. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>And given that he is "Sahasrasirsa" ("with
thousand heads") ~ he would also have been able to adapt to any situation or event.</i> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>Krishn is referred to as 'h<i>amsan'</i><i>
</i>or 'ascetic'/'yogi' and/or is compared to the 'lotus' ~ due to his selfless
service to society and humanity (Loka-sangraha or Loka Kalyana.) </i>['Karm Yogi'
is not to be equated with 'workaholic', though. Do read the fourth paragraph from last... to know more about "yogi" and "detachment". </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn did all that he did ~ through the sheer
dint of his <i>karm</i> alone; his commitment and passion towards achieving his
objectives is remarkable. So imagine the extent of his intellectual acuity, as well
as the magnitude of his tenacity and determination; he not only put in his time
but also his heart into it. And he was neither perfunctory nor condescending.] </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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whether with events, situations or with people, and focus (keep his focus, that
is) on the essential aspects, is remarkable; maybe this was due to his "yogi"
nature and his ability to "detach" himself</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->As for his parents: Krishn had two sets of
parents: (what we understand now as) 'biological parents' (Devaki-Vasudev) and
'foster parents' (Yashoda-Nand). He was away (from the former) as a newborn
(since he had to be spirited away to a safer place), while from the latter he
was separated at the age of 5 or 7 (when he was sent away to study.) He would
have met/re-connected with both sets of parents only after completion of his
studies... very likely in his mid-twenties. But then, would he have really been
able to connect? Taking up responsibilities, yes; but would there have been an
emotional connect (from either side)? ~ Well, my guess is as good as yours.
Also, there were other people who were related to him (but he is unlikely to
have known them either) - and some of them had aligned their interests with
Jarasandh and Duryodhan. [The Krishna-Sudama stories are (very likely) later
additions - to teach morals, etc or, maybe, some other narrative made its way
into the main narrative... 'coz Krishn is unlikely to have spent much of his
childhood and the whole of his teenage years in the company of village boys (do
refer to paragraph #6 from the top... to get the drift.) </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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taken along his parents with him... when he moved to Dvarka.] </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg7tWARo3tl5zwHPZA02zht4DszAIM2PexMNTGk3ByiZ7FBxikqlxhb5WEbgnUQ4E2Ddb-w-hqiEJ3Li01_g0LUN4chJySgOKRYkoUT5keCOZCFwi5RC07hCCkLzpo9yIfjebmT1hqLM/s1600/Gulmohar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg7tWARo3tl5zwHPZA02zht4DszAIM2PexMNTGk3ByiZ7FBxikqlxhb5WEbgnUQ4E2Ddb-w-hqiEJ3Li01_g0LUN4chJySgOKRYkoUT5keCOZCFwi5RC07hCCkLzpo9yIfjebmT1hqLM/s1600/Gulmohar.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Gulmohar ('Gul' means 'Flower' and 'Mohr' is 'stamp' or insignia. However:
"Gul" <i>also</i> means "Flower" and "Mor" means
"Peacock"... and <i>this</i> seems more appropriate in summing
up the physical appearance and beauty of this tree + flower. The latter is also
known as <i>Krishnachura</i> or <i>Krusnachura</i> (Bangla/Oriya: 'crown of
Krishna'). </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">~ And, as we know,<span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span>Shamsundar Krishn is the personification of the king of seasons/Rituraj, spring.</span>] ... </span>Coming before us as personified spring is
Shyamsundar Krishn... full of colour, joy, and ecstasy and dressed as a daring dramatic
dancer. He is "all-attractive": </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->at His charming best - with a mysterious or
magical power to attract, and hold us spellbound. He looks like the full moon surrounded by its entourage of stars. His
effulgent white turban appears especially splendid sitting obliquely on His
head. It is decorated with bunches of flowers, sprinkled with fragrant reddish
powder (pollen or "gulaal", or maybe even the flaming-red Gulmohar, also </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>known as "Krishnachura" or 'crown of Krishna'), and surrounded by buzzing bumblebees shaking His peacock feather. His
curly dark blue hair is tied back, and He wears glittering yellow garments just
suitable for the spring season. A sachet of camphor is tucked in His
gem-studded belt. While listening to the vasanta raga, Krishn holds a flute in
His left hand and a ball of red powder (gulaal) in His right hand. Overjoyed at the
sight of Krishna, the forest creepers display ecstatic dance. The gentle
breezes from the Malayan Hills appear as a guru to teach the forest creepers
how to dance. The beautiful mango groves with their blossoming flowers appear
like exuberant laughter. It appears as if they are illuminating the mango grove
with pleasant effulgence. With their new leaves and fresh mango flowers they
exhibit various mudras (hand positions) to go along with the song of the birds...
that intoxicate everyone with their joyous singing. Bumblebees, cuckoos, and
other exotic birds hum and warble pleasingly. The creepers dance along
according to the instructions of the wind. The spring season arrives in the
form of a playful lion cub showing his teeth as the stamens of the flowers. The
southern breezes forced the chills of winter to depart. It appeared as if the
nostrils of personified time had now opened and started breathing in and out.
The juncture of winter and spring seemed like the period between boyhood and
adolescence. The tender creepers explode with new buds. The cuckoos sing a
sweet melody. Though the southern breezes had begun, they were weak due to
their lingering attachment to the Malaya Hills. It seemed the buds, birds, and
breezes simultaneously awaited the departure of the winter season. With their
gentle humming the bumblebees inquire repeatedly from all directions about the
location of spring. Moreover, immediately upon smelling the fragrance, the
cuckoos took shelter in the treetops to savour the fresh mango blossoms. The
forest welcomed the spring season with the sweet fragrances of fresh flowers.
With the disappearance of winter, the forest beamed with delight. The creepers
appeared to be smeared with rich aromas. Overwhelmed with joy, the birds sing
happily. The Malayan breezes moving here and there carried the sweet flavour of
fragrant flowers. With the chirping of intoxicated sparrows, even humans lose
their gravity and feel a new energy flowing through them. Delighted, they
submerge in an ocean of joy, as they smell the sweet aroma of the forest
flowers. There is gulaal, flying of colourful (and even innovatively designed)
kites, sumptuous feast and unlimited happiness during the Holi festival. A new
zeal of life can be seen coming in all around. Colorful flowers decorate this
earth. The bumblebees returning to their hives appear to be tied up together as
they move about with each other. Krishn, the ocean of elegance, appears like a
dramatic artist dressed in colorful garments. The camari deer prepared the
stage by sweeping the forest floor with their bushy tails. The honey nectar
dripping from the flowers moistened the rich soil. Wandering kasturi deer
scented the air with the heady fragrance of musk. Swarms of intoxicated bees
danced in mid-air and buzzed among the flowering creepers. On Vasant Pancami,
the first day of spring, Shyamsundar, whose joyfully sweet and sportive nature
spread in all directions, filled the horizon with the reflection of His
beautiful blue complexion. Whose mind participating in this flourishing festival
of spring will not elate? [Please note: All this is allegorical. The spring season is described... with Krishn as personified spring. Thus, </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is Hari, the Lord of Nature. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is "Kshiteeshah": The Lord of the earth.] Here is the
delectable Tagorean composition <span style="color: #660000;">Aji Dokhino Duar Khola</span> (by Sounak
Chattopadhyay): <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgrkH0H9Shg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Link</span></a></b>.
[Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh Masa
(month). It is the festival/celebration of the king of all seasons: Spring/Basant. This begins
from spring season and carries up to Panchami of Krishna Paksha of Falgun
month. This festival is especially considered significant for lovers of art and
education. The day of Vasant/Basant Panchami is considered to be the beginning of
life. Spring season is the season of rebirth and bloom. In this season, fields
of yellow mustard, charm everybody's heart. Wheat crop starts swaying like
gold. Colourful flowers starts blossoming. The day of Basant Panchami is (thus)
celebrated as the welcoming of colours and happiness. And on this day, apart
from Goddess Sarasvati (</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the goddess/deity/devi symbolizing
learning/knowledge, intelligence and wisdom), Lord Vishnu (the Lord of Creation) and Kamdev (the god/dev of love) is also worshiped. </i><i>As for Gulmohar: "Gul" means "Flower" and "Mohr" means "stamp". But (Gul = flower) and "Mor" means "Peacock"... and <i>this</i> seems more appropriate in summing up the physical appearance and
beauty of this tree and flower.]</i> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Krishna, who foiled Duryodhan's attempts to
ascend the throne - 'coz if such a man and such a bunch were to reign, what
would happen to society? Krishna, who successfully foiled Duryodhan and
Dushshasana's shameful designs; Krishna, who despite not being present in
Hastinapur, came to Draupadi's aid... at a time when even the likes of
Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Bheeshm Pitamah (grandsire), Dronacharya, et al stood
silent - either due to narrow selfish reasons or so as not to displease
Duryodhan. [Krishna was able to aid Draupadi
through very advanced technology - despite not being physically present
in Hastinapur at the time. The Krishna that appeared in the Hastinapur
Court (and successfully foiled the shameful designs of Duryodhana and
Dushyashana) - was his hologram. A highly advanced, realistic and human-like hologram
or holographic image that not only looked like or resembled Krishna
completely but was also able to perform a variety of tasks (including: inducing
illusion and hypnosis, by gaining control over Dushyashana's senses or indriyas).
Very likely: by gaining control over Dushyashana's mind and thoughts: advanced 'inception'.
Result: Dushasana was led to believe that Draupadi's attire (it couldn't have been a saree, though) was an
unending one; and so, he continued to 'unwrap layers and layers of it' (under
hypnosis), and finally fell to the ground - exhausted.] Now, how did Krishn get
to know what was unfolding in the Kuru Court (in Hastinapur)? The narrative
says: Draupadi prayed to him, requesting assistance. This could be an allusion
to "telepathy". Though we are aware of the concept of
"telepathy", we are yet to figure it out fully. [Krishn and Draupadi
were the best of friends, and so, Krishn may have shared the procedure with
her.] Krishna, who promised Duryodhan his powerful 'Narayani Sena';
Krishna, who let Duryodhan rejoice - by agreeing not to pick up weaponry
himself; Krishn, who thus was able to firmly remain on Arjun's side (as his
'charioteer', strategist and guide); Krishna, who quietly weakened Duryodhan (by weakening
Karna - Duryodhan's greatest ally and 'instrument'). Karna was a Maharathi (great
warrior). During the Pandava's 'vanvaas' (exile period or banishment) he helped Duryodhan
become the ruler of a large kingdom, by conquering various lands. The kings of
these lands either accepted Duryodhan's suzerainty and swore allegiance to him,
or chose to die in the battlefield, defending their kingdoms. Karna is said to
have thus subdued the kingdoms of Kamboja, Shaka, Kekaya (maybe beyond what </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Vrihadhakshatra ruled), Avantya, Gandhara (possibly: beyond the areas from where Gandhari hailed),
Madraka (could be areas beyond Madra-raj Shalya's kingdom, from where Madri hailed), Trigarta, Tangana, Panchala (probably areas other than what came under Drupad's kingdom), Videha, Suhma, Vanga, Nishada, Kalinga,
Vatsa, Ashmaka, Rishika and numerous others, including many forest tribes (vaanvasis and adivasis). [Karna was Kunti and Suryadev's son - begotten through
advanced genetic engineering, probably far more advanced than the one used to
'create' Arjun - hence the metaphors of 'kavacha' and 'kundal'. It simply
indicates that he was extremely difficult (almost impossible) to kill. But
then, this 'kavacha' and 'kundal' would have been part of his physical
(genetic) makeup, much like the proverbial 'second skin'... and not mere ear-rings
and armour. <b>*</b>So, a lot more effort would have had to be expended to negate Karna's
'kavacha' and 'kundal'. In all likelihood, it would have involved highly
advanced scientific procedure/technology. [As we can see, Krishna was extremely
knowledgeable and a fine scientist (rather, technical wizard) himself.] Thus, the Karna-Kunti story - wherein a supposedly 'daanveer' Karna "donates" his
'kavacha' and 'kundal' is a result of later retelling - since the translators
were unable to figure out the technology, etc... and so, improvised and re-wrote
parts of the Mahabharata.] Kunti did not have to "abandon" Karna "for
fear of being shamed." [In Dvapar, the male-female ratio was heavily skewed.
Begetting progeny involved technology. And apart from Svayamvara,
'Gandharva-Vivah' too was prevalent. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->['Gandharva Vivaha' was a short-term union (vivah) that did not require any rituals, though the consent of the female was essential. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Now, it is possible that the concept of 'Gandharva-Vivah'
came about due to the highly skewed male-female ratio, or, maybe, it was prevalent
among certain groups of people... and later adopted by other groups.] Also, e.g. while Yudhisthir, Bheem and Arjun were known as "Pandav", they were addressed as "Kaunteya" (son of Kunti). </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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example, Krishna addresses Arjun as "Kaunteya" most of the time. Besides, all knew that Yamaraj, Pavandev and Indra were the respective fathers of </i><i><i>Yudhisthir, Bheem and Arjun</i>. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, Kunti, Satyavati, et al wielded great influence. Thus, as we can see, there was no 'Lakshman Rekha' prescribed for women
in Dvapar. That concept has come about thanks to Tulsidas and his
Ramcharitmanas. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Plus, it is very likely that concepts like 'widow' or 'widower'
or even 'illegitimate child', etc was unknown.] So, there is no question of "abandoning" an infant Karna "for fear of
being shamed." There was no need for Kunti to place the basket
(supposedly containing the infant Karna) on the waters of the river Aswa (a
tributary of the River Ganga) - as is popularly believed. Karna was an
unnatural human (Kunti and Lord Indra's son) - born as a result of very advanced
genetic engineering. In all likelihood, he would have been a
radiant-and-remarkable-looking baby. And this may have induced someone
to steal/kidnap him. But whosoever it was that kidnapped him, abandoned him later,
since taking care of him may not have been an easy task - given that he was an
unnatural human. Later, the childless couple - Adhirath and Radha found him,
and brought him up as their own son. [Hence, Karna is also known as Radheya:
son of Radha, though he was named Vasusena by his adoptive parents. Adhirath was a 'Suta' or 'Saarathi'. There were three kinds of warriors: Rathi, Maharathi and Saarathi (the latter, though highly skilled, did not pick up weapons.)]</i></span> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7Z8bPNkiQeRHpTvnLdmqrzfXsXYjb0OeEiTH0HK9kuHF7_AufD6VfAmqEgUbg4b4668wdL0G8iGuA5CS8UwW0s2UkJfvMniWd5696IYZP980jMr73hvFNSA4Zm9SpU41ct7zdjmgr64/s1600/Illustration+-+Karna%27s+chariot+wheel+%27sank+into+the+ground%27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7Z8bPNkiQeRHpTvnLdmqrzfXsXYjb0OeEiTH0HK9kuHF7_AufD6VfAmqEgUbg4b4668wdL0G8iGuA5CS8UwW0s2UkJfvMniWd5696IYZP980jMr73hvFNSA4Zm9SpU41ct7zdjmgr64/s1600/Illustration+-+Karna's+chariot+wheel+'sank+into+the+ground'.jpg" height="200" width="181" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Let's discuss Karna's 'Kavacha' and 'Kundal' and
*what* is meant by Karna's
'chariot wheel sank deep into the ground': Karna = ears. 'Kundal', literally 'ear-ring' is perhaps derived from "kundalini"
(kuṇḍalinī), meaning: "coiled". Sanskrit: kund = "to burn";
kunda = "to coil or to spiral". And is perhaps a reference to the
'circuits', i.e. the nerve tracts or nerve fibers.) [Kundalini = a
concentrated field of intelligent, cosmic, invisible energy absolutely vital to
life; beginning in the base of the spine when a human being begins to evolve as
wisdom is earned. Kundalini has been described as liquid fire and liquid light.
The ultimate outcome of kundalini is the union of Will
(sakti-kundalini), Knowledge (prana-kundalini) and Action
(para-kundalini). (And this should help us gauge what kind of
kundalini/'serpent power' Krishn and Chanakya possessed, or for that matter
Chandragupta Maurya and Vikramaditya possessed.) In literal terms, the
'samudra-manthan' or 'sagar-manthan' tale is (also) an allegorical description
of what transpires during a kundalini awakening process. Kundalini is a latent
energy that lies dormant in the spine. Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation
akin to a slithering reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also
represented by Mount Meru in the story).] And if we are to look at the human
brain: the left hemisphere (side 1), the right hemisphere (side 2) and the area
in the middle is (allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'! Therefore, we can
say, kundalini is 'serpent power'. Maybe, this power 'ignites' or 'illumines'
the mind, in a manner of speaking, that is... which in turn results in an awesome amount of intelligence, foresight, perception, vision, sagacity, etc, that in turn
results in great deeds. It is, however, possible that this power ('serpent
power') was mistranslated to mean 'a serpent's crown jewel' or 'the priceless
jewel found inside the head of serpents'.] As per the narrative, Karna's 'chariot wheel sank deep into the ground'... and he was, thus, unable to
recollect the 'mantra' (appropriate incantations) for unleashing certain
weaponry. Now this 'chariot wheel' is not literal. Wheel = cakra or chakra, and
(so, very likely) refers to Karna's mind chakra
or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of the head (especially the brain),
is a combination of sensing and intellect. Maybe:
only by 'deactivating' Karna's "Kundal"... could this unnatural human,
('son' of Lord Indra, a higher being, and Kunti... begotten through very
advanced genetic engineering) be destroyed; otherwise nothing else could
destroy him (as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of his genetic makeup.) Hence, Karna could not
have donated either his "Kaavacha" or his "Kundaal".
Ever. [Perhaps, later-day translators, unable to figure out/understand the
technology aspects described in the narrative, improvised by bringing in
Brahmin's 'curse', Parasurama's 'curse', Sutaputra, fate, et al. But then, there were three kinds of
warriors: Rathi, Maharathi and Saarathi (the latter, though highly skilled, did
not pick up weapons.) A
renowned "kusalavya" of that era was: Ugrasrava, son of Lomarsana, known as
Sauti to one and all. Sauti is derived from "Suta". Kusalavya:
(roughly translates to) a wandering poet, custodian of our history and
heritage... they were greatly respected. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Even Sanjay was held in high esteem.] Therefore, Karna's 'chariot wheel sank deep into the ground' could mean #1.
His mind went blank. In other words: his memory failed. He suffered a blackout.
#2. That all of Karna's 'indriyas' gradually stopped functioning; he was
benumbed, <span class="def">stupefied (the mind, senses, will, etc)</span>. Krishna, the tech wizard that he was,
perhaps made this happen (via technology or via some sort of
mind-control/'inception' brought about by a combination of technology and Krishna's tremendous will
power). He was known to possess vast knowledge of Yog (and Yog is not confined
to any one field, it is a vast ocean of knowledge encompassing varied areas.)
Besides, it is said that he had not only gained mastery over his own senses
(indriyas), but also over those of others. Apparently, (and perhaps realizing
that his "kundal" had been 'deactivated') Karna invoked the Arya dharmic tenets of "fair play" and
"chivalry"... maybe in a bid to buy time (to get himself treated or rather, to
'un-stupefy himself': to 'pull out his chariot wheel that had sunk deep into
the ground', that is.) Krishna then (sarcastically) asked him whether he ever
walked on the path of righteousness and followed "fair play" and/or displayed
"chivalry". Also, what happened to his sense of "fair play" and "chivalry"... when
six great and experienced warriors (Maharathi) murdered Abhimanyu (who too had requested for a
fair chance... to fight one-on-one)? Krishn further reminded Karna about the
latter's role during: the fraudulent game of dice (that cheated the Pandavas
out of their right and banished them for 13 long years instead); his willing
participation in the various machinations against the Pandavas; his conduct
when Draupadi was insulted, and when Kunti was treated shabbily, etc. Krishna
further said that his (Karna's) demand for a fair chance was disgusting, since as an ally and co-conspirator of Duryodhan, he was not only privy to but was also a willing partner in all of the latter's heinous plots and crimes. [However, it is unlikely
that Arjun had to use any astra to bring about Karna's end.] Note: Karna had
been unleashing powerful weaponry (one after the other) directed at Arjun.
[These weaponry were considerably more powerful than the ones Arjun unleashed.] However, thanks to Krishna's deft maneuvering of the 'chariot', none of them could
find their mark. [Now, this 'chariot' could not have been a horse-drawn one. It
was (very likely) a compact mechanized vehicle that could also be maneuvered to
increase or decrease in size, as indicated by: Krishna pressing the 'chariot'
with his foot so that it sank five fingers deep into the ground. Thus, one astra
(the serpent shaft) aimed at Arjun's neck could only graze his 'kiriti' (his head/crown or headgear/helmet?) instead. Arjun, thus, escaped with minor injuries to his head.] Karna had aimed the
serpent shaft (astra) at Arjun's 'kundal' (his head or rather, behind his
ears), but an alert Krishna maneuvered the 'chariot' just in time (by lowering
its height by five fingers)... and so, Arjun escaped with minor injuries to his
head (crown, kiriti). ... With Karna gone, Duryodhan was greatly weakened... so
much so that the course of this greatest of 'Dharm-Yudh' (battle of principles)
was clear to one and all.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></span>
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extremely resilient </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i> -</i> true steel, pure damascene steel (alchemy at its finest) and wrapped in silk and velvet; Krishn, bathed in the complexity of real-life struggle; Krishna,
totally divested of His godhood/miraculous powers/mythical abilities...
navigating through (a maze of) shifting power centers, politics, diplomacy, et
al... armed with only his brilliance and charm: observing, evaluating, assessing, networking, negotiating - sometimes with a gentle force of persuasion, (maybe even
throwing in some platitudes or praise, even extravagant praise perhaps, as and when required. It's all part of Dandaniti.) Krishna, who used his
overpowering but human wisdom and intelligence in the struggle for supremacy,
resulting finally in the re-establishment of good over assorted negativities
and of right over wrong. The tremendous political acumen of Krishna is
highlighted in the way he used all the four principles of <i>Dandaniti</i> to
destroy the malignant power centers, create new alliances that emerged as
counter balances to the existing power structure and used diplomacy to bolster
what was right. He used his basic superior intelligence for this one purpose.
It took some time. It also took some effort </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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switch, there's no quick fix, there's no magic wand, and the odds were great)</i>. But in the final analysis, he
emerged as the leader whose judgment and veracity could not be disputed. His
political acumen combined with his sharp intellect, personal courage and
physical prowess established him as a major force.</i> <i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, did He return as Chanakya (Vishnugupt)? We do not know. And
though this land wielded considerable influence even then (w.r.t education, innovation, research, knowledge, medicine, metallurgy, alchemy, literature, art, technical know-how, trade, et al), it was highly fractured.
So, one can only marvel at how a brilliant, stoic and intrepid young man </i><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="moretext">- with unmatched
resiliency,</span> vulcanized via the most trying of circumstances </i></i>(and who
went to Takshasheela at the age of sixteen, but had no practical experience
whatsoever in the treacherous world of kutniti and politics) was (gradually)
able to outmaneuver an assortment of experienced and powerful (albeit negative)
entities, (from a position of weakness, yet again) + checkmated the rampaging Yavana Alexander... to unite a fractured nation and lay the foundations of a glorious
era. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He rejuvenated Arya-dharm too. There is also a strong possibility that Chanakya
infiltrated Alexander's army by getting Chandragupta recruited into it. The latter's humble origins made no difference to the great Master, who also fortified Chandragupta Maurya's empire
and its surrounding areas. Chanakya, a fine karm-yogi, remained steadfast, his eyes firmly fixed on a higher goal,
a goal much higher than himself, despite the many insults, personal trials,
tremendous odds and extreme 'agni-pareeksha' (the metaphoric 'trial by fire'). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He was not petty or small-minded either, and recognized/acknowledged talent/calibre even in his staunch adversaries, and thus, was
magnanimous enough to hand over the baton to Amatya Rakshash [actually: Amatya
Kartikeya. Rakshash comes from <i>Rakshak</i>, meaning protector. Amatya = minister.] </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Chanakya cleverly brought Rakshash (loyal adviser and principal minister to the despotic Dhana
Nanda) back from exile, received
him with a great deal of warmth, and extended all due courtesies - thereby voiding the feud/bad-blood between them and un-demonizing Amatya Rakshash publicly. So overwhelmed was Rakshash by Chanakya's gracious
behaviour (towards him)... that he accepted the responsibilities (entrusted to him) - with a full heart. Thus, Amatya Rakshash became Samraat
Chandragupta's principal adviser and minister. [And given that Chandragupta's
reign is one of our finest eras... we can gauge how well he discharged his duties. Chanakya, a great human and visionary. Chanakya, a brilliant political scientist. Chanakya, a master economist. Chanakya, a fine nation-builder. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Note: Chanakya is addressed by two honorifics: Pandit and
Acharya. "Pandit" indicates a wise, learned and enlightened person. "Acharya" means: "He who
instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". That is the mark of a true teacher/guru.
During Chanakya's time there was no 'caste system' (since "caste" is derived
from the Portuguese word "Casta," meaning: purity of descent. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the Gupta Emperors had humble origins.) Therefore, in all likelihood,
"Pandit" and "Acharya" were honorifics given to anyone who deserved. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->A "Brahman" was someone who dedicated his life to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. They (Rishis, Maharshis, Munis
and Acharyas of yore) also undertook various research and experiments. Vishnugupt
Chanakya himself was a fountainhead of knowledge encompassing widely different areas such as economics,
politics (as in 'raaj-neeti', nation-building), statecraft... and even medicine.]</i> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidu0I2QZrrTbCP1VHMN3Be5x66EQ5J4RETKGQpcSip-_WVpXbJxAr8EYG2hzMn5OphzDXwwC64LzE_lgFy4gzP4Tp3Zh09JIvxJ4XfhgMj1qmcA0asiGbDLf1-xHLmLwSnKAtgRAGTC4/s1600/Illustration+-+Princess+Kunti+and+Lord+Surya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidu0I2QZrrTbCP1VHMN3Be5x66EQ5J4RETKGQpcSip-_WVpXbJxAr8EYG2hzMn5OphzDXwwC64LzE_lgFy4gzP4Tp3Zh09JIvxJ4XfhgMj1qmcA0asiGbDLf1-xHLmLwSnKAtgRAGTC4/s1600/Illustration+-+Princess+Kunti+and+Lord+Surya.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
<i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishn, "all-attractive" [Mohan]; Krishn, the magnificent; Krishn, the
tremendously magnanimous; Krishn, a realist, a pragmatic doer, a go-getter... and not a mere idealistic
dreamer. [He never said it cannot be done. Instead, he became the 'matsya-avatar' and went against the grain; he swam against the tide. And the planet, society and civilization benefited. The people benefited. Arya-Dharm was enriched. Sanaatan-Dharm was re-energized.] Krishn, who will return as Kalki, the 10<sup>th</sup>
Vishnu </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">(to set the stage for Krita/Sat/Satya Yug of the
next cycle to manifest)</span>; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Krishna, (who, as the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) was part
of the 3<sup>rd</sup> era, Dvapar Yug - when Aryavarta was still Aryavarta, where
people could still be called noble-natured or Arya/Aryan (i.e. they still followed a pattern of life
based on Arya-Dharm, <i>Arya</i> ethics/code of conduct or a <i>noble</i> way
of life - though this had suddenly crumbled due to the activities of assorted negative entities like Jarasandh, Kansh, Shakuni, Duryodhan, et al and their allies). [</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>This change had happened all of a sudden. Out of the
blue. It was not gradual. Therefore, the kind of 'societal churning' it would have heralded too would have been great.] </i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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part of Dvapar... when indigenous peoples and entire civilizations had yet to be
obliterated, when none indulged in un-Aryan activities like slave-taking,
buying and selling of humans in markets, loot and plunder of resources, et al. In fact, enslavement was unheard of. Even the Sanskrit language has no
equivalent for a slave. [Das/Dasi = attendant.] Dvapar was an era when by
insulting Draupadi... Duryodhan and Dushshasana crossed a red line (i.e. they
broke the prevalent tenets of Arya-dharm - Aryan ethics or code of conduct that
people adhered to at the time.) Krishna, (who, as the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) was part
of a land and era/yug</i></i><i> when vast quantities of highly destructive weaponry was a concern, when earthlings largely depended on advanced medical science/technology to beget progeny - due to an extremely skewed male-female ratio. Result? Unnatural humans - progeny of earthlings and entities of Higher planets/Urdhva-loka, 'born' due to highly advanced genetic engineering (including cloning), abounded the earth. For example: Arjun was Kunti and Lord Indra's son - begotten through advanced medical technology. Karna was Kunti and Lord Surya/Suryadev's son - again begotten through advanced genetic engineering, probably far more advanced than the one used to 'create' Arjun - hence the metaphors of 'kavacha' and 'kundal'. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Bheem was (one of Indra's energy minister) </i><i>Pavandev/</i><i><i><i>Lord Pavan</i></i> and Kunti's son, while Yudhisthira was Lord Indra's law and justice minister,
Dharmaraj Yamaraj/Lord Yama and Kunti's son - yet again begotten
through advanced medical technology. Nakula and Sahadeva were Madri's twin sons, courtesy the twin Ashvini Kumaras. They too were begotten through advanced medical technology/genetic engineering. [The
Ashvins or Ashvini Kumars are the physicians of the Devas - entities/beings
residing in the Higher planets/Urdhva-lokas. This Devaraj Indra, Suryadev, Dharmaraj Yamaraj, Pavandev and the Ashvins are not part of manav-jaati/human race/species.] While the Kauravas were born as a result of a
'test-tube' process, wherein even their gestation happened in pitcher-shaped
incubators, outside their mother's womb. And given that Gandhari "gave
birth to a hard piece of lifeless flesh" after "two years" of
remaining "pregnant", one cannot rule out the involvement of stem
cells<b> </b>and cloning technology either. Advanced 'Parthenogenesis' was a
possibility as well. Draupadi was 'fire-born', meaning: she was of 'virgin-birth' - the result of a laboratory process... with no human involvement
whatsoever; hence her gestation too happened in incubators, which acted as the surrogate womb. Ditto </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Dhristadyumna. [Note: 'Homa' = a technological procedure. 'Brahma' = a
reference to whosoever possesses the know-how (or is the chief scientist).
'Brahma's boon' = a reference to knowledge transfer or a successful
experiment. 'Yagna' =
a metaphor used to indicate a laboratory or a technological process per
se. 'Yagya-gaar' = the laboratory or place where the research/process is being conducted.
(Gaar = room, here it indicates a laboratory where a technological process is
underway.) 'Yagnakunda' = a metaphor to indicate the 'specifics' of any laboratory or
technological process. That is: the 'instruments' or the 'method' used or
employed in any laboratory or technological process. 'Agni' = a metaphor to indicate the 'outcome' of a
laboratory/scientific/technological/or medical process.] </i><i> </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Devavrat aka
Bheeshma Peetamah was 'Ganga-putra' - yet another metaphor for 'laboratory-born', 'pure-born', or
of 'virgin-birth'. Thus he too was 'born' out of a laboratory process via
highly advanced medical technology (that was way advanced than the one used to
'create' Draupadi). Devavrat was 'assembled' human - created after seven unsuccessful attempts - thus the metaphor of 'seven sons thrown into the Ganga'. This 'Ganga' refers to a lab; Maharaj Shantanu never had a consort/queen by that name. He fully understood the consequences of unnatural humans populating the earth, and hence was keen to have human progeny. Once he found 'matsya-kanya' Satyavati, they married. [Matsya-kanya: perhaps she belonged to a clan with a fish totem/insignia. There was a Matsya kingdom too. So, maybe she hailed from there.] Devavrat was the result of genetic
material taken from multiple sources; therefore, he was very difficult (almost
impossible) to kill, thus two metaphors: #1:
'ichchhya mrityu' and #2. 'shara-shajya' or 'bed of arrows' has been
used (d</i><i>espite his years, and despite being grievously
injured and in great pain, he was still alive.) [It is possible that Devavrat too understood the consequences of unnatural humans roaming the earth and its effect on civilization, and so, decided/undertook a stern vow (kathor vrat) - of not having progeny (i.e. replicating himself) - ever. This probably is the reason behind his other more famous name (sobriquet): Bheeshm or Bhishma (meaning, terrible - a reference to his vow, perhaps). There was no renunciation or sacrifice involved... to pave the way for Santanu-Satyavati's progeny to ascend the throne.] </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Ghatotkach too was 'laboratory-born'. [Ghatam indicates: laboratory. Utkoch or utkaca<i> </i>=
reward, product, outcome, gift<b>, </b>present.] He was a highly
advanced humanoid robot, very human-like in appearance (android - male), but
with robot or machine-like strength, flexibility and assorted abilities. And so,
he could increase in size and turn himself into a
gigantic figure. </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Maybe our ancients called such a humanoid, 'brahma-daitya'
or 'brhma-daitya'. Brhma comes from 'Brh', which
means: to grow. Daitya = gigantic-sized. And this (probably) got mistranslated to 'a
brāhmaṇa ghost' or the ghosts of brahmans, living in the fig trees, the
pipal (<i>ficus religiosa</i>), or the banyan (<i>ficus indica</i>), awaiting
liberation (mukti) or reincarnarnation.] As for Dronacharya, <i>Droṇa</i> implies that he too was gestated in a <i>droṇa</i>
(vessel) - an incubator that acted as the surrogate womb. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Jarasandha (literally
meaning "joined by Jara") too was a
product of stem cell technology (gone wrong). Or he may have been a conjoined
baby. Jara (or Barmata - an adivasi
vyadh/doctor) either: #1. separated the underdeveloped-lifeless/stillborn twin (obviously via a surgical
procedure) or #2. stitched up gaping wounds, perhaps even gangrene, or maybe 'completed'
an 'incomplete' or ill-developed/underdeveloped human body - with the help of material/body parts taken from other
sources (including the lifeless/stillborn twin). Thus Jarasandha lived. Even Dhritarashtra,
Pandu and Vidur were 'born' due to advanced medical technology... courtesy <i>Maharshi</i>
Vedavyas. Perhaps the technique was yet to be perfected; therefore, none of
them were 'born' completely healthy. [For example: Dhritarashtra was
visually challenged, while Pandu was anemic and probably had a weak
heart/incurable heart ailment. And neither could procreate naturally. </i><i>Hence Gandhari, Kunti and Madri had to take the
help of advanced medical technology - in order to beget progeny. Even Draupadi's
five sons (one by each of the Pandavas): Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti,
Satanika, and Srutakarma... are said to have been <i>spitting images</i> of their
respective fathers - the 5 Pandavas. This again points towards cloning. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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to Kunti their arrival with excellent "alms", and a
supposedly busy <i>Kunti </i>replying without
turning to look at Draupadi (who was the supposed "alms" referred to)
and advising/ordering the brothers to share the "alms" equally amongst the five of
them'... <i>is a later-day addition, courtesy
translators, who, unable to understand technology, etc... improvised.</i>]</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>So, imagine, how different this planet was and how different the humans were. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Therefore, every era/yug is very unlike the other.
Nothing remains the same: flora, fauna, terrain, processes, systems, technology, society,
challenges, et al... so much so that even the human race-species/manav-jaati are vastly different. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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creating unnatural humans; </i><i><i>Krishna, (as the 8th Vishnu) </i>thus saved this planet from destruction, protected the human race-species/manav-jaati on earth from annihilation, helped stabilize civilization on earth, helped the human race-species/manav-jaati and civilization on earth to progress naturally and peacefully, and thus restored the gender balance as well. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Saalva's nuclear weapons - </i><i><i>some 8/10 or maybe
12k years ago</i> </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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process); </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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again rebuilt Dvarka by claiming land from the sea. [And i</i><i>f we are to examine the Indus seals... we can then see for
ourselves how much embedded he is to the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata (Indus
Valley Civilization). If only the Indus script/hieroglyphs had been deciphered...] </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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generations before the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya. [</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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defeat at the hands of the Chanakya-Chandragupta combination. Maurya comes from 'Moriya'
or 'Mura'. [Pali: Mora.] The Moriya/Mura clan probably was a clan with a peacock
totem/insignia or even headgear, and hence, was called Moriya or Mura ('of the peacock'). It is
derived from 'Mor' meaning, peacock. With time Moriya/Mura became 'Maurya'. The
Moriya were peacock-feather gatherers and Chandragupta's mother hailed from
this clan. There is also some indication that she was the chief attendant (dasi) of
the despotic Dhana Nanda (with the latter siring Chandragupta)... and this makes
Chandragupta a 'dasi-putra'. (Though some versions state that he belonged to a minor clan - the <i>Moriya</i> or <i>Mura</i>, and that his father was the chief of a
forest area called Pippatavana/Pippalivana.) It is also believed that the <i>Mura/Moriya clan was
an offshoot</i> of the <i>Shakya</i> clan - to which <i>Prince Siddharth/Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam
Buddh, the 9th Vishnu, belonged.] [Note: </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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isolate himself in some remote corner; instead, he remained within society, engaged with the people (</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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and confusions) and thus, disseminated his message of peace, karma and dharma
(dhamma - in Pali). Apart from being a fine teacher (guru) and guide, he was also a reformer. Now whether he left his family - in wake of his quest for the 'truth' (dharma/dhamma, the right path, ethics or actions that benefit society) or
met them whenever he could (i.e. whenever he could make time from all the traveling,
sermons, meditation, et al) - my guess is as good as yours.] Krishna, (who, as the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu), had
highly capable entities like Bheem and Arjun to assist Him (in Dvapar); Krishna
(who, as the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) was part of a great land, one whose influence was
immense; Krishna (who, as the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) was part of a land/world
</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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and people were greatly different, </i>where dharma, karm, noble principles, et al had not yet
fallen below the minimum level; Krishna (who, as the 8<sup>th</sup>
Vishnu) was part of Dvapar - </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->a wholly different <i>yug</i> altogether... whence the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug was yet to manifest. Krishna,
who will return as Kalki, the 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, when the 'Iron Age' of
Kaliyug will be at its peak; Krishna, who, as the Kalki-avatar/Lord Kalki... will thus be a one-man army (with none of the stature of Arjun or Bheem... or even Chandragupta Maurya to assist him this time);
Krishna, who will return as the Kalki-avatar to a vastly different societal/world
situation + manifold challenges (in Kaliyug). Krishna, of the enchanting smile - not a condescending smile, but a smile of
reassurance; Krishna, who cannot be emulated. Ever. ['</i><i>Coz none can even come close, let alone match a Maha
Avatar (great incarnation).] Krishna, eternal inspiration; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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to vainglory or boastful behavior; Krishna, </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->an exceptional transcendental figure, one who truly mesmerizes; Krishna, a symbol of mystique, music, love (also in the wide or broad sense, that's why He is the finest karm-yogi),
devotion and culture </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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witty, refined, polite and conscientious, not ignorant or narrow-minded); Krishna, the satyam-sivam-sundaram; </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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indefinable - </i><i><i>a rock-star of the ineffable; Krishna, the Shyamsundar; </i> Krishna, a God that
unifies people.</i></span></span></span></div>
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Mahabharata (to my mind, at least) is a completely different story. Its scale, sweep and grandeur are
extremely overwhelming. It is part of our ancient history (pracheen itihasa) and has
undergone numerous retelling over the years (centuries, millenniums, perhaps).
Precisely how many retelling? We can only wonder and speculate. None of the
current versions indicate anything about the geography or even how different the terrain/topography was, the difference in sea/ocean levels, what the flora and fauna was like; what kind of society prevailed in Dvapar or for
that matter what kind of processes, systems, architecture, infrastructure, town planning,
vimanas, modes of transportation, communication equipments, et al was part of Dvapar - an era which saw extremely
advanced technology, an era when earthlings interacted with entities/beings from
the Urdhva-lokas (Higher Planets). Also: what happened to all those equipments,
etc? Was some of it destroyed? Were much of them carried away by these higher beings
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all that knowledge lost, scattered and altered (with the passage of time) - due
to the waves of exodus that happened post the drying up of the River Sarasvati? [The Mahabharata also talks about the River Sarasvati as a river in decline.] Besides, we do not get any clue regarding the human species of Dvapar: their physical appearance, height, structure, strength, capabilities,
caliber, dietary habits, attire et al. </i><i>Plus, there was a fantastic array of aerial vehicles and vimanas; there was interplanetary (not restricted to our solar
system alone), inter-galactic and possibly, inter-universal space travel too. A Vimana could be made to
become invisible - by 'Goodha', a mechanism that harnessed the powers, Yaasaa,
Viyaasaa, Prayaasaa in the 8th atmospheric layer covering the earth, to attract
the dark content of the solar ray, and then using it to hide the Vimana from
the enemy. [This probably is a much much <span class="usercontent">much-advanced
version of the ADAPTIV Invisibility cloak that makes tanks disappear. ADAPTIV
functions over infrared and other electronic frequencies. While it can blend
the coated vehicle into the background, making it seem to be invisible, it can
also shape the returning signal to appear like something else. A tank, for
example, can be made to look like a car. </span></i><i><span class="usercontent"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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known to our ancestors in greatly advanced versions!! There is also mention of </span>three
flying cities - known as 'Tripura'. [Is it a reference to artificial
planets/space stations or artificial satellites (not the weather-report-gathering ones,
though)? Or could it have been a far more advanced version of the International
Space Station? - My guess is as good as yours.] Apparently: Shiva 'destroyed
these cities by torching them out of the skies'. It probably means: they were eventually destroyed due to cosmic turbulence (euphemistically known as: 'tandav nritya').</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfnizEZ79hCW59gIR4_6cG-VYQHR4_QrKoM7OJkO4yIxgYuKdXBeO_ZXhsQ8Ixnqe4db26ndt36McmJSyYpJbyewt3RD0huKJ3u-dHXiu25MZ-BEbTvlwaG3JLhaILNo2kEQGLU6J4WM/s1600/3d+Statue+of+Horus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfnizEZ79hCW59gIR4_6cG-VYQHR4_QrKoM7OJkO4yIxgYuKdXBeO_ZXhsQ8Ixnqe4db26ndt36McmJSyYpJbyewt3RD0huKJ3u-dHXiu25MZ-BEbTvlwaG3JLhaILNo2kEQGLU6J4WM/s1600/3d+Statue+of+Horus.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="usercontent">[<u>Pic</u>: Horus, </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>the Falcon-god or the Falcon-headed man.] <b>|</b> </i></span></span></span>Many of
our so-called mythological stories dealt with celestial events involving stars,
planets, satellites, meteors and the like. Others narrated our 'pracheen
itihasa'. However, due to a similarity of names, it is possible that many of
these stories gradually came to be taken at face value. As a result: there has
been a confluence of narratives. ... And this has also obliterated a lot of information
and knowledge. Sadly. </span>The word 'curse' (used in
our ancient texts) also cannot and should not be
taken at face value. This word appears in many of our texts essentially to
convey: severe chastisement, physical violence, punishment, banishment, extreme
humiliation, acute pain, illness, medical condition, unforeseen events, untimely demise, doing
away with primogeniture, etc. We need to choose carefully after examining the
narrative(s). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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different from modern humans of the current era (Kali Yug)... and
so, their longevity too would have differed greatly. But that does not mean
that human beings lived for thousands of years. And so, </i><i><i>all those mentions of "thousand years" cannot and must not be
taken at face value. </i>"Thousand years"
essentially meant a fairly long duration, 'coz when we bless someone by saying:
'may you live for a thousand years' - it is not literal. Sanjay was able to view the goings-on in the battlefield
and simultaneously narrate the events to Dhritarashtra... thanks to television
(divya-drishti) - courtesy Veda Vyasa. However, since the word "drishti" has
been used, could it also have been an eye-wear/wearable gadget? Plus, what were all those
'chariots' like? Were they really horse-drawn ones as we think, or mechanized
vehicles (since we use the word 'horse-power' - though no horses are involved)?
We know ancient India was a hub of trade and had robust trading ties with other
lands. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Foraminiferal microfossils, (around 4500 years old
from the site of the Harappan settlement in Lothal), establishes that seawater
once flowed in Lothal and there also existed a dockyard.] In Dvapar too there were healthy trading activities, bustling ports, dockyards, harbours and
shipbuilding, (in fact, this land was renowned for building sturdy
long-lasting ships). Now whether there were indigenous horses (that became extinct somewhere down the line, since Tibet seems to have sturdy,
swift horses, that are also compact or small-built) - my guess is as good as
yours. [However, what can be said with certainty is this: that there never has been
a one-horned horse - the Unicorn, in reality. The Unicorn is imagery, to symbolically
convey certain concepts. <b>*</b>Do refer to the unicorn seal above.] I also came across
a bit about a Tibetan king joining forces with Chanakya and Chandragupta -
against Alexander. [Maybe, we'll have to study Tibetan history and texts to know more.]
Horses were imported from (what is now known as Central Asia) and ancient 'Arvasthan'
(the Arabian Peninsula. 'Arva' meaning, 'horse' in Sanskrit, probably gave rise
to the word 'Arab'. Arvasthan = the land of [fine quality] horses. PS: In ancient times there was no 'Central Asia', etc... 'Aryavarta'/land of Aryans or 'lands inhabited by the Arya people' stretched far and wide.) Also: one
wonders as to how Samraat Ashok built all those stupas (enshrining the relics of the Buddha) in China? There is also
an Ashoka Mountain and an Ashoka Temple there. So what was the map of his empire
like? Besides: "Aryan" is not a 'race', but a 'way of life' rooted in
noble principles. [People addressed each other as Arya, Arya-Putr, etc.] And
there has never been any 'Aryan Invasion' whatsoever. Various groups of these
noble-natured people (Aryan) migrated to other lands. [A deeper study of Vedic
hymns and Avestic passages might throw more light.] Post the drying up of the
River Sarasvati too, there has been an exodus westward - in search of greener
pastures (and these ancient Indus people in all likelihood carried their
culture, knowledge, heritage et al along with them - to newer lands.) But surely,
intermingling with other groups and cultures would have resulted in
'cross-pollination' and synergy of all kinds. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->For example: Perhaps, the Vedic funeral altar (</i><i><i><i><i>Smashaanacit or </i></i>Smashaanachita</i>)
became the stepped pyramid - the great flat-topped <i>Mastaba of Djoser</i>, a
precursor to later pyramids. [</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->From what we can gather, the ancient Indus people, probably, buried
their dead. In fact, if we are to study the many extinct groups, such as the
Mayans, we find burial chambers and traces of elaborate burial rituals.
Therefore, the funeral pyre probably came about much later (due to
considerations of space, resources, etc.) Or maybe, both rituals existed
simultaneously.] The Lion-Man (Nrsingh) probably became the 'Sphinx'. Perhaps Garuda gave way
to Horus - the Falcon-god or the Falcon-headed man. [Incidentally: Garud was
not an eagle or falcon per se, but a human belonging to the Suparnah clan (a group/clan with an eagle/golden eagle/bald-eagle totem or maybe a falcon totem/insignia and/or an eagle, golden eagle, bald eagle or falcon headgear/hairstyle (a la the Mohican) or mask). </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->So imagine their physique and personality. They
would certainly have been supremely fit: lithe, taut and sinewy, a coiled
spring a la Bruce Lee (but much taller, of course. Though some groups may have
been compact.) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In India, the noble-natured Brahminy Kite (<i>Haliastur
Indus</i>, Singapore Bald Eagle) is considered as the contemporary
representation of "Garuda". Though birds of an earlier era would have been very different.] Perhaps, Eknath (meaning: one God)
became Akhenaten (and even Echnaton, Akhenaton, Ikhnaton, and Khuenaten), while
Dasaratha (</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"of ten chariots") or <i>Tvesaratha (</i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->having splendid chariots), became </i>Tushratta. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maybe: Ramesses
II (referred to as Ramesses the Great), ancient<b> </b>Miṣr/Egypt's most
prolific ruler, often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most
powerful pharaoh of the (ancient) Egyptian Empire, is named after Shri Ram. And perhaps '<i>Pharaoh'</i> is a variation of 'Priyadarshi', meaning: pleasant-looking or '<i>blessed
by the Almighty'</i>. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Akhenaten was one of the first few kings who
differentiated between his kingliness and the Godliness of Aten (The One).] Perhaps, </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Suryaman became Soloman. Maybe, </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Naram-Sin</i> (also transcribed as: Narām-Sîn, Naram-Suen) is a variation of Narasimha or
Nrsingh (the "Lion-Man"). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Naram-Sin</i> assumed the imperial title, "<i>Lugal Naram-Sîn, Šar kibrat
'arbaim" (meaning: </i>"King Naram-Sin, king of the four quarters".) Perhaps this is a
variation of "<i>Sarvabhauma" (</i>"sovereign of the world") and<i> "Cakravartin"
</i>or Chakravarti ("monarch of all realms") - brought about by a change in phonetics. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Kassite dynasty in Mesopotamia preserved
some names: Shuriash, Maruttash, Inda-Bugash, (possibly Surya, Marut and
Indra-Bhaga respectively; 'Bhaga' probably being a variation of 'Bhagavan', meaning
effectively 'god', cfr. Bhag-wAn/Bhaga-wan, Slavic: Bog). ... Therefore, the language, phonetics, art, craft, culture, way
of life, knowledge et al ... even the human species itself, has constantly
evolved in every way imaginable. [</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->One also finds step-pyramids in Mexico, El Salvadore, Guatemala and Peru
(attributed to the Inca and the Chimu people) and even the Canary Islands. Beside
ceremonial rituals, these pyramids were also associated with healing rituals,
purgatory (possibly </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'Panchakarma' or the Therapy of Purification), besides other rituals (during various equinoxes and solstices)
involving the sun and the moon. Often they were built on a place where the
Earth energies were high - specific grid points following the measurements of ancient
Geometry (jyamiti: Jya in Sanskrit means earth, miti means
measurement.) Siddhanta is the study of arithmetic (Ganita), trigonometry
(TrikonaMiti), algebra (Beeja Ganita), geometry (Jyamiti or Gyamiti) and astronomy
(jyotiṣa or Khagol shastra: jyótis - "light, heavenly body") and its
application to astrology. How to compute the fundamental planetary positions
pertaining to Hora and Samhita is explained in Siddhanta. Vedic Astrology, Vedanga Jyotishya, aka ancient
Indian astrology has three branches called Siddhanta, Samhita, and Hora. The
word Hora originates from the Sanskrit word Ahoratri, which means day and
night. The Surya Siddhanta is one of the earliest doctrine or tradition (siddhanta)
in archeo-astronomy of ancient India. Bhaskaracharya II's Surya Siddhant discusses the force of
gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. The Romaka Siddhanta (literally
"Doctrine of the Romans") is an Indian astronomical treatise, based
on the astronomical learning of Byzantine Rome. "We owe a lot to the
Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific
discovery could have been made." - Albert Einstein.] Thus, due to the passage of time and given
all the 'cross-pollination' etc, there has been a great deal of all-round
changes and synergy creation. Not that the people who stayed back (i.e. did not migrate to other
lands) stagnated. They too experienced ample amounts of cultural exchanges and opportunities
to intermingle with other groups (both indigenous and external) - and this gave
rise to newer aspects. And all these discussions, diverse viewpoints, exchange of opinion, etc
over generations and centuries - have given us our vast repository of ancient texts. [Maybe,
what began as the proverbial gush of a fountain or stream eons ago... gradually
branched out into numerous tributaries... all of which merged into the same
ocean. Thus, what is today known as 'Hinduism', contains many diverse and
variant beliefs such as Advaita (monism), Dvaita (dualism), theism
(āstika) and the like; there are diverse opinions about </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>the seen (</i>manifested/vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn) <i>and the unseen </i>(unmanifested/avyaktah/Niraakar
Brahmn)... besides an assortment of views on the origin, purpose,
and fate of the soul. So on and so forth. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->This egalitarianism, this pluralism, this all encompassingness, this ability to live in harmony with diverse
thoughts and viewpoints, has been our strength. It has been our greatest strength. Thus, Sanaatan Dharm is one with the World Spirit. Also, Sanaatan Dharm, a 'way of life', which essentially was all about living in harmony with nature, performing one's karm yog/action, </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->pursuit of knowledge, becoming higher spiritual beings, connecting with the Higher Self or
seeking communion with the Universal Consciousness (Sat-cit-ānanda: eternal bliss of self-realization), etc... gradually learnt to
worship idols and build temples. Courtesy the Greeks, and perhaps also the
Buddhists.]</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>From our pracheen itihasa what we can gather is this: that the
people of ancient times not only possessed the most vaulting imaginations but
also very, very advanced technology - that to us seem like 'magic'. They
had much more sophisticated technology at their disposal than most of us moderns
(given our linear view of history) - are willing to give them credit for. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBofWqrif-cbX0JaNsxdM5PonKNPkQVO3zPBuUV9pKmC1zskDFV11ehyphenhyphenoezTuFNheOXIHNn-yTApxgt2TcXUcuckVvf0gkkjuvpu2IlfFK_UH2fTs42wdZJZ-peyFjNH-LgTvEkUTlnqs/s1600/Pareekshit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBofWqrif-cbX0JaNsxdM5PonKNPkQVO3zPBuUV9pKmC1zskDFV11ehyphenhyphenoezTuFNheOXIHNn-yTApxgt2TcXUcuckVvf0gkkjuvpu2IlfFK_UH2fTs42wdZJZ-peyFjNH-LgTvEkUTlnqs/s1600/Pareekshit.jpg" height="200" width="164" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>The original poem that Maharishi Krsnadvaipayana Vyasa (better
known as Veda Vyasa) composed... contained some 8,800 shloka and was known
simply as <i>Jaya</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">,</span></i> since
it covered the history of the 'Dharm-Yudh' (battle of principles) between the
two factions of the Kuru family (and their respective allies). However, over a
period of time, Vyasa himself (is said to have) expanded it to a larger work
numbering 24,000 shloka, which he then renamed <i>Bharata</i>, for it was no
less than the history of the Bharata race (lineage, people) itself, and while
the 'Dharm-Yudh' (battle of principles) was the central matter, it was preceded
and afterceded by several other narrations as well. </i><i>But
after the great retelling consuming twelve years of the 'yagna' (a 'scientific procedure' to correct 'Kaalsarpa Dosha' - a Biomagnetic genetic disorder, the Biomagnetic field being a subtle representation of the physical body, </i><i><i>or maybe some other type of 'Sarpa Dosha'</i>/'Nag Dosha') of Raja Janamajaya/Janamejaya, it has burgeoned to the mammoth
size of a hundred thousand shloka. In this epic form, the poem
is now known by one and all as the <i>Maha-bharata</i> - or the Great History
of the Bharatas. And it is by this name that Veda Vyasa has consented to have
it known, although he himself preferred the original title of <i>Jaya<i><span style="font-style: normal;"> <i>(Victory)</i></span></i></i>. [Note: A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. If you observe the shape of DNA, it resembles two snakes coiled together (</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>something we now refer to as: DNA coiled into the double helix structure </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>as a ladder, a twisted rope ladder, or a spiral staircase). In ancient times, our Rishis/Munis (learned persons) visualized everything... and thus (euphemistically or maybe symbolically) referred to DNA as 'Sarpa', and any disorder in the DNA was hence termed as 'Sarpa Dosha'. </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Dosha </i>= bio-energies found in our body.<b>*</b>Please refer to Draupadi's 'birth' process discussed above - to know more about what 'yagna', 'yagna-gar', agni', etc meant. Thus, a big chunk of the 'yagna' etc mentioned in our ancient texts is not to be taken at face value. It is merely a reference to one or the other scientific or medical procedure. From the narrative we can figure out what sort of procedure has been indicated. Also, do take a look at the logo of the Indian Medical Association.] </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Janmejaya's father (and Arjun's grandson), Parikshit, (derived from the word "Parikshan" - indicating
a 'test' or 'procedure', unnatural human?) is said to have ruled for sixty
years. With him too there is a 'sarpa' involved (though the story has largely
been mistranslated). This 'sarpa' is indicative of some genetic disorder... that cut
short his life. Probably Rishi Shameek and his son (Shringi) diagnosed this
disorder, but were unable to cure/eliminate it. Perhaps during the procedure itself or
while undergoing therapy the disorder aggravated and/or his body reacted negatively to the therapy/medication and thus, Parikshit died </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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an apple'.) Thereafter,
his son Janmejaya succeeded him... and promptly took remedial measures - to eliminate/correct
his own genetic anomaly/disorder ('Sarpa Dosha' or 'Kaalsarpa Dosha'). In all
likelihood, Janmejaya probably engaged a battery of renowned Maharshis, Rishis and Munis (to conduct
research and experiments... so as to find a remedy.) And this time - after twelve years' of continuous effort - they were successful.] </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of this is part of highly advanced science... it cannot be a mere figment of anyone's
imagination. ~ It is not possible to conjure up stories involving advanced biotechnology
and genetics! ... </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>It
could not have been a twelve-year-long ritual per se, either. ~ 'Coz Sanaatan Dharma assimilated the concept of temples and worshipping of idols from the Greeks and (perhaps) even the
Buddhists; neither of whom
were contemporaries of Pareekshit or Janmejaya.</i></span></span></span>)</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Vyasa composed his <i>Mahabharata</i>
in three years, aided by Lord Ganesh. [Now, this 'Lord Ganesh' is very likely a
reference to the most intelligent, perceptive and wise person of his time, who
also assisted Veda Vyasa in writing this epic 'maha-itihasa'. Shri Ganesh
represents: great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the
elephant head and elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm
disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom. The small eyes
= concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less
noise, more efficiency (opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise').
The bent trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking
unnecessarily; in other words: one who is not ignorant. The big elephant
ears = great listening ability ('listening', not merely 'hearing').] Apart from its
poetic qualities, because of its significance, the <i>Mahabharata </i>is also
known as the Fifth Veda. Thus, it is at once equivalent to all the Vedas. This
towering itihasa captivates with its grandeur, its majesty, its wisdom, its
knowledge, its lessons and its wonder. [However, one only wishes that it had
been spared all those retelling and re-writings. Or, at the very least,
the original had somehow remained unaltered, and that all those retelling (over the
millenniums) came with an appropriate rejoinder. Alas. Imagine the knowledge
and information that has been obliterated forever. And for any history-loving
epicurean it is a great loss, indeed.] There must be hundreds of versions,
interpretations and retelling of the <i>Mahabharata</i> already in
circulation (even some five millenniums down the line). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Great authors, poets, actors and playwrights have mined it for
material on which to base their own creative works: from Goethe to Andy and Larry Wachowski (The Matrix). So one can only wonder how many more preceded them. This immense trove of knowledge, wisdom, philosophy, literature,
karm-yog, dharma, sacrifice and narration is timeless, (in the sense that) echoes of events and
characters (from the <i>Mahabharata</i>) have been seen and found
through the ages: great wars fought, the consequences of unleashing fearsome
weaponry seen, untold miseries wrecked upon people and nations witnessed, families torn
apart, palace intrigues and power games, maneuvers on the world chessboard,
great strategists and evil geniuses, people and forces working tirelessly to
ignite a war while some going to great lengths to avoid such misadventures,
failings of great personalities and their consequences, the rise of unlikely
heroes, various chakravyuh (encirclement) formed and broken, risk-takers, selfless people who
have had the courage to give their all - for the common good (not unlike
the exceptional warrior Abhimanyu, who, in spite of being fully aware of the consequences volunteered to enter the
'chakravyuh' - so as to deny Duryodhan+ the upper-hand... during the most crucial juncture in this greatest of 'Dharm-Yudh'/battle
of principles. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Hence he is considered as 'the bravest among the
brave' and 'the epitome of bravery'.) So on and so forth. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Ahbimanyu single-handedly and valiantly fought against many,
and was finally 'mortally wounded' by the combined attack of six warriors, including
Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Karna and Ashvatthama. However, since he was an
unnatural human, this 'mortally wounded' bit may have to be seen in that context.] Duryodhan relied heavily on Shakuni's cunning. So much so that the latter became an integral part of Hastinapur... as Duryodhan's principal adviser. [He was manipulative and exerted a great amount of control over Duryodhan.] </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Pandavs had been cleverly exiled/banished by Duryodhan (on the advise of the wily Shakuni) for a period of 13 years (with the
possibility of another 13-years of banishment looming in the horizon). Meanwhile,
Duryodhan and his allies were consolidating their position (both within and
outside of Hastinapur). Had they succeeded, imagine the scenario, the consequences... and its
lingering effects. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->If we can visualize all of this... the sweep, the technology,
the situation, the political scenario at the time, the many 'cross-currents',
the vicious forces allied together, the ones who were in a dominant position (and their intentions), the stakes involved (i.e. what all was at stake), how complicated
and difficult the situation was, the vision and foresight, the level of leadership, the steadfastness, the selflessness, the strategy, tactics, planning, diplomacy and patient negotiations involved,
the ability to guide and find solutions, what was successfully averted, the dedication, grit, single-minded
determination and 'karm-yog' that made it possible, et al - it will give us a
clearer picture of this timeless inspirational figure Krishn, and his brilliance
(figuratively referred to as 'Sudarshan Chakra'.) [</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Su = good, auspicious. Darshan = appearance. It refers to
Krishna's charismatic presence, personality and handsome looks. [</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sudarshanah: He whose meeting is auspicious.] Thus, Krishna himself is 'Sudarshan Chakra'. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Chakra = wheel. </i><i><i><i>The name is derived from the
Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning". </i></i></i><i><i>The word <i>dharma-chakra, </i>or
the wheel of the Law, is often used to describe the teachings/message of Shri Gautam Buddh. In other words: his teachings/message is expressed as: "the
turning of the wheel of the Law." Chakras</i>
are centers of Prāṇa, life force, or vital energy. <i>Chakras</i> correspond to
vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and
nerves. </i><i>The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows
through. However, the 'chakra' in 'Sudarshan Chakra' is a reference to the mind chakra
or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of the head
(especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect. That's the
ability to see and hear the world, to make sense of things, sort them out, and
figure out how they all fit together. Possibly this is the intuition aspect of
the (metaphoric/symbolic) third eye. T</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>he Manas ("Mind") Chakra, or Mind Lotus, is said
to have six petals, which although normally white assume the colours of the
senses when they operate (according to the Indian systems, in addition to the
five physical senses, there is "mind" constitutes the sixth sense,
which is not the same as Clairvoyance or "Sixth Sense"), and is
black during sleep (unconsciousness). Note: The correct spelling is cakra, though pronounced
with a ch. The word was also a metaphor for the sun, which "traverses the
world like the triumphant chariot of a cakravartin." (ruler, also: 'monarch of all realms')
and denotes the eternal cycle of time called the kalacakra, or wheel of time. A Chakravartin is a
'wheel-turning' king/<i>chakravarti-raja,</i> a wise and benevolent ruler, and an
ideal king. Turning his <i>'chakra' </i>(i.e. by using his wisdom, intellect and resources
optimally)<i>, </i>a 'wheel-turning' king advances without hindrance, overthrows
his enemies, establishes peace, and rules with justice and benevolence.] 'India' comes from Megasthenes' 'Indica'.
India is also: Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesam [meaning: Land/Bhoomi of the
Bharatas or "cherished land". Bharatavarsha: the continent ('varsha';
Sanskrit) that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). Yet another name is Jambudveepa or
Jambadveepa. Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry. Maybe there was an abundance of this tree (obviously a much different version of what we
have now)... and hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu/Jambul/Indian
blackberry trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an
Indian blackberry.]</i> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFKGF25AAN5lMty-iLWCJ7DifLaNK87Kz8aqOxvJc5SQ_0KQvsojwTHGtOgNIJlcdkEQb8D2kJXiLnUBIHrzwFXPC8Iy9nmVoX9JOQHvAVcKHiUqMXT-7YFh9KLPkhwLH18kGXkxyqiw/s1600/Dwarka+swallowed+by+the+waters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFKGF25AAN5lMty-iLWCJ7DifLaNK87Kz8aqOxvJc5SQ_0KQvsojwTHGtOgNIJlcdkEQb8D2kJXiLnUBIHrzwFXPC8Iy9nmVoX9JOQHvAVcKHiUqMXT-7YFh9KLPkhwLH18kGXkxyqiw/s1600/Dwarka+swallowed+by+the+waters.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Dvarka (also known as: Dvaravati, Dvaramati and Dwaraka)
was built after claiming 12 yojanas of land from the sea. The foundation of
boulders on which the city's walls were erected proves that the land was
reclaimed from the sea. The Mahabharata has references to such reclamation
activity at Dvaraka. Seven islands mentioned in it were also discovered
submerged in the sea. Dvarka was a well-planned and prosperous city <span class="fbphotocaptiontext">with a modern and technologically advanced harbour
suitably designed to deal with the marine traffic of large ships entering the
port. It is referred to as 'Golden City' in the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta, the
Mahabharata, Harivamsha and other texts. [</span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Therefore, one can only marvel at the level of urban
and rural civic amenities and infrastructure, besides, trading, employment,
education, healthcare, energy, water efficiency and so on.] One of the verses in the Bhagavada
says: 'The yellow glitter of the golden fort of the Dvaraka City in the sea
throwing yellow light all round looked as if the flames of <b>*</b>Vadavagni came out
tearing asunder the sea'. This indicates the immense majesty of this city; it
certainly would have been a sight to behold! </span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->But could it also mean that Dvarka was an energy
hub? Solar energy, for example? Maybe even wind energy (</span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->compact floating windmills or even portable ones)? Perhaps they tapped
'vajra' (vajr) or thunderbolt too?</span></i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> Or maybe the ocean floor? Probably even </span></i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Bioenergy/biofuel/biodiesel (from algae having high
oil content? May not have been blue-green algae, but some other algae
that could produce high quality biofuels at low cost. Even biofuel produced
from grass, for that matter. </span></i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->One can only marvel at the biotechnology involved. </span></i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->As for </span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext">'The yellow glitter of the golden fort of the Dvaraka City in the sea
throwing yellow light all round...': </span></i></span>Solar energy: not via solar panels, but through
'artificial leaves'. Maybe they learnt from nature and developed 'artificial
leaves' - devices that could employ sunlight to split water into its elements,
hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen thus produced could then be stored in fuel
cells and used for energy production. (The energy captured by leaves via the
process of photosynthesis is about 100 terawatts - about six times the annual
power consumption on our planet.) Maybe the artificial 'leaves' were placed in
water under sunlight, and connected to a fuel cell; maybe they developed
'artificial trees' too; and all this supplied enough electricity for
households, etc. (Perhaps, 'artificial leaf' can produce far more energy than a
natural leaf.) </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Probably they figured out that the process of
photosynthesis could be copied to produce hydrogen (by the action of sunlight
on a membrane prepared from say spinach protein or perhaps from lotus leaves. Or perhaps with the help of artificial/semi-man-made enzymes or tissue?) Maybe they developed glass windows (incorporated with
dye-sensitized solar cells in the material to produce the power.
Probably they invented a film (containing metal nano particles incorporated
into it in a composite matrix) that could be sprayed on window glasses, thereby
converting them instantly into solar panels. Perhaps they also invented paints
(with solar cells embedded within the paint) that could generate electricity.
(Maybe they used porphyrin and cobalt, or some other material, to
achieve this high efficiency, thereby mimicking the property of photosynthesis
used by plants. The cells probably had a greenish tint a la chlorophyll
(present in leaves and which converts solar energy.) [<b>*</b>Vadavagni is a form of Agni (fire) and is
depicted as a mare that breathes fire. </span></i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Agni/fire is the foremost among purifiers. Agni
has been worshipped since time immemorial... throughout 'Aryavarta' ('Arya-lands' or 'land of
Aryas/Aryans'; in other words, 'land inhabited by Arya people' - noble-natured people who followed
a pattern of life based on noble/Arya tenets/principles. Not that there was
any do's and don'ts; Aryan-ness was simply their 'way of life'; they were inherently
noble-natured.) There are more hymns to Agni in the Rg Ved than to any other
God/dev. Agni is also one of the five elements ([maha]panchabhuta
or Pancha Bhuta). The others being: air
(vayu), water (jal), earth (prithvi) and aether (aakash, space).] Apparently, Krishna engaged </span>Vishvakarmaa
to build the city of Dvarka, however, Visvakarma indicated that the task could
be accomplished only if Samudradeva, the lord of the sea, provided some land.
Thereafter Sri Krishna worshipped Samudradeva, who was pleased and gave them
land measuring 12 yojanas, following which Visvakarma built Dwaraka, a city in
gold (possibly indicative of a 'prosperous city'). Now this 'Vishvakarma'
is very likely a reference to the best architect of that era. [Perhaps,
'Vishvakarma' was a 'title' bestowed on the best architect in earlier
eras/yug.] And this 'Samudradev' is probably a reference to someone adept at
building structures on seas (samudra). Therefore, 'Sri Krishna worshipped
Samudradeva, who was pleased and gave them land measuring 12 yojanas,' means:
that Krishna engaged this great and renowned engineer (title/honorific: 'Samudradev') who knew
how to build structures on seas... and who then claimed 12 yoganas of land (from
the sea) to enable the architect/'Vishvakarma' to plan and build the city of Dvarka.
Therefore, Dvarka was not the result of seismic and volcanic activity at the
junction of several tectonic plates. [Or maybe it was a bit of both: man-made as well as natural causes.] So imagine the level of engineering and
architecture! Dvarka vanished under water, and there could be three reasons for this: #1. A tsunami; #2. The gradual movement of the sea; and #3. A massive earthquake. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Was
it a tsunami? Was it an earthquake? Or was it due to the rise in sea levels, brought about by various
climatic factors? Well, studies show that sea level was 100 meters below the
present sea level 15,000 years BP (before present), rose steadily and was 60-70
metres below present sea level 10,000 years BP (before present). In the next
1500 years it reached to 40 metres below present sea level, came at par with
the present sea level around 7000 years BP, then rose by five metres in the
next 1000 years. Thereafter, there was a gradual fall and sea level came down
to 20-30 metres below present sea level about 3500 years BP. Again levels rose
to above 5 metres present sea level about 1000 years BP. In the last 1000
years, the sea level has come down to the present position and is now
stationary, but may rise in future. As per science constructions can be made on a
land reclaimed from sea. However, when sea level rises, these settlements are
first to get submerged. Dvarka, (therefore, probably) submerged due to rise in
sea level. However, since there are evidences that a tsunami hit the western
coast of India about 8000 years before present (BP), we cannot discount the
possibility that a tsunami may have drowned the ancient city of Dvarka. <span class="fbphotocaptiontext">This is how the Mahabharata describes it: 'The sea,
which had been beating against the shore, suddenly broke the boundary that was
imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the City of Dvarka. It coursed
through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the
city. I saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. In a matter
of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake.
There was no trace of the city. Dwaraka became just a name, just a memory'.
Therefore, a deluge may have been the reason for Dvarka to vanish under water. But
there is also evidence of at least three large killer earthquakes about 1500,
3000 and 5000 years BP (before present) respectively. Geomorphologic evidences
also show that the Northwestern part of the Indian landmass was seismically
active during the last 10,000 years. These killer quakes are likely to have
caused the shifting of the rivers and sea level fluctuation (and maybe even
resulted in the sinking of the legendary city of Dvarka.) </span>Apparently
Krishna alerted the people of Dvarka - that once he departs there would be no
one to save Dvarka; that the sea would claim Dvarka... and so, advised the denizens to leave for safer places. [The sea engulfed Dvarka after Lord Krishna's
disappearance. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And what we can gather is this: that Arjun took them to
safety. (Perhaps, as per Krishna's instructions.) But here too, the narrative is
filled with later-day inflections and interpolations. PS: There have been several Dvarka... and all of them
submerged due to one or the other reason. Modern-day Dvarka is (apparently) the
7th such city to be built in the area.]</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Krishna's ability to read a situation, judge it
correctly and then plan accordingly; his perception and discerning, his ability to observe, assess and
evaluate any situation, force or entity... is amply demonstrated by his
treatment of Duryodhan (plus allies) as well as his treatment of Jarasandh (and allies). These
entities were wayyy powerful and influential than him. They wielded far greater
clout vis-à-vis him. In fact, there is no comparison in these matters between
Krishna and Duryodhan (plus allies), and Krishna and Jarasandh (plus allies). Besides,
certain members of Krishna's own clan and family were assisting Jarasandh. For example:
His maternal uncle Kansh, and his cousin Shishupal (who was also abusive to Krishn, in public), had allied themselves with the imperialistic
ambitions of the nefarious Jarasandha (the powerful ruler of Magadh.) Kansh had
even let himself be manipulated by (his friend) Jarasandh... and dethroned (and
imprisoned) his own father, the aged Ugrasena (besides imprisoning Krishn's
parents, Devaki and Vasudev). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Kritavarma sided with Duryodhan and the Kauravas, </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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remain neutral. [Krishna, of course, chided him for that.] Jarasandh (with a much bigger army, allies,
resources et al) fought Krishna 18 times. And yet, the latter was able to stave them off. This, no doubt, would have frustrated Jarasandh. Thereafter, Krishn
shifted to Dvarka (a city he built by claiming land from the sea, and a veritable island) - to avert destruction, loss of lives and
property (and possibly to also avert Jarasandh's crudeness and un-Aryan-like activities (such as, loot and plunder, maybe even imprisonment and torture of citizens, and who knows, could be even enslavement too), besides the sowing of the proverbial negative aspects (that would have completely changed the 'way of life', 'coz Jarasandh was no worse than Duryodhan) - in case he were to gain the upper-hand.) As we can see, Krishn was both humane and a realist, but also a great
strategist... and not an arrogant, egoistic, self-seeking megalomaniac by any stretch of
imagination; that he was very unlike Jarasandh, Duryodhan, etc. Krishna bide his time, chose the moment of action and the 'instruments'
of action with precision... and
thus reinstated the old Ugrasena back on the throne. The opposite of
Jarasandha in his goal, Krishna would be no 'samrat' (emperor)... for his
status is that of 'svarat/</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><i>svarāṭ</i>' (one who removes tyrants and self-aggrandizers, those who establish hegemony and dominate other humans to the detriment of the earth and civilization on it, and other such negative entities.) The fall of Jarasandh restored independence to nearly a
hundred chieftains/kings, freed various clans and indeed the whole country of
the spectre of the (proverbial) all-constricting imperialistic Magadhan python. Here is the
idea of loka-sangraha ("welfare for all" or the "common good")
exemplified. Krishna's brilliance, his overwhelming intelligence,
far-sightedness and motives are precisely what should have engaged and inspired
the likes of Dhritarashtra, Dronacharya, Bhishma Pitamah, et al: to shun inertia, to overcome negative thoughts and narrow selfish motives and to perform their 'karm' -
to rejuvenate 'dharm' (noble principles/'Arya-Dharm' or actions that benefit
society). In short: loka-sangraha or loka-kalyana ("welfare for all" or the "common
good"). Krishna was not motivated by personal glory. He did not have a vaulting
self-image (i.e. he was not full of himself, nor was he a legend in his own mind.) He did not annex territories either (e.g. he installed Jarasandh's son Sahadeva, as the ruler of Magadh. Sahadeva became an ally of the Pandavs. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of Chedi, was a Pandav ally.) Krishn did not indulge in un-Aryan activities like loot and plunder either. Whatever he did
was for the greater good; he dispelled negative thoughts (such as fear and hopelessness) from people's minds and hearts, he rejuvenated/awakened society (by removing an assortment of tyrants and other such negative entities), he rejuvenated/awakened 'Arya-Dharm, he also halted all experiments directed at
creating unnatural humans (thus the earth was rid of highly destructive weaponry, unnatural humans, humanoids, et al). And all this enabled the planet and society to gradually "heal", it allowed humanity, society and civilization to
flourish well. </i><i>It also helped create a new and peaceful world, so to speak. Krishna's thoughts and actions personifies 'Loka Kalyana' (welfare for all). His was Nishkam Karm (selfless action) at
its finest; he simply performed his duty ('karm') without expecting anything in
return. The whole life of Lord Krishn is thus like the roaring sound of a conch. He
undertook a vow: to fight an assortment of negative aspects and entities (despite great odds and obstacles)... so as to restore
peace, order and balance in society and civilization (and did his best to
fulfill it.) Thus, he is a true 'karm-yogi'. And thus, in spite of being a Maha Avatar (great incarnation), and in spite of being part of a different era/yug
(dvapar), it is the very human-ness of Krishna that is part of his aura and
charm, and is also behind the irresistible fascination that he exercises and
exerts over millions (transcending eras/yug.) The remarkable qualities of the
head and the heart (noble virtues/sattva guna)... that makes Krishn pre-eminent
among statesmen, counselors, diplomats and philosophers as well as among
leaders of people and nations shines forth brilliantly. Thus, he is also a transcendental legend,
a magnificent 'Yug Purush' (The </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Renaissance man/Millennium Man/Man of Destiny or the Timeless Man) and Bhagavan (</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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'Fortunate One' or the 'Blessed One'. Sri Krishn has transcended eras/yug, his 'karm' and his philosophy is timeless, he continues to inspire.)</i> The renowned American
thinker, poet, author, historian, philosopher and leading transcendentalist,
Henry David Thoreau said, "A man is wise with the wisdom of his time only,
and ignorant with its ignorance." This is true of people like us, because
we are mere ordinary mortals, ordinary people. But, in every era (yug),
a handful of people appear amidst us once in a while, who prove to be an
exception to this rule. At one level, these exceptional and extraordinary
people are products of their time. But at another level they transcend their
times. Their perceptions, their insights, their thoughts, their actions and
their concerns are truly universal, in time and in space; they are neither
constrained by the circumstances of their birth nor are they limited by the
ignorance of their time. They are truly incomparable. Krishna is the foremost of such exceptional transcendental 'Yug Purush'. [Ditto Chanakya Vishnugupt, who rid the country of yet another </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>(proverbial) all-constricting imperialistic Magadhan python, Dhana Nanda, as well as the rampaging Alexander, in another era</i>. </span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Perhaps even Samraat Chandragupta II
Vikramaditya... who, by thwarting the designs (imperialistic ambitions) of the Sakas, and driving them out of wide swathes of
land, (probably almost the whole of modern Asia)... established peace and
prosperity under his wise, benevolent and enlightened rule. He assumed the title of Vikramaditya. </i>Vikram means: one who is wise, diligent, brave and strong as well as
victorious. The Sanskrit word -kram is a root word meaning 'step or stride', so
the name Vikram can be understood to mean Vishnu's stride in itself, or as a
name which reflects the qualities of Vishnu's stride. In Vedic scripture,
Vishnu's stride is said to be over the Earth, the Sky, and the all-pervading
omnipresent essence of the Universe/Cosmos. Hence Shri Vishnu is also known as
Trivikram. </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Aaditya = the Sun. Therefore, Vikramaditya roughly
translates to: the radiance of Vikram.<b>*</b>] Krishna, the Renaissance Man, is (therefore) timeless. He
belongs to all eras/yug. His wisdom, his knowledge, his advice and his
philosophy are ever relevant. Despite being in a position of great weakness, he used his wits, his razor-sharp intelligence,
his ability to articulate, to connect, to adapt, to listen and to engage (including diplomacy, networking and negotiation skills, maybe even oratory and eloquence), his humility, his charm, his energy and drive, his ability and willingness to stay the course, to shoulder responsibility and facilitate change (without making a show), his optimism, his ability to absorb 'toxin' </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(so as to clear the 'fog' of negativity, the 'mist' of untruths and make-believe, as well as past cobwebs, etc), his perception/savvy and decisiveness, his power
of conviction, his charisma, his astuteness, his single-minded determination and courage, his unwavering focus and grit, his ability to guide, his remarkable steadfastness, his
considerable wisdom and knowledge, his immense foresight, his vision, his ability to unify and reconcile, his understanding of people and
events et al - to fructify his thoughts and plans. Else... the likes of
Duryodhan, </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Duḥśāsana, Shakuni, Kansh, Jarasandh et al would have held sway. Krishna</i><i> also set the stage for Kaliyug to manifest;
Kali = bud, symbolizing a "new dawn".</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<b>*</b>Shri Vishnu wears the auspicious
"Kaustubha Mani" (Kaustubha jewel) around his neck. Sri Sri Lakshmi
Devi dwells in this jewel, on Vishnu's chest. The "Kaustubha Mani" represents consciousness, which manifests itself in all that shines: the sun,
the moon, the fire and the speech. Thus this jewel represents consciousness, the
consciousness of all living things. *This brilliant jewel also represents the Sun's Disc (allegorically, that is). Out of one
thousand names of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu Sahasra Nama), Ravi, Surya, Savita,
Jyotiraaditya, Bhaskaradyuti, Gavastinemi (Centre of Rays) are also the names of
the Sun. In the Vedas, Lord Vishnu has been mentioned as
"Sahasrasirsa" ("with thousand heads.") This signifies his
radiance, his scintillating effulgence. [Also, the multi-avatar Lord Vishnu is a fountainhead of enlightenment and knowledge.] Countless rays of the Sun (Surya Rashmi)
are named as 'Sahasrasirsa'; hence Surya is called "Sahasranshu". </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Therefore, Vikramaditya roughly
translates to: the radiance of Vikram. </i></span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>(Aaditya = the Sun.) </i></span></i></span>The Vikram-Betal stories featuring Vikramaditya
were woven to disseminate certain values and thoughts. This land has had a rich
history of storytelling, e.g. Panchatantra, Hitopadesha, Jataka Tales, Jain
Tales and the like. Hitopadesha is a collection of
Sanskrit fables in prose and verse. According to the author of Hitopadesha,
Narayana, the main purpose of creating Hitopadesha is to instruct young minds
the philosophy of life in an easy manner so that they are able to grow into
responsible adults. It is almost similar to the Panchatantra ('Five
Principles') of Vishnu Sharma. <i>Hitopadesha</i> (Sanskrit: Hitopadeśa) has been derived from two words,
'hita' (welfare/benefit)<i> </i>and 'upadesha' (advice/counsel). It basically
means to counsel or advice (upadesha) with benevolence, and for the welfare and
benefit of everyone. Imparting ethics, morals and knowledge, Hitopadesha is one
amongst the most widely read Sanskrit book in India. The <i>Panchatantra</i>
(Sanskrit: Pañcatantra), on the other hand, is an inter-woven series of colourful
fables, many of which involve animals exhibiting animal stereotypes and even
human qualities.<sup> </sup>It illustrates, for the benefit of three ignorant
princes... the central Sanaatan dharmic principles of <i>nīti</i>.<sup> </sup>While
<i>nīti</i> is hard to translate, it roughly means prudent worldly conduct, or
"the wise conduct of life". The Jataka tales, on the other hand, are
dated between 300 BC and 400 AD and were written for mankind to gain knowledge
and ethics. Originally written in Pali language, Jataka Buddhist tales have
been translated in different languages around the world. The luminous fables of
'Jataka' are intended to impart values of self-sacrifice, morality, honesty and
other informative values to people. No less than 547 in number, Jataka Tales
are an important part of the canon of sacred Buddhist literature. These
anecdotes and fables depicts earlier incarnations - sometimes as an animal,
sometimes as a human - of the being who would become Siddhartha Gautama, the
future Buddha. </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->While the 'Jain Tales' aim to teach children values that
help in avoiding (accumulating) bad karma. It encourages them to learn to accept and appreciate virtues. The tales about will
power, devotion, penance and mutual respect, help underline the importance to
serve and support rather than cause pain and suffering. *</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Could this brilliant jewel (</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>"Kaustubha Mani" or Kaustubha jewel) </i></span></span></span>also have been an indicator
for solar energy? Or other energy, hydrogen fuel, for example... wherein hydrogen (an excellent +
cost-effective source of energy) is stored on 'micro-jewels' (micro-beads or pellets?)
as a hydride compound? Perhaps, our ancients knew how to cleave the
hydrogen-oxygen bonds present in water... in order to produce hydrogen. ... And
since Dvarka was an island surrounded by seawater... a huge source of clean energy (since burning of hydrogen results
in its re-conversion back to water)... we cannot rule this possibility out. Also, </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblNewsDetailMain">via waste water treatment (that generates electricity from the hydrogen produced.)</span> ] </i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Thus,
Sri Krishn is </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Vrishaakritih (Dharma/Vrisha Himself). He is Dharma personified. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->['Dharma' is not moralism. It is ethics: values/ideals and principles +
actions that benefit people and society. There is never a vacuum; instead there are a myriad of 'push' and 'pull', 'cross currents' and a multitude of challenges. And yet, in spite of these, Krishna was able to perform deeds that</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> helped people, society and civilization.] Thus, Krishn is </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->kshemakrit: Doer of good. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thus, he is mahaamanaah: Great-minded. </i><i>Thus, he is </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Dharmadhyaksha (Lord of Dharma). Thus, he is </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Vrisha Uttamam (Supreme Dharma). Thus, he is </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>mahaavaraaho</i> (the great boar). </i><i>Thus, he personifies 'nishkam karm' (selfless action). Thus, he is also the finest 'karm-yogi'.
</i><i><i>Thus, he is 'Yug Purush', the Renaissance Man. Thus, he is eternal inspiration. Thus, he is </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Ajaya<b>: </b>The
Conqueror of Life And Death. </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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he is 'Bhagavan' (the 'Fortunate One' or the 'Blessed One'.) Thus, he is </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->taarah: He who saves. Thus, he is </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->mahaashringah: Great-horned (Matsya). Thus, he is Ekashringa Varaha, Unicorn Boar: One without a
parallel.</i></i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thus, he is suhrit: Friend of all creatures. Thus, he is </i></i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Jagadisha: Protector
of All. Thus, he is Vrishakapi</i> (one-horned Varaha) - the Supreme form of Lord Narayan/Shri Hari Vishnu. ... And thus, he is 'Ajatashatru' ("one without enemies") - in a manner of speaking, that is. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>|<span style="color: #0c343d;">| krishnas tu bhagavan svayam ||</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> ~ Perhaps 'coz: in him we find glimpses of all the Maha Avatars/great
incarnations ~ the Dasavatara. And so, Sri Krishn is equivalent to
the Dasavatara.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>As Arjun stood in the battlefield of Kurukshetra (the
greatest of 'Dharm-Yudh', battle of principles/ethics), he was overcome with
feelings of weakness and confusion... since he faced the prospect of killing his
own kith and kin. Realizing that his adversaries were his own relatives,
beloved friends and revered teachers, he turns to his charioteer and guide,
Krishna, for advice. Responding to his confusion and moral dilemma, Krishna
advises him to follow his 'sva-dharma' or his 'duty as a
ksatriya'/upholder of dharm (i.e. ethics/principles/justice or actions that benefit society.) ['Kshatriya' is an amalgamation of two words: ksat
(meaning 'injury'), and tra (meaning 'deliver'). Therefore,
ksatriya/kshatriya means: one who protects others. Or in other words,
one who is an upholder of ethics/principles/justice. Shri Krishn is thus referred to as "Kshatriya-Shresht"
(shresht = the finest, best of the best. After all, he is the protector and preserver.) 'Sva-dharma' literally means: 'work or duty born
out of one's talent, nature or pravritti'. The 18th chapter of the Srimad Bhagavad Geeta
examines the relationship between 'sva-dharma' and 'swabhava' (i.e. one's essential/intrinsic
nature or inherent talent). In this chapter, the 'sva-dharma' of an individual is linked with
the 'gunas' or the 'tendencies or talent arising out of one's swabhava' (one's
nature, inclination). This 'Sva-dharma' - that Shri Krishna talked about - is now known as
'varna-dharma' or 'varnashram dharma'. (Varna = talent/aptitude; one's nature, inclination, bent of mind or pravritti. Shram =
work, task. Dharma = ethics, way of life. </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In short, the varna-system enumerated (but in no particular order of superiority or inferiority, though) ~ the manpower/workforce into four distinct groups. Thus, the Varna-system ~ Varna-shram
Dharma/Varna-dharma ~ essentially recognizes one's talent [aptitude and ability]
~ for various work/tasks... and therefore, the manpower/workforce was based on one's
aptitude and ability. So, imagine the level of training and efficiency.
However, since this was a non-rigid system, there was no concept of
'traditional occupation' whatsoever.)] [<u>Note</u>: </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"Varna-dharma" or "Varnashram dharma" has
nothing to do with "caste". Varna does not mean "caste", it means: talent; aptitude and ability. Even jaat/jaati does not mean "caste. It indicates clan. ("Caste" is derived from the Portuguese word "Casta,"
meaning: purity of descent.) No "varna" (talent; aptitude, ability) is meant to be superior or inferior to the other... 'coz society cannot function in the absence of any one of them.
The four "varna" is as per one's nature, inclination or pravritti, and is based
on one's gunas (traits, talent). "Varna-dharma" or "Varnashram
dharma" is neither rigid nor based on one's birth, etc. It depends on one's pravritti (nature, inclination, interest) and gunas
(traits, aptitude, talent). It is fluid. And concepts like "backward", "scheduled this-or-that", "dalit" etc are not part of it... since civic amenities, town planning, et al were excellent in earlier times. (All
this, including rigidity, based on one's birth, etc has come about in the
last millennium or so... as a 'by-product' of societal "samudra-manthan", etc. However, various reform and renaissance movements were able
to undo and/or dilute various unwanted aspects and social ills.) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The four "varna" were: Brahman/Brahmana-varna, Ksatriya-varna,
Vaishya-varna and Sudra-varna. Not in any order of superiority, etc though; just four
"varna" (</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>one's talent based on one's 'pravritti' or nature, inclination and interest, and 'gunas' or traits). </i></span></span></span> A "Brahman" or "Brahmana" was someone who dedicated his or her life to the
pursuit (and dissemination) of knowledge, innovation, research, </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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other intellectual and intellect-related activities. (<u>Note</u>: It's
"Brahman" or "Brahmana", not "Brahmin". </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>"Brahman" or "Brahmana" = one who proceeded along the path of knowledge [Brahm], enlightenment [Brahmn].</i></span></span></span> And one's birth did not determine this.) A "ksatriya" was someone who protected others;
thus a "ksatriya" was essentially an upholder of ethics/principles/justice.
Their actions benefited society (and people) in general. As for "Vaishya", whosoever
was engaged in any kind of trading or business-related activities was
"Vaishya". While the rest, be they peasants, craftsmen, artisans, weavers, textile and handloom manufactures, fisherfolk, horticulturists, those involved in animal husbandry, et al were "Sudra". </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Therefore,
ancient India was a hub of labour-intensive activities that not only generated
employment and revenue, but also allowed creativity to flourish.] The
"Varna-dharma"/"Varnashram-Dharma" or the Varna System was fluid... and not
rigid. There was no concept of 'traditional occupation'. As for "tribal", they were known as "adi-vasi" or "vanvasi"
(forest-dwellers or forest-dwelling human. Van = forest. Adi = ancient,
original or earliest known. So, perhaps, they may have been the first set of humans that
evolved on earth... from various animal-like ancestors.)] </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b>*</b>The <i>Hayagreeva/Hayagriva</i> is also an
avatar of Lord Narayan/Shri Hari Vishnu. (It refers to someone 'horse-faced'/with an equine face, or
more likely, 'horse-jawed'. Greeva/Griva = jaw. Maybe this avatar is our
ancients' visualization/version/understanding of a Super-smart "knight". And, perhaps, the unicorn too should be viewed in this context.) The </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>Hayagriva-avatar</i></i></span></span></span> is believed to have
'rescued the Vedas... which was taken to rasatala'. It probably means: that this avatar rescued the Vedas (and/or Sanaatan Dharma) from decay and
degradation. In other words: this avatar revitalized the Vedas (its contents,
Vedic knowledge, etc) by cleansing it of the many unwanted aspects... that would
have seeped into them. (Veda comes from the Sanskrit root 'Vid' which means,
"to know". 'Vid' has in turn given rise to 'Vidya' ~ knowledge. Vedic = 'from
the Veda'; Sanaatan Dharm was essentially an enlightened 'way of life'.) Therefore, 'Sanaatan Vedic Dharma' <i>is</i> the treasure-trove of <i>timeless
knowledge</i> - which our ancients gathered (learnt) from nature (Prakriti),
universe (Brhmaand/Brahmaand) and space (Vyoma)... and then accumulated them
within the four Vedas and its other tributaries like the Upanishads, the Purans
and so on. Hence, this timeless knowledge is essentially a 'way of life': it was all about living in harmony with nature, performing one's karm
yog, pursuit of knowledge, becoming higher spiritual beings, connecting with
the Higher Self or seeking communion with the Universal Consciousness
(Sat-cit-ānanda: eternal bliss of self-realization), and so on. (Thus the Vedas can essentially be referred to/understood as: 'Book of
Knowledge' or 'Book of Enlightenment'.) And so, this ancient <i>Vedic</i> faith, Sanaatan Dharm, was <i>never</i> a cultic
movement (to unite people under a single "founder")... simply because
there has <i>never</i> been a "founder"! Instead, it is a 'way of
life' rooted in antiquity, and the stress <i>is</i> on 'dharma', meaning: to
perform actions/deeds that benefit society and humanity. The term <i>Upanishad</i>
is derived from <i>upa</i> (near), <i>ni</i> (down) and <i>sad</i> (to sit),
i.e., sitting down near a spiritual teacher (guru) in order to receive
instruction in the <i>Guru-shishya</i> <i>parampara</i> (tradition). Upanishad
also means 'setting at rest ignorance by revealing the knowledge of the Supreme
Spirit (Brahmn/Param-aatma).' A gloss of the term <i>Upanishad</i> based on
Shankara's commentary on the <i>Katha</i> and <i>Brihadāranyaka Upanishads</i>
equates it with <i>Ātmavidyā</i> ("knowledge of the Self"), or <i>Brahmavidyā</i>
("knowledge of Brahmn"). Shankara derived the word from the root
"sad" (to destroy, to loosen, to reach) with </i>Upa<i> and </i>ni<i>
as prefixes and </i>kvip<i> as termination and equated it's meaning with the '<i>destruction
of ignorance</i>'. Therefore, Upanishad means "<i>Brahma/Brahmn-knowledge</i>
by which ignorance is loosened or destroyed." The treatises that deal with <i>Brahma-knowledge</i>
are called the Upanishads and so, pass for the Vedanta. The different
derivations together make out that the Upanishads give us both spiritual vision
and philosophical argument. In the Upanishads the spiritual meanings of the
Vedic texts are brought out and emphasized in their own right. The authorship
of the Upanishads is unknown, but some of their chief doctrines are associated
with the names of particular sages such as: Aruni, Yajnavalkya, Bâlâki,
Svetaketu, and Sândilya. The Upanishads belong to the class of <i>sruti</i>, or
'revealed literature', uttered by the learned sages (of yore) in the fullness of
an illumined understanding of the 'truth' (Brahmn/Ultimate Truth). According to
tradition, there were over two hundred <i>Upanishads,</i> but the philosopher
and commentator Shankara (who lived sometime between 509 and 820 C.E.) only
composed commentaries to eleven of them, generally regarded as the oldest ones.
The Muktika Upanishad lists 108 <i>Upanishads, while a</i>ccording to Panini's <i>Ashtadhyayi</i>
(also known as: Panineeyam); the total number of Upanishads was 900. Patanjali
too puts the number at 900. Therefore, it appears that most of them are <i>lost</i>
forever. Alas. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Let's turn to Manu and Manusmriti (which, very
likely, gave rise to the word 'manuscript'.) There are innumerable universes,
with one Brahmā in each of them. There are fourteen Manu who are prominent
within this universe, each overseeing a "manvantara" or "manuvantara".
"Manu" is a title for the one who rules a <i>manvantara</i>. Each
"Manu" is endowed with great knowledge and wisdom. (The word
"Manav", signifying human or humanity, comes from "Manu".
Manav = human, mankind; antara = period, cycle.) Each <i>kalpa</i> (1,000
maha-yugas) is reigned over/overseen by a succession of 14 Manus, and the reign
of each Manu is called a "manvantara". A single manvantara is
approximately 71 maha-yugas. <i>Manusmriti</i> or <i>rules of Manu</i> texts
are ascribed to Yajña (as Svāyambhuva Manu) - the first Manu. Each Manu is the
progenitor of a line/lineage. Therefore, each Manu is the progenitor of a group
of humans, who eventually intermix. Hence, it is probably said that... Manu is
the 'progenitor of mankind' ~ Manav-jaati ('lineage of Manu') or manuṣya-jaati
('born of Manu'). Or it could also mean "guided by Manu". And thus, all humans are, therefore, called "Manava".
However, "Manu" is not "Brahmin". "Manu" is essentially a flood figure... who arrive (</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->as per the instructions of the Almighty/Lord Narayan) in order to rescue, guide and
resettle mankind during times of great calamity, distress and turbulence (Mahajal Pralay, the Great Flood.) Therefore, "Manusmriti" (translated into English as: "laws of Manu,"
though "smriti" is not quite "law")... should be seen in that context. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is at best temporary/interim "guidelines" (to give people a
semblance of order + to reassure them) ~ since all groups of humans would be
traumatized and disoriented... and displaced. Besides, they have to travel in
specially built nao (ship) for years together (to be able to ride out the
swirling waters and its effects... to reach land and safety.) <b>*</b>They have
to start life anew in strange environs (maybe after a couple of generations or
more spent in specially built ships/nao.) And perhaps, some of them have to live (for
generations) in specially-equipped caves or even in settlements/shelters below the ground. Hence,
Sanaatan Dharm is not based on "Manusmriti". 'Coz this ancient Vedic 'way of
life' - Sanaatan Dharm - is neither monolithic nor homogeneous. And, though various
unwanted aspects did seep into Sanaatan Dharma in the last millennium or so... various reform
and renaissance movements led by progressive and far-sighted men and women (but
mostly men) were able to cleanse/undo and/or dilute many of these. And, given
that our ancient texts have experienced all kinds of mistranslations, inflections,
interpolations, et al (in the last millennium)... whether "Manusmriti" has remained impervious or not ~ my
guess is as good as yours. </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->These reform and renaissance movements happened
at a time when the modes of communication, transportation, and publishing, et
al were nowhere near what they are today... and, all sorts of regressive aspects
had submerged Sanaatan Dharm. So much so that</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> this enlightened and progressive 'way
of life' ~ Sanaatan Dharm, or even what we today understand as "Hinduism" - had
ceased to exist, in a manner of speaking, that is. In its place was a usurper, a ritual-heavy regression-filled
burden known as "Brahminical faith". (Therefore, in essence, what we today refer to as "Sikh-ism", "Jain-ism"
or even "Buddh-ism" came about as non-Brahminical faiths. Perhaps, Bhagavan Buddh did not (intend to) start a new "religion"... 'coz such a concept was unknown in his time. However, "Buddh-ism" eventually came about... courtesy the </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>hegemony of the "Brahminical faith".</i> </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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(</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->and others groups centered around a social reformer) provided an opportunity to wide swathes of the population to find their way out
of the black hole of hopelessness that the "Brahminical faith" had relegated
them. Not only did the new faiths not treat them shabbily, but also allowed
them to pray and worship, apart from offering them opportunities to gain
literacy, medical treatment and so on. In short: a respectable life. And the
new faiths did all that... without being patronizing, without rubbing salt into wounds. Instead, they "healed".) Therefore, to all those - be they leaders or
ordinary people - who were able to extricate and </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>resurrect Sanaatan Dharm from the slough it
had fallen into... let our salutations go. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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their combined message of egalitarianism and justice was able to support and bring about positive societal change. The greats of both these movements shared an easy
camaraderie; they advocated 'love of God' as the easiest way to attain God;
besides, both also preached the unity of God, love for mankind, tolerance and
importance of good deeds. Thus, they were able to create an atmosphere of
mutual trust and peaceful coexistence... that in turn benefited the people and
society.] Umm, but there wasn't quite a pan-India
movement as such... due to constraints of commutation and communication. However,
today the English language binds the whole of South-Asia and beyond. (Thus, this
language, in a generic sense, was the 'amrit' that arose out of yet
another 'manthan' that happened in this part of the world.) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In every 'manthan' there will be some or the other 'by-product'. However, one must not confuse the trees for the forest, so to
speak. 'Coz the 'amrit' cannot and should not be belittled or ignored; it is
more important than anything else. This is the philosophy of a Param-hamsah
(Supreme Swan). ~ It is a quality that a true
Hamsan (ascetic/yogi) possesses. Lord Krishn is "Supreme Swan" ~ a true "Hamsan" or "yogi". The <i>hamsah</i> (swan) is supposed to possess the
ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to
separate milk and water symbolizes the need to differentiate between good/positive
aspects and bad/negative aspects as well as the eternal and the evanescent. </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>[<b>*</b><u>Note</u>: </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="st">Sri
Hayagrīva</span> (the embodiment of higher knowledge, cosmic wisdom) is an
incarnation of Lord Narayan/Vishnu, depicted with a human body and a horse's
head, brilliant white in color (like a swan/hamsah), with white garments, seated on a
white lotus. [<i>Puṇḍarīka</i>/<span class="med1"><i>Pundarika or Pankaja/Svetakamala/Shubhra Kamal is
"white/pure white lotus". Pure white signifies pristine, embodiment
of pure knowledge, as well as tranquility.</i></span><span class="med1"><i>]</i></span> He is the Cosmic Lord of all wisdom (cosmic wisdom). He has four lotus hands, with one in the mode
of bestowing knowledge; another holds books of knowledge/wisdom (the Vedas), and the other
two hold the Conch (Shankh) </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>and the Disc (Chakra - possibly indicating the galaxies) respectively. [</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>Shankhdhvani </i><i><i><i><i>is similar to the sacred OM sound - the </i>primeval sound ~ pranavah/Omkara/pranava
naad, the sound of the universe itself. </i></i></i><i><i><i>It is the sound of the origination and dissolution
of the universe.] </i></i></i>His beauty, like fresh cut crystal </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>(</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>Nirmala sphatik krittim Adharam)</i></i></span></span>, is an
auspicious brilliance that never decays</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>. Hayagreeva is depicted seated, most
often with his right hand either blessing the supplicant or in the vyaakhyaa
mudraa - pose of teaching. The right hand also usually holds an aksha-maalaa
(rosary, Rudraksha?), indicating his identification with meditative knowledge. His left
hand holds a book, indicating his role as a teacher. His face is always serene and
peaceful, if not smiling. [He is also hailed as "Hayasirsa".
(Haya = Horse, Sirsa = Head.)] This avatar is worshiped on the full
moon day in August (Sravana-Paurnami/Sravana-Poornima ~ his avatara-dina) and
on Mahanavami, the ninth day of the Navaratri festival. His consort is Devi Lakshmi
(Marici - ray of light), the goddess of the rising sun, more accurately the sun's light... the life force of all things. Hayagriva is sometimes worshiped in a solitary
pose of meditation: this form is known as Yoga-Hayagriva. However, he is most
commonly worshipped along with his consort Devi Lakshmi and is known as
Lakshmi-Hayagriva.] The horse-faced/equine-faced form of Lord Vishnu is the God
of Vidya or knowledge as well as prosperity. One who prays to Lord Hayagriva
shall be blessed with knowledge and wisdom. Sri Hayagriva is the male equivalent to
Devi Sarasvati. Apparently, Lord Vishnu compiled the Vedas (Book of Knowledge/Wisdom
or Book of Enlightenment ~ eternal wisdom, knowledge, wisdom, guidance and
philosophy) in the Hayagriva form and that this avatar precedes the Matsya
Avatar. From Lord Narayan/Vishnu the eternal knowledge was transferred to Lord
Brahma (the Chief Engineer/Scientist of the Cosmos) and Devi Sarasvati, then to Lord
Surya/Suryadev, to the Manu-s ~ who, in turn, disseminated it to various humans
(</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of the Ikshvaku [or <span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration"><span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span>]</span>
dynasty ~ to which greats like Sagara, Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and Shri Ram
belonged). The Hayagriva Avatar is also the rescuer of the Vedas
(from 'rasatala' - utter degradation and decay. </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->'Rasatala' is also the name of one of the lower planets of the Spiritually
deprived but Materially advanced Adho-Lokas/Lower Realms (not to be mistaken
for the Hellish Planets/Narak-Loka.) One of the legends states
that during creation, (malevolent entities) Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas (Book
of Knowledge/Wisdom or Book of Enlightenment ~ treasure-trove of eternal wisdom, knowledge, guidance and philosophy) from Lord Brahma (the Chief Engineer/Scientist
of the Cosmos). To save the Vedas/eternal knowledge (from falling into wrong
hands... and therefore, its misuse) - Lord Vishnu took the form of Hayagreeva. ~ This
story represents the triumph of pure knowledge, guided by the divine over negative/malevolent
forces of darkness (ignorance, delusion, etc.) It could even be an allegorical tale applicable for all ages. [~ The two bodies of Madhu and
Kaitabha disintegrated into twelve pieces (two heads, two torsos, four arms and
four legs): These are considered to represent the twelve seismic plates of the
Earth.] (<span class="st">Sri Hayagrīva</span> is known for his Shaurya - conspicuous and
uncommon gallantry and intrepidity; he is known to never rest; possesses the
all-mighty light; is without the slightest care for his own welfare, his heart
is full of compassion (unbiased, dispassionate understanding), and so on.] </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maybe, if He were to be otherwise, the Vedas (Book of Wisdom/Knowledge
or Book of Enlightenment ~ treasure-trove of eternal
wisdom, knowledge, guidance and philosophy would have remained in the Adho-Lokas/Lower
Realms and/or in perpetual decay.) Hayagreeva
is an embodiment of intelligence and knowledge. He is a divine being who gives
divine intelligence and wisdom. He is also the "Defender of faith" (from
negative aspects, like ignorance, etc.) Hayagreeva can also bestow "Siddhi" (self-realization, Jeevan Mukti) when one
connects with his divine energy. [Here is the Hayagreeva Gayatri (a Vedic hymn):
|| Om Vagisvaraya vidhmahe Hayagrivaya dheemahi Tanno Hamsat pracodayat || ~
(Hamsat: a being with the complexion of a swan/hamsah). </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Om, Let me meditate on the god of learning, O
God who has an equine-face, give me higher intellect, And let Lord Hayagreeva - Him of the hamsah/swan-like complexion -
illuminate my mind. The second one is the Hayagreeva
slokam (from a <span style="color: #0c343d;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8aIcW2gepE"><span style="color: #0c343d;">stotram</span></a>):
|| Jnana-ananada mayam devam Nirmala sphatik krittim Adharam Sarva Vidyanam Hayagriva
Upasmahae ||: <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGDN3R0Zxcc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Link</span></a></b>. </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><u>Note</u>: The <i>hamsah</i> (swan) is supposed to possess the
ability to separate water from cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to
separate milk and water symbolizes the need to differentiate between good/positive
aspects and bad/negative aspects as well as the eternal and the evanescent. </i>Sri </i><i><i><span class="st">Hayagrīva is thus </span></i></i><i><i><span class="st"><i>Param-hamsah
(Supreme Swan.) </i></span></i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><span class="st"><i><i>~ The hamsah/swan...
whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water is an embodiment of "detachment" and exemplifies a true "yogi", a real ascetic/hamsan or </i></i></span></i></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>sanyaasi/Jeevan Mukt (one who is detached like the lotus... which grows in
muddy water and yet remains Nirmal - untouched by it</i>. </i><i><i>It is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). </i></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The <span class="ilad">spirit</span> of such persons is spotless, like the
lotus in muddy water that remains "detached" [does not adhere to
it.] ~ This should also help us to understand the concept of 'lotus feet' as well as the concept of Kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm'.</i>] </i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Note</u>: No one can describe the Supreme Lord though. Noone has ever seen Him.
Words aren't enough to do justice to His glories. He is infinite. He is beyond
the physical world and beyond Past, Present and Future. ~ The
(great incarnations)/maha-avatars are also known as 'leela-avatars'; they
appear in their human form but their purpose is different. ~ Any one who attributes
human values to God (the 'leela-avatars' included) - has failed to realize the
True Leelas behind these episodes. One can truly understand the maha-avatars and the magnitude of their karm - only in one's mind's eye. ['Coz our ancient texts are full of allegories, metaphors and symbolism. By taking them literally (i.e. at face value) ] one will not be able to grasp their true essence. ~ E.g. 'Giridhari' is not literal - it is allegorical; Krishn did not lift a whole mountain - literally, that is (</span></span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->he was whisked away to a safer place as a newborn... and
then sent away to study at the age of 5 or 7 [do read paragraphs #4 and #6 - to
get the drift]; therefore, a teenage Krishn holding a large hill/mountain on
his forefinger is allegorical.) However, when one fully understands the significance of Krishn's karm... one can comprehend ('see' in one's mind's eye) *why* he is 'Giridhari' - the achiever of Herculean/superhuman tasks/deeds - against great odds/impediments/adversities. ~ And then, one can also understand: why he is the most chivalrous fish in the samsaric ocean - guiding others through turbulent waters. [</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>He is also the dispeller ("lifter") of (the
allegorical 'dark clouds' of) pessimism, confusion, despondency, hopelessness, et al; he
is the harbinger of hope and the bringer of sunshine.]</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzutjeY_YhEcOqreeX2KjL9RiLeJ2z6yS91WAcPXqbOApOn3_l4s2XmgyMBpigkwQqakNp5zWNqYCbnF0RAuvly5mgDyuF5eKcdaeabR0ve_9bXYoQbFMtfQGjFLY63Zervpxagp17Ef0/s1600/Kalki-mahaavatar+-+illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzutjeY_YhEcOqreeX2KjL9RiLeJ2z6yS91WAcPXqbOApOn3_l4s2XmgyMBpigkwQqakNp5zWNqYCbnF0RAuvly5mgDyuF5eKcdaeabR0ve_9bXYoQbFMtfQGjFLY63Zervpxagp17Ef0/s1600/Kalki-mahaavatar+-+illustration.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>[The 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, the Kalki-mahaavatar ~
too has an equine face... indicating a Super-smart chivalrous "knight". This avatar is a
(fair-complexioned ~ </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="med1">the allegorical/metaphoric "pure white
lotus"/</span> Puṇḍarīka/<span class="med1">Pundarika; pure white signifies pristine</span></i></span></span></span>, pure knowledge) person and not a 'white horse', per se. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is also indicative of his kuṇḍalinī (do read paragraph #9 - to know more about
Kundalini), which is vital for all the 7 Chakras - centers of Prāṇa, life
force, or vital energy - to be fully activated. Chakras correspond to vital
points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves.
(For 'Sudarshan Chakra' ~ do refer to paragraph # 18 ~ from the top.) However, given that
this avatar is depicted either as a 'white-coloured horse' or as 'a man with a
horse's head' ~ people (at least those in the last millennium or so) probably
were unclear... and so, did not quite know what to make of it (meaning, how to
interpret the symbolism, etc). Besides, there is a "Hayagriva-avatar" too (and
this avatar is depicted as 'a man with a horse's head' as well.) Thus, they
probably decided to concentrate on the avatars that were depicted as human
figures. But then the 8<sup>th</sup> and 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu is very closely
associated: Lord Kalki... one equal in stature to
Lord Krishna will guide humanity (at the end of Kaliyug, when the metaphoric
bud/flower [Kali] withers away and the 'Iron Age' [negative aspects] of Kaliyug
is at its peak.) Thus: One who was known as Lord Krishna then... will be known
as Lord Kalki now. In the circumstances when society and humanity finds itself
totally handicapped and without a solution... at such a time it is only the
Almighty who can help humanity come out of the confusion/chaos... and
revitalize itself. Thus the Super-smart chivalrous "knight" (the equine faced Kalki-avatar) is none
other than Lord Krishn ~ the finest avatar, the one closest to Lord Narayan... who will arrive to 'awaken' (from 'sleep' - stagnation and degeneration/decay) as well as to hold a mirror to society; to facilitate change, to set the stage for the next 'Maha-Yug' to manifest, to 'turn the wheel'; to rescue, guide and salvage (... and to prevent utter chaos on Prthvi-loka)
~ at a time when dharma, karma, comprehension, perception/cognition, noble values, ethics and principles, et al fall
below the minimum level (i.e. when the 'Iron Age' [negative aspects] of Kaliyug
is at its peak.) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yjuvi1CkWXvuYh7WVdIvhhFf2tAm0d7w061-5g5qH6y0EXRsrHhX7x7uKi3biLoNQTiVh-w3tiSmKsAPp_ixQtuWmpbpWQ9qS3sfJa413zbku3eIuYs2JdxytfnCNHZ1ky-No12GWtE/s1600/Kalki+02+-+illustration.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yjuvi1CkWXvuYh7WVdIvhhFf2tAm0d7w061-5g5qH6y0EXRsrHhX7x7uKi3biLoNQTiVh-w3tiSmKsAPp_ixQtuWmpbpWQ9qS3sfJa413zbku3eIuYs2JdxytfnCNHZ1ky-No12GWtE/s1600/Kalki+02+-+illustration.jpeg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue">Kalki or <i>Kalkiḥ </i>(कल्किः)
is </span>also referred to as: Kalkin<b> </b>and<b> </b>Kalaki
~<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or
"Time". (Time is <i>Kala/Kaalah</i> in Sanskrit. </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Purush/Purusha = Cosmic Energy. Lord Narayan is the "Kaal
Purush". He is beyond time: puraatanah i.e. He who was even before time.
Therefore, "Time" (Kaal or Kaalah) bows before Him. </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Almighty - the Viraat Purush, the Cosmic
Being, or the Primordial Being (Adi Purusha)... is the motive power behind the
mathematically precise universes. 'Avatar' means: descent and
refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. <i>Avatar</i> comes from
the Sanskrit <i>avatirna</i>: "manifest/descent from the Lord.") </span>Those who achieve 'moksha' (liberation) are free from the constant cycle of life, death and re-birth... and thus, gain entry into Vaikunth (Vishnu-loka, the ananda-maya,
cin-maya/eternal loka [planets]). For everyone else, the closest one can get to
see (i.e. get a "darshan" of) the Almighty (Lord Narayan/Shri Hari/Vishnu/Satya-Sundar/Virupaksha) is through Lord
Krishn (the 8<sup>th</sup> and 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu). </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Lord Krishn is, therefore, God Himself (albeit, in the
flesh). </i></span></span></span>Both arrive to 'turn the wheel', to 'close'
the respective yugs (Dvapar and Kali)... and to set the stage for the next
yug/cycle to manifest ~ to usher in a "new dawn". (Lord Kalki also 'closes' the maha-yug, the four-yug cycle: Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and Kali... and is a one-man army, a lone warrior in this 'manthan'. He will, therefore, absorb the maximum 'toxin/venom' ~ the 'by-product' of this 'manthan'. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b>*</b>And, given that it is the end of Kaliyug, the most difficult of times, with the 'Iron
Age' [negative aspects] of Kaliyug at its peak... there is likely to be epic levels of 'venom'.) </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><u>Please note</u>: 'One-man army' or 'lone warrior'</i> should not be construed as 'one-man show';
it is simply a sign of the times: unlike Dvapar, this time there will be no one
of the caliber of Arjun, Bheem or even Chandragupta Maurya to work with him. Such is the situation at the end of Kaliyug: apathy sets in and so, all sorts
of negativities proliferate; people's faculties become dormant ~ their
perception/cognizance exists only in name. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thus, he alone will 'pull chestnuts out of the
fire'; everyone else will be too busy working at cross-purposes and/or in pursuit of narrow/parochial
interests.] </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->|| Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murare, Heye Nath
Narayan, Vasudeva, Tribhuvan Ke Swami, Sakha Hamare, Heye Nath Narayan Vasudeva ||<i> [<b>*</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Tamas is the quality of dullness, darkness, and
inertia and is heavy, enveloping (like a fog or mist) or obstructing in its
action. It functions as the force of gravity that retards things and holds them
in specific limited forms. It possesses a downward motion that causes decay and
disintegration. Tamas brings about ignorance and delusion in the mind and
promotes insensitivity, 'sleep' and loss of awareness. It is the principle of
materiality or unconsciousness that causes consciousness to become enveloped by
a 'fog'. From Tamas comes the ignorance that obstructs or engulfs one's true
nature and weakens one's power of perception. Through it arises the idea of an
ego (ahankara) or 'separate self' by which one feels alone and isolated. Tamas
prevails in consciousness identified with the physical body, which is dull and
limited. As long as one's identity and sense of well-being is primarily
physical one remains in the dark realm of Tamas. Tamasic types have deep-seated
psychological blockages. Their energy and emotion tends to be stagnant and
repressed and they do not know what their problems really are. They accept
their condition as fate and do not take advantage of the methods that may
alleviate their problems. They allow other people and negative influences to
dominate them and do not like to be responsible for their lives. They prefer
not to deal with their problems or will not let others know about them, which
only allows the problems to get worse. The end of Kaliyug is marked by
Tamasic-ness (~ the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug is at its peak.)]</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><i><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ, Vishnu- Kalkiḥ or Krishn-</span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ </span></i></span></span></span>~ the tenth and final Maha Avatar (great
incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, will bring to an end the dark and destructive
influence of Kaliyug (the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug) and set the stage for
Krita/Satya Yug of the next cycle to manifest. Various </span>ancient texts describe <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> appearing as a 'blazing thunder or
light'.<span class="blue"> [The Kalki-mahaavatar/Vishnu-
Kalkiḥ will be the guide, teacher/guru, reformer, leader, deviser/maker/creator, pioneer/trailblazer/path-finder,
toxin-venom absorber (since t</span>his avatar too is a 'blue avatar',
very likely: Prussian Blue) and<span class="blue">
doer; however, the 'wheel needs to keep turning'.] The origins of the name
(Kalkiḥ) probably lie in the word Kalka, which refers to
"dirt", "filth" or "foulness". Hence Kalkiḥ
(कल्किः)<b> </b>means: </span>Destroyer/Dispeller of foulness,
confusion, darkness or Annihilator of ignorance. <span class="blue">[Here, "foulness," "darkness," "dirt," and "filth" =
dullness, ignorance, inertia, decay, disintegration, delusion, insensitivity
(loss of humanism), 'sleep' (stagnation, decline/decay), loss of awareness, weakness of perception,
pessimism, despondency, and everything arising out of these... </span>that
causes consciousness to become enveloped by a 'fog'.] </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><span class="blue">He is a torchbearer. Kalkiḥ</span></i> also means: "the unifier". The (metaphoric, allegorical) <span class="blue"><span style="color: #4c1130;">flaming comet-like sword</span>, (or a comet
like a sword) - that the Kalki-mahaavatar wields... is a symbol for
"discernment", or Wisdom ~ that slices away the bonds of illusion/delusion/lies/make-believe and foulness/filth ~ thereby lifting the 'fog of confusion' (from
our eyes and thoughts)... thus showing the way forward, and thus also liberating
the souls (jiva-atma) to greater awareness of 'truth' (Sat/Satya: i.e. dharma/actions that lead to a better society) and 'beauty' (goodness/Sundar: opposite of "filth").
Lord </span>Vishnu will return as the final Avatar (the Kalki-mahaavatar) ~
amid fire and flames (utter confusion, degeneration, hopelessness and decay) ~
to reinvigorate the principles of "dharma" and "karm", besides setting the "Wheel of Dharma in Motion":
to "awaken" the minds of those who live at the end of Kali Yug... so
that they shake off their dullness, pessimism and despondency... and collectively
work towards building a better society and civilization. ... This avatar </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>will reconcile all opposites (opposing sides) ~ so as to prevent chaos (Pralaya or large-scale destruction) on Prthvi-loka. || Asato
mā sad gamaya | From ignorance/untruth, lead me unto truth (dharma, ethics, actions
that benefit society) | Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya ~ From darkness (the
'fog' of regressive aspects, ignorance, 'sleep' [</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue">stagnation, decline/decay]</span></i></span></span></span>, destruction, delusion and pessimism), lead
me unto light (knowledge, hope, wisdom, enlightenment) ~ that help build/create
a better society and civilization.] </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-Vishnu</span></i></span></span></span></i></span></span></span> is a 'warrior',
a warrior-par-excellence ~ against "dirt" and "filth" <span class="blue">(of the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug). </span>He
has three souls (symbolic): satyam-sivam-sundaram. One soul is the
preserver/Vishnu (to preserve the world... from chaos/Pralaya/large-scale destruction); the second soul is the
destroyer/Shiva (to 'destroy' "filth" and confusion, to 'annihilate' ignorance
of the 'Iron Age' of Kali Yug), while the third soul is the creator/Brahma (to 'create' a new
era/yug, i.e. to set the stage for Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle to
manifest). The symbolic form of <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>
is on a white (winged) horse (Devadatta) ~ wielding a brilliant (comet-like) sword.<span class="blue"> </span>However, another
etymology from Sanskrit is 'white horse'. Meaning: <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> is the 'white horse';
possibly: a fair-complexioned </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>equine-faced Super-smart chivalrous "knight" ~ who will come to rescue, guide, prevent chaos and 'awaken'... as well as hold a mirror to society. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Fair-complexioned: given the 'white' horse allegory ~
signifying Puṇḍarīka/<span class="med1">Pundarika or
Shubhra Kamal ~ the allegorical/metaphoric "white lotus". White
signifies pristine, pure knowledge.</span>) Lord Vishnu is also called "Nandakee": One who
holds the Nandaka sword. Srimad Bhagavad Gita 4:42: || tasmād ajñāna-sambhūtaḿ
hṛt-sthaḿ jñānāsinātmanaḥ chittvainaḿ saḿśayaḿ yogam ātiṣṭhottiṣṭha
bhārata || ~ Therefore, sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword
of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline (karm yog). Arise (shun ennui, tardiness or slothfulness, despondency, pessimism, and so on.) | Shri Gautam
Buddh: "Being deeply learned and skilled, being well-trained and using
well-spoken words: this is good luck." | Swami Vivekananda: "All power is within
you, you can do anything and everything. Believe in that." [Do read the fourth paragraph from the last - to know more about self-knowledge and "samadhi".]</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The
first age, Sat/<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Satya</i>/<i>Krita</i></span> <span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Yug</i>,</span></i> is believed to be the best age/yug
when "<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Dharma"</i> </span></i>(ethics, values, principles, et al... and by extension
karm, spiritual conditions, cognition, as well as society and civilization),
represented by the symbolic holy bull (not to be mistaken for a bovine creature
per se), stood on its all four legs; then came (the second era) <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Treta</i> <i>Yug</i></span></i> - in which the ethical and
spiritual conditions deteriorated a bit, therefore "Dharma" lost one of its
legs. By the time the third age, i.e. <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Dvapara</i>
<i>Yug</i></span></i>, arrived... "Dharma" had lost two of its legs. And in the most
degenerate/decayed of all ages - the end of <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Kali</i>
<i>Yug</i></span></i> (when the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug is at its peak) - "<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Dharma"</i></span></i> is said to be standing only on
one leg. Across the yugs/ages when imbalances are created by adverse conditions
(can be referred to as "dushkrtam"/malevolence ~ and can include: ignorance, ennui, perfunctoriness, confusion, delusion, lack of perspective and comprehension, 'sleep' [stagnation, degeneration, decay] and so on)
~ they are believed to be set right (through a combination of karm/action
[including selfless action] + guidance) by various incarnations of Lord <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Vishnu/Narayan</i></span></i> - in a variety of human forms
called "<i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Avatars" (as</i> <i>per His stated</i> ~<i> d</i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>harma-samsthapanarthaya</i><i> sambhavami yuge-yuge</i></span></i></i>: ~ To guide and to re-establish/revitalize/rejuvenate the principles of "dharma" and "karm" ~ for the benefit of mankind/humanity ~ for a better society and civilization, I manifest Myself millennium after millennium.) </i>~ Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Chapter IV-7): || yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham || ~ Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or
discrepancy in dharma/dharmic principles (for the greater good of mankind/humanity, and for society/civilization to flourish
well); or when such an alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O
descendant of Bharata, only then, I, manifest Myself. [<span class="blue">'Avatar' means: descent, and refers to a
descent of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the Sanskrit avatirna:
"manifest/descent from the Lord."] </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A cycle of four yugs (Sat/Satya/Krita,
Treta, Dvapar and Kaliyug ~ whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1) is known
as a "Maha Yug" or a "Chatur-Yug". Thus, Kaliyug is the shortest
era/age/yug.<span class="blue"> It was the Krishn-avatar who arrived to help and guide humanity in the transition from Dvapar to Kaliyug. </span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Kali
does not mean demon. Kali means bud. Only at the end of Kaliyug - when
the metaphoric bud/flower withers away - the 'Iron Age' (negative aspects) of Kaliyug will be
at its peak.]</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="blue">~ </span>These incarnations/avatars
come in their human form... choosing their manner of entry into the world
according to the demand of the times. It is said that at the end of Kaliyug
"Dharma" will cease to exist (i.e. ethics, values,
principles, karm, spiritual conditions, cognitive abilities, perspective, et al shall
be touching their lowest point) ~ paving the way for darkness of the mind (the dense 'fog'
of ignorance, apathy, loss of hope, despondency, confusion, illusion, delusion, lower modes of
materialism, pursuit of narrow interests/parochialism, and so on) to hold sway. So much so
that Arya Dharma (the noble tenets of the Arya 'way of life') too will cease to exist (touch its lowest point). Besides, there will be other challenges as well: e.g. unlike the end of
Dvapar, there will be many paths/faiths. Plus, the end of Kaliyug signifies/heralds
the end of an entire "maha-yug" (a four-yug cycle) and the
commencement/transition into a whole new one. In other words, from the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug to the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita
Yug ~ i.e. from the lowest point ("Dharma" on one leg) to the best of eras/ages/yugs ("Dharma" on all four legs). Therefore, it will not merely be an
intra-yug transition - from one yug to another within a Chatur-yug (a four-yug
cycle: Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and Kaliyug.) ~ It is said that the </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>Kalki-avatar is essentially the return of the Krishn-avatar in another form ~ to preserve and to protect, as well as to help and guide humanity in this transition. </i>This movement (from the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug to the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug) will have to be gradual ~ slow and steady. [Do also read the next paragraph - for better clarity.] In a manner of speaking... it has to (gradually) move into and pass through a symbolic Dvapar (the 'Copper Age': "Dharma" on two legs; when some aspects of "Arya-Dharma", karm, cognition, comprehension, introspection et al still existed), followed by a symbolic Treta (the 'Age of Silver': "Dharma" on three legs) ~ finally leading to Sat/Satya/Krita (the 'Golden Age', the best era/age/yug of all ~ "Dharma" on all four legs.) ~ It is not a reverse movement - per se, but a symbolic one; one that will include/accompany a corresponding change in values/ethics, perspective, perception/cognitive abilities, introspection, karm, as well as dharma (actions that benefit society or lead to a better society and civilization), and so on. ~ There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solution; earthlings/humanity will have to settle/manage/handle their own issues - through collective effort, there is no one "out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it. They will guide and show the way - yes, however, there is no alternative to karm yog. ~ This has been the message of the Krishn-avatar. And this has also been the message of the Buddh-avatar. ~ Thus, it will require a
cogent, sagacious, persuasive, far-sighted and diligent avatar (characterized
by steady, earnest and energetic effort) ~ someone with </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i>dhriti/dhrti</i></i> (</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>courage of the mind - resilient, constant/steadfast, patient and displaying fortitude and endurance) - a Sampoorna (complete, all-embracing) Avatar - to not only address (interact with) all of humanity, but to also accomplish certain
tasks (to preserve and to protect, to reform and to guide) ~ to show the way forward. The Kalki-avatar is (thus) an
epoch-making avatar, a Yug Purush (Renaissance Man)... and is predicted to be an erudite, intelligent and valiant
personage who will possess Sattva Guna-s
(noble traits/qualities). [Valour/Shaurya is a
special human quality, usually demonstrated in the performance of extraordinary
and unselfish deeds (nishkam karm) in the face of great challenges... for the greater
good.] ~ </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->When avatars arrive, they trigger or accelerate <i>karmas</i>. ~ The avatars create situations - time,
place and opportunity - that bring forth both the good/positive as well as the
bad/negative; </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>e.g. Krishn brought out
both the positive and the negative. </i>[Possibly: to let out the 'toxin' or 'venom' (</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>to generate potent Prana or vital force in
order to reform) </i>- to clear the 'cobwebs', to lift the 'fog', to pull humanity/society out of decay/'quicksand'/quagmire or prevent its slide into it, to "awaken" humanity ... as well as to hold
a mirror to society, to urge humanity into introspection ~ so that it leads <span class="ital-inline">to a natural process of unraveling (from
ignorance to discovery and from reformation to transformation)</span>. ... This process would be crucial for
the transition into the 'Golden Age' of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug (the best of all ages/eras/yugs... from the 'Iron Age'
of Kaliyug (the lowest point of all ages/eras/yugs)] ~ The 'destroying/dispelling powers' of <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> ... is sharpest of all ~ so as to let out the 'toxin'/'venom' (</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->to generate potent Prana or vital force in
order to reform); to clear 'cobwebs' and 'fog'; to hold
a mirror to society, as well as to 'destroy' (dispel)
ego/ahamkara, negative pride/conceit, delusion, ignorance, and so on. [... This may be
so, since this maha-avatar <span class="ital-inline">will remain among humans for the shortest time, and will accomplish all
that needs to be done (to protect and to preserve, as well as to guide) in twenty years.] </span>The <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Kalki-avatar</i></span></i> shall possess the five doors of perception - sight,
hearing, smell, taste and touch, besides... mind, heart, intelligence and "<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Turyavastha"</i></span></i> or transcendence of
intuitive experience. [For purposes of comprehension, "Turyavastha"
can be translated as the "super-conscious" state (as opposed to
waking [Jagrata] to be conscious, dream [Swapna] to be sub-conscious, and deep
sleep [Sushupti] to be unconscious states). Turyaga is the state of a Muni/Jnani/"yogi",
it leads to "detachment", Jeevan Mukt ~ allowing one to enter into nirvikalpa samadhi to 'awaken' to "Moksha"
(liberation). Such a person can do seemingly impossible tasks with ease - the allegorical 'Giridhari'. Such a
person is also "Siddha" - one whose heart is larger than the universe
itself; one who has achieved the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of "self-realization"
~ Sat-cit-ānanda.] This
maha-avatar will also possess seven other characteristics of a 'Purna-avatar', an
integral or all-inclusive avatar, e.g.: Grace or reward for effort that fails
to be rewarded though it has come from the deserving; "<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Anugraha"</i></span></i> or special grace - whether the
recipient merits it or not: possibly indicating an extraordinary capacity for forgiveness, as well as a tremendous ability to absorb/soak up 'toxin' or 'venom' (since at the end of Kaliyug, with the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug at its
peak... there is likely to be epic/unprecedented levels of it ~ </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->so (maybe) this avatar can be called 'super-ghanshyam'); the power to create a new order of
life in society, new state of consciousness in individuals ("consciousness" and
"conscience" are two different things; "consciousness" is awareness, sentience -
the ability to feel, perceive, comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition);
power to support and sustain what is inherently good, which may happen to be defenseless; the power to 'destroy' or dispel
negative aspects ('darkness of the mind': ego/ahamkara, negative pride, delusion, ignorance, etc), and the like. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>[However, the 'wheel needs to keep turning'.] </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->On a separate note: How long ago did the last great
deluge/flood (Mahajal Pralaya) happen: one, one-and-a-half or two maha-yugs ago? ~ In
which case, some amount of the information, knowledge, etc are courtesy the
Manu-s and other higher beings? For what duration did the people have to travel by specially-built ships, etc - one-and-a-half generation or a couple of generations? ~ My guess is as good as yours. Also, going
forward... (e.g.) will the maha-avatars appear as combined (all-embracing) avatars (and
address/interact with humanity) or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9FmNQ9vYBUneBx9J7eGlN_JXZ540el6kAbfkSEB36s-gEQSBd2E6wFuQLFzyqBrnl9fskVs8gfWa96nFgQsVK5Ty22QmZ81vmO8n0nlHada11soyX5FK7vPiGu-HHq4dMdfQLLRqOWk/s1600/Kalki-avatar+02+-+illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9FmNQ9vYBUneBx9J7eGlN_JXZ540el6kAbfkSEB36s-gEQSBd2E6wFuQLFzyqBrnl9fskVs8gfWa96nFgQsVK5Ty22QmZ81vmO8n0nlHada11soyX5FK7vPiGu-HHq4dMdfQLLRqOWk/s1600/Kalki-avatar+02+-+illustration.jpg" height="36" width="200" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline">The "Kalki-mahaavatar"
(Vishnu-Kalki) is not quite the 'Apocalyptic Horse Rider', but protector and preserver. He is also a trailblazer (guide/sarathy, path-finder), </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><i>a pioneer of epic/heroic proportions:</i> </span></i><i><span class="ital-inline"><i>an action-oriented/practical doer who will take charge and courageously walk alone into the unknown/unfamiliar</i> ~ to protect and to preserve (at a time when the 'Iron Age'/negative effects of Kaliyug is at its peak: </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><i>when dharma, karma, perception/cognition, values, ethics and principles, et al fall
below the minimum level; </i>when tamasic-ness holds sway... </span></i><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>bringing about ignorance and delusion in the
mind, resulting in stagnation, decay and loss of awareness ~ which in turn causes the consciousness to
become enveloped by a 'fog'.</i> </span></i><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Thus, people will be too busy working at cross-purposes and/or in pursuit of narrow/parochial interests</i>. Hence, he alone will </span></i><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>'pull chestnuts out of the
fire'</i>. ~ </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug... since tamasic-ness holds sway, the heart of mankind is hard and cold like iron.
And so, the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug is also called the 'Machine Age' </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><i><span class="ital-inline">(an age characterized by l</span></i><i><span class="ital-inline">ack of humaneness/humanistic values and concerns,
desensitized)</span></i>. The name <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> means literally, "of
iron" or "machine". It does not imply that this avatar is a
robot made of metal, but that his birth is in the 'age of iron or machines' (an age characterized by l</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline">ack of humaneness/humanistic values and concerns,
desensitized), an age when perception/perspective/cognitive abilities too get dulled.
The Vedic scriptures describe time in a cycle of four ages or yugs: the Golden
Age (Sat/Satya/Krita Yug), Silver Age (Treta Yug), Copper Age (Dvapar Yug) and
Iron Age (which is at its peak at the end of Kaliyug). </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><i><span class="ital-inline"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></i> is (thus) the Avatar of the 'iron or machine age' </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><i><span class="ital-inline">(an age characterized by l</span></i><i><span class="ital-inline">ack of humaneness/humanistic values and concerns,
desensitized) </span></i>~ </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline">also called the age of ignorance and darkness (pessimism, loss of hope, confusion,
decay, degeneration, stagnation, apathy, and so on). It is regarded as the most
degenerate/decayed of the ages, characterized by a hardening of the spiritual
core of mankind, and extreme apathy/ennui/indifference and materialism. Not only would the lower modes of material nature become so strong that people
will lose interest in the doctrine of dharma and karm, they will also be too
strongly in the mode of ignorance/materialism/indifference/perfunctoriness to
even comprehend the basic concepts of dharma and karm. Therefore, this <span class="blue">maha-avatar</span> will not come to preach (unlike the
Buddha-avatar - the Enlightened One. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, as the Krishn-avatar he has already said all
that he had to say.) Instead, he will be
action-oriented... and will also lead by example ~ to "awaken" mankind, to
urge them into introspection: so that it leads to a natural process of unraveling (from ignorance to discovery and
from reformation to transformation). </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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time for spiritual transition wherein humans reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of his
or her inferior manas (lower mind or lower self) and into the superior manas
(higher mind or Higher Self... leading to a better society and civilization.] </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ However, there is no magic wand. Also, instant transformation is impractical; it is
akin to putting a lump of fine gold (signifying 'Golden Age' - Sat/Satya/Krita
Yug) into a glass of water. The gold will remain gold; the water will remain
as it is. Instead, positive change/transformation will be gradual, slow
but steady... through patience and collective effort; this will enable society and humanity to "heal"... so as to rejuvenate/reinvigorate itself sufficiently
enough to find its rhythm... which in turn will lead to a better civilization. [His purpose is to revitalize the concepts of karm and dharma (actions that lead to a better society).] </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->However, in this 'manthan' he will be alone; there will
be no one of the caliber and stature of (e.g.) Arjun or even Chandragupta Maurya -
to work with him. Therefore, in all likelihood, he will make do with what is
available to him. Also, this maha-avatar will remain among humans for the
shortest time, and will accomplish all that needs to be done (to protect and to
preserve as well as to guide) in about twenty years: he will reform, guide and navigate; devise and create; break new
ground; lead by example; clear past 'cobwebs' and absorb 'toxin'/venom; hold a mirror to society; 'turn the wheel'; lift the 'fog' of tamasic-ness/illusion/delusion/pessimism,
etc - so as to "awaken" the mind (and not the heart ~ 'coz when the perceptive/cognitive abilities have diminished or dulled - especially in this 'Machine Age' - when the negative aspects/'Iron Age' of Kaliyug is at its peak... appealing to the heart will give rise to confusion) - to urge humanity into
introspection ~ </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span class="ital-inline"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>to "close" the current maha-yug and set the stage/lay the foundations for the Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the
next cycle to manifest, </i></span></span>and so on.] Thus, this maha-avatar is an out-an-out </span>Super-smart "Knight" </i><i>riding (an allegorical) white stallion (</i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">white winged horse - </span>Devadatta): A 'workhorse' ~ steadfast, dynamic, sagacious, non-preachy, hard working, dependable and a high-achieving/accomplished person - with great <span class="ital-inline">intellectual</span>
<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">horsepower</span>,
strength and talent. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->['Workhorse' is not literal. It is a colloquial way of
indicating 'eternal battery life' - a diligent, </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>non-pompous, </i></span>far-sighted, determined and dependable performer, tough enough to take on multiple challenges</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->/extreme variables (choppy waters)... to bring about positive change as well as to protect and to preserve. </i><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></i></i></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Impediments or challenges will not daunt him; he will
find a way, no matter what. A path-finder (guide/sarathy, pioneer, trailblazer) ~ he will navigate, innovate, devise and create: a doer and
a thought leader, as well as a catalyst for positive change. (The 'white' horse = </i><i><i><span class="med1">the allegorical/metaphoric "pure white
lotus"/</span> Puṇḍarīka/<span class="med1">Pundarika; pure white signifies pristine</span></i>, pure knowledge. </i></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is also indicative of his kuṇḍalinī [do read paragraph #9 - to know more about
Kundalini], which is vital for all the 7 Chakras - centers of Prāṇa, life
force, or vital energy - to be fully activated. Chakras correspond to vital
points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves.
[For 'Sudarshan Chakra' ~ do refer to paragraph # 18 ~ from the top.] The current kalpa is known as the </i></i></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>"Svhetavaraha Kalpa". [Svheta = white.
Varaha = the great boar. Do refer to the Indus seal above to know more about the symbolism behind "Varaha".])</i> </i></i>However, this maha-avatar... may not be that easily recognizable (unlike say the Krishn-avatar) ~
given that the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug is at its peak: mental faculties diminish,
perception/cognitive abilities get dulled. Also, since no one knows or can
authenticate how the maha-avatars (great incarnations) actually look like,
what we get to see is based on various people's imagination, ... and so, some
amount of 'creative liberty' comes in. For example, in the third picture (or rather, in all four of them), the
Kalki-mahaavatar should be depicted carrying a brilliant comet-like sword (or wielding a comet like a sword) ~
signifying knowledge, discernment and wisdom: </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->To dispel tamasic-ness: ignorance, pessimism and so on; to reform and to guide; to clear past 'cobwebs' and 'toxin'/venom; to reinvigorate the principles of "dharma" and "karm" - thus, he will also lead by example; to establish peace,
and prevent chaos/Pralaya on Earth; to bring to an "end" the present yug-cycle/to
"close" the maha-yug (the four-yug cycle, including the 'Iron Age' of Kaliyug); to "awaken" the
humans who live at the end of Kaliyug... leading to a gradual transformation (through a process of learning and unlearning) thereby (gradually) leading to a better society and civilization; to set the stage/lay the foundations for the Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the
next cycle to manifest. However, the 'wheel needs to keep turning'. (Please read the previous five paragraphs - for greater clarity.) This (blue) maha-avatar is the possessor of Sattva gunas (Sattvic qualities/traits). For Buddhists, the Kalki-avatar is (very likely)
Kalki-Maitreya (the future Buddha, ruler of the fabled/mythical kingdom of Shambhala). ~ </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> 'How shall we know him?' asked Ananda. ~ The
Blessed One (the Buddha) replied: 'The Buddha that will come after me will be known as Maitreya, which means </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>kindness or friendliness.' [In Buddhist literature his name is known as Metteya </i><i>(or Metteyya with two y's) in Pali, or Maitreya in Sanskrit. </i></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thus the name could mean, 'One whose name is
kindness or friendliness' (</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->maitrī/maitree in Sanskrit). Maitreya could also mean, 'One who brings about <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->maitrī'. A more fluent translation of Metteya in
English would be "friend" ~ since maitrī (Pāli: mettā) is in turn derived fro<span style="font-size: small;">m the noun mitra (Pāli: mitta) which means
"friend". </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Buddha is derived from the root "Budh", meaning
both to "wake up" and "to know". Thus, Buddha = One who is Enlightened or "Awakened". Lord Maitreya, the World Teacher, is the Maitreya Buddha or Buddha
Maitreya, the future Buddha ~ the Buddha of the future: the next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Sakyamuni Buddha</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>.] </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Now, whether the Kalki-mahaavatar is also (e.g.) the
Saoshyant of the Zoroastrians ~ my guess is as good as yours. .</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">.. On a separate note, one wonders what the
confusion and concern over the Mayan calendar ~ supposedly predicting the 'end
of the world' (on December 21, 2012) was all about? Was it misunderstood or misinterpreted?
Did the Mayans actually predict apocalypse/'end of the world'? Or, did they
indicate the end of an era/yug (as they saw it)... and the subsequent transition into another? ~ My guess is as good as
yours. </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Maybe, a deeper study of their literature will throw more light.) [<u>Note</u>: </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The incarnations of the Lord are innumerable,
like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water. Apart from the
direct incarnations, there are innumerable empowered
incarnations. The indirectly empowered ones are called vibhūtis. However, the </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></i>-maha-avatar is the Almighty (<span class="blue">jagat-patiḥ: the Lord of the Universe/Creation)</span> Himself (albeit, in the flesh)... and
so, cannot be monopolized or confined to any specific
faith (given that the end of Kaliyug will be unlike that of Dvapar; </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->unlike
Dvapar, it is not merely the end of a yug (within a Chatur-yuga: a four-yug
cycle: Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and Kaliyug). Rather, the end of Kaliyug will
be the end of a complete Mahayug itself... and the commencement/transition into
another (a whole new Maha Yug or Chatur-yuga.) Besides, there would be many paths/faiths... therefore, his message will be for all)</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> ~ "Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti" ~ Truth is one, but the
wise know/call it as many | God is one, but we can approach Him in many ways. ~
"Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever
form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead
to me." The Srimad Bhagavad Geeta
(Chapter 10, Verse 20) says: || aham atma
gudakesha sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah aham adis ca madhyam ca bhutanam anta eva ca
|| ~ "I am the Supreme
Spirit/Supersoul, O Arjun, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am
the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings." ~ The
Almighty is present within the heart of every heart as the Supersoul and thus,
there is no distinction between differing bodies. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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a mirror to the interpolations and extrapolations.</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> [However, "religion" - as we understand today, is man-made; what the Almighty imparts is knowledge, wisdom and guidance. For Him humanity is humanity.] </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->... The Kalkih-mahaavatar will (in a manner of
speaking, that is) also display another aspect of His Vishwaroop (the Universal
Form) ~ "Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti" ~ Truth is one, but the wise
call/know it as many | God is one, but we can approach Him in many ways. ~
That: the Almighty is not a monolith or unidimensional; He has no one 'form' or
name. </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>Maybe, this could be the reason why some consider this mahaavatar as the Sampoorna (complete, total) Avatar)] </i>... However, like all other avatars and maha-avatars, the Kalki-mahaavatar
too is unlikely to announce himself: the Almighty is the creator and benefactor of
mankind/humanity [Narayan = the benefactor of mankind/humanity; nara/nar =
humanity.] He guides, "awakens", protects, enlightens, as well as showers his blessings
and munificence on earth and on humanity everywhere. | The Śrīvatsa mark on Lord Narayan's chest... symbolizes His consort Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi.
Vishnu is thus <i>Srivatsankita -</i> the one who bears the sign of <i>Srivatsa</i>.<b>
</b>[Srivatsa (the beloved of Sri) is an ancient auspicious symbol in India. It
is a mark on the chest of Vishnu where His consort Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi
resides. It is also a mark of His immortality/eternal life.] It is said that
the Kalki-mahaavatar - the 10th (and final) Maha Avatar of Lord Narayan - will
be the bearer of the Srivatsa mark. (SrivatsavakshaaH is another name for
Shri Vishnu. The Śrīvatsa mark also adorns the images of the Jain Tirthankaras
and of the Buddha.) However, the Śrīvatsa mark is
symbolic of a deeper spiritual concept: Devi Lakshmi represents the Jiva-atma (the
individual soul). Her union with Lord Vishnu represents 'Moksha' - which is the
highest goal in Spirituality. The kundalini ('serpent power'; do read paragraph #9 - to know more about Kundalini)
when reaching the Sahasrara/the crown chakra (the highest chakra; kuṇḍalinī
is vital for all the 7 Chakras - centers of Prāṇa, life force, or vital energy
- to be fully activated. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body
i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. [For 'Sudarshan Chakra' ~ do
refer to paragraph # 18 ~ from the top]) provides the gateway to
'liberation' from the cycle of birth, death and re-birth (moksha). This state is also said to be the state of complete wisdom. It emphasizes the deep connection
of jiva-atma (the individual soul) and the param-aatma (the Supersoul, the Almighty).
This union of Jiva-aatma (the individual/human soul) with the Param-aatma (Supersoul/Atman/Almighty)
is called "Sanaatan Dharma": connecting with the
Higher Self or seeking communion with the Universal Consciousness
(Sat-cit-ānanda: eternal bliss of self-realization) ~ "swa" is "higher self",
"asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so
the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". Lord
Narayan is also known as "Svasti": One who is the source of all auspiciousness.
Thus, "Sanaatan Dharma" is the eternal and enlightened 'way of life'... leading to a better society
and civilization. Lord Narayan is "Sarathy" - the guiding force for the jiva-atmas...
and hence, He is the lord who steers humanity through
the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa). He enlightens our intellect. (Please
read the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> paragraph from the top - to get the
drift.) </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note on Shambhala</u>:</span> In Tibet, this legendary land
of spiritual (adhyatmic) enlightenment is known as Shambala, a Sanskrit word
that to the Tibetans means "the source of happiness". In India, this
sacred land is known as the <span class="unicode">abode of the enlightened and
Siddha-s, and described</span> as a supreme place of universe. It is taken as
the world's spiritual powerhouse, the true centre of the planet, the heartbeat of whole universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart of
divinity and the land of great Rishi-s. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text"><i><span class="text"><span class="text">G</span></span>uru Nanakdev-ji called it Sach Khand. </i></span></i><i><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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is our past - our future - yet exists in our present. </span>It
is the 'land of bliss' (</span></i><i><span class="text"><i>eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of
self-realization ~ Sat-cit-ānanda</i>) of the earliest Vedic times. </span></i><i><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">It is also called "Aryavarsha" (abode of the Aryans/Arya people; </span>the
Land of the Noble Ones<span class="text">) ~ the land from which the Vedas
(Book of Knowledge or Book of Enlightenment; Veda comes from the root 'Vid' which means, "to know") came from. </span></span></i><i><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">[Aryan
is not a 'race', it means noble or noble-natured; it is </span>a 'way of life' rooted in
noble ethics/principles<span class="text">. They </span>followed a pattern of life
based on Arya-Dharma, Arya ethics/tenets or a noble way of life. <span class="fbphotocaptiontext">Not that there was any do's
and don'ts; Aryan-ness was simply their 'way of life'; they were inherently
noble.]</span><span class="text"> </span></span></span>It is <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">a</span> </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">home for immortals.</span></b> [Some believe Shambhala to be the actual Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha'. (Agni Gayatri Mantra: || </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Maha jwalaya Vidhmahe Agni devaya Dheemahe Thanno Agni Prachodayath || ~ </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Let me meditate on the great flame, O God of fire, give me higher intellect,
And let the Fire God </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #0c343d;">(the foremost amongst the five elements of nature/PanchaBhuta) </span>illuminate my mind. || </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Vaiswanaraya Vidhmahe Laaleelaya Dheemahe Thanno Agni Prachodayath || ~ </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Let me meditate on the flame that digests/purifies, O merger of all, give me higher
intellect, And let the Fire God illuminate my mind.) ~ Apparently, the actual Kailash is located somewhere close to Shambhala. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i>~ </i></i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Shivah (paradoxical and complex) is </i></i></i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the Lord of mercy and kindness. He is also the destroyer and the
restorer (simultaneously): He is the destroyer of ego/ahamkara, ignorance, illusion, etc; he is also the great ascetic (hamsan, "yogi"; do read the fourth
paragraph from last... to know more about "yogi" and
"detachment"), and the kind herdsman (shepherd) of souls
(jiva-atmas/human or individual souls.) </i></i></i></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Rudra-Śiva: Rudra means: the dispeller
of darkness and usherer of peace. He is called "the archer"
(Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">Śarva</span>) and the arrow is an essential
attribute of Rudra. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root <span class="unicode">śarv, which</span> means, "to negate" or "to
dispel". Hence, the name <span class="unicode">Śarva</span> can be
interpreted as: "One who can dispel/drive away darkness". The names <span class="unicode">Dhanvin</span> ("bowman") and <span class="unicode">Bāṇahasta</span>
("archer", literally: "Armed with arrows in his hands"/ <span class="unicode">Bāṇa = arrow, hasta = hand</span>) also refer to archery/the
archer. Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows (baan/b<span class="unicode">āṇa</span>). Rudra: also means: one who makes everyone weep:
"ru", to cry or to teach, "rud", to make a person weep, and
"dra" to flow. Hence Rudra is considered as a deity who teaches the
supreme knowledge to all and whose energy flows in everything. </i></i></i></i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Rudra essentially means, "to go beyond
suffering". When the word is split as RU and DRA it implies "flight
from lamentation", or "travel away from tears" - a state
beyond suffering. </i></i></i></i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the Universe" (bhuvanasya pitaraṃ) or "The Lord or Sovereign of the
Universe" (<i>īśānādasya bhuvanasya</i>). He is <span class="unicode">also "the
roarer". </span>In the Rgveda, he has been praised as the "mightiest of
the mighty". Rudra can also mean: "the red one, the brilliant
one" from a lost root <i>rud-</i>, "to be red" or "to
shine". ~ "rukh draavayathi, iti rudraha" - where 'rukh' means
sorrow/misery, 'draavayathi' means to drive out or eliminate and 'iti' means
that which or he who, implies 'Rudra' to be the eliminator of darkness/ignorance
and usherer of peace. In other contexts the word <i>rudra</i> can simply mean Ekadasa Rudras<b> </b>- the eleven forms
of Rudra or Lord Shiva. The word "rudraksha" (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode"><i><span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">rudrākşa</span></i></span>
= <i>rudra</i> and <span class="unicode"><i><span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">akşa</span></i></span>
"eye"), or "eye of Rudra", is used as a name both for the
berry of the Rudraksha tree, and a name for a string of the prayer beads made
from those seeds. Rudra is said to have healing remedies, as the best physician
of physicians, and as possessed of a thousand medicines. This is described in
Shiva's alternative name Vaidyanatha (Lord of Remedies). || <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya</span> ||</b> The word "Virupaksha" (one with oblique eyes) is used for (indicates) Vishnu as well as Shiva. [As to: whether Rudra-Śiva, Harirudra, Ghanshyam, Neelkanth, Hari-Hara, Shambhu Nath, Shankaranarayan, Hayagreeva, Kaal-Purush, Mohan-Mohini, Vaidyanatha, Dhanvantari, et al are different entities, or one and the same ~
my guess is as good as yours.]</i> </i>~ The three eyes of Lord Shiva suggest: the Sun is
his right eye; the Moon is the left eye and fire (agni - the foremost among purifiers and one of the five elements/PanchaBhuta), the third eye. The
"third eye" (very likely) indicates the Ajnea chakra
(Brow Chakra, the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra, the
third eye chakra ~ denoting spiritual guidance.) The word <i>ajna</i>
comes from the Sanskrit root which means 'to know, to obey and to follow'.<b> </b>Among
Indians, it is also known as the <i>"divya chakshu</i>" (the divine eye) or <i>the
eye of knowledge.</i> The third eye chakra is located in the brain, directly
behind the eyebrow center at the top of spinal chord i.e. at the medulla
oblongata. A two-petalled lotus symbolizes Ajna chakra. </i></i><i><i>The left petal represents the moon or the ida nadi and the right petal represents the sun or the pingla nadi. Within the two-petalled lotus is a perfectly round
circle that symbolizes the <i>"shoonya"</i> or the void i.e. the state completely
devoid of ego/ahamkara. In this circle the symbol <i>Om</i> is written. 'Om' is the
mantra and the symbol of ajna chakra. ~ However, is there a deeper meaning to this? </i></i>Does this indicate the actual "manas-sarovar" or even Rudraprayag or "</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Prayāga" (confluence) - the sacred union of the three (allegorical) "rivers"? [Manas = Sanskrit "mind" from the root </i>maan<i> - "to think". </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Mahat or universal mind is the source of <i>manas</i>:
what <i>manas</i> is in the human constitution, <i>mahat</i> is in the
cosmic constitution. <i>Manas,</i> is thus a direct ray from the cosmic <i>mahat.</i>] ~ My guess is as good as yours. Shambhala </i><i><span class="text">is also considered to be the gateway between the physical and spiritual world</span> ~ Haridvar? </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mount Meru as the
location of Shambhala. </span></i><i><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text">(Meru is said to be situated in the center of the earth.) </span>It is the center of the cosmos. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of Ursa Major, the Seven Stars that
circle the Pole. [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="unicode">The abode of the 33 Vedic gods (Svarga-Loka) also known as the
Trayastriṃśa</span> in Buddhist cosmology
is located on the peak of Mount Meru, the central 'mountain' of the world.
This Loka corresponds to the concept of Heaven as described in the Western
sense of the term. Here the King/Ruler/Chief of the Gods/Devas (Higher Beings -
highly intelligent, technologically and spiritually far advanced beings, not
humans) - Devaraj (Lord of Devas and demi-gods) Indra, rules with his companions - Maruts, Vasus and other
divine beings. [If they </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->become further advanced in spiritual conditions - through right inclinations and
good karma (i.e. through nishkam karm/selfless action - without expecting
anything in return), they can advance to one of the
higher Munilokas (Spiritually advanced planets inhabited by [even more] Higher
spiritual and enlightened beings). But if they become attached to material
enjoyment (indulgence of senses and unbridled desires, etc)... they will
degrade into a lower position (e.g.) of a semi-divine being, a Human, or even to
the Adho-Lokas/Lower Realms. And through really really
really bad/Prarabda Karma, they may even have to suffer in one of the Hellish
planets/Narak-Loka.] The task assigned to the Devas (by the Almighty) is to manage the
affairs of the universe (e.g. the jiva-aatmas - human souls or individual souls - meet with Dharmaraj Yamaraj and his team, led by Chitrgupt - in Yamaloka*), besides protecting its inhabitants against malevolent entities
(could also be 'darkness of the mind').</span></span> </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[*To determine which loka they will go to and what they will be re-born as
(the concept of Charaiveti: <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">to keep going, in this
cycle of samsara - the cycle of birth, death and re-birth - until one attains "moksha"
- based on one's karm - nishkam/selfless/non-benefit-seeking action...
that contributes towards a better society). ~ Every jiva-atma (human soul or
individual soul) will be reborn based on its accumulated <i>Karm phal</i>, the
fruits of one's <i>Karm</i>, and (thus) get an opportunity to redeem itself.]</span> </span><u>Bhuvar-Loka</u>: The planetary
system that roughly corresponds to our Solar System </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->However, there are two planets outside the Solar
System included in this - <i>Dhruva Loka</i> or Pole Star and the
realm of the <i>Sapta-rishis</i> or Big Dipper.) Bhuvar-Loka are the
abodes of Semi-divine beings that are one notch higher than the
Humans. (They assist the Devas in various ways and sometimes interact with
the humans. Through good karma (nishkam karma/selfless action - without
expecting anything in return) and spiritual advancement... they can become a Deva
or by indulging in material enjoyment/sensory pleasures, be born as a
Human on the Earthly Realms or even lower. <u>Sapta-rishi Loka</u>: The abode of
the Seven Great Rishi-s (Enlightened entities) or the Sapta-rishis located
below the Dhruva-Loka (near the Dhruva Tara/Pole Star). The seven rishis (who differ according to different Manvantara) are
the most advanced spiritual guides for Humanity and have been present at all
major time periods of our History. Astronomically, their abode is recognized in
the form of the Big Dipper or Ursa Major constellation and it always revolves
around the Dhruv-Loka or Pole Star. There are numerous stories and legends in our
ancient texts that relate the immense services these rishis have provided to
different rulers on our planet - over many yugs/eras/ages. They undertook research, euphemistically known as 'yagna', etc (~ do read paragraph #11 from the top to get the drift.) Probably they were the ones who taught the Sanskrit language to humanity. These rishis were not only men of great wisdom
and knowledge, but also masters of Science, including advanced medical science
and quantum physics. ~ And, this should also explain
how Shri Ram and his siblings were born - via very advanced IVF
procedure/therapy - where (perhaps) nothing was injected into the
body, instead, it could be ingested! Clearly: 'modern science' is as yet <i>unaware</i> of such
advanced medical science, which was known to our ancients in the second era or
the Treta Yug itself - courtesy the Sapta-rishi. ~ Therefore, the last
great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralaya) could not have been an ancient phenomenon
(rooted in antiquity). ... However, 'Kamadhenu'
is <i>not</i> a bovine creature <i>per se</i>. It is a <i>device</i> whose
output was far greater than its input. Just like a cow. And therefore, the <i>metaphor</i>
of a 'cow' has been used. 'Kamadhenu' was (probably) a multi-purpose
device: one that was capable of growing 'synthetic meat' or 'in vitro meat',
besides other eatables of course - not from cells/stem cells/tissue of dead
fauna, though. It could also develop exact replicas of precious stones - that
were equal in shine and value to the original. (As can be gathered from the
stories associated with Draupadi and Rishi Jamadagni.)] Shambhala is not heaven
on earth... but a mystical kingdom that guards the most sacred spiritual
teachings of the world, including the Kalachakra (Wheel of Time), the pinnacle
of Buddhist wisdom. Perhaps, Shambhala is synonymous with Shangri-la; or,
maybe, the lost kingdom of Shangri-La was inspired by the legend of Shambala.
This fabled/mythical land is considered as Siddhabhoomi (Siddha =
self-realized; one who has achieved the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of
self-realization ~ Sat-cit-ānanda; bhoomi = place. ~ 'Sat' describes an essence that is
pure and timeless; 'cit' is consciousness; 'ānanda' is absolute bliss or
spiritual ecstasy. A "Siddha" is one whose heart is larger than the universe
itself; such a person is "Jeevan Mukt", and can enter into nirvikalpa samadhi
to 'awaken' to "Moksha". Do also read paragraph #4 from the last - to get the
drift.) </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Nath ~ is there a connection? Shambhu Nath is taken as another name
for Lord Shiva. ~ But could 'Shambhu Nath' actually mean: Lord/Master/Ruler/Protector/Guardian of
Shambhala? [Shambhu ~ is it derived from Shambhala? Nath = Lord/Master/Ruler/Protector/Guardian.] ...
And does Shambhala have some sort of connection with the cosmic force known as "Shiva"
(responsible for cosmic turbulence/'Tandav' - in the Akash Ganga/Milky Way... that would destroy the effect the moon has on earth: it stabilizes the earth's rotation + has an influence on oceanic tides) - and therefore, trigger Pralaya/Apocalypse?
~ My guess is as good as yours. Shambhala (ruled over by Lord Maitreya/Buddha Maitreya/Maitreya Buddha) is also mentioned in various ancient texts, including
the Kalachakra Tantra + other texts that predate Tibetan Buddhism in western
Tibet. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Therefore, the Kalki-mahaavatar is the Ruler/Guardian/Protector of the
legendary kingdom of Shambhala. [So, is he Shambhu Nath? ~ my guess is as good
as yours. Another meaning of Shambhala: </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"Bhal" refers to the forehead. Therefore, Shambhala
can also mean: "Born of the Forehead" or "Place of the Forehead" ~
indicating "destiny". </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The brilliant comet-like sword (or a comet like a
sword) that he carries in his hand is the sword of light
(signifying enlightenment, to lift the 'fog' enveloping the consciousness; to
illumine the mind, to urge humanity into introspection); it is the sword
of destiny. He is also an "archer" - "to
negate" or "to dispel" ignorance and darkness (pessimism, confusion, decay, degeneration, apathy, and so on).] Lord Narayan/Vishnu is also
known as "Shivah" ~ #1. He who is eternally pure. #2. Auspiciousness. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->... Therefore, is the depiction of Lord Shiva (with which we
all are very familiar) also an allegorical reference to the cosmic "Shiva-force" as well as Shambhu Nath - the
Lord/Master/Ruler/Protector/Guardian of Shambhala? </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Are 'Mahadev' and Shambhu Nath one and the same? Also, is this the reason why OM or AUM is applicable for both Vishnu (the "protector and preserver") and Shiva (the "destroyer")? </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Hari-Hara or </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Harirudra or Neelkanth? </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Is this why Lord Narayan is shown holding the
supreme lotus (padma: pink or pale red in colour) - denoting the
highest deity? </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Do read paragraph #2 - to know more about the
symbolism behind various lotus flowers.) || Om Namah Shivaya || ~ is this addressed to the cosmic "Shiva-force"
or Shambhu Nath or Hari-Hara or all three? ~ My guess is as good as yours. </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->PS: The depiction of Shambhu
Nath is allegorical, not to be taken at face value. As for: whether he really
had anything to do with </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>shmashāna, etc... or it came to be associated with him
later ~ courtesy the many cultic movements; whether it had anything to do with
great yogis like Gorakhnath-ji or not; whether different narratives have confluenced or not (e.g. maybe, Shambhu Nath was also known as Bhoot/Bhuta Nath [Lord/Guardian/Protector of Mankind/Beings - since the human body is made of the five elements of nature/PanchaBhuta] ~ but then, somewhere down the line the word 'bhuta/bhoota' probably underwent a change of meaning, 'coz 'Panchabhuta' or 'Mahapanchabhuta/PanchaMahabhuta' refers to the five elements of nature, 'bhoot' as in 'spirits' is very likely a much recent association ~ my guess is as good as yours. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>Therefore, </i><i><i>aspects like ash smearing, chillum smoking, etc is (probably) courtesy
the many cults that sprang up in his name - in the last millennium or so.</i> But then, the
way Lord Shiva is depicted is largely allegorical, not to be taken literally.</i>]</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1salWPaoV2GfzCSTM8mj0hbPgway4optexnY4svuze4MttQCf6kHw_EEWDX9e3JkwqiO9JfUHcMD8SGzVXLDGnbnJbYkgUFc7-yWm4k450yKARx44SN1Uh3Ff8tPqD1phSvHkPIxKJXs/s1600/Shri+Krishn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1salWPaoV2GfzCSTM8mj0hbPgway4optexnY4svuze4MttQCf6kHw_EEWDX9e3JkwqiO9JfUHcMD8SGzVXLDGnbnJbYkgUFc7-yWm4k450yKARx44SN1Uh3Ff8tPqD1phSvHkPIxKJXs/s1600/Shri+Krishn.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->There could be a higher being named "Shiva" as
well - (possibly) the better-half of the higher being named Parvati. But this "Shiva"
(residing in "Shiva-loka") seems to be a somewhat over-generous entity,
dispensing boons (i.e. granting wishes) to whosoever propitiates him... without thinking
of the consequences thereof. As is captured in the allegorical tale of Bhasmasur: <span class="unicode">Bhasmāsura</span> (Ash Man) - possibly, a malevolent entity and a denizen
of one of the lower planets (Adho-loka) - propitiates Shiva; after a while,
pleased with his devotion and diligence, Shiva appears before him... and
agrees to grant him a boon (i.e. grant his wish). Bhasmasura asks for
immortality (eternal life), but Shiva says that he did not have the power to
grant him immortality/eternal life. Thereupon, <span class="unicode">Bhasmāsura</span>
asks to be granted the power whereby anyone whose head he touches (with his
hand) should instantly (burn up and) turn to ashes (bhasma). Pleased to be able
to grant a 'boon', Shiva grants this wish. Immediately thereafter, <span class="unicode">Bhasmāsura tries to 'test' his newly acquired power... and attempts
to touch Shiva's head. Shiva, chased by Bhasmāsura, flees... and somehow manages
to reach Vishnuloka/Vaikunth - </span>to seek a solution to his predicament.
Thereupon, Lord Narayan, as the (ace diplomat and
negotiator) - Mohini-avatar - meets Bhasmasura... and confuses him (sufficiently enough) to touch his own head. ~ Thus, Bhasmasura turns into ashes - due
to the power he had recently gained. (Please read the last two paragraphs - to
know more about the Mohini-avatar.)</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> ~ Therefore, despite the presence of namesake
higher entities "Shiva" and "Brahma" (the Chief Engineer/Scientist of the
cosmos) - is Lord Narayan Himself the Cosmic "Trinity" or </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Trimūrti - in charge of the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance/preservation and dissolution/destruction? ... </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>And is that why He is shown holding the
supreme lotus (padma: pink or pale red in colour) - denoting the
highest deity (</i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i>Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram/Purushottam Satya/Satya-Sundar)</i>?</i> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Do read paragraph #2 - to know more about the
symbolism behind various lotus flowers.) ~ Is He Himself the "Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram" (Truth/Dharma-Auspiciousness-Beauty/Goodness):
#1. Brahmn and Srashtaa: Supreme Creator and Lord
of Creation; Prapitaamahah: The father of the 'father of
beings' (Brahma) - one who instructs Lord Brahma. #2.
Vishnu: "Harih/Hari" - the "protector and preserver"; the
motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes. #3. Shivah: a. He who is eternally
pure. b. Auspiciousness. Shambhu Nath - the Lord/Master/Ruler/Protector/Guardian
of Shambhala, as well as "Hara" - the "destroyer" (dissolution).) ... And, therefore, is Lord
Narayan the "Kaal-Purush" [Time] Himself? ~ My guess is as good as yours. From what
one can gather, Lord Narayan is an astonishingly brilliant, energetic, creative, sagacious, non-pretentious/non-conceited,
wise, magnanimous and enlightened being - the Ultimate, </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>When
I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this
universe everything else seems so superfluous. ~ Albert Einstein.] </i>Lord Narayan is also immensely generous and bountiful: He
is the Lord of Creation/Universe/Earth: therefore, everything on earth - whether seen
or unseen, tangible or intangible, animated or inanimate... has been bestowed by Him, and symbolically represents Him (His Universal Form). | ~ There is a vast 'ocean' (the 'ocean of Garbha')
present at the bottom of our universe. This
'ocean' is very likely a combination of cosmic dust, energy and gas, even gas
hydrates formed under conditions of high pressures and low temperatures, and so
on... and maybe, even a great amount of suction force. Its appearance is in the
form of 'concentric circles or bands'... though none of it is visible to the
unaided eye. During "Prakritik Maha
Pralaya" ~ at the end of Brahma's Lifetime/Life-span (this is when
Prakriti/Material Nature [except the Vaikunth planets] is completely dissolved) -
Prakriti/Material Nature 'dissolves' into this 'ocean of
Garbha'. ~ Our ancients visualized this 'ocean of
Garbha' as the endless serpent 'Adi-Sesha' or 'Ananta-Sesha'. [Ananta =
infinity, endless, eternal. Sesha = zero, shunya.] "Prakritik Maha Pralaya" (dissolution) occurs when 'Ananta' becomes 'Sesha', infinity becomes zero and Yog-maya (the ever changing
and evolving/ 'illusory' [mayamayi or transient] Prakriti/Material Universe/Nature) becomes
Yog-nidra (the big sleep). Therefore, in a manner of speaking, it is said that
when Adishesa 'uncoils', time (kaal, kaalah) moves forward and creation takes
place. When Adisesha/ Śeṣanāga 'coils back', the universe ceases to exist.
("Shesha" in Sanskrit texts, especially those relating to
mathematical calculation, also implies the "remainder" - that which
remains when all else ceases to exist.) ~ So, very likely, what is today known
as the "Shiv Ling" was actually a depiction of this above phenomenon. (</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maybe the Gupta emperors installed it... to depict of the cosmic
phenomenon of "creation" and "dissolution".) However,
with the passage of time - possibly after the decline of the Gupta era - due to
various interpolations, extrapolations, mistranslations and so on, it has now
come to be understood/regarded as the "Shiv Ling". ... And so, the original depiction has
not only undergone several changes, but a lot of knowledge has
also been obliterated along with it. Alas. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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originally called either. Alas. However, one can only marvel at the ancients' immense
knowledge and vaulting imagination. They could - so effortlessly - simplify
complex science... that even a child could easily grasp it. Amazing, indeed. | </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Vadavagni is a form of Agni (fire) and is
depicted as a mare that breathes fire. [</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext">Agni/fire is the foremost among purifiers. Agni
has been worshipped since time immemorial... throughout 'Aryavarta' ('Arya-lands' or 'land of
Aryas/Aryans'; in other words, 'land inhabited by Arya people' - noble-natured people who followed
a pattern of life based on noble/Arya tenets/principles. </span></i></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext"><i><span class="fbphotocaptiontext">Not that there was
any do's and don'ts; Aryan-ness was simply their 'way of life'; they were inherently
noble-natured.) There are more hymns to Agni in the Rg Ved than to any other
God/dev/element. Agni is also one of the five elements ([maha]panchabhuta
or PanchaBhuta).</span></i>] </span></i>It is believed that it is the escape of
this 'fire' (Vadavagni) from under the 'ocean' (the 'ocean of Garbha'), which
will finally consume the current cycle of creation and prepare the universe for
the next cycle of creation. [Now whether this 'fire' is an allegorical way of
(also) indicating some great force/energy like a tremendous suction force ~ my guess
is as good as yours.] Vadavagni is (believed to be) located beneath the 'ocean' (very
likely, the 'ocean of Garbha') and is allegorically depicted with the face of a
mare. Apparently, mists and clouds are formed due to the activity of Vadavagni
(below the 'ocean'/'ocean of Garbha'). It also prevents the 'ocean' from
consuming the land (euphemism for Prakriti/Material Universe/Nature?) [Probably meaning: that Vadavagni (allegory for a tremendous force/energy?) causes the
(metaphoric) 'ocean water' to 'evaporate' and turn into 'mist', thus preventing the 'ocean'
from ever overflowing on to land/earth (euphemism for Prakriti/Material Universe/Nature?)] It is
said that just before 'Pralaya' (cataclysmic events), Vadavagni will stop doing this, causing the 'ocean'
to expand and submerge the land/earth (euphemism for Prakriti/Material Universe/Nature?) At that
time, Vadavagni will burst forth as (in the form of) 'volcanoes' from under the 'ocean' and escape (i.e. the fire of devastation will [gradually] consume the whole of Prakriti/Material Nature; maybe, euphemism for a great suction force.) [</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Bhagavad-Gita 11.32: śrī-bhagavān uvāca (The Blessed One said): || kālo 'smi
loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddho || </i></span></span></span></i></i>~ "Now I am Time (kālo 'smi), the destroyer
of all." Alternatively: "Time I am, the shatterer of worlds." <i><i><i>~ </i></i></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is referring to "dissolution". </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<span style="color: #741b47;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16,
1945, in the Trinity test in New Mexico; Oppenheimer, </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->often called the "father of the atomic
bomb", remarked later that it
brought to (his) mind words from the Bhagavad Gita. He interpreted it as: "Now
I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>We knew the world would not be the same. A few people
laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. ... I suppose we all
thought that one way or another</i>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ After the war he became a chief adviser to the
newly created United States Atomic Energy Commission and used that position to
lobby for international control of nuclear power to avert nuclear proliferation
and an arms race with the Soviet Union. After provoking the ire of many politicians with his outspoken opinions during the Second Red Scare, he had his
security clearance revoked in a much-publicized hearing in 1954, and was
effectively stripped of his direct political influence; he continued to
lecture, write and work in physics.] | Here are a few more verses: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>BG 11.12:</i> ||
divi surya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad bhasas
tasya mahatmanah || </i>~ "If the radiance of a thousand suns were to suddenly
burst forth in the sky, that would be like the light of the noble one/supreme consciousness."<i> | Srimad Bhagavad-Geeta 10.8: || </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>aham sarvasya
prabhavo </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>mattah sarvam
pravartate</i> || ~ "I am the source of all
spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me." | </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Srimad Bhagavad-Geeta 10.33: || </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>dvandvah samasikasya ca aham evakshayah kalo dhataham vishvato-mukhah || </i>~ "</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And among compound words I am the dual
compound. I am also inexhaustible Time (evakshayah kalo), and of Creators, I am Brahma." <i>| Srimad Bhagavad-Gita 10.34: 1<sup>st</sup> stanza: || mṛtyuḥ
sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām || </i>~ "I am all-consuming time, and I
am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." <i>(Alternatively: </i>"I am
all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being."<i>)
| 2<sup>nd</sup> stanza: || kīrtiḥ śrīr
vāk ca nārīṇāḿ smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā || </i>~ Among women I am glorious deeds (kīrtiḥ), radiance (śrīr), fine speech/persuasion (vāk),
memory/clarity of thought/discernment (smṛtir), intelligence (medhā), resilience/steadfastness (dhṛtiḥ) and patience/forgiveness/magnanimity
(kṣamā).<i> </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i>| Srimad Bhagavad-Gita 10.23: || <i>rudranam sankaras casmi ||</i> </i>~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara [Lord Siva];<i> || <i>vasunam
pavakas casmi meruh sikharinam aham</i> || </i>~ of the Vasus I am fire [Agni - <i>the foremost one;</i> </span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><i>the foremost among purifiers and one of the five elements/PanchaBhuta</i></i></i>], and
of mountains I am Meru."<i> [<u>Note</u>: <span style="color: #741b47;"><u>Agni</u>:</span> </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> All creation-related work is the work of Fire. The Cosmic, the Solar and
the Planetary Devas work with Fire (Brahm-jyotih?) All formations at all levels is work of
Fire. Fire is the essence of all existence. Fire is the basis of all life. Fire
is the means of development. Fire is the builder, the preserver and the
destroyer. Fire is purifier and is the consumer of all. Fire is God. God is
Fire. From atom to cosmos Fire stands as the basis. When the Fires blend and
blaze the apparent existence ceases. Seeming non-existence remains. The latter
is called God beyond creation. The former is called God in creation. Fire is
internal, inherent and latent. Fire is radiatory and emanating. Fire is
vivifying and stimulating. Fire transmits and transmutes. Fire is the originator.
Study of Fire and its work in creation itself elevates. Veda contains thousands
of verses praising Fire and describing its functions. Fire is called Agni in
Sanskrit. Agni's blessing is invoked. When we say Agni it has a deeper meaning. BG 10.33: || akṣarāṇām a-kāro 'smi || ~ "Of letters I am the
letter 'A'." ~ The sound 'A' is the foremost of the sounds. All the alphabets begin
with the letter 'A', thus is number 1. Before number one it can only be zero (shunya).
Zero (shunya) is the potential Creation, the Cosmic Egg, which would manifest in due
course of time, and Fire (Brahm-jyotih?) is the basis for such manifestation. All the planes of
existence are the result of the work of Agni. Agni transforms; transforms that
which is subtle to gross and also transforms the gross to subtle. In the
beginning it is from subtle to gross and later from gross to subtle. The
evolution and involution is the work of Agni. Hence Agni is the basis of the
Cosmic Devas (possibly: demi-gods, like Indra, et al), Solar Devas (possibly: Lord Surya/Surya Dev, et al) and Planetary Devas (semi-divine beings, etc). It is Him that even the Devas
worship because the whole work starts from Him. The whole creation-related work
commences from Him and He is the one who emerges from the unknown to the known
as the Cosmic Bang. </i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Th</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e
dynamism in us is also Fire. The Kundalini 'Fire' causes enlightenment
of the brain cells. But enflaming the Kundalini 'Fire' requires service to the
fellow beings, to the society (selfless/non-benefit-seeking/nishkam
service/action... that contributes towards a better society.) One has to
dedicate oneself to nishkam karm... without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is
not ignited. </span></span></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Agni: exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. The <i>Kundalini</i>
Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the
diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is
Electric Fire (brilliant white). As one progresses regularly (in nishkam
karm), the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' grows. Just as the morning Sun who
is Golden in colour grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized
at the eyebrow centre rises to <i>Ajnea</i> center/chakra and
shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. This is the final state of the <i>Kundalini</i>
'Fire'. When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the Third Eye. ~ On a separate note: </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Agni also
symbolically
represents the spiritual fire of life and the processes of transformation. It is the foremost amongst purifiers. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Agni does not
indicate/signify "tyag" per se; Agni is the greatest of purifiers and
the foremost amongst the five elements of nature - PanchaBhuta (also: PanchaMahaBhuta
or MahaPanchaBhuta). ~ Agni signifies "tyag" in the sense (to indicate) one has
conquered oneself; in other words: that one has conquered/overcome the
negativities residing in one's heart and mind. And thereby, become a Siddha.</span> </span></span> ~ <span style="color: #741b47;"><u>Siva</u>:</span> There are eleven Rudras, of whom Sankara, Lord Siva,
is preeminent. He is the 'destroyer'/dispeller
of the modes of ignorance in the universe. He is the
'destroyer' and the restorer (simultaneously): He is the 'destroyer' of
ego/ahamkara, negative pride, ignorance, etc; He is also the great ascetic
(hamsan, "yogi"; do read the fourth paragraph from last... to know
more about "yogi" and "detachment"), and the kind herdsman
(shepherd) of souls (jiva-atmas/human or individual souls. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is also "Neelkanth" (the blue-throated one) - one who takes in halahala or Kaalkoot -
resulting out of 'societal manthan/churn' - for the good of humanity/mankind ~
to enable it to evolve, function better and progress. ~ Halahala or Kaalkoot: the
most
vicious and venomous "poison" - that would destroy society and humanity if
allowed to spread or accumulate.) For Mt. Meru, <span class="text">situated in the center of the earth </span>- do read the previous
paragraph. But what does 'Vishnu as the Kurma-avatar holds up Mt. Meru on his back' really mean?] ~ So what is meant by "Nataraj"... and who really is "Sivam" - the metaphoric 'tandav-dancing' "Nataraj"? Why is "Virupaksha" (one with oblique eyes) used for both Vishnu and Siva? Why is OM or AUM used for both Vishnu and Siva? ~ My guess is as good as yours.<b>*</b>] ~ Subsequently, the 'ocean' will consume the land/earth (euphemism
for Prakriti/Material Nature?) - perhaps </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>'ocean' is an indicator for the endless serpent 'Adi-Sesha' or 'Ananta-Sesha'</i>. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>[(Ananta = infinity, endless, eternal. Sesha = zero, shunya.)
"Prakritik Maha Pralaya" (dissolution) occurs when 'Ananta' becomes
'Sesha', infinity becomes zero and Yog-maya (the ever changing and evolving/
'illusory' [mayamayi or transient] Prakriti/Material Nature) becomes Yog-nidra (the big
sleep). Therefore, in a manner of speaking, it is said that when Adishesa
'uncoils', time (kaal, kaalah) moves forward and creation takes place. When
Adisesha/ Śeṣanāga 'coils back', the universe ceases to exist.
("Shesha" in Sanskrit texts, especially those relating to
mathematical calculation, also implies the "remainder" - that which
remains when all else ceases to exist.)</i>] Thus, everything will be destroyed by lava and
water. All this (very likely) explains "dissolution"/"Prakritik Maha
Pralaya" or even "Pralaya" (cataclysmic events).
~ Now, where is this Mount Meru? Is it a real mountain or an allegorical one? Is it the earth's axis of rotation? Is it the
Himalayas or a part of the Himalayas? Or, some energy/force connected to the
Himalayas? Or, does ancient Jambudvipa have something to do with it? ~ What
exactly does the Kurma Avatar mean? Is ancient Jambudvipa (or some parts of it)
the allegorical Mount Meru? But then, what areas constituted ancient Jambudvipa? Is the
mythical land of Shambhala Mount Meru? And if so, is the "Shambhu Nath"
(Ruler/Protector/Guardian of Shambhala) also the allegorical Kurma Avatar... and/or
the allegorical Matsya Avata? Or both? In which case, are the Matsya and/or the Kurma
avatar the allegorical guardian of Jambudvipa? ~ My guess is as good as yours. [<b>*</b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i><u>Note</u>: AUM (also known as OM): The
syllable OM (written out as AUM with each letter having its own significance)
represents Brahmn, the supreme creator (Srashtaa), as well as the whole of
creation. OM represents the Shabda Brahmn. It is the primeval sound - pranavah/Omkara/pranava
naad, the sound of the universe itself. The uttering of the sacred and mystical
OM is called Onkar or Omkar. It is the sound of the origination and dissolution
of the universe. The past, present, future and all that transcends time are all
included in this sound. It represents that Jyotiḥ-mayaḥ/Tejasvi - Brahm-jyoti
- the Divine effulgence (also referred to as "Brahmn") - emanating
from Goloka-Paravyoma (the spiritual abode of Shri Krishn). ~ It is the light
that impersonalists perceive in the Nirguna mode of God/Almighty. Lord
Narayan is the personification/manifestation (Omswaroop) of OM or AUM. Thus, He
is Hariom. He is Omprakash - light of OM, light of the world. </i>Bhairav: The Primordial Sound.
In
old treatises Bhairav is referred to as the <i>adi-raga</i> and comes
attached with a wealth of lore. Bhairav is so fundamental to Indian
tradition that its impaction on the nation's musical soul can never be
overstated. The holiest of our ragas is Shri
Bhairavi. The corresponding raga of Shri Bhairavi is the Raga Bhairava.
(Bhairav or Bhairava is another name for Shivah - the cosmic force associated
with cosmic turbulence/tandav nritya.) Bhairavi's looming presence in the
Indian musical mind is in no small measure on account of it's close association
with this great land's spiritual repertoire. No bhajani baithak can be complete
without a generous dose of Bhairavi. Sample an early <span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="hyperlink10"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Pt. Bhimsen Joshi</span></span> rendering this Hari bhajan: jo bhaje Hari ko sada<b>... </b>[<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqlYN2hHYtY"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Link</span></a></b>.] Bhairavi lends itself well
to brisk, taut <i>bandishes</i>. Since it is considered to be the holiest of
Raaga-s, <i>Bhairavi</i> is respectfully addressed as <i>Shree </i>Bhairavi. ~ The mesmerizing Pt. Omkarnath Thakur - Raag Bhairavi: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gApWs6LO0Ww"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Link</span></b></a>.]</span> </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>[<b>*</b>(Continued from the paragraph before the last seven) ~<b> </b>besides adequate provision of food supplies and other
essential supplies (including water and medicines) they probably also carry
large quantities of dietary supplement or Super Food such as Spirulina (powder
or capsule). But in what form they carry water, we can only speculate. Once the
turbulence subsides, life/civilization starts afresh: perhaps with the help of
cryogenically stored seeds, DNA samples (human, livestock and other animals),
donor eggs and sperms + the survivors (human + flora + fauna). </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Perhaps the 'gotra-system'
was devised during the last great flood (Mahajal Pralaya) ~ as an interim
arrangement/measure ~ to prevent consanguineous vivah/union and avoidable physical ailments
and defects, </span></b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->and maybe, to also give the new versions and/or
sub-species of humans adequate time to acclimatize. </span></b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>There must also have been some
mechanism/guidelines in place ~ to deal with death and corpses; however, this may not
have been homogeneous, and would have, in all probability, differed ~ depending on whether
the people were traveling onboard ships, or were sheltered in specially-designed-and-equipped caves and in
settlements below the ground. Now whether the ones traveling onboard ships threw the
bodies in the turbulent waters? ~ We do not know. However, since dead bodies
are treated with respect, this is unlikely to have happened.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> Also, they would have required teachers, storytellers,
composers, musicians, artists, doctors (and other medical staff), weavers,
barbers, artisans, craftsmen and toy-makers, and so on... to have a semblance of
'society', continuity and order. So as to be somewhat prepared ~ to begin life
afresh on new lands. And, very likely, these various functions were taken up
by people ~ based on their "varna" (talent and ability). Maybe the "Manu" and
his team spoke to them about life on earth, about their ancestors...
and perhaps, even showed pictures, videos, presentations and documentaries too ~ in a bid to prepare them for
new lands and life anew. ... Once
everything is reasonably well-settled, the Manu-s (and their team) depart. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Noukeshwar is at best a 'title' and means, Lord/Master/Principal/Chief/Captain of the Nao. (Here 'nao' or 'boat' indicate specially-designed-and-equipped-ship.) But whether
'Noukeshwar' has been abbreviated/altered to 'Noah' (due to the passage of time
and change in phonetics) ~ my guess is as good as yours.) However, there are
times when God chooses a great human ~ as "Manu". This chosen one then becomes
one of the "Manu"; he is thereafter referred to as a specific "Manu"... and participates in rescue
and rehabilitation activities. The seventh and
current Manu, Vāmana as Vaivasvata Manu is one such human "Manu". We are
currently in the seventh Manvantara, named as: "Vaivasvata Manvantara" (after
the current Manu - Vaivasvata Manu). His original name is Satyavrata. He saved
mankind from the (previous) great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) ~ by building specially designed ships (nao)... as per
the advise of the Matsya-Avatar. Now whether Vaivasvata Manu is also referred
to as "Noah" or not ~ my guess is as good as yours. During great flood/deluge (Mahajal
Pralay) the entire Earth is inundated by
water that swallows up the land and destroys
existing landmass/continents; the scale of devastation is mind-boggling.
(Some species of flora and fauna are wiped out, and
certain early version(s) of humanity too ceases to exist. Maybe some imperfect versions of human species too come to an end. Now, is it possible that these are then replaced by other
versions? And if so, do these new versions and/or sub-species of humans, etc arrive from (or
maybe are brought in from) other loka/planets that exist in the same band
[Madhya-loka/Middle Planets] as our Earth... so as to resettle them after some or the other natural calamities? Therefore, do the Almighty and team [Brahma,
et al] create different humans [and flora and fauna] for different
maha-yugas? Or are they attempting to create humans-that-have-High EQ as well as humans-that-are-low-on-emotion-and-high-on-technology [for different maha-yugas] ~ and then trying to see/understand how these different versions/sub-species of humans react to each other [in different maha-yugas]? And/or
what combination leads to what situation? ~ Well, we can only speculate. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(<u>Note</u>: Sanaatan Dharma does not talk about the
human species emerging or evolving out of great apes. The extinct
civilizations/groups/people also do not say so; there are indications
of higher beings; besides, a huge/gigantic serpent features in many extinct
cultures/groups. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->However, it is quite possible that a small
group of humans evolved on earth from various animal-like ancestors, not 'animal'
per se, but 'animal-like' ~ given the shape of their skull, jawline or teeth, or for
that matter their food habits, etc. One possibility is that: this helped to determine
the habitability of the earth for future versions of humans ~ that did not
evolve on this planet. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->By the time the latter groups arrived (in batches),
the former groups would have evolved and become more human-like, albeit with a
distinct culture, language, way of life, etc. And so, for the newer versions of
humans, they were, thus, known as "adi-vasi": adi = most ancient, original or earliest
known, vasi = dwellers. But then, various groups of humans eventually intermixed... giving
rise to newer groups/sub-species, languages, culture, cuisine, and so on.)
[</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Lord Vishnu is also known as "Prapitaamahah":
The father of the 'father of beings' (Brahma) ~ in a generic sense, that is; He
is Aadi Purush (the Original/Primal Being or the Supreme Being; Purush = Cosmic
Energy; He is the motive power and guiding spirit
behind the mathematically precise universes.) He is also known as
"Srashtaa": Creator. He instructs Brahma, who can be loosely understood as the
Chief Engineer/Scientist of the Cosmos (probably responsible for creating various human
species and sub-species, flora and fauna, and so on.)] The Cyclical Destruction of the World as we know it, occurs in events
singularly known as a "Pralaya" that takes place at the end of a
"Chatur-Yug". A cycle of four yugs (Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and
Kali whose lengths follow a ratio of 4:3:2:1)
is known as a "Maha Yug" or a "Chatur-Yug", and at the end of this cycle,
our Earth experiences a cataclysmic event that has the capacity to wipe out all
life from the face of the planet. However, that does not quite happen... since
the Manu-s arrive to rescue, rehabilitate and re-people the Earth (in case of
a great flood/deluge/Mahajal Pralay). However, Sanaatan Dharm does not believe in a
single event of destruction/dissolution of the World, or even in a single event of creation
for that matter. Time (Kaal, Kaalah) in Sanaatan Dharma, is not Linear i.e.
it does not start and end at specific points, rather, it is Cyclical and
never-ending. This eternal cycle of Life and Death; Birth and Re-birth;
Formation and Dissolution is called the<b> </b>"Kaal-chakra"<b>
</b>or the "Wheel of Time". Therefore, other events such as Global Warming;
killer Earthquakes or frequent Earthquakes in the seabed (triggering a Great
Deluge that would submerge the entire landmass and drown everything
in its colossal Tsunamis); melting of Antarctic Ice sheets; celestial
events ~ like a meteor crash; nuclear wars or usage of highly destructive weaponry,
and so on... too can bring about dissolution and/or tremendous destruction
(enough to wipe out the entire civilizational progress of Humanity on
Earth.) And, depending on which of these events is likely to follow the closure of a
"Maha Yug" or a "Chatur-Yug" ~ the higher entities (the Manu-s, the avatars or
a Maha Avatar) arrive ~ to rescue and rehabilitate/resettle, or to
salvage, 'awaken' and prevent. There are different types of
Pralaya-s/cataclysmic events as per our ancient texts: #1. A "Pralaya" ~
at the end of a Maha-Yug or a Chatur-Yug; #2. "Manvantar
Pralaya" ~ at the end of the rule of each of the Manu-s; #3. "Naimittik Pralaya" ~ at the end of each "kalpa" (1,000 maha yugs) or "a Day of Brahma"; and #4. "Prakritik Maha Pralaya" ~ at the end of Brahma's
Lifetime/Life-span (this is when
Prakriti/Nature [except the Vaikunth planets] is completely
dissolved. Re-birth/formation commences once again... after 2 kalpas, or after 'a day and a night of Brahma' has
elapsed. This is when a new Brahma appears. The life span of Brahma is 100
Brahma years, or 72,000 kalpas, or 311.04 trillion human years. (Each "kalpa"
is overseen by a succession of 14 Manu-s, and the reign/period of each
Manu is called a "manvantara". A single manvantara is approximately 71 maha
yugas. In other words: </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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times the number of years contained in the four Yugas (Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta,
Dvapar and Kaliyug), with some additional years: this is the duration of each
Manu, the [attendant] divinities (Indra, etc), and the rest.) The current "Brahma" is 50 Brahma years old now (i.e.
155,521,972,949,110 human Years old now.) 50 years of Brahma has elapsed and we
are in the first Day of the 51st year. In other words: We are located in the
fifty-first Brahma year of the life of our Brahma: this Brahma's day - kalpa - is
named as "Svhetavaraha Kalpa". [Svheta = white. Varaha = the great boar. Do refer
to the Indus seal above to know more.] Within this 'Day', six Manvantaras have
already elapsed and we are in the seventh Manvantara, named as: Vaivasvatha
Manvantara (after the current Manu, Vaivasvatha Manu). Within the Vaivasvatha Manavantara, 27 Mahayugas (4 Yugas together
is a Mahayuga) have elapsed; hence, we are in the Kaliyuga of the 28th
Mahayuga. (This would place us at about the 454th maha yuga of the 1,000 maha
yugas that comprise this 'day' of Brahma.) This Kaliyug began at midnight of 18
February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. This is because Bhagavan Shri Krishn departed on
this date. The period after his departure marks the beginning of Kaliyug. Since 50 years of Brahma have already elapsed, we are in
the second Parardha, also known as Dvithiya Parardha.] <u>Note</u>: </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i>Manu is essentially a reassuring father-figure (not to be construed for 'patriarchal'. </i></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->A guide or a leader can be a guide or a leader without
being patriarchal or matriarchal.) N</i>one of the "Manu" is responsible for </i><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">regressive customs like Sati, female foeticide and
infanticide, child marriage, stopping girls'/women's education, </span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">'caste system', and the like. ("Varna-dharma" or "Varnashram-dharma" is
completely different. </span></b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is neither rigid nor based on birth. In a nutshell,
it is based on "varna" ~ one's talent [aptitude and ability.] The premise is that: doing something based on one's talent and ability leads t</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">o efficiency and contentment... which, in turn leads to a better society. </span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Please refer to the paragraph before the last three ~ to know more about it.) </span></b>All sorts
of regressive concepts came about in the last millennium; Manu was not present
on Earth at the time. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">[However, what inflections and re-writings the "manusmriti" has undergone in the last millennium, given that even the Mahabharata</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> has not remained impervious ~ we can only speculate. The current version is not th</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">e original one; all ancient texts have to be copied afresh after a period of time, else they disintegrate. Modern books are of fairly recent vintage.] The Manu-s (and team) is
representatives of Lord Narayan. ... And all sorts of
regressive customs and concepts like 'caste system', etc is not Lord Narayan/Sri
Krishn's doing. These came about due to societal churning, courtesy the usurper known as "Brahminical faith".</span></b> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sanaatan Dharm did not have any concept of
"outcaste". However, this concept ~ known as 'jaat-nikaal' or 'jaati-nikaal' ~
came about as a 'by-product' of yet another societal 'manthan' ~ for power,
influence, and so on. Wherein one group/clan of people tried their best to
topple (and then banish + 'demote') ~ another group of people, on most
occasions, their own clan-mates, but who enjoyed greater influence, etc (especially
in the courts of minor kings and chieftains.) Mostly these machinations were
successful, and the former not only replaced the latter, but also banished and 'demoted'
them. This 'demotion' and banishment was known as 'jaat-nikal' or 'jaati-nikal'.
[jaat/jaati = clan.] Gradually this concept took on different hues... and
mutated, thanks to the "Brahminical faith" and other kinds of 'manthan'. When one
set of colonizers arrived, the concept of "caste" came about; when another set
of colonizers arrived, 'jaat-nikal' or 'jaati-nikal' became "outcaste", and 'adi-vasi' became "tribal". </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">Though<i> more affluent groups and people were affected, 'coz even traveling to distant lands onboard ships was cause
enough to be 'demoted' (</i></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->more severe than 'déclassé'), considered 'impure' and 'lose one's caste', it was essentially</i></span> the economically weak and vulnerable groups and adi-vasis that were greatly impacted due to this 'manthan'. </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But then, despite gaining our independence, we have persisted with negative, regressive and pessimism-inducing terminologies, besides labeling our ancient knowledge (in craftsmanship, textiles, weaves, woodworking, leather-crafting, etc) as "backward". </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Although these require a great amount of skill and know-how.) ... Thus, what could and should have been a cause for pride (for keeping alive and carrying forward our ancient heritage) as well as
generating revenue, leading to employment and economic self-sufficiency... became "backward" this or
that instead. Alas.]</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Krishna explains to Arjun
his duties as a warrior and prince... besides elaborating on a variety of
philosophical concepts. However: it is unlikely that the
conversation took place in the battlefield. It probably happened elsewhere, in
the presence of other people (over a few days)... and was (very likely) facilitated by the use of technology, such as television screens. This
enabled a large number of people (besides Arjun) to "see" the
"Divine Form" (Vishwaroop) of the Supreme Spirit/Param-aatma, and
to hear Krishna speak about 'Karm Yog' and explain the cosmic process as well as
the meaning of destiny. Krishna, Arjun's charioteer and guide in the
battlefield (of the greatest of Dharm-Yudh-s), sought to allay the latter's
confusion/dilemma by teaching him about the distinction between the physical
body (which is impermanent) and the soul or atma (which is permanent).
... And from what we can gather, every human has two souls. #1. The
"Jiva/Atma": meaning individual soul or personality, and #2. The
"Atman" or "Supersoul": seen as a portion of Brahmn/Brhmn or the
Param-aatma (Cosmic Energy/Supreme Soul/Spirit - <span style="color: #660000;">the source of everything</span>, the
'Cause'; since everything emanates from Him). The Srimad Bhagavad Geeta (Chapter 10, Verse 20) says: <span style="color: #660000;">|| aham atma gudakesha
sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah aham adis ca madhyam ca bhutanam anta eva ca ||</span> ~ "I am the Supreme
Spirit/Supersoul, O Arjun, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am
the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings."] BG Chapter 10, Verse 22: <span style="color: #660000;">|| indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana ||</span> ~ "Of
the senses (indriyanam) I am (asmi) the mind (manas); and in living beings
(bhutanam) I am the living force (cetana, consciousness.") Thus, to my mind, cetana
or consciousness represents the "atman" (Supersoul), and this (very likely) is
also linked to the mind (brain/Manas Chakra or Mind Lotus)... making it work/function,
and which in turn helps the rest of the body to function as well. Else a human
being goes into a 'vegetative state' (wherein the 'indriyas' stop functioning, leaving one benumbed or <span class="def">stupefied
(the mind, senses, will, etc.)</span> [Please note: </i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Cetana or consciousness</i></span></i></span> represents the life force. </i></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>It is not the same as conscience.</i></span></i></span>] </i></span>The atman (Supersoul) is a part and parcel of
the Supreme Soul/Spirit (Brahmn/Brhmn/Param-aatma), but the Jiva/atma
(individual soul) never loses its identity. And this is where we, as an
individual, get an identity/entity. This identity exists eternally; the
individual soul (Jiva/Atma) never dies. [Verse 17:<b> </b><span style="color: #660000;">|| avinasi tu tad viddhi yena sarvam idam tatam
vinasam avyayasyasya na kascit kartum arhati ||</span> ~ "But know that which
pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one is able to destroy the
imperishable soul (Jiva/Atma/ individual soul)."] And that: Verse 18:<b> </b>|<span style="color: #660000;">| antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah saririnah ||</span> ~ "Only the material body of the indestructible, immeasurable and
eternal living entity is subject to destruction." ... While the individual
soul/Jiva/Atma only transmigrates from one body to another body: Verse 22:<b> </b><span style="color: #660000;">|| vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā
vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti
navāni dehī ||</span> ~<b> </b>"Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off
old and worn-out ones, the individual soul (Jiva/Atma) similarly takes up residence
within new material bodies, giving up the old and infirm ones." [The
"First Law of Thermodynamics" (Conservation) states that energy is
always conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be
converted from one form into another: 'Energy can be changed from one form
to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy
and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely changi<span style="font-size: small;">ng from one form to
another.' ~ The Srimad Bhagavad Geeta in Physics! :)] BG Chapter 2, Verse 20:<b> </b><span style="color: #660000;">|| </span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;">Na jãyate mriyate vã kadãchinnãyam bhootvã bhavitã vã na bhooyaha</span> </span></i></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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||</span> ~ "The
individual soul (Jiva/Atma) never takes birth and never dies at any time
nor does it come into being again when the body is created. The individual soul
(Jiva/Atma) is birthless, eternal, imperishable and timeless and is never
destroyed even when the body/outer coil is destroyed (perishes)." Chapter 10, Verse 23:<b> </b><span style="color: #660000;">|| nainaṃ chindanti
śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati mārutaḥ ||</span> ~ "Weapons cleave It
not, fire burns It not, water wets It not, wind dries It
not. This self (Jiva/Atma) cannot be cut, not burnt, nor get wet, nor dried up.
It is eternal, all pervading, stable, immovable and ancient. This [self] is
said to be un-manifested, unfathomable and unchangeable." Krishna
describes (to Arjun) the human soul (the individual soul/ Jiva/Atma) as
something that cannot be cut by weapons, cannot be burnt by fire, cannot be
drowned in water, cannot be blown by the wind. Chapter 10, Verse 13: <span style="color: #660000;">|| dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam
jara tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati ||</span> ~ "As
the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from childhood to youth to
old age, the soul similarly transmigrates from one body to another. A
self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change."</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHVSwBgWfTdsaP92TPok4yEA7AQGPYtAnwjN2PVHBIMB3QFa4LVKc-t-mE1WCL0GbEkqF1rnNxsqyP5cfUuV2ZzkKj42XfW5aG8QCVqlReJygwxz_lDfFOCbiLRvopEeQHBmFhjXf_lQ/s1600/Lotus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHVSwBgWfTdsaP92TPok4yEA7AQGPYtAnwjN2PVHBIMB3QFa4LVKc-t-mE1WCL0GbEkqF1rnNxsqyP5cfUuV2ZzkKj42XfW5aG8QCVqlReJygwxz_lDfFOCbiLRvopEeQHBmFhjXf_lQ/s1600/Lotus.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>And thus, 'Karm Yog' is important. 'Karm' or
'Karma' is not punishment, but an opportunity to redeem oneself. (Good/positive)
karm is essential to get rid of (bad/negative) karm. For example: a thorn can be
removed only with the aid of a bigger thorn. Hence, in order to get rid of Prarabda
(negative, destructive) Karm - whether done by us or by others - we have to
perform good deeds (Sat Karm) in copious quantities. ... And as we go on doing/performing good deeds
indefinitely/continuously, sakama (selfish, benefit-seeking) karm gets
transformed into Nishkam (selfless) Karm. In this way, one (i.e. the
performer or the Sadhaka) becomes a true yogi (a Karm Yogi),
a real ascetic/sanyaasi (one who is detached like the lotus... which grows in
muddy water and yet remains Nirmal - untouched by it, or perhaps like the hamsah/swan...
whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water. Krishn is also known as hamsah, the swan. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>[And
*this* should help us understand the concept of 'lotus feet' as well as the concept of Kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm'. Do also read paragraph #2 from the top - for better clarity.] Thus, the Sadhaka or performer (of
nishkam karm/selfless action or service) becomes a Muni or Jnani (a truly enlightened
person) and achieves Moksh/Nirvana (Jeevan Mukta;
non-materialistic). ... Therefore, the wheel (cakra, chakra) needs to rotate
or turn continuously, for the 'toxin' (negativities/negative aspects) to be absorbed (negated)...
and be replaced by 'dharma' (positive aspects/ethics.) [<u>Note</u>: </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When the mind is withdrawn from the objects and deep
reflection sets in, the objective consciousness is 'closed'; Savitarka Samadhi
commences. This is Samadhi with reasoning. The mind here is free from worldly
thoughts; negative thoughts cannot enter now. The mind is Sattvic. (It can be
called Chitta Suddhi.) When the mind is completely absorbed in one object of
meditation, it is termed Samadhi. Karm Yog is also a kind of meditation. It
destroys the ego or ahankara. And it requires complete self-sacrifice of
Nishkam Karm (selfless action/service). Such yogis are Nishkam Karm Yogis. ...
And only they can achieve Nirvikalpa Samadhi... to 'awaken' to Moksha (freedom).
The state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi leads to Jivanmukta (liberation). In
nirvikalpa samadhi there is infinite bliss. (Sat-cit-ānanda,
pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda - one who has achieves eternal bliss of
self-realization. Sat describes an essence that is pure and
timeless; cit is consciousness; ānanda is absolute bliss or
spiritual ecstasy.) One not only feels bliss, but also actually grows
into that bliss. When one enters into nirvikalpa samadhi, one's heart is larger
than the universe itself. One 'sees' the universe as a tiny dot inside one's
vast heart. (Aham Brahmasmi.) <span class="usercontent">Imagine that you are a crystal
bead. You reflect the light of every being in the universe, and your light is
reflected in them. "Aham Brahmasmi" ~ continue to envision yourself
as a beautiful jewel, reflecting and absorbing the light of the entire
universe. Rest in the silence and feel the expansiveness of your being... an
expression of the infinite field of intelligence and all possibilities. </span>Becoming
one with the soul is possible only in the Nirvikalpa Samadhi state. (Should one
hold communion with Brahmn, devoid of mental fancies and modifications, then
the great bondage of the mind will cease, all doubts will vanish, all
pratibandha or vighna will disappear, and all (negative) Karmas will perish.)
One gains Realization of God and the Self... only after attaining the stage of
Nirvikalpa Samadh. (Jiva is/becomes identical with Brahmn/Param-aatma/Atman.)
Self-realization is to fully know and realize who you are. Before knowing God
(Brahmn), know yourself, if you understand yourself... only then is it possible
to understand God, Nature or Love. With the realization of the Atman (Supersoul,
Param-aatma) come universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness
of all things (higher knowledge). ("Sarvam khalvidam brahma ~ All is Brahmn.
There is nothing but Brahmn.") This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace). Aham Brahmasmi (ah-HUM brah-MAHS-mee) ~ Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.10 (of the Yajur Veda.)<b> ~ </b>(Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am
Brahmn. Meaning: I Am He/Brahmn.) (Fill the mind with Atman/Supersoul. Then the mind becomes
identified with Brahmn. As you think, so you become. Think you are Brahmn;
Brahmn you will become. ~ Your entire being, your karm, your thoughts... will
reflect that.) Other Mahavakyas ("The Great
Sayings" of the Upanishads - the foundational texts of Vedanta; though
there are many Mahavakyas, four of them, one from each of the four Vedas, are
often mentioned as "the Mahavakyas"): <span style="color: #660000;"><b>·</b></span>
prajñānam brahma: "Consciousness is Brahmn" (Aitareya Upanishad 3.3
of the Rig Veda) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>·</b></span> ayam ātmā brahma: "This Self is
Brahmn" (Mandukya Upanishad 1.2 of the Atharva Veda) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>·</b></span> tat
tvam asi: "Thou art That" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama
Veda.) || (Aum) Asato mā sad gamaya Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya Mrtyormā amrtam
gamaya Aum śānti śānti śāntih || ~ (Brhadāranyaka
Upanisad 1.3.28) ~ "(Aum) From
ignorance, lead me unto truth (dharma, ethics, actions that benefit society) | From
darkness (the 'fog' of ignorance, delusion, 'sleep', and other negative aspects), lead me unto light (knowledge, hope, wisdom,
enlightenment) | From death, lead me unto immortality | Aum let there be peace within
ourselves, let there be peace in the world, let there be peace in the
universe." (Aum, also known as Om: The syllable Om - written out as Aum with
each letter having its own significance - represents Brahmn, the supreme
creator, as well as the whole of creation. It is also the primeval sound
(Pranava Naad), the sound of the universe itself. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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called Onkar or Omkar. It is the sound of the origination and dissolution of
the universe. The past, present, future and all that transcends time are all
included in this sound. Lord Narayan is the personification/manifestation of Om or Aum.)]</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The Srimad Bhagavad Geeta (roughly: 'The Song of the Blessed One' or 'The
Song of the Fortunate One'; Srimad is honorific; Geeta = Geet, Song; Bhagavat (</span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>a manifestation of the all-embracing God) = [roughly] maha-avatar) contains tremendous and cosmogonal philosophy </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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its literature seem puny and trivial; </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>so remote is its sublimity from our conceptions (~ to partially quote Henry David Thoreau). [</i></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous. ~ Albert Einstein. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with
full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it. ~ Rudolph Steiner.] The verses can also be taken as a
conversation between a Jiva/Atma or individual soul (represented by Arjun) and
the Param-aatma/Supersoul (Sri Krishn). </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Blessed = highly favoured or fortunate (by divine
grace); worthy of worship or veneration; worthy of deep reverence or respect.] Lord Narayan (Shri Hari Vishnu/Satya-Sundar) is "<span class="kword">ArdhaNarishvar". He does not </span>discriminate based on gender, etc. Instead, He <span class="kword">symbolizes (in a generic sense, in a manner of speaking, that is) "Perfect Man" (Complete Man) and "Perfect
Woman" ~ the best (traits, qualities) of man and of woman. His avatars reflect this: some are male, others are female. Therefore, He
can be variously addressed as: Ishvar or Ishvari; Adi Purush or Adi Parashakti </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->['Purusha' and 'Shakti' = Cosmic Energy. Adi =
primal, primeval, primordial];
Narayan or Narayani; Nrsingh or Nrsinghi, Varaha or Varahi, Parameshvar or
Parameshvari; Jagadishvar or Jagadishvari, </span>tribhUvaneshvar or tribhUvaneshvari, and so on - broadly speaking<span class="kword">. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Though, in all probability, His female avatars have to wade through and surmount greater odds and all sorts of barriers... on account of their gender, etc... given the 'societal
churn', stereotyping, prejudice, obscurantism and negative and regressive attitudes </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword">(that they [periodically] arrive to alter.) </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword">N<i><span class="kword">ot to speak of chauvinism, misogyny, small-mindedness, vilification, contempt, discrimination, maybe even
jealousy (and all the taunt, vitriol, resentment, and scorn arising out of envy... and maybe even some amount of objectification, who can say?) ~ </span></i></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword"><i><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the intensity of which depends on the era/yug. </span></i><b>*</b>However, the avatars' appeal is universal. (But now that language, culture and geography has evolved; newer concepts like "religion" - what we today understand by "religion", that is - has come about ~ in the last couple of millenniums or so; whether, going forward, the Almighty [and His many avatars] will abide by such man-made barriers and concepts or not ~ my guess is as good as yours.) </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword">[</span>"<span class="kword">ArdhaNarishvar" is a concept, a philosophy, it is not
literal; it does not mean "half-man
half-woman", and it does not mean 'tritiya prakriti' either. </span></i><i><span class="kword"><i>Besides, symbolically representing <span class="kword">"Perfect Man" (Complete Man) and "Perfect
Woman" (Complete Woman) ~ the best (traits, qualities) of man and of woman, it also emphasizes that both are equal. </span></i></span></i><i><span class="kword"><i><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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help, one cannot do (is incomplete) without the other; therefore, one half of the 'body' is depicted as male, while the other half is depicted as female). Imbalance will result in humanity and civilization to stagnate, regress and wither
away.</i></span></i> </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, the soul (whether Jiva/Atma - the individual
soul or Atman - the Supersoul) is energy; and energy has no gender or form.] </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> ... The 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, the Krishna-avatar ~ is (the human manifestation of) "Perfect Man" (Complete Man). [</span></i><i>He is neither overtly aggressive nor displays
machismo. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i><i><span class="kword">His appeal was and remains universal. </span></i></i></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is 'hamsan' (do read the fourth paragraph from the last - to get the drift). And he is the most magnificent householder </i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><i>(</i><i>he was non-monastic; he did not renounce "home
life".)</i> ~ He is "Perfect Man" (Complete Man) - not because of his gender, but on the strength of his 'karm': his commitment, fortitude, gumption, passion, talent, courage, dynamism (his energy and strong desire to make certain things [positive change/aspects] happen), charisma, far-sightedness, erudition, philosophy, magnanimity, wisdom, astuteness,
nishkam/selfless acts, intellectual acuity, alchemist nature and ability to inspire... all of which confluenced and contributed towards epoch-making karm. </i><i><i><span class="kword">He was also a chivalrous "knight" (rather, a "Super-smart Knight"). Was he equine-faced?
~ We can only speculate. </span></i>However, which of His avatars represent "Perfect Woman" ~ my guess is as good as yours.] </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2KY9mzQVDkvsIEp6ueVOeYaxsJbGwz_W4yj9SJDnE0YT1HjuN_MTReBtbQZrb-xQ7RMm4zLL1GUH83dyPLLA0muW2933r6g6BhZPpvmEx87ALc-3sFOBYwIzu5xd-ml5zL2QfBo4EWQ/s1600/Illistration+-+Devi+Sarasvati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2KY9mzQVDkvsIEp6ueVOeYaxsJbGwz_W4yj9SJDnE0YT1HjuN_MTReBtbQZrb-xQ7RMm4zLL1GUH83dyPLLA0muW2933r6g6BhZPpvmEx87ALc-3sFOBYwIzu5xd-ml5zL2QfBo4EWQ/s1600/Illistration+-+Devi+Sarasvati.jpg" height="173" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">[<b>*</b>It is because of these inspirational female avatars that
generation of people (those who are part of Sanaatan Dharm or even what is today known as
"Hinduism") ~ have been relatively free from troglodytism, vis-à-vis women.
Being accustomed to watching programs, listening to and reading (from an early age) ~ stories and anecdotes of their exploits and keerti (great and awe-inspiring deeds), besides watching/observing female deities being prayed to, worshipped and
revered... by a large number of people (irrespective of gender and age) ~ have made it easier (for all manner of people, especially the vast multitude... who are not quite educated or even literate) ~ to, at least,
accept women in various leadership and strategic and tactical roles; to see women
step out of their homes and go about their business... and not find it unusual. Else, imagine the
level of obscurantism and troglod<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ytism... that these would have generated... and (in turn) engulfed Hinduism. (No
amount of sermons or even legislation could or would have changed anything.)
[</span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also,
mere education is no guarantee for a progressive outlook. Cultural conditioning
is much deeper than that. ~ Changing well-entrenched perceptions, mindset, and so on is a truly herculean task.] The female avatars (our female deities) have played myriad roles: as saviours/rescuers</span>; as
protectors, preservers, strategists and warriors; as teach<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ers (</span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">through their own behaviour/acharan, or by sharing their
thoughts and vision with humanity at large); as bestowers of knowledge, wisdom,
enlightenment, wealth, well-being, prosperity and happiness, a</span>nd even as diplomat (the
<b>*</b>Mohini-avatar; though her story has largely been misinterpreted. Krishn, a male, is also
known as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and indicates a female.<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">) </span></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->On a separate note, it is unlikely that any of the female avatars would have actually worn a saree (just as it is unlikely that any of the male avatars actually wore a dhoti.) This bit is, therefore, a
result of contemporization ~ so that people, especially the vast multitude, can
relate to and thus, establish a connect. Else... the deities would appear to be strangers, even alien/foreign. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Besides, there have been various reform movements, apart from numerous plays, dance-dramas, literature, verses, songs/bhajans, hymns, mantra-s, stuti-s, shloka-s, stotra-s, picture books, paintings, art, iconography... and so on. And all these have
allowed people to watch/see as well as to hear/listen and read ~ continuously (over
generations)... and thus, many positive things/aspects vis-à-vis women have
percolated. Hinduism is much the richer for it. </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Else, given our size, diversity and very complex demographics, one can well imagine how
hard it would have been and how challenging it would have been... to undo epic
levels of troglodytism ~ in case it were to engulf
Hinduism. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->That it hasn't, and we have managed to remain
relatively progressive... is courtesy the inspirational female avatars (and
deities) ~ besides Lord Narayan, of course. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->However, the female avatars are larger-than-life and karm yogi-s, but
not unreal; they are all very much human and relatable... and therein lay their appeal,
across eras/yugs and generations. Also</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>, (now-a-days) ~ we get to see relatively hands-on fathers: strolling or shopping with his sound asleep or
wide awake baby ~ safely ensconced in a baby carrier, pushing prams, indulging
in baby talk, trying to calm his wailing baby, minding the kids, playing with
them, and so on. ... And the concept of 'paternity leave' is trickling in.]</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>*</b>Let's discuss the Mohini-avatar: The aasuric (malevolent)
entities (residing in the Adho-Loka/the Lower Planets) indulged in negative
activities/adharm ~ after attacking and occupying the higher Planets/the
Urdhva-Loka, also known as Svarga-loka, Deva-loka. They also forcibly gained
control over certain resources (euphemistically referred to as 'amrit')... that
did not belong to them. This helped them to increase their influence and
power tremendously. Result: "samudra-manthan"... and huge imbalance. At such
a time, Lord Narayan (Shri Hari/Vishnu/Satya-Sundar/Virupaksha/</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Pundarikaksha) ~ as the Mohini-avatar ~ acquires the (metaphoric) pot of
'amrit' from the thieving 'Asuras' (malevolent entities) ~ via diplomacy, and
returns it to the Devas (positive entities); thus helping them to regain their
position/pre-eminence (euphemistically referred to as: immortality.) And so, the
machinations of the malevolent/negative entities came to a naught. [This could well be an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras.] Lord Narayan
incarnates (to help mankind/humanity) face the challenges posed... whenever
negative forces become too dominant. In reality, though, there is no such thing as
'amrit' - celestial or otherwise. "Amaratva" (eternal life) can be achieved only
through one's karm, 'coz one's keerti (great deeds) lives on forever. Thus, a
mere mortal/human can triumph death (which is inevitable)... and become
'mritunjay' (immortal). [Narayan = benefactor of humanity (nara). </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->HA= sky; RA= fire; I= energy; HARI = effulgent
omnipresent omnipotent omniconscient cosmic energy. Hari also means: green,
Lord Narayan is also the Lord of Nature. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is "Kshiteeshah": The Lord of the earth. Virupaksha = one with oblique
eyes. </i><i>Pundarikaksha = 'lotus-eyed' (i.e. one whose eyes are
shaped like lotus petals). </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Lord Krishn is also puṣkara-locanaḥ,
puṣkara-akṣaḥ, puṣkara-īkṣaṇah ~ 'lotus-eyed'
and vishalaksha ~ 'big-eyed'. In His "Vishwaroop" ~ His Universal form, Lord Narayan incorporates
everything that is a part of the entire universe/cosmos, whether seen or unseen,
animate or inanimate, tangible or intangible. The universes are therefore His
'body'. And, He is also the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>] Let's turn to the 'Rahu-Ketu' story. 'Mohini's Sudarshan Chakra cut
off Rahu's head': Perhaps, the Mohini-avatar was responsible for
Prthvi-loka getting a satellite of her own... as can be inferred from the
'Rahu-Ketu' stories. (Rahu's head remained while the body was destroyed -
thanks to Mohini's Sudarshan Chakra.) Here: 'Sudarshan Chakra' is a
metaphor for an instrument/technology. (Do also refer to paragraph # 18 ~ from
the top, to know what 'sudarshan chakra' otherwise means/indicates.) Lord Narayan, as the
Mohini-avatar, would have destroyed the 'body' (possibly: a giant asteroid)
while keeping the 'head' (very likely: a small moon... accompanying the
'body'/giant asteroid) ~ intact. Result: a global catastrophe (if it were to strike Prthvi-loka/Earth, that is) was averted, while the newly acquired
satellite began circumnavigating Prthvi-loka. (Rahu: probably is a reference
for an asteroid-moon duo: a giant-sized asteroid with own small satellite in
tow; i.e. a giant-sized asteroid dragging its moon along. Such a huge flying
object is known as a binary asteroid, and is circled by a satellite, or moon.
Giant-sized, hence the word 'Asura' has been used. [Asura = giant-sized.
Here: 'Asura' is not a reference for any people or clan, or even malevolent entities.] Pieces of the destroyed
asteroid probably fell on the moon. Ketu (probably) is a reference for
Prthvi-loka/Earth. Hence it has been said: The body also turned into Ketu due to
a boon, and it in turn swallows the moon on timely basis to cause a lunar
eclipse. ... And (as we know) ~ a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth's shadow falls on the
Moon! It's a small wonder then that this story is part of the "samudra-manthan" stories - the
story of the churning of the Kshirasagar/Ocean of Milk/Akash Ganga (Milky Way)
and/or the Andromeda (... and that is how our solar system emerged/came about). In short:
"samudra-manthan" is essentially the story of creation. ['Deva' could indicate positive force/energy/charge (anode), while 'Asura' could indicate negative force/energy/charge (cathode). Their interplay gives rise to creation/Shrishti (the Material Universe/Prakriti/Nature, as well as the planets, habitability on planets [land, mountains], et al.) 'Mohini-avatar' represents a stabilizing force and/or the catalyst.] However, since
samudra-manthan (as a metaphor) can also have wide usage/application, various
narratives have confluenced and even fused into one, courtesy later-day translators,
interpreters, et al.]</i></span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Robi Thakur rightly said: "<i>gaaner bheetor diye jakhon dekhi
bhuban-khani, takhon tarey chini</i>."<i> </i>He acknowledged (as only he
could) that he has realized Him through his songs. That he has understood the Eternal
Enigma and His endless cosmic mysteries... through music.</span> Do listen to <span style="color: #660000;">Eso Shyamolo Sundaro</span>: Robindroshongeet -
based on <i>raaga</i> Desh, and rendered by the
effervescent-versatile-spellbinding Asha Bhonsle:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span> </i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcOr6yAaG-d3Pq160no7TrN-tMJXTvrY6Dy-CxiJSC3HSr05lh07fTiSTrn1_qCBVjI13QglNpXl67j-Ueu2MElHmPuoxcdKd46pQzRySP-NSs4OVrXt3th5_Z5y56A7GdgYhVZZ_l8c/s1600/Krishna-flute-Mayur+feather.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcOr6yAaG-d3Pq160no7TrN-tMJXTvrY6Dy-CxiJSC3HSr05lh07fTiSTrn1_qCBVjI13QglNpXl67j-Ueu2MElHmPuoxcdKd46pQzRySP-NSs4OVrXt3th5_Z5y56A7GdgYhVZZ_l8c/s1600/Krishna-flute-Mayur+feather.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4Y7iKSfq9TpWPmh0tXT2Otmt9c8_BeqROuy7I9AI_HNDXHQgERCgORVVL5WM5t2Xjk4Qrz9qtRI5sVnDqinpdEJ3_r8k_EBSLA56Yf96AVgOp4_agHdy2EqJPcemvdGzvgCkjsSLznc/s1600/Illustration+-+Kurma+Avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4Y7iKSfq9TpWPmh0tXT2Otmt9c8_BeqROuy7I9AI_HNDXHQgERCgORVVL5WM5t2Xjk4Qrz9qtRI5sVnDqinpdEJ3_r8k_EBSLA56Yf96AVgOp4_agHdy2EqJPcemvdGzvgCkjsSLznc/s1600/Illustration+-+Kurma+Avatar.jpg" height="200" width="173" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><u>Pic</u>: <span style="font-size: small;">an illustration of Kurma-avatar (2nd avatar of the <i>Dasavatara</i>): </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sri Vishnu incarnated as a giant turtle (kurma) to save the
earth from destruction. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He acted as a base to support Mount Mandar
(Meru) - with Vasuki wrapped around it - that was used as an axis for churning the ocean (kshira-sagar/ocean of milk - <i>white foamy waters?</i>). ~ What does 'Vishnu
as the Kurma-avatar held up Mt. Meru on his back' mean? </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>meruh sikharinam aham</i></span> || ~
and of mountains I am Meru." ~ Is Mt. Meru a real
mountain or an allegorical one? From what we can gather, it is not a physical 'mountain'. *And, is there some connection between Mt. Meru
(situated in the center of the earth) and Shambhala? Or with Jambudvipa? </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[But
then, what areas constituted "Jambudvipa"? ~ 'Coz it is unlikely that the
contours of modern India constituted ancient "Jambudvipa". ~ Just as Lord Ram's empire or
Raja Yayati's empire were not confined to the landmass that makes up modern
India.] Mt. Meru is
also believed to be the center of the cosmos. ~ So does Mt. Meru have something to
do with the cosmic architecture of the Material Universe (Material Nature/Prakriti)...
that could trigger "Pralaya" (cataclysmic events) or even worse? ... Shambhu Nath (Ruler/Protector/Guardian of Shambhala) and the (allegorical) Kurma Avatar - are they one and the same? <i>~ My guess is as good as yours. *</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">The Hindu and Buddhist
alike regard Mount Meru as the location of (the fabled land of) Shambhala.
(Meru is said to be situated in the center of the earth.) It is the center of
the cosmos. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of
Ursa Major (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">the Sapta Rishi Mandala or </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->the Constellation of the Great Bear/</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sapta</span></i></b><i>-</i><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">riksha</span></i></b>)</span>, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole (Dhruva Loka?) Therefore,<i> </i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Mt Meru and the fabled Buddhist
land of Shambhala are one and the same. ~ Maybe, Mt Meru is another name for
Shambhala. However, are Mt Meru and Mandar Parvat one and the same? Or is
Mandar Parvat a part of Mt Meru? <i>~ My guess is as good as yours</i>. But then, since Mt Meru is not a physical 'mountain' (and so, is not visible to the mortal/unaided eye), Mandar Parvat (whether another name for Mt Meru or a part of Mt Meru) too cannot be a physical 'mountain'. So, is Shambhala and/or Jambudvipa the first landmass to emerge out of the </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"samudra-manthan" (?) - the churning of the Kshirasagar/Ocean of Milk (</span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the churning
waters on the earth [and/or of </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Jambunad</i>] </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span>- foamy-white in appearance, and thus the metaphor of
"Kshira".)<i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.<i> </i></span></span>[For Shambhala
- do read paragraph #8 from the last - in the earlier portion/section. </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">~ Shambhala is also the place where the 10th Vishnu, the Kalki-avatar - the final avatara of the "Dasavatara" - is predicted to be born. Shambhala is also ruled over by Lord Maitreya (Maitreya Buddha/Buddha Maitreya, the future Buddha, the next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Shakyamuni Buddha). ~ So (given that Lord Gautam Buddh is the 9th Vishnu)... is the Kalki-avatar and the Maitreya Buddha one and the same? </span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>~ My guess is as good as yours.</i> </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">For </span></i></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lord Maitreya</span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">
- do read paragraph #8 from the last - in the earlier portion/section. </span></i></span></i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg968J0IpM2miplcSMt0atLSmHzyXLqbXo4d-ED_8p1eTpbYz2K3gIR50k8mBEIqzwwku3hOZOxg3wJ-0BpXFc9nDl01ZPqQZqOH7VBPu53OvC6R3PZ0e6zK9XB6zKPupwWIQv8fk5wML0/s1600/An+illustration+of+Matsya+(fish)+Avatar+rescues+the+Saptarishi+and+Manu+from+the+great+Deluge,+Mahajal+Pralaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg968J0IpM2miplcSMt0atLSmHzyXLqbXo4d-ED_8p1eTpbYz2K3gIR50k8mBEIqzwwku3hOZOxg3wJ-0BpXFc9nDl01ZPqQZqOH7VBPu53OvC6R3PZ0e6zK9XB6zKPupwWIQv8fk5wML0/s1600/An+illustration+of+Matsya+(fish)+Avatar+rescues+the+Saptarishi+and+Manu+from+the+great+Deluge,+Mahajal+Pralaya.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> An illustration of 'Matsya (fish) Avatar
rescues the Saptarishi and Manu from the great Deluge/Mahajal Pralaya'. [<i>However, the Matsya Avatar does not indicate a fish, per se</i>.] ~ </span></i></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Shambhala is also believed to have been the
ashram/abode of Vamana. Now, this may not be a reference to the Vamana-avatar
(the fifth avatar of the Dasavatara) since the events involving him and Bali
did on happen on the Earth. This "Vamana" (probably) is a reference to the seventh
and current Manu, Vaivasvata Manu. There are times when the Almighty chooses a
great human - as "Manu". This chosen one then becomes one of the
"Manu"; he is thereafter referred to as a specific
"Manu"... and participates in rescue and rehabilitation activities.
The seventh and current Manu, Vāmana as Vaivasvata Manu is one such human
"Manu". </span></i></span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Born to Saranya and Vivasvat, his original name is Satyavrata. He saved </span></i></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">humanity</span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> from the
(previous) great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) - by building specially-designed
ships (nao)... as per the advise of the Matsya-Avata</span></i></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">r. [Incidentally, a</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> Sisumara/dolphin also represents the
Almighty. ~ And a dolphin is well-known for guiding ships through turbulent waters.] Now whether Vaivasvata
Manu is also referred to as "Noah"</span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as
yours</i></span></i>. </span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Also, since Ikshvaku (son of Vaivasvata Manu) is the founder of the Ikshvaku [or <span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration"><span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span>]</span>
dynasty/lineage - to which greats like Sagara, Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and Shri Ram
belonged... the (previous) great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay)
could not have happened eons ago. It (very likely) happened sometime during the
Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the current Maha-Yug (cycle of four yug) itself. ~ <i>My guess
is as good as yours</i>.]</span></i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">[<u>Note</u>:</span><i> </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This story is part of the "samudra-manthan"
stories - the story of the churning of the Kshirasagar/Ocean of 'Milk' - the
story of creation (as well as the story of the evolution of the Earth). The Kshirasagar/Ocean of 'Milk' can represent the churning
waters on the earth </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">(and/or of </span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Jambunad</i>) </span></i></span></i>- foamy-white in appearance, and thus the metaphor of
"Kshira" or <i>Milk</i>; it can also (metaphorically) represent Akash Ganga (Milky Way) and/or
the Andromeda (... and [perhaps] that is how our solar system emerged/came
about). ~ 'Deva' could indicate positive force/energy/charge (anode), while
'Asura' could indicate negative force/energy/charge (cathode). Their interplay
gives rise to creation/Shrishti (the Material Universe/Prakriti/Nature, as well
as the planets, habitability on planets [mountains, land], et al.) The
'Mohini-avatar' (can also) represent a stabilizing force and/or a catalyst. (In fact, Lord Narayan - in His
various avatars - represents a stabilizing force, one that preserves and
protects - for the good of humanity and the
earth... when the imbalance [caused by various "churning"] becomes too great.) ~
"Samudra-manthan" (as a metaphor) can also have wide usage/application... and can
even include societal churning, and so on. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>PS</u>:</i></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="srtitle">Mount Meru</span>, in Hindu
mythology, is a magnificent and sacred mountain that stands in the centre of the universe and is
the axis of the world. As the world axis, Mount Meru reaches down below the
ground, into the nether regions, as far as it extends into the heavens. Mount
Meru, also called Sumeru (Sanskrit) or Mahameru (the Great Meru/Mountain), is a
sacred mountain in Hindu, Jain as well as Buddhist cosmology and is considered
to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. The
Suryasiddhanta mentions that Mt Meru lies in 'the middle of the Earth'
("Bhugol-madhya") in the land of the Jambunad (Jambudvip).
[Suryasiddhānt, however, mentions a Mt Meru in the middle of Earth, besides a
Sumeru and a Kumeru at both the Poles.] Another text
mentions "<span class="unicode">Sumeruḥ</span> Prithvī-madhye shrūyate
drishyate na tu" ('Su-meru is heard to be in the middle of the Earth, but
is not seen there'). ~ So, probably, Mt Meru cannot be seen with mortal/unaided eyes/it is not a physical 'mountain'. Mount Meru of Hindu traditions (has allegorical aspects, and) is described as 84,000 Yojan high (which is around 1,082,000 km
(672,000 mi), or 85 times the Earth's diameter), and having the Sun along
with all its planets in the Solar System revolve around it as one unit (~ this
could also be allegorical, to indicate the importance of Mount Meru). [One Yojana
can be taken to mean about 11.5 km (9 mi) though its magnitude seems
to differ over time periods.] According to Jainism, Mount
Meru is at the center of the middle world. The continent, known as Jambu Dwipā,
surrounds it in the form of a circle and its diameter is 1,00,000 Yojāns. A
ring formed ocean surrounds the Jambu Dwipā. It is an ocean of the salt
(Lavanoda) and in its diameter is 2,00,000 Yojāns.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpvWQUDuMdjCFhNS5B5CDRrw_hs6UOMStubSQQTbEdWD6UOMPOxKgWl951IxSAFN-7QZIanDeZCZYTRV_7wmBTF_TZ53qurGwuvIZi0cHZwENUJbK4Q_1-lJQiM6w0_u_vkcskHsuVMs/s1600/Illustration+of+the+Vamana-avatar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpvWQUDuMdjCFhNS5B5CDRrw_hs6UOMStubSQQTbEdWD6UOMPOxKgWl951IxSAFN-7QZIanDeZCZYTRV_7wmBTF_TZ53qurGwuvIZi0cHZwENUJbK4Q_1-lJQiM6w0_u_vkcskHsuVMs/s1600/Illustration+of+the+Vamana-avatar.jpg" height="159" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="font-size: small;">an illustration of the Vamana-avatar (the dwarf-avatar of Lord Narayan, the fifth avatar of the <i>Dasavatara</i>):</span></span></span></span> Was the beautiful continent of Africa (and perhaps even Australia) attached
to the Indian subcontinent - someway or the other? Otherwise, how come some islands flanking
the Indian sub-continent have humans that are very different in appearance, etc?
How did these islands come about? ~ However, the actual event involving the fifth avatar (the Vamana or dwarf-avatar) did not happen on Earth. It happened elsewhere in the cosmos - in
one of the Lower Realms/Adho-Lokas (and involved Maharaj Bali - the ruler of
Sutala, one of the Lower planets). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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arrogance and ego (that caused him to indulge in acts that brought grief/unhappiness to his people), the Lord Himself dispelled it. [</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The Almighty is not merely the Cosmic Ruler, He is also the Cosmic
Teacher.] </span>Thereafter, Bali realized his
folly/error (arising out of his arrogance/hubris) and pledged to make amends.
The Lord then sent him to Pataala - the lowest of the Adho-Lokas/Lower Realms (not to be
confused for the Hellish Planets/Narak-Loka) to "wash off" his prarabda karma
(bad/negative karma). It is unlikely though that Bali would have retained his position of
king/administrator in Pataala, but he diligently performed his karm to "wash off" his prarabda karma. ~ At the
end of it, the Almighty addressed him as Maha Bali (the Great Bali) and blessed
him to be Indra (ruler of Svarga-Loka) of the next Manvantara. [<i>Do refer to the
Vishwa-roop or Viraat-Roop in the earlier part of the post - to get the drift</i>.] As we can see, the Almighty values competency and ethics. ... However, the allegorical version of this story - can
it be applicable to Earth? Did a celestial event (a meteorite strike, etc), or (perhaps) a major earthquake (or a combination of both?)... cause
a big chunk of the landmass to sink below the waters? ... And did this result in
the continent/landmass of what is now Africa (or a part of the African continent, at least) to
gradually drift away (from the Indian sub-continent) and get attached to some
other landmass? ... And was this also the reason for what is now the continent of Australia (and maybe even New Zealand) to (also) gradually drift away from the Indian sub-continent? ... And was this also the reason for a part of the current Indian landmass to get attached to another half of the Indian landmass - thus giving rise to various mountains, as well as the current geography, etc? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. Also, were these small-sized humans (vamana humans, such as the Bushmen, the Yaksha, the Jarawa, the Sentinelese, the Great Andamanese, the Onge, the Australian aborigines, et al) - the earliest humans that evolved on earth from animal-like ancestors - as is (also) depicted/indicated by the fifth avatar of the Dasavatara - the Vamana-avatar? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. [Do also read the next paragraph.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Pic:</span> Illustration - Dasavatara. ~ Maharshi Vashisht (one of the
Sapta-Rishi and </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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chief preceptor or the royal guru to the Suryavanshi Ikshvaku <span style="color: #351c75;">[or <span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span>] </span>lineage in which Lord Ram appeared) shared with Shri Ram what was told to him by Sage Bhushunda. ~ That: in
the beginning there was nothing; the Earth was extremely hot and covered by
lava for thousands of years (11,000 years to be precise; however, this could be Human years [in which case it would be 11,000 years <i>per se</i>], or it could be Deva years [in which case, it would be much more than 11,000 years]. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->1 human year = 1 Deva Ahoratra for God (1 day
and 1 night) ... And that "Daityas" and "Danavas" (indicating 'gigantic creatures', possibly various dinosaurs) roamed the
Earth. [As we can see meanings and nomenclature changes with time. "Daityas" and "Danavas" meant 'gigantic creatures'/wild animals at one time, while in another era/yug they were the names of Asura sub-clans.] ... Then, gradually, everything was covered by ice. It was extremely cold. There was no life. Slowly
the ice melted. | ~ Therefore, (i.e. after a reasonable amount of the ice had melted)...
did "samudra manthan" commence? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. ~ Is
Shambhala and/or Jambudvipa the first landmass to emerge out of the
"samudra-manthan" (?) - the churning of the Kshirasagar/Ocean of 'Milk'
(the churning waters on the earth [and/or of <i>Jambunad</i>] - foamy-white in
appearance, and thus the metaphor of "Kshira" or <i>Milk</i>.) ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. And, once the
turbulence/"churning" subsided (to a reasonable extent, at least) did the
higher beings introduce 'life' on earth - in the form of various micro-organisms;
which were then (gradually) followed by (the earliest) algae, plankton, fungi,
snails, slugs, et al? And finally (the earliest) fish (matsya)... an indicator that life on the waters was flourishing, and so, the conditions were suitable for the appearance of land (landmass or sandy stretches) on Earth? ~ And that the
Earth (landmass or sandy areas on Earth, that is) was now ready to host 'higher' creatures/living beings? ~ And therefore, was this followed by the introduction of (the
earliest) amphibians (as is<i> also</i> depicted/indicated by the kurma or tortoise-avatar)? This (probably) was followed by (the earliest) ferns, and other smaller
plants, shrubs... and finally trees? Thereafter,
came (the earliest) animals and birds - as is <i>also</i> depicted/indicated by the third avatar - the Varaha-avatar (which, due to its strong and sharp teeth, would have been able to sort of (in a manner of speaking, that is) till the land/sandy stretches, (thus) paving the way for plants/trees, etc to grow well, besides creating suitable conditions for pollination to happen?) ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. ... And,
once all of these acclimatized on Earth, did the higher beings (gradually)
introduce various animal-like ancestors of the earliest humans/adivasis (as is <i>also</i> depicted/indicated by the fourth avatar - the Nrsingh-avatar) on Earth? ~ 'Coz Sanaatan
Dharma does not talk about the human species emerging or evolving out of great
apes. The extinct civilizations/groups/people also do not say so; besides, a
huge/gigantic serpent features in many extinct cultures/groups. ~ However, it
is quite possible that the first group of humans (vamana or small-sized humans + what is today understood as 'Mongoloid' tribes) evolved on Earth... from various
animal-like ancestors; not 'animal' per se, but 'animal-like' - (progenitors of the earliest humans, but sort of 'resembling' ape-man, bear and even lion-like in (facial) appearance) - given the shape
of their skull, jawline or teeth, or for that matter their dietary habits, gait, hirsuteness, eye-sight, verbal sounds, et al.
~ One possibility is that: this helped to determine the habitability of the Earth
for future versions of humans - the ones that did not evolve on this planet (as is<i> also</i> depicted/indicated by the sixth avatar, the Parasurama-avatar). By
the time the latter groups arrived (in batches - from other lokas/planets,
maybe from other planets that are part of the Madhya Lokas/Middle planets - to which
even our Earth belongs), the former groups would have evolved and become more
human-like (gradually though, ever since they discovered fire and learned to cook raw meat, etc), albeit with a distinct culture, language, way of life, etc. And so, to the newer versions of humans, the former were, thus, known as
"adi-vasi": adi = most ancient, original or earliest known, vasi =
dwellers. [With the arrival of the new groups of humans, settlements came about, language and means of communication changed, dietary habits changed... and so on; thus, the evolution of society or a new 'way of life' took shape. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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and agricultural activities (as denoted/indicated by the Balarama-avatar holding a plough) and other socio-economic functions came about.
Barter system evolved, and so on.] But then, various groups of humans eventually intermixed... giving
rise to newer groups/sub-species, languages, culture, cuisine, and so on.) ~ BG 10.6: <b>|</b>| <i>maharsayah sapta purve catvaro manavas tatha mad-bhava
manasa jata yesham loka imah prajah</i> || ~ "The
seven great sages/enlightened beings (the Sapta-Rishi) and before them the four
other great sages/enlightened beings (Sanaka, Sanandan, Sanatana and Sanat,
collectively known as the four Kumaras or Sanat Kumaras) and the Manu-s (entities
that arrive... during times of great calamity, distress and turbulence - <i>pralaya</i>
- to guide and resettle mankind/humanity), come from Me, born from My mind
(manasa, manasa-jata/brain-child), and all the living beings populating the
various planets (loka) descend from them." ~ [Now, could this mean that
the Sapta-Rishi (the seven enlightened beings/sages - not to be confused for 'ascetics')
and the Manu-s are responsible (tasked with) introducing life on Earth...
starting from the earliest micro-organism to the latest humans? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] ... The seven-rishis/enlightened
beings (their combination differs according to different "Manvantara"/with each "Manavantara" overseen by one of the 14 Manu. Manvantara = Manav [human/human species; from "Manu" comes 'manushya' or 'manav'] + Antara [time gap]) are the most advanced
spiritual guides for Humanity and have been present at all major time periods
of our ancient history (pracheen itihasa). They undertook research, euphemistically known as 'yagna', etc. and shared their knowledge with deserving disciples. They were also preceptors or <i>guru</i> of prominent royal lineages ~ and besides conducting research, treating ailments, undertaking surgical procedures and imparting knowledge/education, they also provided advice and guidance. Probably they were also the ones who taught the Sanskrit language to humanity (especially to the humans of Jambudvipa). [It
is unlikely though that there ever was a single language or even a single
version of the Sanskrit language. (~ No language is monolithic.) Also, humans,
whether they evolved on Earth (i.e. various adivasi groups) or arrived from other
lokas/planets... would have, in all likelihood, come up with (i.e. developed) their own language and system of communication (in the case of the adivasi groups) or brought along their own language(s)
and ways of communication with them (in the case of the later humans).] These sapta rishis (enlightened/learned
beings) were not only men of great wisdom and knowledge, but also masters of
Science, including advanced medical science, biotechnology and quantum physics.
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</xml><![endif]-->[<i>~ And, this should also explain how Shri Ram and his siblings were born
- via very advanced IVF procedure/therapy - where (perhaps) nothing was
injected into the body, instead, it could be ingested! Clearly: 'modern
science' is (as yet) unaware of such advanced medical science, which was known to
our ancients in the second era or the Treta Yug itself - courtesy the
Sapta-rishis. ~ Sri Ram and his siblings were (thus) the <span style="color: #660000;">first set of unnatural humans</span> on Earth: i.e. humans whose gestation happened in human womb but who were not conceived naturally</i>. ... However, due to their noble nature and positive/great deeds - which benefited society and humanity - Sri Ram and his siblings were hailed. Thus, these humans (born out of very advanced IVF therapy) were accepted by society and humanity at large - in Treta. And <i>this</i> would have (also) benefited childless couples. ... The Lord Himself arrived - as (an IVF baby) - the 'Ram-avatar' (the 7th Vishnu) - to <span style="color: #660000;"><i>integrate</i></span> the first set of unnatural humans (born as a result of scientific procedure/assistance: very advanced IVF procedure/therapy), as well as various adivasi groups (e.g. Hanuman-ji, Surgeeva, Angad, Jambavan, et al were adivasi) and other marginalized groups (such as the 'tritiya-prakriti') with the rest of society. [In fact, he <i>proved</i> that the adivasi-s and 'tritiya-prakriti' were not sub-humans, but full-fledged humans, albeit with a distinct 'way of life'. Thus, Treta accepted them as full-fledged humans. ~ Shri Ram and Shri Krishn belonged to different eras/yugs... and their purpose, karm and challenges were also different. However, l</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ike
Shri Krishn, Shri Ram too led from the front, and by example; he established/reinvigorated
dharma... leading to a just and inclusive society.*] ~ However, as the 8th Vishnu (the Krishn-avatar) - the Lord arrived (yet again)... to eliminate the other set of unnatural humans (cross between humans on Earth and other much Higher and advanced Beings) - born via highly advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology. ~ Thus, while Treta accepted humans born out of advanced IVF therapy/procedure, Dvapar rejected unnatural humans born out of advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology. ~ The Lord Himself arrived to make this happen.] ~ The Sapta-Rishi are (very likely) one notch higher than the Humans. They pursue the path of knowledge, innovation and research, rather they are dedicated to it; that is their intrinsic nature (pravritti) or talent (guna)... and hence they are "Brahmana", not to be confused for "Brahmin". (Their appearance and depiction is courtesy the imagination of various persons of later eras, and so, cannot be taken literally.)] As to how various extinct (or lost) flora and fauna make their
re-appearance ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours. </i>[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>PS</u>:</span> The "Dasavatara has many strands.]</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ1s-2hNI3IGR-8YI7EGmVxAsXFtLW3IDtvRuzKGlb4UVstewyRywkfOiBttF9b3EVC3tK8_jJYMrVFs4_C2DLjj7z47KaQsojoGySWe-qd4iu7z6u_SzaiDAPwsM0R0skvqpDVRoQTY/s1600/Illustration+-+Kumbhakarna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ1s-2hNI3IGR-8YI7EGmVxAsXFtLW3IDtvRuzKGlb4UVstewyRywkfOiBttF9b3EVC3tK8_jJYMrVFs4_C2DLjj7z47KaQsojoGySWe-qd4iu7z6u_SzaiDAPwsM0R0skvqpDVRoQTY/s1600/Illustration+-+Kumbhakarna.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">: </span>Illustration of </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kumbhakarna, <i>though 'he'
was not Raavan's younger "brother", but a gigantic humanoid-robot
equipped with a variety of weaponry</i>.</span> </span>[*<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>Note</u>:</i></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Ram's actions not only helped build a
better society but also gave him the required gravitas... once he ascended the
throne; he (probably) deferred the coronation - to bring about positive societal change,
Kaikeyi and Manthara aided him. (The trusted Manthara was needed, since Kaikeyi
- being a queen - would not have been able to do everything by herself; also,
there is a possibility that Shri Ram maintained contacts with Kaikeyi - to
keep himself up-to-date regarding the goings-on, etc.) His 14-years-long exile
was (very likely) a voluntary one; in his absence, (Kaikeyi's son) Bharat - younger to Ram
but older than (Sumitra's twins) Lakshman and Shatrughna - was an acceptable
alternative. (However, he may not have acquiesced on his own.) Raja Dasarath
was suffering from an assortment of old age-related ailments, and was (thus)
keen to arrange the coronation. Shri Ram, however, (probably) wanted to defer it, 'coz as
Raja Dasarath's son he would not have had the required gravitas (to bring about
social reform, to change perceptions, mindset, and so on); besides, kingly duties,
customs et al would have straitjacketed him. ~ He is hailed as "Maryada
Purushottam" - since he overcame numerous obstacles/impediments... and successfully
brought about positive societal change (by changing negative perceptions and, thereby, undoing numerous social ills that masqueraded
as 'accepted societal norms' or 'maryada'). Shri Ram's actions resulted in a just,
prosperous and inclusive society (euphemistically known as 'Ram Rajya').
~ However, (perhaps) for the purposes of stage plays, folk theatre, poetry et al (that
more often than not reflect the sign of the times) and due to mistranslations
and even improvisation (due to a lack of understanding of scientific terminology, technological aspects and the like - by a succession of later translators)... the 'pracheen
itihasa' known as "Ramayana" has taken several detours. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. Also, there is a
strong possibility that (Raavan's consort/queen) Mandodari was Sita's real mother; apparently, both were
so alike that even Hanuman was confused. (Sheeradhwaj, <i>title</i> Raja 'Janak', was Sita's foster father, hence Sita is also known as Janki.) Jatayu was not a bird but a human belonging
to the Shakuna clan (a group/clan that displayed a vulture-totem or insignia, or maybe a bald eagle totem/insignia). Therefore,
Raavan could not have slashed his wings. Also, Sita could not have (lamented, cried and shouted for help theatrically - up in the air, who would listen?), then thrown down
her jewelry from an aircraft (vimana); none can open windows of a vimana up in
the sky, the aircraft would crash. The same is applicable w.r.t Ravana's (supposed) slashing of Jatayu's wings while the aircraft (his Pushpak Vimana) is up in the sky. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. Plus, Raavan (unlike Duryodhan or Jarasandh) may not have been evil or a tyrant; maybe
he was collaborating (at least to some extent) with Shri Ram - to assist the
latter in his endeavours (given that his queen/consort Mandodari was very likely Sita's real mother). He also especially deputed Vibhishana's wife, Sarama, to look after Sita during the latter's period of "captivity" at Ashoka-Vatika. However, his son - Meghnaad (Indrajeet) - was overweeningly ambitious, and
(probably) misled him. Also, Raavan's quest for personal fame and glory too probably played a role. Besides, ego and anger were his major weaknesses (character and temperament flaws). [However, even after his ego had got the better of him, and despite all that Meghnaad was up to, it was none other than Vibhishana - who by then had come over to Ram's side - and who assured Ram... that Ravana will never let any harm come to Sita. (In fact, even after Vibhishana joining forces with Ram, his wife, Sarama, continued to stay in Lanka, and continued to look after Sita; Ravana never harmed or harassed her.) And this is not surprising. ~ It was a different era, when Arya-Dharma prevailed; Treta was regarded as the "Silver Age" - the Aryans followed certain ethics/tenets even when they fought wars. They never harmed the womenfolk, rather it was unthinkable for an Arya man to take revenge on even his staunchest rival... via the latter's womenfolk. It would not only have been most un-Aryan-like (ignoble), but would also have been considered as the heights of shame and cowardice. (~ Such behaviour was befitting Yavanas and Mlechchas. In fact, Alexander was considered as Yavana: people who were reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and architects, but who also indulged in certain un-Aryan-like activities.) ... Misbehaviour, abuse or violence against women (including raising one's hand on women) was considered as the lowest of the lowest of 'paap' (sin) that anyone could ever commit; even criminals considered it to be the lowest sin (paap) that would condemn them eternally (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">to the
most despicable/lowliest place of all [possibly the lowest of the Narak-Lokas], a place where killers of women are condemned to, a place
that even death-row criminals looked down upon).</span> ~ A shocked Hanuman-ji said as much to Meghnaad... when the latter beat and beheaded a lifelike humanoid of Sita on the battlefield... in a bid to break the morale of the Van-nar Sena.] The same principle is applicable to the Lakshman-Surpanakha story; it too is (very likely) a later addition. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Rekha' is courtesy Tulsidas and his Ramcharitmanas. [Tulsidas was also
instrumental in starting the folk event/folk theatre (village costume drama)
known as Ram-lila.] ~ The Ramayan has over 3,000 re-telling and/or versions,
not to mention the numerous poems and colloquial sayings based on it. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">[Each era/yug is distinct. Viewing them through
the prism of another will be misleading. 'Coz Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is 'Golden
Age'; Treta is 'Silver Age'; Dvapar is 'Copper Age' and Kaliyug is 'Iron Age';
at the end of Kaliyug the bud (kali) withers away - and thus, the 'Iron
Age' (negative aspects) of kaliyug is at its peak; it is then ghor Kaliyug. This period is
considered as the most degenerate/degraded of all ages/yugs.] ~ Indrajeet/Meghnaad resorting to 'illusion' indicates the usage of various technologies,
which the later translators were unable to figure out. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, Meghnaad may have been a name that Ravan's son (eventually) came
to be identified with. [Megh = cloud; Naad = sound, roar.] So, it could be due
to his abilities as a pilot. Or it could be that his vimana/aircraft broke the
sound barrier (thus, Meghnaad). As for Meghnaad 'hiding behind a cloud' -
perhaps, his vimana left a trail of smoke that also acted as a camouflage. ~ Kumbhakarna was not Raavan's younger "brother", but a
gigantic humanoid-robot equipped with a variety of weaponry. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Possibly, a humanoid version of a much-advanced version of '<span class="usercontent">The Black Knight </span>Unmanned Combat Vehicle<span class="usercontent">' + 'MAARS Robot' (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic
System.) Kumbhakarna's 'mace' or 'spike' or 'hammer' may have been: a 30mm
cannon, AA12 Atchisson Assault Shotgun, PHASR Rifle, MB240 machine gun, 40mm
grenade launcher, a loudspeaker and eye dazzling laser, or bean bag guns,
smoke, and pepper spray... and much more. </span>Also it was probably capable
of much 'smarter', potentially more sinister 'tricks'... and inflicted enormous damage in the battlefield.] ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maybe our ancients called such a humanoid-robot (Yantra), 'brahma-daitya' or
'brhma-daitya'. Brhma comes from 'Brh', which means: to grow. Daitya =
in this case: gigantic-sized. And <i>this</i> (probably) got mistranslated to 'a brāhmaṇa ghost' or
'the ghosts of brahmans, living in the fig trees, the pipal (ficus religiosa),
or the banyan (ficus indica), awaiting liberation (mukti) or reincarnation'. ~ Vibhishana was a staunch ally
of Shri Ram, though for several years now we have been burning his effigies with
gusto! ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YJz1-qGY4tiWQ0MLe5YaJzC9gfivTjNoD07S7q_7sZG8qkWlKtKaP26jsSX826jL4QkZO1H61limN0-o5MOXyNc_VoXu5R35fh-_YqEudPu97vAJrc2X0XiHIZM8KaiZjYLqei8Ok0I/s1600/Illustration+-+dismantling+of+the+Shiva+Dhanush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YJz1-qGY4tiWQ0MLe5YaJzC9gfivTjNoD07S7q_7sZG8qkWlKtKaP26jsSX826jL4QkZO1H61limN0-o5MOXyNc_VoXu5R35fh-_YqEudPu97vAJrc2X0XiHIZM8KaiZjYLqei8Ok0I/s1600/Illustration+-+dismantling+of+the+Shiva+Dhanush.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Pic:</u> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Illustration - Shri Ram 'breaking the Shiva-dhanush', i.e. dismantling
the "Shiva-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear weapons - after an
all-round agreement/general consensus</span></span> (though it is unlikely to have happened during Sita's Svayamvara).<i> ~ <u>PS</u>:</i> In Treta, one of the
major reasons for the Ramayana War... was to destroy dangerous weaponry (including
gigantic humanoid-robots like "Kumbhakarna" - that carried a variety of weapons)
~ to protect this planet and civilizations therein. Shri Ram (the Ram-avatar, the 7th Vishnu) also dismantled
the "Shiva-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear weapons - after an
all-round agreement/general consensus.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Shri Ram and Rishi Valmiki are unlikely to have been contemporaries... and so, Siya-Ram's twins could not have been born in
Rishi Valmiki's ashram. Also, Ram did not subject Sita to any ritual (to
determine her "chastity"). ~ He abolished such customs... and improved the
status/position of women in society. "Agni Pareekshka" is not literal; it is
allegorical/metaphoric... and indicative of the challenges they both faced (and surmounted) - to bring
about "Ram Rajya". [~ The "agni-pareeksha" would have only made their resolve stronger.] Ram and Sita, along with Lakshman, Hanuman-ji, Angad and
others returned to Ayodhya aboard Raavan's fabulous Pushpak Vimana (aircraft) -
made available to them by Vibhishana. However, it is possible that Sita-ji departed much before Shri
Ram. Maybe some illness claimed her. Thereafter, Shri Ram attended all
ceremonies, etc along with a golden statue
of Sita-ji. He never re-married,
instead concentrating on bringing up their twins (Luv and Kush) and governing
his empire as a just ruler. He
is regarded as the jewel of the Suryavanshi (sun-flag/ Suryadhvaj/insignia-bearing) Ikshvaku clan (the Raghuvanshi lineage/Raghuvansh or Raghukula - after one of his illustrious ancestors, Raghu)... and the most beneficent ruler the land had ever
seen. ~ It is unlikely that Shri
Ram and his siblings took "jal-samadhi" or "salilasamadhi". The "Bhakti Movement" (probably) influenced it. ... 'Coz
several greats of the "Bhakti Movement" such as: Sri Chaitanyadev,
Guru Nanakdev<i>ji </i>and Sant Kabir, even Sant Eknath and Trailanga Swami are
believed to have taken "jal-samadhi" or "salilasamadhi".
Therefore: this bit (Shri Ram and his siblings taking
jal-samadhi)... is of tributary nature. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] (<u><span style="color: #4c1130;">PPS</span></u><span style="color: #4c1130;">:</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->From what we can gather, the Ram-avatar (the 7<sup>th</sup>
Vishnu), the Krishn-avatar (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) and the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar (the 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) are Purna
avatars, and therefore, the Almighty (jagat-patiḥ) Himself (albeit in the flesh, in His human form). ... While (</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Yajña, better known as) </span></span>Svayambhuva Manu (the first "Manu") who (earlier) appeared as Raja Dasarath (Lord Ram's father - in Treta) and as Vasudev (Lord
Krshn's father - in Dvapar)... (is predicted to) finally appear as Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas/Vishnuyash Sharma (Lord <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ's father - at </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">yuga-sandhyāyām/</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">at the conjunction of two yugs [Kaliyug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle; </span><span class="blue"><span class="blue">sandhyāyām = evening, twilight</span>]</span></span>). </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">|| bhavane vishnuyashasah kalkih pradurbhavishyati || ~ Lord Kalki will appear
(prādúr) in the home (bhavanê) of <span class="blue">Vishnuyasha in the future (</span>bhavishyati)<span class="blue">. And be born to Vishnuyasha (janitā viṣṇu-yaśaso). ~ The appearance
would be during: athāsau yuga-sandhyāyām: at</span> the conjunction of two yugs
(Kaliyug and Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle; sandhyāyām = evening,
twilight<span class="blue">, dusk.) ~ At this time the 'Iron Age'/negative aspects of Kaliyug will be at its peak. In other words: ghor Kaliyug.</span></span> ~ N</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">ow, Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas could be a name <i>per se</i>, or it could be an allegorical name (to indicate affluence,
etc. It could also mean: devotee of Lord Vishnu/Narayan. Vishnuyash is described as </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>Brahmanasya</i>, i.e. he will be a <i>Brahmana</i>, implying erudition; he will also be the head of Shambhala village: shambhala-grama-mukhyasya.) [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>PS</u>:</span> Shambhala = Shambhu (Shiv) + Le (of). ~ So, is Shambhala the Tibetan version of <i>Shivalaya</i>? Therefore, is Shambhala and the land of Shambhu Nath one and the same? Is Shambhu Nath - the Ruler (Nath) as well as Guardian/Protector of Shambhala? And is "Shambhu Nath", the Kalki-avatar and Maitreya Buddha the same person? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] <span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">Our ancient Brahmanas (learned persons) -
perhaps due to their interactions with Higher Beings - were aware of the
arrival of maha-avatars/great incarnations (~ the descent of the divine into
human/earthly form). Thus, (e.g.) Lord Ram (the 7th Vishnu) and Lord Krishna (the 8th Vishnu) are known as
"maha-avatar" (the Almighty Himself, albeit in the flesh) and their names are (thus) prefixed with the honorific "Bhagavan". [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic
Person/Being in his totality of manifestation. He is not an Avatar of the
Cosmic Person/Being, but is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself
(though, in the flesh). || krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || ~ He is the Cosmic
Teacher and Cosmic Ruler.] While Shri Gautama Buddh is called "Bhagavan" and the 9th Vishnu. The Kalki-avatar too is acknowledged as the 10th Vishnu and prefixed with the honorific "Bhagavan". [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">~ </span>The Kalki-avatar is also referred to as <span class="blue">jagat-patiḥ (implying: Lord of Creation/Sovereign of the Universe...
and therefore, the Almighty Himself.)] ~ This avatar is (also) regarded as the return of Shri Krishn in another form. However, since this avatar is believed to be a Sampoorna Avatar (complete, all-embracing avatar), whether He will (e.g.) also be Lord Maitreya
Buddha (the next Buddha-to-be after Gautama Buddha/Shakyamuni Buddha), or the </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Saoshyant of the Zoroastrians, or (for that matter) the second coming of Christ (... as per </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">"Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti" ~
Truth is one, but the wise know/call it as many | God is one, but we can
approach Him in many ways. ~ "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever
form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead
to me.") ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span>~ On the other hand, greats like Arjun, or (e.g.) other great emperors like Mandhata, Sagara, Dileepa, Dushyant, Bharat, Yayati, Bhagirath, Dasarath or even Ikshvaku and Raghu (after whom Lord Ram's lineage is named: Ikshvaku lineage or Raghuvansh/Raghukula) or for that matter Samraat Chandragupta Maurya, Samraat Aśoka,
Samraat Samudragupta or Samraat Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II) et al - despite
their glorious deeds/karm, and despite their illustrious reigns too acknowledged as "Golden
Age" - are not called "Bhagavan". ~ Instead, they are respected as great humans: karmveer and kirtimaan. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">... The maha-avatars (on the other hand) are in a league of their own; their purpose (for being among humans) is different; they are Renaissance Men/Yug Purush: their actions (in the face of great adversities, challenges and impediments) bring about all-round positive change, and are (performed) for the greater good; they are nishkam "karm-yogis": they provide hope and guidance and (also) help bring about a change in (entrenched) mindset, conditioning, perception et al... so as to help build a better society. ~ None of which is transient. Especially when apathy, silence, a cavalier attitude or perfunctoriness (at best) is the general norm; also, attempting to bring about positive change as a pioneer (without the benefit of a precedence) is even harder. Through their steadfast effort/karm, the maha-avatars help reinvigorate the core principles/values/ethics (without which a society, nation and people will stagnate and degenerate/wither away). </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="usercontent">They dare to dream... and strive/toil endlessly
to bring it into existence, to bring to fruition what was envisaged for
posterity. </span>~ They 'turn the wheel' in the face of a great amount of negativities and despite a lot of 'toxin' and 'venom' spewed at them. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And yet, they persevere; they go through the proverbial "agni-pareeksha" (with equanimity) for others, for the sake of humanity. They are inspirational; they are dispellers/'lifters' of 'dark clouds' (of hopelessness and pessimism), they are bringers of sunshine and joy; they are the finest nation-builders and statesmen. They are (thus) saviours (of a nation and a people - salvaging them from quagmire or preventing their descent into abyss/'quicksand'). They provide a road-map and show the way forward. 'Coz nation-building is a long-term process. ~ Due to their (nishkam) nature and temperament... they act as path-breakers and path-finders (trail-blazers)... (thereby) making it easier for others to walk on that trail/path. They perform very difficult tasks with ease... which (even) for great humans may not be achievable. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">They are passionate; they not only put in their
time but also their heart into it. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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inspire and transform human consciousness. Like an alchemist, they turn
base emotions of anger, irritation and rage into the gold of wisdom and
critical thinking, and through their inspiring words and deeds they transform
social inertia into hope and action. ... </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The universe is very vast; the earth and earthlings are but a mere
speck... and yet, the Almighty comes to help and guide. ~ Not as if to do earthlings a favour, but as dharma (a show of duty to the larger good). Therein lay the
grace and greatness of the divine. </span>["Bhagavan" is not a <i>title</i> that could be bestowed, and none of the above took on the honorific on their own. ~ Maha-avatars never proclaim/announce themselves as "Bhagavan" or maha-avatar. They are <i>nishkam</i>; they do not aspire for praise or glory or 'eternal life', and so on... despite tremendous achievements/accomplishments and contribution. That is the kind of equipoise/equanimity they possess. Instead, they simply (quietly and diligently) help humanity. ... And, once they perform/achieve/accomplish all that they had set out to do, they depart... (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #351c75;">yet again) leaving their indelible mark upon the
sands of time... for us to follow and emulate.</span></span>]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwSlV6_xSAziH1DuHmJsQHE_GhSwHWCWBLBSOS5l41Ifuxy9948un2TIKfQCCxtgp_v0iXVTgd8W_tZQlfr_ShyphenhyphenOjqa00gfI9hgdTyUCltz10_ligFUSuofhPxsQVgfkCMohR-HYLTmU/s1600/Illustration+-+Krishna_Arjun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwSlV6_xSAziH1DuHmJsQHE_GhSwHWCWBLBSOS5l41Ifuxy9948un2TIKfQCCxtgp_v0iXVTgd8W_tZQlfr_ShyphenhyphenOjqa00gfI9hgdTyUCltz10_ligFUSuofhPxsQVgfkCMohR-HYLTmU/s1600/Illustration+-+Krishna_Arjun.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
maha-avatars are Cosmic Teachers. They guide. They
arrive to revitalize/reinvigorate dharma and karm (for the larger good)... and (thus) act as catalysts.
They are also the
ones who pull humanity/society out of quagmire/'mud' and into the 'sunlight'. ~ They
make their appearance at very difficult/challenging times - when mankind/humanity finds itself totally handicapped and without a solution; when
the debilitating 'fog' of confusion, negativism and stagnation holds sway. Thus, their circumstances are never ideal; they also have
to contend with an assortment of (negative, petty, myopic and/or megalomaniac)
entities arrayed against them (~ they do not have the upper-hand, i.e. they are never
in a position of strength, vis-à-vis their adversaries. Though, they adapt -
depending on the challenges and circumstances). And yet, they show the way; in a manner of speaking, they wade/swim through the sea of troubles holding our hands and lead us to shore. ~ Krishn is all-knowing (not to be mistaken for 'know-all'); he is very
clear-eyed and with an exceptional grasp of events and their likely trajectory
(i.e. how they will play out/evolve) in the short/medium and long term. But
then, the rest (be they ordinary people or important personalities and
entities) weren't quite like him. Later on, even Arjun was overcome with feelings of weakness and confusion.
[Thus Krishn had to brush away the cobwebs in Arjun's
mind as well - though he neither commands nor intimidates Arjun. On the contrary, he remains tenacious and inspires tenacity; he
is (also) very patient, ghanshyam (soaking up 'toxin'/'venom' directed at him), persuasive, provides sustained support and advice, bides his time, slowly but surely (and smilingly) outmaneuvers the negative/malevolent entities (for the larger good); he is sorted and not full of himself, his fame/stature sits lightly upon his shoulders. He is the Cosmic
Teacher after all. ~ And, he is not called guide/sarathy, a great visionary, Master strategist and Soldier-Statesman par
excellence for nothing.] ~
He wasn't amongst humans to become emperor (samraat/Maharajadhiraj) himself, he is Chir-Sarathy (Eternal Charioteer/Perennial Guide); the reason he persevered
(became part of various 'manthan') could be to let out the 'toxin'/'venom'/halahala - so as to take the blinders off (others'
mind and thoughts) ~ to usher in a "new dawn"/positive change/incremental change organically... and to ensure its continuation organically. (~ By dispelling 'fog' of
confusion, delusion, 'filth'/'toxin' et al... he helped bring about clarity of thought/cognition and
introspection - organically.) ~ He was also amongst humans to help/guide in the
transition from Dvapar to Kaliyug. [Kali means 'bud'; it gradually opens to
become a fully-blooming 'flower'; it is only at the end of Kaliyug that the 'flower'
withers away to give rise to 'ghor Kaliyug' - when the 'Iron Age' (negative
aspects) of Kaliyug is at its peak.] ~ BG 10.34: ||
<i>udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām</i> || ~ "... and I am the generating
principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (Alternatively:
"... and I am too the birth of all
that shall come into being") - is many-hued. ~ Krishn is not merely
the Cosmic Ruler; he is also the Cosmic Teacher. ~ He is (also) very real,
despite his godliness; he and his message is evergreen - relevant and relatable
- no matter the era/yug. He is tremendously inspirational... and yet, he is not a
mere mortal. He is no ordinary human. His descent in earthly/human form was for
a purpose. He lived amongst humans for a purpose. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 7.26: || <i>vedaham
samatitanivartamanani carjunabhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> || ~ "</span></i>O Arjun, I know everything that
has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things
that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows." [Hence Krishn was all-knowing. He also knew each soul (individual or human soul/jiva-atma).] </span></span>~ However, Shri Ram, on the
other hand, has (unfortunately and perhaps even unwittingly) been turned into a
straw-man (courtesy the multitude of re-telling, stage plays, folk theatre et
al). And, ever since concepts like "race" has come about, various narratives
have mired his name. Maybe this provided credibility and mileage. (But in a high-emotion-country what that has done is anybody's guess.) ~ While the
West turned a massive hero out of someone like Alexander!! ~ One wonders, what
they might have done if they were to have genuine heroes like Shri Ram and Shri
Krishn. [~ Once a dubious narrative is created, it takes several others to
sustain it. This not only creates undesirable (and corrosive) viewpoints and mindset, but also
blurs the fine line between fact and fiction, between reality and make-believe.
Thus lucidity, clearness of thought, loses its way into the dreary desert sand
of dead habit.] ... Umm, have Indians been their own worst
adversaries/antagonists... after the decline of the Gupta era? ~ Yes, colonization
did happen, and a whole bunch of our current ills can be blamed on it... but then,
three fingers point right back at us too. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[There is a possibility though that Ramesses
II (referred to as Ramesses the Great), ancient<b> </b>Miṣr/Egypt's most
prolific ruler, often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful
pharaoh of the (ancient) Egyptian Empire, is named after Shri Ram. Ramesses is anglicized. It could be a variant of Ram-Ashish (due to difference/change in phonetics.) (~ That
ancient Miṣr and ancient India shared a connection is quite evident. <i>Do read
paragraph #15 of the previous portion/section - to get the drift</i>.)]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GnVbh0-MKZMhopyHXCEThvW1y3WaEhIrfPnfLRVOb4HiA4mcsgxEwXBywm6-FNZTqXWZrLtt7Fik1kB_ZVzvcjfd0l0DNej1SeJxBfx2JHYBZqZ_m_GCX55KXmthn9Ypgnav044vAiM/s1600/Illustration+-+Apsara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GnVbh0-MKZMhopyHXCEThvW1y3WaEhIrfPnfLRVOb4HiA4mcsgxEwXBywm6-FNZTqXWZrLtt7Fik1kB_ZVzvcjfd0l0DNej1SeJxBfx2JHYBZqZ_m_GCX55KXmthn9Ypgnav044vAiM/s1600/Illustration+-+Apsara.jpg" height="200" width="124" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">:</span> Illustration of </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">Apsara. ~ </span>Contrary to popular belief, Apsaras were <i>not</i> celestial beings but
female Gandharvas. Saras = lake or water-body, besides being a reference to the
<i>lake-bird</i> - the Sarus Crane. [This lake-bird (Sanskrit: Sarasa) is
much-venerated in our culture and is also associated with <i>Maharshi</i>
Valmiki.] The Sarus Crane (also: Saras Crane) performs territorial and
courtship displays that include loud trumpeting, leaps and dance-like
movements. The female Gandharvas, as we know, were adept at performing arts,
and these may have included leaps and energetic dance-like movements (much like
Ballet and Flamenco) - to the accompaniment of gay music. ~ Hence, (probably)
over time, the female Gandharvas first came to be associated with the Saras
Crane, and then (gradually) began to be referred to as the "Ap-Saras"
(possibly: 'saras-like') - which later gave way to "Apsara". ~ They
were also regarded as possessors of great knowledge, be it in the fine arts,
performing arts, medicinal herbs, flowers, perfumes, and the like. Urvashi,
Menaka, Rambha, Tillottama were legendary Apsaras. ~ On a separate note: the
name "Flamenco" may have been derived from <i>Flamingo</i>. And the
Saras and Flamingo (of another era/yug) may have been related. It is worth
noting that the Flamingo is a mix of bright and lighter shades of pink, while
the Flamenco dancers wear red. [<i>So did Ballet and Flamenco originate in
ancient India? ~ My guess is as good as yours.</i>] ... However: one mustn't
confuse the Flamingo for the Sarus Crane and vice versa... on account of their
long-legs and brightly coloured plumage. They are otherwise quite different. ~ The
Gandharvas (probably) were an offshoot/sub-clan<i> </i>of the <i>Sura/Deva</i> people.
The name <i>Gandharva</i> is of Sanskrit origin, and is very likely derived
from the Sanskrit word <i>gandha</i>, meaning <i>perfume, odour or smell</i>.
These people were renowned for their great knowledge of flowers, aromatic
herbs, plants and birds. Hence "Gandharva" is a reference to the
spices and aromatic herbs that they [~ possibly the inhabitants of ancient
Northwest South Asia and surrounding areas, including Bakthria and maybe also (some
of) the people who use the Kharoṣṭhī script - though the current geography has
undergone some changes due to the elements, etc] traded and with which they
anointed themselves. They were also well-versed in music and dance besides
being expert players of a variety of musical instruments. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLEa_kHJYq3UzSCU4jz_lzS6vOStP0Ip-2uZ2c7WTpnN9lDQLxiQug-HnehtKkT5N2OR9zFO7y540jmxhz18PcWCnrZMnwOkh36ZTWybAWknklj0WvSAFnCrH04GL2x-PzvDiWhkAFms/s1600/Mandodari+married+Vibhishana+-+Illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLEa_kHJYq3UzSCU4jz_lzS6vOStP0Ip-2uZ2c7WTpnN9lDQLxiQug-HnehtKkT5N2OR9zFO7y540jmxhz18PcWCnrZMnwOkh36ZTWybAWknklj0WvSAFnCrH04GL2x-PzvDiWhkAFms/s1600/Mandodari+married+Vibhishana+-+Illustration.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>: </span>Illustration of Vibhishana-Mandodari marriage. ~ Ravana was born to the (learned Brahmana) sage/Rishi
Vishrava (or Vesamuni), and his wife, the Daitya princess Kaikesi. [Danava, Rakshasa and Daitya were 'Asura' sub-clans. The
human 'Deva' people were not "demi-god", and 'Asura' were not
"demon". Such connotations have come about... thanks to
mistranslation.] His
queen/consort Mandodari was the daughter of
Mayasura (the King of the Asuras - possibly, the overall sovereign of all Asura
sub-clans) and the <i>apsara</i> Hema. [Apsara: female Gandharva, an offshoot of the Deva
clan/people.] After
Raavan's funeral, Shri Ram advised Vibhishana to marry Mandodari (Raavan's
queen/consort, and [very likely] Sita's real mother*). Thereafter, he arranged for
Vibhishana's coronation... before returning to Ayodhya (in Ravana's Pushpak
Vimana made available to him by Vibhishana; this return to Ayodhya - after 14
years - is celebrated/commemorated through "Deepavali". However, whether this
commemoration is continuing since Treta or is due to Tulsidas and his
Ram-lila ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.) Siya-Ram and Lakshman,
Vibhishana, Van-nar-raj Sugreeva (besides Hanuman-ji and Angad), Riksharaj
Jambavan, Vyadh chief/Nishada-raj Guhaka et al became personal friends and firm
allies. ... However, Hanuman-ji could not have set fire to Lanka with his tail -
he was not a monkey; he was human. This bit too (probably) is a result of later
dramatics, folk theatre et al. Also, indulging in plunder and pillage was most
un-Aryan-like (ignoble); it is unlikely that Shri Ram, one of the finest of Aryans, ever
indulged in such activities. Also, Vibhishana succeeded Ravana. What would he
have governed over then? Besides, Shri Ram and Vibhishana were personal friends and
allies. [*In the current era (Kaliyug) Samraat Vikramaditya/Chandragupta
II, son of Samraat Samudragupta, married Dhruva Devi (his elder brother
Ramgupta's queen/consort). ... The cowardly Ramgupta's reign lasted for five years.
When the Mlechcha Saka king (Rudrasimha III) asked him to surrender his
queen/consort (Dhruva Devi) - in return for peace... Ramgupta readily acquiesced.
[Imagine the ignominy this land would have been under - for all times to come?!] ~ However, all that was averted by the intervention of his younger brother (the then
Yuvaraj) Chandragupta - who (in the guise of a woman) mounted a surprise attack
on the Sakas, slew the Mlechcha Saka king and returned victorious. [~ It is
said that Ramgupta was deposed and killed by Chandragupta. However, given the
turn of events... that may not have been necessary. Ramgupta probably took his
own life. After all, what face did he have in front of his queen/consort and
people (after proving to be a total wimp)? </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Especially since he was neither known for his
intellectual acuity nor achievement(s). And, from what we can gather, Dhruva
Devi was way out of his league. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] ~ Thereupon, Yuvaraj
Chandragupta married Dhruva Devi, ascended the throne... and became known as Maharajadhiraj Chandragupta II. ~ He assumed the title of "Vikramaditya" -
after thwarting the imperialistic machinations and ambitions of the Sakas, and
drove them out of wide swathes of land, (probably almost the whole of modern
Asia). He also erected the Garuda Stambh (in honour
of Lord Narayan/Vishnu; Lord Narayan is <i>Garuda-Dhvaja</i>, it is His symbol
or insignia) to commemorate this event. ~ Vikramaditya established peace
and prosperity under his wise, benevolent and enlightened rule - one of the finest of our 'Golden
Ages'. [Vikram means: one who is wise, diligent, brave and strong as well as
victorious. The Sanskrit word <i>-kram</i> is a root word meaning 'step or
stride', so the name Vikram can be understood to mean Vishnu's stride in
itself, or as a name which reflects the qualities of Vishnu's stride. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Vishnuh: Long-striding (as with vigour).] In Vedic
scripture, Vishnu's stride is said to be over the Earth, the Sky, and the
all-pervading omnipresent essence of the Universe/Cosmos. Hence Shri Vishnu is
also known as Trivikram. Aaditya = the Sun (also indicates <i>Brahm-Jyoti</i> and Lord Narayan's scintillating effulgence). Therefore, Vikramaditya roughly
translates as: the radiance of Vikram.] ~ Maybe the
cosmic trinity (Trimurti: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram) was bifurcated (underwent a bifurcation)... after the
decline of the Gupta era (with the possible accompanyment of various texts/literature). ~ <i>My
guess is as good as yours</i>. Vikramaditya and Dhruva Devi's son, Kumaragupta I (Mahendraditya), too was an able ruler. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;">[However, Emperor Chandragupta II Vikramaditya and the
Vikramaditya of the Vikram-Vetal stories are not same.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMsd3DDbTXCfcqxRKOeIIP3kigV_9D1hJ_crCm8MLNCy-Taxc-CmALKrQFryQlBj2aQ689X1IQeRszQeZRnxdAfxHUMFMKDpLnb05wRpkxbS17j_fgRXsMT8cWKJRgQ8VM5f6z-S26Mc/s1600/Chandragupta+II+Gold+Dinar+7.75g+Archer+type.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMsd3DDbTXCfcqxRKOeIIP3kigV_9D1hJ_crCm8MLNCy-Taxc-CmALKrQFryQlBj2aQ689X1IQeRszQeZRnxdAfxHUMFMKDpLnb05wRpkxbS17j_fgRXsMT8cWKJRgQ8VM5f6z-S26Mc/s1600/Chandragupta+II+Gold+Dinar+7.75g+Archer+type.jpg" height="99" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">:</span> Chandragupta II Gold Dinar; 7.75g; Archer type coin. </span>~ The Garuda Stambh put up by Vikramaditya bears
an inscription, which states that it was erected as a flagstaff in honour of
Shri Vishnu, and in the memory of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). The pillar
also highlights ancient India's achievements in metallurgy. ~ Vikramaditya was not merely an emperor</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">, or rather Maharajadhiraj
(king of kings) and Chakravartin, but also (perhaps) regarded himself
as 'representative' of Lord Narayan/Vishnu. ~ No wonder: under his statesmanship
the Gupta Empire achieved its zenith, science, mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, art,
architecture, literature, poetry and sculpture flourished, and the cultural
development of ancient India reached its climax. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Chaturanga (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode"><i>caturaṅga</i></span>)
- an ancient Indian strategy game, (and the common ancestor of the board games
chess, shogi, makruk, xiangqi and janggi) too was developed during the Gupta era
(around the 6th century AD). In the 7th century, it was adopted as <i>shatranj</i>
in Sassanid Persia, which in turn was the form of chess brought to
late-medieval Europe. C<span class="unicode">aturaṅga and </span>shatranj - once
again indicates the <span style="color: #351c75;">Avestan Persian-Sanskrit
connection</span>.] ~ The above coin of
Chandragupta II Vikramaditya is a celebration of the exquisite and sublime
skills of the artist who designed the die for this coin which
demonstrates why the Gupta Period is called the golden age of Indian history. This
time period saw all round development. The above coin is a tribute
to the skills and artistry of the die engraver than the image that
the coin itself bears. The die cutter has managed to achieve the following
objectives simultaneously: The features of the emperor are portrayed as
extremely youthful: 'Chir-Yauvana' or Eternal Youth is an elixir that mankind/humanity,
and more so the Ruler, has sought since time immemorial. This coin shows how
the die cutter wishes the Maharajadhiraj to be remembered amongst his subjects
and for posterity as a handsome youthful emperor. The body of the emperor is
lithe, supple, muscular and well-proportioned. This complements and brings
out the relative youthfulness of the emperor. The message to be conveyed
by this coin: 'Hail the Emperor, Glory be to Him, our benevolent Maharajadhiraj,
our Protector, the Strong and Valiant Chandragupta'. ~ The emperor exudes
an aura of energy, vigour and vitality even as he stands in the
'dvibhanga' pose (head and torso inclined to the right with lower limbs in
opposite direction, a common feature applied in Indian sculptor and classical
dance, especially Odissi). The emperor appears calm, composed and serene. This
is a delicate balance that has admirably been achieved by the die cutter. The emperor
holding a Bow in his left arm while drawing an Arrow from his right hand
only accentuates the powerful image of the emperor as a young,
energetic protector who is well disposed and endowed with the strength (and capacity) to
overcome any detractors. While the soft features of the emperor together with his
slender frame is non-intimidating. ~ He is a benevolent emperor. The swaying 'mudra' or
pose of the standing emperor is a feature of Gupta coins to reflect/indicate
that the emperor is higher than a mere mortal... as a man's body is imperfect
being straight, rigid and stiff. The graceful sway is achieved by giving a
curve or twist at the neck (head) and waist (out thrust hips), the 'Dvibhanga'
pose, or the neck, waist and knee, the 'Tribhanga' pose. [The idols/images of Shri Ram,
Shri Krishna, Shri Vishnu et al are also depicted in the above 'mudra'/pose.] ~ On the
reverse is the image of the Goddess Sri Sri Lakshmi. She holds a flower (lotus) by a
short stalk in her upraised left arm, a 'pasa' or lasso in her right hand and
sits in the yogic 'Padmasana' posture atop a Lotus. It must be remembered
that these symbols on the coin are a depiction of the iconographic
manifestation of our ancient philosophy. The Lotus flower blooms amidst the muck
and filth of muddy swamps and marshes and symbolizes a person's ability to
rise, similar to the Lotus flower, from the dark depths of ignorance and
gain happiness (and contentment) with the beauty and radiance of spiritual knowledge (also:
self-realization). The open flowers of the Lotus that blossoms and spreads out
signifies the Sun, an essential life-nourishing source as well as the light
that destroys/dispels ignorance and illuminates wisdom. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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However, this philosophy is applicable to ordinary mortals/humans; not to the Almighty.
The Almighty Himself is the Supreme Lotus - the Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher
(as maha-avatars). Our ancients understood this concept very well. [<i>~ They did
not exaggerate. But given their vaulting imagination, they could capture and convey our 'pracheen
itihasa' in a manner that even a child could easily understand. History became interesting and wondrous... and was </i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>(thus) effortlessly passed on to the next/future
generation(s). It also inculcated a spirit of curiosity and scholarship (a habit of reading). It was akin to solving riddles and puzzles. ~ However, later
interpreters were unable to comprehend the technological aspects, etc, and so,
improvised... merely succeeding in capturing and reflecting the sign of the times</i>.]</span> ~ The 'pasa' (noose or
lasso) signifies an attachment to worldly matters (selfish desires like praise, glory, etc) as well as the capability of God to capture negativities and (blind) ignorance. ~ Though we do not have
any details of the die engravers name in the historical records... but given the
finesse and fine style achieved in executing the portrayal of the emperor on
the coin, he must have been a person held in high esteem for his die engraving
skills. All in all, this coin is a great masterpiece of the Gupta miniature art
on a Gold Coin of the great </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maharajadhiraj </span></span></span>Chandragupta II Vikramaditya... simply because of the
beautiful rendition of the emperor's features, posture and the message
it seeks to convey. ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which brings to mind, even Shri Ram and Shri Krishn are never
depicted as aged or even middle-aged. They are always shown as extremely youthful (evergreen),
handsome and energetic. ... Maybe, that is how various artists et al wished to depict them. Maybe, that is the message that various artists/visualizers
and sculptors (through the ages) sought to convey. Maybe, that is how they
wished Shri Ram and Shri Krishn to be remembered (by the people and for
posterity). ~ And this also brings to mind, that one doesn't quite recollect
having seen an idol or image of the Buddha as an aged person (or even a middle-aged
one). ~ So, maybe, the same thought/sentiment are applicable in his case as well.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI7RIvoaIFtbWpaRfCWoJU3YQE3EALecPOqSEhy5h-TPNWOwUft0v2s_BBwB2qBMFH3Aq49vAOxnEVHjD2vLZIfrr0ELlNUYzFMeKY_TGlx44NFHEYFXBycSzA7ORr1Bju-uWyyyXxao/s1600/Illustration+-+Lord+Hanuman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI7RIvoaIFtbWpaRfCWoJU3YQE3EALecPOqSEhy5h-TPNWOwUft0v2s_BBwB2qBMFH3Aq49vAOxnEVHjD2vLZIfrr0ELlNUYzFMeKY_TGlx44NFHEYFXBycSzA7ORr1Bju-uWyyyXxao/s1600/Illustration+-+Lord+Hanuman.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">:</span> Illustration of </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">Hanuman-ji. </span>~ Manthara
was a "Vamani", implying a small-sized human (maybe, Yakshi); she may not have been a "kubja" -
a hunchback woman... that is (in all likelihood) courtesy later dramatists; she
was also Kaikeyi's governess and very trusted. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Hanuman-ji 'tearing open his chest' to show
Siya-Ram resides in his heart = tattoo or body art. </span>Hanuman-ji was not a monkey, nor
Riksharaj Jambavan a bear, <i>per se</i>. Perhaps Hanuman-ji (as well as
Van-nar-raj Sugreev and Angad) belonged to an adivasi group that evolved from
animal-like ancestors resembling <i>ape-man</i> (not <i>per se</i>, but 'van-nar' or
'van-manush'; man with ape nature), due to the shape of their skull, jawline, teeth, etc. ~ While
Riksharaj Jambavan (the king/chief of the Riksha-s) - an adivasi group that
[probably] evolved from animal-like ancestors resembling <i>bears</i> (due to
the shape of their skull, jawline, teeth, hirsuteness, etc.) ~ "Riksha"
(Sanskrit: Ṛkṣa) is
Sanskrit for <i>bear</i>, while the animal-like ancestors (of certain adivasi groups) that resembled <i>ape-man</i> (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">not <i>per se</i>, rather: man with ape nature</span></span></span>) were probably known as
'van-nar', or 'van-manush'. ... With time (post the decline of the Gupta era,
that is), "Van-nar" became "Vanar" (perhaps due to a change of phonetics and meaning) and came to be equated with monkey. ~ <i>My
guess is as good as yours</i>. ["Greeva" or "Griva" as well as "Hanu" indicate <i>jaw</i>
in Sanskrit. ... Perhaps <i>Sugreeva</i> was the most handsome person in his
group/clan, and was (therefore) called/christened Sugreeva. (Su = good,
handsome).] In Sanaatan Dharmic tradition, the Sapta Rishi Mandala
or the Constellation of the Great Bear/Ursa Major (<b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sapta</span></i></b><i>-</i><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">riksha</span></i></b>) is the abode of the
seven <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Rishi (Sapta-Rishi) - </span></b>the
Great Well Wisher of the Universe, also connecting humans and Gods [Higher
Beings; devas, demi-gods, etc]; now, whether Ṛkṣa (originally) gave rise to the
word "rishi" (ṛṣI) or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. ~ Also, Hanuman<i>ji</i> was a
highly-skilled pilot and flew a variety of aircraft (vimana). This (very likely) has been
mistranslated as 'Hanuman-ji carried Ram and Lakshman on his shoulders'.
['Pavan-putra': Airman; maybe he was one of the best pilots of his time... and
was (thus) referred to as or given the title of "Pavan-putra".] ~ <i>My guess
is as good as yours</i>. [The writers, dramatists, poets, translators et al of
the post Gupta period not only not understand the scientific and technological
aspects mentioned in the 'pracheen itihasa/ancient history' known as
the "Ramayana", they were perhaps (also) unaware of the veritable treasure-trove of
information, science, technology, knowledge, know-how, wisdom, history, philosophy,
literature et al they were attempting to translate. And so, went about
improvising... and ended up editing the main narrative itself - to suit the sign of the times, (and maybe even) to suit the props and histrionic abilities of the actors and artists, and so on. ~ If
only they had kept the original work as is... and authored their (own) versions
with an appropriate rejoinder. But... alas. ~ Especially since Sanaatan Dharma and Vigjnana have always gone hand in hand, both have been integral to each other. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Vigjnana - in the Indian thought/system - was never boring or cut-and-dried narrative. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->For our ancients
science did not signify a mechanistic analysis of facts, but rather a broader
interpretation, a wider perception of the universe. Having their wisdom firmly
rooted to the teachings of the ancient Upanishads and the Vedas, they conceived
Nature not merely as a physical phenomenon, but a living spirit, which could
help man to realize the essential Truth of Life. ... The
combination of our ancient, enlightened wisdom, guidance, philosophy, art,
literature, etc paired with science, research and innovation... is what brought seekers
of knowledge (students and learned persons alike) from distant lands. They went
away enriched... carrying with them a piece of ancient India. Thus, Indian
thought and knowledge illumined the minds of denizens of far-off lands. ~ It
was <i>the</i> route to/of ancient India's preeminence. It helped establish
'Yoga' or 'Sanjog' (to connect) - cutting across distance and diversities. As a
result, trade flourished. While labour-intensive activities... that not only
generated employment and revenue, but also nurtured creativity (concentration and application of mind), was aplenty. Besides, our ancient Brahmanas (learned persons) were not averse to synergy and
cross-pollination. Hence they studied the works of the ancient Greeks and the Romans...
and then wrote and shared their own comments, treatises and views on them.
Thus, there was no stagnation or intellectual regimentation (leading to
intellectual degeneration and decay ~ a veritable 'quicksand'... emerging from
which is a mammoth task). ~ As they say: a rolling stone gathers no moss. ... The true power/potential of "Yoga" and "Sanjog" - is immense; it can bring forth kundalini energy... that bland and tepid stuff/jargon like "low hanging fruit", "soft power" et al can never generate/realise/unleash ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUOx9h2GZHqFqC4CwY8Lo1FMWjLBaUN09NcoqiUre6YgkS1oAPRG4JBqzN0CsDiQQyZro3A7qwAZE3f4tp5kkOfp3N5lY9LHR56hqHGGDJttvAL-1wN8BkQJl6TaozfC-lG3dBo13t-k/s1600/Banyan+Tree.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUOx9h2GZHqFqC4CwY8Lo1FMWjLBaUN09NcoqiUre6YgkS1oAPRG4JBqzN0CsDiQQyZro3A7qwAZE3f4tp5kkOfp3N5lY9LHR56hqHGGDJttvAL-1wN8BkQJl6TaozfC-lG3dBo13t-k/s1600/Banyan+Tree.jpeg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However,
what made all of this possible was the enlightened thinking and 'way of life' -
followed by our ancients. At the core of which lay the Cakravartin,
for purposes of comprehension, let's say: the 'Cakravartin
system of governance/administration'. A Cakravartin
was not merely an emperor ruling over his vast empire and basking in his own
glory. ~ The Indian Cakravartin, on the
contrary, was the anchor; head and shoulders above the rest, someone who kept
the macro picture in mind; visionary (far-sighted), charismatic, energetic,
sagacious, erudite, wise, of even temperament, unselfish (not petty-minded, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #351c75;">non-parochial, not given to myopia or vainglory or vanity/false pride</span></span>),
persuasive, with excellent diplomatic and inter-personal skills, and so on;
someone who did not (attempt to) impose his thinking or ideas on the rest;
someone who knew when to be magnanimous. There was no "polity-based" system, though.
'Coz ancient India (no matter by what name this land was called) was no
stranger to our mind-boggling diversity (as well as very complex demographics).
However, a Cakravartin knew how to turn all
of that into strength, and therefore, an advantage. A Cakravartin
was (thus) a unifier, a binding force/factor; a leader, a ruler, an administrator, a
teacher, a catalyst, a reformer and a well-wisher of the people; one who could take
diversities (of all kinds) along. His empire was not a monolith, but rather a
confederation (with maximum internal autonomy). There were kings and chieftains
(janapadin<i>) </i>governing their own big and small
regions/kingdoms/territories (janapadas and mahajanapadas), and yet, they all
functioned under the all-embracing "umbrella" (and wise reassuring presence) of the Cakravartin.
It was not a "polity-based" system, but a symbiotic one, a synergy-creating
one. ~ He was the proverbial banyan tree beneath which all others sheltered.
[They did not merely defend the territories/empire from external aggression - together, but enjoyed maximum internal autonomy as well. ~ Yet again, a win-win. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In a way, we can say, collectivism/democracy at
its best... under the "wisdom tree" (guiding spirit/Chakravartin). There was
co-dependence, and therefore, co-operation and collaboration; this ensured peace; they progressed
and prospered together.] ... And, as we
know, ancient India was marked by all-round progress and preeminence. ~ Not that there were no military conquests.
There were. But there was no colonization, exploitation, slave-taking,
plundering et al <i>a la</i> (e.g.) Alexander... who left a trail of devastation
in his wake. ~ A conquered nation and people were not treated shabbily; their
'way of life' etc were not overhauled; the women-folk, elderly people and children were not mistreated; livestock/animals, plants/trees were not harmed, water-bodies were not polluted - 'coz all of these were against Arya Dharma. Instead, a conquered nation and people were
provided with better governance/administration... than what they experienced
before (rather there was no discrimination). This helped to generate goodwill - for both to understand each other
better, to communicate, to (thus) to integrate and to continue to create
synergy. It resulted in cross-pollination. Perhaps (for purposes of
comprehension), we can say: it led to a win-win. [<i>Thus, examples were also set,
and lessons effortlessly passed on to the next/future generation(s) ~ the
quiet 'turning of the wheel'</i>.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Ancient India had a
long-lived civilization and culture. Collaboration is the key to success in any
venture... and <i>this</i> explains the multifarious achievements of the ancient
Indians. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">... The economy was robust and trade flourished (both overland
trade and sea-borne trade... in raw materials, manufactured goods and objects).
In fact, Indian trade history
is remarkable. Indian trade benefited and so did the world. ~ And all because:
ancient India had realized that at the end of the day, maximizing use of one's
own resources is what makes all the difference. ... </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The
wisdom behind the 'Chakravartin system of governance/administration' is this:
diverse nations/cultures/peoples were able to celebrate and share their ideals
and aspirations... leading to harmony, wholeness and integrity. [A veritable rainbow.] As a result: they
were (largely) able to rise above their petty identities, narrow self-interests, and
prejudices/disputes; they were (thus) also able to identify with their
commonalities. ~ This balanced and holistic worldview was a prerequisite for a
sustainable and resilient future. This was the big vision... integrating the multifaceted nature of their co-existence with collaboration. ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It needed collective effort: coexistence and
cooperation. Recognizing and/or accepting intricacies (composite culture/diversities)
required forbearance and understanding. It needed<i> </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">energetic engagement with diversity - an achievement,
'coz m</span></i>ere diversity without real (organic) relationship would have
yielded schisms/misunderstandings; the 'Chakravartin system of governance/administration'
(instead) sought <i><span style="font-style: normal;">understanding across lines
of difference, thus </span></i>their ignorance of one another was minimized.
They could hold their deepest differences not in isolation, but in relationship
to one another: through constructive dialogue (both speaking and listening) and engagement,
give and take, mutual respect, and so on... and this process (very likely) revealed both common
understandings and real differences; however, given their guiding/management
principles and qualitative approach/attitude/disposition, they could surge over or submerge these
differences... leading to an organic confederation (of composite
cultures/peoples/nations) that defended together and shared/created
together. They were (perhaps) able to reflect upon and assimilate the spirit of oneness. Coercion or craftiness/cunning (as opposed to diplomacy, patience,
give and take and tactfulness) may not have achieved this level/quality of
cohesion and endurance between superdiversities; instead, it may have widened and/or given rise to all manner of asymmetries and (ultimately)
become a nemesis (ruinous or self-defeating). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>A quick note on Samraat Ashoka</u>:</span> Our history
books say Ashoka killed 99 of his brothers. ~ Umm, not sure whether we should take
this figure at face-value. Only Duryodhan was known to have 99 brothers. ... So,
was this a result of some later dramatization (for purposes of stage plays,
folk theatre, wandering theatre, and so on)? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.
Also, in the Indian system the succession plan was well-defined. It was based
on primogeniture, unless the ruler/king/emperor chose otherwise (with due
reasons, of course). Now, coming to the Kalinga War: it was a hilly and
heavily-forested area. Would such a terrain have accommodated such a vast
population, as is indicated by the supposed casualty (and PoW) figures... which apparently
turned (Chanda)Ashoka into "Dharmashoka"? ~ Especially since words like "Chandal" is itself a later nomenclature (of later periods)... when (the usurper known as) "Brahminical faith"
came about. Therefore, was this too a result of later plays, dramatics, etc or maybe
'manthan' between various groups? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. Also, one wonders as to how Samraat Ashok built all those
stupas (enshrining the relics of the Buddha) in China? There is also an Ashoka
Mountain and an Ashoka Temple there. So what was the contour of his empire? ~
And, why is it that modern history books are silent on this... though they go on and on
about the rest? Why do modern history books glorify Alexander? [~ Umm, does it
help to create an image of supremacy, sort of to colonize the mind? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] And, why
has Parvateshvar (Raja Paurava or Porus - to the Greeks) been ignored? ~ <i>My
guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Alexander's career more or less came to a halt
after his brief encounter with this king of the Indus region, <i>Raja</i>
Parvateshvar (Porus). (The Greeks however, had some success ruling as kings
in northwestern cities such as the one in Takshasheela.) </span>[On a separate note, Paurava/Porus very likely was part of the
Puruvansh or Puru lineage to which the Pandavas and the Kauravas belonged.]
About Ashoka embracing Buddhism: Umm, first
of all, who coined the term "Buddhism"? When did it come about? ~ 'Coz in
Ashoka's time "Buddhism" is unlikely to have existed. It might have been
"Boudhya Dharma" at best. But then, Boudhya = of Buddha or of Gautam Buddh, or as
guided by the Buddha (the Enlightened One). While "Dharma" (Pali: Dhamma) implies: noble
actions, or actions that lead to the greater good, or help build a better
society. It does not imply "religion" (as is understood today). Besides, the Maurya clan is believed to have been an offshoot of the Shakya clan to which Shri Gautam Buddh belonged. Also,
Bhagavan Shri Gautam Buddh was the 9th Vishnu - and therefore, a maha-avatar of Lord Narayan. Sanaatan Dharm has numerous viewpoints and paths. Dasavatara is part of
Sanaatan Dharma. Plus, from whatever we can gather, Gautama Buddh belonged to the
Shakya clan (which is believed to be a tributary of the Ikshvaku clan - to
which Shri Ram, the 7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu, belonged). ~ Even if we were to
consider the Gupta emperors, we find they erected the Garuda Stambh (in honour
of Lord Narayan/Vishnu) - to commemorate the successfull thwarting of the imperialistic
ambitions of the Sakas (after driving them out of wide swathes of land, probably
almost the whole of modern Asia). Lord Narayan is <i>Garuda-Dhvaja</i>; it is
His symbol or insignia. ~ Vishnu, Narayan and Gautama Buddh are not different.
Vishnu is another name for Lord Narayan; Gautama Buddh is one of His many
avatars (descent in earthly/human form). ... Probably, the Gupta emperors were (also) the ones who
installed what is today known as the "Shiv Ling" - to depict the cosmic phenomenon of "creation" and "dissolution". (<i>Please
refer to paragraph #7 from the last in the previous portion/section - to get the drift</i>). However, with the
passage of time - possibly after the decline of the Gupta era - due to various
interpolations, extrapolations, mistranslations and so on, it may have come to
be understood/regarded as the "Shiv Ling". ~ Therefore, maybe, the
cosmic trinity (Trimurti: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram) may not have been bifurcated (underwent a bifurcation)...
until after the decline of the Gupta era. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TRmbzySTB_95hrtSeGIrvQ2XtyHVi6Qnvb1rc5dZr9ZeppfW3CT_hQ1m1sACaDAxhGZ9IctSwpaMTCwk29m0J1fzxVIMylSWyMaPS3U7-HAY7fnBIkZxREHqjpEQ4eO6bSOhvR7K7HU/s1600/Illustration+-+Shri+Ram+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TRmbzySTB_95hrtSeGIrvQ2XtyHVi6Qnvb1rc5dZr9ZeppfW3CT_hQ1m1sACaDAxhGZ9IctSwpaMTCwk29m0J1fzxVIMylSWyMaPS3U7-HAY7fnBIkZxREHqjpEQ4eO6bSOhvR7K7HU/s1600/Illustration+-+Shri+Ram+01.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;">Illustration of </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">Shri Ram, the fine Chakravartin. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>However, since the humans of Treta would have been quite different from
modern humans - we can only speculate about their appearance, height, features, strength,
caliber, longevity, intelligence, attire, </i></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>worldview, </i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>and so on. ~ Therefore, none can quite say/depict (with certainty) how Lord Ram actually looked like.</i><i>.. 'coz none has ever seen him in Kaliyug.</i></span>] </span>... In ancient India, barring few hiccups,
the 'Cakravartin system of
governance/administration' has pretty much held good (~ until the decline of
the Gupta period, that is). Therefore, the earlier Cakravartins
(very likely) also concentrated (i.e. invested time and effort) in building a
framework/architecture/roadmap - through consensus. And, perhaps, this
architecture/roadmap was not tied to them (meaning, it was irrespective of any
personality, name, and so on). Maybe, it was based on a long-term understanding
of issues and events (and the like), besides, on the future needs of the
various lands/regions and people (that came under their all-embracing "umbrella"). Therefore, even when there were some hiccups...
it generally held good. Maybe, such a consensus-based
framework/architecture/roadmap/system was required to manage/govern diverse cultures
and people, with relative seamlessness. Maybe, it (also) aided in a relatively
smooth change of guard/transfer of power/succession/transition (in any part of
the empire)... and (thus) ensured continuity and peace with minimal turbulence.
Also, each emperor/ruler/king/chieftain may not have possessed the same caliber
as the one preceding them. So (perhaps) having a consensus-based
framework/architecture/roadmap/system made sense. ~ It (probably also) helped
to unify while maintaining the cultural diversities et al. ... And this (perhaps) also
enabled the Cakravartin to concentrate (invest time
and effort) on other important aspects, such as all-round progress, trade,
innovation, and so on... instead of having to firefight all the time or expend
all his time and energies in dispute-resolution/crisis-management. ~ Shri Ram was a fine
Chakravartin. [However, his empire was not confined within the contours of
modern India. ~ Though with the passage of time, the geography and
landscape/topography on Earth too would not have remained unchanged, courtesy
man-made events, natural calamities, corrosive action of the waters et al.] Shri
Krishna too, though not a <i>samraat</i> (emperor) himself, was a fine Chakravartin,
given his actions, foresight and guidance. | Sita was
not the sad, weepy, tragic figure that she is made out to be. She was extremely
erudite, intelligent and (also) knew how to 'lift the Shiva-dhanush' (i.e. how
to dismantle the 'Shiva-dhanush' or Pinaka) - a euphemistic reference to the
most destructive nuclear weapons (perhaps far more destructive than what we find today). </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->There can be no doubt that Ram and Sita were
very compatible; that they were soul-mates. Shri Ram was not the stunned-looking, expressionless entity that
instantly come to mind... courtesy various depictions. ~ He is described as tall,
strong and handsome. [However, since the humans of Treta would have been quite
different from modern humans - we can only speculate about their appearance,
height, strength, caliber, longevity, attire, worldview, and so on.] Shri Ram is also said
to have been 'vishalaksha' or big-eyed and puṣkara-locanaḥ
- 'lotus-eyed' (i.e. one whose eyes are shaped like lotus petals). However, since his eyes are compared to the Blue Lotus (pushkara or indivara),
could it be that he was (shimmering) blue-eyed? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. Shri Krishn is also puṣkara-locanaḥ, puṣkara-akṣaḥ,
puṣkara-īkṣaṇah ~ 'lotus-eyed'. Therefore, there seems to be some
physical similarities (as well as similarities in character and temperament: </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">wisdom, intelligence, statesmanship, thought-leaders, transformational figures-reformers-change-agents-catalysts-facilitators, sheer presence (iridescent presence), erudition, tenacity, fortitude, far-sightedness, pro-activeness, people skills, patience, valiance, and so on</span></span>)
between Shri Ram and Shri Krishn. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ B<i><span style="font-style: normal;">rilliance,
effortless charm, dynamism, character, and heart. </span>Strong stuff</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">. </span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, there seem to be a quiet, delightful and endearing simplicity about
them. Besides, neither were overtly aggressive nor displayed machismo. ~ They did not have to try too hard. Both were pleasant and effortless; alpha male with princely
qualities. In other words: a Complete Man. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ And both were committed to their respective consorts, Sita and
Rukmani (~ when, e.g. Dasarath had three queens.) </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ram is very different from Dasarath (he also
ascended the throne... but not as Dasarath's heir), while Krishn and Vasudev too are
worlds apart (~ and Krishn is completely independent of Vasudev. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">In fact, his advent on the scene coincided with the most difficult time for the country; his dethroned
family did not help matters for him; his dethroned grandfather [the old Ugrasena] or his
father [Vasudev] could not have given him a leg-up or lent him a helping hand either. Also, the fact
that influential members of his clan/family had aligned their interests
with Jarasandh and Kansh, coupled with the latter's machinations... made the going very hard for him. He was thus baptized by fire, so to speak. ~ It was not a fairy-tale or cakewalk. However, all that did not turn him into a negative person; he was not pessimistic or sullen. He remained cheerful, resilient and invigorating. Besides, he was steely-nerved and politically astute, and possessed plenty of guile and gumption/intestinal fortitude. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also, his understanding/reading/assessment of events/situations was prescient;
his timing was perfect.) ~ Shri Ram is integral to the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Shri Ram') and the face of the Suryavanshi/Sun-flag-bearing Raghukula/Raghuvansh (his clan, lineage), while Shri Krishn is at the heart of the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas') and the face of the Chandravanshi/Moon-flag-bearing Yaduvansh. ~ Neither is susceptible to flattery; neither is boring, wooden or intimidating; their (immense/colossal) fame/stature/achievements/contribution
sit lightly upon their shoulders, and they do not impose their godliness
either. They don't flaunt it. That way, Sita and Rukmani, one can say, had the
best of both worlds. ~ The reassurance/dependability, stability, emotional support/maturity, good humour and decency of
a 'good guy' and the mischievous gentle rakishness/rakish charm (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->light/good-natured banter)/playfulness (not to be confused for abusive, violent or boorish behaviour; for purposes of comprehension let's say a happy mix of Gregory Peck and Cary Grant) coupled with a hint of
intrigue of a 'bad boy'. [~ Good looks in a man are fine, but that would only
give him a passing, artistic glance of appreciation. If he has an intelligent
creative mind, a sparkling, amiably mischievous sense of humour and wit, combined with
genuine warmth and kindness... that's when he would overturn the female mind. ... And, this (perhaps) also explains the trove of poetry involving Krishn.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Both Ram and Krishn are<i> </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">mind-enchanting
and exhilarating/enlivening (Krishn especially; he is magnetic); in fact, one
would (even) be tempted to describe Krishn's effortless cool/charm and incredible charisma as mojo. ... Though
Ram may not have been much different; after all both were one and the same -
only the eras/yug differed, </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">(and t</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">heir actions/karm is linked to the challenges
of the respective era/yug); the kind of guidance/reform/positive
change (social and structural - big picture as well as micro level)/incremental change for sustained nation-building/introspection/transformation et al that </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">was needed</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">, the </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">maze of</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> complexities and 'cross-currents', the kind of humans there were/the nature of humanity in a specific
era/yug (i.e. the quality of head and heart they possess, and so on<i> - 'coz attitude and outlook as well as the 'way of life' too differs; also, e.g. the humans of Kaliyug cannot be compared to those of Dvapar or Treta: cognitive abilities fall, perception level is
enveloped by a 'fog' of ignorance, apathy, delusion, and so on; Arya Dharma is
at its lowest; hence, the end of Kaliyug is (also) called the most
degenerate of all ages/yugs</i>); besides, the kind of guidance that had to be given, the navigation through </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">tortuous</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> paths/events - so as to pull
humanity/society out of quagmire, and so on. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">None of which is transient. </span></i></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[Instant change/transformation is fantasy; for organic transformation, it's the long haul. ~ </span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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leads to nation-building... but nation-building </span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">cannot be</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><i> </i>materialized through magic
wand, </span></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->utopian idealism or self-righteousness; it requires (a cogent,<i> </i>collective and constant cycle of) karm yog: sweat, determination,
tenacity/perseverance/endurance/forbearance, mettle, patience, harmony, a broader vision,<i> </i>far-sightedness (micro level +
the larger picture), greatheartedness and hard work.] </span></span>~ Even great or accomplished humans </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">would</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> not have been able to do what they did. <i>For example: Bhagirath may have been able to clear the terrain and (thereby) bring out the hidden River Ganga... and (thus) bring her waters to the whole of this land - solving the drinking water needs etc of the populace. But he may not have been able to change deeply-entrenched mindset and perceptions w.r.t. humans (e.g. adi-vasi and 'tritiya prakriti') - who were not considered as humans (hence, e.g. Hanuman-ji is depicted with a tail) - and mainstream them... 'coz no amount of legislation (or even royal decree) would have achieved this; - people tend to form their prejudices or perceptions by what they see and hear around them, they imbibe; and so, Bhagirath might (also) not have been able to generate acceptance for humans born via advanced IVF procedure, or guide and navigate through tortuous events a la Krishn.</i>) </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 4.5: </span>śrī-bhagavān
uvāca<span style="color: #351c75;"> (Sri Bhagavan said): || </span><i>bahūni me
vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna tāny ahaḿ veda sarvāṇi na tvaḿ vettha
parantapa</i> || ~ "O Arjun, many are the lives I have passed through and thou
too. But I know them all, whilst thou knowest not." | BG 7.26: || <i>vedaham
samatitanivartamanani carjunabhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> || ~ "</span></i>O Arjun, I know everything that
has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things
that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows." ~
Hence Krishn was all-knowing. He also knew each soul (individual or human soul/jiva-atma). [~ Frankly,</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Krishn is<span style="color: #351c75;"> such a sparkling, mesmerizing, riveting personage... no matter how much we write about him, it's still not enough. He's not transient/ephemeral; he's not shallow,
he's not superficial, he's not cavalier. He 'turns the wheel of dharma and karm' (which would have stagnated); he 'absorbs'/soaks up 'toxin'/halahala (to 'cleanse'/to 'burn' human pettiness: to correct the course; to renew/re-energize; to help humanity ~ so that human society can function and progress). ~ However,
wherever there is the
union of purity and depth it produces the colour blue. <i>Meghavarnam</i>. The
water of the seas and the sky - both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the Almighty combines both purity and depth or boundlessness... He
too is (allegorically) 'blue-hued'. [It's
a concept... to indicate His divine attribute/divinity.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Krishn is a most extraordinary figure: a leader, a hero, a legend, an enlightening personage, a guiding force, a karm-yogi, a
transformational/renaissance figure, God in the flesh (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu,
svayam Bhagavan; the <i>human</i>
manifestation [sagun swaroop] of Lord Vishnu/Narayan, His Purna Avatar)... and yet, an everyman; he's a Soldier-Statesman
par excellence (soldier against despondency, pessimism, confusion, hopelessness, decay and so on).
He was up against tremendous odds; sermons would
have had no effect on the likes of Shakuni, Duryodhan et al. ~ The
challenges at the end of Dvapar were manifold, and very different from
those of Treta; humanity was different, ethical
and social conditions were not the same either. Decay,
indifference/impassiveness, inertia et al held sway. ~ Krishn's
was the highest dharmic mission; and by his very appearance (karm + guidance), he
reinvigorated/re-energized the principles of dharma (duty/action, even selfless
action, for the benefit of humanity, for the greater good - to build a better
society: dharma-samsthapanarthaya); he also urged (advised) humanity to
introspection and action (karm) - <i>to duty</i>. [Dharma is not quite ethics or duty, it also means a constructive 'way of life'.] Krishn advised humanity to shake-off inertia and embrace karm yog. [There is no
magic wand; thus, he also led by example and instructed through his own
behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true teacher/guru/mentor (but then, besides being the Cosmic Ruler He is also the Cosmic Teacher); this aspect/dynamism remains constant, be it the Ramayana ('The
Exertions of Shri Ram'/ Shri Ram was a Reformer-Prince and Cakravartin) or the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'/ Shri Krishn was a Soldier-Statesman, but a
Cakravartin by dint of his actions; his actions were for a higher cause -
Loka-kalyana or Loka-sangraha: the greater/collective good. As a pathfinder his focus, tenacity and determination remains unwavering; he keeps the goals/objectives above himself.)
... Maybe, 'coz there is no alternative to karm yog (collective action/duty/responsibility,
even selfless action/service to humanity/society) - to create/build [and sustain] a better society/civilization. This is his
message/advise/mantra. ~ One needs to contemplate and deliberate deeply - to understand
his purpose, his <i>karm</i> and his message/advise. Only then will it percolate.] ~ Instead of being active participants in their own destiny,
humanity cannot become idlers and mere spectators/bystanders. ~ That will lead
to a gradual all-round degeneration/degradation. This is the core of his
message. (Thus, there is an organic interplay between finite and Infinite.) ~
Krishn is the Perennial Guide (Chir-Saarathy) - the (allegorical/metaphoric) shepherd to his flock. ~
There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solution; humanity
will have to sort out their own issues - through collective effort,
there is no
one "out there" (a messiah figure) who will come and do it. They
(avatars/empowered entities, maha-avatars/great incarnations and Purna
Avatar/one in whom divinity is manifested fully) will
guide and show the way - yes, however, there is no alternative to karm yog. ~
This has been the message of the Krishn-avatar (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu). And
this has also been the message of the Buddh-avatar (the 9th Vishnu/ Shri Gautam Buddh/Siddhartha was a Sage-Prince and the 'Enlightened One'). ~ Krishn also 'closed' Dvapar...
and navigated through complex/tortuous paths/events to bring about the
transition from Dvapar to Kaliyug... which commenced from midnight of
18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. [This is because he
departed on this date. The period after his departure marks the beginning of
Kaliyug. (Lord Narayan/Harih/Vishnu is the motive power
and guiding force behind the mathematically precise universe. So, one can only wonder at the
precision with which His maha-avatars work.) ~ Kali means <i>bud</i>. Thus, he was also a stabilizing force (a preserver) and a revitalizing force (Renaissance Man). ~ Only at the end of
Kaliyug - when the metaphoric bud/flower withers away, will the 'Iron Age'
(negative aspects of Kaliyug) be at its peak (i.e. ghor kaliyug): cognitive
abilities fall, perception level is enveloped by a 'fog' of ignorance,
apathy/indifference, delusion, stagnation, and so on; hence, it (the end of
Kaliyug, that is) is (also) called the most degenerate of all ages/yugs). ~ A cycle of four
yugs (Chatur-Yug) - whose lengths follow a
ratio of 4:3:2:1 is also known as a 'Maha Yug' ~ Sat/Satya/Krita [Golden Age], Treta [Silver Age], Dvapar [Copper Age] and Kaliyug (Kali means bud/flower, but the end of Kaliyug is termed as 'Iron Age'/ghor Kaliyug). Thus, Kaliyug is the shortest of all eras/ages/yugs.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Both Ram and Krishn (very likely) were fair-complexioned;
Krishn is probably reddish-hued or crimson (Lohith/Rohitah or Rohit); coral
lips (maybe deep-pink or the colour of red-coral); <span style="color: #351c75;">eyes shaped like lotus
petals</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> (maybe, big-eyed); </span>head bedecked with peacock feathers (that would very
likely be the headgear or crown); a chiseled appearance and a fascinating face
(a reference to his good looks); <span style="color: #351c75;">a </span>mischievous enthralling captivating smile. ~ What
we can conclude is this: that <span style="color: #351c75;">Krishna was a figure of </span><span style="color: #351c75;">immense</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> good looks, grace and
splendor</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span> [His <span style="color: #351c75;">features </span>probably were a result of<span style="color: #351c75;"> the delicate blending of
the martian, saturnine, venusian and lunar characteristics. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">In other words</span><span style="color: #351c75;">: due to the dominance of
the influences of the Moon and Venus, with Saturn and Mars.</span><span style="color: #351c75;">] </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Krishn is </span><span style="color: #351c75;">also known as</span><span style="color: #351c75;">: the master/lord of the senses. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;">He
had not only gained mastery over his own <i>senses</i> (indriyas), but also
over those of others.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> No wonder he is magnetic,
riveting. ~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;">He is <i>Trikalagya</i> as well: a
"bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhu" or "The Master of all things </span><span style="color: #351c75;">that exist in the </span><span style="color: #351c75;">past, future, and
present". ~ Possessor of the </span><span style="color: #351c75;">metaphoric </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Tritiya-Nayan: the Third-Eye.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> [As for Lohitah/Rohitah/Rohit: </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Red is the warmest and the most energetic colour
in the spectrum. It stands for: energy, speed, strength, valour and purity.
Purity means: doing what is right</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> (~ leading to the larger good).</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Hence, <i>Red</i> is the symbol for a </span><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><span style="color: #351c75;">soldier'</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">who
</span><span style="color: #351c75;">strives for a better society</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Rohit is also </span><span style="color: #351c75;">one of Shri Vishnu's many names. Krishn is svayam bhagavan, </span><span style="color: #351c75;">the <i>human</i>
manifestation (sagun swaroop) of Lord Vishnu/Narayan</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span><span style="color: #351c75;">] </span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Peet or golden-yellow: Krishn is
"Peetamber" - draped in the colour <i>gold</i>. It is also another
name for </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Lord </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Vishnu</span><span style="color: #351c75;">/Narayan. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">"Peet" is golden-yellow and
"amber" is sky. Hence, <i>Peetamber</i> also indicates the brilliant
and glittering sky as well as enlightenment (as in: an illumined mind). Shri
Ram is also known as <i>Peetavasane</i> (one who wears yellow attire signifying
purity and wisdom</span><span style="color: #351c75;">. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Here 'purity' means: doing what is
right</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> [~ leading to the larger
good]</span><span style="color: #351c75;">).</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> While the colour <i>Blue</i> also stands for:</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> meditation</span><span style="color: #351c75;">/introspection</span><span style="color: #351c75;">, peace, tranquility,
depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, patience,
decision-making and truth</span><span style="color: #351c75;">/dharma. </span>| ~ However, post the decline of the Gupta era, Prabhakara Vardhana
(of the Vardhana dynasty) and his sons (Rajya Vardhana and Harsha Vardhana)
tried to consolidate the smaller and fragmented monarchies, independent
kingdoms and feudatory states. Harsha Vardhana proved to be a distinguished
ruler, (though not quite a Chakravartin)... but after him his empire disintegrated rapidly. [Though it is said he
ascended the throne at the age of 16, however, given that the concept of time
in Indian thought is very interesting, and involves planetary alignment, the
cycle of lunar asterisms, and various other systems... a time gap between two
consecutive years is imperative/cannot be ruled out.] ~ The absence of a Chakravartin
was akin to a rudderless ship; also, it resulted in 'too many cooks spoil the broth'. [~ A Chakravartin, on the other hand, was way different w.r.t stature, character, calibre, vision and worldview vis-a-vis any influential/powerful big, medium or small satrap.] ... All
sorts of 'manthan' commenced - for power, influence and other selfish and petty
motives. The years were marked by a lack of intellectual stimulation,
stagnation... and (eventual) decay. India lost her preeminence in all aspects and areas.
This land was no longer the seat of innovation and learning. ~ Also, the feeling of
oneness and internal unity despite the immense diversity (gradually) unraveled... fissures, schisms and
fault-lines appeared/developed/came about; Arya Dharma and the social fabric woven around it too
came apart; in the absence of a nucleus (a shared roadmap, vision) and a
guiding and binding force/factor (a <i>Chakravartin</i>) - India went adrift. ~ The decline of Takshasheela marked the decline in Indian
education, thought and structure. Fewer and fewer knowledge-seekers, students
and travelers made the trip to India. [Now whether all of this - cumulatively
- led to rote-learning or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.] ~ Earlier, the world looked to India for answers. The
post-Gupta era India floundered... and (at best) looked elsewhere. Alas. ~ </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Sanskrit) that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). ["Bharat" did not mean rural India/hinterland.] ~ Also, ancient India was not confined to the contours of modern India. ... So, imagine the calibre and stature of the Chakravartin.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNa8mXLnqWGb0srMdtPng_3h92Q1ky5In6LDga3twSEwVnvbdsb-93WteBqwnCBtoln_1xE9fLvuY1h9l-mitOma4DYWzOYDENAHvlobdLZBVC5VB_vJ_egKD-pssP10IDNSQep8ar8Y/s1600/Agni+-+foremost+of+the+five+elements+of+nature+or+PanchaBhuta+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNa8mXLnqWGb0srMdtPng_3h92Q1ky5In6LDga3twSEwVnvbdsb-93WteBqwnCBtoln_1xE9fLvuY1h9l-mitOma4DYWzOYDENAHvlobdLZBVC5VB_vJ_egKD-pssP10IDNSQep8ar8Y/s1600/Agni+-+foremost+of+the+five+elements+of+nature+or+PanchaBhuta+01.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sanaatan Dharma</i> is the name of a timeless/eternal and enlightened 'way of life' that is one with the World
Spirit. Sanaatan Dharma was all about living in
harmony with nature; worshipping the five elements of nature (PanchaBhuta or PanchaMahaBhuta or MahaPanchaBhuta) viz fire (agni), air (vayu), water (jal), earth (prththvi) and space/aether (aakash); performing
one's karm yog/action (for the benefit of society/humanity); pursuit of
knowledge; becoming higher spiritual beings - connecting with the Higher Self
or seeking communion with the Universal Consciousness/Brahmn/Param-aatma, thus achieving 'Self-Realization' and Sat-cit-ānanda: eternal bliss (spiritual ecstasy,
contentment) of self-realization, and so on. ~ Gradually, Sanaatan Dharma assimilated the
concept of temples and worship of idols, courtesy the Greeks, and (perhaps)
also the Buddhists. ~ Among the five elements of nature (PanchaBhuta
or PanchaMahaBhuta or MahaPanchaBhuta) viz fire (agni), air
(vayu), water (jal), earth (prthvi) and space/aether (aakash)... Agni (fire) has been the most worshipped. Agni
also symbolically
represents the spiritual fire of life and the processes of transformation. It is the foremost amongst purifiers. <span class="fbphotocaptiontext">There are more hymns to
Agni(dev) in the Rg Ved than to any other God/dev (here 'dev' indicates </span>PanchaBhuta/the five elements of nature). <span class="fbphotocaptiontext">Agni has been worshipped since time
immemorial... throughout 'Aryavarta' ('Arya-lands' or 'land of Arya people/Aryans';
in other words, 'land inhabited by Arya people' - noble-natured people who
followed a pattern of life based on noble/Arya tenets/values/principles. ~ Not
that there was any do's and don'ts; Aryan-ness was simply their 'way of life';
they were inherently noble-natured.) ~ </span><u>Agni Gayatri Mantra</u>: || <i>AUM
Maha jwalaya Vidhmahe Agni devaya Dheemahe Thanno Agni Prachodayath</i> || ~ AUM,
Let me meditate on the great flame, O God of fire, give me higher intellect,
And let the Fire God illuminate my mind. || <i>AUM Vaiswanaraya Vidhmahe Laaleelaya
Dheemahe Thanno Agni Prachodayath</i> || ~ AUM, Let me meditate on the flame that
digests/purifies, O merger of all, give me higher intellect, And let the Fire
God (the foremost amongst the five elements of nature/PanchaBhuta) illuminate
my mind. (<i>Please
also refer to paragraph #7 from the last in the previous portion/section - to know
more about Agni</i>). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>Do read "Aaguner Paroshmoni" (one of the most beautiful
Rabindrasangeet/Tagore-songs - mentioned earlier in this post) to get the full
significance of why fire (agni) symbolically represents the spiritual fire of
life and the processes of transformation, and why it is also considered as the
foremost amongst purifiers</i>. ~ Paroshmoni is the philosopher's stone which when
touched... alchemically transmutes the baser nature to a divine one.] ~ Also, <span class="blue">Agni does not indicate/signify "tyag" <i>per
se</i>; Agni is the greatest of purifiers and the foremost amongst the five
elements of nature - PanchaBhuta (also: PanchaMahaBhuta or MahaPanchaBhuta). ~
Agni signifies "tyag" in the sense (to indicate) one has conquered
oneself; in other words: one has conquered/overcome the negativities residing in
one's heart and mind. And thus, one has no desire for praise or glory; one's
heart is larger than the universe itself and so, one's actions and thoughts are
for the greater good and not glory seeking. It indicates that one has become a
Siddha (i.e. attained the eternal bliss of self-realization).</span> ~ On a separate note: "Hindu" is not the name of any "religion" or a set of religious beliefs whatsoever... </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->but was simply a label for a specific landmass; </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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with (or dwelling in) the geographical area the boundaries of which were roughly
covered by the Sarasvati-Sindhu Rivers and their tributaries. ~ "Hindu" is simply
the variant of Sindhu (the mighty River Indus, </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile - </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel). ... The word "Hindu" came about courtesy the ancient Persians (another class of Aryans), who - due to a lack of appropriate phonetics (in their language) - called the people living around the River Indus, besides on the east of the River Indus (Sindhu) as "Hindu". ~ In Old Persian... the 'S'
for Sindhu becomes 'H' (due to a lack of phonetics). Therefore: the Vedic Sapta
Sindhavaḥ or Sapta Sindhu became Hapta HAndu. ~ Thus, 'Hindu' is derived from the
Persian 'HAndu', which in turn is derived from 'Sindhu'. [<i>Do
look up the early part of this post</i><i> - to get the drift</i>.] ~ The people </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">living around the River Indus, and on the east of the River Indus (Sindhu) followed a pattern of life that was distinct. Thus, "Hindu Dharma" is another name for "Arya Dharma". [Arya = noble; based on noble values, principles, and so on. Dharma = path or 'way of life'; Arya Dharma = a pattern of life based on noble tenets/values/principles... that resulted and/or contributed towards the greater good and therefore, a better society.] ~ </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bharatavarsha, "cherished land": the continent ('varsha';
Sanskrit) that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). ~ Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesha was another name for Aryavarsha or Aryavarta (land of Arya people). ~ However, ancient Bharatavarsha may not have been confined to the contours of modern India.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Genesis of the name "India"</u>:</span> In ancient times, the entire Indus river system
(along with its seven tributaries - <span class="bodyarl">Sutudri or </span>Satadru<span class="bodyarl"> or SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">AsiknI/</span></i><span class="bodyarl">C</span>handrabhaga <span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum) </span>and the
now-extinct River SarasvatI) and the area it covered, was called "Sapta Sindhu"
(the Vedic <i>Sapta Sindhavaḥ</i>) i.e. the land of
seven rivers ("Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit). The word "Sindhu" not
only referred to the river system and adjoining area but also became the label
to denote the culture that had developed along its valleys. [The "Indus Valley
Civilization" should more accurately be called the Sarasvati-Sindhu
Civilization considering the landmass where it developed).] ~ Thus, courtesy
the ancient Persians... to the world beyond, the area around the Sarasvati-Sindhu
rivers and its culture came to be known as the area of "Hindus" (thus the name
"Hindustan" which literally means the <i>land of "Hindus"</i>. (Stan = land or
place in Persian. Similar to <i>Sthan</i> in Sanskrit. ~ The similarity between "Stan" and "Sthan" is again due to <span class="textexposedshow">the<i>
</i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">ancient Avestan Persian</span></i><span class="textexposedshow">-Sanskrit connection which go
back a long way.</span>) ~ This nomenclature stuck and became
particularly prevalent after the arrival of the Mughals. The Mughals (based on
the earlier Persian terminology) used the term "Hindu" to refer to the original
inhabitants of the land and this label became the way to distinguish the
indigenous/ancient culture from theirs. ~ When the Greeks first reached the
river plains of the Punjab, they borrowed the name of the region (Hindu) from
the Persians and simply modified it to "</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Indós". "</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Indós" later morphed into "Indus" in Latin - by which name the river is still known in the West. [</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of the Indus.] The
Romans began to call the whole landmass after this river and thus the name "India" came to stay ~ which has been the form used by Europeans over the ages.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Thus the word "India" is derived from the
Indus River.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[On a separate note: the "Sindhu" in our national
anthem could be a reference to the River Indus. This song is
dedicated/addressed to that "Bharata Bhagya-Vidhata" (Creator; dispenser;
supporter of India's Destiny) ... who has (in Tagore's own words) <i>from age
after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall,
through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of
the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide</i> ... is none other than the eternal charioteer (chir-saarathy): "Jana-Gana-Mana-Adhinayaka"
(ruler/leader/captain of the minds of all people). ~ The complete five stanza of "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka..."
composed/penned by the Universal Bard: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwu0dZZomOlrXWJ2ETrLU6K9D371P3Xdwg118w-qR0X8OLzL8ziGgj44LQY6r3hk60E4DYAHmqk_-McJsl06qS1_sE_pPmojf1zsRa5bjl2KJPmd_5x18zlrbNWMcDsl9LRv9pNqB0is/s1600/Nobel+medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwu0dZZomOlrXWJ2ETrLU6K9D371P3Xdwg118w-qR0X8OLzL8ziGgj44LQY6r3hk60E4DYAHmqk_-McJsl06qS1_sE_pPmojf1zsRa5bjl2KJPmd_5x18zlrbNWMcDsl9LRv9pNqB0is/s1600/Nobel+medal.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note on Tagore</u>:</span> </i><span style="color: #351c75;">Rabindranath
Tagore (aka Robi Thakur), the Nobel laureate poet, writer, and philosopher was one
of the finest ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought to the rest of the world. (Invitations came from all directions, and so... besides
India, he toured Europe, the US, Canada, South America and Asia extensively.
His travels also took him to Egypt. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While
in Japan he wrote: "The Japanese do not waste their energy in useless
screaming and quarreling, and because there is no waste of energy it is not
found wanting when required. This calmness and fortitude of body and mind is
part of their national self-realization.</span></span></span>") Tagore is also the first-ever Asian to be
awarded with the Nobel Prize. ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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poet of the world and is sometimes also called "Kabiguru", which
means the guru of poets. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His genius enriched whatever it touched. ~ <i>Gurudev</i> was a versatile genius, a multifaceted personality:
a social reformer, a thought-leader, a teacher/educator, a renaissance poet, a novelist, a playwright/dramatist, an essayist, an artist, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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choreographer of dance dramas, </span>a critic, a lyricist/music composer, a prolific painter </span><span style="font-size: small;">and
above all, a great humanitarian and philosopher. [His vast canon also included travelogues, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->sketches and doodles... and over 2000 songs.] ~
In 1909 Tagore began penning <i>Gitanjali</i>. In 1912, he journeyed to Europe for the
second time. On way to London he translated some of his poems/songs
from <i>Gitanjali</i> into English. He met William Rothenstein, a noted British
painter and critic, (known for his lithographic portraits), in
London. [<i>Tagore had been introduced to Rothenstein in Calcutta (in 1910) during
a gathering at Abanindranath Tagore's (Aban Thakur's) home.</i>] ~ "Here was
poetry of a new order which seemed to me on a level with that of the great
mystics. Andrew Bradley, to whom I showed them, agreed: 'It looks as though we
have at last found a great poet among us again,' he wrote." ... Needless to say,
Rothenstein was impressed by the poems, made copies and gave to Yeats and other
English poets. He also arranged a reading in his house where Yeats read
Tagore's poems in front of a distinguished audience comprising of Ezra Pound,
May Sinclair, and Ernest Rhys etc. <i>~<b> </b></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></b>Meanwhile, the India Society of London published
Gitanjali ('An Offering of Songs') containing 103 translated poems of Tagore.
Yeats wrote the introduction for this book and Rothenstein did a pencil sketch
for the cover page. The book created a sensation in the English literary world. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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serenity of Tagore's "Geetanjali" amazed European scholars. </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of his poems are actually songs, and inseparable from their music.) ~
Tagore was touring America then... speaking at Rochester, Boston, and Harvard
University. Ezra Pound's Poetry Magazine (published from Chicago) published the
first English poem of Tagore. Six of his poems from Gitanjali appeared in
Poetry Magazine in its December 1912 issue. Tagore returned to Calcutta... and
on 13th November of 1913 Indians learned that the Nobel Prize for
literature has been awarded to Tagore (for Gitanjali) </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->"because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and
beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic
thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the
West." </i>[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In response Tagore conveyed his "... grateful
appreciation of the breadth of understanding which has brought the distant
near, and has made a stranger a brother."] ~
He was not often to escape the tumult and peace was to be his but at rare
moments. ... Henceforth Tagore was to become a world-figure. ...
Tagore's dignity and handsome presence, the ease of his manners and his quiet
wisdom made a marked impression on all who met him. The young poets came to sit
at Tagore's feet; Ezra Pound the most assiduously. Among others whom Tagore met
were G. Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, Galsworthy, Andrew Bradley, Thomas Sturge Moore, and Robert Bridges.
According
to Rothenstein: "It was pleasant to see homage paid so readily to an Indian;
nothing of the kind had happened before." </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ W.B. Yeats described him, "Tagore was the product
of a whole people, a whole civilization, immeasurably strange to us, and seems
to have been taken up into this imagination; and yet we are not moved because
of its strangeness, but because we have met our own image, as though we had
walked in or heard perhaps for the first time in literature, our voice as in a
dream". Tagore also met and interacted with Robert Frost, Helen Keller and </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Dr Karel Hujer (Astronomer). </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Heisenberg, the discoverer of the famous Uncertainty Principle of quantum
physics, had long conversations
about science and Indian philosophy. ~ Not only Yeats and Ezra Pound and T. S. Eliot, not
only Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russel and Albert Einstein, but scores of other
writers and intellectuals, and millions of more common folk, were touched in
due course by this melodious Eastern sage (personality).</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> [<i>Sage personality</i> should not be construed as <span class="answers">renunciation; it was not his way. He delighted amongst all the hustle and bustle of life.] </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore
credits several illuminating experiences from his childhood with shaping his life
and establishing its creative direction. When he was learning to read at about
the age of six, disconnected words suddenly came together as he encountered the
rhyming phrase <i>"jal parey/pata narey"</i> (the water falls/the
leaf trembles) in his spelling book. The rhythm of the words connected him for
the first time with a harmonious creative dimension. ~ "I was no longer a
mere student with his mind muffled by spelling lessons," he writes.
"The rhythmic picture of the tremulous leaves beaten by the rain opened
before my mind the world which does not merely carry information, but a harmony
with my being. The unmeaning fragments lost their individual isolation and my
mind reveled in the unity of a vision." ~ </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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sixteen, he released his first substantial poems under the pseudonym Bhānusiṃha
("Sun Lion")... and the next sixty-four years were marked by a torrential flow of creativity in manifold forms.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the second decade of the last century Tagore
was already beginning to be ubiquitous. André Gide (winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1947) translated his works into French, Boris Pasternak (who won the Nobel Prize in 1958)
and Anna Akhmatova translated them into Russian. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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1917 several Russian translations of <i>Gitanjali</i> (one edited by Ivan
Bunin, later the first Russian Nobel Laureate in Literature) were
available, and by the late 1920s many of the English versions of his work had
been rendered into Russian by several distinguished translators.] W.B. Yeats had written
the preface to the first edition of Tagore's own translation of the <i>Gitanjali</i>
in 1912, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="en"></span>and Ezra Pound in a revised edition in 1913 compared him to Dante.
Juan Ramón Jiménez, a Nobel Prize winner in 1956,
seemed especially
responsive to Tagore's idealism/humanism and sensitivity to nature's nuances, and who,
in collaboration with his wife, Spanish-born writer and poet Zenobia
Camprubi, produced Spanish versions of 22 of Tagore's titles.
Pablo Neruda also translated some of his works. ~ Latin American literature was influenced by these
developments. A number of litterateurs including the Nobel Prize winners -
Mexican poet Octavio Paz and Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral came under the spell
of Tagorean magic. But few in this continent were as deeply moved (by the
great Indian) as the legendary Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6JMEO5QJwh7mkIL0UO0gv5gH0Oqu8V-FtD1G2lapGsVlOw4i562HmU66YKw2Q6lIcM6TZ-udmgVcA8pNzRgRzJKKwSYZmL4mJhfHkIlWqk6aabL0HlVrJWwJg09MHCRrgFB-IT3leuU/s1600/When+Albert+Einstein+Met+Rabindranath+Tagore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6JMEO5QJwh7mkIL0UO0gv5gH0Oqu8V-FtD1G2lapGsVlOw4i562HmU66YKw2Q6lIcM6TZ-udmgVcA8pNzRgRzJKKwSYZmL4mJhfHkIlWqk6aabL0HlVrJWwJg09MHCRrgFB-IT3leuU/s1600/When+Albert+Einstein+Met+Rabindranath+Tagore.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Albert
Einstein and Rabindranath Tagore at Einstein's Berlin home. <b>|</b> </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">One
was an Indian polymath and Nobel laureate with white flowing beard, piercing
eyes (and intelligent and cerebral looks). The other was the world famous
scientist, with frizzy hair and unkempt appearance. ~ When
Rabindranath Tagore and Albert Einstein met in New York, it was a media
sensation. They were two celebrities. It was wisdom from the east meeting
philosopher of the west. They were staged together as icons by the media even
earlier. ~ They first met in Berlin in 1926 and several times later in 1930.
The first meeting that year, at Einstein's summer home in the vicinity of
Potsdam, resulted in The New York Times headline, "Einstein and Tagore Plumb
the Truth: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Scientist and Poet Exchange Thoughts on the possibility of
its Existence without relation to Humanity</span></b>." The piece described Tagore as "the poet with the head of a thinker"
and Einstein as "the thinker with the head of a poet." Their brief meeting in
late 1930 in New York, when Einstein was en route to Caltech, bore the photo
caption: "A Mathematician and a Mystic meet in Manhattan." ~ Considering these events,
it's not hard to imagine just how famous Tagore was in the West. ... <i>With his
works impressing the likes of William Butler Yeats and Ezra Pound, Tagore
lectured to packed audiences around the world</i>. ... However, tackling heady
topics like free will versus determinism, the two titans stood poles apart
philosophically. Einstein believed the world had a reality independent of the
human mind. Tagore countered, saying, "This world is a human world." For him,
the world depended upon human consciousness for its reality. ~ However, the
issue they discussed is one of the most stimulating, intellectually-riveting
conversations in history: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Tagore:
You have been busy, hunting down with mathematics, the two ancient entities,
time and space, while I have been lecturing in this country on the eternal
world of man, the universe of reality.] -</span> <a href="http://www.schoolofwisdom.com/history/teachers/rabindranath-tagore/tagore-and-einstein/"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore
and Einstein</span></a> and <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/27/when-einstein-met-tagore/"><span style="color: #351c75;">When
Einstein Met Tagore</span></a>. </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This
difference in their philosophy, thinking and outlook probably stemmed from the
fact that for Tagore science did not signify a mechanistic analysis of facts,
but rather a broader interpretation, a wider perception of the universe. Tagore
(and even Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose) conceived Nature not merely as a
physical phenomenon, but a living spirit, which could help man/humanity to realize the
essential Truth of Life. ~ Tagore showed a keen interest in scientific
knowledge and discoveries. ... To both Tagore and Bose, there never existed any
rigid distinction between science and poetry or more broadly between science
and literature. Critiquing the typical Western attitude of making excessive
specialization in the field of learning, they sought to locate an underlying
unity in all branches of knowledge, to find a 'comprehensiveness of truth',
which is the core of Eastern philosophy</i>.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Tagorean magic touches our core - the heart as
well as the mind. It touches our very soul. There is forever the primordial in him. It is life he celebrates;
that the universe is a pattern of ever-widening ripples and experience is the
insistent falling of the rain on monsoon nights. In his songs there emerges all
the brilliance of the universe as it goes through a dawning somewhere deep
within time and space. ... And
so you hear the gentle tones of <i>tumi daak diyechho kon shhakaley / keu ta
jaane na</i>: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Bf8yr890o"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span>.
~ Here
is <span class="watch-titleyt-uix-expander-head"><i>Mahabishwe Mahakashe</i>: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkA8GDp5Cfo"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span>; <i>A</i></span><i>rup tomar bani: </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjVlAi_QowA"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span>; <i>Mor Bina Othe</i>: <span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY1YTXGPoss"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></span>; <span class="watch-titleyt-uix-expander-head"><i>Aa</i></span><span class="watch-titlelong-titleyt-uix-expander-head"><i>kash bhara surjo taara</i></span>: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blPPSf9sZjI"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span> (it </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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a sense of deep "wonder" in the universe); </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="watch-titlelong-titleyt-uix-expander-head"><i>Tumi kemon kore gaan karo heye guni:</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icRvBD9a_Zs"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></span></span>; </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span lang="EN" style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Aloker ei jharna dharaye
dhuiye dao:</span></i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ZnbfFzhf0"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">;</span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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matalo:</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_7EErY7y_U"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link1</span></b></a></span>/ <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL25WCOoDm0"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link2</span></b></a></span>; </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Anando-loke Mangal-aloke:</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwhOILSJyvA"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></span>. ~ Tagore's portrayal and celebration of a higher
power embedded in the fabric of the universe and responsible for its continuing
existence and operation is very fascinating, indeed. According to him: '<i>aamare
tumi ashesh korechho, amon-i leela tabo...'</i> (tr. Thou hast made me endless,
such is thy pleasure/leela. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Though 'pleasure' is not an equivalent translation
of the word 'leela' - essentially the interplay between finite and Infinite;
between created and Uncreated; between evanescent and Eternal). Robi Thakur was a "Sadhaka"; his songs
were his "Sadhana" ~ not in the sense of limiting him, but lifting
him up to meet the Super-personal Man/the universal human spirit. He also said: '<i>gaaner bheetor
diye jakhon dekhi bhuban-khani takhon taare chini</i>...' [~ He acknowledged (as
only he could) that he begins to comprehend the Cosmic Person/Super-personal
Man/the universal human spirit (which he believed lay behind everything in the universe/cosmos
- visible and invisible); that he begins to understand His serenity, divinity, creativity,
vision, insight, guidance, tranquility, compassion, greatness, magnanimity,
boundlessness... and so on - through his songs. ~ He is convinced that there is an organic relationship
between
finite and Infinite.] ~
As you recite his poetry or sing his songs, you remain aware of certain
inalienable truths. And they are pretty simple ones as well. The universal bard
speaks to you through the turnings in the seasons. In your turn, you speak to
him; absorb his sentiments as it were. The result is a harmonious whole. ... And harmony,
balance and integrity are what <i>Gurudev</i> has consistently focused on. ~ Think of <i>Jagorane Jaay Bibhabori</i> (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDHT4Tac_Qk"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span>) or <i>sheemar
majhe ashim tumi / bajao apon shur </i>(</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Within
the
finites, you the Infinite play your own tune - </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv0BZvEgYJc"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span>). ~ It is a song
that takes you closer to Creation, indeed imbues you with thoughts of the ties
that bind you to your Creator. [~ <i>Do also read the Tagore-Einstein
conversation/discussion to understand this wonderful Tagore-song
(Rabindra-sangeet</i>).] ~ In Tagore, it is the gentle and the tranquil that
flows through the leaves of the trees. The poetry is the breeze. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b>|</b> Tagore was a passionate Indian, but his nationalism transcends into
universalism; his philosophy of humanism is enriched with the tranquil touch of
internationalism ~ where one may
find a unique blending of the best of the
East and that of the West.
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</xml><![endif]-->India in Tagore's vision is the pilgrimage (pilgrim centre) of world humanity as she
is the great synthesizer and unifier in the midst of manifold differences through centuries. ... <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His poetry with its message of harmony, universalism
and humanism is an eternal light-house to mankind.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore was forward-looking. He believed in the synergism between spirituality and reason; he was
spiritual as well as a genuine science enthusiast; he was not a mystic (despite
his appearance - white flowing beard and attire). He also had a voracious mind
- he possessed an extraordinary depth of knowledge and could hold his own on a
variety of topics. [It's
a common misconception that science and arts are two mutually exclusive spheres
and one cannot excel in both. Tagore proved it wrong, as did Einstein with his
interest in music and literature.] ~ A widely-traveled man... Tagore was a
curious and keen observer of socio-political life in the numerous countries he
visited. He was a citizen of the world. ~ He believed in an intellectual union
of world cultures; his vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards
understanding the dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). He was critical of
the excesses and exploitation of colonial rule; however, he also distrusted "narrow domestic walls" and hollow
arguments ("the dreary
desert sand of dead habit")... and recognized the importance of what India
could learn - from other nations/cultures. ~ Tagore emphasized on education - knowledge and
intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning). <i>"These
solidly complete Universities over which our country is brooding, are like hard
boiled eggs from which you cannot expect chickens to come out."</i> ~ His luminous/timeless oeuvre (which is notoriously difficult to translate... without
letting go of much of its enigma/subtlety/nuance and flavour) cannot be pigeonholed. His
thoughts/philosophy/viewpoint appears to be disarmingly simple... although it is
simultaneously simple and infinitely complex to understand. The more one reads,
re-reads and re-re-reads, the more one discovers, re-discovers and
re-re-discovers. ~ But then, discovering
and even rediscovering legends and towering figures hardly comes with an expiry
date (it is part of "ever-widening thought...").]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A masculine river is called "Nad", a feminine
one "Nadi". However, of all the Vedic rivers, the Sindhu is both masculine and
feminine. <span class="text">Incidentally, the </span>Sarasvati
is (also) called "she with seven sisters" (<i>saptasvasā</i>),
indicating a group of eight rivers, probably the (missing river is) KubhA. ~
Rivers, such as the Sapta Sindhu ("seven rivers"), play a prominent
part in the hymns of the Rig Veda. Perhaps it was around these rivers that
the Rigveda (and maybe, much of the other Vedas/<span class="text">Book of Knowledge or Book of Enlightenment was written.
Veda comes from the root 'Vid' which means, "to know").] </span>The
Saptarishi (from <span class="unicode">saptarṣI)</span> or the seven-enlightened/learned
beings are regarded in the Vedas as the progenitors of the Vedic way of life. [The
Sapta Rishi are the Hierarchy working under the guidance of the Highest
Creative Intelligence, God/the Almighty/Lord Narayan; they are (also) the Great Well Wisher of the Universe, connecting humans
and Gods (Higher Beings; devas, demi-gods, etc.)] ~ The Big Dipper asterism
is also called Saptarshi. Astronomically, the
Saptarishis' abode is recognized in the form of the Big Dipper or Ursa Major
constellation and it always revolves around the Dhruv-Loka or Pole Star. ... <span class="text">The</span><span class="text">
summit of Mt Meru (in Shambhala) is believed to align to the
wheeling constellation of Ursa Major (the Sapta Rishi Mandala or the
Constellation of the Great Bear/sapta-riksha), the Seven Stars that circle the Pole (Dhruva Loka?)</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">~ On a separate note, our ancients possessed astonishing imagination. They
even described celestial events (involving stars, constellations, and so on)
through stories, paintings and verses - making them sound like real humans,
animals, etc. [<i>Maybe the stories involving Shiva and Mohini or the birth of
Kartik or the birth of Anjaneya (Hanuman-ji) for that matter are three such examples.
Therefore, taking them literally or at face value will be misleading</i>.] In fact, the
ancient Romans and Greeks too were well-known for similar narrative styles and
techniques.</span><span class="text"> [<i>~ Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari is not an earthly entity, though he has numerous manifestations. And, from what we can gather, Shambhu Nath/Sankara is very likely one of his many human manifestations</i>. ~ Lord Krishn/Hari-Krishna is depicted extensively in the Indus seals... indicating that not only were the ancient Indus people familiar with him but also worshipped him.]</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">~ See the similarity between the Indus seal
illustration of Mother Goddess standing on an elephant and fighting tigers (above) and
the sky map (in pic). In the sky map constellation Ophiuchus forms the body of mother
Goddess and Hercules forms the head. The constellation Sagittarius forms the
elephant. One notable point here is that Jyotisha Vedanga states that the
"elephant tusk" is the symbol of Sagittarius constellation (Serial
no-20 in Jyotisha Vedanga Table). Further Scorpius constellation is shown as
associated with Indra as per the detail available in Jyotisha Vedanga (Serial
no-18 in the Jyotisha Vedanga table). ~ Further the tail of Scorpius
constellation has been given the symbol of "Elephant goad". All these
pointers indicate that the Ophiuchus constellation was one of the prime
constellations in Indus valley period as well as the Vedic period. Note that
mother goddess standing on elephant has been gradually transformed into male
God/deva (Indra) over a period of time. ~ Another important point to be noted here
is that the "wheel" shown above the head of mother goddess is the
Draco (Dragon) constellation with pole star in the centre of the wheel. ~ Very
likely, these constellations helped those ancient people (including sailors) in
determining the direction during nighttime or while at sea. Maybe the
constellations were akin to a magnetic compass.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOhqL6Tv50ta1FN3l5VtIWFBWeVrCHJ6oq9gWXUz1uTQVtdjwPruk67mOoM01v0oc-I9zG3VyEZNKbrL3GbqoO7QFxaNtaAL4NH0vhqT3eUd48-L1oQDZSxDWEbCGgdKWeGkPErTbwio/s1600/The+first+Indus+Valley+seal+found+at+Harappa+in+1872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOhqL6Tv50ta1FN3l5VtIWFBWeVrCHJ6oq9gWXUz1uTQVtdjwPruk67mOoM01v0oc-I9zG3VyEZNKbrL3GbqoO7QFxaNtaAL4NH0vhqT3eUd48-L1oQDZSxDWEbCGgdKWeGkPErTbwio/s1600/The+first+Indus+Valley+seal+found+at+Harappa+in+1872.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>: <i>The first Indus Valley seal found at Harappa in 1872</i>. | <u>Notes on the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization</u>:</span> </span>First discovered in 1920-1921 at Harappa by Rai
Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni, the Indus Valley Civilization came to be known as
Harappa Civilization. The city was well-planned (with </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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well organized civic, economic and cultural system) and divided into two parts:
citadel (raised portion) and lower part. ~ To even think that over five
thousand years ago a highly civilized community flo<i><span style="font-style: normal;">urished</span></i> in the region! [<i>... Though f</i></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">resh sites are still being unearthed, adding insight
into the rich culture of the Harappan civilization. </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of the most striking aspects of the discoveries are the town-planning and
architecture, art and crafts and the social, cultural and economic condition
of that era. Much has been known about the town-planning and architecture
of the Harappan civilization. The cities boasted of well-planned roads -
wide and straight, houses provided with an efficient drainage system and
ventilation</i>.] ~ Like other great discoveries, the
discovery of the Indus Valley civilization was grounded and shaped by the personal and professional experiences and interests of the various
characters - ranging from the brilliant Rakhaldas Banerji to the tragic Luigi Pio Tessitori as also the
institutional circumstances of those times. ~ In about 1920
there was enough interest in the site of Mohenjo-daro for the archaeologist
Rakhal Das Banerji to excavate there. In the first season Banerji's team found
the remains of a large city built mainly from baked brick. However, they did
not know when it might have been built or who might have built it. Banerji's
team found objects such as weights, beads and finely painted pottery. Perhaps
the most important finds were small square seals like the ones found at Harappa
in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ~ Excavations continued
throughout the 1920s and 1930s with several teams of excavators. During this
period, the site was divided into different areas. Each area was given a
'title' based on the name of the archaeologist working there. In doing so, they
began uncovering a civilization so vast in its extent that at its peak it is
estimated to have encompassed a staggering 1.5 million sq km - an area larger
than Western Europe. In size, it dwarfed contemporary civilizations in the Nile
Valley in Egypt and in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Sumer (modern Iraq).
Its geographical boundaries are now believed to extend up to the Iranian border
on the west, Turkmenistan and Kashmir in the north, Delhi in the east and the
Godavari Valley in the south. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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in India, at the foot of the Shimla Hills 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to the
northeast.] ~ Two things are clear: That Indus Valley was a
misnomer and that in size it was the largest prehistoric urban civilization -
even bigger than Pharaonic Egypt. That it was governed much like a democracy
(collectivism) and the Indus people were the world's top exporters. [Between around 3500 BC
and 2000 BC, people in the Indus Valley built more than 100 towns. The largest
were Mohenjo-Daro (situated on the right bank of the River Indus, excavated in
the year 1922 by Rakhaldas Banerjee) and Harappa (situated on the left bank of
the river Ravi/<span class="bodyarl">ParuSNI</span>), with populations of 40,000-50,000. These towns had large granaries,
brick houses, public baths, elaborate drainage system, and streets laid out in neat grid patterns. Farmers grew wheat,
barley, cotton, and rice on land fertilized by yearly Indus River floods. They
also raised animals. In towns, people made cloth, pottery, metalwork, and
jewelry. On the coast, they went abroad to trade.] ~ A recent count showed that
as many as 1,400 Indus sites have been found, of which 917 are in India, 481 in
Pakistan and one in Afghanistan. While Mohenjodaro and Harappa were rightly
regarded as principal cities, there were at least several others such as
Rakhigarhi in Haryana and Ganweriwala (on the dry river bed of the
Ghaggar-Hakra) in Pakistan's Punjab province that match them both in size and
importance. Other important sites are: Dholavira (in Gujarat), Banawali (in
Haryana), Kalibangan (in Rajasthan - excavated in the year 1953 by A. Ghosh),
Lothal (in Gujarat - excavated in the year 1957 by S.R. Rao and M. S. Vats) and
Mehrgarh (in Baluchistan: 7000 BC - c. 2500 BC i.e. 9000 AD; believed to be one
of the world's oldest cities... it represents the long-lasting early spring [and
not quite the high summer] of the Indus Civilization). [There's also <i>Chanhudaro</i>
- one of the bigger sites and a city with no citadel (raised portion) - first excavated by Nani
Gopal Majumdar in March, 1930 and again during winter field session of 1935-36
by the American School of Indic and Iranian Studies and the Museum of Fine
Arts, Boston team led by Ernest John Henry Mackay.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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III-II millennium BC. ~ <i>This agate necklace consists of beads of different
shapes and sizes from archaeological sites of Harappa in the Indus Valley
civilization. The Harappan civilization produced the finest agate and carnelian
beads</i>.] | <span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Indus jewelry, ornaments, etc</u>:<i> </i></span>The
jewelry in gold and silver - bangles, necklaces and other ornaments are well-crafted. They are well-finished and highly polished. Tools of stone,
copper and bronze have been found. The discovery of a large number of spindles
of various sizes indicates that threads both of cotton and woolen must have
been spun in those days. Spindle whorls made of pottery, shell and faience
have been found. Both men and women wore ornaments. While necklaces,
fillets, armlets and finger-rings were common to both, women also wore girdles,
earrings and anklets. Ornaments were made of gold, silver, copper, ivory,
precious and semi-precious stones, bones and shells etc. From archaeological
findings it appears that the Harappans were conscious of fashion. Different hairstyles and beards were in vogue. Cinnabar was used as a
cosmetic and as face-paint; lipstick and collyrium (eye-liner) were also known
to them. The main diet consisted of wheat, barley and milk products. Fruits,
vegetables, fish and meat were also consumed. Music and dance appear to be
the main sources of entertainment. Agriculture was their main occupation. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Were they also agripreneurs? Did they convert waste to
energy? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rainfall
was heavy. There is evidence of the cultivation of wheat, barley, peas,
mustard, cotton and rice. Domesticated animals were kept in the
house. Horse bones have also been discovered at Surkotda, indicating use
of the animal. (Besides, the various unicorn seals, described in the earlier portions, too indicate a familiarity with the horse. ~ The unicorn may have numerous symbolism attached to it, however, without knowing about the horse... the ancient Indus people could not have simply imagined it.)</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Necklace from Mohenjo-daro made from gold, agate,
jasper, steatite and green stone (lizardite or grossular garnet). <i>~ The gold
beads are hollow and the pendant agate and jasper beads are attached with thick
gold wire. Steatite beads with gold caps serve to separate each of the pendant
beads. [This necklace fragment is only half of the original ornament which was divided between India and Pakistan in 1947</i>.] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWotxhIwLFT45MszuCKJjl2ncZqLNA5Oh5jX5XGA29HZoBHFFGAAeXe9L806DdnP9_FpcNvGGjkKuRw2cm_9FPvTAsyV65nUy26QpBw9GY7YksKBXYiM7U9WxabKneUPCTd059Y-JLuE/s1600/IndusOrnaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWotxhIwLFT45MszuCKJjl2ncZqLNA5Oh5jX5XGA29HZoBHFFGAAeXe9L806DdnP9_FpcNvGGjkKuRw2cm_9FPvTAsyV65nUy26QpBw9GY7YksKBXYiM7U9WxabKneUPCTd059Y-JLuE/s1600/IndusOrnaments.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">This collection of gold and agate ornaments
includes objects found at both Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. <i>~ At the top are fillets
of hammered gold that would have been worn around the forehead. The other ornaments include bangles, chokers,
long pendant necklaces, rings, earrings, conical hair ornaments, and broaches.
Such ornaments were never buried with the dead, but were passed on from one
generation to the next</i>.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>Glazed tiles</u>:</i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">The technique of glazing
blue-green tiles using recipes that are very similar to those used by the Indus
craftsmen is still practiced in many centers throughout the Indus valley. The
term faience comes from a kind of brightly-colored glazed earthenware. Called
the "first high-tech ceramic", faience is a siliceous vitrified and
glost ceramic, made of a body of fine ground quartz or sand, coated with an
alkaline-lime-silica glaze. It was used in jewelry throughout Egypt and the
Near East beginning about 3500 BC. Forms of faience are found throughout the
Bronze Age Mediterranean, and faience objects have been recovered from
archaeological sites of the Indus, Mesopotamian, Minoan, and Egyptian
civilizations. Faience was an important trade item during the Bronze Age; the
artisans of Indus Valley, Egypt, and Mesopotamia were developing glazes and
faience using several different techniques by 2600 B.C.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjges04qmcUfBWKSsMv4II-32Sw-DDviHHE5AXX1rS1tj26nh_6snMizlJXwQZTAcTKplLhI6Zwv46J210h2TQxJuAfbr0K2_9XHqbUlDdRdJIsge37CqVxeRQRR9IJ1nHPVt_l9G156Qw/s1600/Faience+ornaments,+Harappa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjges04qmcUfBWKSsMv4II-32Sw-DDviHHE5AXX1rS1tj26nh_6snMizlJXwQZTAcTKplLhI6Zwv46J210h2TQxJuAfbr0K2_9XHqbUlDdRdJIsge37CqVxeRQRR9IJ1nHPVt_l9G156Qw/s1600/Faience+ornaments,+Harappa.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>Faience ornaments</u>:</i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">A collection of
faience ornaments from Harappa has been discovered. The Harappans developed a very
compact glassy faience that was produced in a variety of colors, ranging from
white, to blue green, deep blue and even red-brown. On the left is a disc
shaped ornament of blue green faience. Parallel ribbing of light blue green
alternates with white paste in the bottom of each groove. This unique ornament
may have been sewn onto cloth or inlaid onto a metal ornament. At the top
center is a bead made of red-brown and white faience. This bead is possibly an
imitation of the bleached carnelian eye beads. The fragments on the lower right
are banded with dark blue and come from small jars, possibly used to hold
perfume or medicines.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9ZGmC4eaAdfd0k6i6XVY6btBpw4VDYr4puV8c1tyTYVysez4LJFMSI89QuK8yb6LoaEYW0OBhYihQy6CBJCp58ysGxzzLXTB2bZaK5oQMBbyLG3f_gCga-p32xSLOwowqVKptnmBAwY/s1600/Ancient+Indus+Jewellery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9ZGmC4eaAdfd0k6i6XVY6btBpw4VDYr4puV8c1tyTYVysez4LJFMSI89QuK8yb6LoaEYW0OBhYihQy6CBJCp58ysGxzzLXTB2bZaK5oQMBbyLG3f_gCga-p32xSLOwowqVKptnmBAwY/s1600/Ancient+Indus+Jewellery.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Ancient Indus jewellery. ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Fired steatite was an important material used in
many different types of Indus jewelry. Steatite beads are found in all four
necklaces in the center of this collection of jewelry from Harappa and
Mohenjo-daro.</i>] ~ Jewelry making in the Indus Valley dates back to the
Neolithic-age Mehrgarh culture (7000-5500 BC), and Late Harappan age, which
predates the iron-age development of metal-casting and metal working. The Indus
Valley region, which encompasses (ancient) Persia and the Indian sub-continent, was home to the <i>Indus-Sarasvati</i> civilization (<i>Aryan/Harappan/Vedic</i>
peoples of Aryavarta or Brahmavarta; essentially 'people of the Indus') that were the largest (both by population and geography) of the major
ancient civilizations from Egypt, Mesopotamia and China. The <i>Sarasvati</i>
was a river praised in the <i>Rig-Veda</i> (a collection of Vedic Sanskrit
hymns), running the length of the Indus Valley, from the Punjab to the Arabian
Sea. ~ Early Indus Valley jewelry consisted of strands of simple beads that
were carved from soft stone, or fashioned from shells. The Harappans were
expert craftsmen, making beads from agate, amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli
(</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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intense blue color) and turquoise. Some stones were heated to produce a reddish color that was
prized by the early Indus civilization. During the Late Harappan period
craftsmen began to work with bronze, copper, silver, and gold, fashioning simple
necklaces, head-bands, bangles and other ornamentation from cast metalwork,
glazed faience (a non-clay ceramic), terracotta, shells, and carved ivory.
Copper was mined locally (by the Harappans) in Baluchistan and Rajasthan. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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unavailable from the alluvial plain, were sometimes brought in from other parts.
Gold was imported from southern India or Afghanistan, silver and copper from
Afghanistan or northwestern India (Rajasthan), lapis lazuli from Afghanistan,
turquoise from Iran (Persia), and a jade-like fuchsite from southern India.] Examples
of this early jewelry can be seen on the cast-bronze statuette of the 'Indus dancing
girl' believed to be dated around 2,500 BCE. ~ The Harappans were also
accomplished sailors and navigators, helping them to expand the boundaries of
trade to Bahrain and Sumer. For navigation, the Harappans carved compasses from
conch-shell, which they used to measure the angle between stars. ~ Jewelry was
also made in the form of anthropomorphic symbols such as animals and trees, maybe
due to their nature worship rituals and spiritual beliefs in the Mother Goddess.
Jewelry was not buried with the deceased, but passed on to their heirs. [~ Discovery of a large cache of gold and other
ornaments reportedly belonging to the Harappan period (2600-1900 BC) by the
villagers of Mandi in the Muzaffarnagar District of UP (in the year 2000) has challenged previous notions about the geographic
reach of the Indus Valley civilization. Scholars from the ASI and the state's
Department of Archaeology (DoA) visited the site and declared the
jewelry to be Harappan. Gold and silver bangles, gold beads, and agate and onyx
beads all resemble jewelry found in Indus Valley sites such as Harappa and
Mohenjo-daro and at Lothal, Rakhigarhi, and Dholavira in India. Two copper containers, one circular in
shape and the other rectangular, were also recovered; the rectangular container
measures 16.5 inches long and was perhaps used for holding gold fillets. It is the first time that such a large cache of gold jewelry has been
recovered in UP. Visiting scholars found late Harappan pottery at the site. Excavations conducted in the vicinity at Hulas
in Saharanpur district, Alamgirpur and Bargaon in Meerut district have all
yielded similar Indus Valley material; this shows that the civilization stretched
far and wide.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pyR80Zeeg0-vgpFYcSYVGYxWu0fDvGOdXImoNICFUdUtKUEbPkpuEcWvsYzhJBPqEiRZ1XQzT2MonphqYbfcNpEYSqb-IRDsQm2DW1by1Ly2StoYQN4HUX_G1BGWxlsO93c4gvEv7fE/s1600/Weights+and+Measurements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pyR80Zeeg0-vgpFYcSYVGYxWu0fDvGOdXImoNICFUdUtKUEbPkpuEcWvsYzhJBPqEiRZ1XQzT2MonphqYbfcNpEYSqb-IRDsQm2DW1by1Ly2StoYQN4HUX_G1BGWxlsO93c4gvEv7fE/s1600/Weights+and+Measurements.jpg" height="108" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An index to an advanced stage of trade, and its essential
element, the recovery of this <i>balance and weights</i> from Mohenjo-Daro suggests
that Harappan settlers not only pursued systematic trade activities but also
had in prevalence weights and measures ensuring accuracy, consistency,
transparency and fairness of trade-system and commercial behaviour. Far ahead
of the primitive measuring vessels of bartering goods... Harappan settlers
maintained consistent standards of weights and regularized weights' based pricing
system. Though re-fabricated, this balance is estimated to be about four-and-a-half-millennium old. These finds attest with great certainty the advanced
stage of trade amongst Harappan settlers. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qe-VIaP5n6xSVsqz5Ois76Be9XFCK5E_eWzgeZ7ZMfJaSa_MbZflKBTpzbkfkYEV6A14-lnPk0LLg0JlcN-mpiPZeBitd2bmyIiBiqHMl7NYtS7jjo4CfS3cdw8GmuLCdPtTHWOKsiY/s1600/Weights,+Harappa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qe-VIaP5n6xSVsqz5Ois76Be9XFCK5E_eWzgeZ7ZMfJaSa_MbZflKBTpzbkfkYEV6A14-lnPk0LLg0JlcN-mpiPZeBitd2bmyIiBiqHMl7NYtS7jjo4CfS3cdw8GmuLCdPtTHWOKsiY/s1600/Weights,+Harappa.jpg" height="129" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>: </span>Cubical weights in graduated sizes. <i>~ These weights
conform to the standard Harappan binary weight system that was used in all of
the settlements. The smallest weight in this series is 0.856 grams and the most
common weight is approximately 13.7 grams, which is in the 16th ratio. In the
large weights the system become a decimal increase where the largest weight is
100 times the weight of the 16th ratio in the binary system. These weights were
found in relatively recent excavations at Harappa and may have been used for controlling
trade.] ~ </i>The recovered weights range from the
heavier ones with lifting rings attached to those of micro-miniaturized sizes
used probably by jewelers for weighing precious metals, jewellery items and
perhaps some rare and scarce spices. Harappan settlers seem to have had a decimal
system in use for defining higher weights as also for measuring lengths. It
seems some central authority controlled and ensured adherence to strict
standards and fairness in trade and commercial activities. A large number of
small rectangular blocks - both cubical and cylindrical made of tawny chert and
marked with light grey bands, have been excavated from Harappa and
Mohenjo-daro. Archaeologists have identified these blocks as weights.
Interestingly, all these finds are well-finished and have polished faces.
Occasionally they also have beveled edges, though none of them bear an
inscription or mark indicating a weight and value. Along such weights
Mohenjo-daro excavations have also revealed a copper balance.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP0f0AE4YEXYr9MlHORYhobXNXjWTHhL6bcSLV1OdgN3D8LbW1b6iUyXLoopGDzx_OfbwgLO8fyvK6a0OJft7J75SMjIGt4vsSekIBMEssOajDI0qX27nzIMM8xzc5nTBiZ5aNF-lgAM/s1600/Seals+and+sealing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP0f0AE4YEXYr9MlHORYhobXNXjWTHhL6bcSLV1OdgN3D8LbW1b6iUyXLoopGDzx_OfbwgLO8fyvK6a0OJft7J75SMjIGt4vsSekIBMEssOajDI0qX27nzIMM8xzc5nTBiZ5aNF-lgAM/s1600/Seals+and+sealing.jpg" height="200" width="173" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Seals and sealing. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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rectangular seals and a terracotta sealing (bottom) with Indus script. ~ The top
seal has seven signs of Indus script. The back of this seal is convex and it is
perforated from the side. The central sign may represent a house or place of worship and
is a symbol that is often repeated on seals with horned deities seated in yogic
position</i>.] <b>| </b>For building houses, baked bricks were used
extensively at Chanhudaro and Mohenjo-daro. Several constructions were
identified as workshops or industrial quarters and some of the buildings of
Chanhudaro might have been warehouses. Evidence of shell working was found at
Chanhudaro and bangles and ladles were made at this site. Harappan seals were
made generally in bigger towns like Harappa, Mohenjadaro and Chanhudaro that
were involved with administrative network. Copper knives, spears, razors,
tools, axes, vessels and dishes were found, inspiring this site to be nicknamed
as "Sheffield of India" by Earnest Mackay. Copper fishhooks were also
recovered from this site. Terracotta cart model, small terracotta bird (which when
blown acts as a whistle), plates, dishes were found. Indus Seals were also found at
Chanhudaro (which is considered as one of the centres where Seals were manufactured).
The scale of craft production at Chanhudaro seems much greater than that at
Mohenjedaro, perhaps taking up half of town for this activity. An impressive
workshop, recognized as Bead Making Factory, was found at Chanhudaro, which
included a furnace. Shell bangles, beads of many materials, steatite seals and
metal works were manufactured at Chanhudaro. Sesame, which is a native of South
Africa, is known from a number of Harappan sites, including Chanhudaro, probably
grown for oil. Peas were also grown at Chanhudaro. Cotton cloth traces preserved
on silver or bronze objects were known from Chanhudaro, Harappa and Rakhigarhi (in Haryana).
Objects of Iron were reported from Chanhudaro, Ahar (Rajastan, India) and
Mundigak and this gains importance as it has been claimed that Iron was
produced in 3rd Millennium in South Asia Region.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mE6MYNA8ip62pRszQGTwdgzyQa89NX3aeKJqsvPV9gX0oxYdLTkyBwg4uK-6wJn5PRoG5VmL7FZrAvdU_qAwzMsBjdRrm_N62rLyWU_w4YRf9NsKvlFXBeq7eIlKz3zjy_Ysct0ipNc/s1600/Burial+of+adult+man,+Harappa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mE6MYNA8ip62pRszQGTwdgzyQa89NX3aeKJqsvPV9gX0oxYdLTkyBwg4uK-6wJn5PRoG5VmL7FZrAvdU_qAwzMsBjdRrm_N62rLyWU_w4YRf9NsKvlFXBeq7eIlKz3zjy_Ysct0ipNc/s1600/Burial+of+adult+man,+Harappa.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>: </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Burial of adult man, Harappa. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ The body may have been wrapped in a shroud, and
was then placed inside a wooden coffin, which was entombed in a rectangular pit
surrounded with burial offerings in pottery vessels. The man was buried wearing
a long necklace of 340 graduated steatite beads and three separate pendant
beads made of natural stone and three gold beads. A single copper bead was
found at his waist. T</i><i>he most prominent pendant bead is made of a rare
variety of onyx with natural eye designs in alternating shades of red, white,
tan and green. Gold beads were placed at each end to frame this important
ornament. The other two stone beads were made of banded jasper and turquoise,
with a single gold bead at one end of the turquoise bead</i>. <i>~ </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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coffins along with many pottery vessels, that were probably filled
with food for the afterlife. Most individuals, both male and female were buried
with some simple ornaments, such as shell or copper bangles and agate beads.
Elaborate ornaments of gold, silver and precious stones were never included in
the burials and must have been inherited by the living relatives</i>.] <b>|</b> Indus experts homed in on the Rg Veda. Many of
its hymns mention a sacred river called Sarasvati, describing it as the
foremost of rivers, big as the ocean, rising in the mountains and flowing between
the Yamuna and Sutlej </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(<span class="bodyarl">Sutudri or </span>Satadru<span class="bodyarl"> or SuturI) </span>before entering the sea. But in later Vedic hymns it is no
longer described as mighty. In the '70s, when Braj Basi Lal, a former ASI
director-general, began excavating Kalibangan, a site in the desert sands of
Rajasthan, he was amazed to find evidence of a field of crossed furrows dated
to around 2900 BC, preserved by a strange quirk of nature. Looking around he
found that farmers in the region used a similar ploughing technique even after
5,000 years. The ancient houses had tandoors (earthen ovens) similar to ones
found in kitchens in the villages in the area. As Lal says, "It was as if
the present was the past and that despite the passage of time not much had
changed." ~ Extensive study of skeletal remains in the region showed that
the people were in good health and, more importantly, there was a diverse mix
of population just as at the present. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ The conclusion: we had unity in diversity even then! [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... That the Indus was indeed the nucleus of the civilization's
growth is fairly certain. However, given the vastness of the Indus civilization,
the first casualty is the earlier notion of Harappan homogeneity. It is clear
that there was tremendous regional diversity just as we have in modern India.] ... And that this assemblage of people was originally
from the subcontinent itself, they did not come as migrant hordes from Central
Asia. [So, was the Indus Valley Civilization or the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata
the oldest civilization in the world? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. ... </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Was the Shivalik... enclosing an area that starts almost from the Indus and ends close to
the Brahmaputra too part of where it all began? ~ Where civilization began. Where much of creation
began. <i>Who can say?</i> ... Shivalik means 'tresses of Shiva'; perhaps our ancients
named this range after the dreadlocks of Sankara/Shambhu Nath. ~ <i>Who can say?</i>] ...
New evidence from several sites show a remarkable continuity of culture over a
period of 2,000 to 3,000 years before the Indus Valley peaked. Dholavira, for
instance, shows the existence of small farming and pastoral villages on the
same site before it was transformed into a bustling metropolis. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">Besides, the same kind of burnt brick appears to have been used
in the construction of buildings in cities that were several hundred miles
apart. The weights and measures also show a very considerable regularity,
suggesting that these disparate cities spread out across vast swathes of land shared a
common culture. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Although there is a general unity in style and
symbol over this vast area, there are specific regional styles too. The manufacture
of symbols is also slightly different for each region. The unified character of
this culture continued for almost 700 years, after which there is evidence for
a gradual trend towards regional styles (<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">ca.
5000-2600 B.C)</span></b><b>.</b>] <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Harappans took the great leap from
self-contained agricultural societies to a trade-oriented, luxury-conscious,
sophisticated, urban civilization that gave the world the concept of town
planning. Analyzing the evidence from various sites archeologists found that
between 2600 BC and 2500 BC, the Harappans experienced a century of cathartic
changes. A tremendous jump in human ability is evident.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> [This
transformation could not have been sudden, it probably happened gradually - organically - over a period of 100-200
years. ~ So what or who caused it?] <i>The beginnings of village farming communities
and pastoral camps were reported as early as 7000 to 5000 BC. But developed
farming communities, which grew wheat and barley, emerged around 4300 BC</i>. ~ So much for the assiduously-built fiction
about 'Aryan blitzkrieg' - that (supposedly) wiped out a glorious civilization,
plunging India into the dark ages for over a thousand years.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3XiwhtdIrpYhRzft6n-qmiq5SuGEdwk6BhOUQiMMuFtqI4_58slzknpZmMKa-I_oLxOH19g4tLKBdvMfEX2xXEGDrIQ0N1XX5YBOgJnuNnwByHRKSmMVJARC660l6GmRK0FvK2JEYuU/s1600/indus-priest-king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3XiwhtdIrpYhRzft6n-qmiq5SuGEdwk6BhOUQiMMuFtqI4_58slzknpZmMKa-I_oLxOH19g4tLKBdvMfEX2xXEGDrIQ0N1XX5YBOgJnuNnwByHRKSmMVJARC660l6GmRK0FvK2JEYuU/s1600/indus-priest-king.jpg" height="200" width="115" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> "Priest King". ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Fillet or ribbon headband with circular inlay ornament
on the forehead and similar but smaller ornament on the right upper arm. The
two ends of the fillet fall along the back and though the hair is carefully
combed towards the back of the head, no bun is present. The flat back of the
head may have held a separately carved bun as is traditional on the other
seated figures, or it could have held a more elaborate horn and plumed
headdress. Two holes beneath the highly stylized ears
suggest that a necklace or other head ornament was attached to the sculpture.
The left shoulder is covered with a cloak decorated with trefoil, double circle
and single circle designs that were originally filled with red pigment. Drill
holes in the center of each circle indicate they were made with a specialized
drill and then touched up with a chisel. Eyes are deeply incised and may have
held inlay. A short-combed beard frames the face, (the upper-lip is neatly shaved)</i>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Soft limestone was used to carve small
sculptures of deities or important people.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>~ <i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>P.S</u>:</span></i> </b>But then,
how did the term/nomenclature "Priest King"
come about? Was it to indicate "Rajarshi" [Raja + Rishi]? ~ A non-extravagant just and benevolent
ruler, a well-wisher of the people (Hitesh)? Or did it indicate "Purohith" -
someone (a ruler/king/chief) who
worked for the good (hith) of the entire "pur" or "pura" (region/place);
someone
who endeavoured for its all-round progress. [... And, did this word
"purohith" later
give rise to "priest"... with a change of meaning, of course? ~ <i>My guess is as
good as yours</i>.]</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ There appears to be a completely organic process
of growth that threw up the Harappan culture, as we know it. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[On pottery on many of the smaller sites graffiti similar to some figures on the script begin to
appear. And at Dholavira (in Gujarat) and at Banawali in Haryana, the distinction between
the citadel and the lower city is beginning to evolve. There is, however, a
huge jump in scale in such activity in those critical 100 years.] Dholavira, for instance, shows the
existence of small farming and pastoral villages on the same site before it was
transformed into a bustling metropolis. The beginnings of village farming
communities and pastoral camps were reported as early as 7000 to 5000 BC. But
developed farming communities, which grew wheat and barley, emerged around 4300
BC. In a site called Mehrgarh near the Bolan river in Balochistan province,
there are signs of agricultural surplus with the establishment of community
storage silos. </span></span></span>In Kunal in
Haryana, archaeologists found what are known as proto Indus seals. In Harappa
as in most Indus sites, the distinct gridiron pattern for streets appear, a
scientific system of drainage that linked up to even the smallest house in the
lower city is established, precise weights and measures (including decimal
system) begin to circulate, and the writing system evolves. As well as the
bullock-cart technology that the Indus people had perfected. Archaeologists say the
Indus people couldn't have copied their town-planning from Egypt and
Mesopotamia because in those civilizations the roads meandered like village
streets. Nor was the writing similar to Sumer's cuneiform or the Egyptian
hieroglyphics. The Harappans had their own distinctive style. Lal explains the
dramatic change as a result of centuries of growth reaching a critical mass
that caused an unparalleled urban explosion. Trade, he believes, was the
driving force of the revolution/metamorphosis. ~ It all was indeed an expression of the
ancient Indian genius.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1PGLcLJXnF53IeOylqthVxR4JFkAHoWdKl0u-OE7pqFo1waMgcFzXP2IiQRIeUDBpcu6JLPkpYxw0HHG2JHK34VsZCoYVWX9wDdY-Sq5vxFbaDYGE-WIwyHMGumlVZSxCBdwpHB9TYk/s1600/Swastika+design+on+seal+from+Mehrgarh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1PGLcLJXnF53IeOylqthVxR4JFkAHoWdKl0u-OE7pqFo1waMgcFzXP2IiQRIeUDBpcu6JLPkpYxw0HHG2JHK34VsZCoYVWX9wDdY-Sq5vxFbaDYGE-WIwyHMGumlVZSxCBdwpHB9TYk/s1600/Swastika+design+on+seal+from+Mehrgarh.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Swastika design on seal from Mehrgarh.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTnnmx3PELzYPC1MfrNC5SPBNfYW83HxQ39yslg3MsYFPY9t92SnkwXTrPO6yhg1EHKQ9iTtBEj84mKnnEYePQIL-0o5OiadIv7WcmfickSZnLCI8P6VI03yxzh2fm-6juou0EPSjBFg/s1600/HUGE+MEHRGARH+POLYCHROME+FIGURAL+VESSEL,+Indus+Valley,+c.+2500+BC..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTnnmx3PELzYPC1MfrNC5SPBNfYW83HxQ39yslg3MsYFPY9t92SnkwXTrPO6yhg1EHKQ9iTtBEj84mKnnEYePQIL-0o5OiadIv7WcmfickSZnLCI8P6VI03yxzh2fm-6juou0EPSjBFg/s1600/HUGE+MEHRGARH+POLYCHROME+FIGURAL+VESSEL,+Indus+Valley,+c.+2500+BC..jpg" height="183" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Huge Mehrgarh Polychrome Figural Vessel, Indus Valley. c. 2500 BC.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaoOg8CeDb_LwzYA4UqVewo_EUh12-Dd1-WLaZCqXptfo52JePjaFtmuhtwWnei5MPO_RPjdOkv0XWwdE6ehNRi-AI4T5ZDCL3Q_df0ueSLl7MF9gXJfV8QN3Q_4t6So05rfSnX4abOs/s1600/Mehrgarh+Bichrome+Figural+Pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaoOg8CeDb_LwzYA4UqVewo_EUh12-Dd1-WLaZCqXptfo52JePjaFtmuhtwWnei5MPO_RPjdOkv0XWwdE6ehNRi-AI4T5ZDCL3Q_df0ueSLl7MF9gXJfV8QN3Q_4t6So05rfSnX4abOs/s1600/Mehrgarh+Bichrome+Figural+Pot.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>: </span>Mehrgarh Bichrome Figural Pot, Indus Valley, c. 3rd
millennium BC. <i>~ The pot painted with a register of numerous small ibex above
large bulls within vegetation and linear bands. Some lime deposits attesting
authenticity.</i> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdlrWhFtBU0lF8gY0gFvtv9hsDuOc6e1WXvuEmrodofCMoEiskJd5pmb8KdHBHzsCG4E26SWoWs7qHAMapgANhwMM8fujqKh-Zwz6Qf4XkONVbtrmSOflBP8QksxjfhjJ8CgZS-c1cSQ/s1600/Mehrgarh+Bichrome+Oil+Lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdlrWhFtBU0lF8gY0gFvtv9hsDuOc6e1WXvuEmrodofCMoEiskJd5pmb8KdHBHzsCG4E26SWoWs7qHAMapgANhwMM8fujqKh-Zwz6Qf4XkONVbtrmSOflBP8QksxjfhjJ8CgZS-c1cSQ/s1600/Mehrgarh+Bichrome+Oil+Lamp.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Mehrgarh Bichrome Oil Lamp, Indus Valley, c. 3rd
millennium BC. <i>~ Of four-pinch square form, the pot painted with geometric
designs on the outer rim. Some lime and soot deposits attesting authenticity.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi320TeWSOiSJ94AUR6Ko-SqpffNu_IjSJBWqM-NkpaRhVybKH6xLPvlYrIxhAEQbpULcNFndhLEUFkOZODcNnyJQ3bGU9gzG3zKTiK0kiv34D8wFfxvyYvSsuUXqKY5sfWN_xo7esjc/s1600/Indus+%27Lipped%27+Oil+Lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi320TeWSOiSJ94AUR6Ko-SqpffNu_IjSJBWqM-NkpaRhVybKH6xLPvlYrIxhAEQbpULcNFndhLEUFkOZODcNnyJQ3bGU9gzG3zKTiK0kiv34D8wFfxvyYvSsuUXqKY5sfWN_xo7esjc/s1600/Indus+'Lipped'+Oil+Lamp.jpg" height="108" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Indus Valley Civilization<span class="title11"> 'Lipped' </span>Oil Lamp: Ceramic, 37.67 grams, 68.68 mm rim.
Circa 2600-1900 BC. ~ <i>Elliptical bowls are a characteristic artifact from the
Indus Valley civilization, from sites such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. These oil
lamps are provided with a lip to receive a wick. The fabric is very fine
terracotta with few micaceous inclusions, with a creamy-tan slip to reduce the porosity</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oamuaJzkxCuCvWntp8nt6D3tTlWwRwC-baXv587GKeAv_dA79Q2ClmcjMa8c20HXL4yFWcxldGjItLhI3W9NdkVjEAqMfiLNojB4Fy0OnxU8HvZgn25sbn5cpvch_Bby3b87dAhm9WA/s1600/Indus+Libation+vessels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oamuaJzkxCuCvWntp8nt6D3tTlWwRwC-baXv587GKeAv_dA79Q2ClmcjMa8c20HXL4yFWcxldGjItLhI3W9NdkVjEAqMfiLNojB4Fy0OnxU8HvZgn25sbn5cpvch_Bby3b87dAhm9WA/s1600/Indus+Libation+vessels.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Libation vessels. ~ <i>Libation vessels made of the conch shell (marine shell) Turbinella
pyrum. One of these is decorated with vermilion filled incised lines. A single
spiraling design is carved around the apex and a double incised line frames the
edge of the orifice. This type of vessel was used in later times for ritual
libations and for administering sacred water or medicine to patients</i>. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AnRD95Cjx2izAHCSHEFjJdnzzv1fMPp0UMVKPwSEAOwfP16uNYVudHOHU00ThCmeJQLhiI7kakpWJIaJTttx8r1cBR8DEXc5E8NyZfYBbRI7_oIzFocvFV2ULKcq6R0EgwdsjxzxcWE/s1600/Indus+Terracotta+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AnRD95Cjx2izAHCSHEFjJdnzzv1fMPp0UMVKPwSEAOwfP16uNYVudHOHU00ThCmeJQLhiI7kakpWJIaJTttx8r1cBR8DEXc5E8NyZfYBbRI7_oIzFocvFV2ULKcq6R0EgwdsjxzxcWE/s1600/Indus+Terracotta+Bowl.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Indus Terracotta Bowl. <span class="default">Circa: 3500 BC to 2500 BC.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUrIYuzKdaeDw_NtQ7G_PnXJRqlhxVtUPMXcmdrLxB-q4uv0N4_-AhDTtXHu2Je3dxJDhFeSropbJHQ5F64uAfVUI8HgwyvipYry9OQSuPgmYMIs62-3ZLeb-vS-OdmlHFjXA9RdY_wg/s1600/Indus+Terracotta+Vessel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUrIYuzKdaeDw_NtQ7G_PnXJRqlhxVtUPMXcmdrLxB-q4uv0N4_-AhDTtXHu2Je3dxJDhFeSropbJHQ5F64uAfVUI8HgwyvipYry9OQSuPgmYMIs62-3ZLeb-vS-OdmlHFjXA9RdY_wg/s1600/Indus+Terracotta+Vessel.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Indus Terracotta Vessel. <span class="default">Circa: 3500 BC to 2500 BC.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-cvfsjrjoPCyGI8_Y63EfECpMe6piFlDgeKy9SAOO6YEdAb4SZqgVHigTNeGvyfNj1vvLvQk6CKIsiqNMKnWKqfznE4dj7Hfruyw6sSj6Q90Hqf2TQRIN4-67_fviE0_MWqKJdiNlNA/s1600/Painted+burial+pottery,+Harappa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-cvfsjrjoPCyGI8_Y63EfECpMe6piFlDgeKy9SAOO6YEdAb4SZqgVHigTNeGvyfNj1vvLvQk6CKIsiqNMKnWKqfznE4dj7Hfruyw6sSj6Q90Hqf2TQRIN4-67_fviE0_MWqKJdiNlNA/s1600/Painted+burial+pottery,+Harappa.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Painted burial pottery from Harappa. <i>~ The two
larger vessels were found in the same burial. The other smaller vessels were
found in an earlier burial and represent an older style of pottery. </i>~ T<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">all jar with concave neck and flaring rim:</span> </b><i>T</i><i>he
rounded base was originally supported in a ring stand. The black painted
geometric designs are arranged in panels with a red slip as background. After
initial firing, the entire painted design was obliterated with a red slip and
fired again at a low temperature that turned the exterior layer of the slip red
through oxidation, but the inner layer remained gray. This overslip was not
well bonded to the previously slipped surface and was partially eroded when first
discovered. After initial conservation and documentation, one half of the
overslip was removed to reveal the original painted design. The lid and ring
stand with this vessel were also covered with an overslip. This tall jar was
located at the foot of the burial pit for burial</i>.] <b>|</b> The excavation of Lothal, an Indus port-town
located off the Gujarat coast, created waves. It shattered notions that the
Indus was a landlocked civilization, conservative and isolated, and as a result
sank without a trace. Excavations (by Rao) uncovered a dock 700 ft long - even
bigger than the one currently at Visakhapatnam. It took an estimated million
bricks to build it. Next to the dockyard were massive granaries and specialized
factories for bead-making. Hundreds of seals were found, some showing Persian
Gulf origin, indicating that Lothal was a major port of exit and entry. ~ Indus
seals were found both in Iraq, where the ancient Sumer civilization flourished,
and in the Persian Gulf. ... The Sumers (Sumerians) apparently called India
"Meluha", and their inscriptions talk of how they purchased beads of
various kinds, timber, copper, gold and ivory crafts from India. It was evident
that the goods were upmarket and purchased by the Sumer royalty. Indus sailors
appear to have discovered the trade winds long before Hippolus, and their
maritime interests were vast. "Harappan traders were among the most
enterprising," says Jagat Pati Joshi, another former ASI director-general,
who discovered Dholavira. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Karnataka, and then hammered into delightful chains to be exported to Sumer. A lapis lazuli bead factory discovered in distant
Shortugai in Afghanistan is believed to have been a major supplier to Harappan
traders. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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of Afghanistan for the last 6,500 years, and trade in the stone is ancient
enough for lapis jewelry to have been found at Predynastic Egyptian sites, and
lapis beads at neolithic burials in Mehrgarh, the Caucasus, and even as far as
Mauritania.] ~ Like modern-day Indian businessmen, the Harappans had a huge
domestic market to cater to. The climate around that time was conducive for
growing a variety of crops in the region. Harappans are credited with being the
earliest growers of rice and cotton. The agricultural surpluses ensured craft
specialization. And, at its peak, the Indus was dotted with over 300 cities of
varying sizes, supported by hundreds of towns and villages, which supported a
cottage industry. Quality standards seem to have been strictly observed,
resulting in uniformity of arts and craft. And the flourishing trade was an
energizer that powered Indus' phenomenal growth in the middle of the third
millennium BC. It brought prosperity that saw the cities provide their citizens
with the finest of drainage systems and reservoirs to supply water. And helped
them evolve into one of the greatest civilizations ever. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[~ What
does seem clear is that the important sites were commercial centers. They are
on rivers or near the coast. Various specialized manufacturing facilities
suggest that they were heavily involved in trade with each other and far
outside the region.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjctNdJIpVUOBJ1Zx6n5XthZjcG7kFs0v1sAi6wHwJjJ7QPi541gGxU-n8aZn4uGIPCB2wvxy3Jhge0pcapGQF_FQPKemioWxVCTPZ8xTfO086R1oBM_4tHt9KjT2oPV7xfLBLb8-7_U/s1600/indusseals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjctNdJIpVUOBJ1Zx6n5XthZjcG7kFs0v1sAi6wHwJjJ7QPi541gGxU-n8aZn4uGIPCB2wvxy3Jhge0pcapGQF_FQPKemioWxVCTPZ8xTfO086R1oBM_4tHt9KjT2oPV7xfLBLb8-7_U/s1600/indusseals.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Various Indus seals.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <i>(Many of the seals have narrative scenes that appear to
represent deities and ceremonies. Some were ornamental, some for administrative and trading purposes. </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Maybe some of the seals were also made to commemorate festivities, important
events (even celestial events), history, and personages; while a few of them [probably] served
to keep dates (Indus calendar, perhaps?</i>)</span> <span style="color: #351c75;"><b>|</b> [<i>Dholavira</i> (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->on the salty marshes of the Rann of Kutch in
Gujarat) was a well-planned city with
broad roads, a city centre, a town with residential houses, and open spaces and
stadiums for markets and fairs. It is one of the two largest settlements in
India and the fourth or fifth largest in the subcontinent. Dholavira enjoys the
unique distinction of yielding an inscription of ten large signs of the
Harappan script: indeed the oldest sign-board of the world. A variety of
funerary structures is yet another feature of exceeding importance throwing new
light on the socio-cultural beliefs, thereby indicating the presence of
composite ethnic groups in the Indus population of Dholavira. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Archaeologist Ravindra Singh Bisht says:
"Exploring Dholavira is like opening a complete book on the Indus. We now
have answers to some of the most enduring riddles about the civilization."
For starters, Indus town planners are not as "monotonous" and
"regimented" as archaeologists had us believe. In Dholavira they
display a surprising exuberance that expresses itself in elaborate stone
gateways with rounded columns apart from giant reservoirs for water. ~ While experts regard Dholavira as the most exciting
Indus find in recent times, archaeologists have excavated or are in the process
of digging up 90 other sites both in India and Pakistan that are throwing up
remarkable clues about this great prehistoric civilization. ~ It is both a
revelation and a revolution. What they have been uncovering is turning accepted
notions on the Indus on their heads.] ~ <i>Lothal </i>(Gujarati
for "mound of the dead"), on the other hand, was a flourishing city, connected
to the sea at the Gulf of Cambay and there was active trade with Egypt,
Mesopotamia and Persia. One can find ruins of neatly laid-out residential
blocks, a township, a marketplace, and roads, public baths, drains and wells.
Thousands of objects that reflect the daily life of the people have been
excavated such as toys, utensils, beads, pottery, seals, weights and measures.
[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->A possible fire altar indicates that the
Harrapans may have worshipped Agni. The ruins of a fire-altar suggest
that the people of Lothal worshipped Agni along with the sea god.] The people of Lothal made significant and often unique contributions to human
civilization in the Indus era, in the fields of city planning, art,
architecture, science, engineering and culture. Their work in metallurgy,
seals, beads and jewelry was the basis of their prosperity. A coastal route
existed linking sites such as Lothal and Dholavira to Sutkagan Dor on the
Makran coast. Lothal's dock - the world's earliest known, connected the city to
an ancient course of the Sabarmati river on the trade route between Harappan
cities and the peninsula of Saurashtra when the surrounding Kutch desert of
today was a part of the Arabian Sea. It was a vital and thriving trade centre
in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems and valuable ornaments reaching
the far corners of West Asia and Africa. The techniques and tools they
pioneered for bead-making and in metallurgy have stood the test of time for
over 4000 years. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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finds from the excavations testify to trade with ancient Egypt and Mespotamia.
The hydraulic knowledge of the ancient Harappans can be judged by the fact that
boats could dock at Lothal in the 1850's. In 1942 timber was brought from
Baruch to nearby Sagarwala. It is said that then the dockyard could hold 30
ships of 60 tons each or 60 ships of 30 tons each. This would be comparable to
the modern docks at Vishakapatnam. ~ A fascinating fact is the existence of two more cities
underwater in the sea nearby, which are as elaborate and advanced. ... The
planned urban city of <i>Mehrgarh</i>, one of the oldest structured
settlements ever known was discovered and excavations begun by a French team
led by Jean-François Jarrige and Catherine Jarrige; the site was excavated
continuously between 1974 and 1986. Mehrgarh was equipped with water supply,
sanitation, markets, and shops. The most unique discovery is the first known
origin of dental surgery and related medicinal activities exercised in the
Mehrgarh area. [Dental caries (or cavities) are the result of sugars and
starches in the food we eat. Hunter-gatherers, who rely on animal protein, do
not generally have cavities.] It is also one of the earliest sites with
evidence of farming (wheat, barley, maize and dates) and herding (cattle, sheep
and goats) in south Asia. The artisans were very skilled particularly in
sculpture and jewelry-making, as well as in metal-casting. The oldest ceramic
figurines in South Asia were found at Mehrgarh. It was also some sort of a
centre for manufacturing various figurines and pottery; there are evidences of
well-equipped workshops. An abundance of ornaments and jewelry have been found.
Figurines of bronze and terracotta: women and animals, baskets, tools, beads,
bracelets, pendants and necklaces too have been discovered. Most of the jewelry
found are made of precious stones such as lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, turquoise, shells
and pearls. [Maybe the lapis lazuli and copper came from the mountains of Afghanistan;
agate and carnelian from Gujarat; and shellfish and pearls from the southern
coast of Pakistan on the Arabian Peninsula.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YCNCj5Z1JRzLbSSy0XlB9VFq-i0XLu_ZPpOKwkfEljxTgaYzh8MGbqQPhgX-gmjIgEcYLtkeSkvPrT8heXwB_W9AKo5zL68x5tMxYsGNZFVdS8Fxp5us1I7FyOL6ioS0GBhGRvaBSVM/s1600/Early+Indus+Valley+tabular+disk+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YCNCj5Z1JRzLbSSy0XlB9VFq-i0XLu_ZPpOKwkfEljxTgaYzh8MGbqQPhgX-gmjIgEcYLtkeSkvPrT8heXwB_W9AKo5zL68x5tMxYsGNZFVdS8Fxp5us1I7FyOL6ioS0GBhGRvaBSVM/s1600/Early+Indus+Valley+tabular+disk+beads.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Early
Indus Valley tabular disk beads. Period: Indus Valley Culture - most probably
3300-2800 BC. <i>~ If you look at the Indus beads below, you will
see that they all still have marks of pecking even though they have been after
polished on a grinding stone.</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J8z-igUZ10O4H4ylKw7Nq9FXFpygSvgd6Ueueux97kc-EvD_6LNHg7NUdceMZK7i0ykibmm-Ac0iw2Zc0gNRM_11ScKfWLGtrl2JiSf7wg98CfzdbvmQs2aiDCpOS1yc8n_y7HhwnRY/s1600/Bhirrana+disk+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J8z-igUZ10O4H4ylKw7Nq9FXFpygSvgd6Ueueux97kc-EvD_6LNHg7NUdceMZK7i0ykibmm-Ac0iw2Zc0gNRM_11ScKfWLGtrl2JiSf7wg98CfzdbvmQs2aiDCpOS1yc8n_y7HhwnRY/s1600/Bhirrana+disk+beads.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Photo from an excavation find from Bhirrana (a
Harappan site in Fatehabad district in Haryana) where you can see the same disk
beads.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNkQufDlGYlySD50fwGndV-StgwVezaPeDCuhAtuTUrplldBRBwsGVETO1sj0q0HpJRodB881jYEuWfFMsMjEYnV-_RbEFLZEYVhKX_jp3TutefkU-9U6QcyfRer5XEApXNgwePoiHqc/s1600/Bhirrana+-+The+potsherd+with+the+engraving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNkQufDlGYlySD50fwGndV-StgwVezaPeDCuhAtuTUrplldBRBwsGVETO1sj0q0HpJRodB881jYEuWfFMsMjEYnV-_RbEFLZEYVhKX_jp3TutefkU-9U6QcyfRer5XEApXNgwePoiHqc/s1600/Bhirrana+-+The+potsherd+with+the+engraving.jpg" height="200" width="174" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">[<u>Pic</u>: <span style="color: #351c75;">the potsherd with the engraving.]</span></span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> <u>Also</u>:</span></i> <span style="color: #351c75;">In a rare discovery, the Archaeological Survey
of India has found at Bhirrana, a red potsherd with an engraving that resembles
the Indus 'Dancing Girl,' the iconic bronze figurine of Mohenjo-daro. While the
bronze was discovered in the early 1920s, the ASI discovered the potsherd with
the engraving during excavations in 2004-05. A few hundred kilometres separate
Mohenjo-daro and Bhirrana. The potsherd, discovered by a team led by L.S. Rao,
Superintending Archaeologist, Excavation Branch, ASI, Nagpur, belonged to the
Mature Harappan period. Mr. Rao called it the "only one of its kind" because
"no parallel to the Dancing Girl, in bronze or any other medium, was known"
until the latest find. He goes on to say, "... the delineation [of the lines in
the potsherd] is so true to the stance, including the disposition of the hands,
of the bronze that it appears that the craftsman of Bhirrana had first-hand
knowledge of the former." ~ Mr. Rao called Bhirrana an "exemplary" and
"paradigmatic" site that stood out on two more grounds. For the first time in
the post-Independence period, artifacts called Hakra ware, belonging to the
pre-early Harappan period, were found as independent, stratified deposits at
Bhirrana. This and other discoveries established the presence of an unbroken
cultural sequence at Bhirrana: from the Hakra ware culture and its evolution
into early Harappan, early Mature Harappan and Mature Harappan until the site was
abandoned. ~ The discoveries of these periods include underground dwelling
pits; house-complexes on streets; a fortification wall; bichrome pottery;
terracotta cups; arrowheads, fish-hooks and bangles, all in copper; incised
copper celts; terracotta toy-carts and animal figurines; and beads of
semi-precious stones. Seals made of steatite of the Mature Harappan period were
found. They have animal figures such as a unicorn, a deer with wavy antlers, a
bull with outsized horns, and an animal with three heads - of a deer, a unicorn
and a bull. The seals also have typical Harappan legends on them. All these
were found during excavations in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHQFuJzO61OBqi27Ro-kV_Ocezsfbl2ygvE28QyqZxBFoem_aje5NwLYixBYWUP2FwQGi6-9sH6TzoDv911OSEj-2jo9LTS0xcGeTfXRuSRbjnzMr45Hk_cwG0fWk_qarMxvxpOQlUW8/s1600/Lothal_dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHQFuJzO61OBqi27Ro-kV_Ocezsfbl2ygvE28QyqZxBFoem_aje5NwLYixBYWUP2FwQGi6-9sH6TzoDv911OSEj-2jo9LTS0xcGeTfXRuSRbjnzMr45Hk_cwG0fWk_qarMxvxpOQlUW8/s1600/Lothal_dock.jpg" height="127" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The dock, with a canal opening to allow water to
flow into the river, thereby maintaining a stable water level</i>. <b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>More on </u></i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="bodytext"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>Lothal</u>:</i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">the cradle of the subcontinent's oldest
civilization; the cradle of Aryan civilization in the sub-continent. ~ Lothal,
literally "Mound of the Dead" (in Gujarati), is the most extensively excavated site of
Harappan culture in India, and therefore allows the most insight into the story
of the Indus Valley Civilization, its exuberant flight, and its eventual
decline and subsequent diversification. ~ Once a sleepy pottery village, Lothal
rumbled awake to become a flourishing centre of trade and industry, famous for
its expertly constructed system of underground sanitary drainage, and an
astonishing precision of standardized weights and measures. Lothal passed
through all the phases of society; from earliest development to most
mature. At the height of its prosperity, it not only survived but also was
strengthened by three floods, using the disaster as an opportunity to improve
on the infrastructure. The fourth flood finally brought the settlement to the
desperate and impoverished conditions that indicated the end of a once-glorious
civilization. ~ Lothal began as a small village on the Sabarmati river,
inhabited by people using "red ware" micaceous pottery (similar to
today's terracotta), during the Chalcolithic era. Sea-faring merchants, and
later the potters, masons, smiths, and seal-cutters of the Indus Valley
Civilization, established a colony at Lothal circa 2450 BC, bringing with them
their tools, technology, crafts, and expanded sea-borne trade. Lothal soon
became an industrial center, one of the southernmost outposts of the Indus
Valley Civilization, and (also) its most important port. ~ Around 2350 BC,
after all the houses were destroyed by severe floods, the people of Lothal
rallied together, or perhaps were led by someone, to not only rebuild the town,
but also to improve on it. They strengthened the walls of the fort, raised the
level of the town, built an artificial dock, possibly the first in the world,
and an extensive warehouse. A hundred and fifty years later, after the next
floods, they again came together to reconstruct the town into a larger city.
After the third severe flood circa 2000 BC, many inhabitants left the city to
move to higher and safer regions. When the city was again completely
submerged around 1900 BC, what is known as the Mature Harappan period gave way
to the Late Harappan Period. Farmers, artisans, and fishermen gradually
returned in the hope of rebuilding their lives, but the urban center could
never be regenerated. <i>Result?</i> ... The populace lived in poorly constructed reed huts,
with no drainage, and perhaps even a return to illiteracy. Yet, somehow, the
civilization continued here till the 16th century BC, long after it had
disappeared from the northern provinces. Gradually the town was abandoned and
silted up over the next few centuries. ~ Dr. S. R. Rao's excavation of the site
from 1955-62 provided the most exhaustive study of Harappan culture in India
from artifacts and structural remains such as: #1. Earthenware: <i>strong large
ceramic jars, human and animal figurines, as well as toys and games-figures</i>.
#2. Copper and stone tools: <i>in beautiful designs of human and animal
figurines, often of bulls</i>. #3: Seals: <i>Lothal holds the third largest
collection of seals and sealing, engraved on steatite, with animal and human
figurines and letters from Indus script, but these remain undeciphered, so they
do not provide as much insight into the material culture as the other findings.
They do however show aspects of the spiritual culture; there are signs of fire worship, and of worship of the sea goddess, but not of the mother goddess</i>. [So, maybe,
stories of Shambhu Nath as well as the Shiva-Parvati story (gradually) came in
with people/migrants from the Harappa-Mohenjo-daro/Meluhhan areas.] #4. Beads: <i>Lothal
had a highly developed bead-making industry that has not been surpassed even by
the modern Cambay craftspeople working 4000 years later. Lothal was famous for
its micro-beads that were made by rolling ground steatite paste on string,
baking it solid, and then cutting it with a tiny saw into the desired lengths.
The expertise is evident in the micro-beads of gold under 0.25 mm in diameter
that cannot be found anywhere else. #5.</i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span class="bodytext">Weights and measures:
<i>despite the vast area over which the Harappan culture spread, it developed
an extraordinarily precise system of weights and measures, standardized across
the civilization, represented in the local materials at Lothal</i>. #6. A
network of underground drainage: <i>there were also 12 private paved baths on
the upper town. These show a remarkably
forward thinking concern for hygiene and sanitation</i>. #7. Dock and warehouse: <i>The dockyard allowed
ships to sluice from the sea, and expertly constructed lock gates allowed them
to float while loading or unloading their cargo. Apparently the dockyard could,
at that time, hold 30 ships of 60 tonnes, or 60 ships of 30 tonnes, a capacity
comparable to that of the modern docks of Vishakapatnam. The dock allowed sea
trade with West Asia, in particular, to expand greatly.</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: maroon;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>[Pic</u>: Seal, Kalibangan.] <b>|</b> <u>Notes on Kalibangan</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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is almost as large as Harappa and Mohenjodaro, and designed on the same plan. Discovered by A. Ghosh
(director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India), this site, is of
archaeological significance because it contains both pre-Harappan and Harappan
remains; and therein can be seen the transition between the two cultures.
Excavations reveal that Rajasthan had been an important centre of the ceramic
industry. The paintings on the ancient pottery bear close affinity and
resemblance with the Harappan designs. The remains include a cemetery and a
fortified citadel. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Small, mud
plastered ovens closely resembling present-day tandoors have been also been
excavated at Kalibangan, an Indus Valley site. Kalibangan</span></i> is also
identified as being established in the triangle of land at the confluence of
Drishadvathi and Sarasvati Rivers. Luigi Tessitori at this site first
identified the prehistoric and pre-Mauryan character of Indus Valley
Civilization. The Archaeological Survey of India published Kalibangan's
excavation report in its entirety in 2003, 34 years after the completion
of excavations. The report concluded that Kalibangan was a major provincial
capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Its unique fire altars and "world's
earliest attested ploughed field" distinguish Kalibangan. [~ The excavation
unexpectedly brought to light a two-fold sequence of cultures, of which the
upper one (Kalibangan I) belongs to the Harappan, showing the characteristic
grid layout of a metropolis and the lower one (Kalibangan II) was formerly
called pre-Harappan but now it is called "Early Harappan or antecedent
Harappan". Other nearby sites belonging to Indus Valley Civilization include Balu (Haryana),
Kunal (Haryana), Banawali etc.] B.B. Lal, former DG of ASI, said: "Kalibangan
in Rajasthan has given the evidence of the earliest (c. 2800 BC) ploughed
agricultural field ever revealed through an excavation." It has been found
south east of the pre-Harappan settlement, outside the fort. "Kalibangan
excavations in present western Rajasthan show a ploughed field, the first site
of this nature in the world. It shows a grid pattern of furrows, placed about
30 cm apart running east-west and other spaced about 190 cm apart
running north-south, a pattern remarkably similar to the one practiced even
now." Even today, similar ploughing is used for two simultaneous crops in
this region, esp. of mustard and gram. For preservation, this excavated
ploughed field area was refilled after excavation and concrete pillar posts
marked the area.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <i>Kalibangan Seal; Commemorative Stamp. Issue date: 14/12/1961; denomination: 0.90.</i>] <b>|</b> ~ Kalibangan lies along the left bank of the dried-up
bed of river Ghaggar (Ghaggar-Hakra River). It comprises of three mounds,
the larger one in the middle, the smaller in the west and the smallest in
the east. The excavations brought to light grid layout of a Harappan
metropolis, perhaps truly 'the first city' of the Indian culture
heritage. The significant part of the evidence, however, relates to
the discovery of an early-Harappan settlement, immediately underlying the
occupational remains of the Harappan citadel. The pre-Harappan settlement was a
fortified parallelogram, the fortification wall being made of
mud-bricks. The houses within the walled area were also made of
mud-bricks. The distinctive trait of this period was the pottery, which was
significantly different from that of the succeeding Harappans. An outstanding
discovery was a ploughed field, showing a cross-grid of furrows, the
southeast of the settlement outside the town-wall. This is perhaps the
earliest ploughed field excavated so far. During the Harappan period, the
structural pattern of the settlement was changed. There were now
two distinct parts<b>:</b> the citadel on the west and the lower
city on the east. The former was situated atop the remains of the
preceding occupations to gain an eminence over the lower city, which was laid
out on the natural plain towards the east. The citadel complex was a
fortified parallelogram, consisting of two equal but separately patterned
parts. The fortification was built throughout of mud-bricks. The
southern half of the citadel contained some five to six massive platforms, some
of which may have been used for ritual purposes. The northern half of the
citadel contained residential buildings of the elite. The lower city was
also fortified. Within the walled city, was a gridiron plan of streets
running north-south and east-west, dividing the area into blocks. The
houses were built of mud-bricks, baked bricks being confined to drains, wells,
sills, etc. Beside the above two principal parts of the metropolis, there was
also a third one, situated 80 m east of the lower city. It consisted of a
modest structure, containing five (Vedic) 'fire-altars' similar to
those found at Lothal (indicating worship of 'Agni') and as such could have
been used for ritualistic purposes. Of the finds obtained from this
excavation, a cylindrical seal and an incised terracotta cake are quite
significant. The cemetery of the Harappans was located to the
west-southwest of the citadel. Three types of burials were attested<b>:</b>
extended inhumation in rectangular or oval grave-pits; pot-burials in a
circular pit; and rectangular or oval grave-pits containing only pottery and
other funerary objects. The later two methods were unassociated with
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">B. B. Lal, former DG of ASI, says: "Kalibangan in
Rajasthan ... has also shown that there occurred an earthquake around
2600 BC, which brought to an end the Early Indus settlement at the
site." This is perhaps the earliest archaeologically recorded earthquake.
At least three pre-historic earthquakes affecting the Indus Valley Civilization
at Dholavira in Khadir have been identified during 2900-1800 BC. Robert
Raikes, an Italian hydrologist, has argued that Kalibangan was abandoned
because the river dried up. Prof. Lal supports this view by asserting:
"Radiocarbon dates indicate that the Mature Harappan settlement at
Kalibangan had to be abandoned around 2000-1900 BCE. And, as the
hydrological evidence indicates, this abandonment took place on account of the
drying up of the Sarasvati. This latter part is duly established by the work of
Raikes, an Italian hydrologist, and of his Indian collaborators."</span> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Banawali</u>:</span> </i><span style="color: #351c75;">earlier called Vanavali, it is on the left
banks of dried-up Sarasvati River; Banawali was built over upper middle valley
of Sarasvati River. <i><u>Artifacts recovered</u></i>: S-shaped jars, cooking
vessels, ovens, tandoors, painted earthen pots etc. Painted motifs include,
peacocks, pipal leaves, tree, deer, star, fish flowers, intersecting circles,
checker board patterns, honey comb patterns. Harappan seals carrying pictures
of Rhinoceros, wild goat, ibex, unicorn, and composite animal with tiger body.
Gold, copper, bronze pieces: gold beads, copper, lapis lazuli, bangles of
shells etc. The pottery found, is comparable with Harappan pottery in fineness
and pottery assemblage is very similar to assemblage of Kalibangan.</span></span></span><i><span style="color: maroon;"></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_fji9wjK7gnUpMMCY1OaHhPcFesZsh9oyauiP7QgFLEMylcQpvAnXCV-hMICSM_Os_4ETxDI4fjrXXmx_0U05hdhLYD5f5xSWa3oKvdP5DjdEA45bNM0Yf0jez7u5pqbJjlUYyqlQUo/s1600/Indus+Dancing+Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_fji9wjK7gnUpMMCY1OaHhPcFesZsh9oyauiP7QgFLEMylcQpvAnXCV-hMICSM_Os_4ETxDI4fjrXXmx_0U05hdhLYD5f5xSWa3oKvdP5DjdEA45bNM0Yf0jez7u5pqbJjlUYyqlQUo/s1600/Indus+Dancing+Girl.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Indus Dancing Girl. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ One of the rarest artifacts world-over, a unique blend
of antiqueness and art indexing the lifestyle, taste and cultural excellence of
a people in such remote past as about five millenniums from now, the tiny bronze-cast,
the statue of a young lady now unanimously called 'Indus dancing girl',
represents a stylistically poised female figure performing a dance. Though a
small work of art, it is impressive and surpasses in plasticity the heavily ornate terracotta figurines</i>. ... </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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one, that the Indus artists knew metal blending and casting and perhaps other
technical aspects of metallurgy, and two, that a well-developed society of Indus
people had innovated dance and other performing arts (maybe also dramatics, plays, verses and even story-telling) as modes of entertainment.</i>] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEipZ8f47Dd1fEFFKGm2inzuFUR2K2ZfN0QVyk3rkPnymTvzEH-dtZE8EnT6kq76zMkAOilxAMBMniSvkL4VpdlBuMZ3u3fEYWBj7g3DUy-8giL35ofFE5zKpyD-u1BQFH09qk4IHAE4/s1600/indusmask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEipZ8f47Dd1fEFFKGm2inzuFUR2K2ZfN0QVyk3rkPnymTvzEH-dtZE8EnT6kq76zMkAOilxAMBMniSvkL4VpdlBuMZ3u3fEYWBj7g3DUy-8giL35ofFE5zKpyD-u1BQFH09qk4IHAE4/s1600/indusmask.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Dancing, painting, sculpture, and music (there is
evidence of drums and of stringed instruments) were all part of their culture.
Possibly drama and puppet shows/puppetry too, judging from a number of masks. |<b> </b></span><u>Pic</u>:</span> Miniature mask from Mohenjo-daro.<i> ~ The peaceful face
is made from a mold and thumb impressions from pressing the clay are visible on
the back. The mouth is somber and the long almond-shaped eyes are open. The
short horns arch from the top of the forehead and two long ears lay against the
horns. Two holes on either side allow the mask to be attached to a puppet and/or used as a decorative piece.</i> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDEsvG6ONMLQmtSaLWU6tl-unCtrfSLmGWjhyxklIxQK_C8AnQ4dJfA_npvS5HF-uYGXHA_7nblmOY8kGXdBdPfsRrMHqIwUqz2Y3yBB5tVWggN01qPK2nHi5ojHcYlmzkF8Fgv_Omow/s1600/chessmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDEsvG6ONMLQmtSaLWU6tl-unCtrfSLmGWjhyxklIxQK_C8AnQ4dJfA_npvS5HF-uYGXHA_7nblmOY8kGXdBdPfsRrMHqIwUqz2Y3yBB5tVWggN01qPK2nHi5ojHcYlmzkF8Fgv_Omow/s1600/chessmen.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> A board
game, a probable ancestor of the game of chess, has been unearthed at Lothal, Gujarat.<span class="ircsu"> [~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chaturanga (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode"><i>caturaṅga</i></span>)
- an ancient Indian strategy game, (and the common ancestor of the board games
chess, shogi, makruk, xiangqi and janggi) was developed during the Gupta era (around
the 6th century AD). In the 7th century, it was adopted as shatranj in
Sassanid Persia, which in turn was the form of chess brought to late-medieval
Europe. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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- the tonal similarity is due to the Avestan Persian-Sanskrit connection.</span>]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ircsu"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Dice (or maybe some other board game, such as a precursor to ludo) from
before 2000 BC, made from stone and used in games by Indus people.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovL7jc6JinefCQZLB_LNE-pS8ce8OKCXhk7ogLyk4IEWHKp569b_6Th2cFsq_m9uMd88QZpRmJVM5LJZ3CRiRCPuCd6VWuff0GScvCIPUhriaQNyxZDtGw7GfGG9ug8ACxYx5ial0Bt4/s1600/Indus_toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovL7jc6JinefCQZLB_LNE-pS8ce8OKCXhk7ogLyk4IEWHKp569b_6Th2cFsq_m9uMd88QZpRmJVM5LJZ3CRiRCPuCd6VWuff0GScvCIPUhriaQNyxZDtGw7GfGG9ug8ACxYx5ial0Bt4/s1600/Indus_toy.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
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variety of toys have been discovered... fashioned with exquisite care. <span class="st"><i>~ This
culture seemed to have a love of children</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Harappans were expert craftsmen. They excelled at stone-carving, complex
weaving and carpet-making, inlaid woodwork and decorative architecture. They
engraved with remarkable artistry their famous seals, mostly in steatite (or
soapstone); those seals, over 3,000 of which have been found, seem to have
served various purposes: some commercial, to identify consignments to be
shipped, some for administrative purposes, some for internal trade, and some
ritual or spiritual (maybe to invoke deities); some for commemorative purposes, maybe. Statues are not abundant, but
refined, whether in stone, bronze or terracotta. They carved ivory and worked
shells into ornaments, bowls and ladles; they cast copper (which they mined
themselves in Baluchistan and Rajasthan) and bronze for all types of tools,
domestic objects and statues (such as the famous Indus "dancing girl"); they
also worked silver and gold with great skill, specially for ornaments. They
made beads of carnelian, agate, amethyst, turquoise, lapis lazuli, etc.; they
manufactured bangles out of shells, glazed faience and terracotta. ... And, of
course, they baked pottery in large quantity - to the delight of archaeologists
and history buffs alike, since the different shapes, styles, and painted motifs
are among the best guides in the evolution of any civilization. ~ Especially since
most objects made of cloth, wood, reed, palm leaves etc., usually vanish
without a trace, especially in hot climates.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> ~ "Hariyuppa" or "Hariyupiyah" mentioned in the Rg Veda, is taken
to mean <i>Harappa</i>. [~ And as we know, <i>Hari</i> indicates Lord
Vishnu/Narayan.] ~ Also, is Mohenjo-daro (meaning: "Mound of the Dead") and/or the whole of Indus Valley Civilization the
original <i>Meluha</i> (very likely meaning: the 'Radiant City') - courtesy the ancient Sumerians? ~ <i>My guess
is as good as yours</i>. [In Sumerian language, 'alu' means city. 'Melu' means
'bright'. 'Melam' means 'radiance' or 'Nimbus'. Therefore, 'Meluha' would mean:
the 'Radiant city'.] ~ Did "Persia" evolve from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring'
or 'nearby')? Did the ancient Indus people call the people of the
first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva"? Did the ancient
Persians in turn (also) refer to the ancient Indus people and/or those living
east of what is now Mohenjo-daro as "Prachya" or "Poorvi" (meaning: 'Eastern' or 'of/from the
East' or Eastern Country)? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. ~ But then, that would have been
so fitting. ... "Poorvi" would mean <i>the dawn of civilization</i>. It would have also meant:
from the East where the sun rises! | </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... On a separate note, what constituted <i>Praesii</i>? Were Praesii and Pataliputra one and the
same? But then, Praesii is said to have been very prosperous... the capital being
Palibothra, a very large and wealthy city, after which the people themselves
were known as Palibothri. Apparently, Palibothra was located (from the
north-west) before the Ganges-Yamuna confluence. ... But Pataliputra or modern
Patna lies southeast of the confluence. So was Praesii (of the Greeks) <i>Prachya</i>,
which in Sanskrit means Eastern country? ~ Megasthenes' Palibothra may not have been
located in Eastern India. So, what areas did he refer to by the city of Palibothra, the
country of Praesii and the river Erannoboas? [~ Did he indicate the Sindhu
Pulindakas by any chance?] ... Megasthenes was reasonably familiar with the
places he visited in (ancient) India. Apparently, "The Indus skirts the
frontiers of Praesii". ~ But then, which River Indus is being referred to? Was it
the river Indus or some other minor river of the same name? ~ According to
Classical accounts the river Jomanes flows through Palibothra into the Ganges
between the towns of Methora (Mathura) and Carisobaras. Therefore, was Palibothra, the Prasii/Praesii capital... situated near
Mathura? ~ Palibothra may not have been Pataliputra. So was there an ancient kingdom in
the Madhyadesa region that tallied with Megasthenes' description of Palibothra?
Was the country of Prabhadraka, Prabhadra or Palibhadra/Paribhadra, (part of
Madhyadesa from the Mahabharata times) same as Megasthenes' Palibothra? ~ There
is also reference to a king called Chandraketu (as the head of the Prabhadraka
Kshatriyas). Now was this Chandraketu the Sandrokottas of the Greek accounts? ~ In
which case, the Bhadraka kingdom or Paribhadra and its people, the
Paribhadrakas or Palibhadrakas would be the Palibothra and the Palibothris (respectively)
of Megasthenes' accounts. So Palibothra could well be Paribhadra instead of
Pataliputra. [But who then was Sandrokyptos? Who was Sasicottus? And who was Xandramas?] ~ Magadha (the Prachya,
"Easterners," Greek, <i>Prasioi</i>) had attained a dominating position; it
probably consisted of eastern U.P., Bihar, possibly Jharkhand, Bengal,
Assam and Orissa. ~ However, were there two Prachya/Prachyadesa, just like
there was two Kambojas (actually three, if we consider Kambuja Desa or modern Cambodia)? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. | </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Megasthenes' Herakles was not the classical Greek
deity <i>per se</i>. ~ During his travels (as the ambassador of the Seleucids)
during the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya of the Maurya Empire/Dynasty...
Megasthenes came upon an Indian deity, a fascinating figure... and equated him
with the classical Greek divinity, Herakles. This Herakles was none other than
Krishn or Hari-Krishna. Megasthenes also described an Indian clan called <i>Sourasenoi</i>,
who especially worshipped 'Herakles' in their land, and this land had two
cities, Methora and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. ... As was
common in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign
deities/gods in terms of their own divinities, and there is little doubt that
the Sourasenoi refers to the Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus, a branch of the
Yadu clan/kula (the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh) to which
Krishn belonged; Herakles to Krishna, or Hari-Krishna; Mehtora to Mathura;
Kleisobora to Krishnapura, meaning "the city of Krishna"; and the
Jobares to the River Yamuna. ~ Quintus Curtius also mentions that when
Alexander confronted Porus (Puru or Raja Paurava/Parvateshvar)... Porus' soldiers
were carrying an image of 'Herakles' in their vanguard. ~ The all-conquering Alexander's career pretty much came to a halt... after his brief encounter
with this mighty king of the Indus region. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The Greeks however had some success ruling as
kings in northwestern cities such as the one in Takshasheela... the
decline of which marked the decline in Indian
education, thought and structure.] S</span>ubsequent events heralded the advent of the Chanakya-Chandragupta duo. [~ </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thus, the so-called Macedonian empire in the east lasted
less than ten years after the invasion.] ~ However, what about <i>Sarakene? </i>And,
who really were the <i>Sarakenoi </i>or<i> Saraceni</i>? </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Did this word evolve from Late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or from
Late Greek <i>Sarakēnos? </i>Or, did it have anything to do
with the Shurasenas/ Shurasena Yadus (i.e. Megasthenes' Sourasenoi)? Were they
an offshoot? Did the name Shurasena (or Sourasenoi for that matter) undergo some variation due
to change in phonetics? ... And, since they were opponents of the Roman Empire, did
the Romans characterize them as 'barbarians'? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QuBVSoSxXc0b0oejzCBdUy9EEUfw-Js0NoJ3puXZT_nxcSZ_emZPc6qVfp004ewN7xg_s-ulYhk2YDE1XHK5h_CxbcFkw9DYS2eMahqNPCk16X73PxASMnZhXg9mY3juNLfn01rsoWk/s1600/Shiva_Pashupati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QuBVSoSxXc0b0oejzCBdUy9EEUfw-Js0NoJ3puXZT_nxcSZ_emZPc6qVfp004ewN7xg_s-ulYhk2YDE1XHK5h_CxbcFkw9DYS2eMahqNPCk16X73PxASMnZhXg9mY3juNLfn01rsoWk/s1600/Shiva_Pashupati.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<u>Pic</u>: <span style="color: #351c75;">The
Pashupati Seal. ~ <i>This seal depicts a yogi, probably Lord Shiva (Sankara/Shambhu
Nath/Rudra-Siva?) ... A pair of bull horns crowns his head. [The bull or Vrisha in the Sanatan Dharmic thought represents "Dharma", justice as well as actions that benefit society and humanity.] A rhino, a buffalo, an
elephant and a tiger surround him. Under his throne are two deer. ~ This seal
shows that Shiva was worshipped and he was considered as the Lord of animals
(Pashupati)</i>.]</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[</span><u>Pic</u>: <span style="color: #351c75;">Indus script/glyphs.]</span><i> </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>However, since the above seal depicts a three-faced figure
wearing bullhorns, let's take another look at the seal</i></span>. The yogi pose: Vishnu-Krishna is also known as the Supreme mystic. (<i>The other Indus "Yogi Seal" has been</i><i> discussed earlier in this post.</i>) ~ The three faces could be indicative of the cosmic "Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram":
Lord Narayan/Hari/Vishnu. ~ Also, Vishnu-Krishna (as Vrishakapi or Vrisha Uttamam i.e. Supreme
Bull/Dharma) is associated with Vrisha (the Bull); the bull or Vrisha is associated
with "Dharma" - justice as well as actions for the larger good, in Sanaatan
Dharmic thought. [<i>Please read the earlier portion of this post - for more
details on Vrisha, etc</i>.] ... The bullhorns indicate an important personage (maybe signifying <span class="text"><i>puruṣa-uttama</i>: greatest of all beings, or maybe, Vrisha-Uttamam - Supreme Dharma)</span>. The Indus seals show script/figures/glyphs
of fish, tortoise, wheel/chakra, Swastika, peacock, eagle, arrow, conch-shell, peepal/</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">aśvatthaḥ</span></span> tree, peepal leaves, and "V" shaped
alphabets/glyphs. ~ All of which are associated with Lord
Narayan/Vishnu/Harih. Besides, Hariyuppa (or "Hariyupiyah") is indicative of "Hari"
(i.e. Lord Narayan/Vishnu). ~ Therefore, could Hariyuppa (or "Hariyupiyah") be the ancient Indus
peoples' version of <i>Haripura</i> ("the city of Hari")? "Pur" or "pura" indicates place/city as well as fort,
and the Indus cities were well fortified. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.
... So, could this seal, popularly known as the "Pasupati Seal", actually be a
depiction of Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari - the patron figure/personage/deity of the ancient
Indus people (and, by extension, of the Indus Civilization)? ~ <i>My guess is as
good as yours</i>. [Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari is the supreme power/authority of
the universe/cosmos. He is also known as <i>Shivah</i>, meaning kindness/compassionate, auspiciousness and eternally pure. He is also addressed as <i>maheśvaram</i> (the Supreme Lord), as <span class="text"><i>aadidevah</i> (The first devah/being); as <i>mahaadevah</i> (The greatest devah/being); as <i>deveshah/Sarveshvara </i>(The Lord of all devas); as <i>Mahendrah</i> (The Lord of Indra), as </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">adhaataa</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> (Above whom there is no other), </span></span>and so on</span>. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">He is also <i>kartaa</i>:
The doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide.] </span></span>~ He has ten principal avatars or incarnations - to
protect and preserve the universe/humanity from negativities/utter destruction
(be they entities or be they negativism/negative actions/'darkness of the mind'). ~ <i>Dashavatara</i>
refers to the ten principal avatars of Lord Narayan/Vishnu (as per his<i> </i>promised<i>
</i>'<i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">d</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">harma-samsthapanarthaya</span> </i>sambhavami yuge yuge' ~ To
guide and to re-establish/revitalize/rejuvenate/re-invigorate the principles of
"dharma" and "karm" - for the benefit of mankind/humanity - for a better
society and civilization,<i><i> </i></i>I manifest Myself <i>yuge-yuge</i>, yug/age/era after yug/age/era). [~ Whenever and wherever society/humanity/civilization
is in turmoil (in the midst of chaos/'churn') - so much so that humanity is 'paralyzed', unable to find
a solution/direction, or is in free-fall... hurtling towards an abyss/'quicksand'...
Lord Vishnu/Narayan incarnates to stem the free-fall/destruction/chaos/'churn',
and to gradually change the (negative/destructive) course of events (no instant
change, though); to guide </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(</span><span style="color: #351c75;">He is
Chir-saarathy/Eternal Charioteer after all)</span>, to show the way forward</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">... to pull humanity/society
out of 'mud'/quagmire and into the 'sunlight'. ~ To re-establish the concepts
of "karma" (karm yog), and "dharma" (duty/action/responsibility, even selfless action/service - for the
larger good/for the benefit of humanity ~ so as to build a better society/civilization). ~ It is
a commitment He has made with humanity. ~ BG IV-7:<i>
|| yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham ||</i> ~ Whenever and wherever there is an
alarming
decline or discrepancy in dharma/dharmic principles (for the greater
good and/or for society/civilization to flourish well); or when such
an alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata
(addressing Arjun,
<i>who hailed from the Puru-vansh/Bharat-vansh</i>/lineage/clan), only then, I, manifest
Myself. <i>(~ <span class="blue">'Avatar' means: descent, and refers to a descent
of the divine into earthly form. Avatar comes from the Sanskrit avatirna:
"manifest/descent from the Lord."</span></i><span class="blue">)</span>]
... The Indus seals indicate fish (matsya, the 1st avatar), tortoise (kurma, the 2nd avatar) and Krishn (the 8<sup>th</sup>
avatar), besides other symbols associated with Vishnu-Krishna (such as: peepal
tree, peepal leaves, crocodile, chakra, peacock, eagle, conch-shell, arrow, Swastika, the unicorn/eka-shringa or one-horned (c<i>ould the ekashringa/unicorn be the </i></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>Vedic Asva Varaha/Varaha Asva? </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Could it also be indicative of the Varaha-avatar, the 3rd avatar?</i></span>)</i>,
the three-headed
composite animal figure/the seal of Dvarka, etc). ~ Therefore, this
figure
depicted in what is now known as the "Pasupati Seal" could well be
"Hari" (Lord of Nature, Dispeller [Haran] of Troubles/Sankat,
Path-finder) - the patron/personage/presiding
figure/deity of the ancient Indus people (... and, by extension, of the
Indus
Civilization). ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. ~ Also, both the <i>yogi</i>
figures (depicted in the "Yogi Seal" and the "Pasupati Seal"
respectively) - are they indicative of Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Hari as Hari-Hara or Hari-Rudra? </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <i>BG 10.23: || rudranam
sankaras casmi || </i>~ "Of all the Rudras I
am Sankara" [Lord Siva]; therefore, Hari-Hara and Hari-Rudra may not have been two different personages/entities... but Hari as Hara/Rudra. ~ [If only the
script/glyphs could be deciphered...] </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Seals from Harappa. ~ <i>The 1st seal (very likely) depicts a Vedic fire-altar - indicating </i><i>that the Harrapans worshipped Agni. Agni is </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">auspicious effulgence, </span>Light Divine. </i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.23 || </span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">vasūnāḿ pāvakaś cāsmi</span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ </span></i></span></span>of the Vasus I am fire [Agni] </span></span></span>... <span class="text">Agni, the foremost of
purifiers transforms that which is subtle to gross and also transforms the
gross to subtle. ... </span><span class="text">Agni also symbolically
represents the spiritual fire of life and the processes of transformation. [</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">Paroshmoni is the <i>philosopher's stone</i> which when
touched... alchemically transmutes the baser nature to a divine one. ~ Krishna possessed such an alchemic nature.]</span> </span><span class="blue">~ Agni does not indicate/signify "tyag" per se; Agni is
the greatest of purifiers and the foremost amongst the five elements of nature: PanchaBhuta (also, PanchaMahaBhuta or MahaPanchaBhuta); t</span><span class="fbphotocaptiontext">he others being: air (vayu), water (jal), earth
(prthvi) and aether (aakash, space)</span><span class="blue">. ~ Agni signifies "tyag" in the sense (to indicate) one has
conquered oneself; in other words: that one has conquered/overcome the
negativities residing in one's heart and mind. ~ And thereby become a Siddha </span>- one whose heart is larger than the universe itself: one who has
achieved the eternal bliss/contentment/spiritual ecstasy of
"self-realization" ~ Sat-cit-ānanda. [Agni, in a way, signifies renewal... and Krishn was Yug Purush, Renaissance Man.] ~ The 2nd seal (very likely) depicts eagle/Garuda. Garuda (maybe an eagle-shaped vimana) is the vehicle of Lord Narayan/Vishnu/Harih. Besides, </i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Lord Narayan is Garuda-Dhvaja, it is His symbol
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Lord Shiva (Sankara/Shambhu Nath/Rudra-Siva?) and his consort <i>Devi</i> Parvati in their syncretic form - as <i>Ardhanarishvara</i>. <i>[</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>PS</u>:</span> The depiction of
Shiva/Sankara/Shambhu Nath is (largely) allegorical/symbolic. As for: whether he really had anything
to do with shmashāna, etc (since the ancient Indus people seem to have buried their dead)... or it came to be associated with him later ~
courtesy the many cultic movements; whether it had anything to do with great
yogis like Gorakhnath-ji or not; whether different narratives have confluenced
or not? ~ My guess is as good as yours. E.g. maybe, Shambhu Nath was also known
as Bhoota/Bhuta Nath [Lord/Guardian/Protector of Mankind/Beings - he was a very
important figure; also, since the human body is made of the five elements of
nature/PanchaBhuta] ~ but then, somewhere down the line the word 'bhuta/bhoota'
probably underwent a change of meaning, 'coz 'Panchabhuta' or
'Mahapanchabhuta/PanchaMahabhuta' refers to the five elements of nature, viz fire (agni), air (vayu), water (jal), earth (prthvi) and
space/aether (aakash); 'bhoot' as in 'spirits' is
very likely a much recent association ~ my guess is as good as yours. ~ Therefore,
aspects like ash smearing, chillum smoking, etc is (probably) courtesy the many
cults that sprang up in his name - in the last millennium or so. ~ My guess is as good as yours.] </i><b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: small;"><u>Notes on Meluhha</u>:</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Meluhha (Meluḫḫa) refers to one of ancient Sumer's
(Sumerian Civilization) prominent trading partners; the word can be found in
many Sumerian and Akkadian texts. [Akkadian may be a variant of <i>Ikshvaku</i> - son of (the current Manu) Vaivasvata Manu/Satyavrat/'Noah' and the
progenitor of the Ikshvaku lineage... to which Shri Ram belonged. ~ It could
either indicate the extent of Shri Ram's empire (i.e. the Ikshvaku empire), or
that members of the Ikshvaku clan/lineage spread far and wide... encompassing distant
lands, cultures and 'way of life'. Especially after the last great
flood/'Mahajal Pralaya'.] Sumerian texts repeatedly refer to three important
centers with which they traded: Magan, Dilmun, and Meluhha. ~ Magan is usually
identified with Oman, though some identify it with Egypt. Dilmun was a trade
distribution center for goods originating in the region of modern-day Bahrain.
[<i>~ Dilmun</i> or Telmun was a Persian Gulf civilization that traded with
Mesopotamian civilizations, the current scholarly consensus is that Dilmun
encompassed Bahrain, Failaka, Kuwait and the adjacent eastern Arabia coast in
the Persian Gulf. ... But then, Dilmun is said to lie "in the east where the
sun rises," a situation that does not apply to the eastern Arabian
littoral, Failaka or Bahrain, all of which lie south of Sumer and Eridu. ... So
was the Dilmun Civilization an offshoot of the Indus Valley Civilization? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. (Umm, if we can understand the Yayati story
and how his five heirs were settled, i.e. how his kingdom was divided amongst his five sons... this puzzle could become much clearer. ~ <i>Raja
Yayati, as we know, did away with primogeniture, and crowned his youngest-born,
Puru, as the heir to his "older" kingdom. Thereafter, Puru started the "Puruvansh" (also
known as the "Bharatvansh"); thus his heirs came to be known as the "Bharatas". ~ While his other four sons - Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu - were settled in the
"newer" areas... that Raja Yayati brought under his rule/control - during his
"borrowed youth" ~ i.e. post his successful high-level/advanced stem cell therapy</i>.) ~
It is also noted that Gilgamesh had to pass through Mount Mashu to reach Dilmun
in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Some believe Mount Mashu was one of two
("twin") mountains that held up the sky at the eastern and western
extremities of the world. ~ So could this Mount Mashu be a reference/variant of
Mt. Meru? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. ... Dilmun, sometimes described
as "the place where the sun rises" and "the Land of the
Living", is the scene of some versions of the Sumerian creation myth, and
the place where the deified Sumerian hero of the flood, Utnapishtim (Ziusudra),
was taken by the gods to live forever. Thorkild Jacobsen's translation of the
Eridu Genesis calls it "Mount Dilmun" which he locates as a
"faraway, half-mythical place". Dilmun is also described in the epic
story of Enki and Ninhursag as the site at which the Creation occurred. ~ Umm,
all this does lead one to equate Dilmun and/or Mt Mashu with Mt Meru (Mandar Paravat). ~ <i>Do
look up the earlier part of this section - for more details on Mt. Meru, the
Kurma Avatar, Shambhala, Samudra-manthan et al</i>.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Tiger lady: Tiger Goddess? ~ <i>Devi</i> Kushmanda? <i>Devi</i>
Chandraghanta? <i>Devi</i> Katyayani? <i>Devi</i> Vaishnavi </span><i><span style="color: #351c75;">(now Mata Vaishno
Devi)? </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">Or, is it Devi Parvati?</span><i> </i></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Besides this seal, numerous pottery figurines of
Mother Goddesses have also been found. Nature worship must have been an integral part
of their rituals... as revealed in the seals.<i> ~ This seal depicts a horned
goddess (standing in the arch of a peepal tree), with bangles on both arms; a devotee is kneeling before her. An
animal, most likely a large ram, is facing her. Seven figures, wearing long dresses
and bangles on their arms, are moving in a procession before her. ~ Very likely,
the seven figures represent the "Sapta Matrikas" or the seven divine Mothers.
The central female figure (in which case) will be Devi Parvati (consort of
Sankara/Shiva/Shambhu Nath?) ~ Together, they constitute the "Asta Matrikas" or the eight divine
Mothers. Some Indus glyphs are also seen</i>.] <b>| </b>~ The location of <i>Meluhha</i>, however, is hotly debated.
... A number of scholars suggest that "Meluhha" was the Sumerian name for western
India or the Indus valley civilization. Some derive Meluhha from earlier
Sumerian documents with the earlier variant "Me-lah-ha", which they identify
with <i>Met-akam</i> "high abode" or "high country". While others read an archaic
form of Meluhha as an old Aryan/Sanskrit word ("solar beam"), and compare it,
in particular, with the name of the mountain Meru (mentioned in old Indian
texts). Earlier texts (c.2200 BC) seem to indicate that Meluhha is to the east,
suggesting either the Indus valley or India. There is plenty of archaeological
evidence for the trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. [There is
extensive presence of Harappan seals and cubical weight measures in
Mesopotamian urban sites.] Impressions of clay seals from the Indus Valley city
of Harappa were evidently used to seal bundles of merchandise, as clay seal
impressions with cord or sack marks on the reverse side testify. A number of
these Indus Valley seals have turned up at Ur and other Mesopotamian sites.
"Persian Gulf" types of circular stamped rather than rolled seals, also known
from Dilmun, that appear at Lothal in Gujarat, India, and Faylahkah, as well as
in Mesopotamia, are convincing corroboration of the long-distance sea trade. ~
Mesopotamian trade documents, lists of goods, and official inscriptions
mentioning Meluhha supplement Harappan seals and archaeological finds. Literary
references to Meluhhan trade date from the Akkadian, the Third Dynasty of Ur,
and Isin-Larsa Periods (ca 2350-1800 BCE), but the trade probably started
in the Early Dynastic Period (c. 2600 BC). Some Meluhhan vessels may have
sailed directly to Mesopotamian ports, although by the Isin-Larsa Period,
Dilmun, which was located "en route" to Meluhha, monopolized the trade. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>Alternatively</u>:</i>
</span>Archaeologically there may have been two capital cities in the Indus Valley:
Meluhhu (Archaeological site: Mohenjo-Daro), and the capital of the upper Indus
region: Dilmun (Archaeological site: Harappa). ~ Most seals used in export by
the Indus Valley were round and the seals used within the Indus Valley were
square. The round export seals show up all over Mesopotamia centuries before
the national seals started circulation (2500 BCE) within the Indus valley. One
of those round seals found at Ur predates expected dates of the Harappan
culture. Indus Valley as Meluhha was a major trader with Mesopotamia in the
Agade period (2300 BCE). ~ Meluhha was mentioned in the early Sanskrit writings
as <i>Melukha </i>or<i> Melukhkha</i>, commentary stated they spoke the same
language... thus (some of) Sanskrit's substrate languages are proto-versions of
our many languages; these languages had to have effected the major language
thru time. ~ Maybe, the northern state/region of the Indus was somewhat different
to the south with respect to trade, goods and services (meaning: perhaps the
Sapta Sindhava region was somewhat distinct from Melukha.) Perhaps the
upper Indus region was known to Mesopotamia as Dilmun ('the land of paradise'
to the Mesopotamians). The paradise story matches with the Indus culture, it
being most modern nation on Earth at the time. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ However, it is the Arabian Sea that opened the
doors for journey beyond to the Arabian world through the Gulf and Red Sea
right into the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia and Egypt. It is possible that this sea
voyage gave to the Indus Land its earliest name of "Meluhha"... because the
Indus people were characterized as <i>Malahha</i> (Sailor or sea-men; </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->At its peak the Indus Valley Culture is
estimated to have encompassed 1.5 million sq km. This area, larger than Western Europe, was glued together through water-ways.
The Indus people commanded a large fleet of ships making it possible to flourish in the vast
river plains and adjacent regions. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ The ports in what is now Balochistan and Sindh (and Lothal, in Gujarat)
also saw extensive trade with African ports in Ethiopia, Somalia, Zanzibar,
Kenya and Tanzania. Archaeologists have found the remnants of
a "Meluhhan" village in ancient Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq). Perhaps
extensive excavations and research would lead to more definite information on
these (ancient) traders, who established temporary settlements as
encampments at certain points on their regular routes.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Notes on the 'decline' or withering of the Indus Civilization</u>:</span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">Indus Valley to history buffs, school students, history
classes on the Indus Valley civilization have always been simplistic. Even
dull. Most history textbooks talk of how the civilization appeared like a
meteor on ancient India's landscape, shone brilliantly for a while... and then
was snuffed out either by 'marauding Aryans' or sudden floods. ~ It's dead
boring, really. It's soporific - guaranteed cure for insomnia. Egyptian
mummies somehow seem to evoke more interest than the town-planning feats of the
Indus engineers. One wonders why there has been no study and/or discussion as
to just how stone-age farming communities took a giant leap forward and
transformed themselves into sophisticated urbanites living in cities so well
designed that Indians have never been able to replicate the achievement even 5,000
years later? ... Wonder why (instead) do we continue to believe the poppycock about 'Aryan
blitzkrieg'? ~ Umm, well... as they say: history is never boring, the teacher is. Or
rather the books are.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="smalltext">Some of the main sites of the Harappan civilization. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="smalltext"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="smalltext"><i>Note the concentration along the dry bed of the
Sarasvati</i>. | </span></span>Archaeologists have an exasperating tradition of
labeling their discoveries after the name of the site on which it is first
found. Since Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were the first to be excavated in the
1920s, Sir John Marshall, who headed the team of explorers, called it the Indus
civilization because it flourished in the valley of that river. Marshall's
announcement wowed the world and pushed India's known history back by about
2,000 years. At the time of Independence there was no real need to change the
epithet as barely a dozen Indus sites had been explored. ~ That the Indus was
indeed the nucleus of the civilization's growth is fairly certain. However, it
is also apparent that the civilization did not just centre on the Indus Valley;
instead, it covered wide swathes of land on either side of the Indus. ~
Archaeologists are known to stumble, but the kind of knocking that the 'Aryan
invasion theory' has taken has few parallels. When the British archaeologist
(Wheeler) discovered a dozen skeletons in Mohenjo-daro, he propounded a theory
about the final massacre by 'marauding invaders' that put an end to the Indus
civilization. When an Indian scholar told him of <i>Hariyuppa</i> (or "Hariyupiyah") being mentioned in the Rg Veda,
he took it to mean Harappa. ~ And since a fort was known as <i>pur</i>, and
Indra (possibly a 'title' for the king/ruler/chief of the ancient 'Deva'
people) was known as <i>Purandhara</i> or destroyer of forts, it all fitted
neatly. After all, weren't the Indus cities among the most fortified? [~ But then, our ancient texts, including the Vedas, cannot be taken as is. Large portions of them are in camouflaged language and/or is allegorical/metaphorical. Taking them literally will be misleading. Sometimes celestial events involving stars, planets, meteors, comets, constellations et al are described, while at other times natural events are talked about. E.g. 'cows coming out of mountains' is very likely a reference to 'Gomukh'; taking it at face value will be utterly misleading. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Even large parts of the 'Shiv-Sati' story (very likely) describes some cosmic event; 'Shiva wandering about in the
cosmos with Sati's lifeless body on his shoulders' - is an imaginative
description (in the style of story-telling) of some cosmic event. ... Maybe pieces of meteors and/or other celestial debris rained down on earth... and this (gradually) gave rise to our 'Shakti Peeths'. (Though a few of the 'Shakti Peeths', such as the one at Hinglaj, probably is in honour of some or the other great woman. Or [maybe] both. Celestial debris + a great human.) ~ The Shiva (of the 'Shiva-Sati' story) and the Sankara/Shambhu Nath of 'Shiva-Parvati' may not be the same person. [~ Probably, the Shiva of the Shiva-Sati story predates the Shiva/Sankara/Shambhu Nath of the Shiva-Parvati story; maybe, the former was an ancestor of the latter.] However, with time, both the stories/narratives have converged and even fused together (perhaps due to a similarity in names). Did mistranslation and/or misinterpretation happen too (thus obliteration and/or altering valuable information and 'pracheen itihasa')? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ Perhaps, there could be 'Asta-Matrikas' and other
female deities; but having multiple Shiva(s) would have been confusing; and so,
when Sanaatan Dharma assimilated temples and worship of idols... the various
Shiva-s were fused into a single figure. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.</span>] ~ Yet the
past 50/60 years, and more so the last decade or two has shown just how wrong
Wheeler was. The last massacre theory was his imagination running riot. Far
from being snuffed out, there was a brilliant resurgence of Indus culture
further south for a while. Gregory Possehl (professor of anthropology at the
University of Pennsylvania in the US and an expert on the Indus civilization)
and who made a recent study, found that in 2000 BC in Pakistan's Sindh district
the sites were down from 86 to 6 and in Cholistan, 174 to 41. But in India the
sites in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan exploded from 218 to 853. Possehl asks:
"How can this be construed as an eclipse? We are looking at a highly
mobile people." [Perhaps climate change and/or change in rainfall pattern
forced the ancient Indus people to migrate to other areas... in search of livelihood/greener
pastures. And <i>this</i> would have also given rise to cultural exchanges and
(therefore) synergy creation with other people. ~ Culture constantly evolves, it is never
stagnant; stagnation would mean cultural Rhizopus - "the end".]</span></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->Through the processes of over-expansion and
changes in important river patterns, the Harappan urban centers began to
decline around 1900 B.C., and the unifying cultural symbols of the cities were
no longer useful. However, the regional cultures that began to take form did
retain some of the characteristic symbols and technologies of the Harappan
culture. These continuities provide an important thread connecting the
developments of the first urban civilization to later cultures that became
dominant in the regions of the erstwhile Indus Valley civilization. Some of the
technologies, architecture, artistic symbols and aspects of social organization
that characterized the first urban centers of the Indus Civilization have
continued up to the present in the urban setting of traditional South Asian
cities. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, there are still many misconceptions about this
culture that have resulted from the theoretical and cultural biases of the
earliest excavators. Some of these misconceptions are that the Indus
urban society was the result of colonization from Mesopotamia to the west (in
modern Iraq); that it appeared suddenly from unknown origins; that is was a
strictly uniform culture ruled by a priest-king from two major capitals; and
then disappeared, leaving no influence on later cultural developments. ... But then, this is all fantasy. ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Indus Valley civilization developed out of
earlier farming and pastoral communities that inhabited the plains and western
mountainous regions of Baluchistan and Afghanistan (and maybe surrounding areas). These communities are
referred to as pre- or Early Indus cultures and each had its own distinctive
artistic style. These regional styles are most clearly observed in various
painted designs on pottery, different types of clay figurines, toys, seals and
ornaments. Although the styles of expression are different, trade and exchange
networks connected the various regions and allowed for the distribution of raw
materials, finished goods, technological knowledge. These items included
precious stones, copper, sea-shells, chert for stone tools and probably many
other commodities such as grain, wool and livestock. The gradual dispersal of
specific artistic styles and motifs along with specific types of ornaments
indicates that there was a gradual integration of these communities though
marriage alliances, ritual interaction/festivities, trade ties, and eventually political/administrative treaties. Although in the earliest period they had not yet
begun to make pottery, they lived in mud brick houses, wove baskets and adorned
themselves with elaborate bead ornaments made of shell and colored stones. Some
of these beads appear to have been traded from distant areas or were collected
during pastoral migrations. Around 5500 B.C. the earliest forms of pottery
have been discovered along with new types of ornaments and more developed
architecture. The earliest forms of pottery have shapes that are similar to
baskets and many of the designs on the vessels may replicate woven motifs on
the earlier baskets. These decorative motifs were not simply for ornamentation,
but undoubtedly had some ritual significance and were symbols that served to
distinguish different clans or groups (and perhaps even regions). Excavations at the ancient mounds revealed well
planned cities and towns built on massive mud brick platforms that protected
the inhabitants against seasonal floods. In the larger cities the houses were
built of baked brick, while at smaller towns most houses were built of
sun-dried mud brick. The settlements had major streets running North-South and
East-West, with smaller streets and alleys connecting neighborhoods to the main
thoroughfares. Indus artisans produced a wide range of
utilitarian and decorative objects using specialized techniques of stone
working, ceramics and metallurgy. Copper and bronze were used to make tools,
mirrors, pots and pans. Bone, shell and ivory were turned into tools, jewelry,
gaming pieces and especially furniture inlay. Silver and gold utensils and
ornaments were crafted. The Indus cities were connected with rural
agricultural communities and distant resource and mining areas through strong
trade systems. They (probably) used pack animals, riverboats, sailboats and bullock carts
for transport. This trade is reflected in the widespread distribution of exquisite
beads and ornaments, vessels, ladles, toys, metal tools and pottery that were
produced by specialized artisans in the major towns and cities. Cotton, lumber, grain, livestock and other food
stuffs were probably the major commodities of this internal trade. A highly
standardized system of weights was used to control trade.<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEDHRHphZCmvYh_84y5AtLuQQXU4VRjhjzmkg_yARGI26eFZDOVoEuX0eR6rm0Y5_B_ADnIxTnqXv54o3vGYbaa3Z9271a1ZG7-3mj8Wgl39CppZbkIMyXYlko9FhCUCZ9tL4XWyh77c/s1600/sarasvati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEDHRHphZCmvYh_84y5AtLuQQXU4VRjhjzmkg_yARGI26eFZDOVoEuX0eR6rm0Y5_B_ADnIxTnqXv54o3vGYbaa3Z9271a1ZG7-3mj8Wgl39CppZbkIMyXYlko9FhCUCZ9tL4XWyh77c/s1600/sarasvati.jpg" height="200" width="185" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The decline of the river Sarasvati:</i></span> When
the sites were plotted on a map of the subcontinent, archaeologists noticed a
curious clustering of sites along the Ghaggar River that flows through Haryana
and Rajasthan and runs almost parallel to the Indus. After entering Pakistan,
where it is called Hakra, the river finally empties itself into the sea at the
Rann. Over 175 sites were found along the alluvial plains of the Ghaggar as
compared to 86 found in the Indus region. ~ What puzzled archeologists was that
the Ghaggar-Hakra River and most of its tributaries are dry and their courses
have silted up. So why did so many cities come up on such a desiccated
water-sheet, especially at a time when rivers were the lifelines of
civilization? ... Unless, of course, at one time a mighty river flowed
perennially. In their search for answers, Indus experts homed in on the Rg
Veda. Many of its hymns mention a sacred river called Sarasvati, describing it
as the foremost of rivers, big as the ocean, rising in the mountains and
flowing between the Yamuna and Sutlej (<span class="bodyarl">Sutudri or </span>Satadru<span class="bodyarl"> or SuturI)</span> before entering the sea. But in later
Vedic hymns it is no longer described as mighty. <i>The
Mahabharata also talks about the River Sarasvati as a river in decline.</i>
[Therefore, migration from the Indus region has not been a single exodus, but in
batches (beginning 3900 years ago)... once the mighty Sarasvati began to shrink. ~ Some of the Indus people
traveled as far as Egypt (ancient Miṣr)
and maybe even beyond... carrying their culture, language(s) and 'way of life' with
them. Inevitably 'cross-pollination' happened. Thus, the
Lion-Man (Nrsingh) probably became the 'Sphinx' and perhaps Garuda gave way to
Horus - the Falcon-god or the Falcon-headed man. ~ <i>Do look up the earlier
section for more details</i>.] ~ In the '80s, Indian satellite images of
the region showed that the ancient bed of the Ghaggar-Hakra River could be
traced from the Sivaliks to the Rann of Kutch. Where it is not covered by sand,
the bed of the river consists of a fertile loam and its width extends from
three to 10 km on different parts of its course, making it a very large river.
Putting together the evidence some archeologists and Indus experts concluded
that the Ghaggar-Hakra River was the Vedic Sarasvati and existed when the Indus
civilization flourished. [... However, equating the Ghaggar-Hakra River with the
Vedic Sarasvati could be misleading. The Sarasvati probably declined (over a period of time) due to a combination of factors, such as: change in rainfall pattern,
climate change, rise in pollution levels, rampant urbanization and so on; maybe
it also changed course due to a massive earthquake... and was eventually 'lost'. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ Easily recognizable are the Indus and its
current tributaries, but the Sarasvati, portrayed as "surpassing in majesty and
might all other waters" and "pure in her course from mountains to the ocean</i>,"
was lost. Based on ancient textual descriptions, it was believed that the Sarasvati
was fed by perennial glaciers in the Himalayas. Today, the Ghaggar, an
intermittent river that flows only during strong monsoons and dissipates into
the desert along the dried course of Hakra valley, is thought to best
approximate the location of the mythic Sarasvati, but its Himalayan origin and
whether it was active during Vedic times remain controversial. ~ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->New research argues that these crucial
differences prove that the Sarasvati was not Himalayan-fed, but
a perennial monsoon-supported watercourse, and that aridification reduced it to
short seasonal flows. ... But then, it is still not convincing/compelling enough to equate the Vedic Sarasvati with the Ghaggar-Hakra.]</span> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtBHPpGI4oxXLh6YJluSKo0t92mYqW-CJoRxBwIY8b9ndSstPcTciw4bXVuL9x1wRg4HNGSXwcyh49cmGkSfLBCMwWNIvKnn0HycEKdcbLP1yphnHygMNbO-7G6FOCsYo_3JK5E3eUNU/s1600/Harappan+Inscriptions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtBHPpGI4oxXLh6YJluSKo0t92mYqW-CJoRxBwIY8b9ndSstPcTciw4bXVuL9x1wRg4HNGSXwcyh49cmGkSfLBCMwWNIvKnn0HycEKdcbLP1yphnHygMNbO-7G6FOCsYo_3JK5E3eUNU/s1600/Harappan+Inscriptions.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Climate change was a key ingredient in the (gradual) collapse
and/or diversification and/or fragmentation/shrinkage of the great Indus or Harappan
Civilization (beginning) almost 4000 years ago. ~ There is clear indication that the rainfall pattern,
which had initially brought fertility to the land, had become adverse in the Sindh region.
And given the instability of the Himalayan region, there may have been a
massive earthquake that possibly changed the course of rivers such as the
Sarasvati and (thus) affected many Indus cities. ~ The Indus people then
migrated eastward. Braj Basi Lal, a former ASI director-general, talks of steep
decline in trade because of problems in Sumer that resulted in a Great
Depression and turned many urban centres into ghost cities. Archaeologist
Ravindra Singh Bisht concurs with Lal but goes a step further. He says that
after the quake hit the heart of the civilization, the Indus people migrated
east which acted like a sort of bypass to their woes. And like a dying candle,
it shone brilliantly again but briefly before being snuffed out. Dholavira,
Banawali, Mehrgarh, Harappa - in fact, all the major cities show that as the
cities declined, encroachments on streets that were unseen at its peak began to
occur with alarming regularity. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Houses became increasingly shoddy in construction. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The city was dying. There was a breakdown in sanitation and cities
like their modern-day counterparts in India simply ran themselves aground. They
were replaced by massive squatter colonies and an explosion of rural sites as
people, disillusioned with cities, went back to farming communities. A giant
step backward. [~ Yet it wasn't as if all came to naught as was earlier
believed. Some of the writings survived in the pottery (and seals and tablets) of the following ages.
The weight and decimal system too lived on. And so did the bullock-cart
technology that the Indus people had perfected. Even some of their farming
techniques. Besides, all the ruins of course... for us to wonder and marvel.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmRxqEYlFX9wno-5mCssbTvtNa93rfviJoEx4Oz8mev_XKUCI_Zpla9RUVLylVAtdFszCSkHy_eXAyiV8NIhB5hk8H9O5DaemaYciDBCLLfKqpyIsnKpTnBf8qApi8hbVB16pXFr9ZB4/s1600/Indus+Terracotta+Vessel+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmRxqEYlFX9wno-5mCssbTvtNa93rfviJoEx4Oz8mev_XKUCI_Zpla9RUVLylVAtdFszCSkHy_eXAyiV8NIhB5hk8H9O5DaemaYciDBCLLfKqpyIsnKpTnBf8qApi8hbVB16pXFr9ZB4/s1600/Indus+Terracotta+Vessel+01.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">[<u>Pic</u>: <span style="color: #351c75;">Indus Terracotta Vessel. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="default">Circa: 3500 BC to 2500 BC.</span>]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><u>Alternatively</u>:</i> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">It could also be that faced with
multiple challenges arising out of over expansion, over-exploitation of nature and unplanned
urbanization... disproportionate to essentials like water-supply and sanitation
(besides a sharp decline in trade... that would have also affected employment,
purchasing power, collective prosperity et al) the ancient Indus people, in
their collective wisdom, decided to alter the course of their 'way of life'... and (thus) went
back to living in harmony with nature. ~ And <i>this</i> probably helped them breath
new life into the once-glorious civilization. [... Therefore, it may be somewhat misleading
to say that <i>the civilization appeared like a meteor on ancient India's
landscape, shone brilliantly for a while... then declined, and was finally
snuffed out</i>. ~ Instead, the Indus people simply adjusted to the changes and challenges
(both natural and man-made)... and so, the civilization lived on. Rather
flourished in its own way.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">So although earlier scholars thought that the Indus
civilization disappeared around 1700 B.C., recent excavations indicate that the civilization gradually became fragmented into
smaller regional cultures referred to as Late or post-Harappan cultures<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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urban centers were no longer able to control the trade networks that served to
integrate such a vast geographical area. The use of standardized weights, writing and
seals became unnecessary as their social and political control gradually
disappeared. The decline of the major urban centers and the fragmentation of
the Indus culture can be attributed in part to changing river systems (due to climate change and change in rainfall pattern) that
disrupted the agricultural and economic system. As the river dried up the Indus people migrated to the
central Indus valley, the Ganga-Yamuna Valley or the fertile plains of Gujarat
in western India. The Indus river itself began to change its course, resulting
in destructive floods. Certain distinguishing hallmarks of the Indus
civilization disappeared. Others, such as writing and weights, or aspects of Indus
craft technology, art, agriculture and possibly social organization, continued
among the Late and post-Harappan cultures. These cultural traditions eventually became
incorporated in the new urban civilization that arose during the Early
Historical period, around 600 B.C.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Whether
the artefacts are called Hakra ware; whether the civilization is divided into
pre-Harappan stage or mature-Harappan phase, pre- or early Indus cultures, Neolithic-age or Chalcolithic age, and
so on... it is all for academic purposes. ~ It does not indicate different
culture(s) or people; it simply indicates the gradual progress of the civilization
through various stages/phases from simple pastoral communities to a bustling
metropolis and trading powerhouse. ~ The greatness of the Sindhu-Sarasvati
civilization can (thus) be attributed to ancient Indian genius. Apart from its
striking cultural continuity with subsequent (diversification, fragmentation,
assimilation and) developments of Indian civilization, which makes up a total
thread of (at least) 9,000 years (since much of the excavation is yet to
happen), the ancient Indus people exhibited the following traits: an
enterprising spirit, a knowledge-based and forward-looking culture, a remarkable adaptability to changing conditions, a spiritual content, and, most importantly, a capacity for a broader
view, without which such a vast area could not have had such a cultural
affinity (and all-round progress and trade) free from major hiccups.<i> </i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Evolution of the fluvial landscape:</i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Landscape dynamics as the crucial link between climate
change and people.</span></i><i> </i>~ By 3900 years ago, their rivers drying, the
Harappans had an escape route to the east toward the Ganges basin, where
monsoon rains remained reliable. <i>We can envision that this eastern shift
involved a change to more localized forms of economy: smaller communities
supported by local rain-fed farming and dwindling streams. This may have
produced smaller surpluses, and would not have supported large cities, but
would have been reliable</i>. But then, such a system was not quite favourable
for the sustenance of the Indus civilization as it was known (i.e. to maintain the well-knit 'high summer' phase of the
Indus civilization, which had been built on bumper crop surpluses along the
Indus and the Sarasvati rivers in the earlier wetter era). This dispersal of
population meant that there was no longer a concentration of workforce to
support urbanism. <i>Thus cities collapsed, but smaller agricultural
communities were sustainable and flourished. Many of the urban arts, such as
writing, faded away (and evolved), but agriculture continued and perhaps
diversified</i>. [~ Maybe, due to the change in rainfall pattern/<span style="font-style: normal;">monsoon coupled with a warming world (climate change)
catastrophic floods (due to rising sea levels) turned much of the ancient Indus irrigation system,
designed for a tamer river, obsolete.]</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Should the Indus Valley civilization be renamed the
Sarasvati Valley civilization? Or would Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization be more appropriate?
~ <i>Well, my guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Krishn means "the all-attractive One". || <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>brahmaṇyo devakī-putraḥ</i></span> </span>|| ~ "The son of Devakī,
Kṛṣṇa, is the Supreme/Primeval Being." || <i>eko vai nārāyaṇa āsīn na brahmā
na īśāno nāpo nāgni-samau neme dyāv-āpṛthivī na nakṣatrāṇi na sūryaḥ</i> || ~
"In the beginning of the creation there was only the Supreme/Primeval Being
Nārāyaṇa. There was no Brahmā, no Śiva, no water, no fire, no moon, no stars
in the sky, no sun." || <i>nārāyaṇaḥ paro devas tasmāj jātaś caturmukhaḥ tasmād
rudro 'bhavad devaḥ sa ca sarva-jñatāḿ gataḥ</i> || ~ "Nārāyaṇa is the
Supreme/Primeval Being, and from Him Brahmā was born, from whom Śiva was born."
~ Meaning: Lord Narayana created Lord Brahma who in turn created Lord Siva (<i>this</i> Lord Siva very likely is the better-half of the
higher being named Parvati.) ~ Thus, Lord Narayan is also called <i>Brahmn</i> and <i>Srashtaa</i>:
Supreme Creator and Lord of Creation. He is also <i>Prapitaamahah</i>: The
father of the 'father of beings' (Brahma) - one who instructs Lord Brahma.
~ He is therefore <i>Satyam-Shivam-Sundaaram/ Purushottam
Satya/ Satya-Sundar </i>(Truth/Dharma-Auspiciousness-Beauty/Goodness).
~ Lord Kṛṣṇa is the <i>source</i> of all generations, and He is called the <i>Cause</i>
of everything. He says: || <i>ahaḿ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaḿ pravartate</i>
|| ~ "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates
from Me." [In other words: Because everything emanates from Him, He is the
original source of all.] ~ And thus, He is <i>ekah</i>: The one; <i>naikah</i>: The many; <i>asankhyeyah</i>:
He who has countless names and forms; <i>saksih: </i>All-witnessing Lord;<i> aadidevah</i>: The first devah/being; <i>mahaadevah</i>:
The greatest devah/being; <i>deveshah/Sarveshvara</i>: The Lord of all devas; <i>Mahendrah</i>: The Lord of Indra; <i>Vishwakarma</i>: Creator of the Universe. ~ He is also <i>puruṣa-uttama</i>:
greatest of all beings; <i>bhūta-bhāvana</i>: origin of everything; <i>bhūta-īśa</i>:
Lord of everything; <i>deva-deva</i>: Lord of all demigods, higher beings; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Lokadhyaksha/Trivikrama: </i>Lord of all the three Lokas/Trilok/Tribhuvan (Urdhva-loka, Madhya-loka and Adho-loka; also: land, water and space/sky);<i> Harih: </i>The Lord of Nature;<i> </i><i>Jagannatha: </i>Lord of the Universe;<i> Jagat-pate</i>/<i>Jagat-patih</i>: Lord
of the entire Universe/Cosmos. ~ And so, He is <i>adhaataa</i>:
Above whom there is no other. He is also <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>:
The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.11: || <i>teṣām evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaḿ tamaḥ
nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā</i> || ~ I, who dwell within their inner psyche as
consciousness, destroy the darkness born of ignorance by the shining lamp of
transcendental knowledge as an act of compassion for them.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">(BG
10.16) Arjun says/asks: || <i>vaktum arhasy aśeṣeṇa divyā hy ātma-vibhūtayaḥ
yābhir vibhūtibhir lokān imāḿs tvaḿ vyāpya tiṣṭhasi</i> || ~ "Please tell me in
detail of Your divine opulence/manifestations by which You pervade all these
worlds/planets." (BG 10.17): || <i>kathaḿ vidyām ahaḿ yogiḿs tvāḿ sadā paricintayan
keṣu keṣu ca bhāveṣu cintyo 'si bhagavan mayā</i> || ~ "O Kṛṣṇa, O supreme
mystic, how shall I constantly think of You, and how shall I know You? In what
various forms are You to be remembered, O Supreme One?"</span></span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">[<span style="color: #741b47;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> Illustration of the Vishwaroop or Viraat-roop.] </span><i>Everything is a manifestation of the Absolute:</i><b> </b></span>(śrī-bhagavān
uvāca) The Supreme Lord said: O Arjun, now I shall explain to you My prominent
divine manifestations, because My manifestations are endless. (10.19) ~ I am the
Supersoul/Atman, O Arjun, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the
beginning, the middle and the end of all beings (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>aham ātmā guḍākeśa
sarva-bhūtāśaya-sthitaḥ aham ādiś ca madhyaḿ ca bhūtānām anta eva ca</i>. </span>~ 10.20)
Of the Ādityas I am Viṣṇu (the sustainer), of all luminous objects/jyotiṣām I am
the radiant sun, of the Maruts I am Marīci, and among the stars I am the moon (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>ādityānām
ahaḿ viṣṇur jyotiṣāḿ ravir aḿśumān marīcir marutām asmi nakṣatrāṇām
ahaḿ śaśī</i>.</span> ~ 10.21) I am the Vedas, I am the celestial rulers (Devas) (or rather,
of the demigods/celestial Devas I am Indra, the ruler of the Heavenly Planets/Svarga-loka);
of the senses I am the mind; and in living beings I am the living force/consciousness. (~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>"Consciousness" and
"conscience" are two different things; "consciousness" is awareness, sentience -
the ability to feel, perceive, comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition</i>. <i>Else a human will remain in a vegetative state.</i>] (<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">v</span>edānāḿ sāma-vedo 'smi devānām asmi vāsavaḥ indriyāṇāḿ
manaś cāsmi bhūtānām asmi cetanā</i>.</span> ~ 10.22) Of all the Rudras I am Shankara/Lord Śiva
(<i>Shambhu Nath?)</i> [And, <i>is that why "Virupaksha" - one with oblique eyes - is used for both Vishnu and Shiva?</i> Also, <i>is that why "Harihara" and "Harirudra" has come about?</i> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i>Besides, was the human <i>Devi</i> Parvati (also known as
Ambika or Durga) the consort of this Shambhu Nath? ~ Lakshmi and Sarasvati -
their daughters? Kartik - their son? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i></i>]</span></span>, of the Yakṣas (small-sized humans) and Rākṣasas (an Asura sub-clan) I am Kuvera,
of the Vasus I am fire [Agni], and of mountains I am Meru (</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>meruḥ
śikhariṇām <span style="color: #351c75;">- </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">if Mt Mandar is part of Mt Meru, then '</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text">meruḥ
śikhariṇām' would indicate both</span><span class="text">)</span></span> ~ (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>rudrāṇāḿ
śańkaraś cāsmi vitteśo yakṣa-rakṣasām vasūnāḿ pāvakaś cāsmi meruḥ
śikhariṇām aham</i>.</span> ~ 10.23) Of preceptors, O Son of Pṛthā (Kunti), know Me to be the
chief, Bṛhaspati. Of generals I am Skandaḥ, and of bodies of water I am the
ocean (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>purodhasāḿ ca mukhyaḿ māḿ viddhi pārtha bṛhaspatim senānīnām
ahaḿ skandaḥ sarasām asmi sāgaraḥ</i>.</span> ~ 10.24) [Kārtikeya means, 'son of
Kartik'; though, with time, both Kartik and Skandah have come to be regarded as
one and the same.) | Of the great sages I am Bhṛgu; of vibrations I am the
transcendental AUM. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa],
and of immovable things I am the Himālayas (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>maharṣīṇāḿ bhṛgur ahaḿ
girām asmy ekam akṣaram yajñānāḿ japa-yajño 'smi sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i>.</span>
~ 10.25) Of all trees I am the (asvatthah) fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as
well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ, or maybe both), and of the celestial sages/Devarshis I am Nārada.
Of the Gandharvas I am Citraratha, and among perfected beings (Siddhas) I am
the sage (Muni) Kapila (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ devarṣīṇāḿ ca
nāradaḥ gandharvāṇāḿ citrarathaḥ siddhānāḿ kapilo muniḥ</i>.</span> ~ 10.26) Of
horses know Me to be Uccaiḥśravā (the snow-white and seven-headed flying horse, considered the best of horses and king of horses), produced/created during the churning of the ocean
for nectar/amṛit (i.e. during early stages of creation of the universe. ~ Maybe, it is a swift and powerful flying vehicle that has given rise to the phrase 'horse-power', and not a horse <i>per se</i>. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">But does it also mean Krishn had equine features?</span></span></span></span>) Of
lordly elephants I am Airāvata, and among men/humanity I am the monarch (Cakravartin) (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>uccaiḥśravasam
aśvānāḿ viddhi mām amṛtodbhavam airāvataḿ gajendrāṇāḿ narāṇāḿ ca
narādhipam</i>.</span> ~ 10.27) Of weapons I am the thunderbolt; among cows I am the surabhi
(a metaphor for <i>prosperity</i>, and not a bovine creature <i>per se</i>). Of
causes for procreation I am Kandarpa (or Cupid), the god of love, and of
serpents I am Vāsuki (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>āyudhānām ahaḿ vajraḿ dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk prajanaś
cāsmi kandarpaḥ sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ</i>.</span> ~ 10.28) Of the many-hooded great
serpents I am Ananta, and among the aquatics I am Varuṇa (Varundev: controller
of the waters; also, for purposes of comprehension, let's say: Devaraj Indra's minister for water resources - for the entire universe). Of departed ancestors I am Aryamā, and among the dispensers of retribution
(for negative/Prarabda karma) I am Yama, the lord of divine Justice/final,
eternal judgment (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>anantaś cāsmi nāgānāḿ varuṇo yādasām aham pitṝṇām
aryamā cāsmi yamaḥ saḿyamatām aham</i>.</span> ~ 10.29) [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span><i>there is a vast 'ocean' (the 'ocean of Garbha') present at
the bottom of the universe. This 'ocean' is very likely a combination of cosmic
dust, energy and gas, even gas hydrates formed under conditions of high
pressures and low temperatures, etc... and maybe, even a great amount of
suction force. Its appearance is in the form of 'concentric circles or
bands'... though none of it is visible to the unaided eye. During
"Prakritik Maha Pralaya" ~ at the end of Brahma's Lifetime/Life-span
(this is when Prakriti/Material Nature [except the eternal Vaikunth planets] is
completely dissolved) - Prakriti/Material Nature 'dissolves' into this 'ocean
of Garbha'. ~ This 'ocean of Garbha' is metaphorically indicated as the endless
serpent 'Adi-Sesha' or 'Ananta-Sesha'. (Ananta = infinity, endless, eternal.
Sesha = zero, shunya.) "Prakritik Maha Pralaya" (dissolution) occurs
when 'Ananta' becomes 'Sesha', infinity becomes zero and Yog-maya (the ever
changing and evolving/ 'illusory' [mayamayi or transient] Prakriti/Material
Universe/Nature) becomes Yog-nidra (the big sleep). Therefore, in a manner of
speaking, it is said that when Adishesa 'uncoils', time (kaal, kaalah) moves forward
and creation takes place. When Adisesha/ Śeṣanāga 'coils back', the universe
ceases to exist. ("Shesha" in Sanskrit texts, especially those
relating to mathematical calculation, also implies the "remainder" -
that which remains when all else ceases to exist.) ~ So, very likely, what is
today known as the "Shiv Ling" was actually a depiction of this above
phenomenon: of "creation" and "dissolution". (~ </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text">Maybe the Gupta emperors installed it... to depict the cosmic
phenomenon of "creation" and "dissolution". However,
with the passage of time - possibly after the decline of the Gupta era - due to
various interpolations, extrapolations, mistranslations and so on, it has now
come to be understood/regarded as the "Shiv Ling". ... And so, the original depiction has
not only undergone several changes, but a lot of knowledge has
also been obliterated along with it. Plus, we have no way of knowing what it was
originally called either. Alas.)]</span></i></span></span></span><br />
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among subduers I am time (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">kālaḥ)</span></span></span>, among beasts/animals I am the lion, and among birds I
am Garuḍa (Lord Narayan’s insignia, as well as His vehicle/vahan - probably the name of His flying vehicle; it also indicates eagle or maybe
falcon) (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>prahlādaś cāsmi daityānāḿ kālaḥ kalayatām aham mṛgāṇāḿ ca
mṛgendro 'haḿ vainateyaś ca pakṣiṇām</i>.</span> ~ 10.30) I am the wind among the purifiers, and Shri Ram
among the warriors (warrior = reformer, for a better and inclusive society). I am the crocodile among
the fishes (can also mean aquatic creatures); and of flowing waters/rivers I
am the River Ganga (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham
jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i>.</span> ~
10.31) I am the beginning, the
middle, and the end of all creation, O Arjun. Among spiritual knowledge I am knowledge of the supreme Self. I
am logic of the logician (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>sargāṇām ādir antaś ca madhyaḿ caivāham arjuna adhyātma-vidyā
vidyānāḿ vādaḥ pravadatām aham</i>.</span> ~ 10.32) Of letters I am the
letter A <i>(the sound 'A' is the foremost of the
sounds. All the alphabets begin with the letter 'A', thus is number 1. Before
number one it can only be zero (shunya). Zero (shunya) is the potential
Creation, the Cosmic Egg, which would manifest in due course of time, and Fire
(Brahm-jyotih?) is the basis for such manifestation. All the planes of
existence are the result of the work of Agni. Agni - the foremost of purifiers -
transforms that which is subtle to gross and also transforms the gross to
subtle. In the beginning it is from subtle to gross and later from gross to
subtle. The evolution and involution is the work of Agni. ~ The whole
creation-related work commences from Him and He is the one who emerges from the
unknown to the known as the Cosmic Bang. The dynamism in us is also Fire. The
Kundalini 'Fire' causes enlightenment of the brain cells. But enflaming the
Kundalini 'Fire' requires service to the fellow beings, to the society
(selfless/non-benefit-seeking/nishkam service/action... that contributes towards
a better society.) One has to dedicate oneself to nishkam karm... without which
the Kundalini 'Fire' is not ignited. Agni: exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire
and as Frictional Fire. The Kundalini Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below
the diaphragm. When it is above the diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and
when it reaches the brain, it is Electric Fire (brilliant white). As one
progresses regularly (in nishkam karm), the brilliance of the 'Golden disc'
grows. Just as the morning Sun who is Golden in colour grows to brilliant
white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized at the eyebrow centre rises to Ajnea
center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. This is the final
state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the
opening of the Third Eye. ~ On a separate note: Agni also symbolically
represents the spiritual fire of life and the processes of transformation. It
is the foremost amongst purifiers. <span class="blue">Agni does not
indicate/signify "tyag" per se; Agni is the greatest of purifiers and
the foremost amongst the five elements of nature - PanchaBhuta (also:
PanchaMahaBhuta or MahaPanchaBhuta). ~ Agni signifies "tyag" in the
sense (to indicate) one has conquered oneself; in other words: that one has
conquered/overcome the negativities residing in one's heart and mind. And
thereby, become a Siddha</span>),</i> and among compound words I am the
dual compound. I am also inexhaustible time, and of creators I am Brahmā (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>akṣarāṇām
a-kāro 'smi dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca aham evākṣayaḥ kālo dhātāhaḿ
viśvato-mukhaḥ.</i></span> ~ 10.33) I am all-consuming time,
and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (Alternatively:
"I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come
into being.") Among women I am glorious deeds (kīrtiḥ), radiance (śrīr),
fine speech/persuasion (vāk), memory/clarity of thought/discernment (smṛtir),
intelligence (medhā), resilience/steadfastness (dhṛtiḥ) and patience/forgiveness/high-mindedness/magnanimity/nobility of spirit (kṣamā). (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatām kīrtiḥ śrīr
vāk ca nārīṇāḿ smṛtir medhā dhṛtiḥ kṣamā</i>.</span> ~ 10.34) I am Brihatsaam among the Vedic hymns. I am Gāyatrī mantra among the Vedic mantras. Of
months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring (maybe that's why Shyamsundar Krishn is the personification of spring). (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>bṛhat-sāma
tathā sāmnāḿ gāyatrī chandasām aham māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham ṛtūnāḿ
kusumākaraḥ</i>.</span> ~ 10.35) I am gamble of the guileful, splendor of the
splendid, victory of the victorious, enterprise of the enterprising/resolute,
and strength of the strong/determined. (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>dyūtaḿ chalayatām asmi tejas tejasvinām aham
jayo 'smi vyavasāyo 'smi sattvaḿ sattvavatām aham</i>.</span> ~ 10.36) Among the
Vrishnis I am Vaasudev (of Dvarka), Arjun among the Paandavs, Vyaas among the
sages, and Ushanaa among the poets/great thinkers. (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>vṛṣṇīnāḿ vāsudevo
'smi pāṇḍavānāḿ dhanañjayaḥ munīnām apy ahaḿ vyāsaḥ kavīnām uśanā kaviḥ</i>.</span>
~ 10.37) I am the power/sagacity of rulers, the statesmanship of the seekers of victory;
I am silence among the secrets, and the Self-knowledge of the knowledgeable (i.e. of the wise I am the wisdom). (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>daṇḍo damayatām asmi nītir asmi
jigīṣatām maunaḿ caivāsmi guhyānāḿ jñānaḿ jñānavatām aham</i>.</span> ~ 10.38) Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the origin of all
beings (the cause of all creations). There is nothing, animate or inanimate,
that can exist without Me. (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>yac cāpi sarva-bhūtānāḿ bījaḿ tad aham arjuna
na tad asti vinā yat syān mayā bhūtaḿ carācaram</i>.</span> ~ 10.39)</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The
manifest creation is a very small fraction of the Absolute:</i><b> </b></span>There is no end of My divine manifestations, O Arjun. What
I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite manifestations. (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>nānto
'sti mama divyānāḿ vibhūtīnāḿ parantapa eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter
vistaro mayā</i>.</span> ~ 10.40) Know that whatever is endowed with glory,
brilliance, and power - spring from but a spark of My splendor. (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>yad yad
vibhūtimat sattvaḿ śrīmad ūrjitam eva vā tat tad evāvagaccha tvaḿ mama
tejo-'ḿśa-sambhavam</i>.</span> ~ 10.41) But what need is there, O Arjun, for all this
detailed knowledge? I continually support the entire universe by a small
fraction of My divine power (YogMaya). (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>atha vā bahunaitena kiḿ jñātena
tavārjuna viṣṭabhyāham idaḿ kṛtsnam ekāḿśena sthito jagat</i>.</span> ~ 10.42)</span></span></span></span> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpypONPraQftRqr9cqwPwAtu06qSyjDrLkbGMSWVTaFBqJrAGreSVcy5fYyo2clkI1W6r6XDEeMv7CmbuViE5jffQIINkZj-jdvCr27yOFFuCFrANG03gXIEe2EP9GTivI3xL5jy4xCUE/s1600/Illustration+-+Vishwaroop+or+Viraat-roop+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpypONPraQftRqr9cqwPwAtu06qSyjDrLkbGMSWVTaFBqJrAGreSVcy5fYyo2clkI1W6r6XDEeMv7CmbuViE5jffQIINkZj-jdvCr27yOFFuCFrANG03gXIEe2EP9GTivI3xL5jy4xCUE/s1600/Illustration+-+Vishwaroop+or+Viraat-roop+01.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pic</u>:</span> <i>an illustration of the "Vishwa-roop" or "Viraat-roop" (the "Universal Form" of the Cosmic Person/Being). However, Lord Narayan is not manushya/human. Plus, no illustration can ever bring out the true form/appearance/essence of the </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">maheśvaram - the </span></span></span>"Vishwa-roop" or "Viraat-roop". ~ Noone (in the current era/yug: Kaliyug) has ever seen it... and so, have to rely on one's (human) imagination.</i> ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The 'venom' or 'toxin' directed at him does not rile him: BG 9.11: || <i>avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā
mānuṣīḿ tanum āśritam paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram</i> || ~
"The ignorant deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know
(are unaware of) My transcendental nature (appearance) as the Supreme Lord (maheśvaram) of all
that be." ~ That transcendental appearance/form so bewildered and astonished someone like Arjun
(son of Kunti and Lord Indra, ruler of demi-gods, and a Deva - a much Higher Being than Humans - begotten through advanced genetic engineering), making his hair stand on end (tataḥ
sa vismayāviṣṭo hṛṣṭa-romā dhanañjayaḥ); a transcendental form/appearance
that was so glowing (dīptimantam) that Arjun found it difficult to see (despite having been granted the 'sight'/equipped by Krishn) ~ because of its
glaring effulgence, spreading on all sides, like blazing fire or the
immeasurable radiance of the sun (tejo-rāśiḿ sarvato dīptimantam paśyāmi tvāḿ
durnirīkṣyaḿ samantād dīptānalārka-dyutim aprameyam). ~ Arjun said: ||
tejobhir āpūrya jagat samagraḿ bhāsas tavogrāḥ pratapanti viṣṇo || ~
Covering the entire universe with Your effulgence, You are manifest with
terrible, scorching rays. || ākhyāhi me ko bhavān ugra-rūpo namo 'stu te
deva-vara prasīda || ~ O Lord of lords, so fierce of form, please tell me who
You are. I offer my obeisance unto You; please be gracious to me. | śrī-bhagavān
uvāca (Sri Bhagavan said): || kālo 'smi loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddho || ~ "Time I am, (kālo 'smi), the destroyer of all/the shatterer of worlds."</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOIrbVJTBvvrTCv9ZopKhVWKudnmsgynuYje175yAPRq-ywkflzfAgN7-g3BiY0DVzsUhWNK2OyVEqf5XELGnvVSDv1G48NqJorVvvN2GIBlOEKIa3w13G4NDnfKL5dfkXzMYw2ROx84/s1600/Krishn+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOIrbVJTBvvrTCv9ZopKhVWKudnmsgynuYje175yAPRq-ywkflzfAgN7-g3BiY0DVzsUhWNK2OyVEqf5XELGnvVSDv1G48NqJorVvvN2GIBlOEKIa3w13G4NDnfKL5dfkXzMYw2ROx84/s1600/Krishn+01.jpg" height="126" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Krishna, Eternal Enigma:
adept at captivating... in the endless meshes of His music (emanating from His
flute, even His metaphoric flute), so much so that people tended to see
and understand what he wanted them to see and understand, about him. [And this</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> helped him to mislead the mind or thinking of
others (especially those of unwanted entities.) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It also allowed him to effectively create and maintain a façade, a smooth
façade, enigma even: one that enabled him to concentrate on what he had set out to do/achieve... instead of wasting his time and energy beset with unwanted stuff. And <i>this</i> is important, since his arrival/descent on earth is to achieve a series of tasks (and that too within a specific period of time). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was an outsider, an interloper. </span></span></span></span></span>By 'masking' himself (i.e. by creating a veneer, to sort of </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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ahead), he could offset and/or circumvent/bypass (at least to a large extent) issues like, credibility challenges
(due to his youth and clean slate status vis-à-vis all the grandees he
interacted with - both within and outside of Hastinapur), his (dethroned and) far less influential family and clan (than the Kuru or the Puru clan,
for example) and the like.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He was also not operating from a position of strength (in fact, far from it), nor did he have the kind of clout enjoyed by various other entities and
personalities. Besides, there was numerous 'cross-currents'. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->So imagine his selling skills. He was a consummate
marketer and diplomat. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Yes, he was well-educated and erudite... but so were many others. And his eruditeness did not shield him from all the 'toxin' and 'venom' spewed at him; it did not make his circumstances ideal nor his journey any easier. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And he did not have the luxury of a carefree life either. Nor did he have any practical experience (whatsoever) in
the treacherous world of <i>kutniti</i> and politics... and yet, found himself instantly drawn
into a whirlpool of intrigue (unleashed by the machinations of the tyrannical
Jarasandha and Kansh) - at a young age. [Therefore, he led a life full of stress, numerous pressures and high-velocity from an early age.] Krishn was thus vulcanized via the most
trying of circumstances... and appeared on the scene with his heroic abilities,
superior intellect and tremendous political foresight ~ when the political
situation of the land was most difficult. But then, Krishna possessed great foresight, astuteness, commitment and vision
coupled with a strong mind and an equally strong spine. ('Coz a weak spine
cannot support a strong mind and vice versa.) [A couple of sermons or even a series of sermons would not have impacted the likes of Jarasandh, Duryodhan, Shakuni, etc, etc. Attempting such a thing would have been the heights of idealism/naivety... and delusional. What would have been the course of the Mahabharata then? Thus, this 'duality' or dualism is not 'prarabda (negative) karm'. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is "dharma" (justice and principles) ~ Krishna's
actions benefited society (Loka-sangraha/Loka-kalyana). ~ It helped build a better society. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is the best example of the
concept of: 'lotus feet' and kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm'. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In the greatest battlefield of ethics, ideas and principles... in that great 'manthan' he remained steadfast yet "detached" - like a swan/hamsah ~ whose
feathers do not get damp despite remaining in water, due to his yogi/hamsan
nature. (<i>Do read the
fourth paragraph from the last and the second paragraph from the top... to know more about "yogi",
"detachment" and </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm'</span>.)</i> The concept of "dharma" is neither straight and
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ </i>Asato mā sad gamaya<i> | From ignorance/untruth, lead me unto truth (dharma, ethics, actions
that benefit society) </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>| </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">Tamaso
mā jyotir gamay</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>a ~ </i></span>From darkness (the 'fog' of regressive aspects, ignorance, 'sleep' [stagnation, decline/decay], delusion and pessimism), lead me
unto light (knowledge, hope, wisdom, enlightenment ~ that help build/create a better society and civilization.)</i>]</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Bathed in the complexity of real-life struggle, totally divested of His miraculous powers and abilities... Krishn navigated through (a maze of) shifting power centers, intrigues, smokescreen, parochialism, 'cross-currents', politics, diplomacy, and so on... armed with only his brilliance, his clear-sightedness/acumen and his charm. What a maestro! </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, he does not come across as 'rigid
rigid'. That would be folly. That would not be strategic. Instead, he comes
across as 'savvy flexible'... a tactic sometimes necessary in dealing with inimical forces/entities (... especially if the latter were to wield great power
and influence.)] <i><u>Note</u>:</i> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the world of diplomacy
there is no such thing as 'promises' or permanent friendship/alliances - without mutual commonalities. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Both the quality and the quantity of mutual
commonalities may advance positive alliance. It is crucial to tactfully employ alliance-building strategies. Nothing is cast-iron otherwise. (Events and
situations are dynamic and ever-changing.) There are issues and interests,
there is give-and-take; people and groups (even adversaries and unknown
entities... who may not have the same level of resources, power and clout) sit
across the table/meet with each other, interact and discuss
(issues, concerns and points) - over a period of time - to align their
interests, to identify commonalities and areas of convergence ~ to finally come
to an acceptable agreement/convergence of interests/views or a reasonably win-win
situation. [There would be no progress otherwise; it would result in a perpetual stalemate, and letting go of opportunities... and ultimately the converse of 'a stitch in time saves nine'. How then would a people and nation move into the direction they want to go?] In such a world/scenario... being 'rigid-rigid' is folly. Instead, one needs to
be 'savvy-flexible': visionary/far-sighted, sagacious (discerning enough to
read situations/events... and how they will play out in the future); be able to
see/keep the big (macro) picture in mind. An understanding of issues/events/situations and
how they will play out in the short/mid-term and long-term is crucial. ~ Krishn
was a diplomat, a nation-builder, a catalyst, and statesman-par-excellence (do also read this post in its entirety - to get the drift); one who was among humans for a purpose; one who also thought about the
future of humanity and civilizational progress... and this reflects in his many
endeavours. (He was also the one who steered the transition from one era/yug to another.) He was a maestro; </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->his sharpness, foresight and courage coupled with his gumption, ability
to stay the course, savvy-flexibility and alchemic nature made things happen (despite great adversities, and despite him not being in a position of strength vis-</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->à-vis his adversaries, etc.) He was also a Yug Purush, Renaissance Man. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It is pointless to even say
that Krishn (the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu) made 'promises' to the likes of Duryodhan. His work is according to the Cosmic Plan. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
"awakens" - by bringing out both the positive and the negative ~ so as to
dispel confusion... to usher in clarity, introspection and
transformation... leading to corrective action/course correction. (And, he does it in a manner that is understandable/graspable by the humans of that/specific era/yug, 'coz comprehension, cognitive levels et al do not remain homogeneous across eras/ages/yugs. Nor do the human-species remain the same.) </span></span></span>His 'promises'
to the likes of Duryodhan are part of his '...dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge-yuge' (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
guide and to re-establish/revitalize/rejuvenate/reinvigorate the principles of
"dharma" and "karm" ~ for the benefit of mankind/humanity ~ for a better
society and civilization, I manifest Myself millennium after
millennium.) Duryodhan et al were neither known for their ethics or integrity nor were their objectives noble. So, if they were to prevail... what would have happened to society/civilization? ~ Instead, Krishn protected and preserved
humanity/mankind and the earth. How would things/events have turned out otherwise? ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Although a 'leela-avatar', He is not an Avatar of the Cosmic Person/Being,
but is considered as the Cosmic Person/Being Himself (albeit, in the flesh). ||
krishnas tu bhagavan svayam || He is the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He is <i>keshavah</i>: One whose rays
illumine the cosmos (Brahm-jyoti), and one who is himself the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i>
Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva. ~ Even though in His human form, His purpose is different and his message is universal. ... Anyone who attributes human values to God (the 'leela-avatars' included) - has failed to realize the true Leelas behind those episodes. Such a person or persons have (thus) been unable to grasp/comprehend/understand the lesson(s) imparted by the Cosmic Being... and is therefore, 'asleep' ('fog', stagnation of the mind). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #741b47;"><i><u>PS</u>:</i></span> In Treta, one of the
major reasons for the Ramayana War... was to destroy dangerous weaponry (including
gigantic humanoid-robots like "Kumbhakarna" - that carried a variety of weapons)
~ to protect this planet and civilizations therein. Shri Ram (the Ram-avatar) also dismantled
the "Shiv-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear weapons - after an
all-round agreement/general consensus. ~ In Dvapar, one of the major purposes of the Dharm-Yudh (battle of ideas, ethics and principles) was to rid the
planet of extremely destructive weaponry and unnatural humans (highly evolved
humanoids) - to allow the planet, humanity and civilization to "heal"... so as to progress
naturally and peacefully.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--> | As they say: It takes courage to answer a call, It
takes courage to give your all. It takes courage to risk your name, It takes
courage to be true. It takes courage to dare what no other would share, to be
standing alone, one whom no one will own, To be ready to stake, for another
man's sake, it takes courage to be true... Krishn remains an enigma. He is deep blue. We admire the blue pre-dawn hours. The waters of
the ocean look blue from afar. But if you go near and take it in your palms,
you will no longer find it blue; it will be very clear, transparent. The oceans
continue to remain an enigma. ... Sri Krishn too is just like the deep blue
waters of the ocean: Achintya (inscrutable, enigmatic). Thus, he is often shown as having
a dark-blue complexion: not just blue, but a deep blue, like the velvet blue/indigo that sometimes can be seen in a dark sky, like
a blue that one may have at times seen from the deck of a ship thousands of
miles from shore on the Pacific Ocean or perhaps on the Atlantic Ocean. ... And whenever there is
something of unfathomable depth, it appears to be deep blue. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.. Sri Krishn is like a deep and mighty river
flowing through the history of our nation. </span></span></span>The
Mahabharata would have been very different without him. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="norm">He was the fulcrum. </span>I mean, what would
the Pandavas have done without Krishn by their side? This transcendent man started
out (as a mere boy) with tremendous disadvantage, found himself in the middle of events and
circumstances so nebulous (that perhaps even its creators may not have fully understood). And yet, he worked tirelessly, ushered in/facilitated positive change, reformed,
engaged, removed numerous roadblocks and obstacles, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">absorbed 'venom', </span></span></span>cleared away the 'cobwebs' and 'toxin', 'healed', provided guidance, traced
the trajectory, put in place a framework... set the ball rolling, so to speak. So
much so that even some five millenniums down the line... his life and times, his
work/ contributions, his vision, his indomitable spirit, his philosophy and advice
remain as fresh and as relevant as ever. They are timeless and seminal, and
will remain so ~ forever. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He was approachable, not snobbish or aloof - though he may not have suffered fools gladly; and,
he was neither a quitter nor impractical and unrealistic. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He was not fond of
stagnation, and did not let a political vacuum to follow important events, e.g. he did not let a 'vacuum'
to aftercede Jarasandh. He was not someone
who lives in a world of fantasy, nor was his ideas and thoughts un-doable or
unattainable. Instead, he was a doer, a catalyst, a
phenomenon, and a force of nature. He was a pathfinder, a trailblazer... with a
tremendous ability to absorb 'toxin' and withstand 'venom'. This way: he <i>also</i>
made the job easier for others. His presence, achievements and actions (all that he did, that is) in various 'manthan-s' brings about positive change, besides serving as a catalyst for
other positivities and possibilities... ultimately, leading to a better society. Krishn also instructed (and inspired) through his
own behavior (acharan) ~ the mark of a true teacher/guru. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>~ </i>Mrtyormā amrtam gamaya<i> | From
death, lead me unto immortality. </i>~ In His human form, Krishn did all that he did ~ through the sheer
dint of his <i>karm</i> alone; his commitment and passion towards achieving his
objectives is remarkable. So imagine the kind of vision he possessed, as well
as the magnitude of his tenacity and determination; he not only put in his time
but also his heart into it; and he was neither perfunctory nor condescending. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He urges us into introspection; he guides and
mentors, and yet, his focus remains unwavering; he keeps the goals and
objectives above himself. [The goals and objectives: to reinvigorate the
principles of "dharma" and "karm" ~ to help and guide humanity so as to create a better society.] He is without a doubt a supersonic genius of epic proportions.
Super-Genius Reformer-Statesman. Soldier-Statesman par excellence (soldier against regression, pessimism, negativies and obscurantism, that is). Genius-est artist of all time. A genuine
trailblazer. ... And, "Giridhari" ~ doer/achiever of Herculean/superhuman tasks (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->as well as the dispeller ["lifter"] of [the
allegorical 'dark clouds' of] pessimism, despondency, confusion, hopelessness,
decay, et al ~ the harbinger of sunshine.) </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He led by example, and instructed through his
own behaviour (acharan). He stands out in a crowd; he is a leader, a hero, a legend; God in the flesh... and yet, an everyman. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His message (to humanity) is nuanced/subtle. One needs to contemplate and deliberate deeply ~ to understand his life and purpose, so as to be able to fathom his <i>karm</i>, his message and his advise (to humanity). Only then will it percolate. And only then can the 'chrysalis
metamorphose into a butterfly'. [Society and civilization consists of people;
only when they change for the better (i.e. when they<span style="color: #0c343d;"> change their</span> attitude/outlook and mindset for the better, when they shake off their slothfulness, obscurantism, apathy and so on)... negative aspects/'darkness' is dispelled. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->S/He comes to 'turn the wheel' (which would have
stagnated, perhaps even coated with layers and layers of dust and grime/filth)... but
the wheel needs to keep turning. There is no
magic-wand of any kind whatsoever. And therefore, there is no alternative to karm yog. He isn't a grouch; in fact, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="norm">he is a li'l mischievous, slightly playful... </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="norm">and yet he has a strong presence, is extremely
on the ball, and exudes gravitas without breaking a sweat. </span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His intensity is balanced by his enthusiasm and
energy. S</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">mouldering looks (think Rafael Nadal). Dark hair, and dark smouldering eyes (think Gregory Peck and Roger Federer). He is animated, unassuming and a brilliant polymath. His mind: vast and voraciously curious (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->~ extraordinary virtuosity). His
demeanour: pleasant. His appearance: mesmerizing smile, naughty yet innocent looks - possibly
chiseled and with big, captivating eyes. ~ He is a study in versatility - he has uncountable
sides to his personality that just makes the whole package even more
intriguing/enigmatic. ... </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Thoughtful, capable, and fascinating; steely willpower,
a quiet kind of confidence: the physical presence, charisma and confidence of
the Alpha male; but also unselfish, unpretentious, affable and genuine ~ an
unassuming Alpha male with princely qualities.] Krishn, if we can understand him and his
message, is no proponent of (any manner of) 'magic-wand theory'. His <i>mantra</i> is
karm yog, and karm yog alone ~ action, dedicated/diligent action, even selfless action/service; the 'wheel needs to keep turning'.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The journey is immensely enriching; therefore, the
journey is no less important than the destination... just as our business is
with the action (karm) only, never with its fruits (result, outcome). And there is no instant results either. And so, pessimism is not an option; wallowing in self-pity, despondency and
negativism/negativist mentality must be eschewed. [As
you think, so you become. Think you are Brahmn; Brahmn you will become. ~ Your
entire being, your karm, your thoughts... will reflect that.] </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Death is inevitable for all; a corpse is not
even referred to by name: <i>it</i> just becomes a 'body' - a 'corpse' ~ for everyone. Thus,
karm yog is essential for achieving 'eternal life' on Earth <i>~ </i>Mrtyormā
amrtam gamaya<i> | From death, lead me unto immortality. </i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">And so, a great amount of karm (nishkam karm or selfless action/service
- that contribute towards a better society) needs to be performed diligently and unselfishly... to attain 'moksha' ~ liberation from the material existence (the constant cycle of life,
death and re-birth). </span>|| Om
Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namah ||</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i> </i></span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsOt14vYhQKh20WHAF1asWhyphenhyphen4qkRTkptpzzVuqwpRQQcwFqQHPDJNvL0X-EtveDUMEMFJXgcotEuuUvTVuu3zrYj9abGzCHRai4ExfOQgLpoED8r5plvvn1G1Sf1DNkAwAeqcrhykT2c/s1600/Illustration+-+Krishn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsOt14vYhQKh20WHAF1asWhyphenhyphen4qkRTkptpzzVuqwpRQQcwFqQHPDJNvL0X-EtveDUMEMFJXgcotEuuUvTVuu3zrYj9abGzCHRai4ExfOQgLpoED8r5plvvn1G1Sf1DNkAwAeqcrhykT2c/s1600/Illustration+-+Krishn.jpg" height="117" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Notes
on Nishkam karm (selfless action); Jeevan Mukt (state of inner detachment);</i> <i>karm yogi
(the man of action); the concept of </i></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or </span></b>'lotus feet' and
Kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm';</i> Turyaga</i> </span><span style="font-style: normal;">(</span>the state of a
Muni/Jnani/Yogi - a truly enlightened being); Sat-cit-ānanda (spiritual ecstasy
or the state of eternal bliss - of the mind and soul); Self-realization or Param-aatma
realization - communion with Brahmn/the Universal Consciousness), etc:</i></span> <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>Nishkama</i> <i>karma</i></span></i> is the dynamic power of duty exalted by inner detachment
(Jeevan Mukt). It is freedom <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>in</i></span></i>
action, not freedom <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>from</i></span></i>
action. As such, it is an expression of deepest dharma (dharmic consciousness).
It is a Cause far greater than our individual selves. It is one of Life. It is
one of Right and Truth - <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>of our fundamental
being</i>. </span></i>It is through disciplined karm that the individual comes to
realize his or her <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>true</i></span></i> nature
as well as his or her <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>true</i></span></i>
purpose. [In other words: only by performing good
deeds indefinitely/continuously, sakama (selfish, glory-seeking) karm gets
transformed into nishkam (selfless) karm.] ... It is then that one transcends
the dualism of hope and despondency, gain and loss, joy and sorrow, hate and
personal desire. It is then that one's heart becomes larger than the universe
itself. ~ Wisdom is firmly set. Material desire (for praise, or glory or thoughts
of achieving 'eternal life' or moksha etc) is replaced by the desire of the soul and the
realization of this inner self - one's <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>true</i></span></i>
being - as part of a greater Whole, which is the proper goal of all one's
striving. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the wise who seeks to attain yoga Karma-yoga is said to be the means; For the
one who has attained yoga, Equanimity becomes the means</i> || </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Yoga or Yog does not mean complicated
physical manoeuvers/exercises; instead, it is the science of achieving complete harmony ~
of the body, mind and spirit. It results in <i>sanjog</i> (connection between all three). It calms the mind, brings about (inner) detachment and bliss/spiritual
ecstasy, and generates synergy; in short: it activates kundalini.] </span>BG 6.4: </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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person is said to have attained yogic perfection When there is no desire for
sense gratification (desire for personal glory, praise, etc), Or attachment to the fruits of work (result/outcome), And has renounced all
personal selfish motives</i> <i>(desire for 'eternal life' or 'moksha', etc)</i> || </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->BG 6.7: || <i>For
one who has conquered the mind, the Universal Consciousness/Brahmn/Supreme Self
(Param-aatma) is already reached, for s/he has attained tranquility. To such a
person happiness and distress, heat and cold, praise and humiliation are all the
same</i> || Those who are endowed with the knowledge of <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i> - renouncing all motives of personal glory etc - perform their
actions without attachment to their consequences (fruits). They are not carried
away by success or depressed by lack of quick results, but enjoy mental
equanimity. Nothing can affect their resolve. Thus, they have achieved
sovereign control of the mind and through it that inner <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>freedom</i>,</span></i> which provides for unity of
thought, word and deed - which is the hallmark of Aryan consciousness ('Arya
Dharma'). The advantage that flows from the performance of <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i> may be summarized
quite briefly. No longer is one subject to the senses or to that which lies without.
Rather, the imperative of dharma as detached (freedom from attachment) duty now
reveals its own intrinsic values of dignity, purity and sublimity. It must be
emphasized that <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i>
does not suggest unconcern for a given goal or purpose. Indeed, implicit in the
very concept is the idea of a <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>cause</i>,</span></i>
or purpose, beyond the interests of the individual (a cause much higher than
oneself - for the greater good/Loka Kalyana or Loka-sangraha), which provides
the necessary field for action. And there can be no higher cause than Loka
Kalyana or Loka-sangraha (the greater good - for a better society and
civilization). ~ Krishn was a most extraordinary figure. He led by example, and instructed through his own behaviour
(acharan). His was
the highest dharmic mission; and by his very appearance, he not only
reinvigorated the principles of dharma (dharma-samsthapanarthaya),
he also urged (advised) humanity to action (karm) - <i>to <span style="font-style: normal;"><i>duty</i>. To karm yog. ~ Work for a greater cause, b</span></i>ut work in
detachment ('Jeevan Mukt'). Try not to feel upset if you are unsuccessful (i.e.
do not achieve instant results). Try not to feel pride if you are successful.
If people insult/disparage you, be indifferent/stoic. If they praise you, don't feel exalted.
Feel indifferent. Cultivate equanimity and equipoise. That is intrinsic to karm
yog. ~ Struggle (continuous effort) does not necessarily guarantee (instant) success;
but without it, no positive change is possible. And the call to struggle is
called - <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>duty</i>. The higher cause (for </span></i>Loka
Kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater good)<i><span style="font-style: normal;"> and the struggle
(continuous effort) </span></i>alone should inspire our thoughts and actions.
The struggle, however, is one of <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>protraction</i></span></i>
extending over decades and generations. It cannot be sustained by ephemeral
passions or the whims of the moment, but only by focused and unrelenting <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">resolve</span></b> which is unaffected by the
vagaries of success and setback. Therefore, it is important to cultivate the
yoga of struggle (karm yog; equanimity and equipoise). ~ BG 2.15: || <i>yam hi na
vyathayanty ete purusam purusarsabha sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram so 'mrtatvaya kalpate</i> || ~ "O noble one [Arjun], that person of wise judgment equipoise
in happiness and distress, and is steady in both, is certainly eligible for 'eternal
life' (could also mean moksha/liberation)." | ~ Through the practice of <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b>, we achieve
equanimity and <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>efficiency</i>.</span></i> It
is this efficiency of all those working in concert for the common cause which
is the prerequisite for positive societal change. By choosing to become
instruments of this higher <i><span style="font-style: normal;">cause (for </span></i>Loka
Kalyana or Loka-sangraha - the greater good) and <i><span style="font-style: normal;">struggle (continuous effort) ~ one becomes </span></i>part of a higher
destiny. Therefore, (Krishn's advise is): do your duty. Let your life become
one with the Cause of the greater whole. That, and that alone. That is nishkam
karm and karm yog. ~ If everyone concerned were to embrace the higher cause (leading
to the greater good - a better society/world/civilization) and act upon it with
dedication and consistency, the <i><span style="font-style: normal;">struggle
(continuous effort)</span></i> could certainly be mastered, no matter the
odds. It requires staying-power (dharmic stamina and steadfastness). One cannot
grow weary and give up, without committing themselves unreservedly to the
struggle (cause, continuous effort). Instead of being active participants in
their own destiny, humanity cannot become idlers and spectators. The higher Cause
is impossible and hopeless for the weak-minded (in his or her own <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>subjective</i></span></i> judgment); it is not
objectively hopeless or impossible for those worthy of it. For the former, this
lame attitude is the (result of) expectation of quick, easy, painless results.
If a certain outcome is not realized within a set period of time, they tend to despair,
and (therefore) give up... and the whole enterprise is abandoned. Forgotten
completely are earlier protestations of concern about the condition of the
world/society/civilization and the need for a better one. Ironically, it is
this very focus on fixed (quick, tangible) results, rather than on fulfillment
of duty (steadfast karm/effort with inner detachment), which obscures the vision and blinds one to
those possibilities which might otherwise open up as a <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>by-product</i></span></i> of correct thinking and
acting, and thus lead to that very change they all seek. Amidst all the talk of
the need for positive change (positive societal change), this fixation on (instant)
outcome quickly leads to frustration and despair when success is not easily and
readily achieved. But this attitude - this mental posture - is wrong and
self-defeating. It is therefore prudent to shun such an attitude/outlook, and <i>detach</i> oneself. [i.e. cultivate equanimity and equipoise - for inner detachment. This would give
freedom <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>in</i></span></i> action, not freedom <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>from</i></span></i> action.] ~ The ancient Aryans called
it <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>nishkâma</i> <i>karma</i></span></i> - action
without attachment (to karmphal/outcome), action without personal desire (for quick/instant
results, for personal glory, etc). It is selfless endeavor, efficient (and
continuous) action without fear or doubt, and may be defined as the performance
of one's duty without desire for the fruits of one's action(s). [Here there is no regard for personal glory of
any kind. One might say that it is simply a matter of doing the dharmic thing (for a better society/civilization) - <i>not</i> for the results or outcome, <i>not</i> out of desire for personal glory or praise. Nothing more, nothing less.] Put
another way, <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i>
is disciplined action directed toward a goal greater than one's own personal
whims and interests; a higher cause - for the greater good (Loka Kalyana or
Loka-sangraha). It is about becoming part of a higher destiny. The man of
action (karm yogi) does not withdraw and turn inward, but cheerfully embraces
struggle and toil as the ideal in life. For him or her, selflessness consists
of the renunciation of personal desire (a carefree life, etc), <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>not</i></span></i> of action itself. Restraint and
discipline of the senses (inner detachment/Jeevan Mukt) must, accordingly, not be seen as
selfish ends in themselves, enabling one to escape from the rigours of life.
Rather - along with action itself - they are to be considered a <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>means</i></span></i> by which one is able to discharge
one's duty in the service of a higher cause (~ such a one is a hamsan, yogi or karm
yogi). [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And *this* should also help us to understand the concept of </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or </span></b>'lotus feet' as well as the concept of
Kara-puṣkara or 'lotus-palm'. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>... And why the <span class="ilad">spirit</span> of
such persons is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water that remains
"detached" (does not adhere to it.) Or like the <span class="st">hamsah/swan...
whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in contact with water. ~ Thus
the lotus flower and the hamsah/swan are embodiments of (inner) "detachment"
(Jeevan Mukt)... and exemplify a true "yogi", a real ascetic/hamsan or </span>sanyaasi
(Jeevan Mukt: one who is detached like the lotus... which grows in muddy water
and yet remains Nirmal - untouched by it.) ~ It is the mark of an enlightened,
higher soul (mahatmanah).</i>]<i> </i>Thus, <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i>
does not suppress the senses, but merely sublimates them - <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>spiritualizes</i></span></i> them - for a higher
purpose. [~ For the individual Aryan karm yogi there could be no
promise of success. That, by definition, would rob him or her of the opportunity for
the heroic deed (performed for the greater good or as part of a greater cause).
Without <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i>
and the dharmic freedom (inner detachment) it bestows, however, no Aryan victory (to bring about
positive change within oneself and/or in society) could be achieved.] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEkaJgjeY5m1HawZ_cY9xUJpqULBkDPqgZG_eZMZJFrfOX_3j48rqbYtmvBXRDIPK62yLo8J8T4JZyqAuGAaS-kPvrB9W4waXgFQiBLRh-PiC0NfpTP12G2gy2ZUMyGRn5Hp8WvVEIMk/s1600/AUM+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEkaJgjeY5m1HawZ_cY9xUJpqULBkDPqgZG_eZMZJFrfOX_3j48rqbYtmvBXRDIPK62yLo8J8T4JZyqAuGAaS-kPvrB9W4waXgFQiBLRh-PiC0NfpTP12G2gy2ZUMyGRn5Hp8WvVEIMk/s1600/AUM+01.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are two components to the concept of <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless
action</span></b>: <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>selflessness</i>,</span></i>
or (inner) detachment (Jeevan Mukt), and <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>action</i>.</span></i>
While, on the one hand, it calls for non-desire (from personal glory or praise,
etc) and selflessness, it also calls for action - for <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>doing</i>. </span></i>The first component, (inner) <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>detachment</i>,</span></i> is simply the removal of the
mind from all extraneous distraction and the devoted, disciplined,
single-minded concentration toward a higher spiritual and dharmic purpose. <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Selfless action</span></b></i> insists on the
exclusion of all personal inclination and desire (for instant results, glory,
praise, a carefree life, etc) - all consideration of pleasure or pain, success or failure (lack
of quick results) - from the dharmic equation. The sole focus of its
concern is the objective values of <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>loyalty</i></span></i>
and <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>diligent</i> <i>purposefulness</i></span></i> in
the service of a higher cause. Indeed, genuine dharmic life consists in giving
up egoistic (ahamkara, negative pride or vainglorious) instincts and embracing such values. The
converse of selfishness, of course, is <i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>selfishness</i>,</span></i>
or personal attachment (for praise, glory, etc). Because of its attachment,
action so undertaken tends to be flighty and fickle. And because it
cannot be sustained, it cannot offer the prospect of victory in a protracted
struggle (i.e. the desired positive societal change). When the mind is attached
to objects of the senses and to that which lies without, mental focus and
rational stability are impaired, as is concentration and steadfastness. As a
result, such attachment (of the senses, or for quick results, personal glory,
etc) leads to inconstancy and lack of direction. But when the mind is withdrawn from sense-objects
and given dharmic direction (inner detachment, steadfast karm/effort with equanimity and equipoise), this
fleeting flux of desires vanishes and dharmic fixity is established. [i.e. sakama (selfish, glory-seeking) karm gets transformed into nishkam (selfless) karm.] Acquiring such disciplined mental disposition is an
essential prerequisite for the development of an attitude that alone will
enable one to practice <i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">selfless action</span></b></i>.
'Coz no longer will
they be subservient (under the influence) to the senses but have attained that
sovereignty, which we may describe as consciousness of the soul. The mind -
having acquired an attitude of concentration and equipoise - is thus
balanced, and (therefore) is now free to establish its sovereignty and dharmic authority.
[i.e. The mind is <i>Sattvic</i>, immune from worldly
thoughts.] ~ It is the state of <i>Turyaga</i>. [<i><u>Note</u>:</i> Turyaga is
the state of a Muni/Jnani/"yogi" - a truly enlightened being; it
leads to (inner) "detachment" (<i>Jeevan Mukta</i>) ~ allowing one to enter
into nirvikalpa samadhi to 'awaken' to "Moksha" (liberation). Such a
person can do seemingly impossible tasks with ease - the allegorical
'Giridhari' ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->also the dispeller ("lifter") of (the metaphoric 'dark and heavy clouds' of) pessimism, despondency, confusion, hopelessness, decay,
et al... the harbinger of joy and hope and the bringer of sunshine. Such a person is also "Siddha" - one whose heart is
larger than the universe itself: one who has achieved the eternal
bliss/spiritual ecstasy of "self-realization" ~ Sat-cit-ānanda. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.72: || <i>esa brahmi sthitih paartha nainam prapya vimuhyati sthitvasyam
anta-kale 'pi brahma-nirvanam rcchati</i> || ~ "O Paartha [O Son of Prtha/Kunti], having gained the realization of the Ultimate Truth
(Ultimate Consciousness/Self-realization), one is never again deluded and even at the end of
one's life, being situated in this state, liberation from the material
existence (moksha) and attainment of the Ultimate Consciousness (Brahmn) is
assured." | ~ When the mind is
withdrawn from the sense objects and deep reflection sets in, the objective
consciousness is 'closed'; Savitarka Samadhi commences. This is Samadhi with
reasoning. The mind here is free from worldly thoughts; negative thoughts (or
thoughts about personal glory, etc) cannot enter now. The mind is Sattvic. (It
can be called <i>Chitta Suddhi</i>.) When the mind is completely absorbed in
one object of meditation, it is termed <i>Samadhi</i>. Karm Yog is also a kind
of meditation. It destroys the ego (negative pride, ahankara, vainglory). And, it requires
complete self-sacrifice of Nishkam Karm Yog (selfless action/service). Such yogis
are Nishkam Karm Yogis. ... And only they can achieve Nirvikalpa Samadhi to
'awaken' to <i>Moksha</i> (liberation). [Shri Krishn was not given to vainglory. Instead, he was a nishkam karm yogi, a true "yogi" and Jnani, a Param-hamsah (Supreme Swan).] The state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi leads to (inner) detachment/Jeevan Mukt. In nirvikalpa samadhi there is infinite bliss. (<i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i>,
pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda - one who has achieved eternal bliss of
self-realization. <i>Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and timeless; <i>cit</i> is
consciousness; <i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy.) One not only
feels bliss, but also actually grows into that bliss (of the body, mind and spirit/soul). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Yoga or yog does not indicate some complicated
physical manoeuvers; instead, it is the science of achieving complete harmony ~
of the body, mind and spirit. It calms the mind, leads to inner detachment and (therefore) bliss/spiritual
ecstasy... and generates synergy; in short: it activates kundalini. (Probably,
"yog" or "yoga" has given rise to "sanjog"/"sanyog", <i>to connect</i>. ~ When the mind is Sattvic (free from worldly thoughts, or thoughts of personal glory, etc) and </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">is completely absorbed in
one object of meditation, it is termed <i>Samadhi</i>.</span></span></span> Meditation (dhyan) is also Yoga or Yog; it not only helps in achieving complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit, but also helps in connecting with the energies of the cosmos. It activates and unleashes the power of kundalini... that in turn illumines or 'ignites' the mind.] ~ BG 10.20: || <i>aham atma
gudakesha sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah aham adis ca madhyam ca bhutanam anta eva ca</i>
|| ~ "I am the Supreme Spirit (Supersoul/Atman), O Arjun, seated
in the hearts of all living entities. I am the beginning, the middle and the
end of all beings." | ~ When one enters
into nirvikalpa samadhi, one's heart is larger than the universe itself. One
'sees' the universe as a tiny dot inside one's vast heart. (Aham Brahmasmi ~ I
am He/Brahmn: one (the jiva) achieves communion with the Universal Consciousness.) ~ One<span class="usercontent"> reflects the light of every being in the universe, and one's
light is reflected in them. One can feel the expansiveness of one's being... an
expression of the infinite field of intelligence and all possibilities. ~ </span>Becoming
one with the soul is possible only in the Nirvikalpa Samadhi state. (Should one
hold communion with Brahmn [the Universal Consciousness], devoid of mental
fancies/attachments and modifications, then the great bondage of the mind will cease, all
doubts will vanish, all pratibandha or vighna [impediments of the mind and spirit]
will disappear, and all [negative] karmas will perish.) ~ It is then [i.e. only after
attaining the stage of Nirvikalpa Samadhi] that one gains Realization of God and
the Self [i.e. <i>Self-realization</i> or Param-aatma realization.] ~ It is
then that <i>Jiva</i> [the human soul or individual soul] becomes
identical
with Brahmn [the Param-aatma or Supersoul (Atman) or the Universal
Consciousness.] ~ Self-realization
(or Param-aatma realization) is to fully know and realize who you are.
Before
knowing God/Universal Consciousness (Brahmn), know yourself. If you
understand
yourself... only then is it possible to understand God (Universal
Consciousness/Brahmn),
Nature or Love. With the realization of the Universal Consciousness
(Atman/Supersoul/Param-aatma/Brahmn) come universal compassion, love,
and the awareness of the
oneness of all things (higher knowledge).]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The light of thy music
illumines the world. The life breath of thy music runs from sky to sky. The
holy stream of thy music breaks through all stony obstacles and rushes on.</i></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Gaaner leela'r sei kinare<br />
J'og dite ki saw'bai pare<br />
Bishva hrida'y parabare<br />
Raag rginir jaal phelate ||</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span class="usercontent"><i>Aamar Byala Je Jaye</i></span></span><span class="usercontent"> by the Queen of Sangeet:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ywsFsWNtgQ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;">...................................................</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-67843936589630687602013-08-25T21:58:00.001+05:302013-08-26T00:13:38.330+05:30The Good Little Ceylonese Girl by Ashok Ferry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhus7XQmHYmZwOu6DbEMBG6DE4ZpiovGPrOJJPGaAI0n_OmrUuLpT-msNDWvGJBlsWmR_iIzVkvHaC0DFmWmU9vjtOiDGi5hPnwFA_hsn_Ta3IPa7M-NKRcLyaGGF_ifflC8or1qAssjyA/s1600/The-good-little-ceylonese-girl_Front-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhus7XQmHYmZwOu6DbEMBG6DE4ZpiovGPrOJJPGaAI0n_OmrUuLpT-msNDWvGJBlsWmR_iIzVkvHaC0DFmWmU9vjtOiDGi5hPnwFA_hsn_Ta3IPa7M-NKRcLyaGGF_ifflC8or1qAssjyA/s1600/The-good-little-ceylonese-girl_Front-cover.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">After <i><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/08/colpetty-people-by-ashok-ferry.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">Colpetty
People</span></a></i> (2003) come <i>The Good Little Ceylonese Girl </i>(2006),<i> </i>Ashok
Ferry's second collection, and his own take on Sri Lankan life (at home and
abroad). Witty, frank, conversational, slightly dark, full of
funny-yet-insightful candour, tongue-in-cheek even, it conveys the great amount
of social diversity that exists in Sri Lanka in all its myriad shades. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Playfully
provocative Ferry pokes fun at the Lankan elite and their pretenses and
foibles... in Lankan English. With his good-humoured writing, local flavour and
clever turns of phrases, Ferry serves up almost the right mix of sarcasm and
humour that gets their point across yet does not offend. What's more... he even
pokes fun at himself. Ferry makes a couple of appearances in this collection.
For example, in 'Maleeshya', he appears as <span class="readable">Mr.
Arishtabotale Pereira, attending his own funeral, to be covered in the very
popular </span>high-society magazine, <i>Shuh!! Magazine</i>, so named to
differentiate it from its ugly European elder sister, <i>Shah!! Magazine</i>. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Sample
this:</i></span><span class="readable"></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"A grey-haired man got out. He saw Maleeshya and
immediately sucked in his stomach.<br />
'Ko hearse?' she asked him.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The man looked behind him to see if there was a cortege
following. There wasn't.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'And who are you?' asked Maleeshya, switching languages.<br />
The man gave her a charming smile. He had slightly discoloured teeth. 'I'm the
author,' he replied proudly. <br />
'You can't be! You're <i>dead</i>.'<br />
He straightened up. (There was not much straightening to do, he was quite
short.)"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Conversation
between Mrs. <span class="readable">Arishtabotale Pereira</span> and Maleeshya
(the editor of <i>Shuh!! Magazine</i>):</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Isn't it wonderful?'
she beamed. 'He's alive and well!'</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;">'No, it isn't,' said
Maleeshya. She could be quite short with people, though these people were short
enough already. 'The flowers are paid for, the caterers are setting up the </span><i>mala
batha</i> <span style="font-style: normal;">on the back verandah. You </span><i>promised</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> me a funeral.'</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ferry's <i>insightful
candour</i> runs throughout this collection... and makes their point succinctly
and clearly. Here are a few instances:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>From:</i></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Pig</b>:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Two childhood
sweethearts, in time-honoured Sri Lankan tradition, are married off to other
people. Nineteen years of clandestine meetings (for one or two days every year
- the week before Christmas) culminate in another chance of marriage. Perhaps
time does separate.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>'In Sri Lanka, the people amongst whom you live, the
people with whom you went to school, the people in whose houses you ate, whose
jokes you shared - these were not the people you married. ...But if the people with
whom you chose to associate were the very ones you could not marry, then the
ones you did marry were quite often people with whom you wouldn't dream of
associating if you had any choice in the matter.'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>From:</i> <b>The Jackfruit</b>:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'An Asian without a visa
was guaranteed trouble-free: he did what he was told, he was at your beck and
call. He was your <i>creature</i>.'</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>From: </i><b>The Indians Are
Coming</b>:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I, on the other hand, get
to play intellectual parts. Like policemen. The high point of <i>my</i>
brilliant career was when I had to lead two thousand people at Maradana Railway
Station in a big budget extravaganza. I got up on the podium, shook my fist at
the camera, and shouted: 'Gandhi-ji's in the bath!'</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And two thousand people
roared after me, 'Gandhi-ji's in the bath!' (The actual words were <i>Gandhi-ji
zindabad!</i> But I found my version more effective.) This five-minute scene
took three days to film, naturally. Well, they released the film at Toronto the
other day, and I found they had cut me out almost completely. Though there's
this very good shot of the back of my head, so I mustn't complain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>From:</i> <b>Dust</b>:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Father Cruz had read
somewhere of the tourist who visited St. Mark's in Venice, and, looking at the
sloping floors and thousand-year-old mosaics, had said: 'What this place needs is
a level floor and a <i>darned</i> good coat of whitewash.'</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Long
years and many miles away, Colombo's Father Cruz attempts to rescue a church
from parishioners who like to put their donations where others can see them -
with plaques to announce their charity. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>'Father Cruz moved
slowly from one row to the next. He noticed there was woodworm in the last two
rows. The pews would have to be replaced. It was not that the parish was poor;
there were more than enough people willing to donate new pews, new floors, new everything.
Even stained glass for the windows in the tower. Up till now he had said to
each of them: Thank you for your kind offer, but this parish has more pressing
needs. He explained to them there were children who needed school uniforms,
there were homeless people who had to be fed. But rich parishioners were
strangely unwilling to donate to such insubstantial causes. They preferred to
put their money where they could see it, or more to the point, where others
could see it: in a shiny granite floor or a blazing stained-glass window,
preferably with a plaque affixed bearing their name.'</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">As you can see, Ferry loses
no opportunity to poke fun at the elite and their pretenses.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ferry writes about Sri
Lanka and its people, wherever they roam. He writes of the Sri Lankan Diaspora,
who seem not to notice that their country has changed in their absence. He
writes of the West's effect on Sri Lankans, of its 'turning them into
caricatures, unmistakably genuine but far from the real thing'. As you laugh,
you are left with nostalgia for a bygone Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans who might
have been.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Our Sri Lankan narrator
visits his friend Joe in Italy where Joe attends a course in higher studies in
women. But Italians - much like today's residents of Colombo - live at home
till marriage, death, and sometimes even beyond. A hen and chicken affair of
fake fiancés and phony engagements ensues. [Fidanza to Fidanzata]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">There's
mention of elephant hair bracelets, shark's teeth necklaces and lion's claw
earrings. There are enormous ostrich eggs, speckled and shiny, on people's
coffee tables. There's Italo, the small purple baby ostrich - no more than two
feet high, craning its dusty neck to reach the shoe flowers on the bushes. There
are <i>panettones</i>, the fruit-filled Milanese bread, that made their
appearance in Mogadiscio one festive season like a flock of
gold-and-silver-coloured birds, and everyone gave everyone else one. <i>'They
were nothing like as bad as the ones you got back then: dry and papery, hard to
chew, impossible to swallow. Once you got a piece in your mouth all human
conversation ceased. It was a surprisingly useful way of silencing your more
talkative guests.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">There's
Pizza and <i>vadai</i>. There's spaghetti and meat sauce. There's yellow rice
and chicken curry. There's <i>karavila</i>. There's curried skins of the <i>loofah</i>,
chopped fine with chilli and garlic. There's fried leaves of the <i>murunga</i>
crisp like seaweed. All esoteric village dishes... but no mention of </span><i>Lunu Miris </i>or<i> katta sambole</i><span class="readable"> (</span>fish pickle) anywhere<i>. </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
collection of seventeen short stories is many-layered and enormously
wide-ranging: from Sri Lankans working abroad (in England and Africa), to footloose
Italians, fading Maharajahs, personal space, human bonding, fortune-tellers and
the tsunami, to issues of lesbianism, adultery, cronyism, and of course small-mindedness,
facades and elitism. They vary widely in their length too. The shorter ones
make for a better read. The longer ones tend to meander a bit. And as is the
case with all short story collections, not all of them impress; some are a tad
underwhelming. However, the title story is quite engaging. All in all, <i>The
Good Little Ceylonese Girl</i> is like a montage of emotions, experiences,
insights and observations... on Sri Lankans (both resident and roaming). Much
like random brush strokes on canvas. Clearly, the island that lies like a
little emerald on the waters of the Indian Ocean has much to offer to the world
of literature. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">However, yet again, a glossary of terms is
missing-in-action. So the meaning of various Sri Lankan words, terms and
references may be lost on some readers.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">That said... Ferry's writing, given its distinct Sri Lankan
flavour, does take some getting used to. If one is familiar with Sri Lankan
society, then his observations and innuendos would be instantly recognizable and
amusing, but if one is a stranger to that country and culture, then much of the
fun, and at least some of the amusing insinuations and associations, may be
lost on the lay reader. And that would surely interfere/dilute the flavour,
thereby altering the taste. Result? The fiction-loving epicurean in you might feel
less than satiated. However, for those familiar with the Sri Lankan
way-of-life... it will be a surprisingly breezy read, a thoroughly enjoyable one
at that, due to its eclectic mix. <i>Lunu Miris </i>or no<i> Lunu Miris.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The production value of the book is good. I am
discounting the editing errors, putting it down to Ferry's writing style and
Sri Lankan English. The book jacket cover is colourful; it depicts a scene from
the title story: Suneeta <i>aka</i> 'The Good Little Ceylonese Girl' cuddling <span class="readable">Italo, the small purple baby ostrich</span>. Umm, if Ferry can put
together his stories... complete with their unique mix of multifaceted humour, irony
and pun in his signature gently snarky non-take-no-prisoners style, in a slightly
more watertight manner, it will increase the joy quotient. Readers' joy, that
is. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I am going with a slightly generous 3/5 for Ashok Ferry's
<i>The Good Little Ceylonese Girl</i>. Ferry isn't a run-of-the-mill author and
his commitment towards advancing Sri Lankan literature in English is evident.
[Incidentally, both <i>Colpetty People</i> and <i>The Good Little Ceylonese
Girl</i> were short-listed for the Gratiaen Prize - Sri Lanka's premier
literary award.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Good Little Ceylonese Girl/ Author: Ashok Ferry/ Publisher: Vintage Books, an
imprint of Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2012/
Genre: Fiction/ ISBN: 978-8-184-00307-9/ ISBN-13: 9788184003079/ Pages: approx 200 with cover/
Price: INR 299.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #783f04;">:</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket
cover of <i>The Good Little Ceylonese Girl</i>.
Courtesy: <a href="http://siyahi.in/2012/06/the-good-little-ceylonese-girl-by-ashok-ferrey/"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></span></a>. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></span></div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-40093282369645569012013-08-21T19:50:00.001+05:302013-09-11T01:39:43.453+05:30Random 6.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">This week the
moon helps sky-watchers catch some celestial fish and trawl the night sky for
the most distant worlds in our solar system. </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Besides: </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>while
planets parade from dusk to dawn, and some shooting stars whet sky-watchers
appetite, </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the end of July, a comet posed for a deep-sky photo op. ... And a much-anticipated icy interloper.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1.</span></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Blooming Celestial
Flower:</span></b> Like a flower in full bloom, this colorful portrait of the Rosette
nebula was taken through a backyard telescope in Alabama on August 13.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Located some 5,000
light-years from Earth, this stellar nursery measures 130 light-years across
and is a hotbed of star formation.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Massive newborn stars
emit intense radiation that has hollowed out the central core of the nebula,
blowing the gas and dust into an expanding shell that glows like a neon sign.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">2.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Pisces Circlet:</b></span>
On the night of Thursday, August 22, the moon is positioned just below the
"Circlet," the most easily recognizable part of the constellation Pisces [Sanskrit: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meen], or
The Fish. Marking the head of the fish that points westward, this circular
pattern of seven faint stars is barely visible with the unaided eye from light
polluted city suburbs.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn34LJV8hJ80ObCByteuZkBhl-wq6KgnyhQ9TeuR2yxHhNom2gQwGH_DaXzr5256LMLdDBOlQGlCrrxU4EWwiXxtwSFWWsqKph8Zx6yanhvoyJP-CR1_4obGflJI_aFSPD6KntHy5eHjwf/s1600/The+Pisces+constellation+will+be+easier+to+locate+thanks+to+the+moon+pointing+the+way+to+the+Circlet+asterism+this+week..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn34LJV8hJ80ObCByteuZkBhl-wq6KgnyhQ9TeuR2yxHhNom2gQwGH_DaXzr5256LMLdDBOlQGlCrrxU4EWwiXxtwSFWWsqKph8Zx6yanhvoyJP-CR1_4obGflJI_aFSPD6KntHy5eHjwf/s1600/The+Pisces+constellation+will+be+easier+to+locate+thanks+to+the+moon+pointing+the+way+to+the+Circlet+asterism+this+week..jpg" height="292" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>While the nearby moon
will make for a convenient guidepost, its glare will require the use of
binoculars to help track it down no matter how clear the skies. Look for the
Circlet to span about 5 degrees across the sky.</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Like a pair of fishes, the last <i>rashi</i> of
the <i>rashichakra</i>, Meen (Pisces) denotes the feet of the Kaal Purusha (Ursha
major). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, Kaal Purusha or Kaal Purush can also mean, beyond time. Kaal = Time. Purush/Purusha = Cosmic Energy.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
describes the Almighty - the Viraat Purush, the Cosmic Being or the Primordial Being... who is the motive power
behind the mathematically precise universes. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kaala
means <i>time</i> in Sanskrit. Every thing is consumed by time except the Viraat Purush.
He is eternal-uncreated. Viraat means very big, unlimited, infinite... so much
so, that the human mind cannot fully comprehend Him. Ever.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Therefore, the purusha (cosmic energy) who is beyond time (kaal) and who presides over the all-destructive
time is known as Kaal Purush.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A pair of fishes is an auspicious symbol in Hinduism,
Buddhism and Jainism.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>The number 11</i><i> (eleven):</i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">is the natural number following 10
and preceding 12. In English, it is the smallest positive integer requiring
three syllables and the largest prime number with a single-morpheme name. Its
etymology originates from a Germanic compound <i>ainlif</i> meaning "one
left". An 11-sided polygon is called a hendecagon or undecagon. (The name <i>hendecagon</i>,
from Greek <i>hendeka</i> "eleven" and <i>gon -</i>
"corner", is often preferred to the hybrid <i>undecagon</i>, whose
first syllable <i>un -</i> is Latin for "one".) In chemistry, Group 11
includes the three-coinage metals copper, silver, and gold known from
antiquity. It also includes the super-heavy element roentgenium, which was
discovered only recently. The approximate periodicity of a sunspot cycle is 11
years. Messier object M11, a magnitude 7.0 open cluster in the constellation
Scutum (Latin for <i>shield</i>), also known as the Wild Duck Cluster. The 11th moon
of Jupiter (Brihaspati) is Himalia.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>In numerology:</i> </span>Since ancient times Numerology
uses numbers as a key to observe and understand human behavior. It is
considered a science of vibration. Numerology can be called the oldest
mathematics of the universe. Everything is energy. Everything is vibration. Numerology
is the language of vibrational frequencies, encompassing both the intuitive and
scientific root that our existence is based on. There are many different
realities, all abiding in the same universe at the same time, what
distinguishes our self-expression is our vibration, how attuned we are, how
connected to the whole. Numerology contains the model of the entire universe.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everything is reduced to a single digit, so even if one has a compound birthday number, such as twenty-one, when reduced to a single
digit, becomes a three and is ruled by Jupiter (Bṛhaspati - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">often written as Brihaspati or Bruhaspati,</span> </span></span>"lord of prayer or devotion", also known as <i>Deva-guru </i>- the most beneficial sign of any of the planets. Bṛhaspati rules over the signs Dhanu [Sagittarius] and Meen [Pisces]. He is exalted in Karka [Cancer] and fallen in Makara [Capricorn]. The Sun,
Moon and Mars are considered friendly to Bṛhaspati, Mercury is hostile and
Saturn is neutral. Bṛhaspati in Vedic astrology is considered to be of the
element aether (space) or Akasha Tattva [i.e. Akasha = Space/Sky/Aether; Tattva
= Essence/Category/Truth.] This element indicates vastness, growth and
expansion in a person's life. Bṛhaspati also represents the balance of past
karma, dharma, philosophy and knowledge. He is concerned with education,
teaching and the dispensation of knowledge. The following items are associated with Bṛhaspati: his color is <i>yellow</i>,
his metal is <i>gold</i>, and his gemstones are <i>yellow topaz</i> and <i>yellow
sapphire</i>. The season associated with him is winter, direction is
north-east and his element is aether or space. He presides over 'Guru-var' or Thursday.) Number eleven and twenty-two
are considered master numbers. Here the vibration of the two (moon) and the
four (Rahu) is intensified and these individuals will shine in their unique
contribution to humanity.<span style="color: #660000;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Number 11:</i></span> Charismatic and inspiring. Their life
path number is Master Number 11 or 11/2, and such a person has a unique and
special path to follow. This number <span style="color: #660000;">combines</span> all the traits of number 1 (The
Primal Force or The Pioneer) twice over, and at the same time includes all the
characteristics of highly charged number 2 (The All-knowing or The
Philosopher). A number 11 is a born charismatic leader, someone others look to
for truth (dharma) and illumination, which could even be spiritual.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">1</span> </b>- <i>The Primal Force </i>or<i> The Pioneer</i></span><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span> </b>The 1 is
a doer; a powerful force that produces results and does not allow anything or
anyone to limit its potential. The 1 is positively aggressive, a necessary
energy for creating. The 1 is always in the forefront: a spearpoint directing
and leading others. The shape of the number 1, just like the shape of all other
symbols, reflects it's meaning; it walks upright with pride and purpose.
Strong, determined, unwavering and with specific goals in mind, the 1 can turn
dreams and ideas into reality. It pushes obstacles aside or simply drills right
through them.</div>
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The 1 grows, transforms and improves in perpetuity,
precisely the way Mother Nature does. After all, nature's primal force and most
basic building block is the number 1. Scientists sometimes compete with nature,
genetically altering fruits or breeding bugs for specific purposes. An
understanding of nature teaches us that this is never a good idea and almost
always produces unexpected backlashes. The number 1 has a similar built-in
perfection and balance; you can force a change here or there, but negative
repercussions are likely.</div>
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The 1 tends to see things in a linear way, which makes it
easy to set goals and achieve them. It trusts its own ability to separate right
(positive) from wrong (negative) or the grain from the chaff. It doesn't waste time on abstract ideas or anything else that isn't
in line with its pursuit of results. The 1 is no preacher, no philosopher, no
spiritual explorer, no dreamer and certainly not an idealist. It is a
pragmatist, a conqueror and a warrior extraordinaire. It is a loner and
independent to a fault. It will attempt to force its values and opinions on you
but it won't accept, or even listen to, yours.</div>
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The 1 does not hesitate when it senses a need for
confrontation. It is jealous and extremely stubborn, but also courageous and
willing to try anything new if it sees promise, even at great peril. It is, if
you haven't guessed, the most 'masculine' of all numbers. There is a certain
quality, a sense of honour and responsibility that commands our respect, and it
has a sense of justice that cannot be denied. Its purity of purpose is an
admirable quality of the number 1. It sees things for what they are and
hypocrisy doesn't stand a chance. Befriend a 1 and you have a friend for life.
You can poke fun at a 1 and not have to worry about hurt feelings. A 1 has a
great capacity for humour, including the self-deprecating kind. If the 1 is
your enemy, you will be crushed.</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>2</b></span> -<b> </b><i>The All-knowing </i>or<i> The
Philosopher</i></span><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span> </b>As the most 'feminine' among all numbers, the 2 is
also the most underestimated - at least, when it comes to power and strength.
After all, she is almost always gentle, tactful, diplomatic, forgiving and
understanding. Certainly, she likes to keep the peace and will avoid
confrontations as much as possible.</div>
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If you look at the shape of the 2, however, you will
recognize a symbolic representation of the ultimate survivor and an extremely
resilient force. Her shape, as if bent on a knee with her head and back bowed
in humility and servitude, makes it easy to dismiss her as weak and powerless.
This is in stark contrast to the power and pride of the mighty and masculine 1,
who will not bow for anyone at any price. However, when enough pressure is
applied to the powerful warrior we see in the number 1, he will break and
shatter and be done with.</div>
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On the other hand, when the humble number 2 finds herself under
attack and burdened with a crushing weight, she will bend, she will bend as
much as needed. And when the weight is removed, her elastic, flexible nature
allows her to come right back up, seemingly with little harm done, and she will
continue to play her role. Her strength and power is resilient and lasting,
just as the shape of the number 2 reflects that so beautifully. There is much
more to her than meets the eye. As we stand in awe to the leadership and
decisive actions of the 1, his strength and cunning relies on the clever and
insightful advice of his greatest ally, the number 2.</div>
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Unnoticed and operating from the shadows, she outwits
other spies and diplomats with her grace, her ability to enchant/charm, her
flattering attention and her gentle force of persuasion. She is smart and
understands the underlying qualities that make people do this or do that. A
born psychologist, there is not much about human nature that escapes her. She
often controls the outcome of certain events without anyone else noticing or
acknowledging. In fact, the credit quite often goes to some other entity when
it should be hers. This does not bother her, because among her best qualities is
patience. She knows her time will come. But even if she does not always get the
recognition she deserves, she tends to take a special place in the hearts and
minds of others. Within a social environment, perhaps her most important asset
is a sense of humour that is witty and self-depreciating, but never slapstick or
juvenile, as she is far too sophisticated for that.<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The real value of her intuitive prowess is in the
way she interacts with others; it is the true basis of her tact and
understanding. Like a good politician, which she can certainly be if needed,
she often understands the true motivations of others better than they do, and
her clarity and her powers of observation often help others to understand
themselves better.</span> </span></span><br />
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So,
imagine what a <i><span style="color: #660000;">Number 11</span> </i>is all about: combining all the traits of
number 1 (The Primal Force or The Pioneer) twice over, and at the same time
including all the characteristics of highly charged number 2 (The All-knowing
or The Philosopher) !! Now if this does not symbolize the <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Cosmic Duality</i></span>,
what does? Reminds one of the ArdhaNarishvar concept, what say?<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">3.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Mars and Gemini
Twins:</b></span> At dawn on Tuesday, August 20, ruddy-colored Mars formed a
picturesque arc formation with the bright stars Pollux and Castor from the
Gemini constellation [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">nakShatra maNDala]. The sky scene repeated the next morning (August 21). </span><span style="font-size: small;">[Incidentally, this year, Aug 20-21 was <i>Raksha Bandhan</i>.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even
through a telescope, the Red Planet is tiny and reveals little detail since it
sits at nearly the far end of its orbit, at 218 million miles (352 million
kilometers) from Earth.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The bright star to the
far upper right of Mars </i>[Sanskrit: Mangal, derived from Mangalam]<i> is the largest planet in the solar system: Jupiter </i>[Sanskrit: Brihaspati]<i>.
Rising ever higher in the early morning sky over the coming weeks and months,
views of this 530 million mile (854 million kilometer) distant gas giant will
only get better. Even a small telescope will reveal its four major moons and
two distinct cloud bands.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[In Jyotish Vidya or Vedic astrology, <i>Mangala</i> (Devanagari: मंगल, <span class="unicode">Maṅgala</span>) is the name for Mars, the red planet. Mars is
also called <i>Angaraka</i> ('one who is red in colour') or <i>Rakta varna, </i>one
whose color is like blood, or <i>Bhauma</i> ('son of Bhumi' or the son of <i>Prthvi</i>
or <i>Bhumi</i>, the Earth Goddess) in Sanskrit. Being an aggressive planet it is a representation of the god of war. He is imagined: as red as flame-colour.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Vedic astrology Mars is known as <i>Mangal</i>, <i>Angaraka</i> and <i>Kuja</i>. These names in Sanskrit mean, "auspicious, burning coal, and the fair one". <i>Kuja</i> is a karaka, or indicator, of brother and siblings, assertion, aggressiveness, soldiers and military endeavors, mechanical ability, engineers and surgeons, commanders and rulers, violence and war, ambition, strength, arguments and conflict, passion and desire. In Vedic astrology, Mangal is considered a malefic planet. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">He rules over the two sidereal signs of <span class="ilad">Aries (Mesha) and
Scorpio</span> (Vrischika). </span></span></span>He is exalted in Capricorn (Makara) and fallen in the opposite sign of Cancer (Karka or Karkata). Maṅgala</span></span></span> rules over blood, muscles and bone marrow. He is associated
with battle, war and soldiers. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode">Maṅgala</span></span></span> is the lord of three <i>nakshatras</i>
or lunar mansions: Mrigashīrsha, Spica (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chitrā) and Sravishtha (Dhanista). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode">Maṅgala</span></span></span>
has the following associations: the color <i>red</i>, the metal <i>brass</i> and gemstone <i>red
coral</i>. He is a particularly beneficial planet for Cancer or Leo Ascendants. His element is fire, i.e. his nature is <i>Pitta</i>, or fiery. Many myths depict the valour, strength and courage, and most fittingly, the protective quality of Mars. Thus, Mars (Mangal) is known as the protector of <i>dharma</i> (the right path and purpose in life or duties and responsibilities that benefit humanity/society).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millenniums ago the Indian historical and
religious text, the Rg-ved, mentions the two primary stars of the Gemini
constellation as being the twin horseman who appeared at dawn, part of the
Ashvins, they were known as Nakula and Sahadeva. Around that time the two stars
would have been visible only at dawn during spring, leading to the idea of them
being twins and associated with the spring equinox. The twin horseman
corresponded to the two stars we know as Castor and Pollux and the Sanskrit
name Mithun, which means the twins, correspond almost exactly to the modern
Gemini constellation.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From India the constellations spread westwards to the ancient near east
civilizations and by 5000 years ago ancient Babylonian people had adopted the
constellations for their own astronomy which they also used to track the
seasons and for navigation. To the ancient Babylonians Gemini was known as
Mastabba Galgal, which (probably) translates as the great twins, heroes whose
names were Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and who were part of great battles in a series
of <span id="IL_AD10"><span class="ilad">epic adventures.</span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ancient Egyptians also adopted the twin stars as an
important part of their astronomy, and using two goats to symbolize the two
stars which were mentioned in the Ramissede Hour Tables, a method of
determining the time at any point during the night by knowing which stars followed
each other. The two stars of the Gemini constellation were known to rise at
dawn.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Mrigashīrsha:</span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sanskrit
mṛgaśiras (popularly spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar
mansion</i> as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology is the constellation
Orion. Its position is described in the Surya Siddhānta.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The
first two <i>carana/pada</i> (quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of <i>Vṛṣabha
Rāś</i><i>i</i><b> </b>or <i>Taurus</i> (bull). The latter half of this star
belongs to <i>Mithuna Rāśi</i> or <i>Gemini</i>
(from 23°20' Taurus to 6°40' Gemini). Incidentally: <i>i</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>n Sanaatan Dharmic thought, the
Bull (</i><i><i>vṛṣabha</i>, vrisha uttamam) signifies/symbolizes/epitomizes Dharma. </i>Hence, the illustrious God of gods is <i>also</i> called <i>Vṛṣabha
-</i> the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">thousand horned great bull with a hundred heads, or <i>vrisha uttamam</i>, the Supreme Bull (i.e. Supreme
Dharma).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
term Mṛgaśira (मृगशिर) a composite of two Sanskrit words, mṛga (मृग) meaning
animal/beast and śira (शिर) meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. The
names Mṛgaśira (मृगशिर) and Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष) are sometimes
used interchangeably. Grammatically, Mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष) means "of
Mṛgaśira" or "related to Mṛgaśira". Thus Mṛgaśira (मृगशिर) is
the correct name of the star, while Mārgaśīrṣa (मार्गशीर्ष) is the name of the
month related to Mṛgaśira, i.e, the month in which moon will be in conjuncture
with the Mṛgaśira nakṣatra. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Orion</i></span> is a prominent constellation located on the celestial
equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and
most recognizable constellations in the night sky. It was named after Orion, a
hunter in Greek mythology. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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old Hungarian tradition, "Orion" is known as (magic) Archer (<i>Íjász</i>),
or Reaper (<i>Kaszás</i>). In recently rediscovered myths he is called Nimrod
(Hungarian "Nimród"), the greatest hunter. The Babylonian star catalogues of the Late Bronze
Age name Orion "The Heavenly Shepherd".</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweeXj9Hez1g_js59iaNRKv3LyiC-sv3VZ-ci3f4SJwHkWteCkh4Ykrc1bIF9xuS7du4jA43bsX5efBohd_PwJMYTsY9_FxzCjldDGwccjEOwykm4trWI6X7QghuBd8FmJ5-Q-_9iuE6E/s1600/Orion_Head_to_Toe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweeXj9Hez1g_js59iaNRKv3LyiC-sv3VZ-ci3f4SJwHkWteCkh4Ykrc1bIF9xuS7du4jA43bsX5efBohd_PwJMYTsY9_FxzCjldDGwccjEOwykm4trWI6X7QghuBd8FmJ5-Q-_9iuE6E/s1600/Orion_Head_to_Toe.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Hanging from Orion's belt is his sword,
consisting of the multiple stars θ1 and θ2 Orionis, called the Trapezium and
the Orion Nebula (M42). This is a spectacular object that can be clearly
identified with the unaided eye as something other than a star. Using binoculars,
its clouds of nascent stars, luminous gas, and dust can be observed. The
Trapezium cluster has many newborn stars, including several brown dwarfs, all
of which are at an approximate distance of 1,500 light-years. Named for the
four bright stars that form a trapezoid, it is largely illuminated by the
brightest stars, which are only a few hundred thousand years old. Observations
by the Chandra X-ray Observatory show both the extreme temperatures of the main
stars - up to 60,000 Kelvin - and the star forming regions still extant in the
surrounding nebula.</i> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2cR7PnsehX-jmDHbzjdr8ghvelaox_ZzJ4O3JkOysoI7Xspakj3EaqYhTaYIBbdUxq4zsoy_KvWougbcVN1yg_7pFAEpj7l94OlaPMku9_Nk-zkKWhDjkM5FbJ2tfloYMp70DOtryOI/s1600/Closeup+image+of+Orion%27s+Belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2cR7PnsehX-jmDHbzjdr8ghvelaox_ZzJ4O3JkOysoI7Xspakj3EaqYhTaYIBbdUxq4zsoy_KvWougbcVN1yg_7pFAEpj7l94OlaPMku9_Nk-zkKWhDjkM5FbJ2tfloYMp70DOtryOI/s1600/Closeup+image+of+Orion's+Belt.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Orion's Belt</i> or <i>The Belt of Orion</i></span> is an
asterism within the constellation. It consists of the three bright stars Zeta
(Alnitak), Epsilon (Alnilam), and Delta (Mintaka). In Puerto Rico, the three
stars are known as the "Los Tres Reyes Magos" (Spanish for <i>The
three Wise Men</i>). Alnitak is around 800 light years away from earth and, is
100,000 times more luminous than the Sun - much of its radiation is in the
ultraviolet range, which the human eye cannot see. Alnilam is approximately
1340 light years away from Earth, shines with magnitude 1.70, and with
ultraviolet light is 375,000 times more luminous than the Sun. Mintaka is 915
light years away and shines with magnitude 2.21. It is 90,000 times more
luminous than the Sun and is a double star: the two orbit each other every 5.73
days. Looking for Orion's Belt in the night sky is the easiest way to locate
the constellation. In the Northern Hemisphere, Orion's Belt is best visible in
the night sky during the month of January around 9:00 pm, when it is
approximately around the local meridian.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just southwest of Alnitak
lies Sigma Orionis, or Sigma Ori (σ Orionis, σ Ori) - a five-star system (that
have a combined apparent magnitude of 3.7) in the constellation Orion, just to
the southwest of Alnitak. It is approximately 1,150 light years from Earth.
Southwest of Mintaka lies the quadruple star Eta Orionis.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">North Arrow:</span></i></span><span class="mw-headline"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Together the
'Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka', the 'Eta Orionis' form an arrowhead, and with
the 'M42, M43' at the lower end form the tail of an arrow. All together form an
arrow that always points 'North'. Therefore, it is used as navigational guide
at night especially in the Sahara desert where there are not many natural
signs.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Shield:</span></i></span><span class="mw-headline"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">West from
Bellatrix lie six stars all designated Pi Orionis (π<sup>1</sup> Ori, π<sup>2</sup>
Ori, π<sup>3</sup> Ori, π<sup>4</sup> Ori, π<sup>5</sup> Ori and π<sup>6</sup>
Ori) that make up Orion's shield.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0qGWdKJ5XlXHxlWpxZg0BBIrtesWEimxrxVULDzYl7myhnXqGElvoQy7vwznY64o8EBUtOYp3Tp50jPFxeF7PkDj3q9b8fWJxhaSaENlH2kVj32Ihb3L7ME6F1yu1vuQetQHckaoql4/s1600/images+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0qGWdKJ5XlXHxlWpxZg0BBIrtesWEimxrxVULDzYl7myhnXqGElvoQy7vwznY64o8EBUtOYp3Tp50jPFxeF7PkDj3q9b8fWJxhaSaENlH2kVj32Ihb3L7ME6F1yu1vuQetQHckaoql4/s1600/images+%25288%2529.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The 3 bright stars of "Orion's Belt </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">or The Belt of Orion"</span><i> </i></span></span></span></span>(alnitak/
alnilam/ mintaka) align with the brightest star in the heavens, Sirius (in Canis Major
constellation) on 25th Dec. Draw a straight line through theses 4 points - and
the sun rises there. [The
name "Sirius" is derived from the Ancient Greek: <i>Seirios</i>
("glowing").]</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Inside the great pyramids sun god Osiris is Orion; his consort Isis is
Sirius; Horus was their son. [Horus - the Falcon-god or the Falcon-headed man; so similar to our very
own Garuda. Here it probably is a reference to the Eagle Nebula.]</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9_ke7T5p8HMo80a1iUsSNca9NugJdflSXoF0tI6IpaS1BMXjJyropo6kzHKhN-Bj7PeZOGRULzEcIFyyoOFk5JKIWPC_Ja7E8J9lWWs3vFMiOiO6ly4BxCCK9ZpNiDMhNUB-OlfHIuM/s1600/Sirius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9_ke7T5p8HMo80a1iUsSNca9NugJdflSXoF0tI6IpaS1BMXjJyropo6kzHKhN-Bj7PeZOGRULzEcIFyyoOFk5JKIWPC_Ja7E8J9lWWs3vFMiOiO6ly4BxCCK9ZpNiDMhNUB-OlfHIuM/s1600/Sirius.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sirius is the brightest star as seen from Earth, apart from the sun.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Canis
Major is found southeast of Orion. An easy way to locate the constellation is
to locate the three stars that make up Orion's Belt and follow the stars down
in a southwesterly direction until you come to the next bright star. This is
Sirius in Canis Major; it's the brightest star in the constellation and the
brightest star in the night sky. Sirius
also has a companion star, known as Sirius B. Sirius B was the first 'white
dwarf' to be discovered.</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgE7Bp0r1GUMDGsYPtrJYNVt9EiKSsRcw6iAB3BDsn8J5kP4qXriq8FufeRKjg9ZJ0FoxZFPD5xU0BoVzcS-vois-oFr16jP_dFzS9t2VuU5M2LWFfFuoj-qlg4ZfCsRlinRIaqWox70/s1600/Picture+of+the+Horsehead+Nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgE7Bp0r1GUMDGsYPtrJYNVt9EiKSsRcw6iAB3BDsn8J5kP4qXriq8FufeRKjg9ZJ0FoxZFPD5xU0BoVzcS-vois-oFr16jP_dFzS9t2VuU5M2LWFfFuoj-qlg4ZfCsRlinRIaqWox70/s1600/Picture+of+the+Horsehead+Nebula.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">The <i>Horsehead Nebula</i></span> (also known as <i>Barnard 33</i>
or B33 in emission nebula <i>IC 434</i>) is a dark nebula in the constellation
Orion. The nebula is located just to the south of the star Alnitak (a triple
star system) at the eastern end of/ farthest east on Orion's belt, and is part
of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The Horsehead Nebula is
approximately 1500 light years from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable
nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases,
which bears some semblance to a horse's head when viewed from Earth. The red or
pinkish glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula,
ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. The darkness of the Horsehead
is caused mostly by thick dust, although the lower part of the Horsehead's neck
casts a shadow to the left. Streams of gas leaving the nebula are funneled by a
strong magnetic field. The bright spots are young stars just in the process of
forming.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">How to locate the star Spica </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Chitrā):</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wXUCX5bAGGVbLOo6lYtTF9YeTsC90ZxYPLSeAYpEa3pUlf0psnkWvBsqk2kMQ_ILG4Pzum9NnuuV5qQip_kkkchziBobclY4z-CAGj9e6LykR9_UfHJpUEGQu7suq5j_96THpYFu7N4/s1600/Finding_spica.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wXUCX5bAGGVbLOo6lYtTF9YeTsC90ZxYPLSeAYpEa3pUlf0psnkWvBsqk2kMQ_ILG4Pzum9NnuuV5qQip_kkkchziBobclY4z-CAGj9e6LykR9_UfHJpUEGQu7suq5j_96THpYFu7N4/s1600/Finding_spica.png" height="200" width="171" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A method of finding Spica is to follow the arc
of the handle of the Big Dipper to <i><a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/arcturus.html">Arcturus</a></i>, and then continue on the same angular distance to
Spica. This can be recalled by the mnemonic phrase, "follow the arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica."]<i> </i></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">4.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Moon Joins Uranus:</b></span>
Late night on Friday, August 24, watch for the moon to hover over Uranus [Sanskrit: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Arun"; Arun is the Indian God of Dawn], the
closer ice giant within the giant constellation Pisces, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Fish. [Sanskrit: Meen </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">nakShatra maNDala.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Some Indians, though, call "Uranus" as "Indra" (the King/Ruler/God of Svarga-loka/"Heavens").</i> </span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uranus and its five major
moons are depicted in this montage of images acquired by the Voyager 2
spacecraft. This week sky-watchers can track down this distant planet for
themselves thanks to Earth’s moon pointing the way.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Unlike the glitzy
planets of the solar system like Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus presents a
much-understated view through backyard telescope. But it's an easy target for
binoculars even under light pollution. Shining at 5.8 magnitude amongst a sea
of much fainter stars, the minuscule, green-tinged disk is barely visible with
the unaided eyes from dark, pristine skies.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">5.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Wizard Nebula:</b></span> <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Looking like a </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">celestial illusionist,</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> the Wizard Nebula
is a star-forming region located some 8000 light-years from Earth within our
Milky Way galaxy.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VI5kfYfzz1uWuWw5JJa_vP-1pq024xO28VmR_5NKHFYeti_-AE2Aqp8pLJzAf4WYOMxSLXK6Cms7iywrzdPctAmol6hiz12qtjnDC9gJwlsuQ0STqduJ3_4_MY25oqoRk3Re7422mIZD/s1600/Wizard+Nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VI5kfYfzz1uWuWw5JJa_vP-1pq024xO28VmR_5NKHFYeti_-AE2Aqp8pLJzAf4WYOMxSLXK6Cms7iywrzdPctAmol6hiz12qtjnDC9gJwlsuQ0STqduJ3_4_MY25oqoRk3Re7422mIZD/s1600/Wizard+Nebula.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Imaged here by the
four-meter Mayall telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, the
giant cloud of gas and dust surrounds an open cluster of young stars some five
million years old. Radiation emitted by the stellar cluster lights up the
colorful nebula from which it was born.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Wizard, known
formally as NGC 7380, stretches more than 100 light-years across, appearing
larger than the disk of a full moon, and is visible in small telescopes within
the northern constellation Cepheus. </i>[</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
Sanskrit, Cepheus is Pitṝ. However, for our ancestors Cepheus represented <i>Kapih
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">or</span> Kapi</i>. The word 'Kapi'
signifies the foremost of boars - <i>eka (one) shringa</i> <i>(horned)</i> varaha, and Dharma is otherwise known by the name of
Vrisha. The illustrious God of gods, therefore, is
called <i>Vrishakapi</i> - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the one-horned Varaha/Boar, the Supreme form of Shri Vishnu.</span></span></span> (Dharma = justice; also, duties and responsibilities
that benefit humanity/society. One-horned boar = <i>ekashringa</i> varaha or unicorn boar. It
does not refer to any animal <i>per se</i>. It means, rarest of the rare; not
to be found anywhere else. In other words: One without a parallel.)]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">6.</span></span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Milky Way Shores:</span> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">In this
breathtaking picture taken on August 11, the heart of the Milky Way galaxy
appears to lap the seaside landscape at Tulka, South Australia.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5QG3GS91u01aHFAhwlWSKLy55vUc2NRBdnLg6rri43pwksqW4vdx43Vek9vqtZpa3t3p4svnA50fdbkAEjRdp58MPcYVrifwXPYlhhTrifJRxoEUcSyxKff1POcNWFq-6AiTbxsBIx93/s1600/The+heart+of+the+Milky+Way+galaxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5QG3GS91u01aHFAhwlWSKLy55vUc2NRBdnLg6rri43pwksqW4vdx43Vek9vqtZpa3t3p4svnA50fdbkAEjRdp58MPcYVrifwXPYlhhTrifJRxoEUcSyxKff1POcNWFq-6AiTbxsBIx93/s1600/The+heart+of+the+Milky+Way+galaxy.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">7.</span><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Meteoric Meadow:</span></b>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">A flurry of meteors fills the starry
skies above a lupine meadow and Mount Hood in Oregon on August 11.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeOYRcfvePoZwjFUbmzGB7lU3lzlKLWxeUN0bD5sABQzFiuXMavPReIyttxUnrbXEbFfUzSuiQz-7xdIHH4Aj611FDt0awDsprVL2QhobSLZXDE0u57PMXTqONKFGcVNGvpkS7pbqBkrt/s1600/Perseid+shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeOYRcfvePoZwjFUbmzGB7lU3lzlKLWxeUN0bD5sABQzFiuXMavPReIyttxUnrbXEbFfUzSuiQz-7xdIHH4Aj611FDt0awDsprVL2QhobSLZXDE0u57PMXTqONKFGcVNGvpkS7pbqBkrt/s1600/Perseid+shower.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This year's Perseid
shower produced an exceptionally high rate of meteors, with the bright moon out
of the sky during peak nights.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Observation reports
from around the world suggested as many as 70 to 80 shooting stars per hour
could be seen from dark locations away from city lights.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">8. </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Overflowing Milky
Way:</b></span> The Milky Way appears to pour down onto the steep cliffs near Lake
Sevan in Armenia in this long-exposure portrait taken on August 9.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ENiHQ4PXsykEPVx-LCFMrw4LIcxgPyV7OAj5htNMuGfBrjvFlUD_1aOIo45riIxgXsIlZwQOhDlqph5GQV_ZNvezXRR0B56H957xE8V3KrXty8S204YIz7T9c1LFP2X_Ta81XjZtyt18/s1600/Overflowing+Milky+Way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ENiHQ4PXsykEPVx-LCFMrw4LIcxgPyV7OAj5htNMuGfBrjvFlUD_1aOIo45riIxgXsIlZwQOhDlqph5GQV_ZNvezXRR0B56H957xE8V3KrXty8S204YIz7T9c1LFP2X_Ta81XjZtyt18/s1600/Overflowing+Milky+Way.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Summertime in the
Northern Hemisphere is the best season to see our home galaxy, which looks like
a band of hazy light stretching across the overhead sky.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">9.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Elephant's Trunk:</b></span>
Located 2,400 light-years from Earth, the Elephant Trunk nebula, captured here
by the Mayall four-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, is home
to over 200 baby stars less than 100,000 years old.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAafL50SJulj63wSwAaHPJXAqgA9u5ozFrOCXKKmzUUCtmYv1qU708ZEfD3xrK657CgYxr5oInP8LpJivNLQSKTltNAV6-xngPzfWmUI8YN6lPQIyQBF94gLVqBOdPYtl2HQKwD6KPttY/s1600/Elephant's+Trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAafL50SJulj63wSwAaHPJXAqgA9u5ozFrOCXKKmzUUCtmYv1qU708ZEfD3xrK657CgYxr5oInP8LpJivNLQSKTltNAV6-xngPzfWmUI8YN6lPQIyQBF94gLVqBOdPYtl2HQKwD6KPttY/s1600/Elephant's+Trunk.jpg" height="320" width="285" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Resembling a
pachyderm's proboscis and head, this elongated cloud of gas and dust stretches
nearly 20 light-years in length and is sculpted by the strong winds produced by
the massive stars lying within.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">10.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Cosmic Forest:</b></span>
Like a cosmic tree, the Milky Way band of stars appears to rise out from an
ancient pine tree forest at Cedar Breaks National Monument in southern Utah.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z23QFRc1t6BYAyx8JypJT0RnBvTaExwdGP_Aov0A_1wv8BY4MFKm6rfVMDSVfWy7dW2WYlkJz7JvjymOBIVu0w-JZQ_phVc2ajEbKFfRh2MJSef88RN47wBnTBSM6BO0dQK3hZM4oMS8/s1600/Cosmic+Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z23QFRc1t6BYAyx8JypJT0RnBvTaExwdGP_Aov0A_1wv8BY4MFKm6rfVMDSVfWy7dW2WYlkJz7JvjymOBIVu0w-JZQ_phVc2ajEbKFfRh2MJSef88RN47wBnTBSM6BO0dQK3hZM4oMS8/s1600/Cosmic+Forest.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Among the
longest-lived organisms, some of the twisted bristlecone trees - picture above
in the foreground - are 5000 years old.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Because of the vast
distance between these stars and Earth, some of the starlight seen in this
picture was actually emitted years ago, when these trees were just saplings.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
you traveled one light-year, you would go almost six trillion miles (10
trillion kilometers).</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">11.</span><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Glowing Nurseries:</span>
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">A pair of star nurseries is lit up
like cosmic neon signs, in this stunning new image by the European Southern
Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBDB7btVRtaf8Z-va7TncwKDlV7-6kZwE6lsvo1NpYmqZnd0sMX7Ly7-Vz9mmrR9dfyz56erh2Z6Hy38PMtJ5n3K5e7aP20fLIPIIWx0_ZRh1JOToCpd_E0vuf-d6hwZ0Sh39fK_dMW9S/s1600/Glowing+Nurseries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBDB7btVRtaf8Z-va7TncwKDlV7-6kZwE6lsvo1NpYmqZnd0sMX7Ly7-Vz9mmrR9dfyz56erh2Z6Hy38PMtJ5n3K5e7aP20fLIPIIWx0_ZRh1JOToCpd_E0vuf-d6hwZ0Sh39fK_dMW9S/s1600/Glowing+Nurseries.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>These colorful glowing
nebulae sit within the Large Magellanic Cloud - the largest satellite galaxy of
the Milky Way some 160,000 light years from Earth.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Large Magellanic
Cloud is quite small compared to our Milky Way, with less than one tenth as
much mass and spanning only 14,000 light-years, whereas the Milky Way stretches
100,000 light-years. Its irregular shape is likely a consequence of gravitational
push and pull with the Milky Way and the Small Magellanic Cloud.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">12.</span><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Death of a Star:</span></b><i>
</i>This astronomical artwork depicts the violent death of a massive star in one of
the most powerful type of explosions known in the universe - a gamma-ray burst
(GRB).</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2qobWcK6UDASGiTCax-aP2AN0yE7fW1YpgZVhIwy0bohYqXgk7mOwWTp99xiNd6GBlR8n747vAhfgNiIK2i0cQw5VIPffJQadFT0a8oj9Ale0OI7qwTw_lerYSeJVt4eWGmXpuROH8O0/s1600/Death+of+a+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2qobWcK6UDASGiTCax-aP2AN0yE7fW1YpgZVhIwy0bohYqXgk7mOwWTp99xiNd6GBlR8n747vAhfgNiIK2i0cQw5VIPffJQadFT0a8oj9Ale0OI7qwTw_lerYSeJVt4eWGmXpuROH8O0/s1600/Death+of+a+Star.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In this illustration,
a GRB illuminates clouds of interstellar gas in its host galaxy 12.7 billion
light-years from Earth - in the so-called dark ages of the early Universe.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The flash of gamma
rays - dubbed GRB 130606A - was detected by NASA's Swift spacecraft on June 6
and lasted for more than four minutes.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>By analyzing the
titanic blast and its high-energy emissions, researchers have learned about the
chemistry of the surrounding galaxy, as it was only a billion years after the
Big Bang, revealing that it contained only one-tenth of the heavy metals found
in our solar system.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;">13.</span> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>A Beautiful End:</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Resembling a
face with a furry hood, the iconic Eskimo nebula is some 4,000 light-years
from Earth. It shines bright in this composite image-released July 11-created from
optical data taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra
X-ray Observatory.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35gYXzNvNX9ljZ5NG2yUj5Mt69RX9Kz0rF5II0fKANUrnSIhIrq3Yhu_sjdC3VGAG-PZYZXs7iYkYx3MLHw_o5OKCgIrJxGko6w6V_kNfUWmHVPv5U0cXM0rrDnC9iQBvXT13dAepqN9Z/s1600/the+iconic+Eskimo+nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35gYXzNvNX9ljZ5NG2yUj5Mt69RX9Kz0rF5II0fKANUrnSIhIrq3Yhu_sjdC3VGAG-PZYZXs7iYkYx3MLHw_o5OKCgIrJxGko6w6V_kNfUWmHVPv5U0cXM0rrDnC9iQBvXT13dAepqN9Z/s1600/the+iconic+Eskimo+nebula.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The colorful
"parka" or outer shell of gas and dust is expanding at speeds of
31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) an hour, and is lit up by the radiation
blasting out from the remains of a dying red giant at the center of the
nebula.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The part of the gas
cloud glowing at a million degrees near the center appears pink to Chandra's
x-ray eye, while Hubble's vision highlights intricate streamers of gas in the
outer shell in red, green, and blue.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">14.</span></b></span><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Newly discovered Pink Exoplanet: </span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">There is a pink
exoplanet circling a star very much like our own, 57 light-years away from
Earth. But its origins are a mystery. </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's one of only five or six
exoplanets whose presence has been directly imaged by a telescope, rather than
inferred from observing stars. Other planets that have been directly imaged
orbit much more massive stars. In that sense, [the pink planet] feels a bit
closer to home.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">An
illustration of the magenta exoplanet... still glowing from the heat of its
formation.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTM8xI93lY0Y8OckUZ6-y3PAuy4Tsicf-OowJIHdhzw6gZk6gWX4GWiFtAgOyC8Anh4XZcgfJFzgKXEtDMKvH7PiXCUUhtWrEKVCFQLQZwcyR-HhHbWk9w0DI0Pyludp_0PvGLiXZk7G_/s1600/Pink+Exoplanet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTM8xI93lY0Y8OckUZ6-y3PAuy4Tsicf-OowJIHdhzw6gZk6gWX4GWiFtAgOyC8Anh4XZcgfJFzgKXEtDMKvH7PiXCUUhtWrEKVCFQLQZwcyR-HhHbWk9w0DI0Pyludp_0PvGLiXZk7G_/s1600/Pink+Exoplanet.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><b></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
a new study announcing the magenta gas giant, researchers were able to directly
image this exoplanet using the Subaru telescope on Hawaii. The color of this
blushing body indicates it has less cloud cover than other observed exoplanets,
meaning researchers can peer even deeper into its atmosphere to divine its
components.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>If we could travel to
this giant planet, we would see a world still glowing from the heat of its
formation with a color reminiscent of a dark cherry blossom, a dull magenta.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>At about 460°F
(237°C), this gas giant probably wouldn't be a very pleasant place to visit.
But researchers are still interested in this lightweight - it's one of the
lowest-mass exoplanets found around a sun-like star using direct detection
methods.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It orbits about 43
astronomical units (AUs) away from its parent star, much farther out than
Neptune's orbit (30 AUs) around the sun.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The wide gulf between
this exoplanet and its star puts it outside the conventional area expected for
planet formation.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">15.</span></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>A bright fireball, View From the
Mojave:</b></span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">a bright fireball is caught lighting up the starry skies above Teutonia
Peak in the Mojave National Preserve in California on August 10, more than a
day before the official maximum activity peak for the Perseid meteors.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD7TBFp3XtKMIK6JWztc1XJ8XZCM6yhyY4m27gNhsYDVyi_Revdntfm-xqzNcAFfHXh7RbASfbI3V8QSe-I7YevLBT9qD7sdfDq3sf0_WYZCMH6xHVDV13THvhRUOpkXjMhiu6OYLsb1f/s1600/Perseids-2013-meteor-shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD7TBFp3XtKMIK6JWztc1XJ8XZCM6yhyY4m27gNhsYDVyi_Revdntfm-xqzNcAFfHXh7RbASfbI3V8QSe-I7YevLBT9qD7sdfDq3sf0_WYZCMH6xHVDV13THvhRUOpkXjMhiu6OYLsb1f/s1600/Perseids-2013-meteor-shower.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Considered the most
visually stunning meteor shower of 2013, the Perseids peak every August, when
the Earth slams into a giant cloud of debris left behind by comet Swift-Tuttle
along its orbit.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>While most meteors
zipping across the skies are no bigger than a grain of sand, fireballs like the
one pictured above can be anywhere from the size of a grapefruit to the size of
a basketball. The resulting high-speed impact causes unusually bright meteors,
which astronomers call bolides, which can cast shadows and even a lingering
smoke trail.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">16.</span><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">View From Japan:</span></b>
With the ghostly glow of the Milky Way in the background, a bright Perseid
fireball appears to fall toward Japan's Mount Fuji in this stunning shot taken
on August 11.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC_CTC2uRFovXOyJG8f3LWr2np_jplmGR1JYXImQyFAXV0P7r90g-0tGrIhkFm6CSOV5Z-Ozfo672FcD5-XZ9GxzuhOomUdTRK5qoLEXVkUFVYdYILd6PulcJJJOnhlIsoO_yNCbLFtKH/s1600/perseids-2013-meteor-shower-japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC_CTC2uRFovXOyJG8f3LWr2np_jplmGR1JYXImQyFAXV0P7r90g-0tGrIhkFm6CSOV5Z-Ozfo672FcD5-XZ9GxzuhOomUdTRK5qoLEXVkUFVYdYILd6PulcJJJOnhlIsoO_yNCbLFtKH/s1600/perseids-2013-meteor-shower-japan.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The meteor gradually
changed color from green, yellow, to pink. Bright meteors known as fireballs
produce vivid colors based on the chemical elements they contain. As the space
rock gets vaporized traveling through the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds,
sodium can produce flashes of bright yellow, while nickel and magnesium appear
as green and blue-white respectively. </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">17.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>View
From Quebec:</b> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On August 10, 2013, at 3 a.m. the sky
was filled with auroras, and then a nice shooting star appeared zipping across
a sky painted green by northern lights in James Bay, Quebec, Canada. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JxtOIvm17OW8OdknONjGvmSe2F_eXm-aDASaAyHparHKhlHDR9fLQa8u-cUpr0-xH_r2r0wHdzrzJG7fBXJtthb7iU3ng94a3AbpW06KkuHMzMh_fAPDaM4H-EEAW_Q48aGHthGHDGo/s1600/perseids-2013-meteor-shower-aurora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JxtOIvm17OW8OdknONjGvmSe2F_eXm-aDASaAyHparHKhlHDR9fLQa8u-cUpr0-xH_r2r0wHdzrzJG7fBXJtthb7iU3ng94a3AbpW06KkuHMzMh_fAPDaM4H-EEAW_Q48aGHthGHDGo/s1600/perseids-2013-meteor-shower-aurora.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<i>A
giant cloud of energized particles was flung off the sun on August 7, which
slammed into Earth's magnetic field on August 10, causing auroras to erupt
across many northern latitude countries.</i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A chance to see auroras is irresistible. Witnessing
the auroras is so special and surreal. Here's a picture of the northern lights glowing
over the Lofoten Islands, Norway:</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvsdxDgkxGF61o9AbzX1Fam1MXf4HFJD3PPR1QSLWLfwTKAK6wrbAqoQLIBJrUbUXZgP-UPmtMDHQ7bdCGiTwMSJ7D3iu8OvKYrJAq46NBLlqgCXOWRqE0gBzW8hfUOFER49K48TnU9M/s1600/aurora-lofoten-islands-norway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvsdxDgkxGF61o9AbzX1Fam1MXf4HFJD3PPR1QSLWLfwTKAK6wrbAqoQLIBJrUbUXZgP-UPmtMDHQ7bdCGiTwMSJ7D3iu8OvKYrJAq46NBLlqgCXOWRqE0gBzW8hfUOFER49K48TnU9M/s1600/aurora-lofoten-islands-norway.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Lofoten Islands, in Norway's far north,
are a peninsula-like chain of wild, craggy shards jutting into the Norwegian
Sea above the Arctic Circle.</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">18. </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Faint
comet pairs with galaxy:</b> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">After nightfall on Wednesday, July 24,
medium-sized telescope users got a parting view of comet PanSTARRS gliding by
the grand spiral galaxy known as the Pinwheel - or Messier 101 - in the Ursa
Major [Kaal Purusha] constellation. The comet though faded considerably to 11th magnitude (since
its close approach back in March) could still be followed with at least a 6-inch
telescope as it headed back to the outer solar system.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Pinwheel galaxy near the Big Dipper (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->also known as the <i>Plough</i> or the <i>Saptarishi </i>- </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->an asterism of seven stars), pairs up with fading comet PanSTARRS: </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vihQJSwv2JJK5f7irxe_xUHX0xlVhTd4sA0glHXCgozrJ9LfwPllC92kN5sL2nI48qsS4b0DjBWWitc92yGhO1Yh1IOLDO8IessEmgObsnWRRIN8yQ77qk6Es-AuJuOkVMtokYdMnrGd/s1600/The+Pinwheel+galaxy+near+the+Big+Dipper,+pairs+up+this+week+with+fading+comet+PanSTARRS..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vihQJSwv2JJK5f7irxe_xUHX0xlVhTd4sA0glHXCgozrJ9LfwPllC92kN5sL2nI48qsS4b0DjBWWitc92yGhO1Yh1IOLDO8IessEmgObsnWRRIN8yQ77qk6Es-AuJuOkVMtokYdMnrGd/s1600/The+Pinwheel+galaxy+near+the+Big+Dipper,+pairs+up+this+week+with+fading+comet+PanSTARRS..jpg" height="300" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The <i>Plough</i>, as we know, is also associated with
agriculture, while <i>Saptarishi</i> also stands for the seven
enlightened sages who arrived on earth. They were the progenitors of various groups of humans... who later on, due to a variety of factors, branched out. These were: Sura/Deva, Asura/Assyrians (an independent group arising out of the Deva clan), Nag (serpent-worshiping + totem; one of their prominent kings/chiefs, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vasuki, shielded the baby Krishna during Vasudev's journey to Gokul), Suparna (displayed eagle or falcon totem and/or headgear), Sakuna </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(displayed vulture totem and/or headgear)</span></span></span>, Gandharva (an offshoot of the Devas), and so on. The Saptarishi also shared their wisdom and knowledge with
humanity... who in turn imbibed from them. No wonder
our ancients were way ahead of us vis-à-vis knowledge, technology, literature, wisdom, values, principles, et al.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The combination of Saptarishi differs in each
maha-yuga (or four yug cycle, viz Krita/Sat/Satya Yug, Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug
and Kali Yug). There are innumerable universes, with one Brahmā in each of
them. There are fourteen Manus who are prominent within this universe, each
overseeing a manvantara or manuvantara. "Manu" is a title for the one
who rules a <i>manvantara</i>. Each "Manu" is endowed with great knowledge
and wisdom. [The word "Manav", signifying human or humanity, comes
from "Manu". Manav = human, mankind; antara = period, cycle.] Each <i>kalpa</i>
(1,000 maha-yugas) is reigned over/overseen by a succession of 14 Manus, and
the reign of each Manu is called a "manvantara". A single manvantara
is approximately 71 maha-yugas. <i>Manusmriti</i> or <i>rules of Manu</i> texts
are ascribed to Yajña (as Svāyambhuva Manu) - the first Manu. (However, since
several of our ancient texts have been tweaked, embellished and even rewritten,
we cannot rule out the same for these texts too). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The name "Bharatadesam" means, the 'Land of Bharat' or the
'Land of the Bharatas'. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Bharata</i> means "the cherished", hence, Bharatavarsha is <i>the land of
Bharata</i>; it is the <i>bhoomi</i> of the Bharatas or "cherished
land". "Bharatadesam" is also known as
"Bharatavarsha", which literally means the continent ('varsha';
Sanskrit) that is dedicated ('rata') to light, wisdom ('bha'). In other words, the Land of Enlightened Wisdom.]<i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lying
face on and appearing as wide as a full moon, M 101 (Messier 101) is a bit
challenging to find with binoculars because its spiral arms are so diffuse, but
is still an easy 8th magnitude oval glow for at least a 4-inch telescope.</span></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look
northwest for a hanging Big Dipper with M 101 just above it's last two handle
stars. The two handle stars and M 101 should form a triangle.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">PanSTARRS
and the Pinwheel appeared to be only 5 degrees apart - equal to the width of a
fist at arm's length. Their proximity in the sky, however, was just an optical
illusion because PanSTARRS lies some 276 million miles (445 million kilometers)
from Earth, while the galaxy is a whopping 26 million light years distant.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look
northwest after dark for the Big Dipper, hanging diagonally. Its handle is on
the upper left. Follow the curve of the handle on around leftward, for a little
more than a Dipper-length, to land on bright <a href="http://www.crystalinks.com/arcturus.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">Arcturus</span></a> in the west. </span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECCjFSS8no7-vxrHkCBT9uGIUTADE4GHBcm8wrNyMCeEkjCpyMSawb1uLNcyBIPwPrYvhi1Q6cpeJZI8saqxcYcjJvuD1pr-tl3yE3beCn-mAy1mqpCUeq62UA8DF5x8EqdiMnijpT9JA/s1600/Arcturus.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECCjFSS8no7-vxrHkCBT9uGIUTADE4GHBcm8wrNyMCeEkjCpyMSawb1uLNcyBIPwPrYvhi1Q6cpeJZI8saqxcYcjJvuD1pr-tl3yE3beCn-mAy1mqpCUeq62UA8DF5x8EqdiMnijpT9JA/s1600/Arcturus.gif" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">19. </span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The icy
interloper, the 'comet of the century' </span></b><span style="color: #134f5c;">-</span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"> comet ISON:</span> </b>Stargazers were very excited when astronomers calculated the comet's orbit. They
realized it would be skimming the sun's surface by only 700,000 miles (1.1
million kilometers) on November 28, 2013. But continual observations by both
professional and amateur telescopes, including Hubble, have since shown that
the comet has exhibited a constant brightness with no
indication of a brightness increase tendency. For now, however, the
comet is still currently out between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, hurtling
towards the Sun at 48,000 miles (77,000 kilometers) an hour. The latest
infrared views from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope - taken in June - shows ISON's
nucleus spewing out a healthy 186,000-mile-long (299,000-kilometer-long) tail
of carbon dioxide and dust as it melts due to the sun's heat. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[ISON is considered a "sungrazer," meaning that it will pass very close
to the sun when it gets into the inner solar system in November 2013.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Will comet ISON
blossom into an unaided-eye comet, sporting a long, beautiful tail across the sky?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Well, comets are famously unpredictable and can surprise even experts.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">But if astronomers' early
predictions hold true, Nov-Dec 2013 may hold a glowing gift for stargazers -
a super-bright comet. </span></b>Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) seems to be following the
path of the Great Comet of 1680, considered one of the most spectacular ever
seen from Earth.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A comet like this only comes along once or twice a
century say experts. "Sungrazing comets are common.
Fresh-from-the-Oort-cloud comets are common. Comets detected more than six
times farther out than the Earth's orbit? Not so much. The combination of all
three is very rare," said comet veteran Mike A'Hearn of the University of
Maryland.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Astronomers agree that ISON will be an extraordinary,
cliffhanger of an event. "No comet has ever disappointed me, a lot of comets
have surprised me," said A'Hearn. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"ISON is a great experiment to see all the factors that
influence sungrazing survival," said Matthew Knight of the Lowell Observatory.
<i>There will be a huge amount of data to learn from. It will be a treasure-trove
of new science.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of how the comet behaves, this is becoming sort
of a Woodstock of space astronomy. There is an armada of spacecraft position
near the sun or at other planets that will be ready to follow the comet along
every step of its sunward plunge. Add to that a powerful new generation of
ground base observatories, and an army of dedicated amateur astronomers with
sophisticated instruments for monitoring the comet.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Comet C/ISON was
imaged with the Hubble Space telescope on April 10 using the Wide Field Camera
3, when the comet was 394 million miles from Earth:</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLdZv9glbXovu47ZWRcJ1zxj7J0j8IKTxl-naCzsJMelHGQU7nKAXZF4fCxyUdu2Pui5XQtOTKdYlvZmxbB4BnK-uYNSEEuJAXr15HDKUYXyemNxR4kvCnxjNWCgAmL8-AgA20aolsUXW/s1600/comet_ISON_4-10-2013_Hubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLdZv9glbXovu47ZWRcJ1zxj7J0j8IKTxl-naCzsJMelHGQU7nKAXZF4fCxyUdu2Pui5XQtOTKdYlvZmxbB4BnK-uYNSEEuJAXr15HDKUYXyemNxR4kvCnxjNWCgAmL8-AgA20aolsUXW/s1600/comet_ISON_4-10-2013_Hubble.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comet ISON month-by-month in late 2013:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>September and October 2013.</i></span> Comet ISON will brighten as the
months pass. In September and October, amateur astronomers will surely be
trying to pick it up. The comet will be sweeping in front of the constellation
Leo then. It'll pass first near Leo's brightest star Regulus, then near the
planet Mars. Finder charts for Comet ISON for <a href="http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/september-2013/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">September</span></a>
and <a href="http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/october-2013/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">October</span></a>. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regulus marks the heart of Leo, the lion... and lies 78 light years away. A hot
blue-white star, it is about 3.5 times larger than our Sun and, at 300
million years old, is an adolescent when it comes to star lifetimes.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>November 2013. </i></span>Comet ISON will get brighter still throughout
November as it nears its late November perihelion (closest point to our sun).
Some comet experts expect the comet to reach
visibility to the unaided eye about three weeks before the November 28
perihelion date. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Comet
ISON will come within 800,000 miles (1.2 million km) of our sun's surface on
November 28. That's over 100 times closer to the sun than Earth. This close pass
to the sun might cause Comet ISON to break to pieces, and, if that happens, the
comet is likely to fizzle. Or ISON might emerge from perihelion bright enough
to see with the eye, with a comet tail. Comets are famously unpredictable,
so there's just no telling, at this point, how bright it will get. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
November, ISON will pass very close to the bright star Spica and the planet
Saturn, both in the constellation Virgo. These bright stars might help you find
the comet. There has been some mention that Comet ISON could become a daylight
object, briefly. Remember, though, at perihelion, Comet ISON will appear close
to the sun on the sky's dome (only 4.4° north of the sun on November 28).
Although the comet will be bright, it's likely that only experts who know how
to look near the sun, while blocking the sun's glare, will see it. <a href="http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/november-2013/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">November
finder charts for Comet ISON here.</span></a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>December 2013.</i></span> This is likely to be the best month to see Comet
ISON, assuming it has survived its close pass near the sun intact. The comet
will be visible both in the evening sky after sunset and in the morning sky
before sunrise. As ISON's distance from the sun increases, it'll grow dimmer. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The crescendo of the apparition
will likely occur between December 10th and 14th, when the comet will be best
seen just before dawn after the moon sets. Although little or perhaps nothing
of the head will remain, the huge tail will loom in the northeastern sky.
Almost evenly illuminated over its length, this rapidly fading appendage could
[span] almost a quarter of the heavens as seen under good, dark observing
conditions.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">People
all over Earth will be able to see it, but it'll be best seen from the Northern
Hemisphere as 2013 draws to a close. <a href="http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/december-2013/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">December
finder charts for Comet ISON here.</span></a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Comet
ISON on the morning of December 10, 2013. </i>[Please note: <i>this is only a <span style="color: #660000;">representation</span>, a</i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">nd the comet will undoubtedly look much different to the images shown here. </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In all likelihood the tail will be curved due to the speed of the comet around the Sun.</i>] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">View Looking East on the morning (pre-dawn) of the 10th of December 2013, 05.00h:</span> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-mE-IqySxsG6KfWzlLWeJzT3gkISTkyeR8zg-cM2yCRbf9kuXkL7YD5PbIUtTi6yXKUQjeTsp9LpjrSP8g-vv0NqASxEXZpeh7Ca1-eR4T3I99GSX4PTuTLBmCf0XOZAuljFoMmfO6d1/s1600/ISON10thDec6am.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-mE-IqySxsG6KfWzlLWeJzT3gkISTkyeR8zg-cM2yCRbf9kuXkL7YD5PbIUtTi6yXKUQjeTsp9LpjrSP8g-vv0NqASxEXZpeh7Ca1-eR4T3I99GSX4PTuTLBmCf0XOZAuljFoMmfO6d1/s1600/ISON10thDec6am.jpeg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Comet
ISON will be visible in both the morning and evening sky in December 2013 (image: <span style="color: #0c343d;">representation</span>). </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>View Looking West on the evening of the 18th of December 2013, 16.00h:</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7ohS4EKO8017UzOJ8cdsfZD9xmK0ns01P5ts-A47qiota6fx6HkTLoLugBdpcewRyGnmcrcHogP0qsMU7w03Hk0w8C1RI9TAuWVXZ-4Qvn0wxP-r8rJAdD_K4dsI6re7KkUMm6Kdn50G/s1600/ISON18thDec5pm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7ohS4EKO8017UzOJ8cdsfZD9xmK0ns01P5ts-A47qiota6fx6HkTLoLugBdpcewRyGnmcrcHogP0qsMU7w03Hk0w8C1RI9TAuWVXZ-4Qvn0wxP-r8rJAdD_K4dsI6re7KkUMm6Kdn50G/s1600/ISON18thDec5pm.jpeg" height="171" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>If these predictions are correct? WOW!!!</i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's just keep those fingers crossed.<i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>January 2014.</i></span> Will ISON still be visible to
the eye? Hopefully. Only time will tell. On January 8, 2014, the comet will lie
only 2° from Polaris (Cynosure, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sanskrit <i><span class="Unicode" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;" title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">dhruva tāra </span></i><span class="Unicode" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;" title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">"fixed star"</span><i><span class="Unicode" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;" title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration">) </span></i>- the North Star or the Pole Star. And here's something else that's fun. On
January 14-15, 2014, after the comet itself has passed but when Earth is
sweeping near the comet's orbit, it might produce a meteor shower, or at least
some beautiful night-shining or noctilucent clouds.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>So, one thing is
for sure, ISON will be a sungrazer in just a
few months. And thanks to an armada of telescopes on Earth and in space trained
on this cosmic event, we will be witness to a rare spectacle.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-30998079201300529002013-08-08T09:17:00.000+05:302013-08-11T17:19:29.059+05:30Colpetty People by Ashok Ferry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5fLR95Z7PTEUkuLKPAmy0fV1I-gH8_wwRcll0VNZwOrhpzio26cPZ3vBP0sWquLHhcFsWn7QK75mTBmxpn1zerXV5zt0yClklaD_O2zxhxcW_xYLZRl2dW5QuVWyxAPZKgL-ogwKK1K-/s1600/colpetty-people_front-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5fLR95Z7PTEUkuLKPAmy0fV1I-gH8_wwRcll0VNZwOrhpzio26cPZ3vBP0sWquLHhcFsWn7QK75mTBmxpn1zerXV5zt0yClklaD_O2zxhxcW_xYLZRl2dW5QuVWyxAPZKgL-ogwKK1K-/s1600/colpetty-people_front-cover.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I have never read <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/books/ashok-ferrey/article4344080.ece"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ashok
Ferry</span></a> before, never even heard of him. But <i>Colpetty People</i> (the
name, that is) piqued my interest sufficiently enough to want to sample Sri
Lankan lit. Sri Lanka, as we all know, is the land of smart wicket-keepers,
stylish batsmen, and at least one streaked-haired bowler with a penchant for
hurling toe-crushing Slingas. Besides, this emerald island is also well-known for people
(incl. cricketers) with incredibly short names, such as: Warnakulasuriya
Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas. And last but not the least... it is
also home to Shehan Karunatilaka - who for some yet-to-be-deciphered reason
called his first offering, 'Chinaman'.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">However, what not many may be aware of is this: Sri Lanka
is also the land of <i>Lunu Miris</i> (made by grinding on a granite grinding
stone or pounding in a mortar and pestle [wangediya] to make, like a salsa, a
mixture of red onions, dried chilli flakes, maldive fish, sea salt and lime
juice). If maldive fish cannot be found, dry prawns or shrimp will do. It is
the <i>katta sambole</i> that is famous throughout Sri Lanka. We may call it <i>fish
pickle</i>. It's spicy. But imagine making pickle out of fish. That is pure, unalloyed genius.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Colpetty People</i>, though, does not have any mention
of <i>Lunu Miris.</i> But let me not digress.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Ashok Ferrey:</b></span> Sri Lanka born (in Colombo), raised
in East Africa, educated at a Benedictine monastery in the wilds of Sussex,
Ferrey read Pure Math at Christ Church Oxford, ending up in Brixton, converting
Victorian houses during the Thatcher years. He describes himself as a failed
builder, indifferent mathematician, barman and personal trainer to the rich and
infamous of Colombo. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">However, with five books to his name, he is now an
established author. [Though his sales aren't as high as he might like here,
Ashok is a well-known face in Sri Lanka.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">In recent months, he's added 'nomad' to the list. Ferry
has been doing some traveling on the literary circuit, visiting Bhutan, Leipzig
and Brunei. Where his books are not on sale, he carries them himself in a
suitcase, bringing the empty container back after having met with many
enthusiastic readers. He's excited about the response his books will garner in
the much vaster Indian market, thanks to Random House.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ferrey's first collection of short stories,<i> Colpetty
People</i>, was short-listed for the Gratiaen Prize, Sri Lanka's premier
literary award, in 2003. It remains the top-selling book in English by a local
author writing in Sri Lanka till date. His second collection, <i>The Good
Little Ceylonese Girl</i>, was published in December 2006. It too was
short-listed for the Gratiaen Prize. <i>Serendipity</i>, his third book
and a novel, was short-listed for the State Literary Awards last year. <i>Love
in the Tsunami</i> followed this<i><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span> The
Professional</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is his latest book</span></i>.
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Today
Ferrey continues to design houses, besides being a guest lecturer at the
Colombo School of Architecture and the host of his own TV show, <i>The
Ashok Ferrey Show</i>, an arts program on national television. In his spare
time he is a personal trainer to the rich and infamous of Colombo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Colpetty</b></span>, or Kollupitiya, Bazaar is a thin
strip of land which lies alongside the Galle Road in Colombo. Full of shops,
the Colpetty Bazaar and the Galle Face Hotel, a Victorian-styled architectural
gem where royalty and famous writers have resided... make this one of the most
beautiful and interesting parts of Colombo. <span class="bodycopy">Scarcely two
decades ago the Colpetty
(now its Kollupitiya) market was virtually the only place
in Colombo for people to do their grocery shopping. Now though options have
expanded, the Kollupitiya Market remains a fascinating place.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b>Colpetty
People</b></i></span>, the
author's debut collection of short stories, is an assembled bouquet of 18 short
stories, e<span class="readable">ach one different from the other and with its
own unique flavour, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">comprising characters that are 'serious and fine and upstanding, and infinitely dull'. The stories, all 18 of them, vary in length. There's one
that is all of 2 pages, another all of 3 pages, and while some take up 14-15 pages,
yet others run through 20 or 24 pages. However, none of them fall victim to </span>lyricism, which is good... it makes the readers' journey
easier.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">This collection brings together </span>a motley bunch of characters
- Sri Lankans at home and abroad (<span class="readable">in Africa and England): </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">social-climbing Sri Lankans, the pathos of immigration,
Colombo's nouveau riche, hoity-toity
returnees, old-fashioned aristocrats, and the poor mortals trapped between them. There's the
forever<i> to-ing</i> and <i>fro-ing</i> Mr. And Mrs. Herath, and the latter's friend, Mrs. Sarath - who ensured that there
wasn't a single poor man in Chislehurst who hadn't suffered from her charitable
ministrations; Upali - who wore <i>Ralph Lorensz</i> and was expected to cook, clean,
look after the dog and do the odd bit of gardening, such as helping out Mr.
Herath with his sweet potatoes; the Oxford couple - Marion and Harry, Frankie -
who checked out of Oxford halfway through his math degree and became an
apprentice carpenter under Ernie, Maya - Frankie's better half; Dev (<i>aka</i>
Dave) and Olivia, the Filipino vendor, Potente Militante Aguacaliente <i>aka</i>
O-ping; Quentin (not Tarantino) - Colombo's most eligible bachelor, Themis - who
cooked watery curries, and so on. Ferry's first-hand experience of all these
worlds comes across both </span>in settings and tone. His depiction of life
lived by the Sri Lankan upper classes in Colombo come wrapped in<span class="readable"> gentle sarcasm and authentic </span><i>Lunu Miris</i><span class="readable"> humour. The stories and characters (happy-go-lucky playboy-cum-part-time-model-cum-lazybones Jiggy, the English
teacher-at seventeen: Romesh, Catherine de silva - whose one great desire was to
visit the Imperial Capital, the diffident Professor Jayaweera - </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">who finds sterile freedoms caged in the 'unbending, straight lines of Western Justice', the little <i>Kumarihamy</i>
at the <i>walauwa</i>, the nanny-cum-cook, Agnes of God - who stuffed a crab
better than others; Mrs. Badugoda - with a flair for the dramatic, the long
suffering Auntie Charm (<i>aka</i> Auntie Chamari) and her capricious better-half,
Uncle Sid, at whose funeral the place was crawling with ex-wives; Kapila - who
bought and sold old furniture, Arul - a big bear of a man who had the patience
to put up with everything including Surangani's 'Prayer Clinic'; Max Kohlmeyer
and his little </span>heartwarming victory<span class="readable">, the tough old <i>Kandyan</i>
from the mountains who bequeathed </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">his <i>kavichiya </i>- </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">his very elegant
ebony couch with Grecian lines - </span></span></span></span>to<i> </i></span></span></span></span>Ashoka, and even the stuffed pigeon-and-eel-eating orange
tabby cat - Arabella) leave the reader with the distinct feeling that Ferry knows
most of the characters that people his book. In fact, Ashok himself is one of
the eclectic characters inhabiting several stories. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">I enjoyed the style of writing, the malice-towards-none
Sri Lankan English and the author's </span>gentle snarkiness<span class="readable"> that says: laugh
with me. The Sri Lankan English is a big USP. Why would anyone want to read
about life in Sri Lanka or about SL expats written in Indian English or even in
Queen's English? That would have interfered with the flavour and quaint charm
that runs throughout this book. Instead, </span>Ashok accurately portrays Sri
Lanka in all its diversity.<span class="readable"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ferrey
serves his readers with vignettes of a social order that thrives on gossip,
appearances and dwindling fortunes. <span class="readable">There is a mélange of
emotions: funny, witty, mystery, black humour, wry and dry humour, sad, generous, absurd, uncanny,
romance, philosophical, profound, pathos, old age, dark, eternity, coming of age... all
effortlessly look through the external appearances. There are sharp
observations about human frailties, emotions, ceremonies, the past and present;
the world of natives and of those who have crossed the oceans... and yet haven't
been able to sever the bonds with the land of their birth. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable">Here are some snippets for you to savour:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>From:</i><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">A Few Days After
Eleven:</span> </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="readable">"The Italians talked till you
were blue in the face, then they smoked at you, then they talked some more.
Those were the days when talking and smoking were the Italian national
pastimes.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>When John-John reached for the sick bag the third time,
though, there was a momentary hush. Sri Lanka one, Italy nil, he thought
victoriously.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="readable">But the Italians struck back at
lunch - liver, the great equalizer. Those were the days an airline could serve
you liver for lunch and get away with it. John-John left it untouched. His sick
bag was full anyway."</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>From:</i><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Ice Cream Karma: </span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>'You can call me Kumarihamy,' said the Kumarihamy.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>'Committee Mary? What a charming
name!'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>The Kumarihamy gave up and led them into the house,
leaving her slippers ostentatiously on the veranda and walking in barefoot. The
others, unsure of what to do, did not follow suit.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>She paused. 'Of course, we do make exceptions, for people
like you who would find that difficult.'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>'How wonderful, Karate Mummy, how ethnic!'</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="readable"><i>From:</i></span><span class="readable"><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Agnes of God:</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="readable">"I was to be found at all hours
of the night walking up and down, up and down the veranda, while the baby
practiced scales. He was particularly good in C sharp minor."</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="readable">All Devi's friends were there,
dressed in black, the colour of choice that year for young nannied couples. The
nannies themselves were out in the garden, decorously drinking orangeade under
the avocado tree.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span class="readable">Avril, just to be
bloody-minded, was in beige, Gucci or Pucci or whatever."</span><span class="readable"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My
Two Pence Worth</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b></span>The production value of the book is good, barely any
editing errors. The book jacket cover is colourful with an ethnic touch. <i>Colpetty
Bazaar</i>, maybe? The title story has a supernatural twist. And though all the
stories appear uniformly simple on first read, I intend to re-read the
collection soon... to delve beyond the surface. My favourite? Honestly, I can't
choose. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The only thing that's missing is a glossary of terms
so that readers can understand the meaning of various Sri Lankan words, terms
and references.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am
going with a 3/5 for Ashok Ferry's <i>Colpetty People</i>. Must say that literature is alive and well in
Sri Lanka and I look forward to reading 'The Good Little Ceylonese Girl' next. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Colpetty People/
Author: Ashok Ferry/ Publisher: Vintage Books, an imprint of Random House
India/ Binding: Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2012/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN:
978-8-184-00306-2/ ISBN-13: 9788184003062/ Pages: 194/ Price: INR 299.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><u>Picture</u>:</b> The book jacket
cover of <i>Colpetty People</i>. Courtesy: <a href="http://www.crossword.in/books/colpetty-people/p-books-9788184003062.html"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></span></a>. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-28155347226937316802013-07-22T00:57:00.000+05:302013-09-13T00:42:20.199+05:30Random 5.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| ॐ नमो
भगवते वासुदेवाय नम: ||</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Om Namo
Bhagavate Vasudevaya Namah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span> <i>Om</i>, Śrī
Kṛṣṇa, O Vasudeva, O all-pervading Eternal Spirit, I offer my respectful obeisance
unto You.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Om or Aum: Refers to the Supreme Infinite Spirit or Being. Om
represents the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. It is the primeval sound (the <i>pranava
naad</i>), the sound of the universe itself.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Namo: Salutation, worship. Possibly derived from <i>naman</i>
(to bow in obeisance). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhagavate: Unto the Supreme Being. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vasudevaya: Unto Vāsudeva, or Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the primeval Lord.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Namah: Prostration
or <i>Namaskar</i> to <i>Bhagavan </i>Vasudeva. This <i>namaskara</i>, and
the <span style="color: #660000;">joining of the palms</span> are indicative of the feeling of union of oneself with
the other. 'I and you are one' - that is prostration, that is <i>namaskara</i>. 'Bhagavan Vasudeva, I am one with you' is a spirit of surrender, and here
begins meditation on <i>Bhagavan</i> Vasudeva. When this <i>mantra</i> is
chanted one has also created the requisite atmosphere in the mind for
contemplation on <i>Bhagavan</i> Vasudeva, to begin meditation and to feel His
presence.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As per
the proleptic Julian calendar, Krishna's date of birth is July 21, 3228 BC. [Though
some accounts say: 3227 BC.] Krishna (also: Krishn, Krshn, Krsna) was born under
the Rohini nakshatra, in the month of Bhadrapada, on the 8th day of the waning
moon at midnight.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence,
the annual commemoration of the birth of this magnificent avatar, Krishna
Janmashtami (<span class="unicode">kṛṣṇa janmāṣṭami</span>), also known as: <i>Krishnashtami</i>,
<i>Saatam Aatham</i>, <i>Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini</i>, <i>Srikrishna
Jayanti</i>, <i>Sree Jayanti</i> or sometimes merely as <i>Janmashtami... </i>is
celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight)
of the month of Shraavan (August-September). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Raksha
Bandhan</i> is celebrated on Shraavan Poornima (Full Moon).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2013: Krishna Janmashtami falls on August
28. However, in certain parts of the country it will be celebrated on August 27 (at
midnight).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Dates of
Janmashtami are decided by the star constellations Ashtami and Rohini. Hindus
follow traditional lunar calendar, which has further categories namely, <i>Amavasyant</i>
calendar and <i>Purnimant</i> calendar.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in
late July and ending in the third week of August. Śrāvaṇa begins with the Sun's
entry into Leo. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During Dakshinayana or Pitrayana (the <span style="color: #660000;">Summer</span> Solstice - 21<sup>st</sup> June) the
Sun enters into Karkataka (Karka) rashi (Cancer). Hence, Dakshinayanam or
Pitrayana is also referred to as Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti<i>.</i>
<i>The month of </i><i>Śrāvaṇa begins with the Sun's entry into Leo.
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti (21st June) indicates
ending of the Uttarayan (Winter Solstice, Makara Sankranti, Pongal) Punya kaal
and the beginning of Dakshinayana Punya kaal, whereas Makara Sankranti (Pongal)
marks the beginning of Uttarayan Punya kaal and the ending of </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dakshinayana Punya kaal</span></span></span>. Dakshinayana or Karka Sankraman is
a time for performing Pitru tarpan or the rituals to pay our respects to our
Pitr Devatas (ancestors) apart from performing charitable deeds, besides worshiping Lord
Vishnu, chanting Vishnu-Sahasra-Nama stotram (the one thousand names of Shri Vishnu) and worshiping Lord Varaha (the
3rd avatar of Lord Vishnu/Dasavatara).]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode">Sanskrit: <i>Viṣṇusahasranāma</i>:
Though the Lord has innumerable names, </span>the
"Vishnusahasranāma" refers to the thousand names of the all-pervading
Supreme Being - Shri Maha Vishnu, who is the master of all the worlds, the
supreme light, the essence of the universe and who is <i>Brahmn</i>. All matter
animate and inanimate resides in Him, and He in turn resides within all matter.
[In Sanskrit, <i>sahasra</i> means "a thousand" and <i>nāma</i>
(nominative, the stem is <i>nāman</i>) means, "name".]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The four arms indicate the Lord's omnipresence and
omnipotence. The right side of the body represents the creative activities of
the mind and the intellect. The left side symbolizes the activities of the
heart; that is, love, kindness, and compassion.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A silent repetition of a divine name or of a verse in praise of a
deity is referred to as <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Japa</i></span>. An audible chant of such names or verses is called the <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Stotra</i></span>. Of the latter the Sahasranama form, especially the <i>Vishnu Sahasranama</i>, devoted to the
Lord Vishnu and the <i>Lalita Sahasranama</i>, devoted to the
Goddess Shakti, have a special place. <span class="kword">[Vishnu-Shakti.
Narayan-Narayani. Parameshvar-Parameshvari. Jagadishvar-Jagadishvari. That's
the duality.
Hence: the <span style="color: #660000;">concept</span> of "<span style="color: #660000;">ArdhaNarishvar</span>". It is <i>not</i> literal,
though, it does not mean half-man half-woman. And it does not mean 'tritiya prakriti' either. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">It simply indicates that the Supreme Creator (Brahmn) does not discriminate
based on gender, etc. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">That is the
essence of the "Vishwaroop", "Virat-roop" or the "Universal form" of the
Supreme. "Vishwa", means <i>universe/cosmos</i> and "roop",
means <i>form, </i>it encompasses/incorporates the whole of
creation/universe/cosmos (and everything in it... whether seen or unseen,
animate or inanimate). </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swami Vivekananda imbibed and conveyed this
essence succinctly:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Bohu-roope sammukhe tomar aami,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Kotha khunjichho Ishvar?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Jibe prem kore jei jon,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Shei jon shebichhe Ishvar ||</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translation</span></u><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> Service to humanity (not restricted to human beings alone) is service to God. <i>That is true worship</i>. 'Coz the Almighty is everywhere, omnipresent: Vishwaroop, the Universal form. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those
who have understood and imbibed this message have achieved "<span style="color: #660000;">self-realization</span>"
(Param-aatma realization). <i>Such "self-realized" persons</i> <i>overcomes his or her human boundaries and becomes one with the world
spirit.</i> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Almighty is present within the heart of
every heart as the Supersoul and thus there is no distinction between differing
bodies. All beings are equal. All His creations are equal in His eyes. ["I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am
equal to all." ~ <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta: 9.23] </span></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse 20) says:</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| aham atma gudakesha<i><br />
</i>sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah<i><br />
</i>aham adis ca madhyam ca<i><br />
</i>bhutanam anta eva ca ||</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translated</span></u><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;">"I am the
Supreme Spirit, O Arjun, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the
beginning, the middle and the end of all beings."<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">No wonder He is the emperor of our hearts.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The very first name with which the
Vishnu Sahasranama starts, is 'Visvam' commonly understood as 'this world' or 'this
existence'. And when one notes that this word derives from the root 'Vis', which means to enter, to be present in, to support, or to pervade, one starts seeing the deeper reference to the
Divine Omnipresence that pervades all existence. Multiply this example of this first name a thousand fold, and one sees the magnificent sweep and depth of the <i>Sahasranama</i>. In conclusion, it stresses one great fundamental truth: that a thousand names or forms, all point to but one ultimate God - the <i>Brahmn</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In lunar calendars,
Śrāvaṇa begins on the new moon and is the fifth month of the year. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Shravan maas vrat is the most auspicious of all vrata-s. Shravan maas (the
month of <i>Shravan</i>) is the best time to worship Lord Vishnu [<i>Brahmn</i> - the Supreme
Creator, <i>Purushottam</i> <i>Satya</i> - the Ultimate Truth, the <i>Param-aatma</i> - the Supreme Spirit,
the <i>Parameshvar</i> - the Supreme Being.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
observe the Shravan maas vrat, there is no hard and fast rule or code to
follow. However, there are some <i>niyama</i> or rules that are followed by
many devotees (during the vratam). Here are some of them:</span></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Eka Bhukta Bhojan</i>
(taking meals once a day) or <i>Naktha Vratam</i> (keeping fast during daytime
and taking <i>prasad</i> or fruits or a light meal at night).</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worship Lord Vishnu and pray
to (His consort) <i>Devi</i> Lakshmi. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She is the devi/goddess/deity/symbol of wealth. <i>Devi</i> Lakshmi represents not only
material wealth, but also the wealth of grains, courage, valour, wisdom, offspring,
success, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">prosperity, well-being and eternal bliss/spiritual contentment. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Though it is mentioned as <i>grains</i> (and unhusked rice is kept near
the idol), it means <i>nutrition</i>, healthy and balanced nutrition.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Perform <i>abhishek</i> to
Lord Vishnu.</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abstain from non-vegetarian
food. [This is essentially done keeping the season and change of weather in mind. Fruits, milk,
etc enhance one's immunity. In the coastal areas... it is thought that most
fish spawn during this period and so, abstaining from fishing during Śrāvaṇa will
lead to increased availability of fish throughout the year.] </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shravan Somvar Vrat, Shravan Mangalvar
Vrat/Mangal Gauri Vrat, Shravan Sukravar Vrat, etc are also observed.</span></span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However,
it is entirely up to us as to how we want to observe the Shravan maas vrat. </span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna's "Dvi-vidha nishtha" (2-fold path) is not
exclusive of his doctrine of "Karm Yog" - the art and science of <i>achieving
perfection in action</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta: Chapter 3, Verse
3:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>sri-bhagavan uvaca:</b></span><br />
loke 'smin dvi-vidha nistha <br />
pura prokta mayanagha <br />
jnana-yogena sankhyanam <br />
karma-yogena yoginam ||</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>sri-bhagavan uvaca:</b></span> the Blessed
Lord said; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asmin loke:</b></span> in this world; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dvi-vidha:</b> </span>two kinds of,
two-fold; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nistha:</b></span> faith, path, foundation; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>pura:</b></span> formerly; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>prokta:</b></span>
were said/declared/explained; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>maya:</b></span> by Me; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anagha:</b></span> O noble one;
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>jnana-yogena:</b></span> by the linking process of <i>knowledge</i>, i.e. the science of
the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate
Consciousness by the path of <i>knowledge</i>; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sankhyanam:</b> </span>for the empiric
philosophers; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> and; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>karma-yogena:</b></span> by the linking process of <i>action</i>,
i.e. the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the
Ultimate Consciousness by the path of <i>action</i>; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yoginam:</b></span> for the followers
of Yog.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>O noble one [Arjun], in this world a two-fold foundation (to attain salvation) has
been expounded by Me of old: by the discipline of <i>knowledge</i> for the
followers of saNkhya, and by the discipline of <i>action</i> for the followers
of Yog.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That is: I have already explained the two-fold path leading
to the realization of the Self (Brahmn). People who have a meditative bent of mind can take up renunciation - if they so wish. [That is the path for those inclined to understand Him (attain
communion with the Ultimate Consciousness) by empirical, philosophical
speculation.]</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While the rest (those who are yet to have that [meditative]
bent of mind) are better off taking to an active lifestyle (be a householder).</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Philosophy in Sanaatan Dharma has always
been practical in its motive or purpose. It professes to teach a method for attaining
salvation (</i><span style="color: #660000;">mukti</span><i>, freedom from the constant cycle of
life). Seeking the truth is not for the sake of the truth as an abstract end in
itself; it is for the sake of the salvation (mukti), which that truth is believed to
bring with it.</i></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Tvameva maataa cha pitaa tvameva,<br />
tvameva bandhushcha sakhaa tvameva,<br />
tvameva vidyaa dravinam tvameva,<br />
tvameva sarvam mama deva deva ||</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Translation:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| O Lord, You are the Mother, You are the Father,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You Are the Kinsman and You are the Friend (Companion).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You Are My Wealth Of Knowledge, Strength, Power And Valour.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You Are My God Of Gods ||</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>July 22:</b></span> <span style="color: #660000;">Guru Pūrṇimā:</span> The full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadh
(July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of <i>Guru Purnima</i>,
dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. This was also the day, when
Krishna-Dvaipayana Vyasa (better known as <i>Maharshi</i> Veda Vyasa) was born to <i>Maharshi</i> Parashara and Satyavati,
thus this day is also celebrated as <i>Vyasa Purnima</i>. Traditionally
Buddhists too celebrate this day in honour of Lord Buddha who gave His first
sermon (on this day) at Sarnath. [Lord Buddha traveled from Bodhgaya to Sarnath
about 5 weeks after achieving enlightenment.] The sermon <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam
Buddh gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the <i>Dhammacakkappavattana
Sutta</i> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Setting the Wheel of Dharma in Motion <span style="color: #660000;">or</span> Discourse on the Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma and Vision). It was given on the full-moon day of Asadha. Students of Indian classical
music, which follows the <i>Guru shishya parampara</i>, too celebrate this
auspicious occasion (Guru Pūrṇimā).</span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Throughout the ages, Moon has been identified and
recognized to bring bountiful blessings to those seeking God's Grace. This
auspicious <i>purnima</i> occurs once a year and is the most important time for
connecting with the Divine/Brahmn. This day is significant for disciples who
seek to get initiated by their Guru, students who desire to get the blessings
of their teachers, and for everyone who wants to honour persons of great wisdom
and learning. Monday, July 22nd, is the most auspicious Full Moon of the year
(to pay one's respect and reconnect with <i>Brahmn</i> or the primeval Guru). Guru
Purnima 2013 ushers in a new energy to inspire us to overcome our limitations,
even lethargy. Let us dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of inner bliss and
divine light: Sat-cit-ānanda (pronounced as:
sach-chid-ānanda - <i>one who has achieved eternal bliss of self-realization</i>.
<i>Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and timeless; <i>cit</i> is
consciousness; <i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy).</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Sanskrit root "Gu" means, darkness or
ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one
who removes darkness of our ignorance is a <i>Guru</i>. Only He who removes our
ultimate darkness, known as <i>Maayaa</i>, and who inspires and guides us on to
the path of <i>Self-realization</i> (Param-aatma realization) is the Supreme Guru, the <span style="color: #660000;">Satguru</span>. Though students refer to their academic teachers as <i>guru</i>, the connotation
of the word <i>guru</i> <span style="color: #660000;">in this case</span> is one who imparts temporal knowledge
(Apara Vidya) and is thus offered respect.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">Incidentally, the tenth avatar, the Kalki-avatar
</span>(also referred to as: <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kalkin</span></b><b> </b>and<b> </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kalaki</span></b>) <span class="blue">is often a
metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time is <i>Kala</i> in
Sanskrit. 'Avatar' means: descent </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->and refers to a descent of the divine into earthly form. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Avatar</i> comes from the Sanskrit <i>avatirna</i>:
"manifest/descent from the Lord.") </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span>, the tenth and </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->final Maha Avatar (great incarnation) of Shri Maha Vishnu, will bring to an end the dark and destructive influence of Kali </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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set the stage for Satya Yug of the next cycle to manifest. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(There is a time given to human beings/manav-jaati to rectify
themselves). The origins of the name probably lie in the
word <i>Kalka</i>, which refers to "dirt", "filth" or
"foulness". Hence </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span></i> (</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">कल्किः)<b> </b>means the "Destroyer/Remover of
Foulness", "Destroyer/Remover of Confusion",
"Destroyer/Remover of Darkness", or "The Annihilator of
Ignorance". (</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->athāsau
yuga-sandhyāyām: Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugs [Kali-yug and Satya-yug/ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">sandhyāyām = evening, twilight</span></span></span></span>], janitā
viṣṇu-yaśaso: the
Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki-avatar and be born to Vishnuyasha.
dasyu-prāyeṣu rājasu: At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated
into plunderers; the non-Aryans (</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->wicked, selfish and low-minded entities/<i>miscreants/duskrtam</i>/Mlechchas) who pose as kings begin 'devouring' men (people) who appear righteous/noble-hearted (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">sAdhUnA.n, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->opposite of duskrtam). </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->T</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">he
undesirable activities of the Mlechchas would be on the increase. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Things
will become so bad as the years go by that this world will be like one of the
hellish planets in which people are born to suffer. </span></span></span></span>Everyone will be fighting
with each other. The world will slide into a state of constant war and chaos. nāmnā kalkir jagat-patiḥ: will arrive Kalkiḥ, the incarnation of the Lord; jagat-patiḥ - the Lord of creation.) </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(sAdhUnA.n/</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Sadhunaam: is the opposite of duskrtam. It does not
mean the profoundly devout or ritualistic people [the ones that diligently
perform rituals.] It is simply a reference to people in general: i.e. humanity. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Some amount of negativities will always remain; else
it will lead to stagnation. However, <span style="color: #660000;"><i>evil</i> </span>has not been created by the
Param-aatma. Evil is the outcome of unmitigated greed and unbridled dominance. Evil comes about due to
collective inaction, lack of action or lack of timely action.) </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUv79gWn25SHxeTj4YMXLGzx_08ZziA02Ei1SVv1upfdDELAvvgOMLHFeagXmJQZUfMkkiB-qgmq0WqGsoY7eo-rJXi5pfeMBgLkSI111GwTym0ut8CWIiDf4OydQoXrLMB_XOrLstv-N/s1600/kalki_mb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUv79gWn25SHxeTj4YMXLGzx_08ZziA02Ei1SVv1upfdDELAvvgOMLHFeagXmJQZUfMkkiB-qgmq0WqGsoY7eo-rJXi5pfeMBgLkSI111GwTym0ut8CWIiDf4OydQoXrLMB_XOrLstv-N/s1600/kalki_mb.jpg" height="200" width="168" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ashvam ashu-gam aruhya devadattam jagat-patih: </span>(</span>It is said) the Kalki-avatar will come riding upon a white winged horse (</span>Devadatta)<span class="blue">, brandishing a flaming comet-like sword, (or wielding a comet like
a sword), intent on eradicating/subjugating the reign of evil/miscreants/duskrtam on <i>Prthvi-loka</i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">. For
this purpose, this avatar will reconcile all opposites (opposing sides);
rejuvenate Dharma (the noble principles of <span style="color: #660000;">Sanaatan Dharma</span>, the
'eternal way of life' as it should be for the greater good/</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">as per: dharma-samsthapanarthaya) so as to
re-establish 'Ram-Rajya' (a just, prosperous and inclusive society). The flaming comet-like
sword is a symbol for "discernment", or Wisdom, slicing away the bonds
of lies, make-believe and foulness/filth, lifting the fog of confusion (from our eyes and thoughts)... thus showing the way, and
thus <i>also</i> liberating the souls to greater awareness of truth/Sat/Satya (i.e. <span style="color: #660000;">dharma/actions that benefit society</span>) and
goodness/Sundar (<span style="color: #660000;">opposite of <i>filth</i></span>). It also indicates that this avatar
will be a trailblazer (pathfinder, pioneer). Shri </span>Vishnu will return as the final Avatar, amid fire and
flames (utter confusion, degeneration and decay) to <span style="color: #660000;"><i>also</i></span> set the Wheel of Dharma in Motion: to "awaken" the minds of those who live at the end of Kali Yug, so that they take corrective action by inculcating and disseminating the right
values/principles/ideals... thus giving rise to a race/manav-jaati (generations, people) that shall follow the noble/Sattvic ideals
of Krita/Sat/Satya Yug<span style="color: #660000;"><b>*</b></span>. [<span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Here: <span style="color: #660000;">Sat/Satya</span> i.e. "Truth" does not mean <i>honesty,</i> and "dharma" does not mean <i>moralism</i>, it does not mean religion either. That is too narrow a definition. "Truth" means <i>dharma</i></span>. </span>Dharma</span>, a term that transcends the mere confines of one's duty/responsibility
to a higher realm of societal good. It also transcends mere personal gains. </span>While a person's <i><span style="color: #660000;">karma</span></i> consists of the action they take relative to
their duties, called <i>dharma</i>.] The Kalki-avatar is a warrior, a warrior-par-excellence; a
warrior against <i>adharm</i> (wicked and malicious entities/evil/duskrtam), a guide and Satguru (possessor of eternal wisdom). </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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Yug does not mean 'the age of truth'. It does not mean that everyone becomes
honest or truthful. Here, "truth" does not mean honesty or moralism. That is
too narrow a definition. It means that corrective measures will have to be undertaken so as to rejuvenate the doctrine of <i>karm</i>, which will help in the regeneration of <i>dharma</i> - actions that benefit society. This will ultimately lead to the rejuvenation of Sanaatan Dharma - the 'eternal way of life'. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">[His purpose is: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">dharma-samsthapanarthaya: to reestablish the noble/Sattvic principles and ideals of Sanaatan Dharma - the eternal way of life, which would have withered away.] </span></span></span></span>Sat/Satya/Krita Yug is the time for <span style="color: #660000;">spiritual
transition</span> wherein humans will have to reach a higher level of existence, by
moving out of his or her inferior <i>manas</i> (lower mind or lower self) and gradually
move into the superior <i>manas</i> (higher mind or Higher Self)</span>.</span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]-->The Kalki-avatar has three souls (symbolic): satyam-sivam-sundaram. One
soul is the preserver/Vishnu (to preserve the world... from chaos); the second soul
is the destroyer/Shiva (to 'destroy' filth and confusion, to 'annihilate'
ignorance of Kali Yug) and the third soul is the creator/Brahma (to 'create' a
new era/yug, i.e. to set the stage for Sat/Satya/Krita Yug of the next cycle to
manifest). The symbolic form of </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> is on a white (winged) horse
wielding a brilliant sword. However, another etymology from Sanskrit is 'white horse'.
Meaning: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> <i>is</i> the 'white horse'. [Horse-faced or more likely, horse-jawed? A la the Hayagreeva-avatar? Since greeva = jaw.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dharma
(Sanaatan Dharma - the 'eternal way of life') is <span style="color: #660000;">depicted</span> in the form of a cow.
However, this 'cow' is not a reference to a bovine creature <i>per se</i>, but
symbolizes the four pillars: Sat/Satya/Dharma, spiritual quotient, <i>karm</i>
and <i>daan</i> (charity in the spirit of charity, not ostentatious). In the 1<sup>st</sup>
yug - Sat/Satya/Krita Yug - this 'cow' stands on all four, indicating that the
four pillars are well-balanced and strong. <span style="color: #0c343d;">Towards the end</span> of the 2<sup>nd</sup> yug
- Treta Yug - the 'cow' stands on three legs, signifying some amount of
imbalance. Then <span style="color: #0c343d;">towards the end of</span> the 3<sup>rd</sup> yug - Dvapar Yug - the
'cow' stands on two legs, signifying an even greater amount of imbalance.
However, <span style="color: #0c343d;">towards the end of</span> the last yug - Kali Yug - this 'cow' is found to be
barely able to stand... on one leg. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->According to the <i>Vedic</i> scriptures, human or
Earth evolution forms cycles of approximately twenty-five thousand years. God
incarnates in each cycle, about every two thousand five hundred years. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">[However, this may not be a reference to an entire <i>maha-yuga</i> or a four-yug
cycle, but a mini cycle within the larger maha-yuga. As for the avatars, there are 24
known avatars.] <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span>, as per the scriptures, is the tenth and final <i>Maha Avatar</i> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">(great incarnation)</span></span></span></span>. The name <i>Kalki</i> means literally, "of iron" or
"machine." It does not imply that this <i>avatar</i> is a robot made of metal, but
that His birth is in the age of iron or machines. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[An
age when negativities predominate. An age when noble values and principles fall
below the minimum level.] The <i>Vedic</i> scriptures describe time in a cycle of
four ages or yugs: the Golden Age, Silver Age, Copper Age and Iron Age. [Note the symbolism of the 'cow' above.] Our
present age is the Iron Age, therefore Kalki is the Avatar of this iron or
machine age. The 'destroying powers' of </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> ... is sharpest
of all. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When avatars arrive, they trigger or accelerate <i>karmas</i>. Thus that which was previously
suppressed or hidden is exposed. Krishna brought out both the positive and the negative, including dushkrtam/evil, exposing people, as they had never been known before. Krishna
knew who He was and what His purpose was. Krishna knew each soul already and so will Kalki (i.e. just like Krishna, Kalki too will know who was what in his or her previous birth. Just like Krishna, Kalki too will remember His own previous appearances. And just like Krishna, Kalki too will be the 'healer' - Dhanvantari). The avatars create situations - time,
place and opportunity - which bring forth both the good/positive as well as the bad/negative. [One can say: so as to let out the "toxin" or "poison" or "filth".] We gather that the Kalki-avatar will start His campaign in His thirty-second
year and roam the earth for twenty years (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">slicing away the bonds
of lies, make-believe and foulness/filth; lifting the fog of confusion (from our eyes and thoughts)... thus showing the way; </span></span></span></span>exterminating with His sword the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prabda Karm </span></span></span></i>of numerous entities/persons [those whose minds are devoted to
iniquity] thereby
'liberating' them. P</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">reventing their inevitable
journey/descent into one of the Hellish planets, or maybe even to the lowest of
the Hellish planets. [The Lower Planets (Adho-Lokas) are not to be confused for
the Hellish planets. The latter are further below.] And <i>thus</i> also providing them with an opportunity to accrue </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Punya Karm</i> - positive balance of Karm). The Kalki-avatar (like the Krishna-avatar and the Buddh-avatar before Him) is also <span style="color: #660000;">Satguru</span>, primeval guru. And only the Almighty, the Satguru (possessor of eternal wisdom) can forgive, 'liberate' and wipe
out the entire stock of bad/negative/Prabda Karm (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the metaphoric </span></span></span> 'paap-ka-ghada')</span></span></span>. No amount of rituals can make it happen. Any other guru can only offer temporal knowledge (apara vidya).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Manava
Grihyasutra, Manava Sulbasutra and Manava Dharmashastra (<i>Manusmriti</i> or <i>rules
of Manu</i>) texts are ascribed to Svayambhuva Manu. (However, since several of our ancient texts have been tweaked, embellished and even rewritten, we cannot rule out the same for these texts too). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are innumerable universes, with one Brahmā in
each of them. There are fourteen Manus who are prominent within this universe,
each overseeing a manvantara or manuvantara. "Manu" is a title
for the one who rules a <i>manvantara</i>. Each "Manu" is endowed with great knowledge
and wisdom. [The word "Manav", signifying human or humanity, comes from "Manu".
Manav = human, mankind; antara = period, cycle.] Each
<i>kalpa</i> (1,000 maha-yugas) is reigned over/overseen by a succession of 14
Manus, and the reign of each Manu is called a "manvantara". A single manvantara
is approximately 71 maha-yugas. Yajña as Svāyambhuva Manu is the first
Manu. Vāmana as
Vaivasvata Manu is the seventh and current Manu. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, we are in the seventh Manvantara, named as: Vaivasvata Manvantara.] </span>His original name is Satyavrata. He saved mankind
from the great deluge by building specially designed boats/ships (nao) as per the advise of
the Matsya-Avatar. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i><span style="font-style: normal;">tumhi ho naiyaa tumhi khevaiya/</span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">You are the boat and You are
the boatman. </span></b></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">tumhi ho saathi tuhmi saharay/</span></i></span></b></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">You are the companion and You the
support</span></b></span></i>:</span></b> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;">Dolphins provide guidance to ships caught amidst
swirling waters. Similarly, the Matsya-Avatar provides guidance during very
difficult times. Also: this avatar will swim against the tide to rescue/salvage
humanity and society, and will not shy away from taking the plunge no matter
how turbulent the waters - for the benefit of humanity and society... and to re-establish dharma: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">dharma-samsthapanarthaya.</span>] Each
Manu is the progenitor of a line/lineage. Therefore, each Manu is the
progenitor of a group of humans, who eventually intermix. Thus it has been said
that Manu is the 'progenitor of mankind' - Manav-jaati ('lineage of Manu') or </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">manuṣya-jaati ('born of Manu'). And
thus, all human beings are therefore called <i>Manava</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></i><i>Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Geeta
(Chapter 10, Verse 6) says:</span></i><b><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|</span></i></b><i><span style="font-style: normal;">| maharsayah sapta purve</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">catvaro manavas tatha</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">mad-bhava manasa jata</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">yesham loka imah prajah ||</span></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u>:</b></span> "The seven great sages (the
Sapta-Rishi) and before them the four other great sages (</span><span style="font-size: small;">Sanaka,
Sanandan, Sanatana and Sanat, collectively known as the four Kumaras) and the Manus [entities
that arrive in all loka... during times of great calamity, distress and
turbulence - <i>pralay</i> - in order to guide and resettle mankind, so that
creation continues and the universe is kept running] come from Me, born from My
mind (manasa, manasa-jata/brain-child), and all the living beings populating
the various planets (loka) descend from them."</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">Apparently, <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Svayambhuva Manu performed <i>tapasya</i> at Naimisa on the bank of the
Gomati River for acquiring the privilege of having Lord Vishnu as his offspring
in three different lifetimes. Lord Vishnu, being pleased with Svayambhuva,
granted this blessing. Hence the Lord will be born to Svayambhuva as the
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</xml><![endif]-->Kalki Vishnuyasha. Thus, Svayambhuva would
appear as Dasarath, Vasudev (Shri Krshn's father), and finally as Vishnuyash/Vishnuyashas (now, <i>this</i>
could be a name, or it could also be an indicator for immense fame, influence and affluence. The mother's name is <i>Sumati</i>. Again this could be a name or it could indicate an intelligent, caring and respected person.) shambhala-grama-mukhyasya brahmanasya mahatmanah
bhavane vishnuyashasah kalkih pradurbhavishyati: Lord Kalki will appear (Prādúr) in the home (Bhavanê) of the most eminent <i>brahmana</i> (</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">brahmanasya: </span>erudite person?) of Shambhala village. This great soul (</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">mahatmanah) </span>- Vishnuyasha - will also be the head of this village: </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">shambhala-grama-mukhyasya</span>. (Shambhala is the name of the fabled Buddhist Pure Land or mythical kingdom situated somewhere in Inner Asia. Shambhala, ruled over by Lord Maitreya - the future Buddha, is mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Kalachakra Tantra + other texts that predate Tibetan Buddhism in western Tibet).]</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #0c343d;">Note: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Neither Dasarath nor Vasudev are in the same
league as their respective progeny (Lord Ram and Lord Krishna), though. Dasarath,
despite being a well-known king, was a "Maryada-Purush," meaning, 'one who accepts
prevailing societal norms ['maryada'], whether positive or negative, and abides
by them'. He wasn't a reformer or a soldier-statesman <i>a la</i> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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overcame numerous obstacles to bring about positive societal change. [Here:
soldier = one who fights <i>adharm</i> that plagues society </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(such as: social ills, discrimination, negative
perception and mindset, and the like) and brings about
positive change.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kali does not mean demon, Kali means bud. However, the
Golden Age of Kali Yug will gradually wither away to make way for the 'Iron Age' of Kali Yug. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->yarhy ālayeṣv api satāḿ na hareḥ kathāḥ syuh: And when Kali-yug comes to a
close, the lower modes of material nature will become so strong that people will
lose interest in spirituality, in <i>dharma</i> and in the doctrine of <i>Karm</i>. Talent and intellect will be envied as well as ridiculed. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sanaatan Dharma will become ostentatious and a means of livelihood. </span>The scriptures will be misinterpreted to serve <i>adharm</i>. Spiritually advanced
persons will be rare. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->svāhā svadhā vaṣaḍ iti sma giro na yatra: The planet will be
filled with people who will be unable to understand logical conversations. They
will be too slow-minded and dull-witted, not capable of being taught much. They
will lack common sense and perspective; they will not know what they need to do; instead they will be fond of dry meaningless arguments. Thus, there will be
great imbalance. <i>Prthvi-loka</i> will be overly disturbed by evil/duskrtam
who will instigate constant disturbances and upheavals. At such a time (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">according to various texts including the Mahabharata) </span></span></span>a radiant<i> Brahmana</i>
(erudite person?) named </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Vishnuyasha, possessor of immense <i>Sattva Guna</i> (noble traits/qualities), matchless splendour (charisma?), great energy,
intelligence and prowess/valiance, will be born. So as to restore balance, order and
peace in the world, to destroy/subjugate evil/duskrtam (to prevent chaos on <i>Prithvi-loka</i>) and to rejuvenate <i>dharma</i> (dharma-samsthapanarthaya) in society.<i> </i>[</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Valour is a special human quality, usually demonstrated in the
performance of extraordinary and unselfish deeds (nishkam karm) in the face of great
peril - for the greater good.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> will be just, dynamic, sharp,
well-educated, well-mannered, a thought reader (antaryāmī), a face reader
(physiognomy, mukh-samudrik) and a forecaster, besides possessing immense
knowledge of world affairs, excellent negotiation skills and mind travel
techniques. Kalki
will indulge in intense diplomacy and lead a life of self-discipline, i.e. will be a <i>Rajarshi</i>. [Raja +
Rishi.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> and His consort: one will be fair complexioned, the other dark. Meaning: they will be opposites of each other [जगाम त्वरितो ऽश्वेन शिव-दत्तेन तन्मनाः]<b> </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->This is unsurprising, 'coz none can equal the Unicorn. [Ekashringa
- one without a parallel.] They will be married as per traditions [धर्मान् संस्थापयिष्यसि]<b><b> </b></b>The
beloved of </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> (कलि-प्रियान्/Kali-Priyanh) is named Padma/पद्मां (meaning: lotus; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span">lotus-like face/</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span">Mukhakamal</span></span></span></span>? Good looking? Serene or pleasant looking? Or could it mean: beloved of the "lotus"</span>? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And as we know: Lotus is <i>Nirmal</i>. Lotus is serene. Lotus
is pleasant. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Lotus Flower represents the "primordial purity" of the body, speech, and mind.)
Padma lives in Sinhal-dveep/सिंहलद्वीप or Sinhale/सिंहले | (Sinhale = Sinha [Lion] + le [of]; dveep = island. Sinhal-dveep = "the island of the lion".) || समुद्र-पारम् अमलं सिंहलं जलसंकुलम् || ~ <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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spotless/clean land of the One is surrounded on one side by sparkling waters. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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is a great ocean beyond these sparkling waters. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsT-Sc2A7hNPmDst_qeVDs34Ys6H6fsL2E9df9yWazV-yfkf15TclFuM8XstvDpyYo58BRdnT7lZUYRIvmbbeFNruOk5K4MUQ3iHyqPaQh0Rn6_hRNTqvdQDkvXieTWmh4GbzfWgjtki7m/s1600/Stone+plaque+of+Kalki+from+the+18th+century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsT-Sc2A7hNPmDst_qeVDs34Ys6H6fsL2E9df9yWazV-yfkf15TclFuM8XstvDpyYo58BRdnT7lZUYRIvmbbeFNruOk5K4MUQ3iHyqPaQh0Rn6_hRNTqvdQDkvXieTWmh4GbzfWgjtki7m/s1600/Stone+plaque+of+Kalki+from+the+18th+century.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->People will be too strongly in the mode of
ignorance to even comprehend the basic concepts of <i>dharma</i> and <i>karm</i>. So Lord </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> will not come to preach (unlike Lord Buddha - the Enlightened One). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instead, <i>Bhagavan</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span></span></span></span> will be the doer (karm yogi) of Kali Yug.</span></span></span> The word <i>Kalki</i> can also be taken as an abbreviation of the word <i>Nishkalanka</i>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Nishkalanka</i>
means <i>Nirmal</i> (spotless, crystal clear). However, </span><span style="font-size: small;">at the end of Kali Yug, in this 'dirty mud',
a great task has to be accomplished. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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the Mahabharata says: "Having
stabilized the Earth in its own place, the Supreme Purusha, with His
limbs
dripping with water and mud accomplished His work for the benefit of the
world." This is self-explanatory. [Purusha does not mean male. Purusha =
Cosmic Spirit.] </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dharma, justice, goodness and
humanity have to be rescued/uplifted despite great odds. The world has to be saved from chaos. The end of Kali Yug is a time of
<i>great adharm. </i>Dharma, justice, <i>karm</i> and goodness </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->declines below a minimum level, so much so that it is even beyond
the greatest of sages, holy people or yogis, to raise the consciousness and purify the
Earth. At such a time God incarnates to take care of His children. The Kalki-avatar will help humanity and save this world. And just like Lord Krishna, this <i>avatar</i> too will be firm, decisive (not arrogant or boastful) and a people's person. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->God is always amongst the people. God resides in the
heart of all living beings. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Almighty is present within the heart of
every heart as the Supersoul. </span></span></span>God never shies away. Nar-Narayan is one of the 24
avatars. Nar = human or humanity. Narayan = another name of Shri Maha Vishnu. It means:
benefactor of mankind/humanity (not restricted to humans alone).] A one-man army, </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He shall carry with him the conviction, tenacity,
determination, dedication and humility of Lord Ram, the extraordinary calibre, keen insight, good judgment,
nonpareil intelligence and illumined wisdom of Lord Krishna and the compassion and forgiveness of Lord Buddha. T</span><span style="font-size: small;">he Crusader (Reformer-Soldier-Statesman) who shall
set things in order shall be known as Kalki... t</span><span style="font-size: small;">he annihilator of the present
Kali Yug - the Iron Age. It would be beyond the capacity of ordinary humans to assess and understand the phenomenon that would be termed as <i>Bhagavan</i> Kalki - the deliverer of the Yug of Kali. <i>Bhagvan</i> Kalkin, equal in stature to Lord Krishna... will be a magnificent avatar and the 'yugavatar' of Kali Yug. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He truly shall be a man of wisdom. It is about 5000 years since the advent of Lord Krishna on <i>Prthvi-loka</i>. During His time <i>dharmic</i> ideals had crumbled under the influence of entities like Duryodhan, Dushshasana and Shakuni. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Also: Duryodhan had tactfully sent the Pandavas
on a 12-year exile with the 13<sup>th</sup> year to be spent incognito. If their
identity were to be revealed during the 13th year, another cycle of 13 years
would ensue. [Lord Krishna...
who happened to be a cousin of both the Pandav and the Kaurav Kings knew the
game being played by the evil Duryodhan (under the guidance of the wily Shakuni). Krishna's brilliance, euphemistically known as 'Sudarshan Chakra' cut through every <i>vyuh</i>. The Mahabharata War was 'Dharm-Yudh', battle of principles. It was not fought over land or property, but to defend certain Sattvic (noble) principles and values. It also foiled Duryodhan's machinations, thereby saving society and Sanaatan Dharm from adharm.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of Kali Yug... a person of the stature of Kalki Bhagavan will be required to show the way - to deliver humanity and revive society. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Is that a pointer towards Mahabharat II?<i> Only time will tell</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->But then the Kalki-avatar's arrival will be to prevent
such an event.] Every era (yug) sees the arrival of a <i>Sanatana Purusha</i> (</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">a <i>purn avatar</i>, manifest God Himself; </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">Purusha =
Cosmic Spirit</span></span>) - One who is much higher than aḿśa or partial avatars. Such a One is a </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">yugāvatāra</span>. E</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">very Yug needs an <i>Avatar</i>
to announce the start of the journey. And every Yug needs an <i>Avatar</i> to announce the closure of that journey (plus the impending arrival and/or commencement of a new one). Thus </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">every Yug has its own Avatar.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The departure (to Vaikunth-loka) of the Maha
Avatar or yugāvatāra signifies either: <span style="color: #134f5c;">#<b>1.</b></span> Yuganta: the end of an era/yug + the commencement of a new era/yug, or <span style="color: #134f5c;">#<b>2.</b></span> Yuga-sandhya - the twilight of an era/yug. The current Kali Yug began: at
midnight of 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. This is because, Lord Krishna departed on 18th February 3102 BC. The
period after his departure marks the beginning of Kali-yug. Given the cyclical nature of each maha-yug (a four-yug cycle:
Sat/Satya/Krita, Treta, Dvapar and Kali Yug) and its ratio of
4:3:2:1, we can conclude that: Kali-yug (the final yug of each maha-yug) will be
the shortest. Krita/Sat/Satya Yug will follow it. Therefore: the time on earth
by the respective Maha Avatars will be in descending order. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Krishna lived among humans for 125/126 years. Gautam Buddh for about 80 years.] So the
Kalki-avatar's time on earth will be the shortest. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And this is not surprising, 'coz in His periodic
appearance/arrival (albeit in human form/incarnation/avatar) as part of
"... sambhavami yuge yuge"... S/He does what none (no other mortal)
can do. S/He also heals + provides guidance and shows the way [i.e. S/He puts
together the required framework/architecture, sets the ball rolling, sows the
right seeds and creates the road-map for the future, besides identifying the
most suitable entities (among the available ones) to carry forward the task/work.
Thereafter, it is for others (His 'instruments', et al) to accomplish the
unfinished/remaining task... as part of <i>their</i> karm yog. Once S/He
accomplishes what S/He set out to do... S/He departs (to Vaikunth-loka).] The transition from each Kali to
Sat/Satya Yug will be accompanied by some amount of natural disaster. But a
'pralay' may not precede each Sat/Satya Yug. However, if humanity chooses to remain
unprepared for natural disasters (and/or contributes towards it), then as Swami
Vivekananda said: "The wind is blowing; and those vessels whose
sails are unfurled catch it, and go forward on their way, but those which
have their sails furled do not catch the wind. Is that the fault of the wind?"
</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;">Śrīvatsa mark</span> is on Shri Maha Vishnu's chest, symbolizing His consort Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vishnu is thus <i>Srivatsankita</i>, the one who bears the sign of <i>Srivatsa</i>.<b> </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">[Srivatsa (the beloved of Sri) is an ancient auspicious symbol in India. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">
It is a mark on the chest of Vishnu where His consort Sri Sri Lakshmi
Devi
resides. It is also a mark of His immortality.] It is said that the
10th (and final) Maha Avatar of Shri Maha Vishnu (in the current maha yug or
four-yug cycle),
Kalki, will be the bearer of the Srivatsa mark as well.
[SrivatsavakshaaH is
another name of Shri Vishnu. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">T</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">he </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Śrīvatsa mark also adorns the images of the Jain Tirthankaras and of the Buddha as well.</span>] </span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nostradamus
has predicted the coming of the 'blue-turbaned-one' (</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His quatrains are not to be taken at face value. Therefore, this 'blue-turbaned-one'
means: one belonging to a country that has the makings of a 'blue turban'. The
Indian Peninsula, ocean topped and surrounded on both sides by seas (blue-hued waters), forms the shape of a 'turban'. Thus, <i>Bhagavan</i> Kalki has to be from India, the
land of Shri Ram, Shri Krshn, <i>Bhagavan</i> Mahavira and <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh, among other
greats.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>[</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->However, in the current maha-yuga (the four-yug cycle:
Krita/Sat/Satya Yug, Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug and Kali Yug) the ninth avatar, <i>Bhagavan</i>
Shri Gautam Buddh, is not part of one faith, while the Kalki-avatar too appears to
be part of many faiths. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->And this too underlines the importance of this Maha
Avatar. No wonder: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">"As
the different streams having their sources in different paths which men
take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked
or straight, all lead to Thee." And that: </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">"Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me."</span></span></span></span>] The name "Bharatadesam" means, the 'Land of Bharat' or the 'Land
of the Bharatas'.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> "Bharatadesam" is also known as "Bharatavarsha", which literally
means the continent ('varsha'; Sanskrit) that is dedicated ('rata') to light,
wisdom ('bha'). Our Vedic <i>Rishis</i> and <i>Munis</i> (learned and
enlightened persons) devoted themselves to the quest for the Eternal Truth or
'illumined knowledge' (kevala jnana) and the Ultimate Reality or eternal bliss (spiritual ecstasy) i.e.<i> satchidananda</i>. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Sat-cit-ānanda: 'one who derives happiness through one's
consciousness'. In other words: one who has achieved eternal bliss of
self-realization/Paramaatma realization. Sat-cit-ānanda (pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda).<i> Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and timeless; <i>cit</i> is
consciousness; <i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss.]</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| sthavaranam himalayah || ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">"</span></span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;">and of
immovable things (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">sthavaranam)</span></i>
I am the Himalayas." </span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The mighty Himalayan ranges
"embrace" this great land. </span></span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This land is especially blessed. Bharatvarsha is</span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <i>punya-bhoomi</i> </span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">-</span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">worshipable motherland.</span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>Bharata</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> means "the cherished",
Bharatavarsha is <i>the land of Bharata</i>; it is the <i>bhumi</i> of the
Bharatas or "cherished land" (and this is not confined to the
descendents of Puru only.)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Bharatvarsha
is our 'Punya-Bhoomi' or <i>worshipable Motherland</i> and the nation of our
ancestors. It is in this land that the eternal principles of <i>Sanaatan Dharm</i>
were understood and practiced for many millennium - and compiled as well. The
philosophy and culture that evolved in this land are very distinct and
vibrant... for which we should be proud. It is this land where a clarion call
was given to all humanity to pursue the goal of becoming higher spiritual
beings and realize the "Ultimate Truth" (<i>Brahman</i>, the <i>Paramaatma</i>,
the <i>Parameshvar</i>, the <i>Ultimate Knowledge</i> or the <i>Ultimate
Reality</i>.) </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The planet creates what it
needs again, and after years of drought and famine the clouds will supply rain
again</i>: this probably means, that
once balance and <i>Dharma</i> is restored, as re-established by <i>Bhagavan</i>
Kalki, the planet (and society) begins to heal and rejuvenate itself. Aspects that were either extinct, fast eroding or very low (due to the imbalance) will appear
again. And so, everyone will again live in harmony and work towards a common
cause and goal, based on spiritual upliftment, prosperity and Loka-kalyana/the greater good. In other words: a just, prosperous and inclusive society: Ram-Rajya.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Such a one... who shall be termed as <i>Bhagavan</i>
Kalki... one equal in stature to Lord Krishna shall guide humanity. <i>One who
was known as Lord Krishna then shall be known as Lord Kalki
now.</i> In the circumstances when society (and even Prthvi-loka) finds itself totally
handicapped and without a solution... at such a time it is only the Almighty
who can help humanity come out of the confusion/chaos ... and rejuvenate itself. Thus, <i>Bhagavan</i>
Kalki will be the doer (karm yogi) of Kali Yug.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i>Please note:</i> '<span style="color: #660000;">Ram-Rajya</span>' does not mean welfare economics. 'Loka-sangraha' or 'Loka-kalyana' <span style="color: #660000;">does not</span> mean
welfare economics or even welfare society. It means: welfare of all, the greater good. Their foundation is based on 'Raj Dharma' and Karm Yog. 'Ram-Rajya' means: a just, prosperous and inclusive society. The two pillars of
'Ram-Rajya' are <span style="color: #660000;">Dharma</span> and <span style="color: #660000;">Karm</span> (we have already discussed what they mean earlier in this post.) Shri
Ram, a "Maryada-Purushottam," one who overcame numerous barriers to eliminate
social ills, is also renowned for upholding 'Raj-dharma', the duties and
responsibilities of a ruler. He was a nation-builder (just like Shri Krishna). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->We have had a robust trading history since Treta Yug. Plus: the
technology, technical know-how, literature, et al at their disposal is way
ahead of us. 'Ram-Rajya' is still a reference point since it is the best of the best... among all the golden ages we have had. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->In the current yug (Kali Yug) e.g. Samraat Chandragupta Maurya,
Samraat Ashoka and Samraat Vikramaditya strove to re-establish Ram-Rajya and
were successful to a great extent. Hence their rule is associated with Golden
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Ram was also a facilitator. And given the all-round development and
awesome technology of that era we can well imagine the infrastructure he would
have put in place (and which was well-nurtured through the years) w.r.t
education, knowledge, research, trade, healthcare, sanitation, and so on. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">We continue to marvel at the well-planned and advanced
underground drainage system and covered sewers that our ancients built (and many
of which have managed to survive the onslaught of time). It is an important civic amenity.
We are not unaware of the benefits of a well-planned drainage system, be it in
our everyday life, during monsoons, et al ... and how much they contribute
towards health and hygiene, right?] </span>Shri Ram also did not look
at his people or society as strata, groups, etc. </span>Hence he went about
eliminating various social ills, negative perceptions and mindset. He
successfully integrated and assimilated various marginalized groups into
society. (And this would have no doubt given these hitherto marginalized people
dignity and happiness. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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goodwill for Shri Ram, thus giving him the crucial moral gravitas... that is important for a ruler.) Siya-Ram not only achieved this huge task through the sheer dint
of their <i>karm</i> alone ... they were also willing to undergo incredible hardships, including the
proverbial 'agni-pareeksha' (trial by fire), to make it happen. Imagine their vision and
the magnitude of their tenacity and determination. They not only put in their time but also their heart into it. They were not perfunctory. They faced endless challenges, but did not regard them as good or bad. For them challenges were simply challenges. Siya-Ram lived amidst forest-dwellers </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(we also know
about the Ram-Shabari story, don't we?) </span></span></span>and adivasis (like Hanuman<i>ji</i>, Jambavan, Angad and Sugreeva) for many years and traveled the length and breadth of
the country. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He was not condescending either. E.g. He walked up to welcome the Vyadh chief,
Guhaka, after spotting him from afar. As for Shri Hanuman<i>ji</i>, Jambavan, Sughreev or
Angad, they were staunch allies and personal friends with Shri Ram and Lakshman.
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[Shri Ram was, thus, able to secure his borders and gain
long-term allies.] Shri Hanuman<i>ji</i> was a highly-skilled pilot ('Pavan-putra': Airman) and flew a variety of aircraft
(vimana). This has been mistranslated as 'Hanuman<i>ji</i> carried Ram and Lakshman on his
shoulders'. Shri Ram was able to strike the right balance between material
aspects and spiritual quotient </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->vis-à-vis his rule, kingdom and people. Spirituality
is not ostentatious, it is not mere rituals; rather it is like the
rudder of a ship. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Ram put in place the required infrastructure and
systems; he upheld 'Raj-dharma'; he re-established <i>dharma</i>
and the doctrine of <i>karm</i>; he paid personal attention and made personal
efforts to eliminate negative perceptions and mindset... and did away with
various social ills (that masqueraded as "maryada" or 'socially accepted norms'). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Thus 'Ram-Rajya' is still the benchmark for a just, prosperous and inclusive
society<span style="color: #351c75;">.</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Shri Ram's life and times, or for that matter the life
and times of say, Samraat Chandragupta Vikramaditya, has to be understood... for
their greatness and contribution to be fully grasped. Force-fitting them into modern jargon
and models will not do.]<i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Who is Vishnu and Who is Krishna? </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Who is the Buddha and Who the Bodhisattva? Well, He can take an infinite number of forms,
simultaneously. The incarnations of the Lord
are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water</i>. (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Some of His other avatars are: Kapila Avatar, Rishabha Avatar - the first <i>Tirthankara</i>, Rudra,
Dhanvantari Avatar, <i>Devi</i> Durga or Ambika [also known as <i>Devi</i> Parvati or Shakti - in whose image is the image of our motherland],
Mohini-avatar, Hayagreeva Avatar, Hamsa [the swan] and so on. And though the great Chanakya is revered as 'Yug Purush' - Man of Destiny, the Timeless Man, who can say? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>However, Chanakya,
like Shri Krishna (and unlike Machivelli), was a nation-builder. We don't know what sort of editing or
additions might have happened to his works. He was a visionary, and so probably
gave insights re: how the latter part of Kali Yug will play out. As to how
later entities interpreted all that... we can only speculate</i>.) </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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from the direct incarnations, there are innumerable empowered incarnations. The
indirectly empowered ones are called vibhūtis. However, of all the various avatar-s of
the Supreme, <i>krishnas tu bhagavan svayam,</i> which means that Lord Shri
Krishna is the greatest and the most magnificent of all. 'Coz He is the highest <i>Purna avatar</i>. Those who have seen
Him have seen the Param-aatma Himself, in a manner of speaking, that is. 'Coz He is <i>Achintya</i>, inscrutable, an enigma and <i>Brahmn</i>, the Supreme Creator. He is Purushottam [the Cosmic Spirit]. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is Om. He is Svayambhu: "self-manifested", the
Eternal-Uncreated Lord of the three Worlds (tribhUvaneshvar). He is Satya-Sundar (dharma/truth and beauty/goodness). He is not <i>manushya</i>, He is not part of <i>Manav-jaati</i>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(For us, one complete day and night consists of
24 hours. But the life span of Brahma [the one who resides in Satya-loka, the
highest planet in the material realm] is 311.04 trillion human years. And one complete
day and night of <i>this</i> Shri Brahma is 8,640,000,000 human years. So, you
can imagine what one complete day and night for the Param-aatma means.]) Only those who live in Vaikunth-loka, the one outside the material universe, know how He looks like. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">However, one can gain entry into the eternal
Vaikunth planets on the strength of one's <i>dharm</i> and <i>karm</i> alone. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Here: <span style="color: #660000;">Sat/Satya</span> i.e. "Truth" does not mean <i>honesty</i>, and "dharma" does not mean <i>moralism</i>. It does not mean religion either. That is too narrow a definition. "Truth" means <i>dharma</i></span>. </span>Dharma</span>, a term that transcends the mere confines of one's duty/responsibility
to a higher realm of societal good. It also transcends mere personal gains. </span>While a person's <i><span style="color: #660000;">karm</span></i> consists of the action they take relative to
their duties, called <i>dharma</i>.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="c" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta: Chapter 15, verse 6:</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></div>
<div class="c" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="c" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| na tad bhāsayate sūryo</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">na śaśāńko na pāvakah</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">yad gatvā na nivartante</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">tad dhāma paramaḿ mama ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by
fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material
world." [</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The abode of the Supreme Being - Kṛṣṇaloka - is described here. It is the chief amongst
the spiritual planets (Vaikunth planets). In the spiritual sky/realm/universe, all the planets
are self-luminous. But that is not the case in the material realm/universe. (E.g. in our
solar system only the sun is self-luminous.) The shining effulgence of all
the planets in the spiritual universe (called Vaikuṇṭha-loka) constitutes the
shining sky known as the <span style="color: #660000;">brahmjyoti</span>. However, this effulgence (jyoti) emanates from Kṛṣṇaloka - the Supreme abode of the Parameshvar who is also the Supreme Creator - Brahmn.]<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Chapter 11, verse 12:</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| divi surya-sahasrasya</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">bhaved yugapad utthita</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">bhasas tasya mahatmanah ||</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"If hundreds of thousands of suns were to rise at once into the sky, their radiance might resemble the effulgence of the Supreme Spirit."</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Chapter 9, verse 11:</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā</span></span></span></div>
<div class="c" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">mānuṣīḿ tanum āśritam</span></span></span></div>
<div class="c" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="c" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">mama bhūta-maheśvaram ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u>:</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The ignorant deride Me when I descend in My human
form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that
be."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Ram-avatar and the Krshn-avatar are depicted as
blue-hued. There are several strands to this. However, Lord Krishna is often
shown as having a dark-blue complexion. Not just blue, but a deep blue, like
the <span style="color: #660000;">velvet blue</span> that sometimes can be seen in a dark sky, like a blue that one
may have at times seen from the deck of a ship thousands of miles from shore on
the Pacific Ocean.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This
perhaps can be explained thus: whenever there is something of unfathomable
depth, it appears to be deep blue - be it the sky or the ocean or anything else
(such as: the blue pre-dawn hours). The waters of the ocean look blue from
afar. But if you go near and take it in your palms, you will no longer find it
blue; it will be very clear, transparent. ... Shri Krishna is just like the
deep blue waters of the ocean. Achintya (inscrutable) and yet, he never ceases to fascinate.
He is also the Supreme Neelkanth. He is <span style="color: #660000;">Ghanshyam</span> - one who absorbs "poison" so as to cleanse society (of filth) and thus, rejuvenate Sanaatan Dharma - the 'eternal way of life'. [Blue also stands for: meditation/introspection, peace, tranquility, depth, stability, trust,
loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, patience, decision-making and truth/dharma: one's karm - duties/responsibilities that also benefits society.]</span> </span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[krishnas tu bhagavan svayam: from this we can also understand the importance of <i>Bhagavan</i> Sri Kalki. Thus, this avatar too will be velvet blue-hued... signifying the Varaha-roop (besides His role as Ghanshyam - the Supreme Neelkanth). Of all the roop/forms of the Supreme, the Varaha-roop is the greatest. However, all the Maha Avatars are <i>Ekashringa Varaha</i> - the one-horned boar, or Unicorn Boar. It does not refer to any animal <i>per se</i>. <i>Ekashringa</i> or Unicorn indicates rarity, one without a parallel. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Incidentally, the current <i>kalpa</i> is the Shvetavaraha
Kalpa, the "cycle of the white boar." (Svheta or Shveta = White. Varaha = the great boar).</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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stabilized the Earth in its own place, the Supreme Purusha, with His limbs
dripping with water and mud accomplished His work for the benefit of the world." This indicates the Varaha-roop, and is self-explanatory. Purusha does not mean male. Purusha = Cosmic Spirit.]</span></span><br />
<br />
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Kalki, the 10<sup>th</sup> Vishnu. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| mlEccha nivaha nidhanE
kalayasi karavALam</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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karALam</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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jaya jagadIsha harE ||</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">O KEshav! O </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">jagadIsha! (</span></span></span></span></span>Lord of the universe)</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span> O Lord Hari, who
have assumed the form of Kalki. All glories to You. You appear like a comet... and
carry a </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">flaming comet-like</span></span> sword for bringing about the subjugation of the wicked </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Mlechchas (miscreants/duskrtam)</span></span></span></span> at the end of Kali-yug.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Guru Purnima 2013 is significant as the Moon will
be in the sign of Sagittarius and (hence) will be receiving the aspect of Jupiter,
which makes it even more auspicious. Besides planet <i>Ketu</i> (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This makes Guru Purnima 2013 very special. [On a separate note, the <i>Hayagreeva</i> is also an avatar of the Lord. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This avatar 'rescued the Vedas... which was taken to rasatala'. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Vedas from decay and degradation; i.e. rejuvenated the Vedas (its contents:
Vedic knowledge) by cleansing it of various unwanted aspects and embellishments...
that may have seeped into them. Veda comes from the root 'Vid' which means, 'to
know'. 'Vid' has in turn given rise to 'Vidya', knowledge.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">To the greatest of
all Guru-s, the primeval Guru, the <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Satguru</i></span>, the Universal Guru, I bow in reverence:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gurur-Brahmaa Gurur-Vissnnur-Gururdevo Maheshvarah |<br />
Gurure<span class="sword">[-I]</span>va Param Brahma Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="lnum">1.1:</span> </span>The <span class="kword">Guru</span> is <span class="kword">Brahma</span>, the <span class="kword">Guru</span> is <span class="kword">Vishnu</span>, the <span class="kword">Guru-Deva</span> is <span class="kword">Maha Eshvara</span> (the
Supreme Eshvara/Lord; Auspiciousness and Compassion personified),</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="lnum">1.2:</span></span><span class="lnum"> The </span><span class="kword">Guru</span><span class="lnum"> is </span><span class="kword">Verily</span><span class="lnum"> the </span><span class="kword">Para-Brahmn</span><span class="lnum"> (Supreme Brahmn), </span><span class="kword">Salutations to that Guru</span><span class="lnum">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is a <i>shloka</i> from the <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Brhadāranyaka Upanisad</b>:</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">असतोमा सद्गमय। तमसोमा ज्योतिर् गमया। मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय॥ ॐ शांति
शांति शांति - बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् 1.3.28.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">|| (Aum) Asato mā sad gamaya<br />
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya<br />
Mrtyormā amrtam gamaya<br />
Aum śānti śānti śāntih ||</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Brhadāranyaka Upanisad 1.3.28)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u>:</b> </span><br />
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"(Aum) From ignorance, lead me to truth
(knowledge)<br />
From darkness (all negative aspects), lead me to
light (wisdom, enlightenment)<br />
From death, lead me to immortality<br />
Aum let there be peace within ourselves, let there
be peace in the world, let there be peace in the universe."</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYT6_azBHhj_uvQhnUjxtomBCvxJa7W-WIUCdI61crqWKXzh_R45fy8ClZIaMVWzEgo2m66yUrZB_eo64opPyd7QJVhu6nDNz6U5Uv-CrvcUeI8n_snVkZWgbP9EfzE5MViY8tz7JAl2r/s1600/Tamaso+Maa+Jyotir+Gamaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYT6_azBHhj_uvQhnUjxtomBCvxJa7W-WIUCdI61crqWKXzh_R45fy8ClZIaMVWzEgo2m66yUrZB_eo64opPyd7QJVhu6nDNz6U5Uv-CrvcUeI8n_snVkZWgbP9EfzE5MViY8tz7JAl2r/s1600/Tamaso+Maa+Jyotir+Gamaya.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Aum</b></span> (also known as <span style="color: #660000;"><b>Om</b></span>): The syllable <i>Om</i> (written out as
<i>Aum</i> with each letter having its own significance) represents Brahman, the
supreme creator, as well as the whole of creation. It is also the primeval
sound (Pranava Naad), the sound of the universe itself.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Chaturmas' begins from this
day. Chaturmas literally means "four months", derived from the
Sanskrit catur, "four", and māsa, "month".</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The sun enters the zodiacal sign
of Karka (Cancer) and begins to move southwards in the month of Ashadh.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Chaturmaas (Sanskrit: Cāturmāsa) is a holy period of four months (July to October), beginning on <i>Shayani
Ekadashi</i> - the eleventh day of the first bright half, <i>Shukla paksha</i>,
of Ashadh (fourth month of the Hindu lunar calendar/Shaka Samvat) - until <i>Prabodhini
Ekadashi</i>, the eleventh day of the first bright half of Kartik (eighth month
of the Hindu lunar calendar) in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ8IPoQMTEFireJ9U2igA_0FNhwDlCsYwUOeJ3r9ktglj-DC3KS6_g1e5XM_U5R0SzT9gSIoEEbOD0hqYmK1PXUXDrgxDN1MhhPylRJs1XIr38M9BGNCKBAaoTRXGz2iu1NCKpG6zB6T7/s1600/Lord+Sankarshan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ8IPoQMTEFireJ9U2igA_0FNhwDlCsYwUOeJ3r9ktglj-DC3KS6_g1e5XM_U5R0SzT9gSIoEEbOD0hqYmK1PXUXDrgxDN1MhhPylRJs1XIr38M9BGNCKBAaoTRXGz2iu1NCKpG6zB6T7/s1600/Lord+Sankarshan.jpg" height="190" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">In Hinduism, Lord Vishnu is believed to 'sleep' on
this day; hence the eleventh day of Ashadh is called <i>Devashayani Ekadashi</i>.
He is believed to 'wake up' on the eleventh of Kartik, hence called <i>Prabodhini
Ekadashi</i>. The period corresponds with the rainy season in India. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This day heralds the setting in of the much-needed monsoon, as the
advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. (Though this year
we have already had an abundance of rains.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[This Lord Vishnu is the Garbhodakasayi Vishnu - the 'second form' of Shri Maha Vishnu, also known as Anantashayi Vishnu or Anantashayana Vishnu. Anantashayana in Sanskrit, literally: 'sleeping/reclining on the serpent Ananta/Shesha'.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">He does not 'sleep', not literally, that is. It is
said Lord Vishnu is 'asleep': essentially to avoid holding any auspicious
ceremonies, such as weddings, etc, during these four months. [Primarily to avoid the
change of season/weather and the various ailments that comes with the onset of
monsoon. Instead, attention is paid toward maintaining good health, via
meditation and vrat (self-control/abstinence from rich, fatty or oily food),
performing <i>puja</i>, recital of <i>mantras</i> and <i>stotras</i>, and through charity.
Fasts and vrat/abstinence during this period help maintain good health.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: xx-small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Major festivals within this holy period (Chaturmaas)
include: Guru Purnima, Krishna Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi,
Navratri (Durga Puja - Vijayadashami/Dussehra/Dasara) and Diwali/Deepavali. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">1.</span><b>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Mars meets Jupiter:</span></b>
Before dawn on Sunday, June 21, the red planet dropped below M35 star cluster
and paid an extremely close visit to the largest world in the solar system.
Orange-hued Mars appeared less than one degree from Jupiter low in the
east. The two planets will glide past each other in the Gemini
constellation over the course of the next few days as Jupiter rises higher each
morning while Mars sinks close to the sun. [<i>For the best views, observers
will need to have a clear line of sight towards the horizon using binoculars</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">2.</span><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Venus pairs with
Regulus:</span></b> As dusk
sets in on Sunday, July 21, look towards the very low western horizon for a
beautiful pairing of two bright white, star-like objects. Regulus, the
brightest star in the constellation Leo, will set fast while brighter Venus
snuggles up to it - only one degree away. [<i>Regulus
marks the heart of the lion and lies 78 light years away. A hot blue-white
star, it is about 3.5 times larger than our Sun and, at 300 million years old,
is an adolescent when it comes to star lifetimes.</i>]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The best views will be
with binoculars from southern latitudes, where the pair will appear higher in
the sky and farther away from the sunset glow.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">3.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>A Rare Look at an
Iridescent Cloud: </b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">We've been told that every cloud has a silver lining - but
did you know some clouds wear a rainbow cap?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz0I4V58jJM-xgDILyvqvpmy4loP3gev8DPhnSg8Yv9dQ7W6WnGrcGMH9vmPYUxr4FEmjSb-RPvVLc4yIDhLXK9sBnG2zU_GIKowR9XVpsWr6q4SnxmVLdJhI_Cp9l5R6VzHhwbj4AAIX/s1600/Iridescent+Cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz0I4V58jJM-xgDILyvqvpmy4loP3gev8DPhnSg8Yv9dQ7W6WnGrcGMH9vmPYUxr4FEmjSb-RPvVLc4yIDhLXK9sBnG2zU_GIKowR9XVpsWr6q4SnxmVLdJhI_Cp9l5R6VzHhwbj4AAIX/s1600/Iridescent+Cloud.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">This breathtaking photo (</span></i></b><i>captured in mid-July)<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is of an iridescent cloud, a phenomenon occurring
right in our own atmosphere. </span></b>Iridescent clouds, known as
"rainbow clouds," occur when sunlight diffracts off water droplets in
the atmosphere.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">4.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Starry Night:</b></span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Despite the
glow from towns scattered throughout the valleys near Uludağ Mountain in
southern Turkey, stars that form part of the Milky Way shine brightly in the
skies above in this picture released July 6.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Np6tgJgxiSCXQqS0a9hHzpSKOK0lNkzBRvBPHZcXzU1r7HyDyqQ540fi5W7CamaVI9uDg1uTXnJ-cBoyebuY5s2yTifdNTNalCR_kPv1DaMH6oz1tFpwJO0MsWL3pCRG1Oet-XXDowBT/s1600/Starry+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Np6tgJgxiSCXQqS0a9hHzpSKOK0lNkzBRvBPHZcXzU1r7HyDyqQ540fi5W7CamaVI9uDg1uTXnJ-cBoyebuY5s2yTifdNTNalCR_kPv1DaMH6oz1tFpwJO0MsWL3pCRG1Oet-XXDowBT/s1600/Starry+Night.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">5.</span><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Cosmic Gold:</span></b> This artist's
illustration shows two neutron stars at the moment of collision. New
observations confirm that colliding neutron stars produce short gamma-ray
bursts. Such collisions produce rare heavy elements, including gold. All
of Earth's gold likely came from colliding neutron stars.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpQljo04MSAkZXjdSpLLVMU92Un2gTug0qSj8Grgyw5GPdd4BI-Qa-wpmx-FBJZMRoPoHZFlgFEEltQfwZm_DaCUs4mvCm0DLKJdgvDCCfJpCEE93k2mw6kLanQlpxd9fm9p8F_D1_yhJ/s1600/Earth%E2%80%99s+Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpQljo04MSAkZXjdSpLLVMU92Un2gTug0qSj8Grgyw5GPdd4BI-Qa-wpmx-FBJZMRoPoHZFlgFEEltQfwZm_DaCUs4mvCm0DLKJdgvDCCfJpCEE93k2mw6kLanQlpxd9fm9p8F_D1_yhJ/s1600/Earth%E2%80%99s+Gold.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Until now, astronomers believed that all the gold
on Earth, and in the universe, was forged in ancient supernova explosions. But
new evidence indicates that the birth of this precious metal i</span></b>s due to
the cataclysmic collision of two neutron stars. The impact produces a titanic
flash of intense but short-lived gamma ray bursts (GRB) along with a debris
cloud filled with a complex cocktail of heavy elements, including copious
amounts of gold.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Using
NASA's SWIFT gamma-ray hunting satellite, astronomers on June 3 detected just
such a distant, high-energy explosion - dubbed GRB 130603B - some 3.9 billion
light-years from Earth. The team of astronomers estimates that material (some
of it gold) equal to about one-hundredth the mass of our sun, was ejected by
the gamma-ray burst. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The
resulting infrared glow from the burst can only be produced by the radioactive
heavy elements rich in neutron stars, and the team believes it indicates that
GRBs are a product of two neutron stars merging.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>With
several moons worth of gold being produced by just one GRB, and the many such
blasts that are thought to have occurred since billions of years, astronomers
suggest that neutron star collisions are the primary factories for gold in the
cosmos.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
amount of gold produced and ejected during the merger of the two neutron stars
may be as large as ten moon masses. At today's market rate, that amount of gold
would be valued at ten octillion dollars - that's a 1 with 28 zeros behind it.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unlike
supernovae, where lighter elements like carbon and iron are born from the
demise of a single star, GRBs are the universe's most cataclysmic events and
are powerful enough to forge precious metals.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">6.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Silver
in Space: </b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Researchers have concluded that silver
production occurs in less massive stars than those that produce gold - and
through an entirely different type of nuclear fusion, called the weak
r-process.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlm1B-W78D1UMR9IWOP7Zb-p0PeT0zWiUwODamPQVYAK_FpQrF_A1yk-2ba0MMf-x3By6HC5m-Vxuvb_L-UJMReu_ojph48EwTT6oqOXxN83TD5hV-eaw4C-V4WMDT7Q-80ZQAoXnLCyF/s1600/Silver+in+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlm1B-W78D1UMR9IWOP7Zb-p0PeT0zWiUwODamPQVYAK_FpQrF_A1yk-2ba0MMf-x3By6HC5m-Vxuvb_L-UJMReu_ojph48EwTT6oqOXxN83TD5hV-eaw4C-V4WMDT7Q-80ZQAoXnLCyF/s1600/Silver+in+space.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Stars with masses eight to nine times that of the
sun may explode at the end of their lives as faint low-mass supernovae and
create elements up to palladium and silver, but not heavier. It seems that this
weak r-process can be connected to supernovae of much lower masses than what was
previously thought.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>So
while the amount of the metal ejected by a single star may be quite low - as
little as a billionth of the original mass of the star - these silver-producing
supernovae may be more widespread than their larger, gold-producing cousins. That
cosmic disparity, may help explain why silver on Earth is so much more abundant
than gold.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">7.</span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Eye
of the Moon with <i>Chander Budi</i>:</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVfHdmul8hPscatQgsLDSr24Q34Bbz1AqryAlgTgIyBWxjH8VFOe2dJ7LueYOZ9CUZUc9K7LBkfs05c7gDjd7pXBu4Bjaj2kNDMAQvMgXUxKrxXK6md6Y1h_DCww8GMGeVl1hJ_MfgKcQ/s1600/The+Eye+of+the+Moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVfHdmul8hPscatQgsLDSr24Q34Bbz1AqryAlgTgIyBWxjH8VFOe2dJ7LueYOZ9CUZUc9K7LBkfs05c7gDjd7pXBu4Bjaj2kNDMAQvMgXUxKrxXK6md6Y1h_DCww8GMGeVl1hJ_MfgKcQ/s1600/The+Eye+of+the+Moon.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">8.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><i>Byangoma</i> with <i>chhata</i>... since it's raining all around!</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWLOE0Tl7t3eNAz3NqcgimAymfWGuep9h8CMrcTtFCvOcKmijR-5IpbIKGZL_ACbqSYg8hrqlgQE3BPvqpjI30lTwElrY0CEr9tSsaReWryE-8dB9QzvS5J7pg_N1swVKL9lWKFYH4t5R/s1600/It's+raining+all+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWLOE0Tl7t3eNAz3NqcgimAymfWGuep9h8CMrcTtFCvOcKmijR-5IpbIKGZL_ACbqSYg8hrqlgQE3BPvqpjI30lTwElrY0CEr9tSsaReWryE-8dB9QzvS5J7pg_N1swVKL9lWKFYH4t5R/s1600/It's+raining+all+around.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-31537979783024215322013-07-18T00:35:00.000+05:302013-07-21T04:05:13.274+05:30Truly, Madly, Deeply by Faraaz Kazi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19fKqcbqmLugES9IOv420fNo91K9xHigjxBesKDiz-jipY3VHoe8kHQnAa3vVIz1bvsrkybIKRxoyifCh1wtGhoR2K5q0wJ-g9tMSzJBp7Wh43FVN9mnLKGGpgss4SyycQS4NwJ4CU0hM/s1600/TMD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19fKqcbqmLugES9IOv420fNo91K9xHigjxBesKDiz-jipY3VHoe8kHQnAa3vVIz1bvsrkybIKRxoyifCh1wtGhoR2K5q0wJ-g9tMSzJBp7Wh43FVN9mnLKGGpgss4SyycQS4NwJ4CU0hM/s1600/TMD.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Truly
Madly Deeply</b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">" is a song by Australian pop band Savage Garden,
released as a single in March 1997. But here we are referring to debutant
author, <a href="http://www.faraazkazi.com/">Faraaz Kazi</a>'s "<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Truly, Madly, Deeply ... <i>Memoirs of a broken
heart's First Love</i>!"</span> </b>Whether it
contains snippets from the author's life... my guess is as good as yours. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kazi wears many hats. [Refer: <a href="http://www.faraazkazi.com/about.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">link</span></a>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Book
Blurb</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>There are some who love and
conquer...</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>There are some who love and
forget...</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>... and then there is Rahul Kapoor!</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A pompous Rahul is head over heels in love with Seema, his
beautiful female equivalent from the same school. After a whirlwind of innocent
encounters, their teenaged romance blossoms yet both of them never confess
their love to each other. A series of misunderstandings and ego clashes cause
them to drift apart. Rahul loses his sanity and ultimately his love. By the
time he realizes the magnitude of his loss, it appears to be too late. Will Rahul
get back his Seema? Or will Seema never realize the depth of Rahul's feelings?</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This teenaged love story seeks answers to all these and
more as it alternates between the past and the present and makes you wonder; do
all love stories have a happy ending? Or do all love stories end, ever? TRULY,
MADLY, DEEPLY promises to be an emotional saga that will captivate the readers'
heart and fascinate his mind and leave him pondering - does love truly conquer
all odds?</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">More
about the book: <a href="http://www.faraazkazi.com/tmd.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">here</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My
Two Pence Worth</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b><span style="color: #351c75;">TMD is
a story of teenage love, a big chunk of which is set in India, the rest in
Philadelphia. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Philadelphia side of the story is established through: Burgers, pizzas and
fries, some Indian-Yankee English, 'bloke', green Fairmount Park, Schyulkill
River, Philadelphia's Museum of Art, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Van Gogh,
Tacony-Palmyra bridge, Delaware River, etc.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Providing
the <i>desi</i> touch is an assortment of Indian sweets: <i>halwa</i>, <i>jalebis</i>,
<i>pedas</i>, <i>laddus</i>, <i>gulab jamuns</i> and the syrup-infested
'rasgollas'. This is further bolstered by references to some <i>desi</i> fast-food/snack: <i>vada pavs</i>, <i>dhoklas</i>, <i>samosas</i>, <i>pav-bhaji</i>
and chicken <i>kebab</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's
mention of 5-star too. [On a separate note, our famous 5-star chocolate bars
have earned their stars - one bite is all you'll need... to know why we wrap them
in gold.]</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Speaking
of teenage, TMD is nowhere near <i>Hip Hip Hurray - </i>the popular television
series based on the lives of 12th grade students at the DeNobili High School
and their adventures, their fears and hopes, their relationships and
interactions. It is not an Indian version of <i>The Hardy Boys</i>,<i> Nancy
Drew</i> or even a <i>Sidney Sheldon</i> novel either. Kazi is called the
'Nicholas Sparks of India'. However, </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">yours truly can't quite make the connection... </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">being
Nicholas Sparks illiterate. </span></span></span></span>And despite the author's name (Faraaz) ... there's no
<i>raaz </i>in the book.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here's
what TMD is all about:</i> Rahul Kapoor, a school-going boy, is helplessly (and deeply) is love
with Seema Tandon. There is a clutch of secondary characters: Sahil, Bollywood,
Jay, Nazia, Grazil, Jess, Sapna, Farha, Asif, Dorothy ma'am, Godfrey sir, and a
few others. Sahil has a meatier presence, followed by Bollywood. Lines from
popular Bollywood songs, famous dialogues, including <i>Rahul... naam to suna hi
hoga</i> are a recurring presence. There is also reference to well-known scenes
like 'palat...palat...palat...' (DDLJ). To cut a long story short, Kazi's love for
Bollywood shines through - very brightly (in a clichéd sort of way).</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rahul is introduced as a newcomer to Delaware Valley High School. He is shown as a heart-broken young man, lost in his own thoughts and indifferent to everything around
him. Sahil tries his best to coax him out of his shell, but with little
success. A sketch is discovered and a fight (with a bunch of uncouth American
students) ensues. [The back and forth between them is ludicrous, to say the
least.] Thereafter, we learn about Rahul and Seema's meeting, how their
relationship turns into love... and how and why they drift apart. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's
mention of specially ordered Swiss chocolates: Ferrero Rocher (known for their
refined packaging) and the legendary triangular Toblerone, giant Hershey's bars
(<i>not available in India around that time</i>), Mars (<i>which was available
in select locations here</i>). We are also told about <i>Rahul going</i> <i>places</i> <i>to
find a dealer who would import good quality chocolates sooner than others</i>.
And that he <i>spent his entire month's pocket allowance to order expensive
chocolates not just for Seema but also for her friends </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;">Other
usual ingredients of a teen love story: petty fights, misunderstandings and
jealousy (albeit, heavily contrived); </span><i><span style="color: windowtext;">Encyclopaedia
Britannica</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;"> and a quiz... to
show the protagonist's intelligence quotient (obviously!), cricket... to display
Rahul's supposed hero-like attitude, et al pepper the book.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;">Kazi
has used poetry at certain points (before narrating a flashback scene). There
are quite a few poems and sonnets in the book. [Note: They are all about love,
culled from 'The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam', Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', 'Romeo and
Juliet', Wordsworth's pieces, and the like.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's
faded <i>Wrangler</i> jeans, <i>Adidas</i> sneakers and <i>Rayban</i> aviators.
Not sure why, though. And oh, there's a <i>Friendship card </i>and a <i>furry
teddy bear</i> (from Archies) too.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did I (as
a reader) connect with the story? Or with Rahul's supposed angst? Or even with
the Rahul-Seema romance?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
answer is: No.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;">The
reasons are: #1. Not fond of wooden dialogue and leaden plot. #2. No fan of
clunky writing and clunky title. #3. It's tedious to plod through an ocean of clichés. [There's
even the done to death </span><span style="color: windowtext;"><i>rakhi</i> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;">bit.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;">Frankly,
had TMD been somewhat on the lines of </span><i><span style="color: windowtext;">Hip
Hip Hurray</span></i><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal;"> that focused
(in a light-hearted manner) on issues pertinent for the younger generation, I
would still have enjoyed reading it.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That Kazi pulled out all stops for his debut book is very evident. He has tried hard;
very hard indeed... as can be gathered from all the flowery language (read: high-sounding
words) peppering the book. If the language had been simple and free flowing, the readers' journey could have been a little smoother. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rahul
comes across as chippy, an over-pompous immature boy prone to bouts of
anger and outburst. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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his character seems to have fallen out with practically everyone he
ever met - that's assuming he ever fell in with them in the first place. He does not come across as an all-rounder, let alone
charismatic and intelligent. Rahul does not generate even an iota of
sympathy. Instead: he needs a good shake-up, some perspective and a firm grip
on his life.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
doesn't know what to make of the supposed Rahul-Seema 'romance' either.
The novel often veered dangerously close to bathos. Also, anger or outburst need not be projected in caps.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though pocket-friendly (INR 150) TMD is not a breezy read. [In
fact, it took me a really, really, really long time to reach the last page. Phew!]</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book jacket cover (of the reprinted edition) is much better
than the one that wrapped the first print run (2010). However, a lot of thought
ought to have gone into the choice of titles - of each chapter. Stuff like:
'The Ego That Sparked The Fire,' 'Calumny, Confidence And Cricket Galore,'
'Apologies And Affections!' 'A Rendezvous To Bid Adieu,' and the like... rob off
the readers' interest (if any) in the following pages. Given the author's
penchant for songs, poems and sonnets, intelligent use of popular English song
titles or even poetry would have been a good idea.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is much scope for improvement (even innovation) there. <i>Ditto</i> the book blurb, language, grammar and editing. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Rating</u></b><b>:</b></span><span style="color: #330099;"> <span style="color: #351c75;">I am going with a generous 2/5 for
Kazi's debut novel. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Given that he has chosen the romance genre, the author should
have opted for the more interesting dialogue or conversation format (instead of the
impersonal 'telling' route). It's best not to 'tell' your readers what your
characters feel. It gets monotonous after a while. Show them through dialogue
instead. But that's very hard to do, and takes practice. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Besides, there needs to be cohesion, subject matter and good
grammar. The main parts of a story are character(s), plot and setting.
Grandiloquence alone is not enough. Also, setting a portion of the story in
a foreign land is all very good, however, knowledge culled from surfing the net won't
lend it authenticity.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully, with time, Kazi will do much better.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><u>Details of Book</u></b><b>:</b></span><span style="color: #330099;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Truly, Madly,
Deeply ... <i>Memoirs of a broken heart's First Love</i>!</span></b>/ Author: Faraaz
Kazi/ Pages: 310/ Genre: Fiction/ E</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">dition language: English/
ISBN: 9789350880098/ Publishing Date: November 10, 2012/ Publisher: Mahaveer
Publishers</span><span style="color: #003333;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">/ Binding: Paperback/ Price: INR 150.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: #990000;">Photograph</span></u><span style="color: #990000;">:</span></b><span style="color: #330099;"> </span><span style="color: #663366;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>TMD</i>.
Picture courtesy:</span> </span><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/truly-madly-deeply/p/itmdyth2zk8begdx?pid=9789350880098&ref=cd9d318f-6d2a-4a23-9dc5-a8fbf60c5a94&srno=m_1_1&otracker=from-search"><span style="color: #663366;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></span></a><span style="color: #663366;">. </span></span></div>
</div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-62023958253684110762013-07-12T20:25:00.004+05:302013-07-15T01:04:14.957+05:30Random 4.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;">1. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPsGSeBiys44NIrUQRsWMOm-Rc2wMC4L-7qPfhD3N0vhjFktHQEjfLy8r9OGcC9ozoSfDiGWJTukOHPsTH9Z2lKP9lmgenQETlh0gmGq-zbq8Z_71SO942T_P1sW08UgWvSkE7ZT86FCe/s1600/Jai+Jagannath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPsGSeBiys44NIrUQRsWMOm-Rc2wMC4L-7qPfhD3N0vhjFktHQEjfLy8r9OGcC9ozoSfDiGWJTukOHPsTH9Z2lKP9lmgenQETlh0gmGq-zbq8Z_71SO942T_P1sW08UgWvSkE7ZT86FCe/s1600/Jai+Jagannath.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwif8jLoQuZGEkSmMbEnQeNw7nY_4f37Hlq-xJWBgQBGQeYYXLGCn8JgPRgbAjOsprN404aUUhKFbTvo3j9rzS_G7FKDCx2YVv9FydRU7RWscHq6JY4tQgr51WunTZjTsYh_ix5K5l85aV/s1600/Ratha+Yatra!+Jai+Jagannath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwif8jLoQuZGEkSmMbEnQeNw7nY_4f37Hlq-xJWBgQBGQeYYXLGCn8JgPRgbAjOsprN404aUUhKFbTvo3j9rzS_G7FKDCx2YVv9FydRU7RWscHq6JY4tQgr51WunTZjTsYh_ix5K5l85aV/s1600/Ratha+Yatra!+Jai+Jagannath.jpg" height="84" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Jagannatha Swami</span></span><span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">
<span class="usercontent">nayana pata gami</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">
<span class="usercontent">nayana pata gami</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">
<span class="usercontent">bhava tu may ||</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br />
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u>:</b></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">|| O Lord
of the Universe </span><br />
<span class="usercontent">kindly be visible</span><br />
<span class="usercontent">kindly be visible</span><br />
<span class="usercontent">unto me ||</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">2.</span></span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Night Light:</span></b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Like a
celestial pipe organ in a grand cathedral, the skies above Fairbanks, Alaska,
come alive with a curtain of green auroras in this image snapped in March.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span class="usercontent">3.
</span></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Celestial
Fireworks:</b></span>
Looking like a skyrocket from a fireworks show, Comet ISON is seen here in this
false-color image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope on May 8, as it heads
toward an encounter with the sun later this year.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>At the time this image
was taken, the giant icy visitor from the outer solar system was still 408
million miles (656 million kilometers) from Earth, between the orbits of Mars
and Jupiter.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The teardrop-shaped
tail of this potential "comet/dhumketu of the century" is formed from gas and
dust flung off its icy nucleus as it begins to melt from the heat of the sun.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Over the next few months
as it approaches the sun, it's predicted to produce a bigger and brighter tail
that may become easily visible from Earth at the end of November 2013.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">4.</span></span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Cosmic Rainbow:</b> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Milky Way
shimmers like a cosmic rainbow over Utah's Capitol Reef National Park in
mid-June. [City dwellers worldwide rarely see such starry night skies due to
light pollution. <i>"Light pollution" is largely the result of bad lighting
design, which allows artificial light to shine outward and upward into the sky,
where it's not wanted, instead of focusing it downward, where it is.
Ill-designed lighting washes out the darkness of night and radically alters the
light levels - and light rhythms - to which many forms of life, including us,
have adapted.</i>]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">5.</span> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Green Lantern:</b></span>
A giant bubble of charged particles explodes off the green-tinted surface of
the sun, as seen in extreme ultraviolet light on June 18.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKizr8-WA805_fZMALIcKUySqkeUNbea24hWnIJpLoZW79IUsAdZqpmmquK5VWAcKrG46BRotG9tkoCMoVlNio_2-1kOLpjT6sziGATsd5yMaoNlB0ALcoX0-nDBtZeTPfhVZJS85f07z/s1600/Green+Lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKizr8-WA805_fZMALIcKUySqkeUNbea24hWnIJpLoZW79IUsAdZqpmmquK5VWAcKrG46BRotG9tkoCMoVlNio_2-1kOLpjT6sziGATsd5yMaoNlB0ALcoX0-nDBtZeTPfhVZJS85f07z/s1600/Green+Lantern.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>One of NASA's twin
STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) spacecrafts captured the
moment of eruption of this storm - called a coronal mass ejection (CME) - on the
side of the sun not visible from Earth.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">6.</span></span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Aurora Borealis:</span></b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">The northern
lights create a brilliant display over Canada's Yukon Territory.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiyh_U-8wYOoqDsnXqwBPMtsIlvFZC6VqokavF7Vrq8y9hD8vZNcww_deotDSDWhuzOtk7W4ZSABeKIq0yoAPyy4sqQVlvnunTsShCWSsy39hUBzj-a-kedQ4PbCn_Q18n4-LDekxw9tz/s1600/Aurora+Borealis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiyh_U-8wYOoqDsnXqwBPMtsIlvFZC6VqokavF7Vrq8y9hD8vZNcww_deotDSDWhuzOtk7W4ZSABeKIq0yoAPyy4sqQVlvnunTsShCWSsy39hUBzj-a-kedQ4PbCn_Q18n4-LDekxw9tz/s1600/Aurora+Borealis.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">7.</span></span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Early Morning Cosmic Parade:</span></b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Pleiades (Seven
Sisters), planets Jupiter and Venus, and Orion shine through the early morning
fog. (Pic: Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA69ApgIzvFI-CC4-11uPwoNWfgbuqSXr6hch0mumjq3hnFlcX_64BmbAOLMXWE7S6fNUyYkqW2jFrgg0ZV4CXr4hho0QD6jHsP-MHd2sCdJqBNBHEfLcn7V1dBUEJOGrZ6k-vgjTlgkt/s1600/Early+Morning+Cosmic+Parade.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA69ApgIzvFI-CC4-11uPwoNWfgbuqSXr6hch0mumjq3hnFlcX_64BmbAOLMXWE7S6fNUyYkqW2jFrgg0ZV4CXr4hho0QD6jHsP-MHd2sCdJqBNBHEfLcn7V1dBUEJOGrZ6k-vgjTlgkt/s1600/Early+Morning+Cosmic+Parade.jpeg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-weight: normal;">8.</span></span></span><span class="usercontent"> </span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Pouring Light:</span> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Like a river of
stars, the diffuse band of light that is the Milky Way appears to spill onto a
rocky peak near Springdale, Utah on June 25.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7xsPw0nuDeVTEerNaune1I7Ppo5w81xTwn4RcxhAb9ZJJbjOKBjeqsFEiHWq9YmrXxPQoDiOM-ILxUcq0h2uReBnUHw6EruI_BW3r9I3V_7mlFhjf25TPgDZ1qcLJCEynkSXNc4XxqNC/s1600/Pouring+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7xsPw0nuDeVTEerNaune1I7Ppo5w81xTwn4RcxhAb9ZJJbjOKBjeqsFEiHWq9YmrXxPQoDiOM-ILxUcq0h2uReBnUHw6EruI_BW3r9I3V_7mlFhjf25TPgDZ1qcLJCEynkSXNc4XxqNC/s1600/Pouring+Light.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;">9.</span>
</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Last Look:</b></span> Like a cosmic pinwheel, spiral
galaxy Messier 94 shines bright in ultraviolet light in one of the last
snapshots taken by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) satellite before it
was shut down on June 28.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAa85yHINU2C11tPCsKVh30valu69VtgUomb00_jJ4ZNrl1iFGATi9hiug1exsfWDObTlJGF-hDxy7CFGgeOSXYOaW4UV8CxrEasr7atYz5aVGa1te44PVmhVM_Nfz_gvmDHh51ecI1YUV/s1600/spiral+galaxy+Messier+94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAa85yHINU2C11tPCsKVh30valu69VtgUomb00_jJ4ZNrl1iFGATi9hiug1exsfWDObTlJGF-hDxy7CFGgeOSXYOaW4UV8CxrEasr7atYz5aVGa1te44PVmhVM_Nfz_gvmDHh51ecI1YUV/s1600/spiral+galaxy+Messier+94.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sitting 17 million
light-years from Earth in the northern constellation Canes Venatici, the
galaxy's core has a distinct ring structure wrapped by a set of spidery arms
made of millions of stars.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">10.</span></span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Cosmic Starburst:</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">A colorful
starburst-shaped aurora blankets the entire sky above Morinville, Alberta
(map), on the night of June 29.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxV2o9fdfFPukjEXUf1XmO4xUCue0YxXIesVwbQX9p_v1G-XZ2vWG9LIhuplklOYk3JyhZ3btEZ0e_oy5ntUZgylknuM81j8gD-g1acG5-Et3laB3ad__ia1fCgOq6Y5hUnsSsfUo2v_y/s1600/Cosmic+Starburst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxV2o9fdfFPukjEXUf1XmO4xUCue0YxXIesVwbQX9p_v1G-XZ2vWG9LIhuplklOYk3JyhZ3btEZ0e_oy5ntUZgylknuM81j8gD-g1acG5-Et3laB3ad__ia1fCgOq6Y5hUnsSsfUo2v_y/s1600/Cosmic+Starburst.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It was very strong and
seemed to be surrounded by an umbrella of light, almost reaching the horizon.
Humbling.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">11.</span></span> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Largest Baby Star,
Ever?</span></b> <i><span style="font-weight: normal;">An artist's impression of a massive
forming star, possibly the largest baby star ever detected.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Astronomers announced this week that they may have
discovered the largest baby star ever detected, nestled within a stellar
nursery 10,000 light-years away.</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The
protostar sits at the center of a whirling dark cloud of gas and dust. The
cloud - which is 500 times the mass of our sun - is the largest ever seen in
our galaxy. It is the most massive protostar known in our galaxy and a
beautiful network of filaments funneling even more matter onto it. Only about 1
in 10,000 stars is as massive as the one we are seeing forming. At some point
in the distant future, the surrounding cloud is expected to completely collapse
in on the star, making it more than a million times brighter than our sun.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>However,
because the star is still in the early stages of its life, astronomers can only
make an educated guess about its final mass. Comparisons with recently
discovered record-breaking mature stars indicate that it may end up at least
200 to 300 times the mass of the sun when it is fully formed. With so much
obscuring dust there would be no way to measure the forming star's current
weight nor predict its final mass, so the 500 solar masses observed is actually
the mass of the cloud, not the mass of the star itself.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>While
it is likely that there will be one or more that end up significantly more
massive than the sun, there is no good reason to believe that any of the stars
formed in this cloud are, or will be, the most massive in the Milky Way. Regardless
of who holds the heavyweight title, supermassive stars like the one growing in
this distant cloud are known to play a key role in peppering the cosmos with
the basic building blocks for solar systems like ours.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Here
are some cosmic treasures beyond our solar system:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">11. </span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Ring
Nebula in Lyra:</span> </b>imaged here by the Hubble Space Telescope, is one of the
most famous deep-sky objects for backyard telescopes since it is conveniently
located near the bright summer star Vega. It is the most famous of all
planetary nebulae - a psychedelic bubble of gas left behind by a dying star. [<i>Monday,
July 8, with the moon in new phase... it was an ideal time to hunt down the Ring
Nebula, or Messier 57, by looking high in the southeast for the star Vega and
its constellation Lyra - the harp, which marks the brightest corner of the
famous Summer Triangle pattern of stars</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2avmdD7CltdZ7wmEq0P_t_7OR5n30emcbrIaTaI-VbhsJ52wYPr_-pJjwKu9Ek2P4E1EjWdQqgaJy7vK-POiBgWgKpHGpwn3JEq8I9SHbcH5ImUtWFfVqsPaYu6muqBolXnMKP_vUckwC/s1600/The+Ring+nebula+in+Lyra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2avmdD7CltdZ7wmEq0P_t_7OR5n30emcbrIaTaI-VbhsJ52wYPr_-pJjwKu9Ek2P4E1EjWdQqgaJy7vK-POiBgWgKpHGpwn3JEq8I9SHbcH5ImUtWFfVqsPaYu6muqBolXnMKP_vUckwC/s1600/The+Ring+nebula+in+Lyra.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Resembling a small
equilateral triangle hitched to a parallelogram, Lyra is one of the smaller but
more easily recognized classical constellations, visible all summer long. The
Ring Nebula is located halfway along the line between the two stars forming the
side wall of the trapezoid farthest away from Vega.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The planetary nebula is
visible only through high magnification telescopes, and looks like a small pale
ring. Long-exposure photographs reveal the nebula in all its glory,
showing the expanding ring of hot gas in a beautiful rainbow of colors. While
it is a demure object at the eyepiece, it is amazing to think that you are
actually looking at a 1 light-year wide shell of gas thrown off by a dying sun-like
star over 2300 light years away.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;">12.</span> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Moon joins Lion's heart (Regulus):</b></span> By the evenings of Thursday, July 11, and Friday, July
12, the moon will rise higher in the western sky at dusk and will sidle up to
the bright blue-white star Regulus - the heart of Leo, the lion. The waxing crescent
moon will appear less than 6 degrees away from Regulus, which is 78 light years
away. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i><span style="color: #351c75;">Regulus
marks the heart of the lion and lies 78 light years away. A hot blue-white
star, it is about 3.5 times larger than our Sun and, at 300 million years old,
is an adolescent when it comes to star lifetimes.</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">......................................................... </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As Robi
Thakur said: </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Aamar mukti aaloy aaloy, ei aakashey,<br />
Aamar mukti dhulaay dhulaay ghaashey ghaashey<br />
Aamar mukti shorbojoner moner majhe<br />
Dukkha-bipad tuchha kora kothin kaaje ||</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[My deliverance is in the lighted firmament; in every
dust particle and in every grass of the earth/ ... My salvation is in the
universal mind and in my exertions defying all dangers and disappointments...]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do listen to this jewel of a song, <span style="color: #660000;">Aamar Mukti
Aaloy Aaloy</span>... [<span style="color: #0c343d;">My Salvation</span>] - rendered by Indrani Sen. (This song is part of
Swarobitan/Geetobitan):</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZulnyQjk8zM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And capture
the heartbeat behind Robi Thakur's verse:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| My
deliverance is in the lighted firmament (</span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">aamar mukti aaloy aaloy, ei aakashey<span style="color: #0c343d;">)</span></span></span></span></span> |</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
deliverance is in every dust particle </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">(</span>dhulaay dhulaay<span style="color: #0c343d;">)</span> </span></span></span></span>and in every grass (</span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">ghaashey ghaashey</span></span></span></span>) of the earth |</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Far beyond
the evanescent and the eternal (<span style="color: #660000;">deho moner shuduur paare</span>)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whence I lose
myself (<span style="color: #660000;">hariye feli aponare</span>) |</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the
melody of songs (<span style="color: #660000;">gaaner shurey</span>) lies my salvation (<span style="color: #660000;">aamar mukti</span>)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Flowing
high in the horizon above (<span style="color: #660000;">urdhe bhashe</span>) |</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
salvation is in the universal mind (<span style="color: #660000;">shorbojoner moner majhe<span style="color: #0c343d;">)</span></span>, in the hearts of others |</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Belittling
sorrows and perils (<span style="color: #660000;">dukkho bipod tucchho kora</span>), in tasks difficult (<span style="color: #660000;">kothin kaaje</span>)
|</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
salvation lies at the altar of the world's master (<span style="color: #660000;">Bishwodhatar jogyoshala/ Jagadishvar
ke yagyashala mein basey</span>) |</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lies in the heat
of self-sacrifice (<span style="color: #660000;">Aattwo-homer bonhi jvala/ Atmasamarpan ke badhti jvala mein
basey</span>) |</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whence I burn my
life as an offering (<span style="color: #660000;">Jibon jeno dii aahuti/ Jeevan ki jab di ahuti</span>), Salvation
comes to me (<span style="color: #660000;">Mukti ashe</span>) ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Note</u>:</b></span> Robi Thakur, a humanist, is referring to <span style="color: #660000;"><i>karm
yog</i></span>. To him: this world is the altar (<span style="color: #660000;">yagna-shala</span>) of the World's Master
(<span style="color: #660000;">Jagadishvar</span>). And he aspires to offer his soul for the Jagadishvar's <span style="color: #660000;"><i>homa</i></span>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That is: He aspires to be a true <span style="color: #660000;"><i>karm yogi</i></span>. (He wants
to perform/achieve difficult tasks, belittling all sorrows and perils). Therein lay
his salvation, <span style="color: #660000;"><i>mukti</i></span>.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like how Swami Vivekananda said:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Bohu-roope sammukhe tomar aami,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kotha khunjichho Ishvar?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jibe prem kore jei jon,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shei jon shebichhe Ishvar ||</span></span></span></div>
<br />
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God. <i>That is true worship</i>.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>['Coz the Almighty is everywhere, omnipresent: Vishwaroop, the Universal form.] </span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-1808506695054981202013-07-07T00:32:00.000+05:302013-07-21T04:56:30.597+05:30Reclaiming our History | Decoding the Ramayana: The *real* Shri Ram: Whether he was a "bad husband" and what is 'Ram-Rajya'? (Part-XXV)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Author's
Note</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <i>Please visit -</i>
</span><b><span style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/search/label/The%20%27Real%27%20Ramayan%2F%20Ram-Rajya"><span style="color: #660000;">The </span></a><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/search/label/The%20%27Real%27%20Ramayan%2F%20Ram-Rajya">'</a></span></b><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/search/label/The%20%27Real%27%20Ramayan%2F%20Ram-Rajya"><span style="color: #660000;">Real' Ramayana/ Ram-Rajya</span></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <i>- to read the other parts of this series, so as to be able
to fully understand or grasp the contents of this one.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Continuing
with our discussions <i>re:</i> the concept of "<span style="color: #0c343d;">self-realization</span>"
(<span style="color: #660000;">Siddha/Siddhesh/Siddheshvar/ArdhaNarishvar or Transcendental Being</span>). </b><b>Sri Bhagavan's verses from the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagvad Geeta. </b><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thoughts on:</span> the "Ultimate
Knowledge" and the "Ultimate Truth"; Hamsa and Hamsan; <i>Paramahamsa</i> or
Supreme Swan; </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam;<span style="color: #660000;"> </span></span>Panchatantra, Hitopadesha and Jataka Tales; Bheeshma <i>Pitamah</i>, Dronacharya and Karna; Leela-avatar(s) and their departure. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Notes on:</span> the 'Jiva-atma' and the 'Atman'; </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Advaita and Dvaita; </b></span></span></span></b><b>*<span style="color: #660000;">reasons</span>* behind the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata War and <span style="color: #660000;">*</span>what<span style="color: #660000;">*</span> they achieved; '<span style="color: #0c343d;">contemporisation</span>' (incl. tweaking, re-writing and interpolations) of the
<i>Valmiki</i> Ramayana and the Mahabharata (of <i>Maharshi</i> Veda Vyasa); Dharma; Raksha-Bandhan; the <i>Swastika</i> symbol; the Peepal
tree; Dhanvantari and Ayurveda. <span style="color: #660000;">*</span>Discussing<span style="color: #660000;">*</span> the Indus seals.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though we
discussed the concept of "self-realization" in <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/05/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIV</span></a></b></span>,
let's discuss it in a little more detail. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-knowledge
is "self-realization" or<i> </i>Paramaatma-realization. The total realization
of what the Param-aatma is all about or represents. The complete
attainment/realization of: Sat-cit-ānanda
(pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda - <i>one who has achieved eternal bliss of
self-realization</i>. <i>Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and
timeless; <i>cit</i> is consciousness; <i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In short: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-knowledge
("self-realization" or<i> </i>Paramaatma-realization) entails </span></span></span>a complete understanding/realization of
the "Vishwaroop" (Universal Form of the Almighty). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The "Vishvaroop" or
Universal Form of the Almighty encompasses/incorporates the whole of
creation/universe/cosmos (and everything in it... whether seen or unseen, animate
or inanimate). The word "Vishwaroop" is
formed by joining two Sanskrit words: "vishwa", meaning the <i>universe/cosmos</i>
and "roop", meaning <i>form</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Therefore,</span> <span style="font-style: normal;">"self-realization" or <span style="color: #660000;">Paramaatma-realization</span></span> <span style="font-style: normal;">entails a total understanding/realization of the
Lord in His formless (<span style="color: #660000;">nirākārā</span>) and un-manifested (<span style="color: #660000;">nirguna</span>) form + the Lord in His numerous <span style="color: #660000;">ākārā</span> (with form) and manifested
(<span style="color: #660000;">saguna</span>) version (transient forms/roop-s -
strewn all over the cosmos). </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In other words:
the complete understanding/realization of the <span style="color: #660000;">Avyakta</span> (</span><span style="font-style: normal;">nirākārā + nirguna) and
the <span style="color: #660000;">Vyakta</span> (ākārā + saguna) - form of the Lord. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This is: the </span><span style="font-style: normal;">"<b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Ultimate
Knowledge</span></b>".</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[For the "<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Ultimate Truth</b></span>", do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/05/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIV</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Srimad</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Bhagavad Geeta, Chapter 2, verse 72:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| esa brahmi sthitih paartha <br />
nainam prapya vimuhyati <br />
sthitvasyam anta-kale 'pi <br />
brahma-nirvanam rcchati ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u><span style="font-style: normal;">Meaning</span></u></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></b></span><span style="color: #990000; font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">esa brahmi
sthitih:</span></b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> the realization of the
Ultimate Truth; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>paartha:</b> </span>O son of Prtha [</span>Prtha<span style="font-style: normal;"> is Kunti's real name]; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>enam:</b></span>
this; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>prapya:</b></span> achieving, having gained; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nainam prapya vimuhyati:</b></span>
one is never again deluded; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sthitva:</b></span> being so situated; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asyam:</b>
</span>being so, in this state; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anta-kale:</b></span> at the end of life; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>api:</b></span>
also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>brahma-nirvanam:</b></span> liberation from the material existence and
attainment of the Ultimate Consciousness; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>rcchati:</b> </span>is assured.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u><span style="font-style: normal;">Translated</span></u></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> "O Arjun, having gained the realization of the Ultimate
Truth, one is never again deluded and even at the end of one's life, being
situated in this state, liberation from the material existence and attainment
of the Ultimate Consciousness is assured."</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc395_uzgVa6k43HKplO7PIPp-cX1SHZvsxW-uBeOX6fTzZkyoLixs2wh-CtQWTPgsh0-_9-26zfZlWaU0vJ6LHbCBpZq7GLtnaUHOS7gKwlkERgwDk-FUgEl2fTRCnqT2jWlNB68iiJ_/s1600/10+incarnation+wallpaper+Lord+vishnu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc395_uzgVa6k43HKplO7PIPp-cX1SHZvsxW-uBeOX6fTzZkyoLixs2wh-CtQWTPgsh0-_9-26zfZlWaU0vJ6LHbCBpZq7GLtnaUHOS7gKwlkERgwDk-FUgEl2fTRCnqT2jWlNB68iiJ_/s1600/10+incarnation+wallpaper+Lord+vishnu.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[The
"Dasavatara" represents ten of His leela-avatars and hence is a part of His
innumerable transient roop-s.]</span><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One who
completely realizes or understands the <span style="color: #660000;">Avyakta</span> (nirākārā + nirguna) and the <span style="color: #660000;">Vyakta</span> (ākārā + saguna) - form of the
Lord is a <span style="color: #660000;">Siddha/Siddhesh/Siddheshvar/Ardhanarishvar</span>
- a pure/perfected being or a transcendental being.<i> </i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Such a person<span style="font-style: normal;"> <i>overcomes his or her human boundaries and
becomes one with the world spirit.</i> </span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Such a person is <span style="color: #660000;">Paramahamsa</span> [Supreme Swan.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[As the Supreme Creator -
Brahmn - Shri Maha Vishnu completely understands this, hence, He is
Siddheshvar or Ardhanarishvar - the Ultimate Siddha or Siddhesh: the Supreme
perfected being or the Supreme transcendental being. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In other words: a Parama-hamsa. And since </span>all<span style="font-style: normal;"> wisdom and knowledge (including all forms of Yog)
emanates from him - He is the Supreme Yogi.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Just as "Nrsingh-avatar" does not mean "half-man,
half-lion". Similarly: "ArdhaNarishvar" does not mean "half-man, half-woman."
It simply means: Siddhesh or Siddheshvar - the Supreme perfected being or the
Supreme transcendental being. A Paramahamsa</i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>.</i> The other aspect of "ArdhaNarishvar" - <span style="color: #660000;">duality</span> - we will discuss in the later half of this post.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPXGlyT-wjLshFZiakE85744I1APbpITWU1MC-PCefg9qx3DKDEAiedsmUyTM-lfsHP2RfdF_H5OEKK5S1RLGj0aOT0ZOAmq7EbaNVKOn1bqAelu2Q44tYgrzwucFNINAMuuJO1LVgtqs/s1600/White-Swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPXGlyT-wjLshFZiakE85744I1APbpITWU1MC-PCefg9qx3DKDEAiedsmUyTM-lfsHP2RfdF_H5OEKK5S1RLGj0aOT0ZOAmq7EbaNVKOn1bqAelu2Q44tYgrzwucFNINAMuuJO1LVgtqs/s1600/White-Swan.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hamsa = a bird; either the white swan or
bar-headed white goose. The white swan is called <i>Raja-Hamsa,</i> literally: royal swan.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkmD_a7rNkt7TXfhyZJK3AxYI4fTrF_DdG-NL8mwlY0YOtMu85wmWbi-e7DMdwACq7a8GZcz592ihEetCKNKVu1r1PmGDfiHUZefkbue0dqiTPkGnBpO0auolnjQQ4sykyGPm-lZsf0U9/s1600/Devi+Sarasvati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkmD_a7rNkt7TXfhyZJK3AxYI4fTrF_DdG-NL8mwlY0YOtMu85wmWbi-e7DMdwACq7a8GZcz592ihEetCKNKVu1r1PmGDfiHUZefkbue0dqiTPkGnBpO0auolnjQQ4sykyGPm-lZsf0U9/s1600/Devi+Sarasvati.jpg" height="173" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The white swan is the symbolic 'vaahan' or
'vehicle' of <i>Devi </i>Sarasvati - the <i>goddess</i> (deity or symbol) of
learning, knowledge and wisdom (all of it of a <i>higher plane</i>.) Her real
'vaahan' or 'vehicle' (highly advanced aircraft) probably is one that displays
the qualities of a swan... that can fly in air, swim in water and walk on land
(the symbolic <i>trilok</i>). Similarly: <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati's 'vaahan' can
effortlessly traverse the whole of Trilok (the three worlds). <i>Devi</i>
Sarasvati is the consort of Shri Brahma (the one who resides in Satya-loka, the
<i>other</i> Brahma-loka, the highest planet in the Material
Realm. [Please refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Without all that <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati
represents or symbolizes, <i>Srishti</i> or Creation <i>cannot</i> be
sustained.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #333300;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is a <i>shloka</i> from the</span> </span><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Brhadāranyaka Upanisad</b>:</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">असतोमा सद्गमय। तमसोमा ज्योतिर् गमया। मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय॥ ॐ
शांति शांति शांति - बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् 1.3.28.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| (Aum) Asato mā sad gamaya</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mrtyormā amrtam gamaya</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aum śānti śānti śāntih ||</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Brhadāranyaka Upanisad 1.3.28)</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULzivohVeH_0oCNiu5c6-dcMrLIdDZ5AirYpOzeUyfAFL3NBBcmV7te5L44MLJH-J1CD_8NYbiMx9ODqzNIqm3cEFXe0edBcIf7Jp8jy3myzg_epkzq2uMtXv30hrPVxaR7ba-MmarGwT/s1600/Tamaso+Maa+Jyotir+Gamaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"(Aum) From ignorance, lead me
to truth (knowledge)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From
darkness, lead me to light (wisdom, enlightenment)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From
death, lead me to immortality</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aum let there be peace within ourselves, let there be peace in the world, let there be peace in the universe."</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ASJb5L_AYQq1ulV3rHVWo94Aon7Q7OJ7Qo6M6hR9p1TDGi0iitzzmZJB-KNGMT1twrgwbzc6xu_uiA6e6dDuROrXD_vV6LIomKWX9nU9JR8l2rVk41xJo2StsbpZ2npgZ_9zNb5lkHub/s1600/Tamaso+Maa+Jyotir+Gamaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ASJb5L_AYQq1ulV3rHVWo94Aon7Q7OJ7Qo6M6hR9p1TDGi0iitzzmZJB-KNGMT1twrgwbzc6xu_uiA6e6dDuROrXD_vV6LIomKWX9nU9JR8l2rVk41xJo2StsbpZ2npgZ_9zNb5lkHub/s1600/Tamaso+Maa+Jyotir+Gamaya.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Aum</b></span> (also known as <span style="color: #660000;"><b>Om</b></span>): The syllable Om (written
out as Aum with each letter having its own significance) represents Brahman,
the supreme creator, as well as the whole of creation. It is also the primeval
sound (Pranava Naad), the sound of the universe itself.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Hamsa</i> is an important element in
the symbology found in this ancient Vedic faith (Sanaatan Dharma) - and
represents: wisdom and beauty.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The very auspicious Raaga <i>Hamsadhvani</i>
is a soothing morning raga to be sung with a feeling of deep devotion and
repose. Hamsa = either the white swan or bar-headed white goose. Dhvani =
sound, song.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hamsa</i> or <i>Hansa</i>, meaning 'swan' as in Ramakrishna
Parama-Hamsa, stands for an ascetic, <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Hamsan</i></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Hamsa</i> is seen as a symbol of
purity, detachment, divine knowledge, cosmic breath (prana) and the highest
spiritual accomplishment. It is supposed to transcend the limitations of
creation - for it can walk on the earth, fly in the sky (air) and swim in the
water. Just as the swan or <i>hamsa</i> lives on water but its feathers do not
get damp, similarly a <i>Hamsan</i> (an <i>ascetic</i>) lives in this material
world full of <i>Maayaa</i> (illusion, transience), yet remains detached and is
not impacted by its transient and illusionary nature.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>hamsa</i> is supposed to possess the
ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to
separate milk and water symbolizes the need to differentiate between
good/positive aspects and bad/negative aspects as well as the eternal and evanescent.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is a quality that a true Hamsan (ascetic)
also possesses. [Here: ascetic or <i>Hamsan</i> is anyone that possesses the above
qualities. Need not only be the ones that have 'renounced' something or the
other.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AeAbOa3EkVc_QoUZJoRJQD0V0hpo6ISLXtVWV0-PnVNszjMa937nSQY9xUgymcllXlHqLmfl0BjK8rK-tDrAuzmw4BqOOhMzLDEYJe5SUDeTfqXFnm2Pz10v8ytjRK0KQfipWOm2SIbl/s1600/Krishna-Mayur.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AeAbOa3EkVc_QoUZJoRJQD0V0hpo6ISLXtVWV0-PnVNszjMa937nSQY9xUgymcllXlHqLmfl0BjK8rK-tDrAuzmw4BqOOhMzLDEYJe5SUDeTfqXFnm2Pz10v8ytjRK0KQfipWOm2SIbl/s1600/Krishna-Mayur.jpeg" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Krishna too has been compared to the
'Hamsa' and the magnificent peacock (Mayur). He is a <i>Hamsan </i>or 'ascetic'
in the sense that whatever he did was <i>not</i> for any personal motives or
gain. His was <i>selfless action</i> (Nishkam Karm) for the greater good
(Loka-sangraha or Loka Kalyana - welfare of all or welfare of the world.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Hamsa</i> represents perfect union,
balance and life. A constant repetition of the word "hamso" changes
it to "Soaham", which means: "That I am" or "I am
He". Hence, the <i>hamsa</i> is often identified with the Param-aatma -
the Supreme Spirit (also known as: the Absolute, the Almighty, the Supreme
Being [Parameshvar], the Ultimate Reality). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In other words: <i>Brahmn/Brhman/Brahman</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Ham-sa</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> when inverted reads as <span style="color: #660000;"><i>sa-ham</i></span>,
which in <i>Sanskrit</i> means: 'the oneness of the human and the divine'.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">... Though this realization exists only in enlightened
persons:<i> </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Aham Brahmasmi</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">(ah-HUM
brah-MAHS-mee)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">[</span></b><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Brhadaranyaka
Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda</span></i><b><span style="color: #741b47;">]</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translation</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahman</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Meaning: <span style="color: #660000;">I Am Brhaman</span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The other three <i>Mahavakyas</i> are:</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">· <span style="color: #660000;">prajñānam brahma:
"Consciousness is Brahman" (Aitareya Upanishad 3.3 of the <i>Rig Veda</i>)
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">· ayam ātmā brahma: "This Self
(Atman) is Brahman" (Mandukya Upanishad 1.2 of the <i>Atharva Veda</i>) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">· tat tvam asi: "Thou art
That" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the <i>Sama Veda</i>)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Mahavakyas are "The Great
Sayings" of the Upanishads, the foundational texts of the Vedanta. Though
there are many Mahavakyas, four of them, one from each of the four Vedas, are
often mentioned as "the Mahavakyas".]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><i><span style="color: #660000;">Begin by meditating
for a few minutes, and then imagine that you are a crystal bead. You reflect
the light of every being in the universe, and your light is reflected in them.
Silently repeat the words "Aham Brahmasmi" and continue to envision
yourself as a beautiful jewel, reflecting and absorbing the light of the entire
universe. Rest in the silence and feel the expansiveness of your being - an
expression of the infinite field of intelligence and all possibilities.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur rightly said: "<i>aamare
tumi ashesh korechho, amon-i leela tabo</i>" (tr. Thou hast made me
endless). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Feel it.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #660000;">Aamare Tumi Ashesh
Korechho</span>' by Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Tagore's own translation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Thou hast made me endless, such is
thy pleasure. <br />
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This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh
life. <br />
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This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast
breathed through it melodies eternally new. <br />
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At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in joy <br />
and gives birth to utterance ineffable.<br />
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Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">Ages pass, and still thou pourest,
and still there is room to fill.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[It also reflects the inevitable and magical relationship
between the Self and the <i>Atman</i> or Brahman, the inner and outer, the
human need to constantly replenish and regenerate the self, and constantly seek
new sources of joy.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the awesome '<span style="color: #660000;">Mor Bina
Othhe Kon Surey Baji</span>' - penned by Robi Thakur and rendered by Srikanto Acharya:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">In other words: </span><span style="color: #741b47;">Aham Brahmasmi.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The subject matter and the essence of all
Upanishads being the same, all the Mahaavaakyas essentially say the same in a
concise form. Upanishads are inexhaustible sources of the spiritual knowledge
of ancient India. The focus of Upanishads is proclaiming the glory of
<i>Brahmn</i> [also: 'Brhaman'/'Brahman'] - <i>the Infinite Supreme Spirit, </i>the 'Param-aatma'
(also known as: the Absolute, the Almighty, the Supreme Being [Parameshvar], the
Ultimate Reality.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly: if we can
have the realization that we are one with <i>Brahmn</i> (the Almighty, the
Absolute, the Paramaatma, the Parameshvar, the Ultimate Reality), we can
respect each other and care for all living and non-living beings. If I realize
that you and I are part of <i>Brahman</i>, how can we hate or destroy each
other? I am destroying myself when I try to harm others, isn't it? </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| ayaM nijaH paroveti gaNanA laghu-chetasAM<br />
udAra charitAnAM tu vasudhaiva kuTumbhakaM ||</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">["This is my own and that a stranger" - is the calculation of the narrow-minded<br />
For the magnanimous-hearts however, the entire earth is but a family]</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore: Sanaatan Dharma has this
philosophy - <span style="color: #660000;">Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam</span> - that inculcates an understanding that the
whole world is one family. It is a Sanskrit phrase, meaning: the whole earth is
one family. The first word is made up of three Sanskrit words - Vasudha, Eva
and Kutumbakam. <i>Vasudha</i> means the earth, <i>Eva</i> means emphasizing
(is as a) and <i>Kutumbakam</i> means family. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9H0b-aHMmXcqdvQN5ufo4jYrp0adXYlT50zJBOPRVMrVTgreIwEv5JsHZoCBa-OgGOeWGCUHqBdiucK8ClBPIrf9FTmfJNATABzeDhXxIiiZiT5zArZveP34NGSEffzjRINbC8YTkxpH/s1600/vk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9H0b-aHMmXcqdvQN5ufo4jYrp0adXYlT50zJBOPRVMrVTgreIwEv5JsHZoCBa-OgGOeWGCUHqBdiucK8ClBPIrf9FTmfJNATABzeDhXxIiiZiT5zArZveP34NGSEffzjRINbC8YTkxpH/s1600/vk.jpg" height="46" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is a philosophy that tries to foster an
understanding that the whole of humanity is one family (... as opposed to 'Clash of Civilizations' or 'Us vs Them'). It is a social
philosophy emanating from a spiritual understanding that the whole of humanity
is made of One life energy (the Cosmic Energy of the Absolute/ the Almighty/
the Supreme Spirit [the Paramaatma]/ the Supreme Being [the Parameshvar]/ <i>Brhaman
</i>or the Ultimate Reality.)</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pfsW-35MQLxopVKg_kk-SRd2HsHRpMkHOUYzmf2u1yoYnfL0YRgNXUp2eG6kYz0x9guVCUYHCrp-HcQlipR0ye9Ws-YEKpnREHgGIc5Tn7uuFifFAWgsvdABKI20DWE2vHNljTkFiPVi/s1600/hitopadeshahowfriendsparted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pfsW-35MQLxopVKg_kk-SRd2HsHRpMkHOUYzmf2u1yoYnfL0YRgNXUp2eG6kYz0x9guVCUYHCrp-HcQlipR0ye9Ws-YEKpnREHgGIc5Tn7uuFifFAWgsvdABKI20DWE2vHNljTkFiPVi/s1600/hitopadeshahowfriendsparted.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The concept of vasudhaiva
kuTumbakam originates from Hitopadesha (though the original verse is contained
in the Maha Upanishad 6.71-73.) Hitopadesha is a collection of Sanskrit fables
in prose and verse. According to the author of Hitopadesha, Narayana, the main
purpose of creating Hitopadesha is to instruct young minds the philosophy of
life in an easy manner so that they are able to grow into responsible adults.
It is almost similar to the Panchatantra ('Five Principles') of Vishnu Sharma.
The whole philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is an integral part of ancient
Vedic philosophy (Sanaatan Dharma.) </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbqkTlaioUDRR3358vHEy4kBSVZElhrX7yrDmZwFcIylrXD0EwXuCt6r9Y7goVzDLePvrNsugb8Vby3SNJYbhq1dCGMAUwSk8nY0F6zm4_j0GCA4k48N5FqL-gqpgXmzq4oD8Su1XgVnV/s1600/crowsandowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbqkTlaioUDRR3358vHEy4kBSVZElhrX7yrDmZwFcIylrXD0EwXuCt6r9Y7goVzDLePvrNsugb8Vby3SNJYbhq1dCGMAUwSk8nY0F6zm4_j0GCA4k48N5FqL-gqpgXmzq4oD8Su1XgVnV/s1600/crowsandowls.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #660000;"><i>Hitopadesha</i></span>
(Sanskrit: Hitopadeśa) has been derived from two words, 'hita' (welfare/benefit)<i> </i>and 'upadesha' (advice/counsel). It
basically means to counsel or advice (upadesha) with benevolence, and for the welfare and benefit of everyone. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Imparting morals and
knowledge, Hitopadesha is one amongst the most widely read Sanskrit book
in India. The
<i>Panchatantra</i> (Sanskrit:
Pañcatantra), on the other hand, is an inter-woven series of colourful fables,
many of which involve animals exhibiting animal stereotypes and even human
qualities.<sup> </sup>It illustrates, for the
benefit of three ignorant princes... the central Sanaatan dharmic principles of <i>nīti</i>.<sup>
</sup>While <i>nīti</i> is hard to translate, it roughly means prudent worldly
conduct, or "the wise conduct of life".]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMgqiJQWKRGuh3lxfw5uwJCr-hB0KQI286VZaX_9inJ_WqP_OsJ7r46f-thyXT0UunRb6EbFqv4J7P1g2BzMC75FvkVfGkpUsNCuJnQSx1etAP9XpbH-dTTBoxYUAqbzBfRyATD7kWeWh/s1600/Jataka+Tales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMgqiJQWKRGuh3lxfw5uwJCr-hB0KQI286VZaX_9inJ_WqP_OsJ7r46f-thyXT0UunRb6EbFqv4J7P1g2BzMC75FvkVfGkpUsNCuJnQSx1etAP9XpbH-dTTBoxYUAqbzBfRyATD7kWeWh/s1600/Jataka+Tales.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Jataka tales, on the other hand, are dated
between 300 BC and 400 AD and were written for mankind to gain knowledge and
morality. Originally written in Pali language, Jataka Buddhist tales have been
translated in different languages around the world. The luminous fables of
'Jataka' are intended to impart values of self-sacrifice, morality, honesty and
other informative values to people. No less than 547 in number, Jataka Tales
are an important part of the canon of sacred Buddhist literature. These
anecdotes and fables depicts earlier incarnations - sometimes as an animal,
sometimes as a human - of the being who would become Siddhartha Gautama, the
future Buddha. Many of the tales are set in or near Benares, now called
Varanasi, a city in north central India on the banks of the River Ganga. It is one of the
world's oldest cities. According to tradition, Lord Buddha began his teachings at
Sarnath a short distance from this city.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's deliberate a little more on 'the oneness
of the human and the divine' (<span style="color: #660000;"><i>Ham-sa</i></span> when inverted reads as <span style="color: #660000;"><i>sa-ham</i></span>:
"That I am" or "I am He".)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our soul or <i>atman</i> is a part of the <i>divine</i>
(meaning: our <i>atman</i> is a part of the formless Param-aatma). The Sanskrit
words most closely corresponding to <i>soul</i> are "Jiva/Atma",
meaning <i>individual soul or personality</i>, and "Atman", which can
also mean <i>soul</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Atman</i> is seen as a portion of <i>Brahman</i>/the
Param-aatma<i> </i>(the Supreme Spirit - the source of
everything, the <i>cause</i>). </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Jiva-atma is the <i>individual soul or
personality</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">The </span></i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Srimad</span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 10, Verse 22 says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">|| indriyanam manas
casmi</span></i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">bhutanam asmi cetana ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><u>Translated</u>:</span> </b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Of the senses (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">indriyanam)</span></i> I am (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">asmi</span></i>) the mind (manas); and in living
beings (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">bhutanam)</span></i> I am the
living force [<i><span style="font-style: normal;">cetana,</span></i>
consciousness]."</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The <i>cetana</i>
or consciousness represents our <i>atman</i>. And <i>this</i> makes us - all
living beings - part of the Supreme Spirit, the Param-aatma.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></i><i>Srimad</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Bhagavad Gita
(Chapter 10, Verse 20) says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| aham atma gudakesha</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">sarva-bhutasaya-sthitah</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">aham adis ca madhyam ca</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">bhutanam anta eva ca ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"I am the Supreme Spirit, O Arjun,
seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the beginning, the middle and
the end of all beings."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What is today known as 'Hinduism' contains
many variant beliefs on the origin, the purpose, and the fate of the <i>soul</i>.
For example, <span style="color: #660000;"><i>advaita</i></span> (monism) or non-dualistic concept of the soul
accords it (total) union with <i>Brahman</i>, the absolute uncreated (the <i>cause</i>;
the Supreme Being or the Supreme Spirit), in eventuality or in pre-existing
fact. <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Dvaita</i></span> or dualistic concepts differ from this, instead identifying
the soul (atman) as a part and parcel of the Supreme Soul (Brhaman), but that
the <i>Jiva-atma</i> never loses its identity. <i>This</i> is where we - as an
individual - get an identity. According to our ancient texts, <i>this</i>
identity exists eternally; the soul <i>never</i> dies. It only transmigrates
from one body to another body. And therefore, Karm Yog is important.<i> 'Karma'
or 'Karm Yog' is not punishment, but an opportunity to redeem oneself.</i> Unlike the rigorous monism
(Advaita) of the Upanishads, the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta <span style="color: #660000;">integrates</span>
dualism (Dvaita) and theism (āstika).]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what Shri
Krishna said about the <i>atman</i> [<i>Srimad</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 20)]</span></i>: </span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Na jãyate mriyate
vã kadãchinnãyam bhootvã bhavitã vã na bhooyaha, </span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ajo nityaha
shãshvato'yam purãno na hanyate hanyamãne shareere || </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translated</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> "The <i>atman</i>
is never born nor does it die. Similarly, it is not re-created to come into
existence. Since, the <i>atman</i> is not born, is eternal and imperishable, it
has existed since time eternal and does not die even though the body dies." </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[And <i>this</i> is very similar to the
workings of the cosmic "Purusha-Prakriti" (the cosmic <i>Shankh</i>). We will
discuss it over the next few posts when we talk about Kapil Muni's saNkhya
Darshan or saNkhya philosophy. <i>The
representation of this philosophy has now come to be regarded as "Shiv-Ling" or
Shiv's Phallus.</i>]</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi2vT-R9CXgvwq6baOWbCEI1_MgwZpMNpYon_K_-XfsEzThX6uluCTbaeNazA7jon9i04unq8hrsSRRIxzL6Wha4R-yvztHUaJO0gvVQP0vHiYFQDc9Ypn8w1Jkjvh7oJ8TSTEsrO5yzh/s1600/krishnanarayana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi2vT-R9CXgvwq6baOWbCEI1_MgwZpMNpYon_K_-XfsEzThX6uluCTbaeNazA7jon9i04unq8hrsSRRIxzL6Wha4R-yvztHUaJO0gvVQP0vHiYFQDc9Ypn8w1Jkjvh7oJ8TSTEsrO5yzh/s1600/krishnanarayana.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As Arjun stood in the
battlefield of Kurukshetra, he was overcome with feelings of weakness and
confusion - since he faced the prospect of killing his own kith and kin. Realizing
that his adversaries are his own relatives, beloved friends and revered
teachers, he turns to his charioteer and guide, Krishna, for advice. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Responding to his confusion and moral
dilemma, Krishna explains to Arjun his <i>duties as a warrior and prince </i>besides
elaborating on a variety of philosophical concepts. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>sri-bhagavan uvaca</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">(<i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta,
Chapter 2, verse 11): </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| asocyan anvasocas tvam <br />
prajna-vadams ca bhasase <br />
gatasun agatasums ca <br />
nanusocanti panditah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">sri-bhagavan uvaca:</span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;">the Blessed Lord said; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asocyan:</b></span>
that which is not worthy of lamentation; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anvasocah:</b></span> you are lamenting; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tvam:</b></span>
you; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>prajna-vadan:</b></span> learned talks; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhasase:</b>
</span>speaking; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>gata:</b></span> lost; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asun:</b></span> life; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>agata:</b></span> not past; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asun:</b></span>
life; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b> </span>never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anusocanti:</b></span> lament; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>panditah:</b></span>
the learned.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b> </span>The Blessed Lord said: "While speaking learned words, you
are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither
for the living nor the dead."</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Verse 15:</span> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| yam hi na vyathayanty ete <br />
purusam purusarsabha <br />
sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram <br />
so 'mrtatvaya kalpate ||</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yam:</b></span> one whom; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>hi:</b></span> certainly; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span>
never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>vyathayanti:</b></span> are distressing; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ete:</b></span> all these; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>purusam:</b></span>
to a person; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>purusa-rsabha:</b></span> O noble one; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sama:</b></span> unaltered; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>duhkha:</b></span>
distressed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sukham:</b> </span>happiness; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dhiram:</b></span> patient; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sah:</b></span> he; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>amrtatvaya:</b></span>
for liberation; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kalpate:</b></span> is considered eligible.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"O noble one [Arjun], that person of wise judgment (who is)
equipoised in happiness and distress, and is steady in both, is certainly eligible
for liberation."</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ASP399AHytNq_7xJ9CqEtL6dHBwihLPf-wj8aWC7uUW1VYlpv8LFblH1TJX8xpprfpM9Vr9WIofZ4UDpCXvnG8AlgefveLgbo4R3yIbSmDzkr9IbjD76OPTS0H3Cs9nnXPXz4hG3q_8u/s1600/krishna_arjuna2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ASP399AHytNq_7xJ9CqEtL6dHBwihLPf-wj8aWC7uUW1VYlpv8LFblH1TJX8xpprfpM9Vr9WIofZ4UDpCXvnG8AlgefveLgbo4R3yIbSmDzkr9IbjD76OPTS0H3Cs9nnXPXz4hG3q_8u/s1600/krishna_arjuna2.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Responding to Arjun's despondency, Krishna
asks him to follow his <i>sva-dharma </i>or his 'duty as a warrior'. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> warrior or 'ksatriya' is an amalgamation of two words: <i>Ksat</i> means injury, and <i>tra</i>
means deliver. Hence, 'ksatriya' means: upholder of justice... anywhere, and not
just in the battlefield. For Krishna's 'Varnashram Dharma,' do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_16.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: it is <i>unlikely</i> that the
conversation took place in the battlefield. It probably happened elsewhere, in
the presence of other people (over a few days). And it may have been facilitated by the use of
technology, such as television screens (also known as: divya-drishti). And <i>this</i>
enabled a large number of people (besides Arjun) to "see" the
"Divine Form" (Vishwaroop) of the otherwise <i>formless</i> Supreme
Spirit/Param-aatma, and to hear Krishna speak about 'Karm Yog' and explain the
cosmic process as well as the meaning of destiny.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Krishna, Arjun's charioteer and guide
in the battlefield (of the greatest of Dharma-Yuddha-s), sought to allay the
latter's fears by teaching him about the distinction between the physical body
(which is impermanent) and the soul or <i>atma</i> (which is permanent):</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta, Chapter 2, Verse 12:</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| na tv evaham jatu nasam <br />
na tvam neme janadhipah <br />
na caiva na bhavisyamah <br />
sarve vayam atah param ||</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b> </span>never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tu:</b> </span>but; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>eva:</b></span> certainly; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>aham:</b></span>
I; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>jatu:</b></span> become; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asam:</b></span> existed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> it
is not so; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tvam:</b></span> yourself; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> not; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ime:</b> </span>all these; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>jana-adhipah:</b>
</span>kings; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>eva:</b></span> certainly; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> not
like that; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhavisyamah:</b> </span>shall exist; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sarve:</b></span> all of us; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>vayam:</b></span>
we; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>atah param:</b></span> hereafter.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b></span> "Never was there a time when I did
not exist, or you, or all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease
to be."</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 13:</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| dehino 'smin yatha dehe <br />
kaumaram yauvanam jara <br />
tatha dehantara-praptir <br />
dhiras tatra na muhyati ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dehinah:</b></span> of the embodied; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asmin:</b></span> in this; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yatha:</b></span>
as; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dehe:</b></span> in the body; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kaumaram:</b> </span>childhood; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yauvanam:</b></span> youth;
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>jara:</b></span> old age; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tatha:</b></span> similarly; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>deha-antara:</b></span> transference
of the body; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>praptih:</b></span> achievement; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dhirah:</b></span> the sober, wise; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tatra:</b></span>
thereupon; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b> </span>never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>muhyati:</b></span> deluded.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body,
from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly transmigrates from one
body to another. A self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change."</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Verse 17:</span> </b></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| avinasi tu tad viddhi <br />
yena sarvam idam tatam <br />
vinasam avyayasyasya <br />
na kascit kartum arhati ||</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>avinasi:</b></span> imperishable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tu:</b></span> but; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tat:</b></span>
that; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>viddhi:</b></span> know it; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yena:</b></span> by whom; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sarvam:</b></span> all of the
body; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>idam:</b></span> this; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tatam:</b></span> pervaded; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>vinasam:</b></span> destruction; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>avyayasya:</b></span>
of the imperishable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asya:</b></span> of it; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na kascit:</b></span> no one; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kartum:</b></span>
to do; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>arhati:</b></span> is able.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b></span> "But know that which pervades the entire body is
indestructible. No one is able to destroy the imperishable soul."</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 18:</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| antavanta ime deha <br />
nityasyoktah saririnah <br />
anasino 'prameyasya <br />
tasmad yudhyasva bharata ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anta-vantah:</b></span> perishable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ime:</b>
</span>all these; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dehah:</b></span> material bodies; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nityasya:</b></span> eternal in
existence; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>uktah:</b></span> it is so said; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>saririnah:</b></span> the embodied soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anasinah:</b>
</span>never to be destroyed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>aprameyasya:</b></span> immeasurable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tasmat:</b></span>
therefore; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yudhyasva:</b></span> fight; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bharata:</b></span> O descendant of Bharata [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">since
Arjun was part of the 'Puru Vansh' or 'Puru lineage,' also known as: 'Bharat-vansh'... after <i>Bharata</i> - the son of Shakuntala and Dushyanta (the mighty king of Hastinapura)</span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b></span> "Only the material body of the
indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity is subject to
destruction; therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata." [Here: Krishna is
urging + advising Arjun to follow his <i>Sva-dharma</i> and uphold justice... in
the battlefield of the greatest of Dharma-yuddhas (battle of principles).]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 20:</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| na jayate mriyate va kadacin <br />
nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah <br />
ajo nityah sasvato 'yam purano <br />
na hanyate hanyamane sarire ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>jayate:</b></span>
takes birth; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>mriyate:</b> </span>never dies; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>va:</b></span> either; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kadacit:</b></span> at
any time (past, present or future); <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ayam:</b></span> this; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhutva:</b></span>
came into being; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhavita:</b></span> will come to be; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>va:</b></span> or; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span>
not; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhuyah:</b></span> or has coming to be; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ajah:</b></span> unborn; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nityah:</b>
</span>eternal; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sasvatah:</b></span> permanent; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ayam:</b></span> this; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>puranah:</b></span> the
oldest; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>hanyate:</b> </span>is killed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>hanyamane:</b></span> being
killed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sarire: </b></span>by the body.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b> </span>"The <i>atman</i>
never takes birth and never dies at any time nor does it come into being again
when the body is created. The soul is birthless, eternal, imperishable and
timeless and is never destroyed even when the body/outer coil is destroyed
(dies)."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 22:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| vāsānsi jīrNāni
yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">tathā śarīrāNi
vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī || </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translated</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">"Just as a
human being puts on new garments, casting off old and worn-out ones, the soul
similarly takes up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and
infirm ones." </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The "First Law of Thermodynamics"
<i>(Conservation) states that energy is always conserved; it cannot be created
or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another</i>:
'Energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or
destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains
constant, merely changing from one form to another.' <i>So you see?!</i> The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta in Physics! :)]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 23:</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| nainaṃ chindanti
śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ<br />
na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati mārutaḥ ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b>
</span>never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>enam:</b></span> this soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>chindanti:</b></span> can cut to pieces; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sastrani:</b></span>
all weapons; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>enam:</b> </span>unto this soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dahati:</b></span>
burns; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>pavakah:</b> </span>fire; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>enam:</b></span>
unto this soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kledayanti:</b></span> moistens; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>apah:</b></span> water; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span>
never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sosayati:</b></span> dries; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>marutah:</b></span> wind.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translated</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> "I am the spirit/soul... the <i>atman</i>: any
weapon, elements of life or any danger cannot destroy me. I am Eternal.
Energetic."<br />
<br />
Krishna describes (to Arjun) the human soul as something that cannot be cut by
weapons, cannot be burnt by fire, cannot be drowned in water, cannot be blown
by the wind.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... But then (come to think of it) He is (very likely) <i>also</i>
describing Himself. 'Coz He <i>is</i> the Supreme Spirit/Soul - the
Param-aatma.<br />
<i><br />
Weapons cleave It not, fire burns It not, water wets It not, wind dries It not.
This self cannot be cut, not burnt, nor get wet, nor dried up. It is eternal,
all-pervading, stable, immovable and ancient. This [self] is said to be
un-manifested, unfathomable and unchangeable. Therefore, knowing </i><i>This</i><i> to be such, you
should not grieve. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">["It," 'coz the soul or spirit is energy. And energy has <i>no</i> form
or gender.] </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJF1Ta1HL9OqUIErb33uURntqOxaOPtQLCtj5F80t2dIYaLc4q_ZVFwU6FprRZIt51FPTMJJu02vujbCn82NC4Bap5b4a7GblmM7s5-i7IRF5B9e4wwahDUUfsaDjIYxhQXTb-izrMEWG/s1600/035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJF1Ta1HL9OqUIErb33uURntqOxaOPtQLCtj5F80t2dIYaLc4q_ZVFwU6FprRZIt51FPTMJJu02vujbCn82NC4Bap5b4a7GblmM7s5-i7IRF5B9e4wwahDUUfsaDjIYxhQXTb-izrMEWG/s1600/035.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Despite
being in His 'human-form' (and shorn of his godhood/divinity) Krishna is still
a 'leela-avatar'. Unlike other humans/mortals He is </span></i><i>not</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> part of the
constant cycle of life - in </span></i><i>any</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> of His periodic
appearances/leela-avatar(s). He arrives with certain specific purposes: to
bring down </span></i><i>adharm</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">, to restore proper
balance in society/civilization, to defend the noble principles of the eternal
way of life </span></i><i>aka</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Sanaatan
Dharma. And (if necessary) to help revive/regenerate it </span></i></span>(<span style="color: #660000;">dharma-samsthapanarthaya</span><span style="color: #351c75;">...)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">He
and His actions (as a leela-avatar) also hold a mirror to society.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">And
He arrives only when: </span></i></span><i><span style="color: #660000;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham</span></i><span style="color: #660000;">... [</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Whenever and
wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy in the </span><span style="color: #660000;">noble</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> principles and
ideals of the Sanaatan Dharma (the </span><span style="color: #660000;">eternal way of life</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> or 'the right
path'/'way of life' as it should be </span><span style="color: #660000;">for the greater good of mankind and for
society/civilization to flourish well</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">); or when such an alarming decline is
perceived or becomes a bane; O descendant of Bharata, only then, I, manifest <i>Myself</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;">. <i>Here Krishna is
addressing Arjun... but through Arjun He is also addressing</i><i> </i><i>us</i>. If one were to
truly understand the essence of the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta one will
completely understand as to why Sanaatan Dharma (not to be confused for "ism")
<i>is</i> the eternal way of life. It is rooted in "Loka-sangraha" or
"Loka Kalyana" - welfare of all or welfare of the world. It is no
different from "Ram-Rajya" - a just and inclusive society.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In His
periodic appearance/arrival (albeit in human form/incarnation/avatar) as part
of "... sambhavami yuge yuge"... He does what none (no other mortal) can do. He
also provides guidance and shows the way (i.e. He puts together the required framework/architecture, sets the ball rolling, sows the right seeds and creates the road-map for the future, besides identifying the most suitable entities to carry forward the unfinished work). Thereafter, it is for others (His
'instruments' et al) to accomplish the unfinished/remaining task... as part of <i>their</i>
karm yog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And once He accomplishes what
He set out to do...</span> <span style="font-style: normal;">He departs (to
Vaikunth-loka).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkRz_UvyhXHYDerxPSaDtffeGvIKXFdTDRohE-CO9WJDvU1ZxWymxE-PXel8z0jjEhyoEPb-bACgb1Sbe9Su8jy9j2iK0jM-ny81erpxnO_9Ti2yTldSXnPHbllbxdf8ByRAbsIU0pRDq/s1600/krishna_Jara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkRz_UvyhXHYDerxPSaDtffeGvIKXFdTDRohE-CO9WJDvU1ZxWymxE-PXel8z0jjEhyoEPb-bACgb1Sbe9Su8jy9j2iK0jM-ny81erpxnO_9Ti2yTldSXnPHbllbxdf8ByRAbsIU0pRDq/s1600/krishna_Jara.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That is why when the
hunter (Jara) unknowingly hit him with his arrow (mistaking him for a deer) ...
and then on finding out (who he has hit), begs and pleads to be forgiven...
Krishna only smiles, blesses him and departs. ['Coz with His task already
accomplished, the mortal coil had to go... for Him to return to Vaikunth-loka.] </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP9yGef0mYB6KsiSSlqvWJdog0CNrj_jADOZ1H3iamlx1kKGHwLBVAv3OnYdvTYU22SIYRYRt3YkZXOHZ-SCVHbdElVuqcenlNoCgrEv7BWiOwLqsilzsQ1P7l3LurKWKEtC5f3q6GMrY/s1600/Departure_of_Krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP9yGef0mYB6KsiSSlqvWJdog0CNrj_jADOZ1H3iamlx1kKGHwLBVAv3OnYdvTYU22SIYRYRt3YkZXOHZ-SCVHbdElVuqcenlNoCgrEv7BWiOwLqsilzsQ1P7l3LurKWKEtC5f3q6GMrY/s1600/Departure_of_Krishna.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So, while Jara continued to grieve over the discarded outer coil, Krishna
reaches Vaikunth-loka in a matter of seconds. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And <i>this
</i>is the reason why we (continue to) celebrate the birth-anniversaries of Shri Ram
(SriRām-navamī) and Shri Krishna (Krishna Janmashtami), or for that matter
'Narasimha-Jayanti' (to commemorate the appearance of Shri Nrsingh-avatar) and
'Hanuman-Jayanti' (to commemorate the birth of Shri Hanuman). So on so forth.
[In fact, we even commemorate (via the auspicious occasion of <i>Deepavali</i>)...
the return of Siya-Ram along with Lakshman (to Ayodhya) after the end of their
'exile period'.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But there
is no such occasion like a 'death-anniversary' or 'tirodhan-divas' or some
such. 'Coz none of their <i>departure</i> is to be
interpreted as 'death' (hence there is no such occasion), simply because the
Param-aatma is eternal. He has Eternal Life. The departure of His
leela-avatar-s (to Vaikunth-loka) merely signifies the end of yet another
eventful chapter (either: <span style="color: #134f5c;">#<b>1.</b></span> Yuganta: the <span style="color: #660000;">end</span> of an era/yug + the
commencement of a new era/yug, or <span style="color: #134f5c;">#<b>2.</b></span> Yuga-sandhya - the <span style="color: #660000;">twilight</span> of an
era/yug).</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">A maha-yug is a four-yug
cycle - consisting of Sat/Satya/Krita Yug, Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug and Kali Yug. </span>[Refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]<span class="textexposedshow"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The cyclical nature of the maha-yugs also indicates that
in <i>each</i> Treta... there will be Ramayan; in <i>each</i> Dvapar... there
will be Mahabharat. But does that mean the same thing will be repeated over and
over again? </span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow">The answer is: <i>No</i>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow">The terrain/topography will differ; the type of
flora and fauna will differ. Humans will differ. Weaponry will not be the same.
Even the challenges will not remain the same; 'coz it all depends on the people of <i>each</i>
era/yug.</span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">E.g. t</span>he Mahabharat War or the Kurukshetra War (in
the current maha-yuga) was fought for the following reasons: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>1.</b></span> In order to
eliminate the destructive-weaponry-wielding unnatural humans; these humans were
a result of highly advanced genetic engineering (including cloning) involving
entities on Prithvi-loka and the Higher planets (Urdhva Loka). <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">2.</span> </b>To put a stop to<b> </b>all experiments
directed at creating unnatural humans<b>.</b> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>3.</b></span> To protect this planet
(Prithvi-loka) from destruction (due to the large number of unnatural humans
+ destructive weaponry). <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>4.</b></span> To help civilization to flourish naturally
and peacefully. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>5</b><b>.</b> </span>To re-establish proper gender balance in society. <i>The
highly skewed male-female ratio in Dvapar is not difficult to figure out.</i> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>6.</b></span>
To establish certain noble/dharmic ideals and principles (in society) and to
eliminate certain negative/adharmic aspects. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>7.</b></span> To preserve/regenerate the noble principles
of "Sanaatan Dharma". [Sanaatan = timeless, eternal. Dharma =
right path, noble principles/way of life.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">... However, we do not quite know what transpired in the
earlier Dvapars.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFz9T-xzNeCW57hWyEKFXE2p_sgWJaPoODfEJD8CGJ5U1gAhEBvHHKtiZCS-0Vaeh_R8J0-tjPZriO3Ivww9fiu1hyiwVO5RpMZysuTiwcnj6huBHiFE_x5VzdKXIQ2LnZbvKEV2d_G2l/s1600/lord-rama-wallpaper05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFz9T-xzNeCW57hWyEKFXE2p_sgWJaPoODfEJD8CGJ5U1gAhEBvHHKtiZCS-0Vaeh_R8J0-tjPZriO3Ivww9fiu1hyiwVO5RpMZysuTiwcnj6huBHiFE_x5VzdKXIQ2LnZbvKEV2d_G2l/s1600/lord-rama-wallpaper05.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the other hand, the Ramayana War (in the current maha-yuga)
happened in order to establish certain guidelines in society. This era accepted
the following: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>1.</b></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>*</b></span>It accepted humans <i>not</i> born the natural way (i.e. humans
born out of an advanced IVF procedure) - as humans. [Shri Ram and his siblings
were born as a result of advanced IVF therapy.] <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>2.</b></span> It accepted
forest-dwelling humans (i.e. various groups of "vaan-nar" or
"Vanara") - as <i>full-fledged</i> humans. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>3.</b></span> There was a big
improvement in the status and position of women and other marginalized people
(such as "vaan-nar" or forest-dwelling human, the 'tritiya prakriti' and the
poor) - in society. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>4.</b></span> Ram was able to protect mankind from unnecessary bloodshed (and
thus prevented needless destruction.) <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>5.</b></span> Cannibalistic humans were largely
eliminated - and <i>this</i> helped the non-cannibalistic humans to thrive
(which in turn helped civilization to progress smoothly.) <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>6.</b></span><b> </b>Humanoids (e.g.
Kumbhakarna) were eliminated.<b> </b>[To know more about <i>Kumbhakarna</i>, do
read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XVIII</span></b></a></span>.]<b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">7.</span></b> The noble
principles of "Sanaatan Dharma" were salvaged since Ram was able
to establish a just and inclusive society (Ram-Rajya), by undoing an assortment
of social ills (that prevailed in the garb of 'accepted societal norms' or
"maryada"). [<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Do read:</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/11/shri-ram-whether-he-was-good-husband.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-I</span></a></b>, <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/11/shri-ram-whether-he-was-good-husband_12.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-II</span></a>,</b> <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/11/shri-ram-whether-he-was-good-husband_14.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-III</span></a></b></span> and <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/11/reclaiming-our-history-i-decoding_26.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-VII</span></a></span> </b>- to know more.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>*</b></span>The people of Treta Yug accepted humans <i>not</i> born the
natural way (i.e. humans born out of an advanced IVF procedure) - as humans. <i>This,
no doubt, helped childless couples to beget children + helped women too, who
otherwise have to bear the brunt of childlessness, in the form of harsh words
and behaviour (not only from their own kith and kin but also from society at
large).</i> And <i>this</i> would also have done away with the practice of multiple
marriages (so as to beget children). In Treta, due to the noble deeds to Shri
Ram and his siblings (who were born as a result of advanced IVF therapy) such
humans were <i>accepted</i> as full-fledged humans and as good for society. While
Dvapar <i>rejected</i> unnatural humans (including cloned humans) born due to advanced
genetic engineering.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFytL9UB1wqGHO8CVcrtzjgE0C9Vo9IH056odlePHEk5rp_AGFdIgzTo-thiaV6jiHnGFMGYmOOHMId4Axfh2zWJ8hwZwqVc6YCbtzEpsShmElEo85QMJG_fjwejJEFOPV772V8LzUkBN/s1600/sita-ram-theme-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFytL9UB1wqGHO8CVcrtzjgE0C9Vo9IH056odlePHEk5rp_AGFdIgzTo-thiaV6jiHnGFMGYmOOHMId4Axfh2zWJ8hwZwqVc6YCbtzEpsShmElEo85QMJG_fjwejJEFOPV772V8LzUkBN/s1600/sita-ram-theme-1.jpg" height="200" width="169" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before the ascension of Shri Ram, the condition of women and
other marginalized people (such as various types of "vaan-nar" and 'tritiya
prakriti') were pathetic. [There was no concept of "caste", though.] The
"Vaan-nar" or forest-dwelling humans were <i>not</i> even considered as humans.
They were taken as animals or sub-humans.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was Shri Ram (along with Sita<i>ji</i> and Lakshman, with
ample help from Kaikeyi and Manthara) who proved that the "vaan-nar" was
NOT animals or sub-human, that they were full-fledged humans with a distinct
culture, tradition et al. And given their deeds (flying various types of vimana
(aircraft), knowledge of medicine, Aryan tradition (noble way of life),
building engineering marvels, fighting battles, wielding advanced weaponry et
al... the rest of the humans of Treta Yug too <i>accepted</i> them as full-fledged
humans. [Vaan = forest. Nar = human. Hence: "Vaan-nar" or "Vanara" = forest-dwelling human.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And since all this had to be achieved, there was a necessity for
'exile period' so as to delay his ascension to the throne. 'Coz a routine ascension/succession as <i>Raja</i> Dasarath's son/heir would not have given him any moral
gravitas (required for undoing an assortment of ills that plagued society in the garb of
'maryada' or 'socially accepted norms'). He would simply have been bound by kingly
duties and obligations. [Do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/11/reclaiming-our-history-i-decoding_26.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-VII</span></a></b></span> - so as to get the drift.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Instead: Shri Ram successfully overcame all constraints put on him by various societal customs/traditions + kingly obligations... and brought about the required positive changes (societal change: change in customs, mindset, perceptions et al). Hence, he is revered as "<span style="color: #660000;">Maryada Purushottam</span>" - <i>one who overcomes obstacles in order to bring about positive societal change</i>.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Ram also eliminated obnoxious customs that subjected women
to 'tests' (euphemistically
known as 'agni-pareeksha': such as fire-walking or holding red-hot objects) so as to 'prove their chastity'. He <span style="color: #660000;">did not</span> subject
Sita<i>ji</i> to any 'agni-pareeksha' whatsoever. Siya-Ram's 'agni-pareeksha' was <i>not</i>
literal, but a proverbial one (trial by fire); one that they both underwent... so as to bring about
positive changes in society and to undo a whole bunch of social ills/negativities (that flourishd under the garb of 'accepted societal norms' or "maryada").</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzKc3vmQ_FZGv-Al6tW8qwE0r_EV1kvTU4-If_8FgaMXGWKnDtEgPpEjPgtH4ZscI_66tEYDId7z9TY6wtLrR1t5s3ky2SK4n1zLr8BQJwoo2j-vUAJabXPLzg0DpBPpdpci58fD5XCd7/s1600/Sri+Chaitanyadev+and+disciples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzKc3vmQ_FZGv-Al6tW8qwE0r_EV1kvTU4-If_8FgaMXGWKnDtEgPpEjPgtH4ZscI_66tEYDId7z9TY6wtLrR1t5s3ky2SK4n1zLr8BQJwoo2j-vUAJabXPLzg0DpBPpdpci58fD5XCd7/s1600/Sri+Chaitanyadev+and+disciples.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We know how Krishna departed, but it is difficult (nay
impossible) to re-construct how Siya-Ram departed. Or even how Lakshman, Bharat
and Shatrughna departed. 'Coz the current version(s) of the Ramayana (including
the current version of the Valmiki Ramayan) is a
much-copied-and-infinitely-embellished version, that is also heavily
'contemporised' (with interpolations). The 'Uttar-Khanda' talks about Shri Ram and his siblings taking
<i>jal-samadhi</i>. But then, the 'Uttar-Khanda' itself is accepted as a later
addition. Very likely the "Bhakti Movement" influenced it. ['Coz several greats
of the "Bhakti Movement" (such as: Sri Chaitanyadev, Guru Nanakdev<i>ji </i>and Sant
Kabir, even Sant Eknath and Trailanga Swami) are believed to have taken "jal-samadhi" or "salilasamadhi". Therefore: this bit (Shri Ram and his siblings taking <i>jal-samadhi</i>) is of tributary nature.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for Sita<i>ji</i>, we commemorate (via <i>Deepavali</i>) Siya-Ram's
return to Ayodhya (along with Lakshman) at the end of their 'exile period'.
However, there is a strong possibility that Sitaji departed much before Shri Ram. Maybe some
illness claimed her. Thereafter, Shri Ram attended all ceremonies and <i>yagna</i>
along with a golden statue of Sita<i>ji</i>. He never re-married, instead
concentrating on bringing up their twins (Luv and Kush) and governing his
kingdom as a just ruler (Ram-Rajya). [Hence, even to this day, a new bride is
blessed with the following words: <i>may you have a partner like Shri Ram</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Maharshi</i> Valmiki was <i>not</i> Shri Ram's contemporary, and hence, is
unlikely to have witnessed the events first-hand (unlike <i>Maharshi</i> Veda
Vyasa). Valmiki (very likely) heard the story of Ram and Sita from other
sources - and documented it, in his own way (and in the language that was
spoken in <i>his</i> times). However: we find that one of these sources was <i>Devarshi</i>
Narad (Narad <i>Muni</i>, the celestial sage residing in one of the Higher
Planets/Urdhva Loka). <i>Devarshi </i>Narad, suggested to him (Valmiki) to
write about the life and times of Shri Ram, the jewel of the Suryavanshi
Ikshvaku clan (Raghuvanshi lineage) and the most beneficent ruler the land had
ever seen.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Suryavanshi = Sun-worshipping,
Sun-flag-bearing/Suryadhvaj-bearing. And as we know: || </span><span style="color: #660000;">jyotisam ravir
amsuman</span><span style="color: #351c75;">
|| ~ <i>of radiance I am the radiant sun (</i>ravir amsuman).]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore: the mention of tall and imposing (as high as a hill)
four-tusked elephants (in the Ramayan) is not surprising. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four-tusked elephants lived millions of years ago and it is
highly unlikely that <i>Maharshi</i> Valmiki would have ever seen them. So, how
in the world could Valmiki have known about the four-tusked ancestors of the
modern elephant unless Narad Muni had told him about them?? <i>Some info... he may
have gathered via the literature available to him (though that is a very remote possibility).</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Fossil remains show that there were many steps in the evolution
of the 'Modern Elephant' and there did exist four-tusked ancestors of elephants
in various shapes and sizes such as Trilophodon, Tetralophodon, Gomphotherium
etc around 20 million years ago.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">So, imagine the number of times the 'Ramayana' has
played out on Prithvi-loka. Imagine how different each has been from the other.
Imagine the number of times the Ram-avatar has graced this land. And imagine
the number of places (including possibly the Arctic) that the 'Ramayan' has
played out since time immemorial!! [Why the Arctic?? <i>'Coz the similarities
between the Santa Claus figure and Kubera, the Guardian/Lord-of-North-Pole,
deserve more than a passing thought</i>. A deeper study of Vedic hymns and
Avestic passages might throw more light. The great <i>Lokmanya</i> Tilak too made
some very pertinent and sharp observations in his seminal work, 'The Arctic
Home in the Vedas.' However: "Aryan" was/is not a 'race', but a 'way of life'
rooted in noble principles. Various groups of these noble-natured people (Aryan)
migrated towards North Pole (maybe during Paleolithic global warming, though
some may have migrated after the end of the nuclear war between Krishna and
Saalva). The North Pole then had a very pleasant and conducive climate.
Therefore, these Aryans settled there (in batches), but during Ice Age, the
surviving ones (known as Arctic Aryans) traveled southward... and went in
different directions, in search of new lands (to settle down). In the process...
there was intermingling with other groups and cultures.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet the current version(s) of the Ramayan (including the <i>Valmiki</i>
Ramayan) deals with what?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Clearly, the succession of later interpreters and translators pruned out vast chunks of the Ramayan. Imagine the amount of information,
knowledge and <i>itihasa</i> that were also simultaneously discarded... and have
been lost - forever. Maybe: the later interpreters and translators could not
decipher much of the language; maybe they could not understand the awesome
technology, medical science, highly advanced weaponry, vimana (aircraft),
topography, and different types of humans, et al. And so, trimmed off all these
portions + 'contemporised' and 'remixed' much of the Ramayana (for the benefit
of stage plays, etc). And hence, the version(s) we currently have are
much-copied-and-infinitely-embellished versions that are (essentially) a sign
of the times (post the demise of the Gupta era). [Do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-IX</span></a></b>
<span style="font-size: small;">and</span> <b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_5.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-X</span></a></b></span>
- so as to get the drift.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly, even the current version(s) of the Mahabharat (the
comprehensive <i>itihasa</i> of Dvapar Yug) too is a
much-copied-and-infinitely-embellished version... complete with
'contemporisation', interpolations and 'remix'. A weak-willed Yudhishtira has been elevated to
the status of "Dharma-Raj" (the very embodiment of Dharma/justice/duty/responsibility) while
two great women - Draupadi and Kunti - has been denigrated. [Yet again a reflection/sign of
the times.] Much has been <i><span style="font-style: normal;">made of Bheeshm (given his age) and even Karna (the
"Suta-Putra" bit has been dramatized to the hilt + he has been lionized as "daan-veer"/epitome
of charity).</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM6skzGUISvsu7Pe93ntfxQAm0Y9kYqdlagsT-Rwy0XOL6SffCDGdRZ0_Gl7CDHepEMe7LQS7B7896uErTyTDqUN4f6CnHaMym9qQjf2qb-kopUcsV8UYzJgumEdtx9a7xEA4jUDRWB_W/s1600/Bhishma+-+sharasajya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM6skzGUISvsu7Pe93ntfxQAm0Y9kYqdlagsT-Rwy0XOL6SffCDGdRZ0_Gl7CDHepEMe7LQS7B7896uErTyTDqUN4f6CnHaMym9qQjf2qb-kopUcsV8UYzJgumEdtx9a7xEA4jUDRWB_W/s1600/Bhishma+-+sharasajya.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Much
has been made of Dronacharya, Karna and Bheeshma (given his age and status -<i> </i>that of a
"Maharathi" <i>+</i> so-called 'sacrifice' -<i> </i>supposedly giving up his claim to the
throne).<i> </i>But Krishna, if we observe closely, looks at one's </span></i><i>karm</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> and one's
actions (... and their likely fallout/outcome), and <i>not</i> merely one's age. Frankly: Krishna's clarity of
thought and action is remarkable... at all times. Also: Bheeshm was a highly unnatural
human (result of </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">very</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> advanced genetic engineering with elements taken from
multiple sources) and so, very difficult to kill. </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">H</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">ence the <span style="color: #660000;">metaphor</span> of 'ichchya mrityu' and 'shara-shajya' (bed of arrows) has been used. There was no 'sacrifice'
involved as such. </span></i><i>Raja</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Santanu fully understood the effects of unnatural humans (on
earth), and yearned for a natural/human heir. Once he found Satyavati, they
married. [Therefore, all this bit about Satyavati's 'conditions' (to Santanu) are later additions.] Satyavati already had a son - the prodigious Veda Vyasa (born out of a
short-term 'Gandharva Vivah' with <i>Maharshi</i> Parashar. [See: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/01/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_18.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XVI</span></a></b></span>.] </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">[The proliferation of unnatural humans in Dvapar was due to the extremely
skewed male-female ratio. </span></i><i>We will discuss all this in greater detail - in our later
posts</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">.]</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDNwaE8mu2J7eMaoNMtaff4y8_t6xlvDdYMSUFW8Gm2rkkUc3RI5UwGqFPROOc46FDbBw4LrfrsQIK9i7HNDSs6cS4rZ63zjbLan8h9LKJcHOKtRDTimXK1NM_qYbdwG2HgU2A5HOqBFt/s1600/bhishma-death-presence-lord-krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDNwaE8mu2J7eMaoNMtaff4y8_t6xlvDdYMSUFW8Gm2rkkUc3RI5UwGqFPROOc46FDbBw4LrfrsQIK9i7HNDSs6cS4rZ63zjbLan8h9LKJcHOKtRDTimXK1NM_qYbdwG2HgU2A5HOqBFt/s1600/bhishma-death-presence-lord-krishna.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bheeshm
was (no doubt) a stupendous warrior - a "Maharathi", but otherwise a morally
weak and indecisive person. He lacked clarity of thought and perspective.
Despite his age, position and experience, he lacked wisdom, clout and gravitas. He failed to
react even when Duryodhan and Dushyashana were insulting Draupadi. Even <i>then</i>
his concern remained as to </span></i>whose right it was to ascend the <i>Hastinapur</i>
throne: whether Yudhistira or Duryodhan (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">!) </span></i>instead of fighting <i>adharm</i>
- that was unfolding right in front of his eyes!!<i><span style="font-style: normal;"> He </span></i>simply opted for
silence (possibly) because of Duryodhan's nature... despite being cognizant of
the fact that what was happening should not have happened in the first place,
nor should it have been allowed to happen - ever. Dhritarashtra was helpless
and blind to his sons' fault. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc-o2ZrVjdUtDczIqZV9XrrT7NkyGWlCLyB7fRTfgaf7Xlgt6fwQv28Uy2Dgs8tOZ4WWBWh0nuGoaGUuxJvZkjNpITTELILfhNy-Lj5fVQyPAI5J2kceknVRa6TpVtBOShlABh-n_vREE/s1600/karna1_6412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc-o2ZrVjdUtDczIqZV9XrrT7NkyGWlCLyB7fRTfgaf7Xlgt6fwQv28Uy2Dgs8tOZ4WWBWh0nuGoaGUuxJvZkjNpITTELILfhNy-Lj5fVQyPAI5J2kceknVRa6TpVtBOShlABh-n_vREE/s1600/karna1_6412.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Karna (yet another stupendous
warrior/"Maharathi") was also morally weak and simply a 'tool' in Duryodhan's hands. [Much has been made about the "Suta-putra" bit, but a "Suta" was
simply a ksatriya/warrior/martial person who shunned weapons and became a
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>saarathi
</i>(charioteer), </span></span></span>wandering minstrel (kushalavya) or took up administrative functions instead. [There were three types of warriors: Rathi, Maharathi
and Saarathi.] No wonder his 'chariot-wheel' sank to the ground... when the time
came. The arrogant, self-centered and weak-willed Karna (despite being a tremendous warrior/Maharathi) was no match for the brilliance/'Sudarshan Chakra'
of Krishna. [Refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/01/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_25.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XVII</span></a></b></span>.]
To know about the real circumstances of Karna's birth, do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/01/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_18.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XVI</span></a></b></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuMTgIVTreVQMqrsvCCbFf37hkYN9hxi1BxojOn72gWdj5Rn77NgTxwChFbJror0iA9ZDtJnbHCN-x6gEOuKBSuXinIzrVHC-UiVqh44V4rLaWTaznW7ulZ7Y6g2MR5mvR7FGXJwx2TPN/s1600/srikrishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuMTgIVTreVQMqrsvCCbFf37hkYN9hxi1BxojOn72gWdj5Rn77NgTxwChFbJror0iA9ZDtJnbHCN-x6gEOuKBSuXinIzrVHC-UiVqh44V4rLaWTaznW7ulZ7Y6g2MR5mvR7FGXJwx2TPN/s1600/srikrishna.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri
Krishna was a master strategist, a reformer, a soldier-statesman and a diplomat
par excellence. [<i>He was a soldier</i> against adharm/negativities.] His brilliance
(euphemistically known as 'Sudarshan Chakra') put an end to various negative
entities, destructive weaponry + unnatural humans (along with all experiments
directed towards creating unnatural humans). His actions brought down <i>adharm</i>
and re-established the principles of <i>karm</i> and <i>dharma</i>. [A person's <i>karma</i> consists of the
action they take relative to their duties, called <i>dharma</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg8gjmcglF1ls9pmGTOCjwzAp9mORZXIXGUwiPDVnWzDRUWg9EEcmHcVI3qJuTkNpehNjGLgL93URNiQxvECZpWS02blSuMwWwzAE9et6eXMGJCQXJ4jR2uT9Cm73VI8jekEOJFHpmkR7/s1600/Duryodhana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg8gjmcglF1ls9pmGTOCjwzAp9mORZXIXGUwiPDVnWzDRUWg9EEcmHcVI3qJuTkNpehNjGLgL93URNiQxvECZpWS02blSuMwWwzAE9et6eXMGJCQXJ4jR2uT9Cm73VI8jekEOJFHpmkR7/s1600/Duryodhana.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">He used deception or the art of mind control in ample
measure - to fight negative elements: as can be seen from his interactions with
Duryodhan and ilk (who were being guided by Shakuni and had even exiled the Pandavas/vaanvas). When Duryodhan came to
negotiate with him (asking him to fight on his side), Krishna promised
Duryodhan his powerful Narayani Sena instead. However, He himself firmly remained on Arjun's side (as
his charioteer and guide)... by stating that he won't pick up weapons to
fight. Duryodhan rejoiced. Later, Krishna deftly relieved Karna (a major 'tool'
of Duryodhan) off his proverbial 'Kavacha' and 'kundal' - that made him invincible. Thus, Duryodhan's
power was greatly reduced. Also: Krishna ensured that none of the other
Pandavas came face-to-face with Karna (except Arjun). So on so forth. And he
did all this (and more) from a position of great weakness vis-à-vis Duryodhan. 'Coz the
latter belonged to the far more powerful and influential <i>Kuru</i> lineage. [Krishna hailed from the Chandravanshi/Moon-Worshipping/Moon-flag-bearing/Chandradhvaj-bearing <i>Yadu</i> clan. And as we know: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">|| </span><span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">nakshatranam
aham sasi</span></i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> || </span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">~ </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>and among the stars (<span style="font-style: normal;">nakshatranam)</span>
I am the moon </i>(sasi).</span></span>] Whatever
Krishna did was part of: dharma-samsthapanarthaya and vinasaya ca duskrtam. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8rMXDFei6wy89ECh79vhKDwijUhzS-S0Q_hz9UaFRMIUBGk4s15DYL_fMZdcqwgsdK9D-rrdEf1BsyZt0Vvrqt5H6pjVGWcTEIXuIaBf499eBEIlqJkYO_9muvRqhkjTODaYg9s9Fufm/s1600/varaha-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8rMXDFei6wy89ECh79vhKDwijUhzS-S0Q_hz9UaFRMIUBGk4s15DYL_fMZdcqwgsdK9D-rrdEf1BsyZt0Vvrqt5H6pjVGWcTEIXuIaBf499eBEIlqJkYO_9muvRqhkjTODaYg9s9Fufm/s1600/varaha-001.jpg" height="194" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Both Shri Ram and Shri Krishna used deception or the art of mind control...
since their circumstances were not ideal. Krishna's <i>Sudarshan Chakra</i> 'cut
through' any <i>vyuh</i>.] And if we are to observe closely, we can see the 3rd and 4th avatar in
Shri Ram and Shri Krishna. Of all the avatars/roop-s, the 'Varaha-roop' is the greatest.
However, the 'Varaha-roop' and the 'Nrsingh-roop' go hand-in-hand. 'Coz without a
great deal of courage, valour and determination, one cannot undo a myriad of ills, so as to bring
about positive changes in society (thus rejuvenating Sanaatan Dharma). Nor can one be ready to undergo the
proverbial 'agni-pareeksha' for the said purpose.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dronacharya
of course had scores to settle with Draupadi's father - <i>Raja</i> Drupad, and
<i>this</i> too probably clouded his judgment and better sense. Hence: He too
failed to rise above narrow selfish thoughts for a larger cause - to confront
and prevent <i>adharm</i>, despite being fully aware of the havoc such <i>adharm</i>
would wreck on society. Only the wise Vidur tried his best to stop what was
happening, but to no avail. But then, Bheeshma <i>Pitamah</i> - given his age, position and
deeds - could have and should have been far more authoritative and effective than the widely
respected but much-younger Vidur, is it not? However, that wasn't the case.
Unfortunately.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna's
use of power (for the greater good: <i>Loka-sangraha</i> or <i>Loka Kalyana</i>
- "welfare of all" or "welfare of the world") is precisely
what should have inspired or engaged Bheeshma <i>Pitamah</i>: to protect the <i>dharmic</i>
and destroy the wicked/adharmic: <i>paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam.</i>
Unfortunately, that <i>did not</i> happen. [BTW, Dronacharya too was an
unnatural human: do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XVIII</span></a></b></span>.<i><span style="font-style: normal;">] </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Only
Krishna came to Draupadi's aid and foiled the shameful machinations of
Duryodhan and Dushsasana... despite not being physically present in Hastinapur.
[Do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/01/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_10.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XV</span></a></b></span>.]</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcj8R_UdQKBMRrYeRUR7T3sBg_ii3g45u3-28HRx3f1qKC_M5HqHDJQECy9EyHGCx4ComitIvLrG7VkPC5TVZR8_2b3-1mEaD4a1VxDLeX2tlXmKs5QSEa1EbOFRIGo60dAut2AeeKXez/s1600/Draupadi+arising+from+yagna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcj8R_UdQKBMRrYeRUR7T3sBg_ii3g45u3-28HRx3f1qKC_M5HqHDJQECy9EyHGCx4ComitIvLrG7VkPC5TVZR8_2b3-1mEaD4a1VxDLeX2tlXmKs5QSEa1EbOFRIGo60dAut2AeeKXez/s1600/Draupadi+arising+from+yagna.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet, the current version(s) of the Mahabharat say that he held
out Draupadi as a bait... in front of Karna !! So imagine... the extent of 'contemporisation'
and 'remix' (for the benefit of stage plays, etc). [None of the current
version(s) of the Mahabharat talk about unnatural humans/genetic
engineering/cloning et al... even in passing. Instead, large swathes of the narrative has been
tweaked and re-written. In the process, we can see what has been done to Kunti and
Draupadi. And even Krishna!!! In <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/11/reclaiming-our-history-real-shri-ram_19.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-V</span></a></b></span>
- we have discussed the <span style="color: #660000;">birth of Draupadi</span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna was Draupadi's brother-in-law (Kunti being his
paternal aunt) and best friend (sakha). Rather, they treat each other as the
best of friends and confidants. And <i>this</i> itself speaks volumes of Draupadi's
personality, caliber, intelligence and eruditeness. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once when Krishna hurt his wrist (or perhaps finger; maybe
someone threw a weapon at him), it was Draupadi who rushed to bandage the wound. Krishna then tells her that with
this one act she has wrapped him in debt... but that he would repay each "thread" when
the time came. He also asks her what she would like in return. Draupadi simply
asks for his presence in her life - always. Krishna acquiesces. [We know about
the "vastraharan" episode, about <i>Rishi</i> Durvasa's unannounced visit along with
several of his disciples, and so on.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyuSlXZ45dHq19Uz72BgaWuMN4ZfBUB5Fb1KU5nOKBHaD6A71UXVVi1wAeGCYupNIjdbVxSNnDuP4aOvR6V4YtNb1DDVguy9qcJgzv5-SAiX-ReYYvbHfyWskTDcY0OxRa6F_RZvow_gK/s1600/draupadi_dushasanavadh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyuSlXZ45dHq19Uz72BgaWuMN4ZfBUB5Fb1KU5nOKBHaD6A71UXVVi1wAeGCYupNIjdbVxSNnDuP4aOvR6V4YtNb1DDVguy9qcJgzv5-SAiX-ReYYvbHfyWskTDcY0OxRa6F_RZvow_gK/s1600/draupadi_dushasanavadh.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even in the manner in which Krishna dealt with Duryodhan
and Dushshasana... he accepts Draupadi's request (after she undertook the great
vow - Draupadi shapat - that she would remain with disheveled hair, the symbolic
untying of the 'shikha', until the perpetrators of <i>adharm</i> have been
eliminated). [Krishna's brilliance makes it happen, but the final act... he lets
the mighty Bheem do the honours.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After Draupadi makes her request, Krishna gives her his
word (with the assurance that the Himalayas may move... but his words will not
change). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Draupadi's act of
bandaging Krishna's wound and Krishna's act of standing by her through thick
and thin.. is today celebrated as "Raksha-Bandhan" (abbreviated to
"Rakhi"). ["Raksha" is not 'protection', but a promise to stand by each other -
always. Bandhan = bond.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to legend, when Alexander
invaded India (in 326 BCE), Roxana (or Roshanak, his wife) sent a sacred thread
to Porus, asking him not to harm her husband in battle. In accordance with
tradition, Porus (or Paurava, Parvateshvar) honoured that <i>rakhi</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="textexposedshow">Let's return to Shri Krishna
and His sayings about the impermanence of the body and the permanence of the
soul.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><b>Verse 24: </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| acchedyo 'yam adahyo 'yam <br />
akledyo 'sosya eva ca <br />
nityah sarva-gatah sthanur <br />
acalo 'yam sanatanah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span><i> </i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>acchedyah:</b></span> unbreakable, indestructable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ayam:</b></span>
this soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>adahyah:</b></span> cannot be burned, incombustible; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ayam:</b></span> this
soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>akledyah:</b></span> insoluble; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>asosyah:</b> </span>cannot be dried,
unwitherable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>eva:</b></span> certainly; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> and; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nityah:</b>
</span>everlasting, eternal; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sarva-gatah:</b></span> all-pervading; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sthanuh:</b>
</span>unchangeable, unmodifiable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>acalah:</b> </span>immovable; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ayam:</b></span> this soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sanatanah:</b></span>
eternally the same, primordial. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b></span> "This individual soul is
indestructible; it is incombustible, insoluble and unwitherable. It is eternal,
all-pervading, unchangeable, immovable and primordial."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 30:</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| dehi nityam avadhyo 'yam <br />
dehe sarvasya bharata <br />
tasmat sarvani bhutani <br />
na tvam socitum arhasi ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dehi nityam:</b> </span>eternal soul;
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>avadhyah:</b></span> cannot be killed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ayam:</b></span> this soul; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dehe:</b></span> within
the body; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sarvasya:</b></span> of every living entity; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bharata:</b></span> O descendant
of Bharata; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tasmat:</b></span> therefore; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sarvani:</b> </span>all; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhutani:</b></span>
living entities (that are born); <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tvam:</b> </span>you; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>socitum:</b></span>
to lament; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>arhasi:</b></span> deserve.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"O descendant of Bharata
(addressing Arjun), this eternal soul within the body of every living entity is
immortal; therefore, you should not lament for any being."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 31:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| sva-dharmam api caveksya <br />
na vikampitum arhasi <br />
dharmyad dhi yuddhac chreyo 'nyat <br />
ksatriyasya na vidyate ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sva-dharmam:</b></span> one's
principles/duty (dharma) born out of one’s nature (pravritti); <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>api:</b></span>
also, moreover; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> indeed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>aveksya:</b></span> considering; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span>
never; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>vikampitum:</b></span> to hesitate, falter; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>arhasi:</b></span> you deserve; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dharmyat
yuddhat:</b></span> than a battle for the establishment of the right principles (that
benefits mankind/society); <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>hi:</b></span> indeed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>anyat sreyah:</b></span> a more
appropriate engagement/endeavour; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ksatriyasya:</b> </span>of the ksatriya/for
upholders of justice; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> does not; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>vidyate:</b></span> exist.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"Considering your specific duty as
a <i>ksatriya </i>(upholder of justice), you should not falter. You should know
that there is no better engagement for you than upholding justice (right
or noble principles); and so there is no need for hesitation. Indeed for upholders of
justice (ksatriya) there does not exist a more appropriate engagement than a
struggle to establish the right principles (thus benefiting mankind/society)."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 33:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| atha cet tvam imam dharmyam <br />
sangramam na karisyasi <br />
tatah sva-dharmam kirtim ca <br />
hitva papam avapsyasi ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>atha:</b> </span>therefore; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>cet:</b></span>
if; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tvam:</b></span> you; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>imam:</b></span> this; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>dharmyam:</b></span> sacred duty, principles; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sangramam:</b></span>
fighting; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>na:</b></span> do not; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>karisyasi:</b></span> perform; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tatah:</b></span> then; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sva-dharmam:</b></span>
your duty as a ksatriya/warrior/upholder of justice; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kirtim:</b></span> reputation;
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>hitva:</b></span> losing; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>papam:</b></span> sinful reaction; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>avapsyasi:</b>
</span>do gain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>: </b></span>"If, however, you do not engage in
this war of principles, then you will certainly incur sins (<i>paap</i>, negative
karm) for neglecting/abandoning your <i>sva-dharma</i>, your duties/responsibilities as a <i>ksatriya,</i>
and thus lose your reputation as a warrior (upholder of justice)."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 34: </b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| akirtim capi bhutani <br />
kathayisyanti te 'vyayam <br />
sambhavitasya cakirtir <br />
maranad atiricyate ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>akirtim:</b></span> infamy; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span>
also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>api:</b></span> over and above; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhutani:</b></span> all people; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kathayisyanti:</b>
</span>will speak; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>te:</b></span> of you; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>avyayam:</b></span> forever; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>sambhavitasya:</b></span>
for a respectable man; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>akirtih:</b></span> ill fame; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>maranat:</b></span>
than death; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>atiricyate:</b></span> becomes more than.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"People will forever speak of your
infamy, and for one who has been honoured, dishonour is worse than death."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Verse 35: </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| bhayad ranad uparatam <br />
mamsyante tvam maha-rathah <br />
yesam ca tvam bahu-mato <br />
bhutva yasyasi laghavam ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhayat:</b></span> out of fear; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ranat:</b>
</span>from the battlefield; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>uparatam:</b></span> ceased; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>mamsyante:</b></span> will consider;
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tvam:</b></span> you; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>maha-rathah:</b></span> the great generals, mighty chariot
warriors; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yesam:</b> </span>for those whom; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tvam:</b></span> you; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bahu-matah
bhutva:</b></span> have been held in great esteem; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yasyasi:</b> </span>will go; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>laghavam:</b></span>
decrease in value.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"The mighty chariot warriors
(Duryodhan, Karna et al) will consider that you retired from the battlefield
out of fear and for those whom you have been held in great esteem you will fall
into disgrace."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 36: </b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| avacya-vadams ca bahun <br />
vadisyanti tavahitah <br />
nindantas tava samarthyam <br />
tato duhkhataram nu kim ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>avacya:</b></span> unkind; <b><span style="color: #a64d79;">vadan:</span> </b>fabricated
words; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ca:</b></span> also; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bahun:</b></span> many; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>vadisyanti:</b></span> will say; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tava:</b></span>
your; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>ahitah:</b></span> enemies; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nindantah:</b></span> while vilifying; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tava:</b></span>
your; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>samarthyam:</b></span> ability; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tatah:</b></span> thereafter; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>duhkha-taram:</b></span>
more painful; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>nu:</b></span> of course; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kim:</b></span> what is there.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>: </b></span>"Your enemies will describe you in
many unkind words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful for you?"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Verse 37:</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| hato va prapsyasi svargam <br />
jitva va bhoksyase mahim <br />
tasmad uttistha kaunteya <br />
yuddhaya krta-niscayah ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Hatah:</b></span> being killed; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>va:</b></span>
either; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>prapsyasi:</b>
</span>you will gain entry; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>svargam:</b></span> the
heavenly kingdom/Svarga-loka (one of the Higher Planets/Urdhva Loka); <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>jitva:</b></span> being
victorious; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>va:</b></span> or; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>bhoksyase:</b></span>
you enjoy; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>mahim:</b></span>
the world; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>tasmat:</b></span>
therefore; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>uttistha:</b></span>
get up, arise; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>kaunteya:</b></span>
O son of Kunti; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>yuddhaya:</b></span> to fight; <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>krta:</b> </span>with;
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>niscayah:</b></span> determination,
certainty.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b></span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span> </b>"Die and you are assured heaven [i.e. if
you are slain in battle, you will gain entry into heaven/Svarga-loka + you'll
be <i>mrityunjay</i> and live forever], victorious, and you will enjoy
sovereignty of earth [i.e. you will rule peoples hearts, you will be much
admired and respected by all]; therefore, arise, O Kaunteya [O son of Kunti;
Arjun] determined to fight."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[In other words: for those who
struggle/fight for a just or noble cause, there is nothing to lose.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Through Arjun, Krishna is advising each and
every one of us to shed our inhibitions, negative attitude and lethargy and go
forward to work hard for any noble cause (that benefits society). By
discharging one's duty (to the best of one's ability) and by abstaining from
what ought not to be done; one automatically contributes towards the betterment
of society.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna also advises us to try and overcome <i>adharm</i>
(negativities) within ourselves; <i>adharm</i> in our thoughts, minds and
hearts - that pushes us towards committing acts that are best avoided. He
urges us to try our best to overcome negative thoughts and words: like greed,
rage or anger. If one were to be filled with rage on finding injustice (adharm)
meted out to someone and protests against it, then it is welcome; but rage or
anger that results in the destruction of property or loss of innocent lives; or
leads to the mistreatment of the elderly, or of women and children, or of
animals - is to be avoided. One must try and overcome such emotions. If someone
is greedy about doing something good for the people... in the spirit of public
service <i>without</i> expecting anything in return, then such greed is good.
But if someone indulges in acquiring wealth and fame in the garb of social
service, then such persons or such thoughts should be resisted.] </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24-ufMt1iwcuc7OH_MoZjDmlXyIMVq4mnukocnQSCOwff1LEzvKmDUTMvkAbeEydxi-sqUjIWLnnr4zA_tWThqYMxTuM_2otMHrPa-c2eUIsRkGVjyjfM2OhOPXqjwDChryGKfgOg6XoB/s1600/Mahabharata-2236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24-ufMt1iwcuc7OH_MoZjDmlXyIMVq4mnukocnQSCOwff1LEzvKmDUTMvkAbeEydxi-sqUjIWLnnr4zA_tWThqYMxTuM_2otMHrPa-c2eUIsRkGVjyjfM2OhOPXqjwDChryGKfgOg6XoB/s1600/Mahabharata-2236.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: Krishna is not the Supreme guide and teacher, a great
visionary and class diplomat, Master strategist and Soldier-Statesman par excellence for nothing. Besides elaborating on a variety of philosophical
concepts and explaining the cosmic process + the meaning of destiny, He also
adds just the right dose of a 'certain something'... so as to spur Arjun into
action. So as to make Arjun shake off his confusion/mental weakness, shun his
inertia and follow his <i>sva-dharma...</i> with full vigour.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">As
we know: the Kurukshetra War was </span></i><i>not</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> fought over riches or territories. It
was a "Dharma-Yuddha" - a battle fought to re-establish certain norms in
society <i>+ </i>to defend/preserve the noble principles of Sanaatan Dharma.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Krishna
being a Tri-kala-jna/Trikalagya (a </span></i>"bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhu"<i><span style="font-style: normal;"> or the Master
of all things past, future and present) as well as the possessor of the Tritiya-Nayan
(the metaphoric Third Eye) clearly understood that for a proper societal balance to
return and for civilization to progress well... the negative entities + the
unnatural humans (along with their weaponry) had to be (largely) eliminated.
And that Duryodhan and ilk had to be stopped from ascending the throne... so as
to prevent </span></i><i>adharm</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> from
proliferating in society + weaving its way into Sanaatan Dharma (thus
destroying the noble principles of this eternal way of life). [Sanaatan =
eternal. Dharma = path or way of life.]</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">...
Arjun was His 'instrument'... but unfortunately he was raked with guilt and
self-doubt, hence dithering.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Thus: Krishna - the Supreme Balancer, the Supreme Preserver
- makes the decision for Arjun.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">In
fact, Krishna wields far less power and clout than Bheeshma or Dronacharya.
His circumstances were </span></i><i>not </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">ideal either. Plus: He was in a much
weaker position vis-à-vis Duryodhan and ilk. The latter - being part of the </span></i><i>Kuru</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> lineage -<i> </i>were
immensely more powerful and influential. Yet Krishna is decisive, has clarity
(of thought and action), finds solutions and provides guidance - irrespective
of the magnitude of challenge(s) ... for the </span></i>greater good (Loka-sangraha or Loka
Kalyana.)</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>So, what does He do? What was that 'certain
something' so as to spur Arjun into action?</i></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krsna smilingly (so as to camouflage the gentle sarcasm)
addresses Arjun as <i>maha-bahu </i>(mighty-armed). <i>This</i>, despite
Arjun's refusal to fight (in spite of being fully cognizant of the outcome of
such a decision). And <i>this</i>, despite Arjun's willingness to abandon his
duty/responsibility (sva-dharma) as a warrior/ksatriya/upholder of justice... simply because he
saw his own kith and kin on the other side of the battlefield... even though the
latter stood on the side of <i>adharm</i>. Krishna's sarcasm is nicely camouflaged...
yet destined to find its mark. Especially since it is also paired with what the
likes of Duryodhan and Karna will think of Arjun (if the latter retired from
the battlefield), and how his enemies will describe him in many unkind words +
scorn his ability.</span></span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #660000;">Dharma</span>, a term that transcends the mere confines of one's duty/responsibility
to a higher realm of societal good. It also transcends personal gains. </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As a <i>ksatriya</i>
(upholder of justice)<i>,</i> Arjun belonged to the Vedic culture, and it
behooved him to continue to follow its principles (his <i>sva-dharma</i>).
Indirectly, Arjun was advised to act as Krsna told him (so as to restore proper balance in society + salvage and/or defend the noble principles of Sanaatan Dharma).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To this greatest of all Guru, the Universal Guru, we bow in reverence:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gurur-Brahmaa
Gurur-Vissnnur-Gururdevo Maheshvarah |<br />
Gurure<span class="sword">[-I]</span>va Param Brahma Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Meaning</u></b><b>:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="lnum">1.1:</span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">The <span class="kword">Guru</span> is <span class="kword">Brahma</span>, the <span class="kword">Guru</span> is <span class="kword">Vishnu</span>, the <span class="kword">Guru Deva</span> is <span class="kword">Maha Eshvara</span> (the Supreme Eshvara/Lord; Auspiciousness and Compassion
personified),</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="lnum"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span class="lnum">1.2:</span></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">The <span class="kword">Guru</span> is <span class="kword">Verily</span> the <span class="kword">Para-Brahmn</span> (Supreme
Brahmn), <span class="kword">Salutations to that Guru</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2pVNn6tcp4RJMMKioBzIusqOFSXEdM7WpVD05hzsww4Sa9tgsR0XjcmtQjYOLnvle9ZCP3WCl2ZVFhlWY_80r_YStby2uypQhGM85UC9eEEtZCexdedwwsVeP2FL0SazIfcxgbZNggb6/s1600/yogiseal1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2pVNn6tcp4RJMMKioBzIusqOFSXEdM7WpVD05hzsww4Sa9tgsR0XjcmtQjYOLnvle9ZCP3WCl2ZVFhlWY_80r_YStby2uypQhGM85UC9eEEtZCexdedwwsVeP2FL0SazIfcxgbZNggb6/s1600/yogiseal1.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is a
<i>seal </i>depicting that Universal Guru, the Supreme Parama-hamsa, the
Supreme Yogi (since all wisdom and knowledge... including the Vedas, the Vedanta, the Bhagavad Geeta
and all forms of Yog emanates from Him.)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The seal is a square seal depicting a male deity with
three faces, seated in yogic position on a throne, wearing bangles on both arms
and an elaborate headdress. Five symbols of the Indus script appear on either
side of the headdress, which is made of two outward projecting curved horns,
with two upward projecting points. A single branch with three peepal leaves
rises from the middle of the headdress. </i></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
Seven bangles are depicted on the left arm and six on the right, with the hands
resting on the knees. The heels are pressed together and the feet project
beyond the edge of the throne. The feet of the throne are carved with the hoof
of a bovine as is seen on the bull and unicorn seals. The seal may not have
been fired, but the stone is very hard. A grooved and perforated boss is
present on the back of the seal.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The three faces = the
three loka (Trilok) or the three worlds (tri-bhUvan). Hence the seated Yogi is
none other than the Lord of the three worlds: the 'tribhUvaneshvar', the
Trilok Sundar: Purushottam Satya. The three faces denote the cosmic
Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. [Please refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/05/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIV</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The elaborate headdress
is made of two outward projecting <i>curved horns</i>, with two upward projecting points: 'coz Krishna is also the Supreme Bull (vrisha uttamam) or <i>Bhagavan</i> Dharma. He is Dharma (justice and duty) personified. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dharma
is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, vrishabha. It does not refer to a bovine creature<i> </i>per se. <i>We will discuss the
symbology of the bull in greater detail - in our next post</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Five symbols of the Indus
script that appear on either side of the headdress: probably <i>this</i> was how
Vishnu or Krsna was written in the Indus script (Hieroglyphs).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The horned headdress has a
branch with three prongs or peepal leaves emerging from the center.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And in the <i>Srimad</i>
Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse: 26), Shri Krishna describes the glory of the
peepal tree thus:</span></span></span></div>
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<div class="c" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u><span style="font-style: normal;">Translated</span></u></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">||
among trees, I am the ashvattha (peepal) ||</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Therefore, the seated yogi figure is clearly Shri
Krishna - the Supreme Yogi, the Supreme Parama-hamsa. [However, the fish hieroglyph instantly piques one's interest, no?! <i>We will discuss it in our next post.</i>]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCoj-7YOSzZm2UWoY5kjh2cTf4JSaGfnUbql3_88QgpLhPzCf5Wh-LMuo9bNPmJ6iieYUZ8RsrZryelFG0a_kte-QnnmA1I9ObF2mWaPyKertwYGsqqIg5q5KiI4MKXmTTkObjpTb81j_/s1600/Virat+Roop+of+Lord+Vishnu.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCoj-7YOSzZm2UWoY5kjh2cTf4JSaGfnUbql3_88QgpLhPzCf5Wh-LMuo9bNPmJ6iieYUZ8RsrZryelFG0a_kte-QnnmA1I9ObF2mWaPyKertwYGsqqIg5q5KiI4MKXmTTkObjpTb81j_/s1600/Virat+Roop+of+Lord+Vishnu.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This seal simply depicts the "Vishwaroop" in another form. We can even say it depicts Herakles or Hercules in another form </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">(and Herakles is none other than Shri Krishna)</span></span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[</span><i>What the 'bangles'
indicate, we will discuss in our later posts<span style="font-style: normal;">.
<i>However, what is notable is that: our ancestors could effortlessly depict the Param-aatma as someone wearing
bangles. We, their worthy descendents (in our infinite wisdom) have come to
regard bangles as 'sign of emasculation' or 'weakness' instead. Clearly our ancestors
were wise, we are... umm, otherwise, what? </i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">:)</span></i></i><span style="font-style: normal;">] </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHPUuFm1p9-qRJzyd8zXVldz3ij2qd4-8b0Ef84vVV7m4hAwCT9q00aulwOfnvotEOpcUxrVHv8kkFJ0VXs7zwOsIB1-voQxHE-gyMSag_JMYQWPjVwH-hqv79SDjwJDTF5Zhy3ColRoK/s1600/industablet2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHPUuFm1p9-qRJzyd8zXVldz3ij2qd4-8b0Ef84vVV7m4hAwCT9q00aulwOfnvotEOpcUxrVHv8kkFJ0VXs7zwOsIB1-voQxHE-gyMSag_JMYQWPjVwH-hqv79SDjwJDTF5Zhy3ColRoK/s1600/industablet2.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the <span style="color: #660000;">reverse</span>, a female deity is battling two tigers and
standing above an elephant. A single Indus script depicting a spoked wheel is
above the head of the deity. [The female deity is none other than <i>Devi</i> Parvati/Durga/Shakti.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The
spoked wheel or Sudarshan Chakra (as we all know) is associated with
Vishnu-Krishna, but it is also associated with <i>Devi</i> Parvati. The 'Sudarshan Chakra' remains in Virupaksh-Krishna +
Parvati/Durga's forefinger - at all times. His
brilliance - referred to as the 'Sudarshan Chakra' remains intact -
irrespective of whatever outer coil He assumes.] </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJFCsopyWr6-_XIdA2WjScVhkDegKP1Kn6BKZ4rmaflrrNedWbKSe0VAqLrK_qfl-xazAYjpUo82XhesArCZevYRppQG-81UrXIveHmvtWnkLBWLmQLRtPHXinSV2eoFsFFQE4QPzmt_H/s1600/The+Andromeda+Galaxy+as+seen+by+NASA%27s+Wide-field+Infrared+Survey+Explorer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJFCsopyWr6-_XIdA2WjScVhkDegKP1Kn6BKZ4rmaflrrNedWbKSe0VAqLrK_qfl-xazAYjpUo82XhesArCZevYRppQG-81UrXIveHmvtWnkLBWLmQLRtPHXinSV2eoFsFFQE4QPzmt_H/s1600/The+Andromeda+Galaxy+as+seen+by+NASA's+Wide-field+Infrared+Survey+Explorer.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do also
note the shape of the Sudarshan Chakra<i> </i>and that of the Andromeda Galaxy,
or other galaxies and nebulae for that matter. [In Sanaatan Dharma, the
<i>swastika</i> represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the forefinger of
Shri Vishnu (Virupaksha-Krishna). This carries most significance in establishing
the creation of the Universe and the arms as 'kala' or time.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Clearly:
Vishnu-Krishna/Durga-Parvati [Narayan-Narayani] runs the universe/cosmos.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This is what the "Devi
Mahatmyam" (Sri Sri chandipATh)</span><sup> </sup><span style="font-style: normal;">says:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam
Shakti-Bhuute Sanaatani |<br />
Gunna-<span class="sword">[A]</span>ashraye Gunnamaye Naaraayanni Namo<span class="sword">[ah-A]</span>stu Te ||9||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Meaning</u>:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="lnum">9.1:</span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">(Salutations to You O Narayani) In Whom is <span class="kword">Present</span> the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution</span> and Who is <span class="kword">Eternal</span>,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="lnum">9.2:</span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Who is the <span class="kword">Support</span> of the
<span class="kword">Gunas</span> (all noble aspects, attributes) and the <span class="kword">Embodiment</span>
of the <span class="kword">Gunas</span>; <span class="kword">Salutations</span> to
You O <span class="kword">Narayani</span>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;">Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam/</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution: the cosmic <span style="color: #660000;">Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram</span> - the Brahmn, the Param-aatma. [Narayan-Narayani. Parameshvar-Parameshvari. Jagadishvar-Jagadishvari. That's the <span style="color: #660000;">duality<span style="color: #351c75;">. Hence, the concept of "ArdhaNarishvar". It is <i>not</i> literal, though.</span></span>]</span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="color: #351c75;">.. Therefore,
the ancient Indus people (of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata) knew about the
Swastika and the Sudarshan Chakra, about Shri Vishnu and Shri Krishna, about <i>Devi</i> Parvati... and
worshipped them too! [So much for all the fictitious invasion theories!!!]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu-Krishna/Durga-Parvati [Narayan-Narayani]: the
Param-aatma or Supreme Spirit. Aatma/spirit is energy. It has <i>no</i> form of
gender.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREhXq0OKDHnTk5HtOj7tIrJhgPUtuhfur30E4-FCI_pzN-HyUdl8XO6HFnQPPxcn3jrDa5kIcpVOSEut_ugtArJOkkfXs3Ss9xy4e0kYq7lF3CwpgGaN6xKb9wmPQSfvsrOuKB-ntquKB/s1600/krishna_janmashtami-9437.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREhXq0OKDHnTk5HtOj7tIrJhgPUtuhfur30E4-FCI_pzN-HyUdl8XO6HFnQPPxcn3jrDa5kIcpVOSEut_ugtArJOkkfXs3Ss9xy4e0kYq7lF3CwpgGaN6xKb9wmPQSfvsrOuKB-ntquKB/s1600/krishna_janmashtami-9437.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Here is a popular prayer
song:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>त्वमेव माता
च पिता त्वमेव,</b><b><br />
<b>त्वमेव बंधू च सखा त्वमेव,</b><br />
<b>त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव,</b><br />
<b>त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव</b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-style: normal;">Translation</span></u></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">|| O Lord, You are the Mother, You
are the Father,</span></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">You Are
the Kinsman and You are the Friend.</span></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">You Are
My Wealth Of Knowledge, Strength, Power And Valour.</span></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">You Are
My God Of Gods ||</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Here are some more
lines:</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| tumhi ho naiyaa tumhi khevaiya </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">tumhi ho saathi tuhmi saharay ||</span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span><br />
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-style: normal;">Translation</span></u></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">|| You are the boat and You are
the boatman</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">You are the companion and You the
support ||</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The Swastika
symbol:</span></span> </b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The term </span>Swastika<span style="font-style: normal;"> has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika",
which means well-being: "SU" means "good" or
"auspicious," "ASTI" means "to be," and "KA"
as a suffix. The swastika literally means, "to be good".
Alternatively: "swa" is "higher self", "asti"
meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation
can be interpreted as: "being with higher self".</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Suasti</i> thus means
"well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i> either forms a diminutive or
intensifies the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i> might thus be translated
literally as "that which is associated with well-being,"
corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is
auspicious."</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIkusRvkwL6gA8UqMgYM0tIHm9udGY-5i1YZjw2PExR97YrjAxCdPMGJwz5YkyqXTEBPhGeeCngrD7hBUL72bxAy2YGZA5hW5PPfBL5RyZ5mNJVim6fmtAn0khx8M3RCuPRTDb8cdg0Az/s1600/images.jpgewg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIkusRvkwL6gA8UqMgYM0tIHm9udGY-5i1YZjw2PExR97YrjAxCdPMGJwz5YkyqXTEBPhGeeCngrD7hBUL72bxAy2YGZA5hW5PPfBL5RyZ5mNJVim6fmtAn0khx8M3RCuPRTDb8cdg0Az/s1600/images.jpgewg.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus <i>swastika</i>
means any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons
and things to denote auspiciousness, good luck or well-being.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most
traditional form of the swastika's symbolization in Sanaatan Dharma is that the
symbol represents the <span style="color: #660000;">purusharthas</span> (representative of the cosmic
spirit/Purusha): <span style="color: #660000;">dharma</span> (that which makes a human a human), <span style="color: #660000;">artha</span> (wealth),
<span style="color: #660000;">kama</span> (desire), and <span style="color: #660000;">moksha</span> (liberation). All four are needed for a full life.
However, two (artha and kama) are limited and can only give limited joy. They
are the two closed arms of the swastika. The other two are unlimited and are
the open arms of the swastika.<sup> </sup></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Swastika could also be a representation of the (cosmic) Purusha and Prakriti.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZTqr01Yn4-ojkER87zToEeg_JRmhHzhvPojPr7VOsDOpt9MOtgHthks00KVXalALK5MiVfa8InKHQ7owrTpEEI5VfN-dPa9a_GlADeuZYAtLNtvpcfwrlMmOwFI4xZT4Wv5ebERk5Gue/s1600/IndusValleySeals_swastikas.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZTqr01Yn4-ojkER87zToEeg_JRmhHzhvPojPr7VOsDOpt9MOtgHthks00KVXalALK5MiVfa8InKHQ7owrTpEEI5VfN-dPa9a_GlADeuZYAtLNtvpcfwrlMmOwFI4xZT4Wv5ebERk5Gue/s1600/IndusValleySeals_swastikas.JPG" height="115" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swastika
Seals from the Indus Valley Civilization<span class="kword">:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swastika
is considered to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune. Red Swastika is
the sign of Sanaatan Dharma; it depicts a cross with four arms of equal
lengths. The end of each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots
are also added between the arms.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQUSfQTK00etxZqL6hsMy9jLaegYvc5f_nhnU44U5QZTg38bgc0aGdsX0xSLr3PYy_TlK-bc7JlZTJ10sBoC0G6PQVEKdirYuD9oFKqSfmeUieW-_TEq9d-JqbAwNo5hSAs4BEmY2Iqtp/s1600/Swastika.svg.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQUSfQTK00etxZqL6hsMy9jLaegYvc5f_nhnU44U5QZTg38bgc0aGdsX0xSLr3PYy_TlK-bc7JlZTJ10sBoC0G6PQVEKdirYuD9oFKqSfmeUieW-_TEq9d-JqbAwNo5hSAs4BEmY2Iqtp/s1600/Swastika.svg.png" height="200" width="196" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the decorative form, used to
evoke sacred force.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ13dvv21FSOZLQerLmH5RKB01S1LyJgiIaOASmKSwMfotbPfa5azdxl4fjqDon8tOHoEg_LtUboSK5khfI1XGTDSR3o19_vM21gokUyvXVpgI3Au7bxGDluLyexPGjBbLnhs7FyZBjqG/s1600/Swastika+-+Indus+Seals.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ13dvv21FSOZLQerLmH5RKB01S1LyJgiIaOASmKSwMfotbPfa5azdxl4fjqDon8tOHoEg_LtUboSK5khfI1XGTDSR3o19_vM21gokUyvXVpgI3Au7bxGDluLyexPGjBbLnhs7FyZBjqG/s1600/Swastika+-+Indus+Seals.jpg" height="41" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Probably the most common
design on the Indus seals is the swastika. It occurs in dozens of seals and is
sometimes aligned with various animals like the elephant. [For elephant and what Sri Ganesh represents, do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_12.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XI</span></a></b></span>.] Bronze Age swastika
symbols were found at Lothal and Harappa, on Indus seals. Now, whether the Swastika
was a symbol from the early-Vedic period or from later-Vedic period or
in-between - my guess is as good as yours.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX92KXxC0I0ire76oyrZXBemV_m7dxiTBKr2IUMJQpeaLFLM5M6hQ3w7slwL1yZoQV6SC7fl-Vvz9q4GgieVekkfzmnSFfKjJpwpZqjyqJLNLpMhnYVZ7dxbmexJ9jAjPPK85AnZBjejc-/s1600/bisonseal.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX92KXxC0I0ire76oyrZXBemV_m7dxiTBKr2IUMJQpeaLFLM5M6hQ3w7slwL1yZoQV6SC7fl-Vvz9q4GgieVekkfzmnSFfKjJpwpZqjyqJLNLpMhnYVZ7dxbmexJ9jAjPPK85AnZBjejc-/s1600/bisonseal.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Bison
seal, Mohenjo-daro: This is a flat square double sided seal. On one side, four
script symbols are inscribed in reverse, above a bison with head lowered to the
feeding trough. A <i>swastika</i> motif turning counter clockwise is carved on
the reverse. The seal is perforated from the side along the axis of the animal
motif.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
symbol wards off negativities. It represents the cosmic spinning
vortex. The right-handed swastika symbol
originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River Sarasvati as
well as the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata - (possibly) the oldest <i>sabhyata</i> (civilization)
of all.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
swastika is an equilateral cross with four arms bent at 90 degrees. The
earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the
Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata as well as the Mediterranean Classical Antiquity. [<i>Do
ponder over this. We have already discussed it in bits and pieces in this
series</i>.] Swastikas have also been used in various other ancient
civilizations around the world including China, Japan, and Southern
Europe. It was and remains widely used in Sanaatan Dharma as well as what has
come to be known as Buddhism and Jainism, primarily as a <i>tantric</i> symbol
to evoke <i>shakti</i> or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. Therefore: the
swastika is a historical sacred symbol both to evoke 'Shakti' in tantric
rituals and evoke the gods for blessings.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">In England, Neolithic or
Bronze Age stone carvings of the symbol have been found on Ilkley Moor. [Clearly,
Blue-eyed and blonde-haired 'Aryans' </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">never<span style="font-style: normal;">
invaded India to write our Vedas and other ancient texts. Rather, there was an
exodus of (ancient) Indian Aryans after the once-mighty River Sarasvati dried
up, and these are the people who built the Stonehenge in (what is now known as)
England. This exodus probably commenced around 4000 BC or thereabouts. The </span><i>Mahabharata</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> also recognizes the Sarasvati as a great river in
decline, which was its condition in the Harappan era.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Swastikas have also been
found on pottery in archaeological digs in Africa, in the area of Kush and on
pottery at the Jebel Barkal temples, in Iron Age designs of the northern
Caucasus (Koban culture), and in Neolithic China in the Majiabang, Dawenkou and
Xiaoheyan cultures. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[The Kingdom of Kush or
Kush was an ancient African kingdom situated on the confluences of the Blue
Nile, White Nile and River Atbara in what is now the Republic of Sudan. And no
matter what explanation/'history' has come about in recent years, we may want
to study Kush. There may be some link with the descendents of one of Siya-Ram's
twins, Kush.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Other Iron Age
attestations of the swastika can be associated with cultures such as the Celts,
Greeks, Germanics and Slavs. It also appears in the Bronze and Iron Age
cultures around the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The swastika is also seen in
Egypt during the Coptic period. The Buddhist swastika reached Tibet and China.
The Balinese also knew the symbol. The use of the swastika by the Bön faith of
Tibet, as well as later syncretic religions, such as Cao Dai of Vietnam and
Falu Gong of China, can also be traced to Buddhist influence.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The Swastika is a symbol
of good fortune in Buddhism. It represents the footprints and heart of </span><i>Bhagavan</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Shri Gautam Buddh. Thus, it is considered to be very
holy and extensively brought to use by Buddhists. In fact, in all the images of
Shri Gautam Buddh, you'll find the Swastik imprinted on his chest, palms and feet.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In Jainism, Swastika represents
the Seventh <i>Jina</i>, more popularly known as the Tirthankara Suparsva. It is one
of the most prominent auspicious symbols of the present era. In the cultural
traditions of Svetambar Jains, Swastika is one of the main symbols of the
ashta-mangalas.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Ganesh has the
Swastika on his palm. The swastika is at times considered a symbolic
representation of Shri Ganesh. Shri Ganesh - the Vignesh or the Vighna-Vinashak
(the remover of obstacles) - is offered first offerings in every <i>puja</i>.
The swastika is made with red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during
rituals. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vakra-Tunndda
Maha-Kaaya Surya-Kotti Samaprabha </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nirvighnam Kuru Me
Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #660000;">II</span> </span></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">AUM Sri Ganeshaya
Namaha</span></b><span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>II</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsN5RVMYU2eQV4PnvDJOJPNSNtg6U2J1dnMxB2em6RWlhhoKGszhmSkqMi5KZJX3dPhNGjf_m-PLkK86K059i2tOw_VWD8FQ6kTIi3AqkgPPIjP5Khrw30wVfHR5CU8pUQRR8J5IKwwBE/s1600/peepal_tree.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsN5RVMYU2eQV4PnvDJOJPNSNtg6U2J1dnMxB2em6RWlhhoKGszhmSkqMi5KZJX3dPhNGjf_m-PLkK86K059i2tOw_VWD8FQ6kTIi3AqkgPPIjP5Khrw30wVfHR5CU8pUQRR8J5IKwwBE/s1600/peepal_tree.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>The Peepal tree</b>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">is considered very sacred in Sanaatan Dharma. In some of the old Indus
sites, clay objects with peepal leaf markings have been unearthed. There are
seals depicting the peepal leaf. All this shows that the peepal tree has been
worshipped from very early times.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtgiy8QqsIm7acWiHpb9n7ziqodIVgaBagGVNYOYXPaG2LBEeEqloQabvCTYx5IfXe70jWGlU-ESfqNYEZYpISISKs_bHLAICI6TMAYL12EOmQ_RuWN_5DMsA8PSoo6STkzV2cmrj1mRI/s1600/peepal+leaves.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtgiy8QqsIm7acWiHpb9n7ziqodIVgaBagGVNYOYXPaG2LBEeEqloQabvCTYx5IfXe70jWGlU-ESfqNYEZYpISISKs_bHLAICI6TMAYL12EOmQ_RuWN_5DMsA8PSoo6STkzV2cmrj1mRI/s1600/peepal+leaves.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And why
not? It is the tree of eternal life. The <i>ashvattha</i>
symbolizes the continuity of life because the tree itself lives and grows for
hundreds of years. The heart-shaped leaves
on long, thin stems shimmer easily in a light breeze. This sacred tree
stands for wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">happiness,
prosperity, peace, longevity and good luck</span></span>. The dry twigs of the peepal
are used in <i>yagnas</i> as fuel. [The tree is
also associated with the old Vedic ritual of lighting a
sacrificial/ritual fire
(homa) with a twig of the peepal tree.] Pradakshina (circumambulation)
is practiced by Sanaatan Dharmis as a mark of worship, walking around
the tree in clockwise direction. Every peepal tree is a reservoir
of oxygen. People who stay near it have a plentiful supply of oxygen. A
peepal
tree is rarely cut, 'coz the cutting down of this
holy tree without a proper reason is similar to cutting down one's own
ancestors. This majestic tree gives ample shade to humans and animals
alike.
It is also home to a lot of birds and insects.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The holy fig tree has
medicinal properties too. According to Ayurveda (and Shri Vishnu/Dhanvantari is
the Lord of Ayurveda), this tree has both sweet and bitter taste and a cool
property. Intaking the bark, fruit and buds with different combination of
things cures ailments related with phlegm, bile, inflammation,
indisposition etc. The powdered form of the fruit of this tree increases
appetite and cures numerous ailments. So the holy fig tree holds a very
important place in Indian civilization (be it with respect to faith, medicinal
and social point of views), and hence it is worthy of worship.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The peepal is used
extensively in Ayurveda. Its bark yields the tannin used in treating leather.
Its leaves, when heated in ghee, are applied to cure wounds.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">
The twigs of peepal tree are used for homams. It stimulates the
functions of the brain, giving peace of mind. The leaves of Peepal
tree are very rich in protein and the bark of the tree is used in
several
indigenous medicinal drugs.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBI1BQ0xRTYbu4azExFUGQ5NOGUXBWu6WFeTfsKxxPU2i1W2E0pEMyyTreXbPv34-2i0mCGTSIvF_tSjV_CeTHVJWULgfQ5qZA_HLT5o4CtYHQpaYAgaGKUK_GzdJiqPykYlaJ2AOZCjK/s1600/Lord+Krishna+and+Peepal.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBI1BQ0xRTYbu4azExFUGQ5NOGUXBWu6WFeTfsKxxPU2i1W2E0pEMyyTreXbPv34-2i0mCGTSIvF_tSjV_CeTHVJWULgfQ5qZA_HLT5o4CtYHQpaYAgaGKUK_GzdJiqPykYlaJ2AOZCjK/s1600/Lord+Krishna+and+Peepal.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Vishnu, the Lord of
the Universe and of Ayurveda (symbolically) dwells in the roots of this tree,
'Keshav' (Krishna) in the trunk, Narayan dwells in the branches, Shri Hari in
the leaves and all the deities dwell in the fruits of this sacred tree. The
peepal tree is (therefore) the personification of Shri Vishnu. ['Coz Vishnu,
Keshav, Narayan and Hari are all one and the same.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq5cyyQP74yvQrz1EUU0i9Uv4un5eVM-co4tEZ5VGTU41QfE9RoM5lG-APdlDEjm_8yVuodNJJKA9qmNHCi_V4tgkgA1arxSSAFIRzHnXNYFdPcg9NC1Ifv4VRqmTsjm44jKuZHesQown/s1600/Lord+Krishna+and+the+Peepal+tree+seal.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq5cyyQP74yvQrz1EUU0i9Uv4un5eVM-co4tEZ5VGTU41QfE9RoM5lG-APdlDEjm_8yVuodNJJKA9qmNHCi_V4tgkgA1arxSSAFIRzHnXNYFdPcg9NC1Ifv4VRqmTsjm44jKuZHesQown/s1600/Lord+Krishna+and+the+Peepal+tree+seal.jpg" height="200" width="192" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is an Indus seal depicting Shri Krishna <span style="color: #660000;"><i>as</i></span> the peepal tree. And we all know: || <span style="color: #660000;">aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</span> || ~ <i>among trees, I am the ashvattha (peepal)</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-BzEbcT0rX5Z7AkMHTnZn7a0beetSor0uT19xc7_XzBYLqxDuxRFw_6y0Kc-m7sHBhqqCbUdGO6o121ivSYHGPCcQXr7MLGIOatjqkby4MsPU4q0xW7jYAVyTGOXruzCSUxHXF6cZft-/s1600/Eran-VidishaCoin1stCenturyBC.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-BzEbcT0rX5Z7AkMHTnZn7a0beetSor0uT19xc7_XzBYLqxDuxRFw_6y0Kc-m7sHBhqqCbUdGO6o121ivSYHGPCcQXr7MLGIOatjqkby4MsPU4q0xW7jYAVyTGOXruzCSUxHXF6cZft-/s1600/Eran-VidishaCoin1stCenturyBC.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
the 1st Century... punch mark coins were in circulation all over India.
The ashvatta tree symbol has been found on some ancient coins of this
era. [The coin (in pic) is from Eran-Vidisha - 1st Century BC.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VJD3CRvn96pMNjfNbjm_nWAhfc1WroUDXd1Y33DeNziBZi45qJM03blTNj-r1cet2b0ZPemSH2IZTi-AkH26jKlpQt2RHMmt0Yscd4kwwtdawpVVo8dbDIiR2cpktWeqRQmllEuYqWG3/s1600/The_Buddha_shown_seated_under_the_Peepal_Tree.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VJD3CRvn96pMNjfNbjm_nWAhfc1WroUDXd1Y33DeNziBZi45qJM03blTNj-r1cet2b0ZPemSH2IZTi-AkH26jKlpQt2RHMmt0Yscd4kwwtdawpVVo8dbDIiR2cpktWeqRQmllEuYqWG3/s1600/The_Buddha_shown_seated_under_the_Peepal_Tree.JPG" height="200" width="118" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">About two and half millennium ago, <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Siddhartha Gautama </span></span>achieved
<i>nirvana</i> (attained enlightenment) sitting under this very tree. He became
the Enlightened One (Bodhi) or the "Awakened" One (Buddh). Hence this tree is also called the <i>Bodhi tree</i> or
the 'tree of enlightenment'. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">According to
<i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh: 'He who worships the Peepal tree will
receive the same reward as if he worshipped me in person'. </span></span>Thus, the peepal is also the personification of <i>Bhagavan</i>
Shri Gautam Buddh. Initially (and for many years thereafter) the Buddha was not depicted as a meditating human but as
the transpersonal World Tree, because he had overcome his human boundaries and
become one with the world spirit. The Bodhi tree, the Tree of Enlightenment,
(therefore) became the symbol of Shri Gautam Buddh's message in general.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E0Vpwq5rlRUK5E0UmWR1fW1kJpK_NDMsDSv3y8aw48udjnw5N4WuUcjpr8MUrwBOYQ21fSK9nomP3ooWzhZoFtJexEyKekdUKgfLCCaWjnsgH9s7eL1k1JQF_vVJcaK3bQlJKHkXFIwB/s1600/Peepal-tree01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E0Vpwq5rlRUK5E0UmWR1fW1kJpK_NDMsDSv3y8aw48udjnw5N4WuUcjpr8MUrwBOYQ21fSK9nomP3ooWzhZoFtJexEyKekdUKgfLCCaWjnsgH9s7eL1k1JQF_vVJcaK3bQlJKHkXFIwB/s1600/Peepal-tree01.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb4jW-555ICAmGuRPCHx2W7l2nHfVRZ68fypT0C8HdlSnmy59T0IZ7RGbgZ37waOQtRXHtQIu0wWT-vt1d3PQfONuOqpaYuiasj1KU1tQ72ZdIzDuK_dTOULOsV2AA1iQD2Mg6ShEoQWN/s1600/Newest_Peepal_with_roots.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb4jW-555ICAmGuRPCHx2W7l2nHfVRZ68fypT0C8HdlSnmy59T0IZ7RGbgZ37waOQtRXHtQIu0wWT-vt1d3PQfONuOqpaYuiasj1KU1tQ72ZdIzDuK_dTOULOsV2AA1iQD2Mg6ShEoQWN/s1600/Newest_Peepal_with_roots.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Ashvatha literally means, "Where horses stood"
(ashva + tha). In Sanskrit, this tree is known as A</span>shvattha, <span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Bodhivriksha and
Plaksha. This tree represents the entire cosmos: 'Shva' in Sanskrit means
tomorrow, 'a' indicates negation, and 'tha' means one that stands or remains.
Hence Ashvatha can indicate: "One which does not remain the same
tomorrow", or the universe itself.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><br />
</span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">The Ashvatha tree is quite remarkable because it grows both upwards as
well as top to bottom. The branches themselves morph into roots, so even if the
original tree decays and perishes, its branches underneath are young and
continue to enclose the parent. This eternal life of the Peepal tree has
inspired many Indian philosophers; this tree has its own symbolic meaning of
enlightenment and peace... all of which has enriched Sanaatan Dharma. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">In
the Upanishads, the fruit of the peepal is used as an example to
explain the difference between the body and the soul: the body is like
the fruit which, being outside, feels and enjoys things, while the soul
is like the seed, which is inside and therefore witnesses things.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"><i>Tree
of Roots above; branches below; this Ashvattha is reputed to be
imperishable; whose leaves are the Vedas; One who knows this is a knower
of all the vedas</i>. [Kathopanishad and Bhagavadgita.] </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.<span style="color: #351c75;">.. And it was
beneath this very tree that Shri Krishna was resting when (the hunter) Jara's
arrow hit him... thus releasing His outer/mortal coil. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However it is unlikely
that Krishna would have been taken by surprise. 'Coz as a 'Trikalagya' and the
possessor of the (metaphoric) 'third eye' he would have been aware of it... and possibly been
anticipating it too.]<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span>However:
given the
extent of 'contemporisation', efforts have been made (by later
translators, interpreters
et al - possibly for the benefit of stage plays, shows, etc) to turn
Jara into a
re-incarnated version of Vaali (from the Ramayan). And his act of
striking
Krishna with an arrow has been 'interpreted' as the outcome of 'karma'
(Krishna's 'karm' in his previous avatar as Shri Ram... when he
liberated Vaali) + Gandhari's
'curse' - </span><i>since Krishna was 'responsible' for the obliteration of
Duryodhan and his siblings<span style="font-style: normal;">!</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I ask you !!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Both Vaali and
Duryodhan (along with his siblings) were indulging in </span><i>adharm</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. They had violated the prevailing (noble) principles
of Arya-Dharma/Sanaatan Dharma - in ways that the previous eras (Treta and
Dvapar) considered as the greatest of 'paap' (heinous sin). And yet, later
translators et al (very likely post the demise of the Gupta-era) have
'contemporised', rewritten and tweaked the narratives. So much so, the complete flavour
of our </span><i>pracheen itihasa</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> (ancient
history) has altered. And how! Sad, right?</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Imagine the amount
of information, wisdom, knowledge and history that too has been obliterated... forever.] </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F3FXnmEgYphtou4fOZN2YWe9LwJ-dKFPhaAEPW6Qfo0fcM36VPjFZc8B3bDzh9k1yuvHN6PWhUHdiJELwvc4rnoAbKbae7CG9Zf68yB-9RM-b3Es_o8CbecC9CSS45PAOpU1r5RkLoIH/s1600/lord-dhanvantari.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F3FXnmEgYphtou4fOZN2YWe9LwJ-dKFPhaAEPW6Qfo0fcM36VPjFZc8B3bDzh9k1yuvHN6PWhUHdiJELwvc4rnoAbKbae7CG9Zf68yB-9RM-b3Es_o8CbecC9CSS45PAOpU1r5RkLoIH/s1600/lord-dhanvantari.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the <i><span style="color: #660000;">Dhanvantari
Mantra</span> </i>(dedicated to the Supreme Druid/Physician and the primordial God of
healthcare):</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Om Namo Bhagavate<b><br />
</b>Maha Sudarshana<b><br />
</b>Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye;<b><br />
</b>Amruta Kalasa Hasthaaya<b><br />
</b>Sarva Bhaya Vinasaya <b><br />
</b>Sarva Roka Nivaranaya<b><br />
</b>Tri Lokya Pathaye<b><br />
</b>Tri Lokya Nithaye <b><br />
</b>Sri Maha Vishnu Svarupa <b><br />
</b>Sri Dhanvantari Svarupa <b><br />
</b>Sri Sri Sri <b><br />
</b>Aoushata Chakra Narayana Svaha ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: #134f5c;">Translated</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">:</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> We pray to the Lord, who is known as
Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari. He holds the <i>Kalasha</i> full of celestial
nectar (of immortality). Lord Dhanvantari removes all fears and removes all
diseases (negativities). He is the well-wisher and the preserver of the three
worlds. Dhanvantari is like Lord Vishnu, empowered to heal the <i>Jiva</i>
souls (the <i>individual</i> souls... due to which each of us possess an unique
identity). We bow to the Lord of Ayurveda.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Celestial nectar
(of immortality) is <i>not</i> literal. Maha Sudarshana = His unparalleled
brilliance + radiance + good looks; Vasudeva = Lord of the worlds; Tri Lokya =
the three worlds. Aoushata = medicine, cure, remedy; not just of physical ailments.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The festival of Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi
and Dhanvantari Trayodashi (marking the appearance of Shri Dhanvantari). This
festival marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and that is why, it is
considered the first day of the five-day-long festivities of Diwali. The term
'Dhanteras' consists of two factors 'dhan', which means wealth and 'teras',
which means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the day
'Trayodashi', i.e. the thirteenth day of the month on which Dhanteras falls.
Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhantrayodashi) is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar
day of Krishna Paksha, of the month of Kartik, which is two days before
Diwali/Deepavali.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-XXVzRiigmpF9oNMmxfgA60bm2MEs2cvG7F5OEwz655wfpsmLfJzDjDLDVPaJaYhtj01I1QaQhBF3of43BxlEOIePfwSDMwfxCOwLdX5BgDF4ZUVSkVPdOzmKhM-aKHfmoNa2vkhIqWH/s1600/wallpaper_churning_ocean.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-XXVzRiigmpF9oNMmxfgA60bm2MEs2cvG7F5OEwz655wfpsmLfJzDjDLDVPaJaYhtj01I1QaQhBF3of43BxlEOIePfwSDMwfxCOwLdX5BgDF4ZUVSkVPdOzmKhM-aKHfmoNa2vkhIqWH/s1600/wallpaper_churning_ocean.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Churning of the ocean" (samudra manthan) is many-layered. Lord Dhanvantari "emerged" during "samudra-manthan" </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">holding the <i>Kalasha</i>
full of celestial
nectar (of immortality). And we can fully understand what this means, if
we understand who the Supreme "Neelkanth" is. He is also "Ghanshyam" -
one who arrives periodically to absorb "poison"... so as to bring down
negativities/<i>adharm, </i>rejuvenate Sanaatan Dharma and restore proper balance in society. </span></span></span>He
is none other than the cosmic Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram. [Shivam =
auspiciousness. The Supreme "Neelkanth" is auspiciousness personified.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Down
the line, various persons, the best physicians of their time/era, have taken
the name/title "Dhanvantari". One such great physician, "Dhanvantari,"
was chosen as one of the Nine Gems/Nava-Ratna in <i>Samraat </i>Vikramaditya's
court. <i>Samraat</i> Vikramaditya was famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The
other eight <i>ratna</i> were: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>1.</b></span> Kalidasa: the legendary Sanskrit
laureate. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>2.</b></span> Amarnath: author of 'Sanskrit Amarkosh'. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>3.</b></span> Shapanak:
Master Astrologist. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>4.</b></span> Varruchi: Expert Linguist and an expert in
Grammar. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>5.</b></span> Varāhamihira:<b> </b> great astronomer, mathematician and astrologer; author of 'Bruhatsamhita'
and <span class="unicode"><i>Pañcasiddhāntikā</i></span> (or <i>Pancha-Siddhantika</i>),
"[Treatise] on the Five [Astronomical] Canons." <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>6.</b></span> Ghatakpar:
Expert in sculpture and architecture. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>7.</b></span> Shanku: Expert in Geography. <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>8.</b>
</span>Vetalbhadra: Expert in <i>tantric</i> sciences.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here
is a bit about Ujjain: An ancient city in the Malwa region, Ujjain was
known as Ujjayini, and was referred to as Ozene by Ptolemy. According to
an ancient Hindu calendar, the first meridian of the planet earth
passes through Ujjain, making Ujjain time the universal time. The
earliest references to Ujjaini go back to the time of Gautam Buddh. It
was then the capital of Avanti, a kingdom of great repute. It was also a
capital during the reign of <i>Samraat</i> Chandragupta II
(Vikramaditya). Ujjain, during the sixth and seventh centuries,
developed into an important centre of mathematical and astronomical
research. It was here that Brahmagupta discovered the value of zero and
trigonometry. Bhaskaracharya, a renowned mathematician, also lived in
Ujjain, as did Asoka as the viceroy/governor of the western provinces of
the Mauryan Empire.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Let's
return to Ayurveda.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Ayurveda</span></b> can be defined
as a holistic system of medicine, which uses the inherent principles of nature,
to help maintain health in a person by keeping the individual's body, mind and
spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term, made up
of the words "ayus" and "veda." "Ayus" means life
and "Veda" means knowledge or science. The term "ayurveda"
thus means 'the knowledge of life' or 'the science of life'. According to the
ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, "ayu" comprises the mind, body,
senses and the soul. [The oldest known ayurvedic texts are <i>Suśruta Saṃhitā</i>
and <i>Charaka Saṃhitā</i>.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Widely regarded as the
oldest form of healthcare in the world, Ayurveda is an intricate medical system
that originated in India thousands of years ago. The fundamentals of Ayurveda
can be found in our ancient scriptures called the Vedas - the ancient Indian
books of wisdom. The Rig Veda contains a series of prescriptions that can help
humans overcome various ailments.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
aim of this system is to prevent illness, heal the sick and preserve life. This
can be summed up as follows: </span></span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To protect health and
prolong life ("<i>Swasthyas swasthya rakshanam</i>") </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To eliminate diseases and
dysfunctions of the body ("<i>Aturasya vikar prashamanamcha</i>")
</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ayurveda
is based on the premise that the universe is made up of five elements (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[maha]panchabhuta)</span></span></span>: air (vayu),
fire (agni), water (jal), earth (prithvi) and ether (aakash). These elements are represented in humans by three
"<i>doshas</i>", or energies: <i>Vata, Pitta</i> and <i>Kapha</i>.
When any of the <i>doshas</i> accumulate in the body beyond the desirable
limit, the body loses its balance. Every individual has a distinct balance, and
our health and well-being depend on getting a right balance of the three <i>doshas</i>
("<i>tridoshas</i>"). Ayurveda suggests specific lifestyle and nutritional
guidelines to help individuals reduce the excess <i>dosha</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A healthy person, as defined in <i>Sushrut Samhita, </i>one
of the primary works on Ayurveda, is "he whose <i>doshas</i> are in
balance, appetite is good, all tissues of the body and all natural urges are functioning
properly, and whose mind, body and spirit are cheerful..."<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The three <i>doshas </i>('Tridosha'), or bio-energies found
in our body are:</span></span></span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Vata</i>
pertains to air and ether elements. This energy is generally seen as the
force, which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and
elimination.</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Kapha</i>
pertains to water and earth elements. <i>Kapha</i> is responsible for
growth and protection. The mucousal lining of the stomach, and the
cerebral-spinal fluid that protects the brain and spinal column are
examples of <i>kapha</i>. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Pitta </i>pertains
to fire and water elements. This <i>dosha</i> governs metabolism, e.g.,
the transformation of foods into nutrients. <i>Pitta</i> is also
responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">'Panchakarma' or the Therapy of Purification: If toxins in
the body are abundant, then a cleansing process known as <i>panchakarma</i> is
recommended to purge these unwanted toxins. This fivefold purification therapy
is a classical form of treatment in ayurveda. These specialized procedures
consist of the following:</span></span></span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therapeutic vomiting or
emesis (<i>Vaman</i>) </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Purgation (<i>Virechan</i>)
</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enema (<i>Basti</i>) </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elimination of toxins
through the nose (<i>Nasya</i>) </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bloodletting or
detoxification of the blood (<i>Rakta moksha</i>) </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
classical Sanskrit literature, Ayurveda was called "the science of eight
components" (Sanskrit <i>aṣṭāṅga</i>), a classification that
became canonical for ayurveda. They are: </span></span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(General medicine) - <i>Kāya-chikitsā</i>:
"cure of diseases affecting the body."</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Paediatrics) <i>- Kaumāra-bhṛtya</i>:
"treatment of children."</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Surgery) - <i>Śhalya-chikitsā</i>:
"removal of any substance which has entered the body (as extraction
of darts, of splinters, etc.)"</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Ophthalmology/ENT) - <i>Śālākya-tantra</i>:
"cure of diseases of the eye or ear etc. by sharp instruments".)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Psychiatry)
- <i>Bhūta(past)-vidyā</i>: "treatment of mental diseases supposed to
be produced by past experiences."</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Toxicology) - <i>Agada-tantra</i>:
"doctrine of antidotes."</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Elixirs) - <i>Rasayana-tantra</i>:
"doctrine of Rasayana (an elixir of life)."</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Aphrodisiacs) - <i>Vājīkaraṇa
tantra.</i></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ayurveda
has historically taken the approach of enumerating bodily substances in
the framework of the five classical elements (Sanskrit:
[maha]panchabhuta, viz. earth, water, fire, air and ether), considering
the seven "tissues" dhātu (Devanāgarī: saptadhatu): plasma (rasa dhātu),
blood (rakta dhātu), flesh (māṃsa dhātu), adipose (medha dhātu), bone
(asthi dhātu), marrow (majja dhātu), and reproductive (śukra dhātu).
Ayurveda stresses a balance of three elemental substances (doṣa):
Vāyu/vāta (air and space - "wind"), pitta (fire and water - "bile") and
kapha (water and earth - "phlegm"). Given the highly advanced medical
procedures mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata... we can
imagine what Ayurveda was all about or how much knowledge it contained.
[Much of it is perhaps lost...] </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">[</span></b><i><span style="color: #20124d;">We will continue our discussions in the next post...</span></i><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">]</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">(Do stay tuned…)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #990000;">Pictures</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #990000;">: </span></b></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Illustrations of: the "Dasavatara"; White Swan - Raja
Hamsa or royal swan; <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati; Tamaso mā
jyotir gamaya; Shri Krishna - <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the eternal <i>Mayur</i>; </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">vasudhaiva
kuTumbakam; Hitopadesha, Panchatantra and Jataka Tales; </span>Krishna-Arjun
01; Krishna-Arjun 02; Shri Vishnu lending a helping hand to mankind (in all
loka); A smil</span>ing Krishna blessing Jara - the hunter; Krishna departs to
<i>Vaikuntha-loka</i> - while Jara grieves over the discarded mortal coil; Shri Ram;
Siya-Ram; Sri Chaitanyadev and disciples; Bheeshma <i>Pitamah</i> lying on his metaphoric 'shara-shajya' or 'bed of
arrows'; Krishna blessing Bhishma <i>Pitamah</i>; Karna's 'chariot wheel' sinks to the ground; 'Sudarshan Chakra'; Duryodhan; the 'Varaha-roop'; Draupadi 'arising from the yagna-kunda'; Dushshasana-vadh;
Krishna-Arjun 03; Yogi seal - an Indus seal; "Vishwaroop"; Yogi seal - the
other side; Andromeda Galaxy; Shri Maha Vishnu; a sacred Kalash with Swastika
symbol drawn on it; Swastika seals from the Indus
Valley Civilization; Red Swastika; Indus seal - Swastika symbol; Bison seal;
Shri Ganesh with the <i>swastika</i> symbol on his palm; the peepal tree; peepal
leaves; Shri Krishna and the peepal tree; Indus seal depicting Shri Krishna <i>as</i>
the peepal tre<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">e; </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ancient punch mark coin with image of Ashvatta tree - Eran-Vidisha coin, 1st Century BC; S</span>hri Gautama Buddh seated under a peepal tree; the sacred peepal
tree; the peepal tree - tree of roots above and branches below; Krishna departs under a
peepal tree; Lord Dhanvantari; Samudra-manthan; the five elements
([maha]panchabhuta). </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-66402769005930087772013-06-28T00:58:00.002+05:302013-07-03T19:16:18.587+05:30Random 3.0<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1.</b></span> The
Emperor tamarin: <span style="color: #660000;">Mr. Moonch</span>. <i>A species of tamarin allegedly named for its
resemblance to the German emperor Wilhelm II. It lives in the southwest Amazon
Basin, in east Peru, north Bolivia and in the west Brazilian states of Acre and
Amazonas</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKaqU_aBIRHuOMxP-kzmiEEad-J9khtgjaX4LgsE4mtHdplUod7rKdvEpolW9WaPwFlrmYGwDP_sD2o0RkOtSoj3CMJ6VHwLMh7w_b8w9RMClvMDGChofZ4tuIPlj1VsN5b-NCXjGCHCm/s1200/Emperor+tamarin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKaqU_aBIRHuOMxP-kzmiEEad-J9khtgjaX4LgsE4mtHdplUod7rKdvEpolW9WaPwFlrmYGwDP_sD2o0RkOtSoj3CMJ6VHwLMh7w_b8w9RMClvMDGChofZ4tuIPlj1VsN5b-NCXjGCHCm/s1200/Emperor+tamarin.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">2.</span> </b>Pretty! Pink-hued "Strawberry"
Leopard:</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip4QKW61s6Phf0WKNSTGyCqbD-C3J8kkGlOChU1skOWmYgE20gzRWyr0RbjjoORci4wJf4VIlq4bjuhWqyOQty9HRTcitKwy_ZSYre7WhizSuZVJCU5QNpLcWbVD3CKMrhS2ZCg6i2PSx/s600/Strawberry+leopard..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip4QKW61s6Phf0WKNSTGyCqbD-C3J8kkGlOChU1skOWmYgE20gzRWyr0RbjjoORci4wJf4VIlq4bjuhWqyOQty9HRTcitKwy_ZSYre7WhizSuZVJCU5QNpLcWbVD3CKMrhS2ZCg6i2PSx/s600/Strawberry+leopard..jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3.</b></span> Mr. and
Mrs. Tiger:</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCIHhGwsIwXzx9cBBmj0NmxdKak_p1pO9ZAX3Q0mPonltSQ3_3izY_yp4s6SXSq10yvvQ6RvFzm0PDvycwY3sQpH2qrbmGhf4gBvDDVTbuJHRRcxhIPI5gN-ZJKhQ97ylypYuvjOEUFgY/s720/Lovely+couple+-+Mr+&+Mrs+Tiger..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCIHhGwsIwXzx9cBBmj0NmxdKak_p1pO9ZAX3Q0mPonltSQ3_3izY_yp4s6SXSq10yvvQ6RvFzm0PDvycwY3sQpH2qrbmGhf4gBvDDVTbuJHRRcxhIPI5gN-ZJKhQ97ylypYuvjOEUFgY/s720/Lovely+couple+-+Mr+&+Mrs+Tiger..jpg" height="320" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4.</b></span> Calvin
and Hobbes:</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaInyYTvaJ4t92SMTQ4sgi4sSkyao5fdmdro0UA743IdBhEJQwELGqmwHbqVmDSgBeXq670xDBsyWRB3HFhsDL-Ao1XTC9c3RcBmyn1g1l0hW5bYlu76WJsGPJvNsOorAFzB5R41wHBc0/s720/Calvin+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaInyYTvaJ4t92SMTQ4sgi4sSkyao5fdmdro0UA743IdBhEJQwELGqmwHbqVmDSgBeXq670xDBsyWRB3HFhsDL-Ao1XTC9c3RcBmyn1g1l0hW5bYlu76WJsGPJvNsOorAFzB5R41wHBc0/s720/Calvin+01.jpg" height="126" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Amazing artists of
Mother Nature: <i>A spectacular light show on an actual rainstorm night with tens
of thousands of fireflies dancing around using their light to paint the scene. Great
Smoky Mountains is known for its Synchronous Fireflies during each early summer</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5N8Qe2tiXnWmbXL0o3t0EUkzWt8CPOepw-ZwGhGIPQ-NIHMCvZsfCbW-E0BgsMupJNrgG8rfcE8zmXdVG4WK3Qdg6eNhFxpPttfzhVpYLE3usVBPf46GiQic-5GPPeQb8Yda8G1qYTix/s608/Light+Dancers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5N8Qe2tiXnWmbXL0o3t0EUkzWt8CPOepw-ZwGhGIPQ-NIHMCvZsfCbW-E0BgsMupJNrgG8rfcE8zmXdVG4WK3Qdg6eNhFxpPttfzhVpYLE3usVBPf46GiQic-5GPPeQb8Yda8G1qYTix/s608/Light+Dancers.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Stellar Gems:</span></b> Shining
like a collection of cosmic jewels 7,000 light-years from Earth, the open star
cluster pictured above has revealed a previously unknown type of variable star.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOyGyFfAx-vVdghhqPlcu4pj8Ecizh9GEBoZ-iA9i8mrJ0yWyyKIY5xXxJuKr5VlXGBN5r0wJcvjbuaiA7CTg3IYzA1gx5M0ZYaoUpkGwnqpoEmKs0C4XjNrEKBWYPCgNrcsSdZYjvjhB/s600/Stellar+Gems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOyGyFfAx-vVdghhqPlcu4pj8Ecizh9GEBoZ-iA9i8mrJ0yWyyKIY5xXxJuKr5VlXGBN5r0wJcvjbuaiA7CTg3IYzA1gx5M0ZYaoUpkGwnqpoEmKs0C4XjNrEKBWYPCgNrcsSdZYjvjhB/s600/Stellar+Gems.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Using a large
telescope in the high Atacama Desert in Chile, a group of astronomers spent
seven years studying and measuring the brightness of NGC 3766, a loosely packed
group of 3,000 stars in the southern constellation Centaurus. Researchers discovered
that 36 member stars within the constellation had highly unusual and
never-before-seen patterns in the fluctuation of their brightness.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The cause of these
changes in light output is yet to be determined, but astronomers are saying
that the very existence of this new class of suns is a challenge to our
understanding of stellar life cycles</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Chander Haat boshechhe:
Robi Thakur and Saratchandro Chattopadhyay:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2Z2WbE8dPnbKx4K6G838nSg3vYTYChS6KBK629_uxRgKoCLOY1R71q4-p69TzMt-D36C1CnYgsmGVlxB3txiy_Mt_YCTX8uYr-rbwnfbMWPIauyt61cGoNZLCsTnb33w694beaGeRlsD/s284/Rabindranath+and+Saratchandra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2Z2WbE8dPnbKx4K6G838nSg3vYTYChS6KBK629_uxRgKoCLOY1R71q4-p69TzMt-D36C1CnYgsmGVlxB3txiy_Mt_YCTX8uYr-rbwnfbMWPIauyt61cGoNZLCsTnb33w694beaGeRlsD/s284/Rabindranath+and+Saratchandra.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Earthrise:</span></b> This
capture, taken by astronaut William Anders of the 1968 Apollo 8 mission to the
moon, has been deemed "the most influential environmental photograph ever
taken," by nature photographer Galen Rowell.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuCMwQoc_etI3BkoFwsqFX-bNmbhJoAf_2eKQLb8E1bI6WNOqxIEcf2prtmsj1A9BKFvWzUfVr-g_wHsu8ak0PDuRyekG9jxpYOngTRyPOxTsd477FYZNYTLueZSuXtyQyN_AefQyA9id/s720/Earthrise...above+the+lunar+landscape!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuCMwQoc_etI3BkoFwsqFX-bNmbhJoAf_2eKQLb8E1bI6WNOqxIEcf2prtmsj1A9BKFvWzUfVr-g_wHsu8ak0PDuRyekG9jxpYOngTRyPOxTsd477FYZNYTLueZSuXtyQyN_AefQyA9id/s720/Earthrise...above+the+lunar+landscape!.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">An illuminated Earth
resting alone in the void of space shows just how secluded and precious our
planet truly is. The image exemplifies that although we are not
alone in this universe, we are definitely far, far away from other celestial
bodies, given the technology that existed in 1968 and also our current means of
technology.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Earthrise shows that
we are unique creatures living on a unique planet. Carl
Sagan once said, "Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. In a
hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another." Just as he was commenting
on mankind (Earthlings), this idea can also be attributed to the existence of Earth. Though
there may be planetary bodies that are similar to ours, Earth is, in the cosmic
perspective, precious</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>9.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> More Calvin and Hobbes:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcDiolBdjst5boSMdw_wgK0vcpI6TJpspQH4FrMj2lKC8neQbh0S0p7GU3VcHtsxKs_BWk3ud69vSZL1Pvge2fUHzZzbuK97Ey_v40Stg1Hjw0xNlvwNUOvE3My2C5ZWP9F6-ape3unfm/s720/Calvin+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcDiolBdjst5boSMdw_wgK0vcpI6TJpspQH4FrMj2lKC8neQbh0S0p7GU3VcHtsxKs_BWk3ud69vSZL1Pvge2fUHzZzbuK97Ey_v40Stg1Hjw0xNlvwNUOvE3My2C5ZWP9F6-ape3unfm/s720/Calvin+02.jpg" height="127" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>10.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> June Solstice. [And as we know: ||
</span><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;">jyotisam ravir amsuman</span> || ~ </span></i><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">of radiance I am the
radiant sun (</span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">ravir </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">amsuman</span><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">).]</span></i></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSCgxSu8NuGLe1lxtbpwqJCzA5nP4h-cBFdfxP6RN3TpU_zQ_XEgJbmPXO4uPijPFAfhyphenhyphenMo2dT1fEnfBkKYer5T1qZKrniB4kgPzSkFhEGpPI5ZGgc60KCOVCzL8qG7mvMh3K8m-bEKfN/s520/The+Sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSCgxSu8NuGLe1lxtbpwqJCzA5nP4h-cBFdfxP6RN3TpU_zQ_XEgJbmPXO4uPijPFAfhyphenhyphenMo2dT1fEnfBkKYer5T1qZKrniB4kgPzSkFhEGpPI5ZGgc60KCOVCzL8qG7mvMh3K8m-bEKfN/s520/The+Sun.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">During this season,
the Earth's northern axis is slightly tilted toward the sun so that the
northern hemisphere gets more direct sunlight and experiences warmer
temperatures. Locations south of the equator are tilted away from the sun, so
that the sunlight is dispersed, making for colder temperatures.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">For skywatchers on the
first day of the new season and a few days afterward... the sun appears to rise at
the same place on the horizon - hence the origin of the word solstice, meaning
'sun stands still' in Latin.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">From solstice date
onward the days start getting shorter and the nights longer in the northern
hemisphere. The opposite occurs in the southern hemisphere.</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The angular distance of a heavenly body from the
celestial equator will be either negative if the planet is above the northern
hemisphere, or positive, in case the planet is above the southern hemisphere.
This is also commonly known as a declination or </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ayana</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Thus the Sun's
yearly movement is divided into two parts, called </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Uttarayana</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> and </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dakshinayana</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">[</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Uttar = North. Dakshin = South</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">]</span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here is Robi Thakur's '<span style="color: #660000;">Heye
Khoniker Otithi</span>' rendered by the peerless Hemanto Mukhopadhyay:</span></span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span id="goog_873968939"></span><span id="goog_873968940"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Heye
Khoniker Otithi</span> [lyrics and translation... <i>though its impossible to translate</i>. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Simply because: Robi Thakur's oeuvre is one of those things that cannot survive
translation (into English), however much one tries</span>]:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Lyrics</u>: </b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">||
Heye khoniker otithi</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elay
probhatay karay Chahia</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">JhOra
shephalir pOtha bahyia</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heye
khoniker otithi |</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kon
amarar birohinire, Chahoni phire</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kar
bishader shishiro nire, ele nahyia</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ogo
akorun, ki maya jano</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">milOno
chhale biraho ano |</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cholechho
pothik alokojaney, aNdharo paanay</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mon
bhulano mohono taanay, gaan gahyia ... ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| O' momentous sojourner,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whom do you visit at dawn?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Treading the path of fallen
jasmine strewn,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">O' momentous sojourner |</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of which celestial lovelorn, you
return the glances,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You arrived drenched in dew, in
whose distress.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">O' unmerciful, how full of
deceit...!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In guise of union you induce
split |</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Towards darkness in chariot of
light, you cruise along</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In mesmerizing (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Mon
bhulano</span>) </span></span>sweet strain (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">mohono taanay</span>)</span></span>,
singing a song... ||</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i>Note
the metaphors used by Robi Thakur to describe the daily sunrise. This poem/song
also talks about how life itself is a visitor, how moments of beauty are
transient, and visitations of glory brief. We may feel we hold it... but only
for a second, and then it's gone. "Maya" in this context means the
enchantment of life itself, the fact that it holds us captive through its
beauty. It is the visceral submission of the human being to life itself.
Actually: there are so many shades, so many layers to this poem/song... that one
can only marvel at how effortlessly the great poet laureate has penned these lines</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">11.</span> </b>The Gayatri Mantra: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Summer</b></span> Solstice in Sanskrit is Dakshinayana (the
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Winter</b></span> Solstice - 21 December - is Uttarayana). [Two other names for Uttarayana are
Makara Sankranti and Pongal. This time of year is generally associated with
Sarasvati and Vishnu.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dakshinayanam or Pitrayana is also referred to as
Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti. On this day, Sun enters into Karkataka
(Karka) rashi (Cancer). Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti indicates ending
of the Uttarayan Punya kaal and the beginning of Dakshinayana Punya kaal,
whereas Makara Sankranti (Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan Punya kaal. Dakshinayana
or Karka Sankraman is a time for performing Pitru tarpan or the rituals to pay our respect to our Pitru Devatas (ancestors), performing charitable deeds, besides
worshipping Lord Vishnu, chanting Vishnu Sahasra nama stotram and worshipping
Lord Varaha (the 3rd incarnation of Lord Vishnu/Dasavatara)</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>On March 21 and September 21 are the fall and
spring equinoxes when the sun is passing directly over the equator. Note that
the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn mark the maximum declination of the sun in
each hemisphere. Each </i>Ayana<i> has three seasons.</i> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="unicode">Sanskrit (Saṃskṛtā vāk</span> or
<span class="unicode">Saṃskṛtam): </span>Sanskrit (<span class="unicode"><i>saṃskṛtaṃ</i></span>,
short for <span class="unicode"><i>saṃskṛta vāk</i></span>, literally
"unimpaired/full-formed speech", diglossically
contrasted with <i><span class="unicode"><span style="text-decoration: none;">prākṛta vāk</span></span></i>,
"derived/evolved/artless speech").</span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vnIhl4LecEoxSjaszx_9oD_sYTBjwe9JwE_xLDuObAh6DDdBpEhKhQMmAvNtkukx35Jii5Sse8q5KMTT-1ZMjvcHLxk6hd-PUgvXNVnIIHyisoizh3_Sr1pdJ79hXUt9yjE1AfuZqox6/s550/The+Sun+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vnIhl4LecEoxSjaszx_9oD_sYTBjwe9JwE_xLDuObAh6DDdBpEhKhQMmAvNtkukx35Jii5Sse8q5KMTT-1ZMjvcHLxk6hd-PUgvXNVnIIHyisoizh3_Sr1pdJ79hXUt9yjE1AfuZqox6/s550/The+Sun+01.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Technically
speaking, what promotes life is the energy of the sun. Without the sun, there
can be no life on the earth-plane. The rays from the sun not only support life,
but the rays of the sun are indeed the seeds of life itself.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here
is a prayer to the Sun, who is the giver of life. This is an ancient Sanskrit
chant. It is called the <span style="color: #660000;">Gayatri Mantra</span>, the prayer to the sun. [The
purpose of this chant is to enhance the potency of the life principles,
including one's body, mind, and soul. Visualize the sun's rays streaming forth
into your body, mind and soul.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW_gzuKlgvDIhK1kDvSHKtwD5PMCMfXmW7NgHaNS4KuDrUnCqFl4eGBuy2esOXeWVvN1NCB9BlhphsVkdWsST8tfOH-7MxqWbZIIuABihC_FcjjesTIZFs9JN7co-RzO_oDMqpE5UAlc-/s214/Gayatri+Mantra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW_gzuKlgvDIhK1kDvSHKtwD5PMCMfXmW7NgHaNS4KuDrUnCqFl4eGBuy2esOXeWVvN1NCB9BlhphsVkdWsST8tfOH-7MxqWbZIIuABihC_FcjjesTIZFs9JN7co-RzO_oDMqpE5UAlc-/s214/Gayatri+Mantra.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">|| Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha<br />
Tat Savitur Varenyam<br />
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi<br />
Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat ||</span> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->[<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pronounced</u>:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;">OHM BUR BOO-VAH SVA-HA</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
TAHT SAH-VEE-TOOR VAHR-EHN-YUM</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
BHAHR-GO DEH-VAHS-YAH DEE-MAH-HEE</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
DEE-YOH YOHN-AH PRAH-CHOD-DAH-YAHT<span style="color: #351c75;">]</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Aum</b></span> (also known as <span style="color: #660000;"><b>Om</b></span>): The syllable Om (written
out as Aum with each letter having its own significance) represents Brahman,
the supreme creator, as well as the whole of creation. It is also the primeval
sound (Pranava Naad), the sound of the universe itself.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here are some of the meanings embedded in this mantra:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></span></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhur</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 105pt;" width="175"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(earth)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhuvah</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(atmosphere)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swaha</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(heavens)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tat</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(that)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Savitur</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(of the source)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Varenyam</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(to be held sacred)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bhargo</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(light)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Devasya</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(of the effulgent)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dhimahi</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0.75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(we meditate on)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Old-Indic loanwords and Indo-Aryan names are also found in
Hurrian (Mittani), Hittite and Nuzi records dated to around 1400 BCE. In a
treaty between Hittite king Suppiluliuma and Mittanian king Matiwaza, ca. 1380
BC, the Vedic deities Mitra, Varuna, Indra, and Nasatya (Asvins) are invoked.
Kikkuli's horse training text in the Hittite language includes technical terms
such as <i>aika</i> (eka, one), <i>tera</i> (tri, three), <i>panza</i> (pancha, five), <i>satta</i> (sapta,
seven), <i>na</i> (nava, nine), <i>vartana</i> (vartana, round). The name for one <i>aika</i> is
taken as definitive indication that it was Indic (since both <i>aika</i> and <i>aiva</i> are
preserved in later Sanskrit as <i>eka</i> and <i>eva</i>).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Another text has babru'(-nnu)' ('"babhru, brown),
parita(-nnu) (palita, grey), and pinkara(-nnu) (pingala, red). Their chief
festival was the celebration of the solstice (vishuva), which was common in
most cultures in the ancient world.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>12.</b></span> June Solstice: (On this day) even Druids celebrate. We don't know about Getafix, though... </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... but the <i>Dhanvantari Mantra </i>says:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">|| Om Namo Bhagavate</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Maha Sudarshana</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye;</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Amruta Kalasa Hasthaaya</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sarva Bhaya Vinasaya </span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sarva Roka Nivaranaya</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tri Lokya Pathaye</span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tri Lokya Nithaye </span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sri Maha Vishnu Svarupa </span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sri Dhanvantari Svarupa </span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sri Sri Sri </span></b><b><br />
</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Aoushata Chakra Narayana Svaha ||</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>We pray to the Lord, who is known as Sudarshana
Vasudev Dhanvantari. He holds the <i>Kalasha</i> full of celestial nectar (of
immortality). Lord Dhanvantari removes all fears and removes all diseases
(negativities). He is the well-wisher and the preserver of the three worlds.
Dhanvantari is like Lord Vishnu, empowered to heal the <i>Jiva</i> souls (the <i>individual</i> souls... due to which each of us possess an unique identity). We
bow to the Lord of Ayurveda.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Celestial nectar (of
immortality) is <i>not</i> literal. Maha Sudarshana = His unparalleled brilliance + radiance + good looks; Vasudeva = Lord of the worlds; Tri Lokya = the three worlds.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The festival of
Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi. This festival marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and
that is why, it is considered the first day of the five-day-long festivities of
Diwali. The term 'Dhanteras' consists of two factors 'dhan', which means wealth
and 'teras', which means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the
day 'Trayodashi', i.e. the thirteenth day of the month on which Dhanteras
falls. Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhantrayodashi) is celebrated on the
thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the month of Kartik, which is two
days before Diwali/Deepavali.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>13.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Desert Moon:</span></b> the full
moon hangs over the desert. <i>A supermoon occurs almost every year - but a
supermoon coinciding with the solstice does not. That celestial mashup only
occurs every 14 years or so</i>. [And as we know: || </span><span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">nakshatranam
aham sasi</span></i></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> || </span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">~ </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>and among the stars (<span style="font-style: normal;">nakshatranam)</span>
I am the moon </i>(sasi).]</span></span></span></span><br />
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2013: There is nothing quite as magical as watching that giant silvery orb
rising in the east after sunset.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF2uR5MI36n_1kwIoKYfcgXuz3qyqi619ULTanKnHk5W6U3wfxZQPDxRv7UP3QIErEsR0plQm_W-Ygo-oIBaE_n1VdaW6_8B6rXp9cbTiTN5QCb4Jz5ZpXXFawFF1nMxnKyygigE2tL9W/s720/Now+this+is+an+EPIC+Supermoon!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF2uR5MI36n_1kwIoKYfcgXuz3qyqi619ULTanKnHk5W6U3wfxZQPDxRv7UP3QIErEsR0plQm_W-Ygo-oIBaE_n1VdaW6_8B6rXp9cbTiTN5QCb4Jz5ZpXXFawFF1nMxnKyygigE2tL9W/s720/Now+this+is+an+EPIC+Supermoon!.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Only two days after
the solstice, in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 23, the moon officially reached its full phase and was the closest (356,990 kilometers or
221,823 miles) and largest 'supermoon' of the year.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">The moon's orbit is
egg-shaped, and there are times when it is at perigee - its shortest distance
from Earth in the roughly month-long lunar cycle - or at apogee, its farthest
distance from Earth. If the full moon phase happens to be at the same time as
the perigee then we get a supermoon, which happens once a year</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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Hubble Space Telescope snapped this uncanny image, released June 20, of two
interacting galaxies that look like a penguin guarding her egg.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Known collectively as
Arp 142, the galactic pair lie some 326 million light-years from Earth in the
constellation Hydra.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Over a period of
millions of years, the celestial bird-shaped galaxy has lost its distinct
pinwheel structure. Its red, spiral arms have become distorted by the pull of
gravity from the neighboring elliptical, egg-shaped galaxy.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Above the pair is a
lone, unrelated bluish galaxy located about 230 million light-years from Earth</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span><br />
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Ghana<i>da</i>:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrJ8JdI0wRQ4uu9jRfK32jDqwecHI16xz07eGjNeelPHKav651OG4FuASNhXNrriysNs_SGBtdl1w22-2lhdt8AjGf0iLKcCrhqq-c2AFFHeFg79WQNDF5wID6TF4A79EOIEbWetQuaof/s592/Ghanada.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrJ8JdI0wRQ4uu9jRfK32jDqwecHI16xz07eGjNeelPHKav651OG4FuASNhXNrriysNs_SGBtdl1w22-2lhdt8AjGf0iLKcCrhqq-c2AFFHeFg79WQNDF5wID6TF4A79EOIEbWetQuaof/s592/Ghanada.jpeg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>17.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The rare and
mysterious Grinning Monkey Orchids. TeeHee!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>18.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> <span style="color: #134f5c;">Great Hercules
Cluster<span style="color: #351c75;">:</span></span></b> <i>Hanging high in the southwest evening skies on Sunday, June
30, the constellation Hercules - the
strongman - will be easy to hunt down thanks to four stars that make up a
keystone pattern. Nestled within will be a great binocular/telescope showpiece,
the Great Hercules Cluster, or M13.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Located 24,000
light-years from Earth, this globular cluster is made up of a swarm of a half a
million stars packed into a ball, stretching over 100 light-years across. On a
dark, moonless night, away from city lights, M13 can just be glimpsed with the
unaided eye, appearing as a faint, small, fuzzy patch</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>19.</b> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Milky Way Rising<span style="color: #351c75;">:</span></b></span> <i>On
the night of Friday, June 28 - if you're away from city light pollution - our
home galaxy, the Milky Way will, arch across the eastern sky in the northern
hemisphere. A striking spiral arm filled with millions of stars will sweep
through the major constellations of the season: Starting in the northeast with
Cassiopeia, up across the high east through Cygnus, and running down south into
Sagittarius. Scanning through this celestial real estate with binoculars and
backyard telescopes will reveal countless stellar treasures</i>.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">20.</span> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ghash Phool!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvIUghmx1g0keFvmpFK6dRRyRw-q5xtQUjJ3F64xMtFXBXwDh3HSbqJ12_70BA9bAsvQ_kDvoocbKjNrLkogFYYIi9JdacmDOBaVOnLS9w26lJY7VrICGuRw65fDuF3ffDmI_uiv_XUja/s720/Ghash+Phool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvIUghmx1g0keFvmpFK6dRRyRw-q5xtQUjJ3F64xMtFXBXwDh3HSbqJ12_70BA9bAsvQ_kDvoocbKjNrLkogFYYIi9JdacmDOBaVOnLS9w26lJY7VrICGuRw65fDuF3ffDmI_uiv_XUja/s720/Ghash+Phool.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>21.</b></span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">Tintin!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwytdjjzno2sZ9KZcg7fIGb4ymW4t-wTz_AOfA-SfdgzLYdTyGs0iaKDDz2ng_IiDqqHeYCQcHNLcE9CNXbudFjs5NnJWijF6FFSKB9jV21vxSx30GjJzieJSv30Bo5G7z8afwweP-QTv/s300/Tintin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwytdjjzno2sZ9KZcg7fIGb4ymW4t-wTz_AOfA-SfdgzLYdTyGs0iaKDDz2ng_IiDqqHeYCQcHNLcE9CNXbudFjs5NnJWijF6FFSKB9jV21vxSx30GjJzieJSv30Bo5G7z8afwweP-QTv/s300/Tintin.png" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>22.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The one and only Felu<i>da</i>:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>23.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Felu<i>da</i> II:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeHovGbWenJpd2s8mGPGfAZpOLMDsIohdlw7_8825-GOk7Cs8kvEGNRjNpnIIVBGp1xPIC1tv4ulCsw5SgOh3Pc1UUnecEI1-bA0KjXcpBHrFlG2mM-KOrfX_LiSOFEWUvwyNr9yRNZdr/s216/Feluda+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeHovGbWenJpd2s8mGPGfAZpOLMDsIohdlw7_8825-GOk7Cs8kvEGNRjNpnIIVBGp1xPIC1tv4ulCsw5SgOh3Pc1UUnecEI1-bA0KjXcpBHrFlG2mM-KOrfX_LiSOFEWUvwyNr9yRNZdr/s216/Feluda+II.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>24. </b><span style="color: #351c75;">Auteur par excellence: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X-5_UY23VvD_N5avEXf9P6yrYEfwr5suRfKLIpcGVExESdlPo07sYfGuV8J3kowLGEeeJm2ZMZmikQYoD-vg11hbG9wDG2J8OR1EwoRlt_cYZ7NtcdDmEusPCVPS0BJ23NIXrHOE5rrQ/s310/Auteur+par+excellence+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X-5_UY23VvD_N5avEXf9P6yrYEfwr5suRfKLIpcGVExESdlPo07sYfGuV8J3kowLGEeeJm2ZMZmikQYoD-vg11hbG9wDG2J8OR1EwoRlt_cYZ7NtcdDmEusPCVPS0BJ23NIXrHOE5rrQ/s310/Auteur+par+excellence+01.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>25.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Tal gachh: </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B_3WcbENcBtAShVCSvxnj8Dt980ePBNPptqTyDW9LeF0gSTrxh5b72MfqCGw_FLiuYPjHIwz0anoGf2BpzvVgtDBa7j77eUTHExBX9PRzMZZ8NF8kMpTWMA23-ssXkcvRwzmo46ASaKx/s600/Tal+gachh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B_3WcbENcBtAShVCSvxnj8Dt980ePBNPptqTyDW9LeF0gSTrxh5b72MfqCGw_FLiuYPjHIwz0anoGf2BpzvVgtDBa7j77eUTHExBX9PRzMZZ8NF8kMpTWMA23-ssXkcvRwzmo46ASaKx/s600/Tal+gachh.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Let's go down nostalgia lane with Robi Thakur's '<span style="color: #660000;">Tal Gachh</span>': </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">|| tal gachh ak paye dnariye<br />
shob gachh chhariye<br />
unki maarey akashey</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">|<br />
mone sadh kalo megh fnure jaye<br />
akebare ude jaye<br />
kotha pabey pakha shey?<br />
|<br />
taito shey thik tar mathatey<br />
go(a)l go(a)l patatey<br />
iccheti meley taar<br />
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mone mone bhabey bujhi dana ei<br />
ude jetey mana nei<br />
bashakhani feley taar ... ||</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And since it's <i>barsha-kaal</i>... here's Robi Thakur's '<span style="color: #660000;">Aji Jharo Jharo
Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>' - by Babul Supriyo. [Bador means <i>Barsha</i> in Brajabuli]:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A new-age Rabindrasangeet - </span><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;">Jharo Jharo Borishey Baridhara</span> - a unique Tagorean Malhar.
Ustad Rashid Khan is simply superb:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And here is the <i>original</i> - <span style="color: #660000;">Jharo Jharo Borishey Baridhara</span> - by Srikanto
Acharjo:</span></span></span></span><br />
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-6426807114964645132013-06-23T18:57:00.004+05:302013-06-25T16:43:54.912+05:30Birds of Sirpur, Indore by Bhalu Mondhe | Abhilash Khandekar | Kaustubh Rishi <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>Birds
of Sirpur</i></b></span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">,</span> <i>Indore</i></b></span>
authored by <span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhalu Mondhe</span> (freelance artist/sculptor and photographer),
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Abhilash Khandekar</span> (professional journalist of 30 years standing in print media
+ a wildlife and nature enthusiast) and <span style="color: #4c1130;">Kaustubh Rishi</span> (Engineer +
ornithologist + wildlife photographer by passion) is a collection of crisp
colourful photographs and concise text of some 130 birds found at Sirpur Lake
(Indore). I am indeed very grateful to Dev<i>ji</i> (Mr. Dev Kumar Vasudevan)
for introducing me to this gem of a book.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(With two
obvious exceptions: that of the legendary "Birdman of India" Dr. Salim Ali and
the evergreen Ruskin Bond) one rarely comes across someone who appreciates
nature and her many bounties, including such beautiful creatures known as
birds... as deeply as Dev<i>ji</i>. He shares his birthday with the great Swami
Vivekananda... and I am sure many people do so too. But not everyone has such
love for the environment, trees, flowers, animals, birds, and our culture, et
al. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Muchas gracias Dev<i>ji</i>
- for this wonderful avian treat. :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
delightful field guide on a variety of birds - water birds, wetland birds and
tree birds - <i>Birds of Sirpur</i> was launched on 1st October 2012.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It<i> </i>acquaints
us with 23 types of water birds, 41 types of wetland birds and 66 types of tree
birds; each of them neatly accompanied by the following: their Common Name,
Scientific Name and Local Name; besides their Call, Status (whether migrant,
winter visitor, residential or residential migrant), Sighting Month, Details,
Habitat, Food and Nesting habit. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<i>Due to the freezing lakes and dipping
temperatures in their native lands, a large number of (migratory) birds from
Central Asian lands and Europe make Sirpur Lake their temporary home with the
onset of winter. Thousands of birds nestled on tree branches and in the water,
creating various sounds with their chirping and flapping, is a view, perhaps,
no bird lover would like to give a miss</i>.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is
also a small write-up <i>re:</i> the topography of a bird (complete with
illustration). It is not filled with highly technical or detailed plumage
descriptions (which would have confused any lay wildlife and nature
enthusiast). Instead: it consists of the correct names (along with a labeled
picture) for the exterior parts and feathering of a bird. Knowledge and
familiarity with these terms will (no doubt) lead to sharper field observation
and (also) help in making accurate notes about a bird... that one may have seen
or handled. It will be very useful for beginners.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other tidbits:</span></span></span></div>
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total bird species in Madhya
Pradesh: 496</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total bird species in India:
1031</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Total bird species in the
World: 10,451</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large birds like Greater
Flamingo and Sarus Crane both visit Sirpur Lake</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Besides birds, Sirpur has 3
species of turtle, 8 species of butterfly and 7 species of reptile. </span></span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All the images used in this book are of those birds found
in Sirpur Lake (shot by various photographers from time to time). One must
linger over the pictures... to admire the colourful plumage of each bird and to
marvel at nature's artistry, diversity and bounty. Besides: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>to know just how few
of them we are familiar with</b></span> (whether seen firsthand, in pictures or heard
about).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though
there are a number of books on birds, ornithology, field guides and so on, <i>Birds
of Sirpur</i> is indeed very special. Simply because this book is the outcome
of a Herculean effort to first conserve their habitat (Sirpur Lake) against various
odds, then to lure the avian visitors back (to the Lake). Only thereafter has
this book been compiled. It truly is a labour of love. The authors and their
associates have an abiding interest in saving our environment and conserving
nature. Their commitment shines through.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book
jacket cover is well done. Three Sarus Cranes adorn the front cover while a
picture of the now-rejuvenated Lake is at the back. <i>Birds </i>and<i> Sirpur</i>
is prominent in red amidst a mellow shade of yellow. The fonts gel well with the overall
look and feel of the book. It feels good to hold too. There are a few editing errors though, which should
have been pruned out, not that they interfere in any way. So, maybe, we can simply
ignore them and focus on the birds instead.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Thanks to Dev<i>ji</i>, my copy of the <i>Birds
of Sirpur</i> came along with a bunch of picture postcards (containing the
images of a few of our avian friends). And since I am a fledgling collector of
picture postcards, this put an even bigger smile upon my face</span></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Oypz49zVgp7bO09ZJliiMjVIWgHPFlurgtAcAFWBf8TwUsvAEYSUUllLz3OBUMfqlF6cAGQvuXupIrCKxRV-s6ypovIKYi64tYrTl13ARbtquCKNUPgg63zlBDmIPrlog2cUcuTBqWVs/s1600/coot+Sirpur+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Oypz49zVgp7bO09ZJliiMjVIWgHPFlurgtAcAFWBf8TwUsvAEYSUUllLz3OBUMfqlF6cAGQvuXupIrCKxRV-s6ypovIKYi64tYrTl13ARbtquCKNUPgg63zlBDmIPrlog2cUcuTBqWVs/s1600/coot+Sirpur+Lake.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am still marveling at the many species of dove,
ducks, heron and crane there are! [Picture of <span style="color: #0c343d;">Common/Eurasian Coots</span> @ Sirpur Lake.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As to:
why the "White Wagtail" (<i>Motacilla alba</i>) is called "<span style="color: #660000;">Dhoban</span>" <i>locally</i> or
why the "Oriental White Eye" (<i>Zosterops palpebrosus</i>/ Baboona, Motuchur)
is called "<span style="color: #660000;">Motichur</span>" - I have not a clue. And "Motichur" looks like as though
it's wearing a round pair of <i>chasma</i>. [Must be a very studious bird, what
say?! :)]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbs9McVZodpsrIXE41s766CS8vdmkOckj_w7zVVbq7RWZFPq3AFdJLmaufDXa7g9ami6zKEjoPZ8I3QG1AjCvdxzWBqp33P5BdwzA7sU5Z2ugfAuPoP9eki-03hf2ipavyTVt-VS3v7aZ/s1600/The+Purple+Moorhen+among+the+reeds+somewhere+inside+the+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbs9McVZodpsrIXE41s766CS8vdmkOckj_w7zVVbq7RWZFPq3AFdJLmaufDXa7g9ami6zKEjoPZ8I3QG1AjCvdxzWBqp33P5BdwzA7sU5Z2ugfAuPoP9eki-03hf2ipavyTVt-VS3v7aZ/s1600/The+Purple+Moorhen+among+the+reeds+somewhere+inside+the+lake.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And while the <span style="color: #0c343d;">Purple Moorhen</span> (<i>Gallinula Chloropus</i>)
is a nice-and-colourful-looking bird, it's many local names: Kaim, Kharim,
Kalim, Khima - fail to do justice. Even remotely. [Humph! Not fair.] </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><u>Pic</u>:</span></b> The Purple Moorhen among the reeds somewhere inside the Lake.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT1hV8XO3FXxbxWM9SttlDt9dky6kIgOTmbgHjbigVIbORq44TqJboeOS_cHNQP17C67xfDlBtUQivP8y4AcGxEBx6-6_WmY4aiRKAsbJyCcYt8jW4FDpGTUcnXKA9sYHz5LxcJBKTJ5P/s1600/Cormorant+on+a+Babool+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT1hV8XO3FXxbxWM9SttlDt9dky6kIgOTmbgHjbigVIbORq44TqJboeOS_cHNQP17C67xfDlBtUQivP8y4AcGxEBx6-6_WmY4aiRKAsbJyCcYt8jW4FDpGTUcnXKA9sYHz5LxcJBKTJ5P/s1600/Cormorant+on+a+Babool+Tree.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had
heard and read about the <i>Pan-kawri</i> (pan kowwa)... but never seen it. It is
called <span style="color: #0c343d;">Great Cormorant</span> in English and <span style="color: #660000;">Pankowri</span> in <i>Bangla</i>. Scientific
name: <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i>. [Sounds like some species of dino-croc. :) These scientific names... I tell
you!] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>: </b></span>Cormorant on a Babool Tree.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1SmVrO9UZrkEJj89QcTS6-RApCF97TzlpsZgWSHUxln05fFm7Mo4GcSMUYP_eu94UhbnvvaRYmtSoyIVuiFvenSATofucjv4BNPsY7pfNR6QvlNvWtRQz_mDKclfK5KM8kSBmAAEq-xN/s1600/Little+Coromorant+in+flight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1SmVrO9UZrkEJj89QcTS6-RApCF97TzlpsZgWSHUxln05fFm7Mo4GcSMUYP_eu94UhbnvvaRYmtSoyIVuiFvenSATofucjv4BNPsY7pfNR6QvlNvWtRQz_mDKclfK5KM8kSBmAAEq-xN/s1600/Little+Coromorant+in+flight.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But I wasn't
aware that there is a "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Little Cormorant</span>" (Chhota Pan-kawwa/ <i>Phalacrocorax
niger</i>) too. [<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> Little Cormorant in flight.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
"White-Breasted Waterhen" is called Jal murghi, Dawak, Dahak, Dauk, Panpaira.
Scientific name: <i>Amaurornis
phoenicurus</i>. It is called <span style="color: #660000;">Dahuk pakhi</span> in <i>Bangla</i>. [Pakhi = bird, the <i>Bangla</i>
equivalent of the Hindi "pakshi".]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RJiBj8_XljEqgZNmtfwkY-Cnhz3Eb-yFDZqJHx7MVP6j2Jlql1v_vlKXSKdxVUWwsKoJQAW8uf5Ze8LSC9dSQj_4bkRri4bWzAEd7baiomkOdYZV-zys0nZubM6mWzFI7sB2_NlDQNXe/s1600/Bronze-Winged+Jacana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RJiBj8_XljEqgZNmtfwkY-Cnhz3Eb-yFDZqJHx7MVP6j2Jlql1v_vlKXSKdxVUWwsKoJQAW8uf5Ze8LSC9dSQj_4bkRri4bWzAEd7baiomkOdYZV-zys0nZubM6mWzFI7sB2_NlDQNXe/s1600/Bronze-Winged+Jacana.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While the
"<span style="color: #0c343d;">Bronze-Winged Jacana</span>" (<i>Metopidius indicus</i>) is Dal Pipi, Jal Pipi,
Karatiya and Pipi. Delightful, isn't it?! A leggy swamp bird somewhat like a
Moorhen, with glossy black head, neck and breast, metallic greenish bronze back
and wings, and chestnut-red stub tail, the Jal Pipi has a broad white stripe from behind eye
to nape. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> The Bronze-Winged Jacana pottering about somewhere inside the lake.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for
the "Greater Flamingo": it is known as Rohit or Agnipankh (probably due to its
rosy-white colour. Rozy-hued or reddish is Rohit/Rohitah/Lohitah in Sanskrit). Its
scientific name is: <i>Phoenicopterus rubber</i>. [And <i>that</i> kinda makes
it sound like an extinct rubber helicopter, what? :)] </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5YcAyuGFXCPjJ1Cp6n4wR3pS8DQtb9k72BB4McWlTG8UJNED8qNj42eWVExOUCBw333isVOUgl2RU33XK9uLTfb1ErokiU_EDP_AbBmkV60z7ssplTnEBJCoSm_UF3XspUZHW-hALF-s/s1600/Sarus+Crane.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5YcAyuGFXCPjJ1Cp6n4wR3pS8DQtb9k72BB4McWlTG8UJNED8qNj42eWVExOUCBw333isVOUgl2RU33XK9uLTfb1ErokiU_EDP_AbBmkV60z7ssplTnEBJCoSm_UF3XspUZHW-hALF-s/s1600/Sarus+Crane.jpeg" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <span style="color: #0c343d;">Sarus Crane <span style="color: #351c75;">(<span style="color: #660000;">in pic</span>)</span></span>, on the other hand, is (methinks)
responsible for the term "Apsara". Here's why:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Contrary to popular belief, Apsaras were <i>not</i> celestial
beings but female Gandharvas. Saras = lake or water-body, besides being a
reference to the <i>lake-bird</i> - the Sarus Crane. [This lake-bird (Sanskrit:
Sarasa) is much-venerated in our culture and is also associated with <i>Maharshi</i>
Valmiki.] The Sarus Crane (also: Saras Crane) performs territorial and
courtship displays that include loud trumpeting, leaps and dance-like
movements. The female Gandharvas, as we know, were adept at the performing
arts, and these may have included leaps and energetic dance-like movements
(much like the Ballet and the Flamenco) - to the accompaniment of gay music.
Hence, (probably) over time, the female Gandharvas first came to be associated
with the Saras Crane, and then (gradually) began to be referred to as the
"Ap-Saras" (possibly: 'saras-like') - which later gave way to
"Apsara". They were also regarded as possessors of great knowledge,
be it in the fine arts, performing arts, medicinal herbs, flowers, perfumes,
and the like. Urvashi, Menaka, Rambha, Tillottama et al are legendary Apsaras.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also: the name "Flamenco" may have been derived from <i>Flamingo</i>.
And the Saras and Flamingo (of another era/yug) may have been related. It
is worth noting that the Flamingo is a mix of bright and lighter shades of
pink, while the Flamenco dancers wear red. [<i>So, where do you think have the
Ballet and the Flamenco originated? </i>:)]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The Gandharvas may have been an offshoot/sub-clan<i> </i>of the
<i>Sura/Deva</i> clan/people. The name <i>Gandharva</i> is of Sanskrit origin,
and is very likely derived from the Sanskrit word <i>gandha</i>, meaning <i>perfume,
odour or smell</i>. These people were renowned for their great knowledge of
flowers, aromatic herbs, plants and birds. Hence "Gandharva" is a
reference to the spices and aromatic herbs that they [the inhabitants of
ancient Northwest South Asia, including Bakthria and possibly also the people
using the Kharoṣṭhī script] traded and with which they anointed themselves.
They were also well-versed in music and dance besides being expert players of a
variety of musical instruments.]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: one mustn't confuse the Flamingo for the Sarus Crane
and vice versa... on account of their long-legs and brightly-coloured plumage.
They are otherwise quite different.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But
let's not digress. Let's return to the Birds of Sirpur.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently: "Dubdubi" is Little Grebe. [But I am only
familiar with <i>Doob Doob</i> - the simple-minded crocodile from the Tinkle
comics (and a friend of the wily Chamtaka).]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
"Wire-Tailed Swallow" (<i>Hirundo smithii</i>/ Abadil, katij, totki) - on the
other hand - is a sight to behold. Glossy steel blue above, with a chestnut
cap, it is readily distinguished from other swallows by its glistening white
under-parts and two long, fine tail 'wires'. [What amazing architecture!]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWuT2uFv62tjsYQyNOhv8NLh3-y8JyeGio6-3qjzLcHLg93qlx28EJ23eNYJk-O3Q7moRDBp-1uelNY9UT-2ZsR1SRf8jNCaDx_tLChoKHqxJRTSWkV6-Vwt_8F_PY8cBVnz83VImhxVu/s1600/Paradise+Flycatcher+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWuT2uFv62tjsYQyNOhv8NLh3-y8JyeGio6-3qjzLcHLg93qlx28EJ23eNYJk-O3Q7moRDBp-1uelNY9UT-2ZsR1SRf8jNCaDx_tLChoKHqxJRTSWkV6-Vwt_8F_PY8cBVnz83VImhxVu/s1600/Paradise+Flycatcher+02.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even the
"<span style="color: #0c343d;">Paradise Flycatcher</span>" (M.P. State Bird): Rufous plumage: Shah bulbul, Husaini
bulbul, (White plumage: Sultan bulbul, Dudhraj) is quite eye-catching. One word: <span style="color: #4c1130;">Mr. Majestic</span>.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But yours truly is somewhat confused by the "Bluethroat" (<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Nil
kanthi</b></span>/ <i>Luscinia svecica</i>) and the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Indian Roller</span>" or Blue Jay (<i>Coracias
benghalensis</i>/ Tas, Chas, <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Neelkanth</span> </b>-<b> </b>meaning: Blue throat).</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsIC55Nrulrr79BKjx3woyu3fvXm_YTq6D4y8i2A_rHNs1vQuQL-3ZNpCpLPjCi3z49Z7zo7aP2h8MMe3NKDSlXqQAIj-wyTlIxknEP13YmxMSTgIie4hKWHzWTz4LRP_KRF65H0V_GJG/s1600/Indian+Roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsIC55Nrulrr79BKjx3woyu3fvXm_YTq6D4y8i2A_rHNs1vQuQL-3ZNpCpLPjCi3z49Z7zo7aP2h8MMe3NKDSlXqQAIj-wyTlIxknEP13YmxMSTgIie4hKWHzWTz4LRP_KRF65H0V_GJG/s1600/Indian+Roller.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Especially: since both their call is a <i>chack</i> sound.
[Though the Indian Roller also makes a variety of other sounds, including
metallic <i>boink</i> calls and may occasionally attempt fishing from water. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><i>However, this bird </i>(Neelkanth/Indian Roller)<i> is one of my favorites</i>. In flight, it displays the most magnificent of all blues. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent">To me it is: <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mr. Monarch</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span>]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBY7UDHPITFoFYbtoTSjWEhCF06XzyDxyqGlAZplyeyM5RAJvh_y873vrKZL3LvCI1ghE6zFoO5hSm0dcAyrxAVrlr3zM14FNhWGYdoO8pfNxK_sur5v0guDCOMmQHhte1NnxamN2vi2_/s1600/House+Sparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBY7UDHPITFoFYbtoTSjWEhCF06XzyDxyqGlAZplyeyM5RAJvh_y873vrKZL3LvCI1ghE6zFoO5hSm0dcAyrxAVrlr3zM14FNhWGYdoO8pfNxK_sur5v0guDCOMmQHhte1NnxamN2vi2_/s1600/House+Sparrow.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One can
mistake the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">House Sparrow</span>" (<i>Passer domesticus</i>/ Gauriya, Goura,
Charkalpe, Garhwa, Ginjishki) for the "<a href="http://www.oiseaux.net/birds/photos/zitting.cisticola.html"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Zitting</span> <span style="color: #0c343d;">Cisticola</span></a>" (<i>Cisticola
juncidis</i>/ Ghas-ki-Phutki, Kali phutki) and vice versa - especially in the
wild or from afar. The former though is (until now) a familiar sight... despite the
relentless massacring of our trees. [House Sparrow = <span style="color: #660000;">CharAi pakhi</span> in <i>Bangla</i>.
In Bangla pronunciation: "a" = first vowel (in Sanskrit/Hindi/...) (awe). "A" =
second vowel (long) (far).]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pn4UvUi-15_YMVA7dCcZWnDE-uAtPHQjuAMFaoC7_rhsbd_gNgiPfdxnb2BwwRcfm9-TSD_FcBeoHH8jGVu2zpqxJbFRKHdYrwEdD-vA2hjplJt_XdT7V86Shjj-cjkqkJtTM0cyIc07/s1600/Lesser+Golden-backed+Woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pn4UvUi-15_YMVA7dCcZWnDE-uAtPHQjuAMFaoC7_rhsbd_gNgiPfdxnb2BwwRcfm9-TSD_FcBeoHH8jGVu2zpqxJbFRKHdYrwEdD-vA2hjplJt_XdT7V86Shjj-cjkqkJtTM0cyIc07/s1600/Lesser+Golden-backed+Woodpecker.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But given
how fast the green cover is shrinking... none can say for how much longer. And
once the green cover almost vanishes, the "<span style="color: #660000;">KAthh-thhokrA</span>" - the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Lesser
Golden-Backed Woodpecker</span>" (<i>Dinopium benghalense</i>/ Son pathi sutar,
Maramkothi, Tachchan kuruvi) will not have any more "kAthh" (wood) to peck on. :(]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPNgapo7btFvqpUkRTIJL3NvBSDza_jl1zleqcamFoDBZTGvdLHmkUFR23GZbDm2V7eMT_y8lpwrlQLr-6gB64sR8QJVswEPFdUTT_WWRLuk7J0aVYunDjgEDc-8UCzEsqynOCqtQ0Vrh/s1600/Bulbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPNgapo7btFvqpUkRTIJL3NvBSDza_jl1zleqcamFoDBZTGvdLHmkUFR23GZbDm2V7eMT_y8lpwrlQLr-6gB64sR8QJVswEPFdUTT_WWRLuk7J0aVYunDjgEDc-8UCzEsqynOCqtQ0Vrh/s1600/Bulbul.jpg" height="78" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Red
Vented Bulbul</span>" (<i>Pycnonotus cafer</i>/ Bulbul, Guldum) too can be mistaken
for the "Sykes's Crested Lark" (<i>Galerida deva</i>/ Chinna chandul) - from
afar or in the wild. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><u>[</u></span><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> Red Vented Bulbul, clicked at Sirpur Lake.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Bulbul:
Bangla = <span style="color: #660000;">Bulbuli pakhi</span>.]</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd0gLSes-MQSpzqAw15x566ALRYgeeXfklwsmVSst0BShJWSBDcVV7Qm4O0l1DEGzXcrwYbSiIkY04GqvihNw_uwe3Fzn97gsAcjwSItDJRZhGwA_quYAqerQ1XoMEPyfuu3ALlY2fXR8/s1600/Sykes's+Crested+Lark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd0gLSes-MQSpzqAw15x566ALRYgeeXfklwsmVSst0BShJWSBDcVV7Qm4O0l1DEGzXcrwYbSiIkY04GqvihNw_uwe3Fzn97gsAcjwSItDJRZhGwA_quYAqerQ1XoMEPyfuu3ALlY2fXR8/s1600/Sykes's+Crested+Lark.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While the "Sykes's Crested Lark" can even pass off as a sparrow - from afar. Here's the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Sykes's Crested Lark". <span style="color: #4c1130;">Hello Mr. Elvis!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9jdDaLv8G1Z9K1yW-Be6VBXP4wa9OVcrl1gjQQ4-BQByh44oheYywtVuEPBA5K2LyLynKRAdh4zKTEv8TOqlgdow4L8Ers-_Qfqhxa7ju4cOqzQpf2WE7ATWwpmMEcEoli6BVScDOhzb/s1600/Pied+Cuckoo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9jdDaLv8G1Z9K1yW-Be6VBXP4wa9OVcrl1gjQQ4-BQByh44oheYywtVuEPBA5K2LyLynKRAdh4zKTEv8TOqlgdow4L8Ers-_Qfqhxa7ju4cOqzQpf2WE7ATWwpmMEcEoli6BVScDOhzb/s1600/Pied+Cuckoo.JPG" height="148" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently:
the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Pied Crested Cuckoo</span>" (<i>Clamator jacobinus</i>) is called <i>Kala bulbul</i>
(besides: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Chatak</b></span>, Papiya and Kala papiya). [Its call goes:
piu-piu-pee-pee-piu-piu-pee-pee-piu. So, probably: <i>this</i> bird and its call have
inspired a whole bunch of songs!] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span">The Pied Cuckoo (clicked at Sirpur Lake). A
summer visitor from Sri Lanka and South India (where it resides and breeds) to
North and North-East India.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[According
to Indian mythology/legend/apocryphal stories: the "Pied Crested Cuckoo" is associated
with a bird known as the chātak and is represented as a bird with a beak on its
head. It waits for rains to quench its thirst. The well-known naturalist,
educationist and intellectual, Satya Churn Law, however noted that in Bengal,
the bird associated with the "chātak" of Sanskrit was the <i>Common
Iora</i> (Fotik jol/<i>Aegithina tiphia</i>) unlike the Pied Crested Cuckoo suggested by
European orientalists. He further noted that a captive Iora that he kept drank
water only from dew and spray picked up from plant leaves... suggesting that it
may have been the basis for the idea that the "chātak" only drank
raindrops. <span style="color: #0c343d;">Pet Birds of Bengal:</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/36270#page/1/mode/1up"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Link</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BTW, even
the "Brain Fever Bird" (<i>Hierococcyx varius</i>) is called Papiha, Papiya,
Kapak and Upak.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the other hand, the <span style="color: #660000;">Kajol pakhi</span> or "Brown Shrike" (<i>Lanius
cristatus</i>) is called Karkata and Karkheta. [Reminds me of one of the
players from "Chak De! India".] </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThZvmO8DapXKheypofbJjOL73hfNSFUy7mxrn8ue2Rm6Hfq5i0Ifd757c4qeqYPlcyz8IG_QZoSNu5NfrheMP1vv71JjyhYrD4t6jyEIsCl7cm4yAx-fZMvyWvzgVcBDYCNbtthgHpxMV/s1600/Coppersmith+Barbet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThZvmO8DapXKheypofbJjOL73hfNSFUy7mxrn8ue2Rm6Hfq5i0Ifd757c4qeqYPlcyz8IG_QZoSNu5NfrheMP1vv71JjyhYrD4t6jyEIsCl7cm4yAx-fZMvyWvzgVcBDYCNbtthgHpxMV/s1600/Coppersmith+Barbet.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mr. Artist</span> - the
"<span style="color: #0c343d;">Coppersmith Barbet</span>" (<i>Magalaima haemacephala</i>) is called Katphora,
Thathera Basanti and Chota Basanti. [Sholay, anyone?!]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: why the "Crested Bunting" (<i>Melophus lathami</i>)
is called <i>Patthar Chiria</i> - I know not.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT2sJW9NLv5pVwwUpcZ1QyMRbZMQBQjssNpCALniE_jU_jHIdxYFav79gPxc6LiqDwCCYsIYyHFkh0jv8NJNyOVbgW8UQ5_iVtsnPsly-3yWBxr5cDgSoC5Kz29X7U_71CTY-yRhuLPCK/s1600/Large+Billed+(Jungle)+Crow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT2sJW9NLv5pVwwUpcZ1QyMRbZMQBQjssNpCALniE_jU_jHIdxYFav79gPxc6LiqDwCCYsIYyHFkh0jv8NJNyOVbgW8UQ5_iVtsnPsly-3yWBxr5cDgSoC5Kz29X7U_71CTY-yRhuLPCK/s1600/Large+Billed+(Jungle)+Crow.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the
"<span style="color: #0c343d;">Jungle Crow</span>" (<i>Corvus macrorhynchos</i>) - Kala kowwa, Pahari kowwa, Jangli kowwa
(with a deep and hoarse 'caw') instantly reassures me about my fledgling
ornithologist status. [It is called "<span style="color: #660000;">DaANd Kak</span>" in <i>Bangla</i> and has a
shiny raven-coloured plumage. [Chamtaka's nemesis: the very smart "Kalia - the
Crow" is an ordinary crow though. You know, the House Crow (<i>Corvus
splendens</i>).] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> Large-billed (Jungle) Crow (clicked at Sirpur Lake).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
"Egyptian Vulture" (<i>Neophron percnopterus</i>/ Safed Gidh/ Kal kurgh) is
quite noble looking. Also called the "Pharaoh's Chicken," it is a small Old
World vulture and the only member of the genus <i>Neophron</i>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Imagine: 'Flight of the Pharaoh's Chicken'!]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Among all
aves, our National Bird - the "Indian Peafowl" (<i>Pave cristatus</i>/ Mor,
Maura, Manjur) - stands out. Obviously! [Peacock is "<span style="color: #660000;">Mayur</span>" in <i>Bangla</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp4SsWooZAGbwhiCmFuE7v_fAaGjyI1GeBmTl6UPI6uL6EOteFiCgU-wC7GexksJDHNeu0Qbpx1noTISrYLrqjZa4NCSOWkXlMtyiIYRSm4XNHWX-QGndmoB3wxe2PnGRCrYyKRyOKChO/s1600/Small+Blue+Kingfisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp4SsWooZAGbwhiCmFuE7v_fAaGjyI1GeBmTl6UPI6uL6EOteFiCgU-wC7GexksJDHNeu0Qbpx1noTISrYLrqjZa4NCSOWkXlMtyiIYRSm4XNHWX-QGndmoB3wxe2PnGRCrYyKRyOKChO/s1600/Small+Blue+Kingfisher.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have seen the "Yellow-Wattled Lapwing" (<i>Vanellus malabaricus</i>/ Zirdi,
jithiri, laori) a couple of times or so... but I am quite familiar with the
<span style="color: #660000;">Machhraanga</span> - the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Small Blue Kingfisher</span>" (Chhota Kilkila, Nika machhrala,
Chhota tont). I have seen it quite a few times... diving at lightening speed and
with precision - a brilliant bluish-orange blur - and then taking off with a
fish... to savour for breakfast or for lunch. [Umm, since it is a fish-eating
bird, I take it that it possess high IQ. Though may not be in the same league
as <i>Jeeves</i>. Yet. But God's painting it is.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw6XxLSOsmc9yg9xjAOon1JldU4ezveOId5Ycyq7_WwlqJfn-3VcgR6nlTlcb7mR4KwyVnMN4cxVIfZ7jQQDXY90zFfTeGp2OC8IPFjnw_6Bs66hd26YNsG1KEox4VRXUheydmnSmTAOi/s1600/A+pair+of+rose+ringed+parakeets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw6XxLSOsmc9yg9xjAOon1JldU4ezveOId5Ycyq7_WwlqJfn-3VcgR6nlTlcb7mR4KwyVnMN4cxVIfZ7jQQDXY90zFfTeGp2OC8IPFjnw_6Bs66hd26YNsG1KEox4VRXUheydmnSmTAOi/s1600/A+pair+of+rose+ringed+parakeets.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Plum
Headed Parakeet" (<i>Psittacula cyanocephala</i>/ Tuiya tota) - I have yet to
see. But the guava-eating "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Rose Ringed Parakeet</span>" (<i>Pisttacula krameri</i>/
Tota, Lyber tota, Popat, Keera) - is fairly common. [Bangla = <span style="color: #660000;">Tia <span style="color: #351c75;">or</span> Tiye
pakhi</span>.] <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> A pair of Rose Ringed Parakeet. Clicked at Sirpur Lake.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for
the "Purple Sunbird" (<i>Nectarinia Asiatic</i>/ Shakar khora, chumka) - it is
known as <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Moutusi</i></span> in Bangla. [Moutusi... nice name, no?]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Baya
Weaver</span>" or <span style="color: #660000;">Babui Pakhi</span> (<i>Ploceus phlipinus</i>/ Baya, Sonchiri, Suyam,
Sugahri, Bijra) and the "Tailor Bird" (<i>Orthotomus sutorius</i>/ Darzee,
Piddi) - are two of nature's greatest wonders. 'Coz despite being the "most
evolved of all species," the Homo sapiens sapiens <i>cannot</i> weave or stitch like
these tiny creatures.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[However:
that still doesn't help me understand... why the "White Wagtail" (<i>Motacilla alba</i>) is
called "Dhoban". "Weaver Bird" and "Tailor Bird" - I can understand. But
"Dhoban"?!!]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmfKrn0tvCbhxdJzsG2l33EaBCI9pEtcpKBWybloLy6mMekf2Z9KKUpvDFR75PVM-c2eh31gS43-FyQIBUnXSfAwlpXtitcoXtDb0uzoY-o4fkVrb9iH70OXTjD2UwAGKyl2SnT9h145u/s1600/Orthotomus_sutorius+-+Tuntuni+pakhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmfKrn0tvCbhxdJzsG2l33EaBCI9pEtcpKBWybloLy6mMekf2Z9KKUpvDFR75PVM-c2eh31gS43-FyQIBUnXSfAwlpXtitcoXtDb0uzoY-o4fkVrb9iH70OXTjD2UwAGKyl2SnT9h145u/s1600/Orthotomus_sutorius+-+Tuntuni+pakhi.jpg" height="195" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And the <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Tailor
Bird</i></span> - one of the most difficult birds to photograph - is none other than
Upendrakishore Raychoudhuri's "<span style="color: #660000;">Tuntuni Pakhi</span>"! It is difficult to photograph...
not because of its tiny size, but simply because it cannot sit still for more than a
few seconds and cannot decide which direction it wants to look! It is always super-excited!! But we all love this energetic little bird immortalized
in our folk tales (by legends like Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury and Rudyard
Kipling). A Tuntuni bird weaves neat little nests by folding a leaf and sewing
it by collected fiber. Truly a tailorbird!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Upendrakishore
Ray Chowdhury was Satyajit Ray's paternal grandfather. Upendrakishore - Sukumar
Ray - Satyajit Ray (+ the latter's cousin, Leela Majumdar). So many geniuses
within a family!]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix89FMpM-qcSE8MoibhlNRZ-WqvhOgxKamPul2aADNkhHRwdDfA4n9l0DNIzw6wqSVlDqCiNqsX-poECqPScW7LKJBALjm22zPSg2svTSlXArZWxTbVtqiVEYboD8UQcFihF2wBxqojuFF/s1600/250px-Tintin_cover_-_The_Castafiore_Emerald.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix89FMpM-qcSE8MoibhlNRZ-WqvhOgxKamPul2aADNkhHRwdDfA4n9l0DNIzw6wqSVlDqCiNqsX-poECqPScW7LKJBALjm22zPSg2svTSlXArZWxTbVtqiVEYboD8UQcFihF2wBxqojuFF/s1600/250px-Tintin_cover_-_The_Castafiore_Emerald.JPG" height="200" width="143" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
"Oriental Magpie-Robin" or <span style="color: #660000;">Doyel pakhi</span> (<i>Copsychus saularis</i>/ Dhaiyal,
Dhaiyar, Daiyad) - I first got to know via "The Castafiore Emerald" - a Tintin
comic.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
"Koel" (<i>Eudynamys scolopacea</i>/ Koel, Kokila) on the other hand - we are very familiar with. <span style="color: #660000;">Kokil</span> (Bangla) or the Cuckoo Bird is known for its
melodious ku-hoo, ku-hoo, ku-hoo. [However: the Cuckoo bird is also an
"outsourcing pioneer" - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">the female bird has been laying its eggs in the nests of crows since
time immemorial. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>This shows that although the crow is universally
regarded as a wily bird it certainly is naïve when it comes to counting chicks
before they hatch. It is probably when the young koels are ready to fly away to an absolutely different tune, that the stumped foster
parents realize the goof-up. </i>Even the <span style="color: #0c343d;">Pied Cuckoo</span> <span class="apple-style-span">lays its eggs in the nests of other
birds</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span">.</span>] </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmGtJvq_AVyHAdl9dQ8_LZHFYilm62yn-P21rqPgvDlHNHcOiT2bwitaxGGyOgOmH2zYMBxgWDC3gFhrxkv2AOQ0t1WGXchcd_BiCfKusO2z2ITlM7dG9HenmvbcsgLmg4lscrTijJoKn/s1600/Common+Myna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmGtJvq_AVyHAdl9dQ8_LZHFYilm62yn-P21rqPgvDlHNHcOiT2bwitaxGGyOgOmH2zYMBxgWDC3gFhrxkv2AOQ0t1WGXchcd_BiCfKusO2z2ITlM7dG9HenmvbcsgLmg4lscrTijJoKn/s1600/Common+Myna.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.north-india.in/fauna/Birds/brahminy_myna.htm"><span style="color: #351c75;">Brahminy mynah</span></a>
(the black-headed myna) or "Brahminy Starling" (<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>formerly</b></span>, <i>Sturmus Pagodarum</i>; <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>now:</b></span>
<i>Sturnia pagodarum</i>/ Kalasir Myna, Puhaiya, Pupaiya Myna) is quite neatly groomed, while
the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Common Myna</span>" (<i>Acridotheres tristis</i>/ Myna, Hor, Gulgul, Salik,
Shale) is a tad unkempt. ["Common Myna" is <span style="color: #660000;">Shalik pakhi</span> or <span style="color: #660000;">Moyna</span> in <i>Bangla</i>.
It is also the "two-for-joy" mynah.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Brahminy starling's specific name, </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">pagodarum</span></i><i>, is presumably in honour of
this species' fondness for perching on buildings and temple pagodas in southern
India.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aKi7x067gyiE6zMt-URp0IjvKNrUYvwxHS8cNsgfybpFTg6Oou9Vym3EfPdxYaLDzjpeR1JmI4lzEnSuOeVpMGWhmiATX_yL4cM5YbNg48OQ2axf7j_T0xCaOkV0pugEddj3QuA5nbej/s1600/Pied+Starling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aKi7x067gyiE6zMt-URp0IjvKNrUYvwxHS8cNsgfybpFTg6Oou9Vym3EfPdxYaLDzjpeR1JmI4lzEnSuOeVpMGWhmiATX_yL4cM5YbNg48OQ2axf7j_T0xCaOkV0pugEddj3QuA5nbej/s1600/Pied+Starling.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Pied
Starling</span>" (<i>Sturnus contra</i>/ Ablak, Ablaki myna, Siroli myna) - strikingly
marked in black and white with a yellowish bill and a reddish
bill base - is
"<span style="color: #660000;">Gobore Shalik</span>" in <i>Bangla</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The friendly
"Black Drongo" (<i>Dicrurus macrocercus</i>/ kolsa, bhujanga, karanjua,
kalkalachi) or "<span style="color: #660000;">Fingé pakhi</span>" was a common sight... until a few years ago. Not any more. :(</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ditto the
"Scaly Breasted Munia" (<i>Lonchura punctulata</i>/ Telia munia, Seenabaz).
These tiny birds were a delight to watch. One wanted to learn all about them.
One wanted to say: Fly high, little guy, fly high.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfJzphNL3VEWUICg1_frZcT-9jiPHuqtpMwMf0bxS75bLdIxGGbFJkL-_qfZbhyn3O6RgPgtcvLdSF48Ae91iatAdNZ_cC7bRy2Cdtrv-RGpoN8BMusaZ0bYWousWfL6VxvURRC5oWpM-/s1600/Hoopoe,+The+King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfJzphNL3VEWUICg1_frZcT-9jiPHuqtpMwMf0bxS75bLdIxGGbFJkL-_qfZbhyn3O6RgPgtcvLdSF48Ae91iatAdNZ_cC7bRy2Cdtrv-RGpoN8BMusaZ0bYWousWfL6VxvURRC5oWpM-/s1600/Hoopoe,+The+King.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Hoopoe</span> (<i>Upupa epops</i>) is a colourful bird notable for its distinctive
'crown' of feathers. It
is called <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Mohan Chura</i></span> (in Bangla). <i>Why?</i> Well, just as Gulmohar is known
as "Krishnachura" or 'crown of Krishna'. Or just as peacock feathers adorn the
crown of Krishna. Similarly, the Hoopoe is admired for its 'crown' of feathers, which is
compared to the 'crown of Krishna'. Clearly, Hoopoe is the King. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">[Krishna is also known as Mohan.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for
the "Indian Robin" (<i>Saxicoloides fulicata</i>/ Kalchuri) - I first
discovered it on packets containing "Neel" - most likely, <span class="summary">Robin
Blue - the fabric whitener with pedigree.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eWZKIQBOc1FyC499tnR1eIzmkOAAGzKp-L7VSxgsFhiHP5tLbxrQw27J6LTU4KKp9eTeR0gHauEHV6_N5hLciA60SUhoGD5DICaBYZQV4Ztk5UBrejDUf2BaBId7R3Atj1-9-WlM5rSJ/s1600/Egret.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eWZKIQBOc1FyC499tnR1eIzmkOAAGzKp-L7VSxgsFhiHP5tLbxrQw27J6LTU4KKp9eTeR0gHauEHV6_N5hLciA60SUhoGD5DICaBYZQV4Ztk5UBrejDUf2BaBId7R3Atj1-9-WlM5rSJ/s1600/Egret.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Umm, have
seen the Chil or "Black Kite" (<i>Milves migrans</i>) and the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Large Egret</span>"/Great
White Heron (<i>Casmerodius
albus</i>) with long slender head and neck, pointed bill and all-white plumage - many a time.
The Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its
yellow bill and black legs and feet. [Bangla: Sada Bok. Sada = white.] [<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> Large Egret, clicked at Sirpur Lake.] </span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Egret" has originated from the word "aigrettes", since
long, delicate, and ornamental nuptial plumes, called aigrettes, appear on the
back of these birds during the breeding season.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQSCpPw0sKPmgXWeZ40xf6F5RpXztYQIx4DDnQ8YWYQORv6WLKs2yCEEDywYNIkco4vXEKvHVKJaof5gEN4CnfiTqW7yuljfywYkQksl8Jbn50cWyGk8awvvVil1_L7AH4lrzn7K23gAL/s1600/Black+Kite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQSCpPw0sKPmgXWeZ40xf6F5RpXztYQIx4DDnQ8YWYQORv6WLKs2yCEEDywYNIkco4vXEKvHVKJaof5gEN4CnfiTqW7yuljfywYkQksl8Jbn50cWyGk8awvvVil1_L7AH4lrzn7K23gAL/s1600/Black+Kite.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The <span style="color: #660000;">Chil</span> or "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Black Kite</span>" (<span style="color: #660000;">in pic</span>) is not to be confused for the <span style="color: #660000;">Shankhachil</span> or
"<a href="http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Haliastur-indus"><span style="color: #351c75;">Brahminy Kite</span></a>" (since both are about the same size and have a typical
kite-flight, with wings angled). The latter is distinctive and contrastingly
coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and breast and black
wing tips. In India, the noble-natured Brahminy Kite (<i>Haliastur indus</i>)
is considered as the contemporary representation of "Garuda," the sacred
bird/'vaahan' of Shri Maha Vishnu. [The Brahminy Kite (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">often referred to as
the Singapore Bald Eagle) is called <i>Shankhachil</i>
in Bangla. Shankha = conch. 'Coz the white plumage of this bird is similar to
the white of a conch shell.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
"Common Babbler" (<i>Turdoides caudatus</i>/ Chilchil, Sor, Genga, Dumri,
Heddo, Lailo, Saat Bhai) has an interesting English name. And so does the
"Jungle Babbler" (<i>Turdoides striatus</i>/ Saat bhai). But why they are
called "Saat Bhai" - my guess is as good as yours. Also: why "Common" is
prefixed to one while "Jungle" is prefixed to the other - no clue. But both are
Babblers... apparently. [The Jungle Babbler is called <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Chhatare</i></span> in Bangla.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyisHbKSQamHGUOGmdmyVkHA5aXjMSmRxd5J_VUrCO4ko3HrZi-I0LeyGhCuY24kU1mgNCaYyXRNZ-OsqddNs2FDobKGPCOAcb635hHm9ocArvjpbHn1hqZ5pMemM-BGxSW8cfloOkhwI/s1600/Grey+Hornbill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyisHbKSQamHGUOGmdmyVkHA5aXjMSmRxd5J_VUrCO4ko3HrZi-I0LeyGhCuY24kU1mgNCaYyXRNZ-OsqddNs2FDobKGPCOAcb635hHm9ocArvjpbHn1hqZ5pMemM-BGxSW8cfloOkhwI/s1600/Grey+Hornbill.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "Grey Francolin" (<i>Francolinus pondicerianus</i>/
Safed teetar, gowjal hakki, kawanga, chittur) is quite different from the
"Painted Francolin" (<i>Francolinus pictus</i>/ Kala teetar, Kakera kozhi).
Their names suggest as much. But the "<span style="color: #0c343d;">Grey Hornbill</span>" (<i>Ocyceros birostris</i>/
Dhanesh, Dhanel, Lamdar) - <span style="color: #660000;">Dhanesh pakhi</span> - appears to be quite serious and focused. [<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>:</b></span> Grey Hornbill, clicked at Sirpur Lake.]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But why
the "Small Bee Eater" (<i>Merops orientalis lathem</i>/ Patringa, Harrial,
Pateri, Banspati) is called "Banspati" - I know not. ['Coz "Banspati" ghee or "Banspati" refers to <i>Dalda</i>, right?!]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are
many more species of birds in this book. And given the times... it's a veritable
treat. 'Coz w<i>e are just left with crows, pigeons/doves, some chil/kites,
common myna and sparrows + the occasional parrot or two</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My twopenceworth</u>:</b></span> B<span class="uficommentbody">otanical
names of plants or scientific names of birds (in Latin) are very cut and dry:
devoid of logic, imagination, philosophy, spirituality, or emotion. E.g., the
scientific name for "</span>Indian Roller" or Blue Jay<span class="uficommentbody"> is </span><span class="long-title"><i>Coracias
benghalensis</i></span><span class="long-title">. And I'm sure whosoever named it thus - have used
some reference point(s). But does it appeal to us?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="long-title">On the other hand, we know the
same bird as "Neelkanth". <i>This</i>, I would say is logic blended with </span><span class="uficommentbody">imagination,
and it appeals. It is poetic too, isn't it?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody">Mere cut and dry logic holds no
charm. Logic devoid of imagination and/or philosophy and/or a bit of spirituality -
will remain incomplete. [What say you?]</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody">Greats like <i>Acharya</i>
Jagadish Chandra Bose and Aryabhatta were able to effortlessly merge logic with
imagination and/or philosophy and/or spirituality. The results are there for
all to see. Aryabhatta's way of explaining and presenting complex theories and
phenomena is very unique. I'm not aware whether the much-vaunted Greek
astronomers came any close. While the pioneering botanist and physicist,<i>
Acharya</i> J.C. Bose was great in every sense of the word. His was a
phenomenal mind. He demonstrated that plants too have life when everyone else
thought otherwise [and this "everyone else" included the scientific
community too, and they (surely) employed 'logic', or <i>their version of</i>
"logic" - so as to arrive at such a conclusion, right?]</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody"><i>Acharya</i></span><span class="uficommentbody"> J.C. Bose's explanation of what is "living" and what
is "non-living" is a true eye-opener. It could not have happened
without the seamless blending of imagination and spirituality. And <i>this</i>, he
would have imbibed from our ancient heritage. Therefore: in my humble opinion,
he enriched logic. He infused <i>life</i> into logic.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the absence of imagination,
philosophy, spirituality or a wee bit of emotion, logic loses its appeal, it
remains incomplete: whether vis-à-vis humans or with respect to intangibles or
abstracts. Logic cannot exist on it's own. It needs humans. And therefore:
imagination, philosophy, spirituality and/or a wee bit of emotion are
inseparable from logic. Is it not?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, take the example of
botanical names or the scientific names of birds - in Latin. They may have
perfect logic behind them - but do they appeal to us? And even if we remember
them, isn't it like a chore, laboured?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="uficommentbody">However, the same logic, if
paired with imagination and/or philosophy and/or spirituality and/or a wee bit
of emotion - transcends many barriers; it appeals to our hearts, minds and
soul, and remains with us - forever.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just like
"Neelkanth," Indian Roller and <span class="long-title"><i>Coracias benghalensis</i>.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0PWEq-ISQcMVciArSf7o82QQjUDcdk0NPq2Z_LwVsultVFSSE3Pbrlglf_P9UwUIP4ZjfP16dbD2Sco0TwME3kcXCFEYwJEph-z0cQvBenTTMaz2epLnQdBFAAZspZDTS9kmMDc4QZc8/s1600/Sirpur+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0PWEq-ISQcMVciArSf7o82QQjUDcdk0NPq2Z_LwVsultVFSSE3Pbrlglf_P9UwUIP4ZjfP16dbD2Sco0TwME3kcXCFEYwJEph-z0cQvBenTTMaz2epLnQdBFAAZspZDTS9kmMDc4QZc8/s1600/Sirpur+Lake.JPG" height="78" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b>Here
is a bit about the Sirpur Lake and how this Lake and its avifauna were
salvaged:</b></i> </span>A
lovely, natural bird habitat until the 80s, the rain-fed Sirpur Lake was almost
forgotten. This over a 100-year old, once-beautiful Lake, situated on the
Indore-Dhar highway, was the Royal Holkar family's gift to Indore. It was later
taken over by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). The foreword by Mr. M. N.
Buch (Padmabhushan, Chairman, NCHSE, Bhopal/ Former Civil Servant, eminent
environmentalist and urban planner) talks of a time when the Khan River was
actually a river and not a sewer and the Palace, Manik Bagh (Nahar Bhandara),
was used for boating. The Sirpur Lake was the jewel in the crown and a nature
heritage of the historic city of Indore, once ruled by Devi Ahilyabai. Mr. Buch
talks about the myriad bird population of Sirpur and its environs (when he was
a young Sub Divisional Officer of Kannod in Dewas District in 1960). He had
(then) visited Sirpur Lake because it was one of the well-known constituents of
the nature heritage of Indore city. But as the city grew the Lake soon became a
victim of unplanned urbanization: Trees were hacked, sewage and garbage
polluted the Lake (whose area shrank and as the Lake became smaller and
dirtier, aquatic life and avifauna both suffered).</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBtMS7R07E5WsNhyphenhyphenvv688cv0la1c_nC263WAHe5VVRyt1EKkA5g7NbpJYh70w0AVWqNB8NQHjTWA0jQ5q_E4bzeGa0XjjwaZr2xkFe-k5zz7yQlp7FeYT9sn9Hf81SM1TQaDtR1LgXHRO/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBtMS7R07E5WsNhyphenhyphenvv688cv0la1c_nC263WAHe5VVRyt1EKkA5g7NbpJYh70w0AVWqNB8NQHjTWA0jQ5q_E4bzeGa0XjjwaZr2xkFe-k5zz7yQlp7FeYT9sn9Hf81SM1TQaDtR1LgXHRO/s1600/logo.png" height="67" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Lake owes
its re-birth to the untiring efforts of Madhya Pradesh's famous photographer,
Bhalu Mondhe. The citizens of Indore, originally in small number, too joined
him and Abhilash Khandekar... and they became a two-man army to fight for
Indore's heritage. Out of Mondhe's resolve: to save Sirpur Lake and its flora
and fauna - was born <a href="http://www.tnvindia.org/"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Nature</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Volunteers</span></a> (TNV) - "an informal pressure group
of environmentally restless people" - a not-for-profit body. [Bhalu Mondhe,
Abhilash Khandekar <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">along with Dilip
Phadke, Sudhir Sone and Salil Tambe founded <i>The Nature Volunteers</i> in
1994.] </span></b><b>
</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Later,
experts like Kaustubh Rishi joined them and together they created an awareness
of the Lake, the dangers it was facing and the need to conserve it. Existing
trees were preserved, new trees came up, bird life made a come back and the
Lake water underwent a gradual recovery. Suddenly, Sirpur is alive again. It
indeed is a remarkable achievement </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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much remains to be done). </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Nature Volunteers (TNV) did everything possible in the
last 15-20 years to see the lake regain its pristine glory. Among various
environment movements of the country, Sirpur is a well-known success story...
made possible by a handful of energetic people who passionately love Indore and
its environment - whatever is left of it now.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let us
hope Sirpur Lake's success story is replicated throughout the country,
especially since (unfortunately) human interference in bird habitats
(encroachment on water banks, uncontrolled fishing, increase in use of chemical
pesticides and fertilizers) is becoming a big obstacle in the conservation of
our avian friends. We must understand that birds help maintain a balance in our
ecology. <i>This awareness needs to spread</i>. Also: a large number of
plastic bags, junk litter, immersion of plaster of Paris and other degradable
and non- degradable garbage have been posing a threat to the wetland habitats.
This needs to change too. And <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>soon</b></span>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Here is a bit about Sirpur:</span> </b>Ensconced in
the lush-green vicinity of the Barnawapara sanctuary, Sirpur is located on the
beautiful banks of the river Mahanadi, about 50 kms from the capital, Raipur. It was
a happening place 1300 years ago. The excavations undertaken by the
Archeological Survey of India has unearthed important Buddhist sites (the
Anandaprabhu Buddha Vihara, the Swastika Vihara, and the Tivaradeva Mahavihara -
the largest and most ornate of all the viharas), besides the remains of 100
Buddha Viharas, 4 Jain Vihara, 200 mounds and other smaller temples, apart from the 6th
century Laxman Temple and a host of idols belonging to that period. Standing on
the banks of the Mahanadi in Mahasamund District, atop the ruins of the capital
of Dakshin Kosala or Chhattisgarh (as it was then known), Sirpur was Shripura (or
Sripura).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sripura
or Shripura was the old name of this town (as is evident from many grants and
inscriptions). Some traditions translate this Sripura to 'the City of Wealth'
as Sri is a reference for Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi, the goddess/deity/symbol/devi
of wealth, wisdom, prosperity, happiness and good health - in the Indian
pantheon. Sri is also the consort of Shri Maha Vishnu.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
region was once a bustling and flourishing trading centre - that witnessed a
constant flow of merchants from China. Abounding monuments and structures (that
were - until recently - buried under layers of sand and earth) add to the
treasure-trove of information and architectural beauty that was once Sripura. [It is
surmised that this is perhaps the biggest temple town of the sixth and seventh
centuries to be discovered anywhere so far. <i>However, excavations have yielded
a number of beautiful sculptures, many stone inscriptions, and pottery dating
back to the 2nd century B.C. indicating that Shripura/Sripura flourished right from
2nd cent. B.C.</i> Apparently, Shripura had once been blessed with the arrival
of <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh himself.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is also
conjectured that Sripura must have been an important settlement/civilization in
Central India and that it was a major Buddhist study centre, at least four
times as vast as the great Buddhist University at Nalanda. This is perhaps
gleaned from the Chinese traveler, Hiuen Tsang's travelogue (that mentions Sripura/Shripura as having over a hundred Buddhist
monasteries inhabited by over 10,000 monks - belonging to the Mahayana sect).
Recent excavations in the region have revealed some conch bangles, giving rise
to the opinion (amongst a section of archeologists) that <i>Bhikshunis</i> or female
monks too probably inhabited the monasteries. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCVD9uU2-qhnpm2Fc9FwHLWF8l7az5ybLLszxgoDUv0NV_j5kfdD7YhW6f1YWEMFm5VpQIMbJXbib1ch3CMm_NpR5nx63tMJ8FOITltGyPTU30_ZHamYRJDYTIPzxKBzTh035TpX5ML4M/s1600/Shri+Buddh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCVD9uU2-qhnpm2Fc9FwHLWF8l7az5ybLLszxgoDUv0NV_j5kfdD7YhW6f1YWEMFm5VpQIMbJXbib1ch3CMm_NpR5nx63tMJ8FOITltGyPTU30_ZHamYRJDYTIPzxKBzTh035TpX5ML4M/s1600/Shri+Buddh.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A two
metre tall <span style="color: #660000;">monolithic statue of the Buddha touching the earth</span> (<span style="color: #0c343d;">seated in the
lotus position</span>) and belonging to the 6th century is one of the largest finds at
this site (in the current/21<sup>st</sup> century). There are also the ruins of
a Shri Ram temple, though a few stone foundation structures are all that remain
of what must have once been an important temple. History records that the
shrine here was the earliest example of star-shaped temple of South Kosala
region.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Among the
loose sculptures, one finds idols of <i>Devi</i> Chamunda, mahishAsuramardinI (<i>Devi</i> Durga/Parvati), Nataraj
and Uma-Mahesvara, besides the Trimurti and the Navagraha. But layers of
whitewash have hidden most of their features. There is also an 8 ft tall monolithic
image of Sri<i> Bhagavan</i> Mahavir Jain. However, many rare idols (such as the
idol of Goddess Tara - a form of <i>Devi</i> Chamunda/Kaali) can now be found
in foreign museums.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The marvelous
Laxman Temple mesmerizes with its sheer size and magnificent work. This temple
is believed to be the first such place of worship in India to be built solely
of bricks. Although named after Shri Ram's younger brother (Lakshman), the
temple is a Lord Vishnu shrine and has stood the test of time. The temple stands on a six-foot
high platform and its entrance is adorned with several figures carved in stone.
The doorframe is of stone and a figure of the reclining Vishnu on Sheshnag is
seen on the Lintel. The panels of the doorway are embellished with statues of
the incarnations of Shri Vishnu and his devotees. The high brick roof ends in
an imposing <i>shikhar</i> or temple dome, the passage of time clearly written
on it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Alexander
Cunningham reports of a Vishnu idol lying outside the temple that was similar
to the idol found at Eran. He suggests that it might be the main idol of the
sanctum.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Vishnu/Lakshman temple
was (supposedly) built in the 8th century: by Vasata - the daughter of King
Suryavarman of Magadh and the mother of Mahasivagupta Balarjun. The latter was
a Shaivaite ruler and is credited with building the city of Shripura, the City
of Wealth, as the capital of the kingdom of Maha-kosala.
It was during his reign that Sripura attained the pinnacle of religio-cultural
conviviality (extending its warmth as much to Hinduism as to Jainism and
Buddhism). The noted Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang has testified to this in his
travelogue after visiting Sripura in 639 AD.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">[The </span></i><i>Sirpur
stone inscription </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">(</span></i>found in
the debris of this temple and now in Raipur Museum<i><span style="font-style: normal;">)</span></i> begins with invocatory prose to Purushottam (Vishnu). The
next few verses are dedicated to Shri Narasimha, the Lion-Man incarnation of
Shri Vishnu. King Mahasivagupta, his mother and two ancestors are mentioned.
Chandravamshi (moon-worshipping, moon-flag-bearing/Chandradhvaj, Somavamshi)
king Mahasivagupta was the son of Harshagupta. The inscription further mentions
that his mother, Vasata, was the daughter of Suryavarman, the king of Magadh. And
that: after the demise of her husband, she constructed a temple dedicated to
Shri Hari (Vishnu). The next seven verses praise her acts.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
copper-plate inscriptions and a Chinese coin unearthed at Sirpur point towards
the fact that trade was buoyant during the period of Mahashivgupta and <i>this</i>
brought along with it exchanges of learning/knowledge from neighbouring
countries. Shripura/Sripura became an established centre of Buddhism between
the 6th and 10th centuries... during which period Hiuen Tsang is believed to have
visited the city.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhXjR_78KowNRZxrROFr83JbJkNSH8EGVPo3O3XJRCEXtAcQQ08zmP4B1U4ZXxIJkykURYyRS-C95EblrbR0FASBl5Ryc1zaDaKGyEAFXjvHnYfVNUWHzqcMMcxS4ow47nlkom4mxarM9/s1600/The+ruins+at+Sirpur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhXjR_78KowNRZxrROFr83JbJkNSH8EGVPo3O3XJRCEXtAcQQ08zmP4B1U4ZXxIJkykURYyRS-C95EblrbR0FASBl5Ryc1zaDaKGyEAFXjvHnYfVNUWHzqcMMcxS4ow47nlkom4mxarM9/s1600/The+ruins+at+Sirpur.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Theories abound on the emergence of Sripura as a
flourishing town and its subsequent decline. Probably a "samudra-manthan"
ensued between the Buddhists and the Shaivites of the region... resulting in the
rulers leaving their capital to make Orissa their home. Yet others attribute
the decline of Shripura to the decline in trade. While some historians believe that
floods alone caused the decline/demise of Shripura, y</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">et others say everything vanished underground after an earthquake. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pic</u>: </b></span>the ruins at Sirpur.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Present
region, most part, of Chhattisgarh was known as Kosala/Maha-Kosala or sometimes
Dakshina-Kosala (in ancient times). The boundaries of these three ancient
regions overlapped - from time to time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maha-Kosala
- as the region comprised of the whole of the upper valley of the Mahanadi and
its tributaries - from the source of the Narmada at Amarkantak on the north to the
source of the Mahanadi at Kanker on the south and from the Valley of Wen-Ganga
River on the west to the Hadsa and Jonk rivers on the east. [Huien Tsiang
visited India in seventh century CE and he mentions the kingdom of Maha-Kosala
comprising an area of 6000 li or 1000 miles. He did not mention the name of the
king but states that the king was a Buddhist but Kshatriya.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
earliest inscriptional reference of Maha-Kosala comes from the Allahabad Pillar
Inscription, which mentions that the Gupta king, Samudragupta (335-375/6 CE)
defeated King Mahendra of Kosala, which lies in Dakshinapatha. As many as six
different dynasties witnessed their rise and fall in Maha-Kosala. The earliest
dynasty is known from its copperplate charters found at Bilaspur, Raipur and
Raigarh. [These dynasties - that ruled over Shripura/Sripura - probably had accepted
the suzerainty of the Imperial Guptas.]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Local tradition mentions
Savaripura as the original name of (modern) Sirpur 'coz this was (apparently) the
region associated with Savari/Shabari [of the Ram-Shabari story.] According to
the Ramayan, Savari resided on the banks of the river Pampa to the west of the Rishyamukha
Parvat. <i>And</i> <i>if we are to accept this local tradition, then Mahanadi
should be Pampa and the hills on the east would be Rishyamukha. Cunningham,
however, is reluctant to identify Mahanadi as Pampa. He felt that
identification with Suktimati is more appropriate</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The capital of Chedi or Maha-Kosala kings was at Manipura
on river Suktimati as mentioned in the Mahabharat. The river originates at
Suktimal Mountains, hence the name: Suktimati. Though this mountain range is
among seven main mountains of ancient India, its identification is yet to be
done. Most ancient inscriptions are found at Sirpur, Rajim and Aarang in Chhattisgarh,
hence these are the places of antiquity. Sirpur is situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi, which makes it appropriate to be identified as Manipura. <i>And if this
is correct, then the river Mahanadi and the river Suktimati (of the Mahabharat) are one and the same.
Suktimal Mountains will then be the range of mountains to the south of Sehoa
from where Mahanadi, Pairi and Seonath rivers originate. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even Siya-Ram's twins: <i>Kush</i> ruled
from Southern Kosala, while <i>Luv</i> ruled from Northern Kosala.
Shri Ram set up the city of Kusha-vati (near the Vindhya ranges) - for Kush,
and the city of Shravastipur - for Luv. [Sravasti is also closely linked with <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lakshman and Urmila had two sons: Angada and Chandraketu. Shri
Ram (as per the advice of Bharat) founded the kingdom of Karupada (in the
Western regions) - for Angada and the kingdom of Chandrakanti (in the Northern
regions: Malwa country) - for Chandraketu. [Urmila was Sita's sister and daughter of <i>Sheeradwaj</i> - <i>Raja</i> Janak.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Taksha and Pushkala were Bharat and Mandavi's sons. <i>Mandavi</i>
was Sita's cousin and daughter of <i>Kushadwaj</i> (younger brother of
Sita's foster-father, <i>Sheeradwaj</i>). [Sheeradwaj is best known as <i>Raja</i>
Janak. But "Janak" was actually the title assumed by the kings of <i>Videha</i>, also
known as Janakpur.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yudhajeet (Kaikeyi's brother) and Bharat (Kaikeyi's son)
conquered the kingdom of Gandhara and built the city of <i>Taksha-seela</i>
(named after one of Bharat's sons: Taksha.) Bharat built yet another city - <i>Pushkala-vati</i>
or "Lotus City" (named after his other son: Pushkala.) <i>Pushkala-vati</i> is
modern Peshawar. [It was also known as <i>Purusha-pura</i>. Purusha = Supreme
Spirit. Purusha-pura = the abode/city dedicated to the Supreme Spirit.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Taksha-seela: to
the east of the river Indus, was known to Alexander and the Greeks as: Taxila. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pushkala-vati
(meaning: Lotus City): to the west of the river Indus, was known to Alexander
and the Greeks as: Peukelaotis.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Later: the sons and descendants of Bharat ruled this region from
Taksha-seela. [Thus: Taksha-seela, the place where the famed university existed, gets
its name from <i>Taksha </i>(son of Bharat).]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shatrughna had two sons, Suvahu and Shatrughati (with his wife <i>Shrutakirti</i>).
The former became king of Mathura, and the latter ruled in Vidisha.
[Shrutakirti was Sita's cousin - daughter of <i>Kushadwaj</i> and sister of
Bharat's wife, Mandavi.]</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even Shri Ram's mother - Kausalya - was the daughter of the King
of Dakshina Kosala Kingdom. She hailed from the royal family/clan of
(Dakshina) Kosala, hence her name: Kausalya (meaning: 'of Kosala' or 'hailing from the
ruling family/royal clan of Kosala'). [Dakshina Kosala or Southern Kosala was a
colony of Kosala kings... identified to be Chhattisgarh state and western Orissa
region.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fall
of the Yadavas of Devagiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal at the hands of
Ala-ud-din Khilji was an event of extraordinary historical significance. In the
aftermath of the fall of these two once-mighty kingdoms, Devagiri and Warangal,
the Gonds of Candrapur seem to have made their rise as a political power.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According
to the local Gond traditions, there arose among them a hero known as Kol Bhilla
(the possessor of great strength and wisdom). He rallied the scattered Gond
tribes and united them into a sort of nation. We also find one Bhim Ballal
Sing, who is said to have established a Gond kingdom with Sirpur as its
capital. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The
original seat of the Gond kings of Candrapur is considered to be Sirpur, twenty
miles to the south-west of Candrapur proper, on the southern bank of the
Painganga river, also known as Wardha. From here they shifted their capital to
present Ballarsah and finally to the historic Candrapur.]</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus: Sirpur (ancient Shripura/Sripura) has a long and chequered
history dating back to our <i>pracheen itihasa</i>. At the
centre (of it all) is the river of dreams, Mahanadi, flowing with abundant
stories of past and present, reliving the golden age of centuries or perhaps
millenniums ago.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Birds of Sirpur
Indore</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;">/
Authors: Bhalu Mondhe |
Abhilash Khandekar | Kaustubh Rishi/ Published by:
The Nature Volunteers (TNV), Indore/ Binding: Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2012/
Genre: Non-fiction/ Pages: 176/
Price: INR 250.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b><u>Pictures</u></b><b>:</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Courtesy TNV, Mr. D.K.
Vasudevan and Outlook.</span></span></span></div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-47009405481208532142013-06-14T00:10:00.001+05:302013-06-20T07:39:51.526+05:30Random 2.0<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1.</b>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dewdrops or raindrops?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZvUitjm8KWPftTBkMqkYflixVyLmy5Dro8AVaEG_P5b2piaLNejKS49rgplx-rVHyUmxJzqV0qBAyn_uRaePe7A9hGQWxZECwI5GSqyHIVKiST1UKY-CT4AaeXePkESqJ8gbFn81u1Pt/s1600/Dewdrops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZvUitjm8KWPftTBkMqkYflixVyLmy5Dro8AVaEG_P5b2piaLNejKS49rgplx-rVHyUmxJzqV0qBAyn_uRaePe7A9hGQWxZECwI5GSqyHIVKiST1UKY-CT4AaeXePkESqJ8gbFn81u1Pt/s1600/Dewdrops.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. </b><span style="color: #351c75;">Ahh...</span>
</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bliss!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYj10LazZ_UEWRz0c1FlNj6xwJcaXQt-8VXbpYyDgoyo8fmQBxCgpl6aNvougiQeNzIkf50QgiX9J2o0A48lHYRPolCPmwSVDFBMUAXtM_N3sQEwP9KzXgO6TnDaSuM6LdQ18QUZB-vGe/s1600/Bliss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYj10LazZ_UEWRz0c1FlNj6xwJcaXQt-8VXbpYyDgoyo8fmQBxCgpl6aNvougiQeNzIkf50QgiX9J2o0A48lHYRPolCPmwSVDFBMUAXtM_N3sQEwP9KzXgO6TnDaSuM6LdQ18QUZB-vGe/s1600/Bliss.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">3.</span>
</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Byangoma:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4.
</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Great Barrier Reef:</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">A marine scientist admires a garden of stony corals:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkpMI517MQSi2j3MW7MJIwF5ygZiI5ILVk-_FVOd5VmY3ka7qLX7Yn8MF2di4qy2kU0tFZmZfU9Vhe09-0uy5Tyq6l9lpOm771x8BLuBrhzDxL2sDp_iGhZGCyxzVBTPsaZnl-an_pjLl/s1600/A+marine+scientist+admires+a+garden+of+stony+corals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkpMI517MQSi2j3MW7MJIwF5ygZiI5ILVk-_FVOd5VmY3ka7qLX7Yn8MF2di4qy2kU0tFZmZfU9Vhe09-0uy5Tyq6l9lpOm771x8BLuBrhzDxL2sDp_iGhZGCyxzVBTPsaZnl-an_pjLl/s1600/A+marine+scientist+admires+a+garden+of+stony+corals.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5.
</b></span><i>Cape parrot</i> flying low over a wild plum
tree. Africa's most endangered parrot like never before...</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EIgjIiSPZMHwgBJsfE0Pz4qCHCUOcy7_UR1auZjXGWzi1kcRUtUafmzD66M8HuW5-y7EVBXDZ_yc7S7UBF879lcSmXH85onznWu4m3E117XNKCUKme8lGq-YrR1qZ_a6s4HbWUREQ-me/s1600/Cape+parrot+flying+low+over+a+wild+plum+tree.+Africa%E2%80%99s+most+endangered+parrot+like+never+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EIgjIiSPZMHwgBJsfE0Pz4qCHCUOcy7_UR1auZjXGWzi1kcRUtUafmzD66M8HuW5-y7EVBXDZ_yc7S7UBF879lcSmXH85onznWu4m3E117XNKCUKme8lGq-YrR1qZ_a6s4HbWUREQ-me/s1600/Cape+parrot+flying+low+over+a+wild+plum+tree.+Africa%E2%80%99s+most+endangered+parrot+like+never+before.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Absolutely
stunning portrait of a proud, wild Cape parrot sitting in a Cape lilac tree
(often erroneous called a syringa tree). These yellow fruits are thought to be
poison, but the parrots have been recorded eating them for over 50 years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">6.</span>
</b>Surjo doebar khela:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOQwnDnprrOAC5FwTIkL9yRdozhfRriy-BjmFHWb-d9eHFurATYmWSRuqhFyMI1_r9mSDTI3tHPM0alZMPDE8lsiMoMhx7QwwEVo5DztYEfONvM_1sALcJS28az_2TBA1dkqQLwA1BKQW/s1600/Surjo+dobar+khela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOQwnDnprrOAC5FwTIkL9yRdozhfRriy-BjmFHWb-d9eHFurATYmWSRuqhFyMI1_r9mSDTI3tHPM0alZMPDE8lsiMoMhx7QwwEVo5DztYEfONvM_1sALcJS28az_2TBA1dkqQLwA1BKQW/s1600/Surjo+dobar+khela.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">7.</span>
</b>Remember them?</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt04jtCNqVK2D-PU5VjyfNz6OKlx9_hUi0fcyzWBwnlCB7mN37y_pHj95rLK51VMp-LXv8vVcHVXskcGz-2lSPSMr3pvizQMHYcU8qQa2v2HXJIEdmZLaL4jc97vwa486TrNGcNhMVLx7Q/s1600/Remember+them.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt04jtCNqVK2D-PU5VjyfNz6OKlx9_hUi0fcyzWBwnlCB7mN37y_pHj95rLK51VMp-LXv8vVcHVXskcGz-2lSPSMr3pvizQMHYcU8qQa2v2HXJIEdmZLaL4jc97vwa486TrNGcNhMVLx7Q/s1600/Remember+them.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8.
</b></span>The Bestest:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktpfTGIarMOVNVo67Tb7UVtaOxFQ2qg-F7l4lVZxBGEFoysys_KWZb8kmDkfoPnHLxVPBBgBk4Dy4-U7BY0DfcrTYgcA7VaAZc8hiBbB2JLPOwCzy4yhQjHibjlNFjQLgXGLuziITttuh/s1600/The+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktpfTGIarMOVNVo67Tb7UVtaOxFQ2qg-F7l4lVZxBGEFoysys_KWZb8kmDkfoPnHLxVPBBgBk4Dy4-U7BY0DfcrTYgcA7VaAZc8hiBbB2JLPOwCzy4yhQjHibjlNFjQLgXGLuziITttuh/s1600/The+Best.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">9.</span>
</b>Shyamoley Shyamol Tumi Neelimaye Neel...:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdJBH5MmbGtOWFnkDMQtFgMq09GsOogaZ7Igxz_p_cgYKyALxEGejLJFFZOXObPE0FxBMHDiLcvoGuE1iG1dDTkvA2KkvdUb43svuQkpYxZaw1KQrtF_N6p_jz54HI0Reo8JkwYl2Wkdp/s1600/Shyamoley+Shyamol+Tumi+Nilimaye+Neel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdJBH5MmbGtOWFnkDMQtFgMq09GsOogaZ7Igxz_p_cgYKyALxEGejLJFFZOXObPE0FxBMHDiLcvoGuE1iG1dDTkvA2KkvdUb43svuQkpYxZaw1KQrtF_N6p_jz54HI0Reo8JkwYl2Wkdp/s1600/Shyamoley+Shyamol+Tumi+Nilimaye+Neel.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>10.</b> </span><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Moon
joins lion's Heart:</span> </b><i>Look towards the high southwest evening sky on
Thursday, June 13, for the crescent moon hanging below the brightest star of
constellation Leo, the lion.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regulus
marks the heart of the lion and lies 78 light years away. A hot blue-white
star, it is about 3.5 times larger than our Sun and, at 300 million years old,
is an adolescent when it comes to star lifetimes.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
the next evening, June 14, notice that the moon now has slid to the lower left
of Regulus. Meanwhile southern hemisphere observers will see the crescent moon
to the immediate left of the brilliant blue-white star.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI-sxVfbJWLR4XZ-eQbtbPObqXS6tnDoppvlyHD7wwvkNe3rhALShaUXaSinDP2FRU0G4oVabtnuS25SRFxr3v_2-cjXybtNElHvEJzzk4sTlX3RolfxS9k7p1JiupQxZeaCNYB5AXF_H/s1600/after+nightfall+on+June+14th+the+moon+will+near+the+brightest+star+in+the+constellation+Leo,+the+lion..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI-sxVfbJWLR4XZ-eQbtbPObqXS6tnDoppvlyHD7wwvkNe3rhALShaUXaSinDP2FRU0G4oVabtnuS25SRFxr3v_2-cjXybtNElHvEJzzk4sTlX3RolfxS9k7p1JiupQxZeaCNYB5AXF_H/s1600/after+nightfall+on+June+14th+the+moon+will+near+the+brightest+star+in+the+constellation+Leo,+the+lion..jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">11.
</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Mars meets Aldebaran:</span></b> <i>As an observing challenge on Saturday, June 15,
try hunting down the Red Planet at local dawn in the very low eastern sky near
Aldebaran, the red eye of Taurus, the bull constellation.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Start
your hunt about an hour before your local sunrise and look for Aldebaran to the
lower right of Mars (upper right in southern hemisphere). The planet-star pair
will appear higher in the sky - and therefore brighter and easier to spot - the
more southerly your observing location. Binoculars will help in tracking down
both objects.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While
both morning stars shine with similar brightness and orange tinges, they lie at
very different distances. Mars is currently stationed 369 million kilometers
(229 million miles) from Earth, while the dying red giant star is a respectable
65 light years off.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>12.</b> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Moon posed with Venus: </b></span>About 30 minutes
after sunset on Monday, June 10, skywatchers around the world looked towards
the very low northwest for the razor-thin crescent moon to the left of Venus.
[Look carefully above Venus for fainter Mercury forming a celestial triangle
with the moon.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>13. </b></span>Calvin and Hobbes:<b> </b>doing what they do
best:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">14.</span> </b>Joi Baba Maniknath:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>15: </b></span>Felu<i>da</i> aar Topse<i>da</i> - <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Badshahi Angti</i></span>: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">16. </span></b>Holmes - its different!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">18.</span> </b>Dive like this!</span></span></span></div>
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</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Eastern Screech Owl: Master bohurupi. The
eastern screech owl is seen here doing what they do best.</span></span></span></span></div>
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</b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mount Bromo, Java:</span></i> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">At the foot of the active volcano Bromo on the island of
Java lies the temple Pura Luhur Poten, which is often immersed in a soft
mist at dusk. On this day Mount Bromo showed unusually strong activity, which
lead to an exceptionally high and dense dust cloud:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Chasing storms is rewarding: Shelf Cloud,
Saskatchewan -</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">this particular storm formed
this shelf structure eight hours later (in the Canadian Prairies).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">22.</span> </b>The benefits of:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">23. </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Sugary Skies: </span></b><i>Looking like mounds of sugar crystals scattered across a black tablecloth, this ultraviolet image, released June 3, showcases the multitude of stars that reside within one of the Milky Way's small companion galaxies.<br /><br />NASA's Swift satellite has produced the most massive ultraviolet-light survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) ever attempted.<br /><br />The image is the culmination of nearly two days of exposure and was stitched together from 656 individual snapshots spanning 7,000 light-years across. <br /><br />While to Southern Hemisphere sky-watchers this dwarf galaxy looks like a small, hazy patch, the Swift satellite revealed 250,000 individual ultraviolet sources within the SMC.<br /><br />With these mosaics, we can study how stars are born and evolve across each galaxy in a single view, something that's very difficult to accomplish for our own galaxy because of our location inside it. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">24.</span> </b>Coffee bean + Sugar = Smile!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">here's Robi Thakur's <span style="color: #660000;">Prano Bhoriye Trisha Horiye</span> - which speaks</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> about <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>enlightenment</b></span>. An </span><span style="color: #351c75;">excellent rendition of this sublime ode to the Almighty by Debabrata Biswas (George<i>da</i>):</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Prano Bhoriye Trisha Horiye</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">[lyrics and translation... <i>though its impossible to translate</i>. Simply because: Robi Thakur's oeuvre is</span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> one of those things that cannot survive
translation (into English), however much one tries]:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Lyrics</u>:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Prano bhoriye trisha horiye</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moray aro aro aro dao pran.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tobo bhuboney tobo bhaboney</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moray aro aro aro dao sthan</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aro alo aro alo</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ei noyone Probhu dhhalo</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sooray sooray banshi poray</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tai aro aro aro dao taan.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aro bedona aro bedona</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daao moray aro chetona</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dvaro chhootaye badha tootaye</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moray koro tran moray koro tran.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aro premey aro premey</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">More doobay jaak nemay</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sudhadhare aponare</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tumi aro aro aro koro daan ||</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Translation</u>:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Vitality thou fill, sate my thirst </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fill me with more, more and more vigour.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In thou universe and thy abode</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Offer me more, more and more space.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">More light, yet more light;</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In these eyes do pour.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With the notes that dwell in thy flute</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Offer me more, more and more strain (taan).</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">More misery, yet more pain</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Offer me more sense.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Open thy door and break all barrier</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Offer me more, more and more succour.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;">More devotion </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;">(pUjA), yet more kindness</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: small;">Do submerge me as I submerse</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of thy compassion</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Offer me more, more and more alms ||</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">And since </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">|| <span style="color: #660000;">ahaḿ varṣaḿ nigṛhṇāmy utsṛjāmi ca</span> -
<i>and I withhold and send forth the rain </i>|| h</span>ere's</span></span></span><span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Sraboni Sen - Pagla Hawar Badol Dine"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Pagla Haowaar Badol Diney</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>by</i> Sraboni Sen. It's </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Sraboni Sen - Pagla Hawar Badol Dine">a song about the monsoon, with lyrics as beautiful as the music itself. </span><span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Sraboni Sen - Pagla Hawar Badol Dine"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Pagla Haowaar Badol Diney</i></span> speaks about the insane wind on a rain-filled day:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4l--w5iVwjw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span></b></div>
<h1 id="watch-headline-title">
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Rabindra Sangeet Aami Pathbhola Ek Pathik Esechhi Bengali Classic Movie Mon Niye in Movie Song"></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Rabindra Sangeet Aami Pathbhola Ek Pathik Esechhi Bengali Classic Movie Mon Niye in Movie Song">Aami Pothbhola Ek Pothik Esechhi <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(rendered by the magnificent Hemonto Mukhopadhyay and the wonderful-vivacious-versatile Asha Bhonsle):</span></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/U6aatc0MgaI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And here's</span><span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Ei Meghla Dine Ekla Ghore Thakenato Mon"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Ei Meghla Dine Ekla Ghore Thakenato Mon">Ei Meghla Diney Ekla </span></span></span></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Ei Meghla Dine Ekla Ghore Thakenato Mon">(<i>by</i> Hemonto Mukhopadhyay):</span></span></span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/d6da8jRlxNk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We, Tagore aficionados, believe that he is yet to reach people as he should. The question whether Robindroshongeet should change
with times is irrelevant... since Robi Thakur himself improvised with raga-s
and the bandish of the classical music. He even experimented with European tempo and beats. Many Hindi film songs have been
inspired from the tunes of Robindroshongeet. Robi Thakur was both a lyricist as
well as a composer and had mentioned that sometimes the lyrics becomes
subordinate to music, sometimes music becomes subordinate to lyrics as far as
his songs are concerned.</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrhEo4XgHhqXZsdqrrSO5EmCF46WAZRRdK1-mU9HioUyz-8IteRrQS_ed2KRE7MYzMc3S8re7EM4Ribs8WawkXqWmS07p6WuKQ-0zVkcK2R5puWf8-UoqexLa06n_k-TtOIpG8sLmaicF/s1600/Rasogolla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrhEo4XgHhqXZsdqrrSO5EmCF46WAZRRdK1-mU9HioUyz-8IteRrQS_ed2KRE7MYzMc3S8re7EM4Ribs8WawkXqWmS07p6WuKQ-0zVkcK2R5puWf8-UoqexLa06n_k-TtOIpG8sLmaicF/s1600/Rasogolla.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Much of Robi Thakur's poetry is quite accessible to
speakers of other Indian languages. Many words are direct Sanskrit, though the
pronunciation is often different, as in the tendency to subject consonants that
are not explicitly vowelized with a default "o" sound. E.g., the much
satirized "r<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>a</b></span>s<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>o</b></span>g<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>O</b></span>llA," which has only one true "O" vowel.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">O = the Sanskrit "o".</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[A word often used by Hindi
speakers is "r<span style="color: #660000;"><b>o</b></span>s<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>o</b></span>g<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>O</b></span>llA". </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Note</span> that in <i>Bangla</i>
pronunciation, the "s" (first sibilant) is always pronounced <i>sh. </i><span style="color: #660000;">a</span> = first vowel (in Sanskrit/Hindi/...) (awe).</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="PHONETICS"></a> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence: "</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>a</b></span>s<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>o</b></span>g<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>O</b></span>llA"</span></span></span> is to be pronounced as: <span style="color: #660000;">rawe-sho-gOlla</span>.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another example is "Kolkata".
Most people tend to pronounce it as "Call-kata". But "Kol" is to be
pronounced as "coal". ["Kata" is "kata" with a <i>soft</i> "t".]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With a little care however, the
speaker of another language can often decipher much of the significance (of
Robi Thakur's poetry) directly from the original Bengali.<i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-15992105493746094262013-06-08T23:37:00.000+05:302013-06-29T09:03:21.834+05:30Random 1.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">1.</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">Triple Planet Huddle:</span> </b><i>Like the tip of a cosmic arrow
pointing toward the heavens, three bright, star-like planets form a distinct
triangular pattern in the darkening skies above the Himalayas in the last week
of May.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter slowly converged just above
the northwestern horizon over the course of a few weeks. But their proximity as
seen from Earth is an optical illusion, since the three planets are actually
separated by hundreds of millions of miles.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">
</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Sunlight reflecting from the surface of Mercury takes just
over nine minutes to reach our planet. And light on a one-way trip from the gas
giant Jupiter to Earth takes nearly 51 minutes to reach us</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDjX09m7LxIQ4JmdwtJ-PZWK1A-tsYfG2OEiOpf0i3WMKDnzvwhHq_v3iAFvNhKv-k3LVJlWYtmxY0RuDZ-XFlU49DyQjDO6D1ThV9gizxYZQ0LHc4RzM6VE9jSHN0UtwUJF-kS7fiCzx/s1600/Like+the+tip+of+a+cosmic+arrow+pointing+toward+the+heavens,+three+bright,+star-like+planets+form+a+distinct+triangular+pattern+in+the+darkening+skies+above+the+Himalayas+in+the+last+week+of+May..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDjX09m7LxIQ4JmdwtJ-PZWK1A-tsYfG2OEiOpf0i3WMKDnzvwhHq_v3iAFvNhKv-k3LVJlWYtmxY0RuDZ-XFlU49DyQjDO6D1ThV9gizxYZQ0LHc4RzM6VE9jSHN0UtwUJF-kS7fiCzx/s1600/Like+the+tip+of+a+cosmic+arrow+pointing+toward+the+heavens,+three+bright,+star-like+planets+form+a+distinct+triangular+pattern+in+the+darkening+skies+above+the+Himalayas+in+the+last+week+of+May..jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2.</b></span><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>Monsoon is here:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh2M95mpXdKufFISTVK2kBny5gjU8KisXGW87jjyTACBka64MAgJDW6_G80_tTqHQq8dCWUR4IVaCT31P0suywjx5JoQLPydXHfuQwHPRVYFai-RQbDPN7h2toie-2h5mT53Clk1V3ScS/s1600/Moonsoon+is+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh2M95mpXdKufFISTVK2kBny5gjU8KisXGW87jjyTACBka64MAgJDW6_G80_tTqHQq8dCWUR4IVaCT31P0suywjx5JoQLPydXHfuQwHPRVYFai-RQbDPN7h2toie-2h5mT53Clk1V3ScS/s1600/Moonsoon+is+here.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3.</b></span><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>A peacock atop a Gulmohar tree:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2Qa3TU1jhVL7GSBpghJsV30dtGowfyaUBdeZnwUN9vc2MxHQfghWXlDdH9SRnFyGy-nolSHV3h-UKNTWaBkkhLgwo6WS2UUrmPXZAl2DmquwbyLE0CPi_nMcezM4ahdKJL85F0jg8IzG/s1600/Peacock+atop+a+Gul+Mohar+early+morning+-+World+Environment+Day....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2Qa3TU1jhVL7GSBpghJsV30dtGowfyaUBdeZnwUN9vc2MxHQfghWXlDdH9SRnFyGy-nolSHV3h-UKNTWaBkkhLgwo6WS2UUrmPXZAl2DmquwbyLE0CPi_nMcezM4ahdKJL85F0jg8IzG/s1600/Peacock+atop+a+Gul+Mohar+early+morning+-+World+Environment+Day....jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4.</b></span><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>The peacock celebrates the advent of the rains:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01TZxEp-uAGBmzjhnSgPOWkIL00jRNwvxhe8gHY4CjEovjZKAulwcbyuR9Uu492YS_GDwL7vs28Qc5CO4OCl_IZv0DW-SdS4Zb2ezECi5LQ1rf7ckIYdKMaOc6yUI1DEwKMERQDYakCvI/s1600/A+peacock+atop+a+Gul+Mohar+celebrates+the+advent+of+the+rains+on+5+June+World+Environment+Day..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01TZxEp-uAGBmzjhnSgPOWkIL00jRNwvxhe8gHY4CjEovjZKAulwcbyuR9Uu492YS_GDwL7vs28Qc5CO4OCl_IZv0DW-SdS4Zb2ezECi5LQ1rf7ckIYdKMaOc6yUI1DEwKMERQDYakCvI/s1600/A+peacock+atop+a+Gul+Mohar+celebrates+the+advent+of+the+rains+on+5+June+World+Environment+Day..jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">5.</span> </b>Gulmohar ('Gul' means 'Flower' and 'Mohr' is 'stamp'.
However: "Gul" <i>also</i> means "Flower" and "Mor" means "Peacock"<b>
</b>- and <i>this</i> seems more appropriate in summing up the physical appearance and
beauty of this tree + flower. The latter is also known as <i>Krishnachura</i> or <i>Krusnachura</i>
(Bengali/Oriya: crown of Krishna). And Krishna is the Eternal Peacock (Mayur).</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO1e_elZ8Bl_zPO9bnpDAmodkv7cWHSnjdThNUITAT3J8tcPZfr-jUpH5xkNMbbswJuzJNrIVksBvgbZEJG13sfzZKw6Fh7cQqmR5Z6fB-S7twRScg0wfSVzXHvx905bCayWKSz8A2CL9/s1600/Gulmohar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO1e_elZ8Bl_zPO9bnpDAmodkv7cWHSnjdThNUITAT3J8tcPZfr-jUpH5xkNMbbswJuzJNrIVksBvgbZEJG13sfzZKw6Fh7cQqmR5Z6fB-S7twRScg0wfSVzXHvx905bCayWKSz8A2CL9/s1600/Gulmohar.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6.</b></span> The Milky Way curves through the night sky over
Figueroa Mountain, California:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb5znuLRd2lnGVyuO9L7HqQdBN-JjTnzat8FsyxxX7VZrZfCaxyiLLMDz7QS5uyhGRU4L5SpiDTyGiseGIV8jecC9Di5gx1hFB8DzhyphenhyphenLE3chBwgRq-4RTgifJMQDlu7RqAXMVL4QIccRz/s1600/The+Milky+Way+curves+through+the+night+sky+over+Figueroa+Mountain,+California,+in+a+picture+submitted+September+21+to+National+Geographic%27s+Your+Shot+photography+community..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb5znuLRd2lnGVyuO9L7HqQdBN-JjTnzat8FsyxxX7VZrZfCaxyiLLMDz7QS5uyhGRU4L5SpiDTyGiseGIV8jecC9Di5gx1hFB8DzhyphenhyphenLE3chBwgRq-4RTgifJMQDlu7RqAXMVL4QIccRz/s1600/The+Milky+Way+curves+through+the+night+sky+over+Figueroa+Mountain,+California,+in+a+picture+submitted+September+21+to+National+Geographic's+Your+Shot+photography+community..jpg" height="134" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7.</b></span> Squirrel (Kathbedali) and Polash Phool (Flame of
the Forest): </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgTfwQXotfkiezvm9OMHpD1gpQIMrScTDCO6nsmX57Z6UhcfOXc4MCytX89_ilZaLODPionrO4Js25c0TuNJmpbjrwI5O6G_rtrNDYKzFeLT1sntIQJXPljGICoTjZpKrRO1sT5KQygX8/s1600/Squirrel+(Kathbedali)+and+Palash+Phool+(Flame+of+the+Forest).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgTfwQXotfkiezvm9OMHpD1gpQIMrScTDCO6nsmX57Z6UhcfOXc4MCytX89_ilZaLODPionrO4Js25c0TuNJmpbjrwI5O6G_rtrNDYKzFeLT1sntIQJXPljGICoTjZpKrRO1sT5KQygX8/s1600/Squirrel+(Kathbedali)+and+Palash+Phool+(Flame+of+the+Forest).jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8.</b></span> Everyone likes coffee :) </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsZDyEqFR-lpyJHAygUReFmkfjeEAD87k2PEdkrp2c-Z0vcNjKFdWu5aM-iv6sSug76fKPZaConVebkB40UHna0shlCTQ7im_QK9DucidiROKHshWN6S4pJFhPYtfr4-aPuruhNGIsxoX/s1600/Everyone+likes+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsZDyEqFR-lpyJHAygUReFmkfjeEAD87k2PEdkrp2c-Z0vcNjKFdWu5aM-iv6sSug76fKPZaConVebkB40UHna0shlCTQ7im_QK9DucidiROKHshWN6S4pJFhPYtfr4-aPuruhNGIsxoX/s1600/Everyone+likes+coffee.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>9.</b></span> Rainbow:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZ86TvNkxuzTgM79ezIMFzDUkE5ufEYqg0BvQxUA0ri8d1BU5rlD5AazjjfIaexODqpsRbY7u-MR7fa4S3gOH1cOD9KfeQYQqvjaDumLHKKA35ur2oIMOLynv4TPOVcYOBfdNlxQpfHzF/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZ86TvNkxuzTgM79ezIMFzDUkE5ufEYqg0BvQxUA0ri8d1BU5rlD5AazjjfIaexODqpsRbY7u-MR7fa4S3gOH1cOD9KfeQYQqvjaDumLHKKA35ur2oIMOLynv4TPOVcYOBfdNlxQpfHzF/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>10.</b></span> Narkel Naru:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocxXBbYjG7mDLL62-i-4FjEMYjlsOzwEOQdlADRWZatHaov8zZxyOVKPvrCv9OM7nJrCPUCdvH7919Ab3wEvgTlCFmrZOmramjmOn7errA_M8Aq_9EOXdPJ6_xTwJ-X_ktQtaIZZOyI2e/s1600/Narkel+Naru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocxXBbYjG7mDLL62-i-4FjEMYjlsOzwEOQdlADRWZatHaov8zZxyOVKPvrCv9OM7nJrCPUCdvH7919Ab3wEvgTlCFmrZOmramjmOn7errA_M8Aq_9EOXdPJ6_xTwJ-X_ktQtaIZZOyI2e/s1600/Narkel+Naru.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>11.</b></span> Dance like this:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw4PpskfF2Um1xpHnpnp7ThASxWi9Y5MgBME-F2q1tYwSiOAGGrSZ-pIy0eqH7K0W0ZvjxHLA8mRYUCNhSW2a0nEpmALV_rQF-OjzSS5gmahagLvMIkc5UPK71jSBqnyx2qR3dTgeNDpo/s1600/Dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw4PpskfF2Um1xpHnpnp7ThASxWi9Y5MgBME-F2q1tYwSiOAGGrSZ-pIy0eqH7K0W0ZvjxHLA8mRYUCNhSW2a0nEpmALV_rQF-OjzSS5gmahagLvMIkc5UPK71jSBqnyx2qR3dTgeNDpo/s1600/Dance.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>12.</b></span><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>The Jadukor from <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Goopy Gayen Bagha Bayen</i></span>: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>15.</b></span><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>Sonar Kella - <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Unth ki kanta bechhe khaye?</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>16.</b></span> Sonar Kella: Topse<i>da</i>, Mukul <i>aar</i> Felu<i>da</i>:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>17.</b></span> Paye podi bagh<i>mama</i> koro nako raag mama, tumi
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>18.</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>Lokkhi Pyancha (Lakshmi Pyancha - the Barn Owl or Common Barn Owl): Considered very auspicious. 'Vaahan' of Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi (the consort of Shri Maha Vishnu). ['Vaahan' - not to be taken literally, 'coz 'Garuda' or <i>Eagle</i> - Shri Maha Vishnu's 'vaahan' - is <i>not</i> the bird per se.]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>21.</b></span> But most importantly: Laugh!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Pictures</u>:</b></span> Pics #3 and #4 courtesy: Mr. D.K. Vasudevan.</span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-13410084488108708992013-06-05T18:09:00.001+05:302013-06-06T01:31:49.605+05:30Let's Talk Money - Road to Riches Made Easy by Akhil Khanna<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Let's Talk Money <i>Road to Riches Made Easy</i>"
published by the Times Group is Akhil Khanna's debut book. [His articles can be
read: <b><a href="http://www.letstalkmoney2012.in/article.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">here</span></a></b>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">An MBA from the
University of Sheffield (UK), Akhil specializes in Financial Management. During
his corporate career (two reputed Indian companies and a Korean MNC) he looked
after a wide range of finance-related activities: Working and Term Financing Arrangements,
Forex Management and Risk Hedging, Corporate MIS Reporting, Budgeting etc.
Thereafter he ran a business of trading in industrial and electrical consumable
goods. In 2009, he developed a keen interest in financial markets. Since 2010,
Akhil has acted as a consultant to several high net-worth individuals. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That Akhil has
acquired in-depth knowledge about the workings of various markets and the role
of derivatives in the modern financial markets is quite apparent from the
contents of this book. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All of 176 pages (10
chapters), </span><i>Let's Talk Money</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> packs in an
awesome amount of information - covering almost every aspect of finance...
including the permanent changes that have occurred in the global financial
environment. However, the best part is that the language is very simple and
therefore, easy to understand. And </span>this<span style="font-style: normal;">
itself is a huge achievement... for a book dealing with the jargon-filled complex
world of finance.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Let's Talk Money</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> not
only un-complicates the financial world for laypersons, it also serves as a
reference book for general guidance. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It deals with: Money
Supply Changes - the concept of money and how its supply varies from time to
time + its effects on various assets over a period: demand-supply,
inflation-deflation; Rising and Falling Prices; Property; Business and
Commodities; Fixed Deposits and Bonds; Debt; Effects of Speculation on the
World Economy, Insurance et al. It also makes the reader aware about the
permanent changes that have taken place in the world economy like: outsourcing,
global money supply, derivatives, futures and options, and of the logical risks
associated with them. The final chapter deals with the World Financial Crisis
2008: the creation + the bursting of the world credit bubble and its effect on
banks/financial institutions, on households, on corporates and on governments;
effects of the credit bubble on India; solutions to the financial crisis and
why financial regulation or reform is a remote possibility. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All of this does
make for a very informative read - especially for a layperson, but not a breezy one (for
obvious reasons). One may have to slow-read the chapters; go back and forth
many a time and/or even re-read parts of them so as to grasp the concepts. But
it's all worth it. 'Coz at the end of it one gets an overview about the world
of finance and its effect on everyday life. Complex financial jargon, terms and
concepts have been presented in an easy-to-understand manner, complete with
examples. [Even though not all of these examples are drawn from real life, and are
at times overly simplified, they do help in providing clarity, nevertheless.] </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The author's usage
of bullet points to explain or highlight certain aspects of the topic(s) + a
neat 'points to ponder' at the end of some of the chapters - is a very good
idea. They not only provide clarity but also are advisory in nature. Hence they
make the reader think. And </span>this<span style="font-style: normal;"> (again)
helps the lay reader to better understand the contents (of the chapters). </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The author explains
the fundamentals very simply, very clearly and very concisely. This book will be
useful to a wide gamut of readers who are not conversant with the world of
finance: be it a high-school student or a middle-aged person. [Although I wish
the language had been a bit tightened up (at the editing stage), so the impression
of over simplification could have been taken care of.] </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The penultimate chapter is titled: Invest in Happiness. It
makes for a good read. It is very relevant vis-à-vis the current social
scenario too.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The child who gets the highest marks is considered far
superior/intelligent than his peers and the reduction in the marks earned is an
indication of reduced competence. The marks are awarded only for the ability to
memorize written and visual material and reproduce them in a stressful
environment in the examination room. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>In schools, the obsession with competition prevents
the children from sharing their work or exchanging original ideas in the class
with their classmates for fear that it may help others score more marks then
themselves. Children are not encouraged to make mistakes, learn from them,
develop an ability to deal with failure and bounce back.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>They do not question the logic of what is taught to
them and are hesitant to ask about subjects they do not fully understand for
fear of being labeled as idiots or slow learners by their teachers or peers.
They are tuned to aim at performing better than others in their class rather
than attempt the tasks given to them to the best of their own ability.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Reducing education to mere getting of marks undermines its
importance. Apart from academic performance, other ingredients like compassion,
sharing, humility and charity have to be sown in the education process right
from childhood in order to lead a happy life. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Competition could bring out the hunger in a person to do
better in life, but excess of even a good thing is bad; obsession with
competition sows the seeds of discontent and classifies people as winners and
losers. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Where you reach on the last day of your life is not as
important as the consistent happiness with which you enjoyed the journey."</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence: the author urges all of us to "<i>devote time and effort in
developing interests or explore other talents, which we might have within us
and which give us happiness</i>."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Rating</u></b><b>:</b></span> 3.5/5</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book feels good to hold and the jacket cover is quite
attractive. The overall effect is quite neat. Each chapter is divided into the
relevant sub-topics. And <i>this </i>not only helps in clarity but also comes
in handy as a ready reference. One doesn't have to plod through the pages... to find the
relevant part(s). Some of the chapters come with a
quote from Bob Hope, George Bernard Shaw, Max Amsterdam, Lana Turner,
etc. Interesting quotes... that complement the book.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Let's Talk Money <i>Road to Riches
Made Easy</i>/ Author: Akhil Khanna/ Publisher: Times
Group Books/ Binding: Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2012/ Genre: Non-fiction/
ISBN-10: 9380942889/ ISBN-13: 9789380942889/ Pages: 176/ Price: INR 250.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><u><span style="font-style: normal;">Picture</span></u></b><b><span style="font-style: normal;">:</span></b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of</span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"> <i>Let's Talk Money</i>. <span style="font-style: normal;">Courtesy: <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/let-s-talk-money/p/itmd8ykx2v48jde3?pid=9789380942889&icmpid=reco_pp_same_book_5"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a>.</span></span></span></span></div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-70940059670902899952013-05-22T01:02:00.003+05:302013-06-20T09:05:19.267+05:30Reclaiming our History | Decoding the Ramayana: The *real* Shri Ram: Whether he was a "bad husband" and what is 'Ram-Rajya'? (Part-XXIV)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Author's Note</u></b><b>:</b></span> <i>Please visit -</i> <b><span style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/search/label/The%20%27Real%27%20Ramayan%2F%20Ram-Rajya"><span style="color: #660000;">The </span></a><span style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/search/label/The%20%27Real%27%20Ramayan%2F%20Ram-Rajya">'</a></span></span><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/search/label/The%20%27Real%27%20Ramayan%2F%20Ram-Rajya"><span style="color: #660000;">Real' Ramayana/ Ram-Rajya</span></a></b> <i>- to read the other
parts of this series, so as to be able to fully understand or grasp the
contents of this one.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span>Discussing<span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span> the "<span style="color: #660000;">Universal Cosmic Spirit</span>", the "Vishwaroop" (Universal Form) and the
Opulence of the Absolute. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Thoughts on:</span> the <span style="color: #660000;">Ultimate Truth</span> and the <span style="color: #134f5c;">Purushottam Satya. </span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Notes on</u>:</span> </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram;</span> *<span style="color: #660000;">why</span>* <i>Sanaatan Dharma</i> is the 'eternal way of life'; </span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the Śrīvatsa mark and the "Kaustubha" jewel; </span></span>what the <span style="color: #660000;">Siddha/Siddhesh/Siddheshvar/Ardhanarishvar/Transcendental Being</span> (the concept of <span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"</span>self-realization<span style="color: #351c75;">"</span></span>) actually means; </span></span></span></span></span>Sri Bhagavan<span style="font-size: small;">'</span>s verses from the <i>Srimad</i>
Bhagvad Geeta. </b></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span>Why</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> the Krishna of the Mahabharat + the <i>Srimad</i>
Bhagavad Geeta <span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>and</i></span> the Krishna of the Radha-Krishna stories are <span style="color: #134f5c;">NOT</span> same? Three of our finest karmyogis: <i>Samraat</i> Chandragupta Maurya, <i>Samraat</i> Ashok and <i>Samraat</i> Chandragupta Vikramaditya.</span></span></b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In<b> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/03/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_26.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXII</span></a></span>
</b>and<b> </b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></span>
</b>we have talked about what the colours <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Red</b></span> - Lohith/Lohitah/Rohitah;
<b>Blue</b> - Shyam; <span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Green</b></span> - Hari-Hara/Prakriti; <span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Golden-Yellow</b></span></span> -
Peet and <span style="color: black;"><b>Dark</b></span> - Ghanshyam represent. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These
colours (i.e. various shades of these colours) - together - make up the cosmos.
They represent the colours of the cosmos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Do
have a look</i>:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUw_Y1sxFmifeu8pfHkJC5HAolWdbojNrUiXJS0dIx0wGxm8iBxITQYU-W_HNn5ytbVczl0r4ZDNjdaDRJRqbzN-K_R1rnUFg7VDcPSc758Q-GIsWfz648FqCpneHm1OSZB3ulzHvSgIG/s1600/Colorful+Chaos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUw_Y1sxFmifeu8pfHkJC5HAolWdbojNrUiXJS0dIx0wGxm8iBxITQYU-W_HNn5ytbVczl0r4ZDNjdaDRJRqbzN-K_R1rnUFg7VDcPSc758Q-GIsWfz648FqCpneHm1OSZB3ulzHvSgIG/s1600/Colorful+Chaos.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1.</b></span> <span style="color: #660000;">Colourful Chaos:</span> The palette of pandemonium
colors an interstellar cloud red, blue, and black as stars form within.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This image,
captured by a telescope at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla
Observatory at the fringe of Chile's Atacama Desert, shows a cloud of mostly
hydrogen gas glowing red as electrons, freed by blasts of intense energy,
recombine with the atoms. The blue area at right is reflected starlight
bouncing off particles of dust. The dark splotches are regions where the dust
is too thick for light to penetrate.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav7x_Cout3kK0lbJlGp2AgJNa7uK8NXQk1LRPU-PlmucKAjGjFHI2rgs6FRJmn-a3aFOnG3BuiVi-hotUbg1orSa78toB9m7HT1xny9QEnnNxSAgd0UNGsPwf76BOUj8R_NTgfB7FkmDc/s1600/Flaming+Nebula+-+Cloud+of+dust+and+gas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav7x_Cout3kK0lbJlGp2AgJNa7uK8NXQk1LRPU-PlmucKAjGjFHI2rgs6FRJmn-a3aFOnG3BuiVi-hotUbg1orSa78toB9m7HT1xny9QEnnNxSAgd0UNGsPwf76BOUj8R_NTgfB7FkmDc/s1600/Flaming+Nebula+-+Cloud+of+dust+and+gas.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: #660000;">Flaming Nebula:</span>
Radiation from newborn stars heats up the Flame Nebula in the constellation
Orion, some 1,300 light-years from Earth.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The star
illuminating the Flame Nebula would appear as another dot on Orion's belt but
for the huge cloud of dust obscuring it from view and making it appear four
billion times dimmer.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09UJH5CgjVUJLfWWTESHovgRfFwfGAMQYdAjst3k_eLw1o5TOGUsEUhVvR8r6TjcmaAGBsBnLZIJ8uOdLaBeDJ9xcNIZk86yMFSGwMwu_Al7yFGidKFapA8PBkXDQQKuwDQJWa6omWIeA/s1600/Picture+of+the+Horsehead+Nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09UJH5CgjVUJLfWWTESHovgRfFwfGAMQYdAjst3k_eLw1o5TOGUsEUhVvR8r6TjcmaAGBsBnLZIJ8uOdLaBeDJ9xcNIZk86yMFSGwMwu_Al7yFGidKFapA8PBkXDQQKuwDQJWa6omWIeA/s1600/Picture+of+the+Horsehead+Nebula.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">3.</span> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Picture of the
<span style="color: #660000;">Horsehead Nebula</span>. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[One of the avatars
- an extension of the more famous "Dasavatara" - is the Hayagreeva (a figure
with a human body and a horse's head).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Hayagreeva is
believed to have 'rescued the Vedas... which was taken to rasatala'. [</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_11.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XIX</span></a></b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.]</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Rasatala
= utter decay, destruction, waste. Veda comes from the root "vid" -
to know, Veda means: knowledge. This word has in turn given rise to
"Vidya", which also means: knowledge.] </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTFWp0XjcEmf74w9A7_PlxHgRdaRDZA83AXvZNLGxR7fTuX0wdcZ-RYgh9dHRmpfyV4jxEsGi5-A8Yit9SNsXB8ftLbWnXNIC9qvzsVCBZO2IL1vZzvUxk0gGGCwGjCPfRaHAfQF5xkDg/s1600/Supernova+Puff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTFWp0XjcEmf74w9A7_PlxHgRdaRDZA83AXvZNLGxR7fTuX0wdcZ-RYgh9dHRmpfyV4jxEsGi5-A8Yit9SNsXB8ftLbWnXNIC9qvzsVCBZO2IL1vZzvUxk0gGGCwGjCPfRaHAfQF5xkDg/s1600/Supernova+Puff.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4.</b></span> <span style="color: #660000;">Supernova Puff:</span> A thin shell of
red gas is all that remains after a supernova explosion that occurred about six
centuries ago. This wispy red veil was emitted by a former white dwarf, an
older star that burned up all of its hydrogen and collapsed into itself.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This ball
of gas appears in the constellation Dorado, which also contains the Large
Magellanic Cloud, a neighboring galaxy that orbits the Milky Way.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikectoP8Ph28Yx95HCWs7LHGF6WIsa7HHLJm_2VysfDjDT_O7-Ms_NOKEZUdvjwRiyPE-bNTKuRXNAa68Z8F2jfSd8_b_OSW9j1N8rd6NxjBD-Xj3RuwrcaIpDXeWZrov7t1tXUQsvZ3k9/s1600/The+sun+rising+over+the+South+Pacific+Ocean+between+4+and+5+a.m.+on+May+5,taken+from+the+Earth-orbiting+spacecraft,+the+International+Space+Station,+hovering+a+few+hundred+miles+east+of+Easter+Island..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikectoP8Ph28Yx95HCWs7LHGF6WIsa7HHLJm_2VysfDjDT_O7-Ms_NOKEZUdvjwRiyPE-bNTKuRXNAa68Z8F2jfSd8_b_OSW9j1N8rd6NxjBD-Xj3RuwrcaIpDXeWZrov7t1tXUQsvZ3k9/s1600/The+sun+rising+over+the+South+Pacific+Ocean+between+4+and+5+a.m.+on+May+5,taken+from+the+Earth-orbiting+spacecraft,+the+International+Space+Station,+hovering+a+few+hundred+miles+east+of+Easter+Island..jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5.</b></span> The sun rising over the South Pacific Ocean between 4 and 5 a.m. on May 5, taken from the Earth-orbiting spacecraft, the International Space Station, hovering a few hundred miles east of Easter Island. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O0vDksmk7UL5bZzt4uNrwHlpE0wZRqYU390-v0aIQmcC2LR3EFFcPuB6J9SqQxV_nsMK28W3Ze-xzWJDENz2TAJaAxgmk0lr0dyoDrjvRLZh0iZr_Hj-O9e6xIuG1tvWWES19TlN6MRb/s1600/Solar+Burst+-+Solar+material+dances+on+the+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O0vDksmk7UL5bZzt4uNrwHlpE0wZRqYU390-v0aIQmcC2LR3EFFcPuB6J9SqQxV_nsMK28W3Ze-xzWJDENz2TAJaAxgmk0lr0dyoDrjvRLZh0iZr_Hj-O9e6xIuG1tvWWES19TlN6MRb/s1600/Solar+Burst+-+Solar+material+dances+on+the+sun.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6.</b> Solar Burst: </span>Solar material dances on the sun<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
splendour of the Absolute is indeed limitless, isn't it?</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKDMvtrGsypwOwmEaceZboqTf_O7OXur851vnDfT9wcpyhPj5sL_x8NHM4Vq9cjUQLVGygk8jnbFvLeo9utiWQKv0l7L9WjLaIxHHEkc7_3esZ1Ma0Ju941gItMHRIAQEIHUgz4K5lFD/s1600/Disappearing+Sun+-+Fleeting+darkness+blankets+the+Australian+outback,+as+the+sun+appears+blotted+out+by+a+total+solar+eclipse+above+Pormpuraaw,+Queensland,+Australia,+last+November..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKDMvtrGsypwOwmEaceZboqTf_O7OXur851vnDfT9wcpyhPj5sL_x8NHM4Vq9cjUQLVGygk8jnbFvLeo9utiWQKv0l7L9WjLaIxHHEkc7_3esZ1Ma0Ju941gItMHRIAQEIHUgz4K5lFD/s1600/Disappearing+Sun+-+Fleeting+darkness+blankets+the+Australian+outback,+as+the+sun+appears+blotted+out+by+a+total+solar+eclipse+above+Pormpuraaw,+Queensland,+Australia,+last+November..jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7.</b></span> <span style="color: #660000;">Disappearing Sun:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Fleeting darkness blankets the Australian outback, as the sun appears blotted out by a total solar eclipse above Pormpuraaw, Queensland, Australia, last November. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5-QsKuS1c6aVOC2nZ7mPwOAwmmbQ40hqOj2iE-T-I4_kdH2KpeL_xb7V0IeZQXmzhJ-iI4EVX9yC_zpBElUbKGaEDqj_NdCPdmjj13qZx09ByWEBLtFFdf8snSOFFX3XPx5cO-5EKWc2/s1600/a+tree+beneath+a+starry+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5-QsKuS1c6aVOC2nZ7mPwOAwmmbQ40hqOj2iE-T-I4_kdH2KpeL_xb7V0IeZQXmzhJ-iI4EVX9yC_zpBElUbKGaEDqj_NdCPdmjj13qZx09ByWEBLtFFdf8snSOFFX3XPx5cO-5EKWc2/s1600/a+tree+beneath+a+starry+sky.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8.</b></span> <span style="color: #660000;">A tree beneath a starry sky:</span> a lone tree appears to stand guard next to Canyon Lake, Arizona, under a canopy of stars.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichhOE4Oqy1Vj04sqm20VCWK20zYmtto0I7c2YMtW_ldeyiOqnYt-0bK2qXEMCh-9SC0D4Fo1l1Jd6_ZNA2gNI_ot4m_4McXf7DMA29PmaeKIGeQRUYWXkrOxoiPTUzmWbO0ESGPysMLm3/s1600/A+picture+of+Milky+Way+above+the+Indian+Ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichhOE4Oqy1Vj04sqm20VCWK20zYmtto0I7c2YMtW_ldeyiOqnYt-0bK2qXEMCh-9SC0D4Fo1l1Jd6_ZNA2gNI_ot4m_4McXf7DMA29PmaeKIGeQRUYWXkrOxoiPTUzmWbO0ESGPysMLm3/s1600/A+picture+of+Milky+Way+above+the+Indian+Ocean.jpg" height="200" width="90" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>9.</b></span> A picture of Milky Way (Akash Ganga) above the Indian Ocean (Bharat-Maha<span style="font-size: small;">sagar).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>sri bhagavaan uvaacha:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">pashya
me paartha roopaani shatasho'tha sahasrashah</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">
naanaavidhaani divyaani naanaavarnaakriteeni cha // 11.5 //</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b></span> Sri <i>Bhagavan</i> says, "Behold,
O Paartha [O Son of Pritha], by hundreds and thousands, <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">My</span></b> different forms: celestial, varied in
colours and shapes."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The opulence of the Absolute is indeed infinite. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse 40) says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| nanto 'sti mama divyanam</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">vibhutinam parantapa</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">esa tuddesatah prokto</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">vibhuter vistaro maya ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span> "O mighty conqueror of enemies
(addressing Arjun), there is no end to My divine manifestations. What I have
spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite opulence."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The<i> Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Gita
(Chapter 10, Verse 41) says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| yad yad vibhutimat sattvam</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">srimad urjitam eva va</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">tat tad evavagaccha tvam</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">mama tejo-'msa-sambhavam ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b> </span>"Know that all opulent, beautiful
and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor." [<i><span style="font-style: normal;">mama tejo-'msa-sambhavam]</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The<i> Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Gita
(Chapter 10, Verse 42) says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| atha va bahunaitena</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">kim jnatena tavarjuna</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">vistabhyaham idam krtsnam</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">ekamsena sthito jagat ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span> "But what need is there, O Arjun,
for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself <span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>I</b></span> pervade and
support this entire cosmos."</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
can we ever hope to grasp the opulence of the "Absolute"? Can we ever fathom
the magnificence of the "Universal Cosmic Spirit"? Can we ever understand the
magnanimity of the "Purushottam Satya"? Can we ever understand... what/who <i>is</i> the "Universal Cosmic Spirit"<span style="font-size: small;"><i>?</i></span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
let's make a humble attempt.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">But before we do
that, we must know: </span></i>Robi
Thakur, India's literary giant from Kolkata, said: "Ananda-dhara bohichhe
bhubone..." [His blissful splendourous glow flows throughout the universe...]:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joy
and bliss flow in all creation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Day
and night so much ambrosia surges in endless skies.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sun
and moon drink in worshipfully, it</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keeps
them burning, alight constantly</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Earth
is replete with life and light.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why
are you sitting all on your own?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Selfishly
preoccupied for what reason?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look
all around with an open heart.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See
how small is your sad little part.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fill
your empty life with love.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[A wise person will find beauty in ugliness, and
an ugly-minded person will find ugliness in beautiful things.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is "Ananda-dhara bohichhe
bhubone..." by Sraboni Sen: </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ufmS4XyuJb7SbqMmwfRgsW9r-0zHLjotBpAkR6fnC2sQ9u1RNb85RPlGejQC_8wZUVXB5YKusCmvcLz6GgVpnhO_XN_ZPPkU0AJ2LYs-JtOsrZ0Lir4-F9bhanvhyphenhyphenL9FoKU_vmXDRdqy/s1600/A+Comet+blazes+past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ufmS4XyuJb7SbqMmwfRgsW9r-0zHLjotBpAkR6fnC2sQ9u1RNb85RPlGejQC_8wZUVXB5YKusCmvcLz6GgVpnhO_XN_ZPPkU0AJ2LYs-JtOsrZ0Lir4-F9bhanvhyphenhyphenL9FoKU_vmXDRdqy/s1600/A+Comet+blazes+past.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur also said: "<i>mohabishwe
mohakashe, mohakal-majhe, aami manab ekaki bhrami bismaye, bhrami bismaye...</i>"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That he/humanity "roam in
wonderment alone in this universe, in endless space and equally endless time."</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That: "</span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tumi aacho morey chahi, aami
chahi tomaar paane...</span></span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Coz the "Vishwaroop"
refers to the "Universal Cosmic Spirit" - the Cosmic "Purush-Prakriti"<i> </i><b>+</b>
the Purushottam Satya/the Lord of the Cosmos - <i>appearing</i> in a form that
encompasses/incorporates the whole of creation/universe/cosmos in it. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore, there is no one form that
signifies the "Universal Cosmic Spirit".</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The word "Vishwaroop" is formed
by joining two Sanskrit words: "vishwa" meaning the <i>universe/cosmos</i>
and "roop" meaning <i>form</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so, no matter in which direction we look
or what we set our eyes upon, it is as if the "Universal Cosmic Spirit" is
looking right back at us. [And we too are a part of <span style="font-size: small;">the "Universal Co<span style="font-size: small;">smic Spirit".]</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is as if: the Created and the Uncreated see
each other... at all times.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is "<span class="watch-titleyt-uix-expander-head">Mohabishwe Mohakashe..." rendered by
the peerless Debabrata Biswas (George<i>da</i>):</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur, the veritable genius that he
was, fully understood the workings of the cosmos.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence he said: "Tumi aachho
Bishwanatho oshimo rohoshyo majhe... nirobe, ekaki" - <span style="color: #660000;"><i>O Lord of the Universe,
You reside amidst endless cosmic mysteries... in absolute quietude.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Apono mohima biloye"<i> - <span style="color: #660000;">Amidst
the ocean of your own grandeur, You Muse.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Bishwanath = Lord of the Cosmos.
Bishwa = Universe, Cosmos; Nath = Lord, Master.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And he completely understood just <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Who</b></span>
the Satya-Sundaro/Satya-Sundar is.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence he said:
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Anando-loke
Mangal-aloke birajo Satya-Sundaro</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mohima
Tobo udbhashito moha-gogono-majhe</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bishwa-jagoto
monibhushono-beshtito-chorone..."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"In Ananda-lok, amidst auspicious glow (Mangal-aloke) resides the
Satya-Sundar. Your majesty is manifest in the firmament complete. Creation's
jewels are strewn at your feet."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do listen to this amazing song... that overflows the earth with the Adi-Purush/the
Supreme Eternal Being's light of joy and feel of purity. It is rendered
by Indranil Sen:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This world of blissful happiness<br />
This world of well-being<br />
Grace it with your presence<br />
You who are the ultimate truth<br />
You who are the ever beauteous<br />
<br />
Your majesty manifests<br />
Across the vast firmament<br />
Like an anklet studded with<br />
Precious stones and prized jewels<br />
Lies the cosmos at Your feet<br />
<br />
The sun, moon, stars and planets<br />
With eagerly anxious haste<br />
Bask in Your iridescence<br />
Soak Your boundless radiance<br />
<br />
Cascades of your soft sweet grace<br />
Gush forth and deluge the earth<br />
In a kaleidoscope of<br />
Flowers and leaves, songs and sonnets<br />
<br />
Life flows on ever anew<br />
Your compassion caressing<br />
Our lives from cradle to grave<br />
<br />
Love, affection and mercy<br />
Piety, hope, faith untold<br />
Mellow and soften our souls<br />
A downpour of sweet solace<br />
You rain to pacify pain<br />
<br />
What festivities and joy<br />
Reign forever in Your realm<br />
The world sings Your glory great<br />
In fearless refuge at Your feet<br />
You who are our treasure and wealth<br />
You who enclose all of this earth"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This prayerful song is on
truth and beauty, on the bounties of nature and the splendour that this
universe is. Most of what he wrote is sublime and none, I repeat: none... can
even begin to try to translate what he so effortlessly expressed through this
highly lyrical poem.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Found in the Puja
(prayer) section of the Gitabitan, this song was published by Robi Thakur in
1892. He was only 31 then. Robi Thakur would often experiment with a fusion of
Indian traditional melodies set to European tempo and beats. He had heard this <i>bhajan</i>
(prayerful song) while on a trip to Mysore... and upon his return to Calcutta,
immediately composed this amazing song set to an English waltz beat (1, 2, 3 1,
2, 3). The lyric of this song is a classic example of Robi Thakur's passion for
merging <i>Bangla</i> words. The first two words are interesting: two similar sounding
contracted words, but with entirely different meanings. Lok, meaning 'abode',
has been joined with <span style="color: #660000;"><i>ananda</i></span> while alok, meaning 'beam of light', has
been coupled with <i>mangal</i> (auspicious).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Ananda</span>:
divine bliss/ Sat-cit-ānanda. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sat-cit-ānanda: 'one who derives happiness through one's
consciousness'. In other words: one who has achieved eternal bliss of
self-realization, Sat-cit-ānanda (pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sat</i> describes an essence that is pure and timeless; <i>cit</i> is
consciousness; <i>ānanda</i> is absolute bliss. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-dmmYbxCylSgneje1uofoR5S9KkfQN2rgb62_dDrZS-qFVE21FMsnTHp1vUZ_FQ3c5UhCC-2Y_MJRvkwDVppuYYcz64uReCsjCh0pRok2vrt_pYqELQHcGWJvEhBwmFtGTQkXXMCR_Xl/s1600/3d_model_krishna_arjun_geeta_updesh_rath_charoit_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-dmmYbxCylSgneje1uofoR5S9KkfQN2rgb62_dDrZS-qFVE21FMsnTHp1vUZ_FQ3c5UhCC-2Y_MJRvkwDVppuYYcz64uReCsjCh0pRok2vrt_pYqELQHcGWJvEhBwmFtGTQkXXMCR_Xl/s1600/3d_model_krishna_arjun_geeta_updesh_rath_charoit_0003.jpg" height="117" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now,
which are the <i>ananda-maya</i>, cin-maya/eternal lokas (planets)?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Answer:
the eternal planets - the Vaikunth-loka or the Vaikunth planets.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Who</b></span> personifies/embodies/manifests Sat-cit-ānanda?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The answer is: The Purushottam Satya, the Satya-Sundar.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh-Krishna.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At the end of the
life-span of (each) Brahma [do refer: </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">], all the worlds (excluding Vaikunth, but including Brahmaloka/Satyaloka and the
other Shiv-Loka/Kailash + the Devi-dham) are completely dissolved
(maha-pralaya) - resulting in the balancing/preserving Cosmic Energy (also)
known as Vishnu to go into the (metaphoric) 'big sleep' (ghum/maha-nidra). This (cosmic
energy) Vishnu 'awakens' only after a NEW Shri/Lord Brahma appears/is created
(after a day and a night of Brahma has elapsed or in other words: after 2
kalpas) - in order to take over the task of creation all over again. That is to
say: to begin the cycle of creation all over again. This is the </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Ultimate
Truth</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">/Satya. Hence the first <i>yug</i> (of
each maha-yuga or a four-yug cycle) is <i>also</i> known as Sat/Satya Yug.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And the
One who <i>presides over</i> this Ultimate Truth/Satya - this cycle of creation
over and over again - is the Jagadeeshvar Ishvar, the tribhUvaneshvar, the Purushottam Satya, the
Satya-Sundar: Virupaksh-Krishna - the oblique-eyed (Virupaksh) Lord of the
Cosmos Himself. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Jagadeeshvar
= Lord of the Cosmos. <i>Jagad</i> comes from 'Jagat' (which is a common term for:
world/universe/cosmos). Eesh = Lord, Master. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jagadeeshvar
= Lord of the world/universe/cosmos. ('Coz in Sanskrit: <i>Jagat</i> means all three). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jagadeeshvar also means:
The Lord of the three Loka (Trilok). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">tribhUvaneshvar = the Lord of the three worlds (tri-bhUvan).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Three </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worlds (tri-bhUvan) or the Three</span></span></span> Loka [<span style="font-size: small;">T</span>rilok] are: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>1.</b> </span>The Urdhva Loka (the <i>Higher</i> Planets). <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>2.</b></span>
The Madhya-Loka (the <i>Middle</i> Planets) and <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>3.</b></span> The Adho-Loka (the <i>Lower</i>
Planets).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We - the
earthlings... are part of the Madhya-Loka (the <i>Middle</i> Planets).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ishvar =
the Almighty.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh means: the One with oblique-eyes. It also
means: the One who sees everything. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Oblique-eyes is not to be confused for squint.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_qtq59jWADhtw79VJDxw1nzegxnEBD3Hd0InlpazRtpuw8h5S82XTeO1AYK7OIZYjwqmvxxVvcjFSSXBXXUo0-hf8gzrsbOFGYO0OXmRqK2IhyjMDsfYqCWfuYpl349HO3kxN2mUcasW/s1600/Vishnu+Lakshmi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_qtq59jWADhtw79VJDxw1nzegxnEBD3Hd0InlpazRtpuw8h5S82XTeO1AYK7OIZYjwqmvxxVvcjFSSXBXXUo0-hf8gzrsbOFGYO0OXmRqK2IhyjMDsfYqCWfuYpl349HO3kxN2mUcasW/s1600/Vishnu+Lakshmi.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, in <i>Bangla</i>, (someone with) oblique-eyes is
called 'Lokkhi-tyara'. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lokkhi is <i>Bangla</i> for Lakshmi. And Sri Sri Lakshmi <i>Devi
</i>is the consort of the Shri Vishnu who resides in Vaikunth - the <i>other</i>
Vishnu-Loka. Please refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore, <i>this</i> Shri Vishnu is also known as <i>Lakshmipati</i>
- the consort (pati) of Sri Sri Lakshmi <i>Devi</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Shri Vishnu is Virupaksh - the One with oblique-eyes. He is also
the all-knowing, all-seeing One. He does not have four arms though, <i>that</i> is imagery to indicate that He holds up the cosmos (in a manner of speaking, that is)... and<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>keeps it running.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We will discuss the cosmic troika: Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram - soon. And then, we (hopefully) can (to the best of our abilities) understand
just who they are.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then, hopefully, we will <i>also</i> understand (to the best of
our abilities, that is) just who the Satya-Sundar - Virupaksh-Krishna is. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Please note: I am using <i>is</i>, 'coz they mirror each
other.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: despite the cosmic troika, the Satya-Sundar is <i>also</i>
the Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur, the amazing
genius that he was, understood this completely. Hence he addressed
his "Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya Heye..." - now our National Anthem - to the
"Bharata Bhagya-vidhata" - the "Universal Cos<span style="font-size: small;">mic Spirit". He effortlessly <span style="font-size: small;">merged the cosmic Advaita and the cosmic Dvaita. </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">[To our ancients: the <span style="font-size: small;">c</span>osmic Ad<span style="font-size: small;">vaita was </span>the cosmic "Purusha-Prakriti" (the cosmic shankh/conch). While the cosmic Dvaita was the one 'holding' that <i>shankh</i>. The cosmos is shaped like a <i>shankh</i>, hence the <i>shankha-dhvani</i> - OM - is the primal sound, the sound of the cos<span style="font-size: small;">mos/universe itself. It requires no external stimuli.</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">Therefore: the cosmic "Purusha-Prakriti" + the "Purushottam Satya" <span style="color: #660000;"><i>together</i></span> make up the "Universal Cosmic Spirit". </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The cosmic <i>shankh</i>, however, cannot be seen with mortal eyes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Advaita and Dvaita have many strands [and this (probably) has given rise to the many confusions and disputes - within Sanaatan Dharma.] We will
discuss them over the </span>next few posts. Then <span style="font-size: small;">(</span>hopefully) we will understand the structure of the cosmos... to the best o<span style="font-size: small;">f our ability, that <span style="font-size: small;">is.</span></span>]</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10 Verse 33) says:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| aksharanam a-karo 'smi<br />
dvandvah samasikasya ca<br />
aham evakshayah kalo<br />
dhataham vishvato-mukhah ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><u>Translated</u>:</span> </b><span style="color: #351c75;">"Of letters I am the letter A (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">aksharanam a-karo 'smi)</span></span>, and among compound words I am the dual
compound. I am also inexhaustible time (evakshayah kalo), and of creators I am Brahma."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This clearly <span style="font-size: small;">explains</span> why the Satya-Sundar is <i>also</i> the
Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He presides over the Ultimate Truth/Satya. He is the Brahman. He is <i>also</i> the Supreme/Original Creator - the Original Brahma. [Hence: <span style="color: #660000;">Satyam</span>.]</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is <i>mangalmay</i> (auspiciousness personified). He resides amidst auspicious glow and is also an auspicious force. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shiva means: auspicious, kind<span style="font-size: small;">.</span>]</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is <i>also</i> inexhaustible time (evakshayah kalo). </span></span></span>He <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">is <i>Kalah</i> personified [<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;">kalah kalayatam aham</span> - </span>among subduers I
am time </i>(Kalah). He <i>is</i> Kala, Mahakaal.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is: || mrityuh sarva-haras caham || </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I am all-devouring death" - <i>Srimad</i>
Bhagavad Geeta, 10.34. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Hence: <span style="color: #660000;">Shivam</span>.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i>All-devouring death</i> is not to be interpreted literally. 'Coz it is also paired with <i>auspiciousness</i>.
Shri Krishna is describing himself as a force that cleanses imbalance-causing
unwanted aspects (from the universe/cosmos) as well as a force that cleanses unwanted
aspects that seep into Sanaatan Dharma (thereby changing its very ethos). In
his human avatar(s) He is a nation-builder, in His <i>purn avatar</i> He is the
<i>manas</i> (brain), the <i>chakshu</i> (vision) and the backbone... in short,
the moving/guiding spirit behind the cosmos.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is <i>Svayambhu</i>: "self-manifested", the
Eternal-Uncreated Lord of the three Worlds (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">tribhUvaneshvar) </span></span></span>- the Satya-Sundar.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Hence:</span> <span style="color: #660000;">Sundaram</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.]</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <i>Srimad</i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse 2) says:</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| na me viduh sura-ganah<br />
prabhavam na maharsayah<br />
aham adir hi devanam<br />
maharsinam ca sarvasah ||</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"Neither the humans (populating the Higher Planets - Devaloka/Svargaloka) nor the great sages (Sapta-Rishi) know My origin or opulence, for, in every respect, I am the source of all humans and sages."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse 3)
says:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| yo mam ajam anadim
ca</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">vetti
loka-maheshvaram</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">asammudhah sa
martyesu</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sarva-papaih
pramucyate ||</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">"Those who know Me as the
unborn, as the beginningless, as the Supreme Lord of all the worlds
(<span style="color: #660000;">loka-maheshvaram</span>) are alone free from <i>illusion</i>. Thus, they alone are <i>Siddha</i>
(pure/perfected beings).</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Here: all the worlds = Tri-loka, the three worlds
(discussed above).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maheshvaram = Maha-Ishvar. The Supreme Lord, the
Param-eshwar.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Siddha: pure/perfected being - possessor of immense spiritual
powers.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A <i>Siddha</i> is someone who has achieved self-realization: the
complete realization that everything is part of the "Universal Cosmic
Spirit". Therefore, he/she is free from 'illusion' (moh-maya) of material
attachment, etc. 'Coz he/she knows that everything in this
cosmos/universe/world is transient - as part of His 'leela' (transient cosmic
sport/past-time).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And that the only constant is the "Purushottam
Satya".]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse 8) says:<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| aham sarvasya
prabhavo</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">mattah sarvam
pravartate</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">iti matva bhajante
mam</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">budha
bhava-samanvitah ||</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u>:</b> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">"I am the source of all
spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise (budha)
who perfectly know this think of Me with all their hearts." [That is: perform their duties to the best of their abilities/karmyog.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Hope we are now (reasonably) clear as to why the Satya-Sundar
is also the Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur truly was and remains the Universal Bard -
the <i>Bishwakobi</i>. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of his most famous poems is <i>Bharat-Tirtha</i>
("India - the Pilgrim Center").</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And <i>this</i> is not surprising. 'Coz ancient
India (Bharatvarsha/Aryavarta/the land of the Aryas - much larger than what we know of today) mirrored the cosmos. ["Mirrored" does not mean literally. 'Coz the cosmos cannot be replicated in one planet or within parts of a single planet. "Mirrored" 'coz there were Svargalok/Devalok, Gandharva-loka, Brahmalok, Vishnulok, Shivlok/Kailash et al here too... and there were entities named Vishnu, Brahma, Shiv, Indra here as well. But none of them can be compared to their cosmic counterparts. The cosmos works very differently. All these entities on earth were independent entities. But in the cosmos... Vishnu is the one that creates the others (cyclically). So, "mirrored" has to be understood in that sense.] This great land is <span style="font-size: small;">also the cradle of civilization. </span>The Lord of the Cosmos Himself
has arrived here several times... as part of His stated "...sambhavami yuge yuge". He
has traveled all over ancient India. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
Dvapar... He arrived in His most magnificent human <i>avatar</i> (form/roop) - as the <i>Dvarkadheesh</i> Krishna - the Shyamsundar, the Ghanshyam. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Do read:
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></span> </b>- to know what Shyamsundar and Ghanshyam mean. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dvarkadheesh
= the Lord of Dvarka, the Pride of Dvarka.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Shri Krishna is inextricably linked with the
sacred River Ganga as well as to the Sindhu-Sarasvati (the holy and mighty
rivers - certainly, but also the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata - the
civilization that flourished on the banks of these two rivers). Sindhu is part of our National Anthem as well, 'coz the whole of ancient India is Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the <i>Srimad
</i>Bhagavad Geeta (Chapter 10, Verse 31) Sri Bhagavan says:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| srotasam asmi jahnavi ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b> </span>"... of flowing rivers I am the
Ganga." [Jahnavi is another name for <i>Maa</i> Ganga.]</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is part of the Himalayas too.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></i><i>Srimad</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Bhagavad Geeta
(Chapter 10, Verse 25) says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| maharsinam bhrgur aham</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">giram asmy ekam aksharam</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">yajnanam japa-yajno 'smi</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">sthavaranam himalayah ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span> "Of the great sages (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">maharsinam)</span></i> I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I
am the transcendental OM (the Pranava Naad - the
sound of primal energy, the sound of the universe itself). Of
fire-rituals I am the chanting of the auspicious verses [japa], and of
immovable things (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">sthavaranam)</span></i>
I am the Himalayas."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdyq8755R_KXStZUsxIkuUU3HHVg5YZHJ8QwsAUq8CTAXGAWFNvSjK3x7tVyXyB8DHCiHk6PleJfMjgcdLucRJseKjmlBsVvalZUGbGCO6NP08OvVEVv0Uj1Mx02k9z85kwLFJFHAOI7e/s1600/A+wind+cloud+over+Mount+Everest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdyq8755R_KXStZUsxIkuUU3HHVg5YZHJ8QwsAUq8CTAXGAWFNvSjK3x7tVyXyB8DHCiHk6PleJfMjgcdLucRJseKjmlBsVvalZUGbGCO6NP08OvVEVv0Uj1Mx02k9z85kwLFJFHAOI7e/s1600/A+wind+cloud+over+Mount+Everest.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And as we all know, the mighty Himalayan ranges
"embrace" this great land.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence:
Bharatvarsha is <i>punya-bhoomi</i> - worshippable motherland. [Do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_4126.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XIII</span></a></b></span> - to know the meaning of "Bharatavarsha".]</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[However: what has become
of this great land, her rivers, mountains et al... is entirely courtesy our <i>mahima</i>
though. For <i>this</i>, we cannot blame the Jagadeeshvar Ishvar, the
Purushottam Satya. Whatever has happened... has happened due to our <i>karm. </i>What? :)]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>As for Shri Krishna and the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata... we
will discuss that over the next few posts.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly:
the knowledge resting within the pages of the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita is
very nuanced, many-layered; we have to deliberate deeply, carefully peel away
the many layers - to drink deep from this fountain of wisdom and knowledge. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is,
after all... the jewel of India's spiritual heritage.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And why
not?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Coz the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta emanates from the
mouth of the Lord of the Cosmos Himself, the one who embodies/manifests the
"Universal Cosmic Spirit".</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Emanates: 'coz "...sambhavami yuge yuge".] </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta is the "Song of the Blessed One", the "Song of the
Fortunate One". </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the Song (geeta, geet) of the One who is Eternal:
who is both Mritunjay and Chiranjeevi. And Uncreated.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the <i>Song</i> of:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is <i>keertiman</i> and a karmyogi par
excellence. The One who personifies <i>karm</i> (Nishkam Karm - selfless action) - whether in His
<i>purn avatar</i> (actual form/roop) or in His many human manifestations
(avatar/roop). </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One without whom this cosmos will cease to operate or
exist. The One without whom the Cosmic "Purusha-Prakriti" [the cosmic <i>shankh</i>] cannot "act" beyond a
point. The One without whom everything will stagnate. The One without whom
there will be utter chaos. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who responds to the call of <i>dharma</i> (sacred duty). The One
who is the defender of dharma: of Sanaatan Dharma/Arya-Dharma (the noble and eternal way of life). The One who is
the protector of the defenseless; the One who upholds Kshatriya Dharma. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is Kshatriya-Shresht (meaning: 'the best amongst the Kshatriyas'). [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> kshatriya is an amalgamation of
two words: <i>Ksat</i> means injury, and <i>tra</i> means deliver. Hence a 'kshatriya'
means: someone who protects others from harm, from <i>adharm</i>, and
from <i>aasuric</i> or negative influences or entities - anywhere, and not just in the battlefield).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is Dharma (justice) personified. [Hence the symbolism of the <i>mace</i>. He is Dharma personified, 'coz He is just.] The One who is
Compassion personified.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is truly Magnificent. The One who is immensely B<span style="font-size: small;">ountiful. </span>The One who is
infinitely Magnanimous.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is the protector and preserver of the <span style="color: #660000;">noble
principles</span> of Sanaatan Dharma (the eternal way of life). The One who has (time and again) helped Sanaatan
Dharma to regenerate [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">dharma-samsthapanarthaya</span>...] </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is <i>Kalah</i> personified. [<i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #660000;">kalah kalayatam aham</span> - </span></i>among subduers I
am time (Kalah).]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who runs the universe.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who tells Arjun (and through him to all of us)
that: His will is Supreme. [</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->His will: Loka Sangraha or Loka Kalyana, welfare
of all or welfare of the world/universe/cosmos. Hence, He is the Ultimate Balancer, the Supreme Preserver.]</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The One who is <i>Achintya</i> - unfathomable, beyond understanding, incomprehensible.</span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is <i>Trikalagya</i>: the Master of all things past,
future and present (a bhuta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhu).
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who possesses the
<i>Tritiya-Nayan</i>: the Third-Eye.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>The One who is the
three-eyed-one.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who knows what must be destroyed/subdued... for the cosmos to run and humanity (in all the loka) to progress well.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The One who explains to Arjun that He is <i>Kalah</i> personified
- the subduer of <i>adharm</i> (negativities). [</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham... </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Whenever and wherever there is an alarming
decline or discrepancy in the <span style="color: #660000;">noble</span> principles and ideals of the Sanaatan Dharma (the <span style="color: #660000;">eternal way of life</span> or 'the right path'/'way of life' as it should be <span style="color: #660000;">for the greater good of mankind and for
society/civilization to flourish well</span>); or when such an alarming decline is
perceived or becomes a bane; O descendant of Bharata, only then, I, manifest <i>Myself</i></span>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Here Krishna is addressing Arjun... but through Arjun He is also addressing<span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span>us</i>. And if one were to truly understand the essence of the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta one will completely understand as to why Sanaatan Dharma (not to be confused for "ism") <i>is</i> the eternal way of life. It is rooted in "Loka-sangraha" or "Loka Kalyana" - welfare of all or welfare of the world. It is no different from "Ram-Rajya" - a just and inclusive society.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who requests Arjun to become His instrument. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who did not let utter destruction to engulf
humanity. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who did not let the destruction of
Bhu-loka/Go-loka/Prithvi-loka/Martya-loka to materialize - despite the best
intentions of malevolent forces/entities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The One who is the saviour and protector of humanity (Narayan). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
this is <i>not</i> limited to the humanity on earth... but to all the living
beings populating the various planets (loka).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></i><i>Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Geeta
(Chapter 10, Verse 6) says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|</span></i></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">| maharsayah sapta purve</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">catvaro manavas tatha</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">mad-bhava manasa jata</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">yesham loka imah prajah ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u>:</b></span> "The seven great sages (the
Sapta-Rishi) and before them the four other great sages (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sanaka,
Sanandan, Sanatana and Sanat, collectively known as the four Kumaras)</span> </span>and the Manus [entities
that arrive in all loka... during times of great calamity, distress and
turbulence - <i>pralay</i> - in order to guide and resettle mankind, so that
creation continues and the universe is kept running] come from Me, born from My
mind (manasa, manasa-jata/brain-child), and all the living beings populating
the various planets (loka) descend from them."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So you see: The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta is the Song
of the Narayan Himself.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the Song of the One who
embodies/manifests/personifies the Cosmic "Purush-Prakriti". </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is the Song of the One who
embodies/manifests/personifies the "Universal Cosmic Spirit" - the Brahmajyoti.
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus: the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta is the Song of
Virupaksh-Krishna, the Purushottam Satya, the eternal Satya-Sundar: the Lord
of the Cosmos Himself.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... You get it, don't you?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His splendour is indeed limitless;
He is Infinite; He is the Ultimate Piper... [Sheemar majhe oshim Tumi bajao apon sur]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is "Sheemar majhe oshim Tumi
bajao apon sur" - rendered by the peerless Debabrata Biswas (George<i>da</i>):</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur rightly said: "<i>amare
tumi oshesh korechho, amon-i leela tabo</i>" (tr. Thou hast made me endless).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence he paid his humble obeisance to the Muses through
his innumerable songs: <i>Geetanjali</i> - "song offerings".</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As he himself said: "<i>gaaner
bheetor diye jokhon dekhi bhubon-khani, tokhan tarey chini</i>"<i>.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He acknowledged (as only he could) that he has
realized Him through his songs. That he has understood the endless cosmic mysteries...
through music.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Robi Thakur was a "Sadhaka" par excellence. His songs were his "Sadhana". He truly<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>understood the "Universal Cosmic
Spirit" - the Brahmajyoti - the seamless blending of the Cosmic
"Purush-Prakriti" [the cosmic <i>shankh</i>] and the Purushottam Satya [the Satya-Sundar... the <i>Shankha-dhar</i>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To understand the three most
important notions in philosophy (darshan-sastra): of harmony, balance, and
integrity - Robi Thakur delved into the bottomless treasure-trove of the
Upanishads, and these he imbibed. He let these ideas define him, not in the
sense of limiting him, but lifting him up to meet the great Universal Cosmic
Spirit... that he believed lay behind everything in the world/universe/cosmos,
visible and invisible. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[To
know the meaning of <i>Upanishad</i>, do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_12.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XI</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi Thakur, the Universal Bard, a
veritable colossus: multifaceted, sage personality of epic proportions, a
genuine science enthusiast, a public figure of peerless eminence, a leader of
thought, and an outstanding Upanishadic protagonist of India's lofty spiritual
heritage... was/is the right person to share his thoughts and pay his obeisance
to the Universal Cosmic Spirit.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On his 152<sup>nd</sup> birth anniversary, all we can say is: <i>aamar matha noto korey dao heye tomaar choron-dular porey</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Heye Bishwakobi, heye Gurudeb, heye Moharothi, loho
pronam. Shhoto-koti pronam.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, besides Robi Thakur, Rojanikanto Sen too understood the workings of the cosmos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence, this great poet and composer too paid his obeisance
to the Purushottam Satya, the Satya-Sundar, thus: "<i>Prabhu, Bishwa-bipado-honta,
Tumi danrao rudhiya pontha...</i>"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u>: </b></span>O My Lord, You are the benefactor of
humanity; You are the dispeller of great calamity; You stand between... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[And this is <i>not</i> limited to the humanity on earth...
but to all the living beings populating the various planets (loka).]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He also said: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Tobo, chorono
nimne, utshobomoyi shyamo-dhorini shorosa,</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">urdhe chaho
ogonito-moni-ronjito novo neelanchola </span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">shoumyo-modhur-dibyangona
shanto-kushalo-darosha ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Beneath your feet lies the
prosperous and bountiful earth</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Behold the blue sky engraved with countless gems above</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>She is like a sweet and graceful
angel</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Note the brilliant manner in which this great poet has unified the Cosmic "Purusha-Prakriti" and the Purushottam Satya, the
Satya-Sunda<span style="font-size: small;">r. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>shankh</i> and the <i>shankh-dhar</i>.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<i>Beneath
your feet lies the prosperous and bountiful earth</i>" - now, where do you
think the Vaikunth planets lie and where are we - the earthlings? [For
Vaikunth, please refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sacred Ganga is said to emanate from the lotus-feet of
the Purushottam Satya - the Lord of the Cosmos. [Here, Ganga is a reference to
both - the Akash-Ganga (the Milky Way), as well as the sacred River Ganga. And
if we can understand the position of Vaikunth, we can easily figure out why the
sacred Ganga (metaphorically)<i> emanates from the lotus-feet of </i>the<i> </i>Purushottam
Satya. For lotus-feet, please refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As Sri Bhagavan says (the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Gita, Chapter
10, Verse 31):</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| srotasam asmi jahnavi ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>:</b> </span>"... of flowing rivers I am the
Ganga." [Jahnavi is another name for Ganga.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">... </span>You get it, don't you?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is <span style="color: #660000;">Tobo Chorono Nimne</span> by Srikanto Acharjo: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sri Bhagavan's verses
have numerous layers. It is for us to delve deep into this treasure-trove of
spiritual wisdom... and imbibe a mere speck of His Brahmajyoti (auspicious glow/mangal-alok).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Therefore: the "Universal Cosmic Spirit" variously
referred to as the Supreme Soul - the <i>Paramaatma</i>/the Supreme Being - the
<i>Parameshwar</i>/the Brahman/ the Cosmic Energy/ the Ultimate Truth/the Ultimate
Reality/ the Ultimate Knowledge or the Absolute... is simply the seamless
blending together of the Cosmic "Purush-Prakriti" (the cosmic <i>Shankh</i>)
and the "Purushottam Satya" (the cosmic <i>Shankh-dhar</i>: the Supreme
Godhead, the Adi-Purush, the Jagadeeshvar - the Lord of the Cosmos, the
Satya-Sundar).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In short: Virupaksh-Krishna.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... The Lord of Infinite
Mercy. [Koruna <span style="font-size: small;">Tobo obisramo jonome-morone... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your compassion caresses our lives from cradle to grave...</span></span></span>]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Satya-Sundar) can also be regarded as the <i>Param-aatma </i>(the Supreme Soul/Spirit)
as well as the <i>Param-eshwar</i> (Maha-Ishvar/the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Being,
the Almighty</span></i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">).</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
so... we will discuss in our next post - in detail. [There... we will also discuss
what exactly Advaita and Dvaita signify.]</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robi
Thakur's oeuvre is for all. For humanity.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On his 79<sup>th</sup> birthday,
he proclaimed on the eve of his departure... he was leaving his abiding love and
affection for everybody. His immortal words (translated into English) are as
follows:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This touch of Universal Reality - in land, in water, at
all levels or spheres, the joy of not-so-obvious life - I would imbibe in my
innermost being, in my entire body, in my blood stream, in my glances, in my
voice, in all stages of my awakening and slumber, and in my meditation, on the
beaches of the sea of ultimate rest, on my life's ultimate dusk."</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His essentially creative mind
craved freedom from all kinds of shackles: "<i><a href="http://anondogaan.blogspot.in/2011/07/i-aspire-to-be-liberated-in-glorious.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ei
akashe aamar</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">mukti aloye aloye<span style="font-style: normal;">...</span></span></a></i>"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And he found this freedom amidst
the limitless sky, amongst the infinite cosmic wonders. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do listen to "<i>Aamar mukti aloye
aloye...</i>" [The Salvation] - rendered by Indrani Sen. (This song is a part of Swarobitan/Geetobitan):</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BGR7hjDqSCknWjRk1G0G8oZoAGpx2eMIL_SzDfHgy02eLY0s9tph7etquVviwBpbVu-dTQvRTPjm3SMyYoptoM020nf66-EGVTZxobhCBr_28MJmfUN91-KO2YlWGYFFRZ_x3fLtNBkB/s1600/images29.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BGR7hjDqSCknWjRk1G0G8oZoAGpx2eMIL_SzDfHgy02eLY0s9tph7etquVviwBpbVu-dTQvRTPjm3SMyYoptoM020nf66-EGVTZxobhCBr_28MJmfUN91-KO2YlWGYFFRZ_x3fLtNBkB/s1600/images29.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->Frankly, if we are to read the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad
Geeta, we can very clearly understand the cosmos: the mysteries of the cosmos,
the Cosmic "Purush-Prakriti"... and the merging of the
Cosmic "Purusha-Prakriti" [the cosmic <i>Shankh</i>]<i> </i>with the
"Purushottam Satya" [the cosmic <i>Shankha-dhar</i> - the Satya-Sundar -
Virupaksh-Krishna; the Purushottam Satya/the Lord of the Cosmos.] </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then, we can fully understand the "Vishwaroop"... and why
Sri Bhagavan says <span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>I</b></span> (aham).</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[However, some clearing of 'cobweb' may be necessary, to clear away 'contemporisation' et al.]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The great Rajanikanto Sen also said: "Tumi nirmolo koro mangalo
kore, molino mormo muchhaaye, Tobo punnyo-kiron diye jaak mor moho-kalima
ghuchaye."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Translated</u></b><b>: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|| Purify me with your virtues,
wiping off the vices of our hearts</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let your brightness
take away the darkness and greed of our souls ||</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Here is the prayer-song (Shyama-sangeet, addressed to </span></i><i>Maa</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">
Chamundi/Kaali - by Rajonikanto Sen) rendered by the great Pannalal
Bhattacharya: "</span></i>Tumi Nirmolo Koro Mongolo Kore Molino
Mormo Muchhaaye" - 'Cleanse My Soul':</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In case you are wondering why this song has been addressed to <i>Maa</i>
Chamundi/Kaali, here's why:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishna means: all attractive. It also means "dark" - Ghanshyam (the all absorbing one. Why so? Do read: </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></span></b></span></span></span>). Kaali too means "dark" -
Ghanshyam.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">In
Chapter 10, Verse 30 (of the </span></i><i>Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Gita) Sri Bhagavan says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| prahladas casmi daityanam</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">kalah kalayatam aham</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">mrganam ca mrgendro 'ham</span></i><i><br />
</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">vainateyas ca paksinam ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b></span> "Among the Daityas (the Daitya
clan - an offshoot of the <i>Asura</i> clan) I am Prahlad, among subduers I am
time (Kalah), among animals (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">mrganam)</span></i>
I am the lion (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">mrgendro)</span></i>, and
among birds (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">paksinam</span></i>) I am
Garuda."</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Here "Garuda" refers to eagle, not Shri Garuda. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shri Garuda was the
leader of the Suparna clan. Garuda (very likely) was a hereditary title/name bestowed
upon the leader of the Suparna clan. The Suparna was an eagle or
falcon-worshiping clan, i.e. a clan with an eagle or falcon-totem. Do read <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_11.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XIX</span></a></span> </b>-
to more about Shri Garuda.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlk8YCMCxHDPlKjnUItt4CfgbPBRh56d7V-FnGjxCrKnym_KfEmtFNnYQ7rOGv75wayvFGTqgySbaW6V9BreOzWL9aPSL8J5EQRTvbkTQdBYQTpsa1wWtEKhyphenhyphengdPGszLtRMm7Uiy8xXi11/s1600/970792_374279852692330_177931584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlk8YCMCxHDPlKjnUItt4CfgbPBRh56d7V-FnGjxCrKnym_KfEmtFNnYQ7rOGv75wayvFGTqgySbaW6V9BreOzWL9aPSL8J5EQRTvbkTQdBYQTpsa1wWtEKhyphenhyphengdPGszLtRMm7Uiy8xXi11/s1600/970792_374279852692330_177931584_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Shri Krishna says
He is <i>Kalah</i> (Supreme Time, the subduer).<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Meaning: He
personifies <i>Kalah</i>. He <i>is</i> Mahakaal.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But who do you think is Kaali/Mahakaali?</span></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Though <i>Devi</i>
Chamunda is known as <i>Maa</i> Kaali, she is considered as a 'roop' or <i>form</i>
of <i>Devi </i>Parvati/Durga.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Therefore, while
Shri Krishna personifies Kalah or Bhairav, <i>Devi</i> Durga/Parvati
personifies Kaali or Bhairavi.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for the lion (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">mrgendro):</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkk3dYmQAaQt4NRsEX4xAvkyrIQKZfiZV88ne_lZ8QpUf8pArc1fWdAwCoafCyH4fltAFVFSSw72JAAA_AW_NtWnfB1Cnva082rZ1hVbak4XKj31740NKvsUWOhZ_ndmX_1eqNCdQ-Ffi/s1600/images.jpgkihgf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkk3dYmQAaQt4NRsEX4xAvkyrIQKZfiZV88ne_lZ8QpUf8pArc1fWdAwCoafCyH4fltAFVFSSw72JAAA_AW_NtWnfB1Cnva082rZ1hVbak4XKj31740NKvsUWOhZ_ndmX_1eqNCdQ-Ffi/s1600/images.jpgkihgf.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fourth 'avatar' of the "Dasavatar" depicts the
Lion-Man - the Narasimha or Nrsingh. [Do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_11.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XIX</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But who is the Nrsinghi - the Lion-Woman?</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here you are:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Nrsimha-Ruupenno<span class="sword">[a-U]</span>grenna Hantum Daityaan Krto<span class="sword">[a-U]</span>dyame
|</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br />
Trailokya-Traanna-Sahite Naaraayanni Namo<span class="sword">[ah-A]</span>stu Te
||16||</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[To know the meaning of this <i>Stotra</i>
from the "Devi Mahatmyam" - the "Sri Sri <span class="unicode">Caṇḍī</span>
<span class="unicode">Pāṭha</span>", do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_11.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XIX</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">However, do also notice: "Trailokya-Traanna-Sahite" - the protector of <i>Trilok</i> (the three worlds or loka). Or in other words: the one who arrived to protect <i>Trilok</i> (the three worlds or loka).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ancient Bharatvarsha mirrored the cosmos.
Hence, there were three <i>loka</i> here as well - in every maha-yug.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: the cosmic three <i>loka</i> or Trilok are: <b>1.</b> The Urdhva Loka (the <i>Higher</i>
Planets). <b>2.</b> The Madhya-Loka (the <i>Middle</i> Planets). <b>3.</b> The
Adho-Loka (the <i>Lower</i> Planets).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7muUKMfYwwZDGnEJXxVHFAxYHZZKEpg84vl4xO3ggXgtQ8I6IAWSdvc7-aqbs0kjUCLemrJDmRFLQRtjr6pnteqSg3CDYEZTb0KUhcLIYYEG69c-5XTc67AZMUMa5pOHoQZhKvLOoYLqT/s1600/KKmohiniCigarettEAd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7muUKMfYwwZDGnEJXxVHFAxYHZZKEpg84vl4xO3ggXgtQ8I6IAWSdvc7-aqbs0kjUCLemrJDmRFLQRtjr6pnteqSg3CDYEZTb0KUhcLIYYEG69c-5XTc67AZMUMa5pOHoQZhKvLOoYLqT/s1600/KKmohiniCigarettEAd.jpg" height="200" width="191" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, think of the story about
Shri Vishnu assuming the Mohini-avatar, so as to prevent the negative (aasuric)
entities from laying their hands on the metaphoric <i>amrit</i> (celestial
ambrosia).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But then<span style="font-size: small;">,</span> there is no such thing
as 'amrit' - celestial or otherwise. <i>Amaratva </i>(eternal life) can be
achieved through <i>karm</i> alone, 'coz one<span style="font-size: small;">'</span>s <i>keerti</i> lives forever.
Plus: except for Virupaksh-Krishna there is no other eternal being with
eternal life.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Therefore: <i>amrit</i> here
(possibly) is a metaphor for influence/power/resources et al. Or (maybe)
all of them. And more. Vishnu (as Mohini-avatar) acquires the (metaphoric) pot of <i>amrit</i> from the thieving <i>Asuras</i> (by tricking them), and gives it back to the <i>Devas</i>, thus helping them regain their preeminence (euphemistically referred to as: immorta<span style="font-size: small;">lity). </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgcp6rsgAqToCS4X_p4F40x4ODTfwLcalxOo9Noo6Ct9yiJLLpLhK7Fq3azS2z0wY-FqyV_FrV7U8xT0r-MMxau101E2g1oSf7ppjophaSIMkXdmL39pUZpAqO-soqcS5qXv6Zzxb6VIZ/s1600/Mohini+Murti+Chops+off+Rahu%27s+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgcp6rsgAqToCS4X_p4F40x4ODTfwLcalxOo9Noo6Ct9yiJLLpLhK7Fq3azS2z0wY-FqyV_FrV7U8xT0r-MMxau101E2g1oSf7ppjophaSIMkXdmL39pUZpAqO-soqcS5qXv6Zzxb6VIZ/s1600/Mohini+Murti+Chops+off+Rahu's+Head.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">That
the machinations of negative entities too came to a naught... can be
inferred from 'Mohini's Sudarshan Chakra cutting off Rahu's head'. <i>Also:</i> looks like the Mohini-avatar was responsible for
Prithvi-loka getting a satellite of her own... as can be inferred from the
'Rahu-Ketu' stories. [Rahu's head remained while the body was destroyed - thanks
to Mohini's <i>Sudarshan Chakra</i>.] Here: 'Sudarshan Chakra' is a metaphor
for a real weapon or instrument. Vishnu as Mohini-avatar would have destroyed
the 'body' (possibly: a giant asteroid) while keeping the 'head' (possibly: a
small moon... accompanying the 'body'/giant asteroid) intact. <i>Result:</i> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">a global catastrophe (if it had struck Prithvi-loka) was
averted, while the newly acquired satellite began circumnavigating
Prithvi-loka. [Rahu: probably is a reference for an asteroid-moon duo: a
giant-sized
asteroid with own small satellite in tow; i.e. a giant-sized asteroid dragging its moon along. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Such a huge flying object is known as a binary asteroid, and is circled by a satellite, or moon. Giant-sized, hence the word 'Asura' has been used. <i>Asura</i> also means giant-sized. Here: 'Asura' is <i>not</i> a reference for people or clan or even the inhabitants of Adho-Loka/Lower Planets.]<i> Pieces of the destroyed asteroid may have fallen on the moon.</i> Ketu probably is a reference for Prithvi-loka. Hence it is mentioned: <i>The body also turned into Ketu due to a boon, and it in turn swallows the moon on timely basis to cause a lunar eclipse</i>. [</span><span style="color: #351c75;">And a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon!] No wonder this story is part of samudra-manthan - the story of the churning of the Akash Ganga (Milky Way) and/or the Andromeda (i.e. how our solar system came about). In short: the story of creation. Since samudra-manthan has many dimensions, later translators have got confused... and therefore fused the narratives.</span>]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[</span><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly: the extent of misunderstanding and
misinterpretation of (the camouflaged language used in) our ancient texts boggles the mind (some of it we have already
seen during the course of this series + we can also see from the accompanying
picture of the Mohini-avatar).] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh-Krishna is also known as <i>Mohan</i>, and from <i>this</i>
we can easily figure out the etymology of the word <i>sammohan</i> (the science
of mind-control).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>aasuric</i> (malevolent) entities (residing in the
Adho-Loka/the Lower Planets) indulged in negative activities/adharm (after
attacking and occupying the higher Planets/the Urdhva-Loka, also known as Svarga-loka, Deva-loka). They also
forcibly gained control over certain resources (euphemistically referred to as <i>amrit</i>)...
that did not belong to them.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And: all of this helped them to increase their
influence/power tremendously.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Result: huge imbalance - in the cosmos.</span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, why Mohini-avatar?</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, since these <i>aasuric</i> (malevolent) entities
(residing in the Adho-Loka/the Lower Planets) knew about Virupaksh-Krishna,
they would have (in all likelihood) been on their guard.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence: He assumed the Mohini-avatar. (Mohan-Mohini, you see?)</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It simply means Virupaksh-Krishna assumed a female form
(opposite of Mohan) - as part of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[... </span><span style="font-size: small;">It was just an outer coil - to be discarded once
the task was accomplished. <i>He can take up any form at will - by transforming
himself, not to be mistaken for cross-dressing. 'Coz He can remain in His
subtle body - </i>sukshma sharira <i>+ can create highly advanced holograms of himself
in various shapes and forms. </i>E.g: He also arrived as a vamana (a small-sized human/dwarf).
Now whether it was Him or his holographic image, we cannot say with certainty
though. Possibly Him. Shri Vishnu can take any form or shape at will. He is
nothing like us - mortal humans. He appeared or rather took on the form of a
vamana or dwarf... for a specific purpose. It does not mean he is dwarf
(vamana)<i> per se</i>. Hope we are clear on this<span style="color: #351c75;">.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is a Master strategist, Soldier-Statesman par excellence [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/03/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_26.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXII</span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;">]</span></span></span></span>, Trikalagya, possessor of the
Third-Eye/Tritiya-Nayan and a diplomat par excellence - at all times (as can be inferred from: 'Sudarshan Chakra' remaining in Virupaksh-Krishna, Mohini as well as Parvati/Durga's forefinger). His brilliance -
referred to as the <i>Sudarshan Chakra</i> remains intact - irrespective of
whatever outer coil He assumes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[He rarely uses physical weaponry though. 'Coz He is the Ultimate/Supreme
<i>karmyogi</i>; a karmyogi par excellence. He achieves various tasks through <i>karm</i>. He does not use His extraordinary powers... while in His human avatar(s). This, so as to reestablish the principles of <i>karm</i> and <i>dharma</i>... as per His stated </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">dharma-samsthapanarthaya</span>...</span></span>]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">He creates 'illusion' in the minds of others (through his
words and actions, remember? That's <i>sammohan</i>. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->He does it for Loka Sangraha or Loka Kalyana
- the welfare of all or the welfare of the world/universe/cosmos.)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is the Ultimate/Supreme Controller of minds. [Though that does
not mean He controls everyone's mind and/or action at all times. His doctrine of <i>karm</i>
is Supreme. That is the doctrine of the universe, the cosmos. In short:
Sanaatan Dharma/Arya Dharma (the right/noble path, the eternal way of life; not to be confused for "ism"). And <i>that</i> alone decides who
gains entry into which <i>Loka</i> - to continue the cycle of birth (all over
again). And it <i>also</i> decides who gains entry into the Vaikunth-Loka (as
He himself says in the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta).]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->Virupaksh-Krishna incarnates (to help mankind/humanity
- in all the <i>loka</i>) face the challenges posed... whenever negative forces
become too dominant in the Universe. Thus, despite not being in His <i>purn</i> avatar, His <i>Sudarshan
Chakra</i> ensures that balance is restored in the cosmos. ['Hurling of the
Sudarshan Chakra' = His brilliance + that He pre-empted or negated the designs/machinations
of the malevolent entities. However, does that mean that He does everything by
Himself? <i>No.</i> He does what none can do, (He also guides, He shows the way; He is the Supreme <i>Saarathi</i>, remember?) and then He wants/lets others (instruments) perform
their <i>karmyog</i>. Otherwise, how will the cosmos run? Hopefully, we are now reasonably clear about the true essence of the <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta + what Sanaatan Dharma is all about.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, as we can see, He is not called the Maha-Eshvar, the Param-eshvar - the Supreme
Lord - for nothing. [<span style="color: #660000;">In His human avatar/form/roop He knows how to find solutions... irrespective of the magnitude of challenges or era</span> (yug). A closer study of all His human avatars will substantiate this.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He truly is the <i>Eka-shringa</i>. The rarest of the rarest...
not to be found anywhere else. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He personifies it.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i>Eka-shringa</i> is not an animal. We will discuss the various
symbolism associated with the <i>Eka-shringa</i> in our next post.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, it is unlikely that He would have gone around
proclaiming who He is; He does not come across as boastful, He comes across as wise, discerning, firm and decisive [E.g., Saalva (armed with extremely destructive weaponry) tried his best to destroy Prithvi-loka, Krishna decided otherwise. And as He said: His will </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->(Loka Sangraha or Loka Kalyana) is Supreme. Hence, He is the Supreme Balancer, the Supreme Preserver. He <i>also</i> knows how to overcome obstacles.] The current version
of the Mahabharat (and even the Ramayan) is a much-copied-and-infinitely-embellished version (with various
misinterpretations + tweaking + 'contemporisation'). He would have revealed himself only
towards the end, while talking to Arjun, etc.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Misunderstanding, misinterpretation et al has resulted in this story being clubbed with samudra-manthan/the churning of the kshir-sagar (on Prithvi-Loka). But then, kshir-sagar and samudra-manthan has many layers.]<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interplanetary fights between</span>
entities residing in the Urdhva-Loka (the Higher Planets) and the Adho-Loka (the
Lower Planets) have happened. [These have <i>also</i> been referred to as
fights between the <i>Devas </i>and the <i>Asuras</i> - in our ancient texts.
Here: <i>Asura</i> means malevolent entities </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(possibly gigantic/large-sized)</span></span>; it does not refer to the <i>Asura</i> clan.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These Sura/Devas are far
advanced beings residing in the Urdhva-Loka (the Higher Planets). While these Asuras
(malevolent beings) reside in the Adho-Loka (the Lower Planets).</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not that Prithvi-loka has rem<span style="font-size: small;">ained</span> immune from the machinations of these malevolent entities. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An external entity -
Saalva - had attacked Prithvi-Loka... over <span style="font-size: small;">8,</span>000 years ago. [Rather: some
10 or 12 millennium ago.]</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even then: Shri Krishna was there... to protect Prithvi-Loka (and humanity). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1j6IXGAYeW0uXYZQfGXryq3TyfRBDr7iK7a9ZdM6PfBtPcejVgjhQoFT2VNYi1fRTSn1_ID_hrnyD3ugDgcFE390gpHFC2yjA1TBTP5zvM_5BljZXw8hnprZnQUGDsb5cerxglp7mbjQ/s1600/Krishna-Ancient-Weapons-of-Mass-Destruction-and-The-Mahabharata-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1j6IXGAYeW0uXYZQfGXryq3TyfRBDr7iK7a9ZdM6PfBtPcejVgjhQoFT2VNYi1fRTSn1_ID_hrnyD3ugDgcFE390gpHFC2yjA1TBTP5zvM_5BljZXw8hnprZnQUGDsb5cerxglp7mbjQ/s1600/Krishna-Ancient-Weapons-of-Mass-Destruction-and-The-Mahabharata-01.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The Mahabharata clearly talks
about this war, though due to various misinterpretations... narratives have
entangled.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus: Both (Shri Krishna and <i>Devi</i>
Parvati) are referred to as the protectors of the Cosmic <i>Trilok</i>).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
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</xml><![endif]-->We can say Virupaksh-Krishna is the Original
'Ardhanarishvar'. <span style="color: #660000;">'Coz He is the Ultimate/Supreme/Original Siddha -<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>Siddhesh or Siddheshvar - a
pure/perfected being or<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>a self-realized being; one who has achieved "self-realization".</span> <span style="color: #0c343d;">'Coz as the
Creator... he completely understands that everything that makes up (is part of) the
cosmos, whether seen or unseen, animate or inanimate, is a part of His
"Vishwaroop". Hence: He personifies the "Universal Cosmic Spirit".
<span style="color: #351c75;">[Even Shiv became 'Ardhanarishvar' once he became a Siddha.]</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Hopefully, we are now reasonably clear... as to
</i>*<span style="color: #660000;">what</span>*<i> the Siddha/Siddhesh/Siddheshvar/Ardhanarishvar (concept of <span style="color: #660000;">self-realization</span>) <span style="color: #660000;">actually</span> means</i>. Virupaksh-Krishna is also
above all sorts of boundaries, even that of gender, 'coz He is the <span style="color: #660000;">Param-aatma</span>
- the Supreme Spirit. Spirit or Soul is energy. It has no form or gender. Also: He
can take any form or can replicate Himself at will (possibly: highly advanced holographic
image). <i>Hope we are clear on this.</i>] </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even the
Himalayas are associated with both.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh-Krishna is also referred to as "Narayan", while
Parvati/Durga is constantly referred to as "Narayani".</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Narayan is <i>also</i> a reference to Shri Vishnu - the unseen
balancing force of the cosmos - from within which our universe - the <i>Brhmaand</i>
(that we inhabit) has emerged. [We have already discussed this (Vishnu) force
during the course of this series, so please do look it up... in case you need to
refresh your memory.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However,<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>"Narayan" is also a reference to the Shri Vishnu of
Vaikunth - the <i>other</i> Vishnu-Loka. [Please refer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Narayan means the benefactor of humanity. And this is <i>not</i>
limited to the humanity on earth... but to all the living beings populating the
various planets (loka).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, you see? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Narayan-Narayani. Krishna-Parvati.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Both acted as balancers and preservers of the cosmos and
of humanity.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh-Krishna is the Adi-Purush. <i>Devi</i>
Durga/Parvati is the Adi-Parashakti.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh-Krishna is called the Jagadeeshvar - the Lord
of the Cosmos as well as the Jagat-Pita (the Universal Father).</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While <i>Devi</i> Durga/Parvati is revered as the Jagadeeshvari - the Lord of the Cosmos as well as the Jyotirmayee Jagan-Mata/Jagat-dhatri (the Cosmic/Universal Mother).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu is the Maheshvaram/Maha-Ishvar: the Supreme Lord, the
Param-eshwar. While Parvati/Durga is the Maaheshvarii/Maha-Ishvari/Param-eshvari. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Virupaksh-Krishna is addressed as 'He' - due
to the limitations of the English language. 'Coz in Sanskrit there is no
gender-related or gender-specific reference.]</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So: were <i>Devi</i>
Parvati/Durga and Shri Krishna one and the same? As part of the Lord of the
Cosmos' periodic appearance/arrival (albeit in human form/incarnation/avatar)
as per: "...sambhavami yuge yuge"?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Coz
their physical as well as <i>karmic</i> similarities are simply too great to ignore.
[Do refer: <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/03/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_26.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXII</span></a></span>
</b>and<b> </b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV42t36pvHTcuU9n_qR3u8T5Ef4Tg5hGlG3pK4Nf8Qx71sbLvKjdcg-zlLl6ZjAUMoW9DZjCbAiZst-OIlbUOTkTo_f1i0kYzRto5-xB-phGUXemIKkUCu0IA513CiMTHpAap17_sWGC0/s1600/varaha-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV42t36pvHTcuU9n_qR3u8T5Ef4Tg5hGlG3pK4Nf8Qx71sbLvKjdcg-zlLl6ZjAUMoW9DZjCbAiZst-OIlbUOTkTo_f1i0kYzRto5-xB-phGUXemIKkUCu0IA513CiMTHpAap17_sWGC0/s1600/varaha-001.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's consider the <i>Varaha</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have been discussing the "Dasavatar" as part of this
series, and it clearly points towards the evolution of this planet + the evolution
of life on this planet. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, the first three "avatars" have a clear Vaikunth
connection, though this has been (somewhat) misinterpreted as <i>Shri Vishnu assuming different forms</i>. [We will discuss this in our later posts.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For now, we will stick to Virupaksh-Krishna. And
to Parvati/Durga.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first four "avatars" of the "Dasavatar" are: the <i>Matsya</i>
(fish) Avatar, the <i>Kurma</i> (tortoise) Avatar, the <i>Varaha</i> (great
boar) Avatar and the <i>Narasimha</i> (lion-man) Avatar.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vishnu-Krishna is the <i>Varaha</i> or the Great
Boar - the rescuer of Prithvi-Loka and Sanaatan Dharma from <i>rasatal</i> (from unwanted aspects that seep in from time to time - thus altering the very ethos of this eternal way of life). But who is <i>Varahi</i>? [For <i>Devi</i> Varahi, do read: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/02/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_28.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XX</span></a></b></span>. Incidentally: this is the Shvetavaraha Kalpa, as we have discussed in </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span></span>. Svheta or Shveta = White.]</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though <i>Devi</i> Varahi is a
different entity, she is considered as a <i>roop</i> or form/manifestation of <i>Devi</i>
Durga/Parvati. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which makes: Durga/Parvati... the Varahi - the
female boar.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence<span style="font-size: small;">:</span> were <i>Devi</i> Parvati/Durga and Shri Krishna one and
the same?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">W<span style="font-size: small;">hat do you think?</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Coz in Sanskrit there is no gender-related or
gender-specific reference. And: as we all know, the soul has no gender. </span></span></span></i></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzejg86Z3as7gwgx1AyC7rcUT9Bh1Tdj5mWgOLsuvJkkaK6PM-MESHX9AGdHKtf23PjhyuDWNdYIHgQcOrHpU9qbjq_vrlPw_u9jmOnPBxg9DYkveesPYNCWG4d7dUp7gVNit3JPMbNB9A/s1600/ProvinghistoricityofKrishna-Archaeologicalandastronomicalevidences0.png.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzejg86Z3as7gwgx1AyC7rcUT9Bh1Tdj5mWgOLsuvJkkaK6PM-MESHX9AGdHKtf23PjhyuDWNdYIHgQcOrHpU9qbjq_vrlPw_u9jmOnPBxg9DYkveesPYNCWG4d7dUp7gVNit3JPMbNB9A/s1600/ProvinghistoricityofKrishna-Archaeologicalandastronomicalevidences0.png.jpeg" height="181" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[We will,
of course, discuss the <i>symbolism</i> of the bull (vrishabha, vrisha uttamam - the Vrishni connection is very clear, isn't it? <i>However, the amount of misinterpretation + tweaking of the narrative leaves one speechless</i>), the
boar (varaha) and the unicorn (eka-shringa) in greater detail - in our
next post. Besides: the symbolism of the conch (shankh) and the <i>Sudarshan
Chakra</i> (in some more detail).</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And we
will <i>also</i> discuss just what the Cosmic "Purush-Prakriti" is all about.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">The </span></b><i>Srimad </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10, Verse 26)
says:</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">|| siddhanam kapilo munih ||</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Translation</u></b><b>:</b> </span>"Of all Siddhas (pure/perfected
beings, possessor of immense spiritual powers) I am the sage Kapila (<i><span style="font-style: normal;">kapilo munih)</span></i>."</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus: Krishna is
Siddhesh/Siddheshvar. [The Ultimate/ Supreme Perfected Being.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But <i>Devi</i> Parvati is <i>Devi</i> Siddheshwari. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She is also Siddhidatri (the
bestower of all Siddhis); she is depicted holding the <i>Shankh</i> (Conch-shell),
<i>Chakra</i>, Mace (Gada) and Lotus (Padma) in her four hands. She is seated on a lotus flower with
the lion as her mount (vaahan).</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZooVPUbzY2q7vQ_oy_bxkJ_Y-zZ6TrDRmSKrdkZ9wvykbyTggg64E7_fyqqfpZTB-BcKuxg4yTOiBKAhmN3KWatq7p0UOZDeF3ofB3pVYWgq09SBwcU3Kq4AdSE427dE4eDuzwqegGMdg/s1600/tumblr_l6bwp4WcS31qzuvjbo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZooVPUbzY2q7vQ_oy_bxkJ_Y-zZ6TrDRmSKrdkZ9wvykbyTggg64E7_fyqqfpZTB-BcKuxg4yTOiBKAhmN3KWatq7p0UOZDeF3ofB3pVYWgq09SBwcU3Kq4AdSE427dE4eDuzwqegGMdg/s1600/tumblr_l6bwp4WcS31qzuvjbo1_500.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<i>Maa</i>
Adi-Parashakti is formless. <i>Devi</i> Siddhidatri is also considered as
Adi-Parashakti, and was worshipped by Lord Rudra.] </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Siddhidatri is the
Goddess/devi/diety who possesses and bestows all type of Siddhis o<span style="font-size: small;">n</span> her
devotees. Lord Shiva received all Siddhis by the grace of <i>Devi</i>
Siddhidatri.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Parvati is <i>Devi</i>
Siddhidatri.</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxHOibF5rZNSDQ9Asu5UvJcKbW1Mo4g_dV2OppSKPmPAIL3KkxJhtZItBjSJllTZUQXDy1hRepewzabIc4_V1nCD5r8nbDiHQZoJwH6I53HttFjaDKnaslOQ69WJk246hncG-ppumKtXA/s1600/maa-sidhi-daatri-216x300.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxHOibF5rZNSDQ9Asu5UvJcKbW1Mo4g_dV2OppSKPmPAIL3KkxJhtZItBjSJllTZUQXDy1hRepewzabIc4_V1nCD5r8nbDiHQZoJwH6I53HttFjaDKnaslOQ69WJk246hncG-ppumKtXA/s1600/maa-sidhi-daatri-216x300.gif" height="200" width="144" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Maa</i> Siddhidatri is the ninth form of <i>Devi </i>Durga
(Parvati) worshipped on the ninth or final day of Navratri. 'Siddhi' is a
Sanskrit term which means 'perfection'. <i>Devi</i> Siddhidatri is depicted with four arms.
She holds a <i>Chakra</i> in her right lower hand and a mace in the upper. In the left
lower hand there is a <i>conch</i>-shell (shankh) and in her upper left hand a lotus flower.
She is seated on a lotus flower with the lion as her mount (vaahan).</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Do observe: the conch
(shankh) and the <i>chakra</i> - are associated with both - Virupaksh-Krishna as well as
Durga/Parvati.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord Shiva received all
the 26 'siddhis' by worshiping Maha Shakti (manifested by <i>Devi</i> Parvati,
who also represents <i>Maa</i> Adi-Parashakti and <i>Maa</i> Siddhidatri). B<span style="font-size: small;">y</span>
Her grace, Shiva became a 'Siddha', and thereafter came to be known as
'Ardhanarishvar'.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Siddhi</i> that
She bestows helps in self-realization: i.e. the complete realization that everything is part of the "Universal Cosmic
Spirit".</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apart from<span style="font-size: small;"> all this: we also know that She responded to the call of Dharma<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span>[<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/03/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_26.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXII</span></a></b></span>.] While (the mortal) Shiv and Vishnu (despite being
tremendous warriors) hesitated and did not.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also: Shri Krishna's
words and deeds are titled: <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta and the Bhagavad Puran.
While <i>Devi</i> Durga/Parvati's deeds are titled <i>Devi</i> Bhagavatam and <i>Devi</i>
Mahatmyam (the Magnanimity of the Devi). </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's more:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Red</b></span> - (Lohith/Lohitah/Rohitah/the first 'avatar' was the <i>matsya</i> or fish avatar/Rohu, hence Shri Vishnu is also known as Rohit/Rohitah, meaning: red),<b>
Blue</b> - Shyam, <span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Green</b></span> - Hari, <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>Golden-Yellow</b></span></span> - Peet and <span style="color: black;"><b>Dark</b></span>
- Ghanshyam... represent Vishnu-Krishna or Virupaksh-Krishna.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Red</b></span> - (Lohith/Lohitah/Rohitah - it also represents the power of <i>Devi</i> Durga/Parvati),<b>
<span style="color: #0c343d;">Green</span></b> - Prakriti (remember 'Ardhanarishvar'? Shiv (humanity) cannot survive without Prakriti (represented by <i>Devi</i> Durga), <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>Golden-Yellow</b></span></span> - Peet/Gauri, <b>Blue</b> - Shyam and
<span style="color: black;"><b>Dark</b></span> - Ghanshyam... represent Durga/Parvati-Kaali/Chamundi. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, what can we infer
from all this?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kapil Muni's students built the city of Kapilavastu.
Kapilavastu means: the substance of Kapila. Much later, in the current <i>yug</i>
(Kaliyug), <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh lived and grew up in Kapilavastu
for the first 29 years of his life.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Incidentally: even Pataliputra owes its origin to Shri Krishna.
Though the city (even then a premier city of the land - at that time) was
inundated by flood later on.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Megasthenes, the Greek Ambassador in the court of Chandragupta
Maurya, states that: the city of Polibrotha (Pataliputra) was founded by
Herakles, 138 generations before the reign of Sandrocottas (the
Greek name for <i>Samraat</i> Chandragupta Maurya). <i>Herakles or Hercules is none other than
Shri Krishna.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When Alexander confronted Parvateshvar (Paurav/Puru/Porus)
on the banks of the River Sindhu, Puru's soldiers were carrying an image
of Herakles in their vanguard.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now: despite all
the window-dressing by <i>phoren</i> historians, Alexander's career more or
less came to a halt after his brief encounter with this king of the Indus
region, <i>Raja</i> Parvateshvar (Porus). <i>The Greeks however, had some
success ruling as kings in northwestern cities such as the one in Takshasheela </i>[the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">decline of which
marked the destruction, persecution and decline in Indian education, thought
and structure.</span>] </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They exchanged
ambassadors with Indian kings and one such ambassador was <i>Heliodorus</i> who
was sent from Taxila to the court of King <i>Bhagabhadra</i> at Vidisha
(Besnagar, central India). </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheNlS0PkRLEle7j0lpHaMixsP2a_3Qir2j2OBwln5NzKPD1zUglh_kRJxdAJyhNNvR-eY8ZYMSjAJCugjbmBixqbvGzKK5M_gArZ8OPY_zdB4vbzPJYxi0Ax2VLZIWxIq_y-qtyFY8bR8/s1600/heliodorous+pillar+-+vidisha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheNlS0PkRLEle7j0lpHaMixsP2a_3Qir2j2OBwln5NzKPD1zUglh_kRJxdAJyhNNvR-eY8ZYMSjAJCugjbmBixqbvGzKK5M_gArZ8OPY_zdB4vbzPJYxi0Ax2VLZIWxIq_y-qtyFY8bR8/s1600/heliodorous+pillar+-+vidisha.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On his visit to Vidisha, Heliodorus erected a <i>Garuda-pillar </i>in the honour of his 'God of Gods' Krishna. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
Garuda-column of Vasudev (Krishna),</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The God
of gods,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was
erected here by Heliodorus,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A worshipper
of Vishnu,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The son
of Dion, and Inhabitant of Taxila,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who came
as the Greek Ambassador,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the
Great King Antialkidas,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">To King
Kashiputra Bhagabhadra, the Savior, </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">Then
reigning prosperously in the fourteenth year of his kingship.</span>]</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, as the <span class="mw-headline">Bhagavat Puran</span>
says:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"My appearance in this world
is especially to explain the philosophy of Sankhya, which is highly esteemed
for self-realization by those desiring freedom from the entanglement of
unnecessary material desires. This path of self-realization, which is difficult
to understand, has now been lost in the course of time. Please know that I have
assumed this body of Kapila to introduce and explain this philosophy to human
society again." (3.24.36-37)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, there you have it!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"... sambhavami yuge yuge."</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet again.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALo-3_LN8KR5WozOgvXdukD_nZ0kVNqA3H7dBjTqOkbtZ6xojwX86zhA79yY8XacnS-kiGDU9ubR9KMPWzCT3E-OHO8iY9-LsY6pCHG_POJ2Od-EUqcb1JzCSaFR80UXbKq468hf5wsPf/s1600/mahavishnu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALo-3_LN8KR5WozOgvXdukD_nZ0kVNqA3H7dBjTqOkbtZ6xojwX86zhA79yY8XacnS-kiGDU9ubR9KMPWzCT3E-OHO8iY9-LsY6pCHG_POJ2Od-EUqcb1JzCSaFR80UXbKq468hf5wsPf/s1600/mahavishnu.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
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<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->In fact, the manner in which Shri Vishnu is
depicted is (probably) to bolster the "Pati-Parameshvar" stuff: to stratify
society along gender lines so as to bring down the position of women. [It is
also filled with symbolism involving the namesake cosmic energy (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">Garbhodakasayi Vishnu) through which
our Brhmaand has emerged. Should not be taken at face value. As for the attire,
clear signs of 'contemporisation'.] The Parameshvar has no role in this. [He is
the Supreme Balancer, remember? He can also be called as the Ultimate/Supreme
Siddheshvar/Ardhanarishvar. 'Coz He is the Ultimate Siddha or Siddhesh/Siddheshvar/Transcendental Being - a
pure/perfected being; one who has achieved "self-realization". As the
Creator... he completely understands that everything that is part of the
cosmos, whether seen or unseen, animate or inanimate, is part of His
"Vishwaroop". And that He personifies the "Universal Cosmic Spirit".
[Even Shiv became 'Ardhanarishvar' once he became a Siddha.] Vishnu is also
above all sorts of boundaries, even that of gender, 'coz He is the Param-aatma
- the Supreme Spirit. Spirit or Soul is energy. It has no form or gender. He
can take any form or can replicate Himself at will (possibly: highly advanced holographic
image). Also: if we observe closely, He has His parameters. Women and the
disadvantaged figure prominently. His aim/endeavour (in all His human avatars)
has been the establishment of a just/inclusive society (euphemistically known
as: "Ram-Rajya"). Loka Sangraha or Loka Kalyana is an integral part
of his philosophy, His will.]</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;">Śrīvatsa mark</span> is on His chest, symbolising His consort Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vishnu is thus <i>Srivatsankita</i>, the one who bears the sign of <i>Srivatsa</i>.<b> </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">[Srivatsa (the beloved of Sri) is an ancient auspicious symbol in India. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"> It is a mark on the chest of Vishnu where His consort Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi
resides. It is also a mark of His immortality.] It is said that the 10th (and final) avatar of Shri Vishnu (in the current maha yug or four-yug cycle),
Kalki, will be the bearer of the Srivatsa mark as well. [SrivatsavakshaaH is
another name of Shri Vishnu. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">T</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">he </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Śrīvatsa mark also adorns the images of the Jain Thirthankaras and of the Buddha as well.</span></span></span>] Shri Vishnu also wears the auspicious "Kaustubha" jewel around
his neck. Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi dwells in this jewel,
on Vishnu's chest. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The "Kaustubha" jewel <i>also</i> represents consciousness, which manifests itself in all that shines: the sun, the moon, the fire and the speech. Thus it </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">represents consciousness, the consciousness of all living things. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">Shri Vishnu </span><span style="font-size: small;">also <span style="color: #351c75;">wears a garland of five rows of forest flowers of different hues (vanamaalaa). <i>Vaijayanthi</i> (garland of victory) is a garland of five rows of jewels or five elements (bhuthas) that also adorns Shri Vishnu.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CQhUeVun8xSK8AZ5EXsfkHNWf5iJCcN-ssboyNXYe8n8jW32oCZcJcnzcQ9qyQkiYP_ZA9u7NCWutRuVs3TQzGsy3gU4MJAwAZ3Kg8tQJGdoj_1mwylQecbIK7J0nViQS3cCYye4EFVa/s1600/God+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CQhUeVun8xSK8AZ5EXsfkHNWf5iJCcN-ssboyNXYe8n8jW32oCZcJcnzcQ9qyQkiYP_ZA9u7NCWutRuVs3TQzGsy3gU4MJAwAZ3Kg8tQJGdoj_1mwylQecbIK7J0nViQS3cCYye4EFVa/s1600/God+011.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is no Sri Devi and Bhu
Devi either. These are just different names for Sri Sri Lakshmi Devi. <i>Devi</i> Lakshmi is the symbol/deity/goddess/devi of wisdom, wealth and prosperity in the Indian pantheon. "Sri" and "Bhu" indicate wealth, wisdom, happiness and prosperity.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Among all the Samraat-s and
Raja-s, only two: Shri Ram and Shri Krishna have been <i>ek-patni</i>. The
Krishna of the Mahabharata + the<i> Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta and the one that
arrived when Saalva attacked Prithvi-loka... are one and the same. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However: the Krishna of the 'Raas-Reela' is a product of the <i>Bhakti Movement</i> and of Jayadev's "Geet Gobind". <i>This</i> Krishna is a different person... and is worshiped just as Sri Chaitanyadev is worshipped. <i>This</i>
Krishna is regarded as 'avatar' of the Shri Krishna of the Mahabharat/<i>Srimad</i>
Bhagavad Geeta just as how Sri Chaitanyadev too is regarded as 'avatar' of the Shri
Krishna of the Mahabharat/<i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>... A la</i> how
Tulsidas is regarded as 'avatar' of <i>Maharshi </i>Valmiki.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You get it, right?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But is that literal??</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A cursory look at His life (in
His Krishna-avatar) is enough to confirm this. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG64icPBPqig25d0bZMJBKYcP29z45yFj9VXF9TYf8-5GeyQTnho6P3u56rvfTD446eiQSd5NliVY7h-lDfEvR6pZ3g4TTHkdZvlYPfW7qGO2SMdTfIrCnrOHRm7wdjdVryMOrFwCQsSG/s1600/M_Id_181018_Mahabharata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG64icPBPqig25d0bZMJBKYcP29z45yFj9VXF9TYf8-5GeyQTnho6P3u56rvfTD446eiQSd5NliVY7h-lDfEvR6pZ3g4TTHkdZvlYPfW7qGO2SMdTfIrCnrOHRm7wdjdVryMOrFwCQsSG/s1600/M_Id_181018_Mahabharata.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was born in unusual
circumstances (inside a prison), was whisked away to Gokul by Vasudev (aided by
Vasuki - the chief of one of the Nag clans). He grew up... away from his parental
home; was sent to study at <i>Maharshi</i> Sandeepani and Garga Muni's ashram at the age of 5 or 7.
Here he was put through a rigorous training regimen, spending his time reading
science, math, literature, history, economics, political science, warfare tactics, martial arts, the ancient texts et al. On
completion of his studies, he returned. [He would have been in his early-to-mid
20's then.] However... he was instantly drawn into a whirlpool of
intrigue (unleashed by the machinations of the tyrannical Jarasandha and Kansh).
[Rest we have already discussed in <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/03/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXI</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, tell me... when did He get the
time to dally with Gopis and indulge in 'Raas-Leela' (and that too at the age
of 14)?? :) </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for his supposed 16,108 'wives', well... this too is courtesy the <i>Bhakti Movement. </i>[We have already discussed this during the course of this series, so please do look it up in case you need to refresh your memory.] </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is called <i>Gopesh</i> or <i>Gopala</i> -
simply because He is the Supreme Shepherd, the One who runs the cosmos/universe and
'shepherds' everything/all beings/His 'flock' within it. [Gopesh = Lord of the flock. Go-pala = Cow-herd, shepherd. Here: Go or cow = all living beings.] </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He plays the flute, but does not
dance (at least not how we think). When He 'dances', He is on
top of it; it's child's play for Him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also: it is said that He married
Jambavani. Now Jambavan was a part of Treta Yug, Krishna was part of Dvapar. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So... this is what? Time travel?? :)</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As we can see, the Krishna of the Mahabharat/<i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta
did not have anything to do with the Gopis or Radha... whatsoever. </span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>His consort is
Rukmini. Satyabhama probably is the consort of the Krishna of the 'Raas
Leela' and of Jayadev's "Geet Gobind". Due to the similarity in name...
there has been a confluence of narratives. </i></span></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">T</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">he real complexion of the Krishna of the Mahabharat/<i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad Geeta:</span></span></span></span></span></span> grayish to dusky blue (meaning: similar to the
colour of a newborn's skin immediately after birth). Though He is depicted as
blue-hued [<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2012/12/reclaiming-our-history-decoding_4126.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is known as <i>Ghanshyam</i>
due to his nature, since Black (Ghanshyam) is all-absorbing. Likewise, <i>this</i>
Krishna was the "all absorbing one". 'Coz during
his lifetime, (it is said) he was the target of malicious attacks. Accusations,
abuse and insults were hurled at him; several small-minded people orchestrated
these. But <i>this</i> Krishna never stooped low nor responded back in kind. He
simply absorbed them all - with his characteristic grace, and hence is also
known as Ghanshyam - the all-absorbing one. [<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/04/reclaiming-our-history-decoding.html"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Part-XXIII</span></a></b></span>.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His "dark-complexion" is thus metaphoric, <i>not</i> literal. <i>Hope we are reasonably
clear on this</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[The
Krishna that is paired with Radha and the Gopis... is the one we find in the
pages of Jayadev's <i>Geet Gobind</i>... and a product/part of the <i>Bhakti
Movement</i>.]</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The amount of tweaking, misinterpretation
and misunderstanding... coupled with multiple narratives fusing together... boggles
the mind and renders one speechless. :) But then if the proverbial 'trial by fire' (agni-pariksha) that Siya-Ram underwent... could be 'interpreted' literally, what can one say? Also: one finds pictures of <i>Devi</i> Durga/Parvati bowing to Shri Vishnu. But then, both are one and the same! So you see?</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyFzlA9GhLU9X9E9IVWrF-y05e28tocEJ4uFWeUYQi-C-MsVjBw3xF2bt2jwiQf9bRe-QxtBXSNQqHBd9PUEFtWu_ooepZDNrYwwou5i__JuzfhTAa7LMDxpBs6i6bIs1gVi2CZBwwIEj/s1600/Vishnu-Krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyFzlA9GhLU9X9E9IVWrF-y05e28tocEJ4uFWeUYQi-C-MsVjBw3xF2bt2jwiQf9bRe-QxtBXSNQqHBd9PUEFtWu_ooepZDNrYwwou5i__JuzfhTAa7LMDxpBs6i6bIs1gVi2CZBwwIEj/s1600/Vishnu-Krishna.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly, Shri Vishnu is nothing like us... mere mortals/humans (of Martya-loka/Prithvi-loka). He
is an extremely luminous eternal being, an entity that has created the cosmos and everything within
it. He is also the One that runs it. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He cannot be seen with mortal eyes, His actual form that
is. [Possibly: only the ones @ Vaikunth know what He really looks like. His human avatars should not be confused for His actual form. And <i>Trilok</i> is not three planets only. We'll discuss it in greater detail in our next post.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He has numerous forms. He can <i>also</i> remain in his
subtle body (sukshma sharira) and can create innumerable (possibly: highly advanced holographic) images of
Himself... as and when required. [<i>Taking on a form (whether by Himself or through his highly advanced holographic images) is child's play for Him. 'Coz he has also arrived in His dwarf or vamana-avatar, but that does not mean He is dwarf/vamana per se. It simply is a part of His illusion-inducing abilities/leela</i>.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The technology, knowledge, vision, wisdom, power et al at
His disposal (and He is the Creator of all of these) are astonishing indeed.
Yet, in his human avatar(s) He rarely uses them... preferring to achieve the tasks through <i>karm </i>instead.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is a karmyogi par excellence; He uses His power for the
greater good - for Loka Kalyana or Loka Sangraha. That is: for the welfare of
the world/universe/cosmos.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virupaksh-Krishna's ability to assume different mortal
coils (based on the situation) is amazing indeed. This <i>also</i> contributes towards making Him a transcendental being.</span></span></span><br />
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</xml><![endif]-->Greats such as <i>Samraat </i>Chandragupta Maurya and <i>Samraat</i> Chandragupta Vikramaditya truly understood Vishnu-Krishna's "Vishwaroop" as
well as His human avatars. They imbibed a speck of His Brahmajyoti. They were true karmyogis. Result:
this great land was at her pinnacle, resplendent and prosperous... and there flourished a <span style="color: #660000;">just/inclusive society</span> (euphemistically known as: "Ram-Rajya"). Later entities
(sadly) did not understand Vishnu-Krishna <i>at all</i>. Hence they reduced Him to stage-plays
with tweaked narratives, exaggerated body language and bombastic dialogues. In
short: <i>Nautanki</i>. Or they went overboard with excessive 'Bhakti' and misinterpretations. Result?</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vikram means: one who is wise, diligent, brave and strong
as well as victorious. The Sanskrit word -kram is a root word meaning 'step or
stride', so the name Vikram can be understood to mean Vishnu's stride in
itself, or as a name which reflects the qualities of Vishnu's stride. In Vedic
scripture, Vishnu's stride is said to be over the Earth, the Sky, and the
all-pervading omnipresent essence of the Universe/Cosmos. Hence Shri Vishnu is also known as Trivikram. [Vikramaditya means: the radiance of Vikram.]</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A person's <i>karma</i> consists of the action they take
relative to their duties, called <i>dharma</i>. <i>Samraat</i> Chandragupta
Vikramaditya upheld <i>Raaj Dharma</i>. No wonder his rule is often referred to
as the <i>Golden Age of India</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9W4OTs0ErRrkOT2As8lq6XtbeGxYboEzI7ff_WIB8OYTCmezjIV6GLbpAANqL9_fsmMI8_el8cp1IyvWutNllUfqDAU4HXiUW3MmXs1TJCZdeAZknd-J77XuLetfRSncW0Tni4s4eZET/s1600/The+Lion+Capital+of+Emperor+Ashoka+-+the+second+stamp+produced+in+independent+India+and+the+first+stamp+meant+for+domestic+use.+This+stamp+was+issued+by+the+Government+of+India+on+15+December+1947..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9W4OTs0ErRrkOT2As8lq6XtbeGxYboEzI7ff_WIB8OYTCmezjIV6GLbpAANqL9_fsmMI8_el8cp1IyvWutNllUfqDAU4HXiUW3MmXs1TJCZdeAZknd-J77XuLetfRSncW0Tni4s4eZET/s1600/The+Lion+Capital+of+Emperor+Ashoka+-+the+second+stamp+produced+in+independent+India+and+the+first+stamp+meant+for+domestic+use.+This+stamp+was+issued+by+the+Government+of+India+on+15+December+1947..jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Iron Pillar put up by Vikramaditya bears an inscription,
which states that it was erected as a flagstaff in honour of Shri Vishnu, and
in the memory of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). The pillar also highlights ancient India's
achievements in metallurgy. This iron pillar is similar to the pillars of <i>Samraat</i>
Ashoka. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLgALKePFVqPYbXDXd2K3j7zkwwslCsIHw39twvfDpNgg5lQP8VhfEgUAjK6sV4QIK7yasJwAVlNe7eBHUBCtgUU8nGAWbYyzhSUZxdFA7VCK2Se9QaZPeRDifUHi0XxI2Lo9bAn5Vh8X/s1600/The+iron+pillar+of+Delhi,+erected+by+Chandragupta+II+the+Great.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLgALKePFVqPYbXDXd2K3j7zkwwslCsIHw39twvfDpNgg5lQP8VhfEgUAjK6sV4QIK7yasJwAVlNe7eBHUBCtgUU8nGAWbYyzhSUZxdFA7VCK2Se9QaZPeRDifUHi0XxI2Lo9bAn5Vh8X/s1600/The+iron+pillar+of+Delhi,+erected+by+Chandragupta+II+the+Great.JPG" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The pillar, with an idol of Garuda at the top, was
originally located at a place called Vishnupadagiri (meaning "Vishnu-footprint-hill"),
identified as modern Udayagiri, situated in the close vicinity of Besnagar,
Vidisha and Sanchi, towns located about 50 km east of Bhopal, in central India.
Vishnupadagiri is located on the Tropic of Cancer and, therefore, was a centre
of astronomical studies during the Gupta period. The Iron Pillar served an
important astronomical function, in its original site; its early morning shadow
fell in the direction of the foot of Anantasayain Vishnu (in one of the panels
at Udayagiri) only in the time around summer solstice (June 21). The creation
and development of the Udayagiri site appears to have been clearly guided by a
highly developed astronomical knowledge. Therefore, the Udayagiri site, in
general, and the Iron Pillar location in particular, provide firm evidence for
the astronomical knowledge in India around 400 CE. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the great <i>Bidrohi Kobi</i> (the Rebel Poet) Kaji Nojrul Islam's tribute
(Nojrul-geeti) to the Universal Cosmic Spirit, the Eternal (Birat) Evergreen Child
(Shishu) lost in His own thoughts (anmone), playing in His <span style="font-size: small;">Play-home</span> (Bishwa-loye)/amongst His cosmic toys: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ontorer Manush [The Eternal Being/the Param-aatma - the Cosmic "Purush" + the "Purushottam Satya"]: "Khelicho E Bishwa-Loye...<span style="font-size: small;">"</span>
- by Anup Jalota:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's end
this post with Robi Thakur's "Tumi kemon kore Gaan karo heye Guni" - a
Rabindra-sangeet by Srikanto Acharjo (Pujo: Geetanjali - song #22):</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Though
it has been translated into English, Robi Thakur's oeuvre is impossible to
translate. That is the nature of <i>Bangla</i> and that is the
nature of the English language.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">[</span></b><i><span style="color: #20124d;">We will continue our discussions in the next
post...</span></i><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">]</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">(Do stay tuned…)</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #990000;">Pictures</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #990000;">:</span></b><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #4c1130;">1-9: The opulence of the Absol<span style="font-size: x-small;">ute. 10-11: illustrating Robi Thakur's words; Illustrations of: </span>Purushottam Satya - the Satya-Sundar; Lakshmipati; the Himalayas; Shri Krishna; the "Vishwaroop"; Durga-Chamundi; the N<span style="font-size: x-small;">rsingh-avatar; Mohini-avatar; Krishna-Arjun; the Varaha-avatar; bull-boar-unicorn seal;<i> Maa</i> Adi-Parashakti; <i>Maa</i> Siddhidatri, Garuda-pillar; how Vishnu-force/energy is depicted; Vishnu-Lakshmi; Jarasandha; Vishnu-Krishna; Chandragupta Maurya from an Indian postage stamp; the Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka - the second stamp produced in independent India and the first stamp meant for domestic use. The Government of India issued this stamp (on 15 December 1947); The iron pillar of Delhi, erected by Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) the Great. </span></span> </span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-69695700405085278342013-05-09T18:40:00.001+05:302013-05-11T17:29:16.190+05:30The (In)eligible Bachelors by Ruchita Misra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">An entertaining read.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>The</b><b> (In)eligible Bachelors</b></span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span>is London-based author <a href="http://www.ruchitamisra.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ruchita Misra</span></a>'s debut novel and she has
certainly taken her maiden bow in style. Given all the buzz around the book,
yours truly tried her bestest to lay her hands on a copy ... by hotfooting it to some of the popular
bookshops, and even participating in giveaways and contests, yet TIB remained stubbornly elusive. Then Hitesh of
bookreaderslounge.com, the Good Samaritan that he is, informed me that
Blogadda was giving out copies as part of their book review program ... and I,
needless to say, promptly seized the opportunity with both hands. Err, rather by
putting thumb to keyboard. And in due course became the happy owner of a copy.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>So thank you Hitesh and thank you Blogadda!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>About
the Book</u>:</b></span>
Arranged marriages are complicated things. So are mothers. And so are
relationships. Kasturi Shukla is a fresh MBA graduate with a great job in hand.
She is also geeky and single at twenty-four. The biggest sore spot in Kasturi’s
life is her dominating, arranged marriage-obsessed mother now hell-bent on
getting her married at the earliest. Does Kasturi find love in one of the
rather weird but IIT/IIM boys that Mum manages to 'shortlist'? Or perhaps she
can follow her wildly beating heart that seems to be set on the Greek God
incarnate that her boss, Rajeev sir, is? With office buddies Ananya and Varun
by her side, the hilariously fumbling Kasturi embarks on a rip-roaring journey
to find Mr. Right.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The
(In)eligible Bachelors</i>, which chronicles Kasturi's daily diary through this time, is a riotous
adventure of adrenaline, laughter and guffaws. It is also an invaluable lesson
in love, family and friendship.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>A witty take on the system of arranged marriages, the
marriage market that rules the Indian society. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>A
witty and humorous easy-to-read writing style makes for a good read. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>The
creative chapter headings arouse the what-next quality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This is a
fun story and makes for a light breezy read. The book jacket cover catches your
attention instantly and makes you want to read it. And since for a debutant
author 'first impress-aan izz laast impress-aan' ... Ruchita must be displaying
all her pearly whites. The icing on the cake is that the first print run sold out in less than a month's time, while the red
cherry on top is that Bollywood sat up and took note, so very soon we
may get to <i>see</i> Kasturi Shukla on 70 mm.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The book
is in the form of diary entries written by Kasturi (the protagonist). She is
forced to meet several so-called eligible bachelors by her melodramatic mother
whose sole aim in life is to get Kasturi her second Masters degree... as soon as possible. These
meetings and what happens before and after make for some humourous reading.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">TIB<i> </i>plays out as a predictable Bollywood love
story, sticking faithfully to tried-and-tested formula. As far as
the book's plot is concerned, there is very little that can be called <i>original</i>. In fact,
there is nothing fresh or ingenious about the storyline, yet the book leaves an
impression and makes you laugh. For this, all credit should go to some clever
writing on Ruchita's part: fast-paced, engaging and liberally sprinkled with
wit and humour. We have come across: 'Women don't admit
their age. Men don't act theirs,' many times before, yet we wouldn't mind
reading it again in this book.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Simply beca<span style="font-size: small;">use i</span>t blends in with the narrative and doesn't
stick out like a sore thumb. The characters are relatable too and do not
stretch your imagination. Not much suspension of disbelief either.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">It looks like Ruchita actually enjoyed writing this
book... and it shows. I won't play the spoiler by giving out any more than I already have, except that heaven/fate has once again mixed up its apples and
oranges. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">You can
find echoes of: Jab We Met, Dil Chahta Hai and Jaane Tu... Ya
Jaane Na<i> </i>mixed with a wee bit of <i>Dostana</i> and a dash of <i>Sabrina.</i>
All this plus dollops of Ruchita's imagination and witty writing style results
in this book-version of the popular ice cream desert: Sundae. You will enjoy
the mix-and-match flavour.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Frankly, <i>The</i>
<i>(In)eligible Bachelors</i> is a warm-hearted story that is tailor-made for
the silver screen. There is fun, humour, wit, friendship, romance, <i>ruthna-
manana</i>, heartbreak; office capers, quirks, courage, ice cream, coffee,
maggi, chocolates, aloo parathas; red rose, long drives, late night clandestine
conversations with 'mum'; accidents, some raw <i>dishum-dishum</i>, hospital,
operation, drama queen mummy, sari-test, LSD, Pita-ji, Bhaloo ... and hold your
breath, even a <i>ghust appearance</i> (as in: ghus jao!) from the famous
Indian Institute of Ponytail Management, IPPM - of 'dare to dream beyond the...' (in)fame.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My twopence w<span style="font-size: small;">orth</span></u>:</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Kasturi's role is tailor-made for Genelia D'Souza with Anushka Sharma/Pareeniti
Chopra coming in a close second. Saif Ali Khan as the smooth charmer <i>Rajiv Mehrotra </i>(though
I am not sure if he has chocolate-brown eyes). Second choice: Bobby Deol. Third
choice: Ayaz Khan (Sushant Modi of 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' fame). Konkona Sen
Sharma, Sandhya Mridul, Minisha Lamba or Anaitha Nair (Aliya Bose of 'Chak De India') can play <i>Ananya</i> with aplomb. <i>Kasturi's mother</i> has to be
either Kirron Kher or Ratna Pathak Shah, while veteran actress Vibha Chibber
(Chak De India, Ghajini, Ek Hasina Thi), Ila Arun or Bharati Achrekar (Wagle ki Duniya<span style="font-size: small;">)</span> will suit the role of <i>Ananya's
mother</i> perfectly. Shahid Kapoor as <i>Dr. Purva Dixit</i>.
Nirav Mehta (Jignes aka Jignesh Patel from 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na') as <i>Varun</i>.
Jayant Kripalani or Farooque Sheikh as <i>Kasturi's father</i>. But for the
stellar role of <i>Pita-ji</i>, I can think of none except Ritesh Deshmukh. On
second thoughts, even Sharman Joshi or Aftab Shivdasani may be a good choice.
However, I have absolutely no clue as to who can carry off the role of 'Bhaloo'
though.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Umm,
that's my choice for the cast. What's yours?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>My
Rating</u>:</b></span> 4/5.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Suggestions</u>:</b></span> The book feels good to hold, but
there are quite a few editing errors... and they make their presence felt. Not
done. Could have and should have been pruned out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The accident bit works well, but the chase and <i>dishum-dishum</i>
bit does not quite blend in. Perhaps a mugging incident, an encounter with a
thief or an intruder may have worked better. However, that does not take away
from what is essentially an entertaining read. And no, I am <i>not </i>going to
classify this as "chick lit" simply because no novel with a male-protagonist-and-male-author combo has ever been classified as "mutton lit". Or
"beef lit" for that matter. You get the point, don't you?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Before I wrap it up, I must confess that I am quite keen to watch </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The (In)eligible Bachelors</span> </i></span>on the big
screen. And I look forward to Ruchita's future writings with interest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;">The (In)eligible Bachelors/ Author: Ruchita Misra/ Publisher: Rupa/ Binding:
Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2011/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN-10: 8129118637/ ISBN-13: 9788129118639 / Pages: 252/
Price: INR 195. [INR 146 @ Flipkart.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Picture</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">:</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The
book jacket cover of <i>The</i> <i>(In)eligible Bachelors</i>. Courtesy: <a href="http://www.ruchitamisra.com/"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">This
review is a part of the <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Book Reviews Program</span></a> at <a href="http://www.blogadda.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">BlogAdda.com</span></a>.
Participate now to get free books!</span></span></span></div>
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Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-14954910726309706012013-04-29T15:18:00.000+05:302013-05-01T03:10:42.389+05:30Postcards from Ladakh by Ajay Jain<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">It won't quite suffice to say that <a href="http://ajayjain.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ajay Jain</span></a> is a leading travel writer and
photographer, 'coz he wears a few more hats - that of an author, a
journalist, a blogger and </span></i>the owner of Kunzum Cafe, located at the picturesque Hauz Khas
Village, in Delhi. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, besides having a lot of time to travel, click photographs
and pen travelogues, Ajay also finds ample time to pen books, one of which is
the pictorial delight: <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Postcards from Ladakh</b></span>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ladakh means 'Land of high passes'. La means 'Pass' in
Tibetan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And Ladakh
never ceases to fascinate, right? It can be an endless lifelong journey
and a truly enriching one at that. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's an amazing land. It's a land of
beautiful mountains and blue water lakes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Postcards from Ladakh</b></span> is a pictorial travelogue on
Ladakh intended to give readers a flavour of what Ladakh truly is... based on
Ajay's 10,000 km journey across the region (circa 2009).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">10,000 km. Imagine !!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEEZNJvpM4MspGtsE7bcagbEJ0pmQVWK-XeNa-oNl8dRxgaz3JltB16uUS9j5KG_L5tHDTMtuM7XdWfy0CJzq0MwUSM_fq17pqZ2AxM0arE6qNFUTZu7ZcENJdpxmGoz5t1DkbdD5sM6Y/s1600/nubra-leh-210708-011-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEEZNJvpM4MspGtsE7bcagbEJ0pmQVWK-XeNa-oNl8dRxgaz3JltB16uUS9j5KG_L5tHDTMtuM7XdWfy0CJzq0MwUSM_fq17pqZ2AxM0arE6qNFUTZu7ZcENJdpxmGoz5t1DkbdD5sM6Y/s1600/nubra-leh-210708-011-150x150.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
though the blurb suggests that the book is neither a "guidebook nor
encyclopedia", I would say that it is a bit of both, besides being a handy
and colourful introduction to the people, life and terrain... in all its stark
beauty. Ajay's writing style is unique, since he combines snippets of history, sights
and sounds with culture, cuisine, lakes, wildlife, observations and anecdotes,
and then tops it up with a whole bunch of high-quality colourful photographs. <i>This</i>
he then serves with a dash of humour. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Result? I
have already slow read <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Postcards from Ladakh</b></span> twice... and will do so
again, lingering over every photograph. 'Coz it kinda grows on you.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Nourishing your romance with this beautiful and serene
region, where a cup of tea, a hot meal and a room are always available for
visitors. And where a bunch of happy little children spontaneously walk up to a
complete stranger... wanting to share their bounty of freshly plucked peas,
expecting nothing in return. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If that
is not contentment, what is?!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And one
comes across <i>butter tea</i>. Am curious to know what it is though.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Tibet' is Sanskrit 'Tripishtaka' or
'Trivistaka', meaning the supposed land of the <i>Devas</i> to the north of the
Himalayas. Deva does not mean god or even demi-god. These were an ancient clan
of people that inhabited vast tracts of land along the Himalayan ranges. They had their
own 'way of life'; they were <i>Aryan</i> or noble-natured and were ruled by the <i>Devaraj</i>
Indra - very likely a title for the king or chief of the Deva people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yours truly first heard of Tibet when she
was little... thanks to <i>Tintin in Tibet</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4GaiqTvu0lrrj4DNfWqaolhnlRlWR0YCD4mWjOXWCvggYTd3Y2ueKrLNhMoCh87LqRIlJJsVf8g_mGpcbY_KoB1KeFKmAXLkAqDqUSH4FeSuVucujPi1ajZzz7-Boyy8GbP3B-08EE17/s1600/Moonrise+over+the+Indus+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4GaiqTvu0lrrj4DNfWqaolhnlRlWR0YCD4mWjOXWCvggYTd3Y2ueKrLNhMoCh87LqRIlJJsVf8g_mGpcbY_KoB1KeFKmAXLkAqDqUSH4FeSuVucujPi1ajZzz7-Boyy8GbP3B-08EE17/s1600/Moonrise+over+the+Indus+River.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
place is also the source of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, which merge to become
the Chandrabhaga and flow on as the Chenab. [Chenab was Chandrabhaga during the
Vedic period.] And just as the River Ganga (Ganga
Nadi) emerges from a mountain snout that is shaped like the mouth of a cow, the
once-mighty River Indus/Sindhu Nad, it is said, originates from the
mouth of a lion in Manasarovar, in Tibet. Thus it is also called Sengge Tsangpo
or Lion River. (Sengge is nothing but a variant of <i>Singha</i>, meaning lion).
This river is a common lifeline, and symbolically binds the people of more than
one nation. Few rivers in the world flows through as stunning a landscape as
the Sindhu Nad; it flows through plains, villages, hamlets and towns, as well
as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues before flowing into the
Sindhu Sagar (which has - for some reason - come to be known as the A. Sea).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One comes
across several monasteries and Gompas (possibly Ladakhi for Gufa, a place of
solitude, of meditational retreats); the names are difficult to remember,
tongue-twisting even. But the pictures of the smiling lamas (monks) - including
the mischievous boy-lamas and nuns, accompanying the narrative - are enough to
put a smile to your face. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRYwcXkpMmUPoOHVwuZBzBElfeo-QAY-QPwecU60x9lJXLWihJjqXcjI6MRvDrk52zAFvjZzTb6FQwSC8hbtpE3NvJ_mJvENjv1pSdQXe0soL1G1_2DelNVgjhYLaaoiCPd4ZGiRk2iM-/s1600/The+pensive+lama+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRYwcXkpMmUPoOHVwuZBzBElfeo-QAY-QPwecU60x9lJXLWihJjqXcjI6MRvDrk52zAFvjZzTb6FQwSC8hbtpE3NvJ_mJvENjv1pSdQXe0soL1G1_2DelNVgjhYLaaoiCPd4ZGiRk2iM-/s1600/The+pensive+lama+boy.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite the
starkness of the region, the prayers and the chanting, they rarely look
austere. In fact, their antics - puckering their lips, sucking in their cheeks,
widening their eyes, putting out their tongues, pulling each other's ears or
indulging in friendly banter... makes it seem as though being a lama is the most
un-sober thing in the world!! One still gets to meet lamas as young as four
years. Young lamas have the option to leave the order, but most stay on for
life. Not that they must renounce the world completely. They can visit their
families, who treat them not as sons but as lamas. Lamas can listen to music,
watch movies, own cell-phones and cameras; dine out - but always in their
robes. It's all fine... as long as they do not obsess with worldly pleasures. What
a simple solution! Literally: the Middle Way or the Middle Path. :) The younger lamas even play cricket with a stick and pebbles! [Perhaps,
a Ladakhi version of our ubiquitous gilli-danda, what?] An account of their
practice session - as part of their preparations for their festival - was fun
to read... 'coz most dancers possessed two left feet; they attempted to dance and
twirl under the guidance of a 71-year-old lama. Their fun side is infectious,
indeed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is
the Hemis Gompa, now Ladakh's most revered and largest monastery... nestled amidst
towering mountains, thus assuring its monks uninterrupted solitude. In the 13<sup>th</sup>
century Buddhist sage Gyalwa Gotsangpa zeroed in on this lofty, secluded and secure
location for Hemis Gompa. It is inspired by a Vulture's Nest. [Gotsangpa means
vulture's nest; Got = 'vulture' and Tsang = 'nest'.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was Gyalwa
Gotsangpa a modern-day descendent of the ancient <i>Shakuna</i> people who were<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>a vulture (or perhaps a Bald Eagle)-worshipping/totem-bearing
clan? Think of Jatayu and his brother Sampati - from the Ramayana. Think of Shakuntala - raised under the care of the Shakuna. The Shakuna
were an offshoot of the Suparna - an eagle or falcon-worshiping clan, i.e.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>a clan
with an eagle or falcon-totem - to which Shri Garuda belonged.</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, what do you think?</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hemis - as seen today - was founded in the 1630s by Kushok
Shambhu Nath (the first Stagsang Respa) under the patronage of King Sengye
Namgyal (regarded as Ladakh's greatest king; Sengye is a variant of <i>Singha</i>,
meaning: lion). After 1730, Stagsang's third incarnation, Gyalsey Rinpoche not
only added shrines, stupas, scriptures and murals, but also founded the Hemis
Festival (Hemis Tsechu) - to commemorate Guru Padmasambhava's birth. Hemis is
the headquarters of Buddhism's Drupka lineage, which most Ladakhis follow. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the 9<sup>th</sup>
century, the rise of Buddhism at the expense of the Bon religion provoked
Langdarma, Tibet's Bon king, into persecuting Buddhists. Monks were disrobed,
monasteries dismantled. Result? The powerful monk Palji Dorge came dancing to
Lhasa dressed in a wide-brimmed black hat, high boots and brocade costume, and
pierced the king's heart with an arrow. Hemis Festival opens with an act by 13
dancers dressed like Palji Dorge. Supposedly endowed with spiritual powers,
they symbolically ward off any evil spirits that might hinder the festival. The
dancers flourish sacred items like daggers, spears, bells, vajras (dorjes),
skulls and damrus (small two-headed drums).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BTW,
Shambhu Nath is one of the many names of Shiv (one of the many Shivs that
people our ancient history or <i>pracheen itihasa</i>, that is). Skulls,
damrus... the symbolism are unmistakable, is it not? But which of the Shambhu Naths
is responsible for Shambhala - the fabulous Buddhist Pure Land or mythical
kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia? My guess is as good as yours. Shambhala
(ruled over by Lord Maitreya) is mentioned in various ancient texts, including
the Kalachakra Tantra + other texts that predate Tibetan Buddhism in western
Tibet.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is the Buddhist myth of Shambhala an adaptation from our
ancient texts such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas? Is it an extension or
adaptation of "sambhavami yuge yuge"?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Well, my guess
is as good as yours.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was Ladakh's greatest<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>King Sengye Namgyal a
modern-day descendant of the ancient 'lion people': the Kimpurusha, the
Kirata or the Kinnara (as depicted by the 4<sup>th</sup> 'avatar' of the "Dasavatar"
- the Nrisingha or the Narasimha Avatar)?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was ancient Tibet, Ladakh and
surrounding areas the cradle of civilization? Did the ancient denizens of these
areas have some links or ties with the ancient denizens of the Sarasvati
Civilization? Did they together constitute the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Well, what do you think? </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is Padmasambhava a variant of
Shri Vishnu who is also known as Padmanabha?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>What say you?</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
longest and most interesting dance at Hemis Festival depicts the eight forms of
Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, who (according to the author) established
Buddhism as the core religion of Tibet and Ladakh in the 8<sup>th</sup>
century. Eight masked lamas denote the eight forms of Padmasambhava. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[However, it was the
renowned Buddhist teacher and Pandit - Dipankar Srigyan (Atiśa Dipankara,
Shrijnana) - who set out from a village called Bajrajogini (in Bikram Pur) near
Dhaka to spread <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh's message - in the whole of
Tibet. ... And<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>succeeded too. Atiśa was a revered figure in his homeland as well.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Invaders
plundered many monasteries in Ladakh over the centuries. However the one at
Chemde, or Chemrey stayed safe. Here's a tale worth telling.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently
the Mongols laid siege on Chemde in the late 17<sup>th</sup> century. But being
outnumbered didn't stop the head lama from outsmarting them. From afar, he shot
the Mongol king's teacup with a rifle. Stunned, the king thought Goddess Kali
ruled over the Gompa and made peace with the monks. A temple to Kali stands at
the base of the hill on which Chemde nestles.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stagsang
Respa founded this impressive gompa, Hemis' most important branch. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are
several interesting anecdotes including about 'flying lamas', though folks have
yet to meet any lama who's actually logged some miles in the air. The author is
quite a raconteur, must say. [However, the stories about 'flying lamas'
probably is a much-corrupted<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>modern-day version of ancient vimanas or aircraft. This region and
its surroundings is well known for having been the landing site of ancient
vimanas.]</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqFyMXYz4bQhZCa73HvZsiAKxH9yyIMNb4caf3xiz6VoPx1Z2KKBqcCk4QDDATtacsrGxOTxhxgrnFaCB7RsEYgHVaPMjYnOfxAF0GfE9K5TGmWDC2AWE3k10yYKA13LDoYcwGsSbVyc5/s1600/Himalayan+Marmots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqFyMXYz4bQhZCa73HvZsiAKxH9yyIMNb4caf3xiz6VoPx1Z2KKBqcCk4QDDATtacsrGxOTxhxgrnFaCB7RsEYgHVaPMjYnOfxAF0GfE9K5TGmWDC2AWE3k10yYKA13LDoYcwGsSbVyc5/s1600/Himalayan+Marmots.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Postcards
from Ladakh contains snippets about: the statues of Padmasambhava's eight
manifestations, the famed oracles of <i>Matho</i>, marble statues of
Avalokitesvara (Tibet's patron saint of compassion); Tibetan <i>thangka</i>
paintings - illustrating Tibetan Buddhism and art, <i>manis</i> - large prayer
wheels that one sees all over Ladakh; mask dances and <i>Zanskar</i>, rock
engravings of the five Dhyani Buddhas, 8 m high statue of a seated Sakyamuni; a
histrionically inclined tourist guide, the Ladakh Marathon, archery contest, healthiest
looking vegetables; images and statues of the Maitreya (the future Buddha) and
Manjushri, murals of Prajnaparamita ('Goddess of the Perfection of Wisdom'), Je
Tsongkhapa - regarded by many as the second Buddha; <i>alaks</i> ('precious
lamas'); Tso Moriri - an unending expanse of sheer azure, a tale about a devil
that drank up all of the overflowing Tso Kar; the Changpas and their livestock -
sheep, pashmina wool, yak; brown-headed gulls, the adorable Himalayan Marmots,
bar-headed geese (this being the only breeding site for the bar-headed geese in
India); black-necked cranes, the kiang (Tibetan wild ass), Tibetan argali, blue
sheep, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and lynx, besides 150 bird species. And much
more.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="font-size: small;">Is <i>Prajnaparamita</i>
a variant of <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati - the deity/devi/goddess of wisdom, intelligence
and knowledge? </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Coz modern Burma (also: Burmah, now Myanmar) was actually <i>Brahma
Desha</i> or the
'Land of Brahma'. And </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Shri Brahma is associated with <i>Devi</i>
Saraswati. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Brhmaloka (very likely) was the abode of the most
learned person of the time, referred to as Shri Brhma (also: Brahma). Perhaps: Brhmaloka and Brahma Desha were one and the same.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for the bar-headed geese, Hamsa = a bird. Either the white swan or the
bar-headed white goose. The
white swan is called <i>Raja-Hamsa,</i> literally: the royal swan. The white swan is a 'vaahan' or 'vehicle' of
<i>Devi </i>Sarasvati - the <i>goddess</i> (or symbol) of learning, knowledge
and wisdom. It is also associated with <i>Brahma</i> - the creator god as well as the name of the
cosmic force (or energy) that sustains and supports creation (and stands for <i>Buddhi</i>
+ the creative and discretionary energies in humans). <span style="font-size: small;">Th<span style="font-size: small;">e Ham<span style="font-size: small;">sa, therefore, can be a <span style="font-size: small;">reference</span> to the </span>white swan and/or the bar-headed white goose. There is a raaga as well, the very auspicious <span style="font-size: small;">Raaga Hamsadhwani.</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buddhi = wisdom<span style="font-size: small;"> + knowledge. Buddha = an enlightened person.</span> Prince Siddhartha, son of <span style="font-size: small;">King </span>Śuddhodana of the Śākya clan, is best known as: the 'Sage-Prince' <i>Bhagavan</i> Shri Gautam Buddh. He is also referred to as: Śākyamuni. (Muni = an enlightened person).<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>He hailed from the Kshatriya Suryavanshi (Sun-worshiping/Sun-flag-bearing) Śākya clan, that would (very likely) come under the Puruvansh or the Puru clan.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for <i>manis</i>
or large prayer wheels, their name is derived from the
Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" - chakra. <i>Chakras</i>
are centers of Prāṇa, life force, or vital energy. <i>Chakras</i> correspond to
vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and
nerves. The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows
through.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a bit about a wizened old man picking apricots,
separating fresh fruit from spoilt - perfectly still but for his slow, precise
hand movements. Who was he? The author notes his fair complexion and features,
and then mentions he was a Brokpa (or Drokpa), member of a pure Aryan race, and
that the original Brokpas came with the invading Greek armies of Alexander, then
embraced Buddhism... but retained their socio-cultural values.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[However,
'Aryan' is not a race, Aryan means noble-natured. People who adhered to a noble
set of principles or followed a noble 'way of life' were known as: 'Arya' or 'Aryan'. And
this has nothing to do with language or physical characteristics. The Greeks
were <i>Yavana</i> (somewhat civilized people who also
indulged in un-Arya-like activities; meaning: despite possessing a high
culture, these people also indulged in barbaric behaviour like: slave-taking
and plundering, they misbehaved with the womenfolk, etc). The Greeks were
clearly not Aryan.
Therefore, the Brokpa (or Drokpa) are very much part of this land. Are they
too modern-day descendants of the ancient 'lion people': the Kimpurusha,
the Kirata or the Kinnara? <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>.] </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's
Lamayuru Gompa that stands majestically amidst green fields, mud-houses and lofty
peaks. Lamayuru's actual name is Yun- Drung ('swastika') - it is a gompa named
after swastika-shaped barley plants.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is
mention of two great snakes, Nanda and Taksako at Likir Gompa. [Clearly much myth
has seeped in and altered the narrative. Taksako probably is a reference to the
great Nag King Takshak. Maybe, this too was a hereditary title assumed by one
of the 8 great Nag kings. The Nag were a clan of people that worshipped the serpents and/or displa<span style="font-size: small;">yed</span> a serpent totem.]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently,
some years ago, ancient Buddhist texts engraved in gold, silver and copper... could
be found lying about uncared for. They were finally catalogued in 1997. However,
by then nearly a quarter of the 108 volumes of Kangyur texts were lost and 2000
pages were missing from the rest. What a loss! A significant chunk of our
history and culture obliterated - forever. Apparently, gold, silver, copper,
turquoise and other gems were crushed and turned into ink to write the
scriptures. Amazing, indeed.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSOC72wtNRJ8Xajg0cDfQMTGt8-Rhkmpdt-7E9YVHUyUWwWqgLnagBWLygKshcNlYQS5sKVx4ivU_bM7Aerj92cYcrgJLrUvy3abVAY0NCOMw0K7E_325PE_Ag0cVmhYWtijT8aPsd4Zf/s1600/Rock+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSOC72wtNRJ8Xajg0cDfQMTGt8-Rhkmpdt-7E9YVHUyUWwWqgLnagBWLygKshcNlYQS5sKVx4ivU_bM7Aerj92cYcrgJLrUvy3abVAY0NCOMw0K7E_325PE_Ag0cVmhYWtijT8aPsd4Zf/s1600/Rock+Art.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a
massive piece of rock engraved with images from ancient daily life - hunting
men on the prowl, hunted beasts on the run; images of ibex hunters with bows
and arrows and animals resembling wolves and the ibex, buffalo hunts and group
dances. The perplexing bit is that except for this one rock, there is no other ancient
rock art for miles around. Umm, why was this particular rock chosen then? Were there
others too? Have the elements and/or the mists of time claimed them?</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
answer is... we don't know. We can only speculate.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's
even a sanctuary for donkeys, where abandoned donkeys that cannot work any more
due to old age or disability are well cared for; they now spend their time playing
pranks on visitors! There's also the enigmatic Magnetic Hill - where you can
turn off your car engine and leave it in neutral... (and lo!) your car starts
moving on its own at 10-20 km per hour - uphill and downhill. What happens to
the law of conservation of energy (?) - asks the author.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't think he has received a response - yet. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And yes,
one gets to read about the Druk Lotus School in Shey's Naropa Palace complex
(where 50 nuns/chotoks or dharma sisters live in and manage the palace +
conduct prayers. Lord Naropa was a great scholar and chancellor of Nalanda
University). Established by the Drukpa lineage in 2001 this unique school
teaches how to succeed in the modern world but not at the expense of one's
traditions and rooting. It's a school where one learns to cherish one's
environment, where teachers are still true to their calling.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We sure
need more schools like this... and teachers too.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ladakh has several cafes including <i>Book Café</i> that offers filter
coffee, and <i>Desert Rain</i> that also offers sumptuous cakes and pancakes to go
with it. Besides milkshakes, sandwiches, pizzas and the ubiquitous Meggi
noodles (actually Maggi instant noodles). They screen films on Saturdays and
offer a great collection of books to browse. No one asks you to leave. No one
minds if you sit around or even sleep off for hours.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
surely <i>is</i> Heaven, no?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
imagine having Meggi noodles, honey butter cake and piping hot filter coffee when
it is really cold. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>That's
three inches above Heaven, right!</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIohJu76z0ic1ylFxXAtD2RRRnkK7mEAn9UGG4rXpCZxbDB7XnhW7vP7i0q_p84CmLPNeYYDphcUz2Xr3biKHnv1gHBqFUTi-wtCuFc2KcWrcBDKdnoGVjA7cPgTQHqD1PGYhf0BkKRUr/s1600/pangongtso-290609-340-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIohJu76z0ic1ylFxXAtD2RRRnkK7mEAn9UGG4rXpCZxbDB7XnhW7vP7i0q_p84CmLPNeYYDphcUz2Xr3biKHnv1gHBqFUTi-wtCuFc2KcWrcBDKdnoGVjA7cPgTQHqD1PGYhf0BkKRUr/s1600/pangongtso-290609-340-150x150.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Postcards
from Ladakh also contain interesting tidbits like: Why not to get stranded on
higher ground? Have you packed right? How to conduct yourself in a monastery? And
what one can do to not disturb the ecosystem. Nothing requiring huffing and
puffing though, just little things - that indeed go a long way. 'Just because
someone gets away with doing something wrong shouldn't mean you do it too' -
says the author. Agree.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ajay also shares his little chitchat-cum-unexpected
opportunity to interview His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa - the head of
the 800-year-old Drukpa lineage. His Holiness' words are simple yet profound,
and makes one to reflect. He says they (him and the author) were Karma-bound to
connect.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>Verdict</u></b><b>:</b> </span>Grab this little book and read
all you can, and while you are at it, don't forget to linger over the pics.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are
a few editing errors though, but what is a postcard or a bunch of postcards
without a few errors? The author uses simple everyday language, which suits the
book and the region. It feels<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>"real". And it's something an average
Indian traveler would connect with and be comfortable with. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The only
thing that's missing is a glossary of terms... so that readers can understand the
meaning of various Ladakhi names, terms and Buddhist references.</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><u>About Kunzum Café</u></b><b>:</b></span> In 2007, Ajay started Kunzum.com,
a travel Website, named after a pass in the Lahaul-Spiti valley in HP. It was
here, at 15,000 feet, atop Kunzum La... that Ajay got his inspiration to become a
travel writer.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The site carries
write-ups on destinations, photographs, book reviews, hotel listings,
etc," says Jain. In fact, he publishes an online travel magazine by the
same name. Besides his Web ventures, he kept honing his skills in photography.
In early 2008, a series of his photographs was exhibited at the India Habitat
Centre and received appreciation. This got Ajay thinking about the need for a
permanent place to showcase his photographs and build a more complete brand
that catered to all aspects of traveling.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so, in October 2009,
Kunzum Café was born. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The café is a place where tourists can swap travel
stories, inquire about the best places to stay, get sightseeing tips, and so on.
And all this happens over a cup of coffee and cookies, for which guests can pay as
much as they like!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ladakh is calling. Julley!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #660000;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></b><b> </b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Postcards from
Ladakh/ Author: Ajay Jain/ Publisher: Kunzum,
an imprint of TCP Media Pvt. Ltd./ Available at: <a href="http://ajayjain.com/postcardsfromladakh/"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Ajay Jain's Blog</span></span></a>/ Binding:
Paperback/ Publishing Date: 2009/ Genre: Travel/ ISBN-10: 978-81-906007-5-0/ ISBN-13: 9788190600750/ Pages: 184/
Price: INR 395, US
$19.95, UK £11.95</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Pictures</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">:</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The
book jacket cover of <i>Postcards from Ladakh</i> besides a few other pics (Lamas walking, moonrise over the River Indus, a pensive lama boy, Mask Dance at<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Hemis Festival, the adorable Himalayan marmots, the Apr<span style="font-size: x-small;">icot Man, ancient rock art, brown-headed gulls.</span> Courtesy: <a href="http://ajayjain.com/postcardsfromladakh/"><span style="color: #4c1130;">link</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0