Wednesday, November 30, 2011

|| VAJRASUCHIKA UPANISHAD ||

The ideology and institutions of Varna (= caste) and Asrama (=stages of life) are so deeply ingrained in classical Hinduism that our Dharma is often termed as 'Varnashrama Dharma'. This website revolves around the Vajrasuchika Upanishad, which discusses the true basis of one's caste.

The word 'Vajrasuchi' is a compound of two words:
1. Vajra = diamond, hard, thunderbolt
2. Suchi/Suchika = needle
The word ‘Vajrasuchika’ therefore means “A needle that is as hard as a rock/diamond.” In other words, the name indicates that the text expounds a very precious, and a potent doctrine that can lead one to moksha (=salvation). The Upanishad concludes that it is spiritual realization and good conduct alone that determine one’s caste.

The Upanishad is often ascribed to the Brahmin Buddhist scholar Asvaghosa, the celebrated author of the 'Buddhacharita'- a biography on Lord Buddha. Sometimes, it is also ascribed to Bhagvatpada Shankaracharya, the great Advaitin teacher. These ascriptions are impossible to prove. The text has been very popular amongst certain Buddhist circles in the past. However, it also text betrays a clear Hindu ambience throughout and is among the 108 Upanishads enumerated in the list given in the Muktika Upanishad. Although the text is not counted amongst the major Upanishads and is of uncertain date, it is important nevertheless because it expounds certain tenets of other recondite Hindu texts in a lucid manner. All Upanishads are classified under one of the four Vedas, and this Upanishad belongs to the Samaveda. Numerous versions of the text exist, and the shorter one has been adopted here. In future, I propose to add the translation of the extra sections of the longer version as well.

I have added an appendix that collects other passages from the Hindu scriptures that agree with this central tenet of the text under consideration. Another appendix lists the deities, saints and sages who were not born in Brahmin families. A detailed discussion on the origin of the caste system, its transformation with time, and its justifiability (or the opposite) are all beyond the scope of this website.

This appendix is gives a selected anthology of passages from Hindu scriptures whose intent is similar to the ideas of the Vajrasuchika Upanishad.

I am a poet, my father is a doctor, my mother a grinder of corn.
Rigveda, 9.112.3


“From the Supreme Being arise the Holy Sages
From the Supreme Being (arise) these Kshatriyas
From the very same Supreme Being are born the Brahmins
From the Supreme Being (arise) the food producing third caste (Vaishyas).”
“The Supreme Being are indeed these Shudras serving the Kshatriyas,
The Supreme Being are all they who perceive (i.e. all living creatures).
The Supreme Being are all these benevolent officials
The Supreme Being are all these members of the assembly.”
“The Supreme Being are the fishermen,
The Supreme Being are the servants,
The Supreme Being indeed are these gamblers.
Man as well as woman originate from the Supreme Being
Women are God and so are men.”
Atharvaveda (Paippalada Samhita) 8.9.8-10


"I do not know this, Sir, of what family I am. I asked my mother. She answered me: 'In my youth, when I went about a great deal serving as a maid, I got you. So I do not know this, of what family you are. However, I am Jabala by name; you are Satyakama by name.' So I am Satyakama Jabala, sir." To him he then said: "A non-brahmin would not be able to explain thus. Bring the fuel, my dear. I will receive you as a pupil. You have not deviated from the truth."
Chhandogya Upanishad 4.4.1-5


“Listen about caste, Yaksa dear, not study, not learning is the cause of the twice-born status. Conduct is the basis, there is no doubt about it.”
Mahabharata III.312.106

“O King of Serpents! He in whom are manifest truthfulness, charity, forbearance, good conduct, non-injury, austerity and compassion is a Brahmin according to the sacred tradition.”
Mahabharata III.180.20

“O Serpent! He, in whom this conduct is manifest is a Brahmin, he in whom this is absent treat all such as Sudra.”
Mahabharata III.180.27

“The gods consider him a Brahmin (a knower of Brahman) who has no desires, who undertakes no work, who does not salute or praise anybody (with a selfish motive), the fruits of whose deeds have exhausted and who maintains equanimity.”
Mahabharata, XII.269.34

“If one’s birth were to decide one’s caste, then all should be Brahmins because all humans beings have one Father- Prajapati (God, the protector and master of all creatures).”
Shukraniti, Chapter 1

“Vyasa, born of a dancing girl, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Sakti, born of a Chandala woman, became a great Rishi.
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Parasara, born of SwapAki, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Vyasa, born of a fisherwoman, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.”
Note: Tapas = performance of austerities, pious deeds, meditation and adherence to truth.
Srimad Bhagvata Purana

Appendix A: Parallel Passages
This appendix is gives a selected anthology of passages from Hindu scriptures whose intent is similar to the ideas of the Vajrasuchika Upanishad.

I am a poet, my father is a doctor, my mother a grinder of corn.
Rigveda, 9.112.3


“From the Supreme Being arise the Holy Sages
From the Supreme Being (arise) these Kshatriyas
From the very same Supreme Being are born the Brahmins
From the Supreme Being (arise) the food producing third caste (Vaishyas).”
“The Supreme Being are indeed these Shudras serving the Kshatriyas,
The Supreme Being are all they who perceive (i.e. all living creatures).
The Supreme Being are all these benevolent officials
The Supreme Being are all these members of the assembly.”
“The Supreme Being are the fishermen,
The Supreme Being are the servants,
The Supreme Being indeed are these gamblers.
Man as well as woman originate from the Supreme Being
Women are God and so are men.”
Atharvaveda (Paippalada Samhita) 8.9.8-10


"I do not know this, Sir, of what family I am. I asked my mother. She answered me: 'In my youth, when I went about a great deal serving as a maid, I got you. So I do not know this, of what family you are. However, I am Jabala by name; you are Satyakama by name.' So I am Satyakama Jabala, sir." To him he then said: "A non-brahmin would not be able to explain thus. Bring the fuel, my dear. I will receive you as a pupil. You have not deviated from the truth."
Chhandogya Upanishad 4.4.1-5


“Listen about caste, Yaksa dear, not study, not learning is the cause of the twice-born status. Conduct is the basis, there is no doubt about it.”
Mahabharata III.312.106

“O King of Serpents! He in whom are manifest truthfulness, charity, forbearance, good conduct, non-injury, austerity and compassion is a Brahmin according to the sacred tradition.”
Mahabharata III.180.20

“O Serpent! He, in whom this conduct is manifest is a Brahmin, he in whom this is absent treat all such as Sudra.”
Mahabharata III.180.27

“The gods consider him a Brahmin (a knower of Brahman) who has no desires, who undertakes no work, who does not salute or praise anybody (with a selfish motive), the fruits of whose deeds have exhausted and who maintains equanimity.”
Mahabharata, XII.269.34

“If one’s birth were to decide one’s caste, then all should be Brahmins because all humans beings have one Father- Prajapati (God, the protector and master of all creatures).”
Shukraniti, Chapter 1

“Vyasa, born of a dancing girl, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Sakti, born of a Chandala woman, became a great Rishi.
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Parasara, born of SwapAki, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Vyasa, born of a fisherwoman, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.”
Note: Tapas = performance of austerities, pious deeds, meditation and adherence to truth.
Srimad Bhagvata Purana
Appendix B: Hindu Deities, Sages and Saints Who were not Brahmins
“The origin of Sages, Truth and Rivers are unkown”—Mahabharata
This appendix lists some non-Brahmin or mixed caste great Deities, Saints and Sages of Hinduism. It will be apparent that these great men and women are responsible to a great extent for the development of Hinduism and that the title ‘Brahminism’ is rather a misnomer for our Dharma.
1. Sri Rama: He was a Kshatriya belonging to the Suryavamsa. His life is the theme of the popular Hindu epic Ramayana. He is considered the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who in turn represents the ‘Preserver’ aspect of God. He is considered an ideal son, an ideal king and so on. Hindu Utopia is often called ‘Ramarajya’, i.e., ‘the kingdom of Sri Rama’.
2. Sri Krishna: He to the belonged to the Yadava sub-caste. The Yadavas are currently enumerated amongst the ‘Other Backward Castes’ (OBC’s) in India. He is considered the most popular deity of Hindus, and revealed the ‘Bhagavad Gita’, which is the bedrock of modern Hinduism, and summarizes the philosophical teachings of all Hindu scriptures in a masterful manner. He is considered as the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
3. Lord Shiva: He is often termed as a ‘Kirata’ in the Puranas. The Kiratas would currently fall in the ‘Scheduled Tribes’ (ST) category in modern India. He is considered as a representation of the ‘Destroyer’ aspect of God and is one of the chief Hindu deities. He is the chief subject of numerous Hindu scriptures like the Shiva Purana, the Kurma Purana and so on.
4. Maharshi Aitreya Mahidasa: According to tradition, his mother was a maid named ‘Itara’. This Rishi is credited with the compilation of the Aitreya Brahmana and sections 1-3 of the Aitreya Aranyaka (the latter contains the Aitreya Upanishad- one of the 10 canonical Upanishads for Hindus) belonging to the Rigveda.
5. Rishika Lopamudra: She was a Kshatriya princess from Vidarbha, who married Maharshi Agastya. She is the Seer of some verses of the Rigveda. Several edifying dialogs between her and Sage Agastya are recorded in the Puranas.
6. Maharshi Vishwamitra: He was originally a Kshatriya named ‘Vishwaratha’. He is credited with revealing the ‘Gayatri Mantra’, the Hindu prayer par-excellence. He was elevated to Brahminhood because of his spiritual luster.
7. Maharshi Veda Vyasa: He was the son of a fisher-woman named Satyavati, from Rishi Parashara. Considered the greatest Rishi of classical Hinduism, he is believed to have give the 4 Vedas ( = the most authoritative scriptures of Hindus) their present form. He also compiled the Mahabharata and the Puranas, which are the mainstay of popular Hinduism. He also authored the Brahmasutras- a text considered as one of the triple canon of Vedantic Hinduism (the other two being the Gita and the Upanishads). His birthday is celebrated as ‘Guru-Poornima’ by Hindu monks every year. All Hindu monastic orders trace their lineage from him and a popular saying goes: “vyasocchishtam jagatsarvam” meaning that so great was the learning Rishi Veda Vyasa, that even his voluminous writings represent only the periphery of his knowledge.
8. Maharshi Matanga: He was the son of a Shudra mother and a Vaishya father. In fact, Chandalas are often addressed as ‘Matanga ’in passages like Varaha Purana 1.139.91
9. Maharshi Valmiki: He was descendant from Sages but had become a chandaala (= an outcaste) named Ratnakara, because he took to murder and highway robbery. He was reformed by Prajapati Brahma and was inspired by the divine Sage Narada to compose the Hindu epic par excellence- the Ramayana.
10. Rishika Sulabhaa Maitreyi: She was a Kshatriya lady who promulgated the Saulabha Shakha of the Rigveda. She is counted among the revered teachers of Rigveda to whom respects are offered in texts like the Kausitaki Brahmana. The Saulabha Brahmana is now lost but is mentioned in the Kashika- a commentary on the grammatical text named Ashtadhyayi. A dialog of Rishika SulabhA with King Janaka of Videha on spirituality is recorded in the Shanti Parvan (12th book) of the Mahabharata.
11. Mahatma Vidura: He was the son of Maharshi Veda Vyasa and a maid of King Dhritrashtra (the father of Kauravas in the Mahabharata). He is a wise man in the Mahabharata and counseled many towards truth. His teachings are collected in the ‘Viduraprajagar’ section of the Udyog Parvan (5th book) of Mahabharata.
12. Gautama Buddha: The founder of Buddhism belonged to a marginal Kshatriya tribe called Shakya. He lived and died as a Hindu, although his followers founded a new religion in his name. He advocated the supremacy of good ethics and morality over philosophical speculation and ritualism. He is considered the 9th incarnation of Lord Vishnu by devout Hindus.
13. Mahavira: The 24th and the last great Teacher of Jainism. He belonged to the Kshatriya Licchivi tribe of Bihar. He advocated vegetarianism and the centrality of compassion in Dharma.
14. Bhakta Nammalvar: The foremost of the Alvar Vaishnava saints, he was a Shudra by birth. His composition ‘Tiruvayamoli’, which is in the Tamil language, is considered at par with the Vedas by the Sri Vaishnava Hindus.
15. Sikh Gurus: All the Sikh Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, were Kshatriyas. The teachings of the first 5 and the 9th Guru are compiled in the Adi Granth- the Sikh scripture. In the face of Islamic persecutions, they revitalized the Hindu community of what is now Pakistan and parts of Northern India and preached the simple path of performance of good deeds, devotion to God by recitations of His names and singing of His glory and sharing of one another’s joys and sorrows without regard to caste.
16. Saint Kabir: He was brought-up by ‘Julaha’ couple. Julahas are a Muslim caste of weavers. He preached in the language of the masses and many of his verses are common proverbs in North India.
17. Narsi Mehta: He was born in a Vaishya family is a renowned Vaishnava saint of Gujarat. One of his compositions- “Vaishnava Jana” was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi. According to some however, he was a Brahmin.
18. Saint Tukarama: He was a Vaishya who composed touching poems called the ‘Abahngas’ on devotion to God. These compositions are recited with great fervor by numerous Hindus, especially in Maharashtra by the members of the Warakari community.
19. Saint Ravidas: He was a cobbler, and therefore of Shudra origin. He advocated Bhakti and 16 of his compositions were incorporated in the Adi Granth- the Sikh scripture.
20. Saint Mira: She was a Rajput Kshatriya princess of Mewar and devoted her life to the service of Lord Krishna. Her beautiful poetical compositions addressed to Lord Krishna are recited with great fervor by Hindus down to this day.
21. Swami Vivekananda: One of the foremost reformers and teachers of modern Hinduism, he was of Kayastha subcaste of Bengal. He spread the message of Vedanta in the United States and Europe and his writings and speeches are contained in “The Collected Writings of Swami Vivekanand.” He founded the Ramakrishna Mission- a religious organization to propagate the teachings of his Guru Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. In Bengal, Kayasthas are considered as Shudras.
22. Vatsa, a descendant of Kanva RV 6.1; 8.8 etc; was called a Shudra-putra (Panchavimsha Brahman 14.66).
23. Kakshivat, a Brahmavadin, was the son of Dirghatamas by a Shudra maid servant (Brihaddevata 4.24-25).
24. According to Mahabharata (Anushasana Parvan 53.13-19), Sage Kapinjalada was a Chandala and Sage Madanapala was the son of a boatwoman.
25. According to Mahabharata Shanti Parvan, King Sudas was also a Shudra. Sudas is one of the most celebrated kings of the Rigveda, being the hero of the Dasarajna war.

Copyright: The contents of this website are free of all copyright restrictions provided they are used for non-academic purposes. If the contents of this website are quoted for academic purposes, URL must be mentioned, together with the Rev. level at the time of borrowing the content. Readers are encouraged to print and disseminate the contents. Contributions are welcome.

____________(RK)___________

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

ABOUT CASTE SYSTEM

Friends,
One gentleman among us who is bent on pouring personal abuses has written in his reply to my write up without giving a reply to what I have written, says that I am against BRAHMIN COMMUNITY. Although, I hate caste system prevailing now among HINDUS, I am also born in BRAHMIN CASTE as one gentleman who claim that he is the true Brahmins since he performs THRIKALA SANDHYAVANDANAM. I cannot go against this caste. Even a person born as PARAYA in cast does SANDHYAVANDANA which might not be in SANSKRIT LANGUAGE. I also find in TV many devotees from other castes throng temples but very seldom see Brahmins. Lord Narayana said “ ll நா ஹம் வஸாமி வைகுண்டே,ந யோகி ஹ்ருதயே ரவௌ, மத்பக்தா யத்ர காயந்தி, தத்ர திஷ்டாமி நாரத ll “ Why I quote this is because Lord stays where his devotee sings his praise and not at the place where a person does THRIKALA SANDYAVANDANA without Bhakthi, HE STAYS. Even the so called HIGH BRAHMIN has told that I must be excommunicated. LET HIM TRY IT! THIS IS A CHALLENGE.
Even the GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED IN ERADICATING THE CASTE SYSTEM although they have given TEMPLE ENTRY to all HINDUS. ( Remember, this was prohibited by HINDUS born in higher castes. ) The Stories of BHAKTHA NANDANAR AND BHAKTHA KANAKA DASS are classic examples of true devotion of GOD. However I am happy that the most from the present generation, do not believe in CASTE SYSTEM. Many of our younger generation started marrying boys/girls from other castes. I was told, except GUJARATIS in AMERICA they have AMERICAN INDIANS who marry among them.
Friends, HINDUISM IS NOT A RELIGION LIKE CHRISTANITY OR MUSLIMS. It is a way of life ; a culture and most DYNAMIC in nature. Although, it takes time to eradicate the CASTE SYSTEM prevalent among HINDUS, I am sure that the “D” day is fast approaching.
I BOLDLY SAY THAT ALTHOUGH I AM BORN AS A BRAHMIN, I HATE CASTE SYSTEM, borne out of selfishness of our ancestors. Or caste prohibits crossing the sea. Are we following it ? Are we not working as soldiers, Engineers, Bus conductors and drivers etc. Is it our KULA DHARMA. I conclude by saying “ ll उदर निमित्तं बहुकृत वेषं ll “ or our efforts to lead a luxurious life and not a normal life.”
Regards and NAMASKARAMS,
P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN
ON THE NAME OF RELIGION OR CASTE
LET US
NOT FIGHT OR HATE EACH OTHER
(Note :- TO READ TAMIL , KINDLY CONVERT THIS INTO UNICODE 8 )
“Ondre kulamum oruvane thevanum
Nandre ninaiminnamanillai naaname
Sendre pugumgathi illainum siththathu
Nindre nilaipera neerninainthui mine” Verse :2104 in Chapter 7
Says Thirumoolar, there is but one religion and there is but one god. Surrender to him.
“ஒன்றே குலமும் ஒருவனே தேவனும்
நன்றே நினைமின் நமனில்லைநாணாமே நாணாமே
சென்றே புகுங்கதி யில்லைநுஞ் சித்தத்து“
நின்றே நிலைபெற நீர்நினைந துய்மினே.” திருமந்திரம் ஏழாம் தந்திரம் – 2104
Friends,
This is not told by me but a great SHAVATE SAINT THIRUMOOLAR has written this long back.FROM WIKIPEDIA “Tirumular (also spelt Thirumoolar etc., originally known as Sundaranātha) was a Tamil Shaivite mystic and writer, considered one of the sixty-three Nayanars and one of the 18 Siddhars. His main work, the Tirumantiram (also sometimes written Tirumanthiram, Tirumandhiram, etc.), which consists of over 3000 verses, forms a part of the key text of the Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, the Tirumurai” “The dates of Tirumūlar's life are hotly contested and, because his work makes reference to so many currents of religious thought, the dates that different scholars assign are often appealed to for anchoring the relative chronology of other religious literature in Tamil and Sanskrit. Verse 74 of the Tirumantiram makes the claim that Tirumūlar lived for 7 aeons (yuga) before composing the Tirumantiram. Some are therefore inclined to place his composition well before the Common Era. The scholar and lexicographer S. Vaiyapuripillai, however, suggested that he probably belonged to the beginning of the eighth-century AD, pointing out that Tirumūlar could not very well be placed earlier given that he appears to refer to the Tevaram hymns of Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar, that he used `very late words and that he made mention of the weekdays”
There are some who ignite in others, hatred towards other religions and castes.I request all to read the HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE “ THE VEDIC AGE” written by Prof. R. C. MAJUMDAR published by Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan. This will give one and all the knowledge about our origin. If you think, purchasing a book of such costly nature is a waste than I request you to go through my write up in Word Press.Com under PALLASSANAS.
Friends, first you realise that HINDUISM is not a religion but a culture which is borrowed by ARYAN TRIBES from The Negritos, Proto-australoids. The Mongoloids, Mediterranians , the Western Brachycephals and the Nordics. It is ,therefore, natural that LINGA (PHALLUS IN YONI), SWASTIKA which we draw to appease Lord GANESHA etc are seen in other religions also. A narration of Linga in Yoni which we see in MECCA and also in other places is seen in certain Webs. Reading this will be very useful. Whenever you get time kindly go through it. Lord Shiva as depicted as LINGA in Yoni was not approved by the ARYAN TRIBES. They believed that INDRA, VARUNA, MARUTH etc as GOD. They called LORD SHIVA as RUDRA ( I refer RUDRA AND CHAMAKA ). Even these tribes called GOD( PARAMAATHMA) during their mixing up with other tribes as only NARAYANA and GODDESS as LAKSHMI. However the previous tribes means, ‘nature,’ or ‘basic trait’.” Why we call the Phallus as SHIVA is because HE is auspicious. Further especially dravidians, called the PHALLUS as SHIVA ( gracious ) , In Wikipedia it is given “शिव, śiva is an adjective meaning "auspicious, kind, gracious". As a proper name it means "The Auspicious One". And PRAKRUTHI ( Yoni) meaning ause when the Auspicious joins PRAKRUTHI, the output will be also very much Nature. In the web I see the meaning as “The term Prakruti is a Sanskrit word that literally the earlier tribes especially the DRAVIDIANS) believed for increase of their progeny, that too gracious. VARNA SYSTEM was also prevalent among Dravidians. THIS IS PURELY MY VIEW. In the SANDHYAVANDANA made by ARYANS it is written as AkAshAth pathitham thOyam yadA gachchathi sAgarA , sarva dEva namaskAra kEshavam prathi gachchathi and not as SHANKARAM OR ISHWARAM PRATHI GACHCHATHI. By writing this I do not mean any insult to VAISHNAVATES. I pray always to Lord Narayana.
We have heard of many tribes like RAKSHASAS, YAKSHAS, KINNARAS, GANDHARVAS, VANARAS etc. Among them also VARNA SYSTEM was prevalent.
Hence, I request one and all not to fight by saying that all most all or few religions came from HINDUISM. Friends, HINDUISM is a way of life, a culture, which we can see in other religions also since I am of the VIEW that all religions and cultures lead us to a perfect life and later to that INFINITY which I call as “OM”.
Regards and NAMASKARAMS
P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN

Thursday, November 10, 2011

MAHA BHARATHA WAR: WHEN IT
WAS FAUGHT

Friends,
There are differing views about the dates of Maha Bharatha war. According to Dr. D.S Dwivedi of the Parit ReSearch Institute, Vaisali , Biharwhich was published in the Indian Express dated 12-10-1984, the Epic war of Maha Bharatha started on a Tuesday on November 14, 3137BC. According to him KALI YUGA started in the year 3101 BC.
According to Dr. E. Vedavyas who was a senior IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh, in his thesis “ASTRONOMICAL DATING OF THE MAHA BHARATHA WAR says that the Epic war began on a Tuesday in October, 3138 BC on an Amavsya (NEW MOON ) day. He has relied on the observation of the sky as recorded in the great epic Maha Bharatha . He has also verified it with the method of Radio-Carbon dating. In fact , he evolved a scientific dating method by using the references of Veda Vyaasa who has written the position of fixed stars, eclipses, and the motion of constellations “SAPTHA RISHIS” or as we call it in English as “GREAT BEARS” .
Another eminent scientist Dr. P.V Vartak fixes the date as 16th October,5562BC.
A great Epigraphist , Dr. D.C. SARCAR who was the former Chief Epigraphist of Government of India opines that Maha Bharatha “was a mith, devoid of little historicity, opening , as it were the flood gates of controversy all over the country…..”
The Great Epic Maha Bharatha was called once as “JAYA” and it comprised only with 8,800 verses. When it was known as MAHA BHARATHA it started containing 24,000 Verses. In the present available form it contains 100.000 verses.
According to Prof. B.B.LAL , The Maha Bharatha text which is now available “refers not only to the Persians, Greeks, Romans and Parthians but also HUNAS. The present text, therefore, is unlikely to be earlier than the 4th Century A.D. and if KRISHNA was a historical figure, he is unlikely to have been later than BUDDHA who lived in 6th Century B.C. , for history after the BUDDHA is so well known that there is hardly any scope to accommodate KRISHNA AND MAHA BHARATHA in it…….”
Late, Dr. B. Venkatraman, a noted astrologer of Bangalore fixes the Maha Bharatha war on the strength of Astronomical calculation as 37 years before KALI YUGA started. According to him KALIYUGA started in the year 3102 B.C. He said that Mousala Parva of Maha Bharatha had mentioned that Sree- Krishna died after 36 years of Maha Bharatha War which must be somewhere in the year 3066 BC . According to Late Dr. B.V.Raman , in the Karna Parva the planetary positions of 17th day battle is given. Likewise he contends that astronomical data of Dharma Puthra’s coronation and ASVAMEDHA sacrifice all point out to fix the year of Maha Bharatha War as 3066 B.C.
One Sri. P.G. Krishnan Nair from Kerala has written about the demise of Bheesh as given in Maha Bharatha “ll अष्टपञ्चाशतं रात्र्या, शयानस्याद्य मे गताः शरेषु निशिताग्रेषु यथा वर्ष- शतं तथा, माघोfयं समनुप्राप्तो, मासः सौम्यो युधिष्ठिर, त्रिभागशेषः पक्षोयं, शुक्लो भवितु मर्हति ll” Anushaasika Parvam-167-26-28. “ ll शुक्ला पक्षस्य चाष्टम्यां, माघमासस्य पार्त्थिव, प्राजापत्ये च नक्षत्रे, मद्धयं प्राप्तो दिवाकरे, निवृत्तमात्रे त्वयन, उत्तरे वै दिवाकरे, समावेशय दात्मान-, मात्मान्येव समाहितः ll” – Shaanthi parva – 47 -3 -4. In this THRIBHAAGA SHESHA: has been interpreted as “ when the 1/4 part is over means he fell down on CHATHRTHI DAY” This interpretation is given by Dr. S.B. Roy.
From this we get the information about Bheeshma’s date of death as Magha Shukla Paksha (ie. After the new moon day ) .
” The epic is generally defined: A long narrative poem on a great and serious subject, related in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race.
Mahabharatha is a great Epic of Hindus. Now let us see what is an epic.” The epic is a long narrative poem on a great and serious subject, related in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose action depend the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. The traditional epics were shaped by a literary artist from historical and legendary materials which had developed in the oral traditions of his nation during a period of expansion and warfare. “ “In ancient Indian epics such as the Ramayana, which had mythical Vimana flying machines that were able to fly within the Earth's atmosphere, and able to travel into space and travel submerged under water, along with a weapon which could destroy an entire city. The ancient Hindu mythological epic, the Mahabharatha, mentions the story of the King Revaita, who travels to heaven to meet the creator Brahma and is shocked to learn that many ages have passed when he returns to Earth, anticipating the concept of time travel. Portions of the Biblical text "Revelation" read literally like science fiction and science fantasy: "There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. ”
Hence we cannot fully believe these great Epics. However we can definitely say that
(a) Mahabharatha war a reality and not mith.
(b) Although the war was not fought in large scale as described in our Great Epic Maha Bharatha , this event was very significant as it attracted many writers, and balladeers who portrayed this complex theme of this great Epic.
© While as per Puranic data the war was fought in the later period of 9th Century BCor beginning of 10th Centuary BC which is corroborated by archaeological evidence , astronomical calculations based on the narration of the Great Epic seems to be wrong since Mahabharatha took place during the Iron age since the tools used in the war made of Iron points out that the war might have happened during the Iron Age starting from the year 1000 BC. Hence from the above circumstances we can infer that the war might have taken place only during the iron age and therefore can be placed between the year 1200BC and 1000BC .
(d) Maha Bharatha became very popular by 5th Century A.D. and our Indian Astrological Pundits codified the traditional dates of war which found their way to several epigraphical records thereafter.
Friends, I had told that this great Epic Mahabharatha was known as JAYA. I would like to elaborate on this :
(a) Initially it was narrated to YUDHISHTIRA ? by VYASA in 8800 verses as JAYA
(b) Again SHUKRACHARYA narrated this to PARIKSHIT as JAYA BHARATHA in 24000 Verses .
© VAISAMPAYANA narrated this story as BHARATHETHIHASA to JANMEJAYA in 24000 verses.
(d) This became MAHABHARATHA with 100000 verses with Upakhyaanas when told to SAUNAKA AND OTHER SAGES by LOMAHARSHNA AND UGRASRAVA.
Friends, such a great work could not have been dealt with one person.
Why I said Mahabharatha belong to Iron Age ? First , let me say that the weapons used belongs to Iron Age.
Secondly the word AYASA seen in Rig Veda is assigned to KRISHNA AISA meaning Black Metal or Iron which occurs in Atharva Veda which was propounded before Maha Bharatha period. Archaeologicallly, therefore, the Original work of MAHABHARATHA called JAYA can be placed around 1000 BC plus or minus 100 to 200 years.
Regards and NAMASKARAMS,
P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

TAMIL TRANSLITERATION OF MANEESHA PANCHAKAM BY H.H. ADI
SHANKARA WITH MEANING IN ENGLISH
FIVE VERSES OF CONVICTIONS Written by HH. Adi Shankara :
TAMILTRANSLITERATION BY P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN
__________________________________________________________________________________
This is written as a dialogue between Adi Shankara and a Low Caste (PARAYA) who CAME with FOUR DOGS from the opposite direction of the way by which Adi Shankara and his disciples were going to perform Pooja to Lord Viswantha of KASHI. The low caste person was none other than Lord Shiva and the four dogs accompanying him were the FOUR VEDAS.
அன்னமயாதன்னமயாமதவா சைதன்யமேவ சைதன்ன்யாத்: எதிவர தூரீகர்த்தும் வாஞ்சஸி கிம் ப்ரூஹி கச்ச கச்சேதி 1.
Meaning : _Oh. Greatest among the Greatest of ascetics, please tell me what do you want to move away by saying “GO-GO“ Did you mean that the body of mine, made of food to move away to another body made of food or consciousness to move away from consciousness.
ப்ரத்யக்வஸ்துனி நிஸ்தரம்கஸஹஜானந்தாவபோதாம்புதௌ விப்றோSயம் ச்வபசோSயமித்யாபி மஹான் கோSயம் விபேதப்ரம கிம் கம்காம்புனி பிம்பிதே. அம்பரமணௌ சண்டாளவீதீபய பய: பூரே வா. அந்தரமஸ்தி காஞ்சனகடீம்ம்ருத்கும்பயோர்வாம்பரே. 2.
Meaning : Oh! brAhmaNA Is there any difference between the
reflection of the SUN in the waters of Ganges and the water poolof an outcaste’s residence ? or water in a gold pot and a mud pot?What difference it makes in the ripple free ocean of bliss and the soul of a brahmana and an outcaste? Note :- *In some versions I have seen yathivara instead of VIPROYAM{ Friends, Adi Shankaraimmediately came to know that the person who came opposite was none other than Lord SHIVA and the dogs which were accompanying Him were the four VEDAS. Adi Shankara immediately prostrated before the out-caste and begged apology; and then says :
ஜாக்ரத் ஸ்வப்னஸுஷுப்திஷு ஸ்புடதரா யாஸ்விதூத்ஜ்ஹ்ரிம்பதே யா ப்ரஹ்மாதிபிபீலிகாந்த தனுஷு ப்ரொதா ஜகத்ஸாக்ஷிணீ ஸைவாஹம் ந ச த்ருச்ய வஸ்த்விதி த்ருடப்ரஜ்ஞாபி யச்யாஸ்தி சே சண்டாளோ அஸ்து ஸ து த்விஜோ அஸ்து குரூர் இத்யேஷா மனீஷா மம: 3.
Meaning : If one is fully convinced that, the soul which isclear and obvious itself in all the three conditions of lives i.e. indream, sound sleep and also in awakened conditions and in all objects from BRAHMA (THE CREATOR) to a very small object ant which is also the vibrant, but invisible and witness to all ourdeeds, and as per my conclusion which is very clear is the great teacher or preceptor irrespective of whether he is a ** DWIJA or an outcaste
Note 2. : DWIJA in Sanskrit means one is who is twice born. Yhis term although refers to one o the first three VARNAS called Brahmana, Kshathriya, And Vaishya; DWJA is usually referred to the BRAHMANA VARNA.



பிரஹ்மைவாஹமிதம் ஜகச்ச ஸகலம் சின்மாத்ரவிஸ்தாரிதம்ஸர்வம் சைததவித்யா த்ருகுணயா அசேஷம் மயா க்ளிப்தம் இத்தம் யஸ்ய த்ருடா மதி: ஸுகதரே நித்த்யே பரே நிர்ம்மலே சண்டாளோ அஸ்து ஸ து த்விஜோ அஸ்த்து குருரித்யேஷா மனீஷா மம. 4.
MEANING: I now have the conviction that irrespective of one is a Brahmin by birth or born as an outcaste, that he is the very BRAHMAN which is pure and infinite spread on everything, which although looks like consisting of many different things due
to our ignorance and the tree attributes Sattva (purity, light, harmony), (2) Rajas (passion, activity, motion), and (3) Tamas ( inertia, darkness, inertness, inactivity.
சச்வன்னச்வரமேவ விச்வமக்ஹிலம் நிச்சித்ய வாசா குறோர் நித்தியம் ப்ரம்ஹ நிரந்தரம் விம்ருசதா நிர்வ்யாஜ சாந்தாத்மனா ப்ஹூதம் ப்ஹாதி ச துஷ்க்றுதம் ப்றதஹதா ஸம்வின்மையே பாவகேப்ராரப்தாய ஸமர்ப்பிதம் ஸ்வபுரித்யேஷா மனீஷா மம. 5. MEANING : I am convinced beyond doubts by theGURU’SWord(GURU = Teacher, preceptor ) that the whole universe is a moving illusion and hence the human body is given to constantly worship the supreme and infinite being with a clear and unquestioning mind and burn inthat sacred fire of meditation all the sins with which a human being is born.
யா திர்யஜ்ஞானரதேவதாபிரஹமித்யாந்த: ஸ்புடாக்ருஹ்யதே யத்பாஸா ஹ்றுதயாக்ஷதேஹவிஷயா பாந்தி ஸ்வதோ அசேதனா: தாம் பாஸ்வி: பிஹிதார்க்கமண்டலநிபாம் ஸ்பூர்திம் சதா பாவய: ந்யோகீ நிர்வ்ருதமானசோ ஹி ரித்யேஷா மனீஷா மம. 6.
MEANING :A yogi is great only when he understands “I” which appears as sentient generally, but which is pure, This self- consciousness by which the yogi understands the insentient quality of mind , senses and body makes him pure. The sentient qualities which are found in ordinary people, are just like sun getting concealed by clouds. This is my well- considered opinion.
யத்ஸௌக்யாம்புதிலேசலேசத இமே சக்ராதையோ நிர்வ்றுதா யச்சித்தே நிதராம் ப்ரசாந்தகலனே லப்யா முநிர்நிர்வ்ருத: யஸ்மின்னத்யசுக்ஹாம்புதௌ கலிததீர்பிரம்மைவ ந ப்ரம்ஹவித் ய: கஸ்சித்ஸ ஸுரேந்த்ர வன்திதபதோ நூனம் மனீஷா மம. 7.
MEANING : My conviction is that the SELF which is Brahman and which dwells upon the Supreme one who is evenworshipped by INDRA and other Gods . The sage experiences by worshipping this SELF with calm mind and perfection,fulfillment and thus is not only the knower of BRAHMAN but BRAHMAN itself.
தாஸஸ்தே அஹம் தேஹத்ருஷ்ட்யா அஸ்மி சம்ப்ஹோ ஜாதஸ்தேம் அசோ ஜீவாத்ருஷ்ட்யா த்ரித்ருஷ்டே ஸர்வஸ்யாத்மன்நாத்மத்ருஷ்ட்யா த்வமேவே- த்யேவம் மே தீர்நிஸ்ச்சிதா ஸர்வசாஸ்த்ரை : 8
‘MEANING : Oh Lord, when my soul is in my body, the body is your servant but you remain my soul. I have come to a conclusion after going through the various and through scriptures and my intellect that you are with in me and all others in the form of soul.
இதி ஸ்ரீ சங்கரபகவத: க்ருதௌ மனீஷாபஞ்சகம் ஸம்பூர்ணம்
MEANING : Thus ends MANIISHAA PANCHAKAM
COMPOSED BY SRIMAD SHANKARA BHAGAVATAH
______________(RK)_______________
NOTE: TO READ TAMIL KINDLY CONVERT THIS INTO UTF 8.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

THE RACE MOVEMENTS AND
PREHISTORIC CULTURE IN INDIA
Friends,
It is a difficult task to write about the pre-historic and early historic times in India since there is lack of material evidence. Due to this we can never say with certainty and therefore not possible for anyone to apprise the movements of people of India even before 2000 years ago. Hence it will be hypothetical and based on the present day situations.
Racial Anthropologists , who deals with the physical features which contributed to the beginning of the population in India without considering the linguistic and cultural built up of Indian population have advanced diverse views. but Sir, Herbert Risley put forward his views on behalf of Government of India. Like these eminent scientists, there were many who concluded their view ; but the revelation made by Dr. B.S. Guha Former Director of Anthropological Survey Of India is an authoritative view on this matter. They are :-
(1) The Negirtos (2) The Porto Austroloids (3) The two types of Mongoloids who are (i) Palaeo Mongoloids consisting of (a) long headed and (b) broad headed types and (ii) Tibeto-Mongoloids (4) The Mediterranean consisting of (i) Palaeo-Mediterranean, (ii) Mediterranean and (iii) The oriental type (5) The Western Brachycephals comprising of (i) The Alpinoid (ii) The Dinaric and (iii) The armenoid, and (6) The Nordic.
Although the NEGRITOS are almost extinct, there are few still remaining in (i) The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, (ii) In Cochin and Travancore Hills of Kerala State we can see a small group of Kadars and Palayans (iii) Irulars of Wynad who are akin to the Negritos found in the Andamans and Nicobar Islands (iv) Angami Nagas of Assam and Nagaland and (v) hill-tribes of Eastern Bihar. It is said the Proto-Australoids supressed them and aborobed many of them particularly, but other races also took part in this process. As far as Negritos are concerned although we may not be definitive their appearance, it coincide with a common origin for the Negritos and African pygmies, especially in the Andamanese Islanders who have been isolated from incoming waves of Asiatic and Indo-Aryan peoples. No other living human population has experienced such long-lasting isolation from contact with other groups.
It is believed that the PROTO-AUSTRALOIDs came from the west. They were described as having dark skin with wavy hair, in the case of Veddoids from South Asia and Aboriginal Australians, or hair ranging from straight to kinky in the case of Papuan, Melanesians and Negrito groups.As per this classification, Australoid peoples ranged throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia, and India. Proto-Australoid racial group includes Bhumiz, Gadaba, Juang, Kharia, Koda, Kolha, Mahali, Mirdha, Munda, Santal and Saora tribes. Tribes like Bathudi, Bhatra, Binjhal, Bhuyan, Lodha and Saunti belong to non-Australoid racial stock while Australoid racial stock is represented by Gond, Kondh, Kissan, Oraon, Paraja and Pentia Halva tribes. The Tribes of South India from Kerala, Tamil Nadu including the tribes of Nilgiris, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the mixture of proto-australoids, negritos etc.
Now let us take the Mongoloids. The Mongoloids have features that are common to those of the people of Mongolia, China and Tibet. These tribal groups can be seen in the North- Eastern part of India in states like Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya as also in Ladakh and Sikkim.They are people of yellow complexion, oblique eyes, high cheekbones, sparse hair and medium height.There are two types of Mongoloids (a) Long Headed and (b) broad headed.
The Mediterraneans can be classified as (i) Palaeo-Mediterraneans (ii) Mediterraneanse and the Oriental type of Mediterraneanse . The PALAEO-MEDI-TERRANEANS can be said as DRAVIDIANS “These are the people who mainly inhabit the regions in South India such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh etc. They have recently been divided into various sub-groups for example the Paleo-Mediterranean, the true Mediterranean, and the Oriental Mediterranean.
It is believed that they are people of the same origins as many of the people of Asia Minor and pre- Hellenic Aegean's of Greece. It is believed that they built the ancient city and civilization of the Indus valley.
The Palaeo-Mediterraneans inhabit the regions in South India such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka , Andhra etc. Mediterranean, and the Oriental Mediterranean. They are dark skinned and their built is “slightly”. Palaeo-Mediterranean group constitutes the bulk of the Scheduled Castes in the North India. This group has a sub-type called Oriental group.

The True Mediterraneans who are taller and fairer than the Palaeo type, settled in PUNJAB and Upper Gangetic Valley are said to be and called as pre-aryan race or even the civilised dravidians of North India. It was North India which was Aryanised in language and contributed much to HINDUISM and culture of North Indian .

Now we shall deal with the Western Brachyceephals. They are The ethnic groups like Alpinoids, Dinarics, Armenoids, Parsis and Kodavas (COORGIES). The people were characterized by features like broad foreheads, brown skin, sharp features, etc. They occupied the western side of the country and can be called the foundation for the present day people in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. PARSIS of Mumbai are lately arrived Armenoids. Unlike the Iranian Zoroastrians they are not long headed.

Now let us take the ARYAN TRIBES called NORDIC. As per Wikipedia “The Aryans were semi-nomadic Nordic Whites, perhaps located originally on the steppes of southern Russia and Central Asia, who spoke the parent language of the various Indo-European languages. Latin, Greek, Hittite, Sanskrit, French, German, Latvian, English, Spanish, Russian etc. are all Indo-European languages; Indo-European, or more properly Proto-Indo-European (PIE), is the lost ancestral language from which those languages ultimately derive.” It was Sir William Jones, who observed the similarities between Sanskrit, Ancient Greek, and Latin. By the early 1900s well-defined descriptions of PIE had been developed that are still accepted today although it is refined now. The Aryans were semi-nomadic Nordic Whites, perhaps located originally on the steppes of southern Russia and Central Asia, who spoke the parent language of the various Indo-European languages.
Latin, Greek, Hittite, Sanskrit, French, German, Latvian, English, Spanish, Russian etc. are all Indo-European languages; Indo-European, or more properly Proto-Indo-European (PIE), is the lost ancestral language from which those languages ultimately derive. The "Proto" indicates that the grammar and vocabulary of this long extinct language, probably spoken up until 3000 BC, are a hypothetical reconstruction by modern philologists. Just as Romance languages like Italian and Spanish derive from Latin, so Latin derives from PIE.
Indo-European philology traditionally used "Aryan" both to denote a people, understood racially or ethnically, and the language group itself ("Aryan speech"), irrespective of the race or ethnicity of the people speaking its various branches. In the wake of National Socialist Germany's defeat, the term fell out of general scholarly use in both senses, and "Indo-European" (IE) became the preferred designation of the language group, "Indo-Europeans" of both the people who occupied the original Aryan homeland and their descendants, who gradually spread out across Europe, much of the Indian sub-continent, and parts of the Near East. Racial nationalists are not, of course, obliged to adopt the timid PC-lexicon of contemporary scholarship, but we should be aware of imprecision of "Aryan" as a racial or ethnic classification.
INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION : We learn from the sculls and human skeletons from the ruins of Indus Valley. These prove the heterogeneous existence comprising of the different types of tribes like the four Proto-Astraloids, Mediterraneans Alpinoids and Mongoloids. However this evidence has no accuracy or scientific precision.
We do not have any material evidence too as regards the Panis, Vraathyas,Vasheekaas, Asuras and Nagas.
RIGVEDIC TIME (ARYAN RACE)
Political Life
The Early Vedic period is known from the Rig Veda.This was composed between 1700 and 1100 BC. This period can also be called as early IRON AGE. During this period, the kingdom was tribal in character. Each tribe formed a separate kingdom. The basic unit of the political organization was family (kula). A number of families formed a Village (Grama). Its head was the Gramani. A group of villages constituted a large unit called clan (vis) Several clans formed the tribe (Jana) Theft leader was Rajan, the Vedic king. He protected his people from enemies He was assisted by the purohita or priest, the senani of commandant, the Sabha and the Samithi in administration.
Social Life
Family was the basis of the society. The Aryan society was patriarchal in nature. Father was the head of the family. He was called Grahapathi. Vedas lay great stress on the sanctity of marriage and family life.
Position of Women
Women enjoyed a respectable position in the early Vedic society. They had freedom to choose husbands. The wife was the mistress of the house. They participated in public meetings. There were women scholars like Lopamudra, Visvavara, Ghosha, Sikata, Nivavari and Apala. They were treated equally. But their position changed in the Later Vedic period.
Economic Life
Hunting was a major activity. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, asses and dogs were reared. When they settled down in particular places, agriculture became their main occupation. People developed the arts of weaving, training, carpentry and metal work. Trade developed through the exchange of goods or the barter system. External trade with Western Asia and Egypt was carried on. The coins were called nishka. They were used for trade purposes. Cosmetics, sandalwood and ivory were the export items. Horses and dates were imported.
Food and Entertainments
The food of the people consisted of barley cakes, milk, ghee, fruits, vegetables and meat. Intoxicating drinks were produced from soma plant and sura from barley were offered to Gods and consumed. Chariot racing, hunting, horse racing, dicing, music and dance were the favorite pastimes. Boxing was also known to them. They knew playing veena.
Dress and Ornaments
Men wore a garment like Dhoti. The upper garment was like a shawl. They wore turbans and grew beards. Women wore vasas (under garments), nivi (dress worn at the waist) and Athivasas (the upper cover). Dresses were made up of cotton and wool. Both men and women wore different kinds of ornaments. Ear rings, necklaces, bangles and hair bands were used. Chappals made of leather were also used.

RELIGION
During the early Vedic period religion was not the form of nature worship. Fire, sun, wind, sky and trees were worshipped. Prayers were offered to Agni, Vayu and Surya. Agni and Varuna were the most favourite Gods. Yagas and Yajnas were the most common rituals. Since Gods had no definite shape, there were no statues and even temples.
YAJUR VEDA :
The Yajur Veda Samhita contains MANTHRAS REQUIRED to perform the sacrifices of HINDU RELIGION AS PERCEIVED BY THE ARYANS , with BRAHMANAS AND SRAUTHA SOOTHRAS. This was composed between 1500 BC and 1000 B.C. . There are two primary versions of Yajurveda called as SHUKLA YAJURVEDA and KRISHNA YAJUR VEDA. While the Shukla Yajurveda has separately a Brahmana text, the Shatapatha Brahmana. Shula Yajurveda also contains Vajasaneyi Samhita. The name Vajasaneyi is derived from Vajasaneya, patronymic of sage Yajnavalkya, an authority and according to tradition, founder of the Vajasaneyi branch. The Vajasaneyi Samhita has forty chapters or adhyayas, containing the formulas used with the following rituals:-
(a) Agnihotra (b) Soma Yajna (c) Vajapeya (d) Rajasuya ( both c and d are Soma Sacrifices. (e) Agnichyana (f) Sautramani – to counter the effects of excesseive drinking (SOIMA) (g) Ashwamedha (h) formulae to suppliment various rituals (i) Purusha Medha (j) Sarvamedha (k) Pitri Yajna (l) Pravargya (m) Isha Upanishad (n) Sacrifices during New moon and Full Moon ( Amavasya and Paurnami)
KRISHNA YAJURVEDA :
Krishna Yajurveda consists of Taittirīya saṃhitā (TS) originally of Panchala
Maitrayani saṃhitā (MS) originally of the area south of Kurukshetra
Caraka-Kaṭha saṃhitā (KS) originally of Madra and Kurukshetra
Kapiṣṭhala-Kaṭha saṃhitā (KapS) of the southern Punjab and Bahika
Each of the recensions has or had a Brahmana associated with it, and most of them also have associated Shrautasutras, Grhyasutras, Aranyakas, Upanishads and Pratishakhyas.
THE TATTTIRIYA SAMHITA
The best known and best preserved of these recensions is the Taittirīya saṃhitā, named after Tittiri, a pupil of Yaska and an authority according to Panini., Tittiri in Sanskrit means partridge, and according to a legend, Yajnavalkya had quickly grasped a portion of the Yajurveda, but due to his arrogance, he was asked to eject out the portion by his teacher, who was incensed by his attitude. By his learned knowledge, he was able to reach out what he had studied. This regurgitated portion was swallowed by a covey of partridges and known as the TS.
The Taittirīya saṃhitā consists 7 books or kandas, subdivided in chapters or prapathakas, further subdivided into individual sections (anuvakas). Some individual hymns in this Samhita have gained particular importance in Hinduism; e.g. TS 4.5 and TS 4.7 constitute the Rudram Chamakam, while 1.8.6.i is the Shaivaite Tryambakam mantra. The beejas bhūr bhuvaḥ suvaḥ prefixed to the (rigvedic) Savitur Gayatri mantra are also from the Yajurveda. The Taittiriya recension of the Black Yajurveda is the shakha now most prevalent in southern India. Among the followers of this Shakha, the Apastamba Sutras are the common. The Taittiriya Shakha consists of Taittiriya Samhita (having seven kandas), Taittiriya Brahmana (having three kandas), Taittiriya Aranyaka (having seven prashnas) (See Aranyaka Literature), Taittiriya Upanishad (having three prashnas or vallis – Shiksha valli, Ananda valli and Bhrigu valli) and the Mahanarayana Upanishad. The Taittiriya Upanishad and Mahanarayana Upanishad are considered to be the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth prashnas of the Aranyaka. The words prapathaka and kanda (meaning sections) are interchangeably used in Vedic literature. Prashna and valli refer to sections of the Aranyaka. You may ask me who is PANINI the answer is : Pāṇini is known for his Sanskrit grammar, particularly for his formulation of the 3,959 rules of Sanskrit morphology, syntax and semantics in the grammar known as Ashtadhyayi (अष्टाध्यायी Aṣṭādhyāyī, meaning "eight chapters"), the foundational text of the grammatical branch of the Vedanga, the auxiliary scholarly disciplines of Vedic religion.
SAAMA VEDA
In the Order of Vedas SAMA VEDA is the third one. SAMA VEDA is as called “SAMAN” is purely a liturgical collection of melodies The hymns in the Sama Veda, used as musical notes, were almost completely drawn from the Rig Veda. As Vedic Scholar David Frawley puts it, if the Rig Veda is the word, Sama Veda is
the song or the meaning, if Rig Veda is the knowledge, Sama Veda is its realization, if Rig Veda is the wife, the Sama Veda is her husband.
ATHARVA VEDA : The Word ATHARVA means that which does not waver, and which is unchanging “THARVA GATI KARMA NA THARVA ETI ATHARVA |” Dravidian culture. In fact the “ likelihood of Dravidian origin (Mediterraneans) “ll YOGASH CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAHA ll” which means controlling the different impulses of the mind and senses in yoga. The Gita re-iterates that when the mind is free from impulses and flaws, the mind becomes stable and the person becomes neutral when the impulses of the mind and the other senses are in control, then only the mind is freed from instability and purterbances. The word "Atharva" therefore refers to neutrality of personality. The Atharvaveda speaks more about Yoga, the human physiology, different ailments, social structure, spirituality, appreciation of natural beauty, national religion etc. This knowledge is practical and is worth bringing in use.
Atharva Veda is written partly in prose and partly in poetic forms. From Atharva veda we learn about Yoga, the human physiology, different ailments, social structure, spirituality, appreciation of natural beauty, national religion etc. A number of facts related to AYURVEDA are seen here, that is why Ayurveda is considered to be the Upaveda (Sub-Veda) of this Veda. Even Black Magic (मन्त्रवाद), तन्तर etc can be learnt from ATHARVA VEDA.
Friends, I cannot go much deep into philosophic part of ATHARVA VEDA since I do not know much about it.
Friends , Poojas with flower, leaves and Water were not known or alien to the first batch of Aryans who came and settled in India . In fact, Prof. Mark Collins, an authority on this subject , is of the opinion POOJA was deduced later from “PU” and “chey”( பூ + செய்) which is purely of Dravidian origin which was adopted by later Aryans. In fact the word PUJA is fusion of DRAVIDIAN AND ARYAN CULTURE. As per Vedic rights , while performing HOMA , wood fire is lighted in the Alter, and certain offerings of food like meat , fat, butter milk and SOMA (IIQUOR) ore offered to the god(s), who are not at all symbolised by an IMAGE, but are supposed to dwell the sky and to receive these offerings through the fire.” Among Hindus, the Brahmins star with HOMA shows the tradition of ARYANS.
However, we find a passage in the BHAGAVATH GITHA “ “ll पत्रं पुष्पम् फलम् तोयम् यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति l तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मानःll” - (BG. Chapt. 9 Verse 26). The meaning is “if any one offers me with devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit and water , I receive that, offered in devotion by the person whose soul is discilined”.
It appears to me that this was a later period of Aryans who adopted the origin of this noteworthy ritual of a finished Hindu religion is given in the Bhagavad Geetha only in 800 BC i.e round about the age of Christ.
Further The ARYANS believed in GODS like INDRA, SOMA, SOORYA, AGNI, VARUNA, USHAS, POOSHAN PARJANYA etc.( POOSHAN is vedic Solar deity ): पूषण् ( Sanskrit ) and Parjanya means Rain or rain clouds in Vedic Sanskrit.
It appears to me that Lord Siva and Goddess Uma are of Dravidian in origin. Why I say this, is because SIVAN is a Tamil Word which is a POLLUTION of the word “ சிவன் ” meaning “சிவந்தவன்” red in colour. This name is known as NEELA LHITHA meaning the one with blue throat. This aspect can be seen in the PURANAS and RIG VEDA (X.136, vii). as having consumed the world poison and having preserved it in his throat. Again the word SHAMBHU ( शंभू,சம்பூ) is a Tamil Word which came from the word “செம்பு” meaning copper which is a red metal. This Dravidian God was first taken by Aryans who called Him Rudra (रुद्र) and identified as the already existing Aryan STORM GOD, who is the father of MARUT (मरुत) - Maruts, storm deities and sons of Rudra and Diti and attendants of Indra.-one of our HINDU GODS. Aryans meant a different . They called Lod SHIVA as REUDRA from the root RUD. (Rudra (“Devanagari: रुद्र) is a Rigvedic God, associated with wind or storm, and the hunt.” From WIKIPEDIA. The NAME UMA has a meaning as per ARYANS as MAA the Great Mother. I quote from the web “Parvati is an ancient mountain goddess, assocated with the Himalayas. She is similar to, but not identical with, the mountain goddess Uma. In terms of her personality and relationship to the god Siva, she also shares some aspects with the fathful-wife goddess Sati. She is the mother of Siva's children “She is also known as DURGHA, From the Web I got the following information :-
“The 'Mother Goddess' cult belonged exclusively to Crete where it was known as Durgha (compare Trqqas mentioned in Lycian inscriptions in Asia Minor) as Uma or Parvati. (Sastri p61) They probably brought along with them to India this Mediterranean or Aegean Saivaism, Mother Goddess with her consort Siva. The blood, beliefs and culture of the proto-Australoid and proto-Dravidian were incorporated into the general Dravidian stock. The Nagas, Yakkas, Rakshas were sub-Dravidian races with a greater amount of Australoid taint.”
THE PHALLIC SYMBOL OF LORD SIVA CALLED LINGA : Shiva Linga is a wide spread Indian Phallic figure. It consists of a feminine base ‘Yoni’ or ‘vagina’ and a rising masculine portion ‘the Phallus’ or ‘penis.’ The Linga artifacts, dating from the first century BC to the third century AD, are shaped like realistic ‘Phalli’. Thereafter the shape becomes progressively more abstract. By medieval times, its observable portion, rising from the Yoni, forms a round block with domed apex This symbol appears to be PROTO-AUSTROLOID ORIGIN. An American Professor by name Wemdy Dongier in History, says “ For Hindus, the phallus in the background, the archetype (if I may use the word in its Eliadean, indeed Bastianian, and non-Jungian sense) of which their own penises are manifestations, is the phallus (called the lingam) of the god Siva, who inherits much of the mythology of Indra (O'Flaherty, 1973). The lingam appeared,separate from the body of Siva, on several occasions. On each of these occasions, Sivas wrath was appeased when gods and humans promised to worship his lingam forever after, which, in India they still do. Hindus, for instance, will argue that the lingam has nothing whatsoever to do with the male sexual organ, an assertion blatantly contradicted by the material.”
According to SWAMY SHIVANANDA “the view that the Shiva Lingam represents the phallus is a mistake; The same sentiments have also been expressed by H. H. Wilson in 1840. The writer Christopher Isherwood also addresses the interpretation of the linga as a sex symbol. Isherwood writes "It has been claimed by some foreign scholars that the linga and its surrounding basin are sexual symbols, representing the male and female respectively. Well, anything can be regarded as the symbol of anything-that much is obvious. There are people who have chosen to see sexual symbolism in the spire and font of a Christian church. But Christians do not recognize this symbolism and even the most hostile critics of Christianity cannot pretend that it is a sex cult. The same is true of the cult of Shiva." Lord Shiva is also known as VIROOPAAKSHA or a”TERRIBLE ONE “ , PASUPATHI or Lord of Animals , Urdwa Linga :The one with the errect creative force etc.
“…….. in fact, is a rich source of Indian thinking about sexuality, social relations, ritual, cosmic process, and metaphysics. The Male-Female union in the form of “Phallus or Shiva Linga or Yoni-Linga” or “the Ardhanarishwara” may be visualized as a parallel to the Chinese philosophy of “Yin-Yang” or ‘the Male-Female.” Metaphysically, it also is the most scientific philosophy that explains fundamentals of existence through ‘positive and negative’ or ‘male and female’ aspects of matter and life. Moksha is only after Kama, of the four principles of life-Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Kama is a sacred duty of men and women.
Unfortunately, some of us are ashamed of it because of Christian and Islamic influences. It was unacceptable, shameful and sinful to the Christians. They denounced it without understanding the culture, wrote demeaning articles, made laws and were able to influence the population to some extent. Their purpose was to teach us (the cultures which consider sex as sacred) the true path to God, the Christianity that considers sex as sin and purification of which is attained only by the blood of Jesus, the savior. Victorian Christians had the same kind of shock when they colonized Polynesian islands, for those islanders were sexually explicit in their lifestyle. The shocked Christian missionaries vowed and succeeded to eradicate the satanic culture by converting them to Christianity!” However the PHALLIC representation was in vogue during prehistoric times in almost all places of world.
Now let us see the Meaning of the Sanskrit word “ लिङ्गं” “is A mark, sign, token, an emblem, a badge, symbol, distinguishing mark, characteristic” ; and as per Vedantha “the subtle frame or body, the indestructible original of the gross or visible body.
Friends, Since I am not dealing about Lord Shiva and only about “Race movements in India”. when I say what is a PHALLUS I request all of you not to take it as against worship of Shiva. “The lingam is often represented with the Yoni, a symbol of the goddess or of Shakti, female creative energy. The union of lingam and yoni represents the indivisible two-in-oneness of male and female, the passive space and active time from which all life originates”. “A phallus is an erect penis, a penis-shaped object such as a dildo, or a mimetic image of an erect penis. Any object that symbolically resembles a penis may also be referred to as a phallus; however, such objects are more often referred to as being phallic (as in "phallic symbol"). Such symbols often represent the fertility and cultural implications that are associated with the male sexual organ, as well as the male orgasm.” “In traditional Greek mythology, Hermes, god of boundaries and exchange (popularly the messenger god) is considered to be a phallic deity by association with representations of him on herms (pillars) featuring a phallus. There is no scholarly consensus on this depiction and it would be speculation to consider Hermes a type of fertility god. Pan, son of Hermes, was often depicted as having an exaggerated erect phallus.
Priapus is a Greek god of fertility whose symbol was an exaggerated phallus. The son of Aphrodite and either Dionysus or Adonis, according to different forms of the original myth, he is the protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens, and male genitalia. His name is the origin of the medical term priapism.
Polyphallic wind chime from Pompeii; a bell hung from each phallus
The city of Tyrnavos in Greece holds an annual Phallus festival, a traditional phallophoric event on the first days of Lent.[3]
The phallus was ubiquitous in ancient Roman culture, particularly in the form of the fascinum, a phallic charm. The ruins of Pompeii produced bronze wind chimes (tintinnabula) that featured the phallus, often in multiples, to ward off the evil eye and other malevolent influences. Statues of Priapus similarly guarded gardens. Roman boys wore the bulla, an amulet that contained a phallic charm, until they formally came of age. According toAugustine of Hippo, the cult of Father Liber, who presided over the citizen's entry into political and sexual manhood, involved a phallus. the phallic deity Mutunus Tutunus promoted marital sex. A sacred phallus was among the objects considered vital to the security of the Roman state which were in the keeping of the Vestal Virgins. Sexuality in ancient Rome has sometimes been characterized as "phallocentric." Hence , there is nothing to say much about Phallus worship which was common in other countries also. Now please see the following and read it :-
"A religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden—beliefs and practices, which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them". -- Emile Durkheim

The Black Stone is a Muslim object of reverence, which according to Islamic traditions dates back to the time of Adam and Eve. Many consider it to be a Tektite. It is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba, the ancient Sacred Stone towards which Muslims pray in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is covered with an elaborately gold-threaded embroidered Quranic verses on a black-draped cloth. As any non-Muslim in the temple would be slain on sight, and photography is generally prohibited, this stone is shrouded in mystery? However, if you do succeed in tracking down the three accounts of the pilgrimage of Hajj to Mecca you might be considered a lucky one!
What these views reveal, is a polished black stone of which less than two feet is visible… This stone is set in large solid silver mountings. The whole resembles, quite deliberately, for reasons which will emerge, ‘the vulva of the goddess’! There is severe damage to the stone, as it was taken away by the sacrilegious Qarmatians in 930 CE and broken into a number of pieces before returning the pieces for a great price. The Stone pieces are held together by a silver frame, which is fastened by silver nails to the Stone. The Stone is roughly 30 cm (12 in.) in diameter, and 1.5 meters (5 ft.) above the ground. When pilgrims circle the Kaaba as part of the Tawaf ritual of the Hajj, many of them try, if possible, to stop and kiss the Black Stone, ‘emulating the kiss that it received from Prophet Muhammad.’ If they cannot reach it, then they are to point to it on each of their seven circuits around the Kaaba. ONCE AGAIN I REPEAT THAT I. HAVE TAKEN THIS FROM THE WEB ONLY TO SHOW THAT PHALLUS WORSHIP WAS COMMON.
The Black Stone of Kaaba in Mecca is called Al-hajar Al-aswad in Arabic. The word Kaaba (also Ka'ba, or Ka'bah) means ‘The Cube’. That Muslims now refer to it as the ‘Hand of Allah’, which does not diminish the urge for all those, who complete the pilgrimage to Mecca to touch or kiss this sacred Islamic object! :-)
The Black Stone's Origin
'A principal sacred object in Pagan Arabian religion was the stone... Such stones were thought to be the residence of a god; hence the term applied to them by the Byzantine Christian writers of the fifth and sixth centuries: 'baetyl', from bet'el, 'the house of god'.
'In north Arabian temples the image of the deity sometimes stood in the open air or it could be sheltered in a qubbah, a vaulted niche... Not to be confused with the qubbah is the word for ka'bah, for a cube-shaped walled structure which... served as a shelter for the sacred stones.'
Camphausen, in his article [3], reveals that the misogynic Muslim religion has its origins in the worship of goddess. Allah is a revamped version of the ancient goddess Al'Lat, and it was her shrine, which has since continued with little change, as the Kaaba. The known history of Mohammed reveals that he was born around 570 CE into a tribe of the Koreishe (Quraysh), who not only worshipped the goddess Q're, but were the sworn guardians of her shrine. By 622, Mohammed was preaching the ways of his god, Allah, and was driven out by his own tribe as a result. There are also various opinions as to what the Black Stone actually is… The Muslims say that the Stone was found by Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) when they were searching for stones with which to build the Kaaba (House of God). They recognized its worth and made it one of the building's cornerstones.
The Kaaba at Mecca describes the shape of the black stone structure on a marble base, which stands in the centre court of the Great Mosque, Masjidul Haram, at the centre of Mecca. It stands about 50 feet high by about 35 feet wide. Set into the eastern corner is the sacred stone. This Kaaba is a cubed shaped temple (according to Islam) rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Reverently draped in black cloth throughout the year, it beckons to every Muslim of the world to come to its sacred ground and perform the ritual of Hajj.
The Kaaba is the canonical center of the Islamic world; every pious act, particularly prayer, is directed towards it. Once a year it plays host to the greatest convention of Muslim believers, and stands ready to sanctify the Umrah travelers through rest of the year.
The official starting point of the walk around the Kaaba, that forms the core of the holy pilgrimage (hajj). During the Tawaf, the pilgrims kiss or touch the black stone as they circumambulate the Kaaba.” Friends this does not mean this PHALLUS is SHIVA LINGA. However, this is an evidence, that in olden days LINGA WORSHIP was common in all over world. Even now we practice it although Hindus call it as SHIVA LINGA, others call it by some other name.
Since phallus was considered as Lord Shiva , the Aryans who came later than Dravidians started worshipping the later god of Dravidians “VISHNU” as the ultimate PARABRAHMA since this was also a form of SUN GOD and whose colour was Blue which according to Dravidians coincided with the colour of வானம் (VAANAM) –Sky. And his counter-part of wealth, beauty etc was called the goddess Lakshmi.Due to fear of Lord Shiva they might have named him the STORM GOD called RUDRA. Lord Krishna in tamil language is called “கண்ணன்” (Kannan) is a Demon opposed to INDRA in Rig Veda who was the Dravidian God of Youth and according to Sri. P.T. Srinivasa Iyengar a Pundit in this subject , was later identified with VISHNU as an incarnation of His.
There is one more Dravidian God called முருகன், who is also a god of youth and youthful powers of bravery and war and later called as KUMARA or SKANDA, KAARTHIKEYA etc. was treated as the son of Lord SHIVA. Ganesha the elephant headed demon who is to be appeased before any function starts , to acert any supernatural hindrances even was called as Vishwaksena who is none other than Ganesha. If you go to Sri Rangam Temple you can see, Ganesha with a trishurnam , one red vertical line and two white vertical lines on the sides, on forehead and he is called as Vishwaksenar. He is also called as VIGNESHWARA because he removes, as per Hindus, all obstacles. The very fact that he is having an elephant face shows that he is of pre-aryan origin. He is also considered as the eldest son of Lord Shiva by Shaivates.
Friends, Aryans never knew the divinities as Zoomorphic or lower animals as typifying the forces of nature till they had the opportunity to mix with other races. Hence only after mixing with other races they started representing their gods like INDRA, AGNI etc. as BULLS or RAMS and HORSE respectively. In vedas we can see this the horse is known as DADHIKRAAVAN meaning who goes with high speed (HORSE) . GARUDA is made as the vehicle of Vishnu, Mouse as the vehicle of Ganesha etc. are proof.
Friends, I have given the race movements in India up-to and including the arrival of ARYANS to some extent, and to the extent of my knowledge. Last but not least I would like to thank many who have written in Web Sites and Dr. R.C MAJUMDAR, Dr. PUSALEKAR and Dr. A.K. MAJUMDAR to whom I am indebted and thankful, for the help I have taken and whose book called “THE VEDIC AGE” helped me a lot in writing this essay.
Regards and Namaskarams,
P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN

Monday, October 10, 2011

OUR INDIAN DEMOCRACY
Friends,
I am a Political Science Post-graduate and this is one of my subjects. Although Democracy cannot be defined in its correct sense, it was former President of the United States, Mr. Abraham Lincoln who defined DEMOCRACY as a GOVERNMENT of the people, by the people and for the people. However, such a short definition cannot be conceived properly and requires certain details:-
A country to boast as democratic has to fulfill certain basic requirements which need not be written anywhere but to be kept in the minds of all politicians and those who are in authority.
The following are the basic requirements:-
(1) The topmost priority is to be given to the BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS to every individual with regard to social groups like religious groups etc.
(2) Separation of powers between legislature, executive, Judiciary
(3) Freedom of Opinion, Speech and Press. I do not mean, by saying freedom of speech, that anyone can say anything even if it totally obscene or against the interest of the state, or directed as harmful to any individual’s esteem. However, our legitimate opinion can be aired on any matter if it is not against any individual’s legitimate esteem.
(4) Religious liberty. By religious liberty, I mean to say that anyone can follow any religion if it is not coerced on him/her. There should not be any discrimination between individuals belonging to any religious groups, male and female etc. in Voting. In other words, to provide equal rights to vote.
(5) Uncorrupted governance which focusses on the interest of the public at large.
(6) People (Public) should have the power to recall any person who is elected to govern since, it is these public who have elected the person, to govern, provided his/her governance is not satisfactory to them.
These were incorporated only in 17 and 18th century by political philosophers of western countries, which include separation of church. Before I go further , although the majority of the countries are republics, there are some countries like England, Belgium, Netherlands etc. the King or the queen is the Head of the state or in other words still have constitutional Monarchy. There are many types of Democracies like (i) Representative Democracy, (ii) Parliamentary System like we have in India (iii)Presidential form of Democracy (iv) Semi-presidential form of Democracy, and Liberal.
I shall deal with Presidential Form of Democracy which is prevalent in the United States of America, which will give a fair idea about Democracy in America which I find is more suitable type for India.
(1) In India, in my opinion the voting system is to be changed to PROPORTIONAL VOTING SYSTEM as in Germany, Sweden and in many other states.
As a layman if someone asks what is this PROPORTONAL VOTING SYSTEM, my answer is representation of Candidate(s) of all parties in proportion to their popular vote .In other words Proportional Voting assures that political parties or candidates will have the per cent of legislative seats that reflects their public support. A party or candidate need not come in first to win seats. In our country we have chosen the FPTP that is the First Past the Post as our electoral system, to provide our representation in the State Assemblies and Parliament. The weakness of this system is that even if a party gets 20 or 30 per cent of votes win more percentage of seats and claim to form the government. This is one of the reasons why corruption is gaining popularity in the government. CERI ( Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India) proposed a Proportional electoral system in INDIA, mainly to minimise the corruption which is rampant in the government. Anna Hazare’s aspiration to certain extend can also be fulfilled by changing from FPTP system to proportional voting system.
Now I shall tell the Forms of Governments :-
(1) Democracy (2) Totalitarian regime ( Just like Hitler’s Regime) (3) Authoritarian regime (4) Authoritarian regime (5) Theocracy.
In Democracy itself there are many types as (a) Representative Democracy (b) Parliamentary Democracy (c) Presidential Democracy (d) Semi-presidential type of Democracy (e)Liberal Democracy (f) Constitutional Democracy (g) Direct Democracy.
Our India is a constitutional republic consisting of many states on linguistic basis and seven centrally-controlled union territories with New Delhi as the nation's capital.
India is the biggest democracy in the World. Now, let us see whether we have all these elements in the present context:-
1. BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS : I wonder, whether we have it now or not. In India in the name of protecting minority religion, majority religions are getting suppressed. Why I say this is the intolerance of the any political party to suppress either minority communities or majority communities. The congress government (UPA) is against majority religion and trying to suppress in the name of protecting minority religion. Example: If we cannot have RAM JANMA BHUMI in AYODHYA, where can we have it in this world? Kindly do not wound the hearts of Majority Hindus to please the Minority Religions. Why prolong litigation? Kindly note “JUSTCE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED”. Why intolerance of having Hindu governments in certain States? . For example complete world praises MODI GOVERNMENT in GUJARAT for its developmental activities. To say GUJARAT is the best administered state will not be a misnomer. Why the Central Government is totally against that state? Is it because it is a state which has seen development san UPA? I feel it is because of U.P.A government in Centre’s jealousy that a non-U.P.A government is able to achieve what they could not achieve during their regime in Gujarat so far. It is evident from the fact that it is trying to unstable a duly elected government by foisting many cases like GODHRA, and threatening by recent Police Officer, Bhatt’s case by the Home Minister of U.P.A Government without leaving it to the law enforcing agencies to act. Recent action of arresting Sri. Anna Hazare for no fault by him. Although, the central government blames Delhi Police, I am not convinced by the Home minister’s answer, since Police in DELHI cannot act without the authority of the Centre . Is this not against HUMAN RIGHTS ? I do not wonder why such things happen in INDIA because of the government’s policy by which, in their anxiety to create two classes called Upper and Lower class , they suppress middle class people instead of bringing up LOWER CLASS people to Middle class. Is it correct to suppress middle class people ? Action against Sri. Subramanian Swamy by the government to file case against him comes out of sheer vendetta.
2, SEPARATION OF POWERS: I am of the opinion that In writing we have SEPARATION OF POWERS but in actual practice we are for committed Judiciary and other such autonomous bodies. The Central government also pressurizes CBI, although they say now they are autonomous body. But it actual practice, they are the puppets of the Central Government. Friends in fact in INDIAN DEMOCRACY we are strictly prohibited by coercion, to call A SPADE, A SPADE. If we open our mouth against the government in power, we will be targeted. It is also of paramount importance that central state cordial relationship is maintained for which we must follow American system of confederation of states and Presidential system of government. Centre sending a governor to states without the consent of the state government should be stopped forthwith. Governors are acting as pro-center tools than becoming independent observers. I feel the tenure of the governor is fixed.
5. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY : If this present SARKAR is against HINDU MAJORITY , the BJP is against other religions although they say that they are strictly SECULAR, and call the Congress party pseudo-secular. The government either at the Centre or in the STATE unnecessarily interferes in HINDU religious affairs to appease the minority religions by interfering in HINDUS’ religious matters. No one is prepared to leave RELIGION to grow of its own. From DEVASWAM BOARDS, the government’s restrictions start. Please treat RELIGION as our fundamental right and only those who believe in it should become members of the BOARDS. No TOM, DICK and HARRY should be made as members of any religious bodies. When the Left Government was in power in KERALA I saw a nonbeliever of GOD who was a minister, in Sabari Malai. Such things should not happen. Will it happen in a Muslim congregation? In Sri. Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, even the Supreme Court of India hesitate to pronounce the judgment whether to open the unopened vault or not! . I am of the firm opinion that any government or executive is subsidiary to the Religion. No person whether male or female should be compelled by any person to change his/her religion under any circumstances be it by marriage or any such circumstances. I make this point very clear that I have seen many Hindus change their religion under coercion by some religious fanatics if they want to marry a female or male from those religions.
4. RIGHT TO VOTE : It is of paramount importance that all as per the age limit, get the right to vote without fear. No money power to be exercised by any individual on the voter, to vote for him or the party candidates. I find, many illegal means being adopted by the candidates and parties to get the votes of individuals. Their main goal is not to represent the people but to MAKE MONEY. I Remember a proverb in Malayalam “ ദീപസ്ഥംഭം മഹാശ്ചര്യം എനിക്കും കിട്ടണം പണം”. This is the inherent attitude of the present SO CALLED NETHAS. They are ready to give any amount of money, liquor etc. to purchase the voter. This attitude is to be stopped. The person who is a candidate for election should be asked to declare his/her assets including his/hers husband/wife/children and other benami transactions, if any, before he is given a ticket to stand for election and such information are to be published in at least all prominent English and Vernacular News Papers for the information of the public apart from publishing in Election Commission’s Notice Board and which can be accessed by all, through computers. If a person is an independent candidate, he/she must declare his/her assets including his/hers/children’s and other close relatives’ assets and any benami transactions made by him/her/husband/wife/children and other close relatives. I do not agree with ANNA HAZARE when he says that he is going to tell the voters not to vote for the candidates of CONGRESS PARTY if they do not pass the JANLOKPAL BILL. Most probably they might have certain compulsions or the JANLOKPAL BILL might be defective. If the Congress Party is prepared to select an honest person to the core, I do not think we must not cast our vote to such people. What we require is that corruption should totally be uprooted. I give a suggestion that the Government exclusively should bear the expenses and the candidates should be asked to deposit some reasonable amount of money with the Election Commission which should be returned to the candidate provided he/she gets certain percentage of votes totally casted. Percentage of totally casted votes is to be fixed by the Election commission and the Supreme Court in consultation with the government in power. Consultation does not mean that whatever the ruling party says should be taken as the yard stick. The candidates should not be made to spent money on account of election and any expenses made by him for this purpose should be heavily penalized, on detection. Receiving money or any presentation from the candidate or any person or organization, by an individual to vote certain candidate is to be proclaimed through enacting laws to this effect, a serious offence with heavy penalties.
I have one more suggestion to make that if the voter is not satisfied with the candidates chosen by the party or who stands as an independent candidate, there should be a column in the Voting Slip that the voter is not satisfied with all candidates on which he/she affixes the stamp and cast his/hers vote. Such votes are to be treated as negative votes while total votes obtained by all candidates are counted. I also feel that as per the Party’s strength the candidates should be allotted with certain time to make his/her speech in Televisions and radios without casting any aspersions on other candidates and projecting what he/she will do for the people at large if he/she is voted to power. The independent candidates should also be allowed to speak in all television channels and radios about what he/she will be doing for the people at large, provided all pay to the channels in which they make speech at reasonable price. The only difference is the payment of a candidate belonging to any political Party is borne by the Party concerned, and by individual candidates, by them.
5. UNCORRUPT GOVERNNANCE : Herein, I would like to quote what Sir Winston Churchill said about Democracy : Quote “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time “ Unquote . I feel that he is right when he says that DEMOCRACY IS THE WORST FORM OF GOVERNMENT. It may not be possible to get a totally uncorrupted government in a Democratic set up. Why I say this is in Indian Democratic System any person can become an MLA, MP, MLC etc. whether he/she is capable to become an MLA/MLC/MP etc. We have to learn from Britishers as to who makes the best choice. They always employ those who have the titles of Sir, Lord etc. since they cannot become corrupt. In democratic set up such a classification is impossible. We are now at the verge of degeneration of Democracy into OCHLOCRACY or MOBOCRACY. The incidents occur in Andhra Pradesh for forming a separate TELENGANA, the undue interference of central government in state affairs and Corruption in government point out that our democratic set up is about to perish. As per the great Political thinker, POLIBIUS, this is a natural phenomenon of any type of government namely Democracy, Aristocracy and Monarchy to get degenerated as Mobocracy, oligarchy, and tyranny. The governments have to undergo this cycle since all these forms are subject to degeneration in course of time because of selfishness of the politicians. I fully endorse the view of Polibius. I will not wonder if different states within India ask for more autonomy to start with since the Central Government unnecessarily interfere in the STATES’ affairs, ruled by opposition parties.
In India, that may happen earlier. As I had already mentioned, it is imperative if our Democracy is not to degenerate, that the right to recall an MLA/MLC or MPs of both the houses should be given to the people , if they are found corrupt or not fulfilling the aspirations of the people who elected them, by making suitable amendments to the constitution. I stand by with Anna Hazare on this point. It is because of the folly of the Congress in giving Linguistic states rather than dividing India into states of equal zones and amending the education policy, by making the first language as the mother tongue of the child, which is to be given by the parent(s) during the admission of the child in school, such problems crop up.
The Judicial system in our country requires total overhaul. Justice gets delayed and there- by it is denied. As Sri. Karunanidhi of DMK said about releasing the LTTE prisoners who were instrumental in killing Sri. Rajiv Gandhi, I am of the opinion that justice delayed is justice denied. Of course, they are worth hanging but we have delayed the action. Our judicial system is such that no innocent person to be punished even if we are to sacrifice real justice. Judiciary should take immediate action to punish a person found guilty on the first count itself. All appeals on flimsy grounds should not be entertained which is not tn practice now a days.
In India we are to give DAKSHINA (underhand dealings) from the peon to the highest official of the government even to get a death certificate. In all offices there should be only one counter to give applications for any document where it should be mentioned the documents to be attached along with the applications. This office should be away from the Main Office to where no one should be allowed free access.but within a village or in more populated areas within a street . These offices should be kept closed except for the executives. A time stipulation should be given to get back the official documents for which we have sought for, from the government as against our request which should not exceed 10 days’ time, irrespective of whether it is from central govt. Or state government. By this, the Government servants will be made to work. We can also avoid paying DAKSHINA.

CONCLUDED.
Regards and NAMASKARAMS,
P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN

Friday, September 30, 2011

KURURAMMA

Friends,
This story of Kururamma is not from AITHIHYAMALA. It is told to me by many of my friends who are BHAKTHAS OF LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN. Every year I used to go to GURUVAYUR to have Darshan of BHAGAVAN which I have not done for the past two years.
KURURAMMA was born in the year 1570 AD in a Namboothiri Illam ( House )which was very near to VILVAMANGALAM SWAMIYAR’S ILLAM. It is widely told by many that she was the cousin of Vilvamangalaththu Swamiar. In facxt she was born in PARUR village, very near to THRISSUR. Her Maiden name was THAATHRI KUTTY ( താത്രിക്കുട്ടി, தாத்றிக்குட்டி ) This name is a pollution of DHAATHRI KUTTY. Kutty is a common name for children, which is used in Malayalam as a pet name for those who are liked most. After marriage and death of her husband, she became the Senior most member of KURUR NAMBOOTHIRI FAMILY which is in the village of ADATTHU near THRISSUR . She died in the year 1640 A.D. There is a version in which her name is shown as GAURI.
Many of my friends say VILVAMANGALAM SWAMIYAR was a devotee of LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN. Although I am of the opinion that he was not only a devotee of Lord GURUVAYURAPPAN but devotee of all HINDU GODS on whom we HINDUS have belief. However in GURUVAYUR TEMPLE you can even now see a SPOT CALLED “NRITHAM” on the eastern side of NORTH NADA (Entrance) (வடக்கே நட, വടക്കേ നട ) where the Swamiar used to dance in ecstasy.

Now coming to our story, Kururamma became a widow at an early age of 16 years and issueless and became an ardent devotee of LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN with the help of POONTHANAM NABOOTHIRI .In fact Kururamma who having no children adopted Lord Krishna as her child. She used to play with him and even scold him for his naughty deeds. Even the Lord used to help her in her house chores. In fact she had nothing as her own and hence took refuge in her ISHTA DEVATHA LORD GURUVAYURAPPAN. She started chanting the names of Lord Krishna with ardent devotion which elevated her to the highest level of KRISHNA BHAKTHI. This filled her with motherly love towards every one and thus she became mother of every one. It is also rumoured that the famous song (“KANI KAANUM NERAM…..”) (കണികാണുംനേരം, கணிகாணும் நேரம்) was composed by her. Singing Bhajans on LORD Guruvayurappan became her pastime.
It so happened, once a Brahmin started suffering from severe stomach pain. He tried all medicines, Thantric Methods and Astrology but could not get rid of his stomachache. In the mean while one friend told him about VILVAMANGALAM, who generally can be contacted in GURUVAYUR TEMPLE. On contacting the SWAMIAR, he was told that he suffered from this trouble because of the sin he had committed and hence the disease was not curable.

Dejected of life he unknowingly reached the house of KURURAMMA. KURURAMMA thought that this Brahmin was hungry probably, and hence offered him with food, but the old Brahmin told her that he was a patient of stomachache and was unable to take any food. He also told her that he had gone to VILVAMANGALATHTHU SWAMIYAR and even he could not cure him. Kururamma told him to pray to Lord Guruvayurappan who is DHANWANTARA MURTHY and take bath in the temple tank and then go for food to her place. Accordingly the old Brahmin went , thinking Lord GURUVAURAPPAN in his mind, he took bath in the temple pond and went to KURURAMMA’s place from where he took food. Kururamma told him to perform always RAMA THARAKA and Shri Krishna Japa. His STOMACHACHE had disappeared. This news reached VILVAMANGALAM SWAMAR’S ears who asked Lord Guruvayurappan as to why He did tell him about it for which the Lord told him that he asked only to know the cause of the pain but not remedy.
Yet one more story of KURURAMMA’s divinity and closeness to Lord Guruvayurappan. One day , Kururamma went for bath. As she washed her clothes few drops of water fell on another lady called CHEMMANGGAT AMMA, who envied KURURAMMA most, and who felt bad as she thought that unknowingly fallen water from the clothes of Kururamma was pollution of her body and took again bath and said to KUROORAMMA that VILVAMANGALAM SWAMIYAR was to go to her house to take ALMS (भिक्ष) to her ILLAM (House) proclaiming that she was too close to VILVAMANGALAM. Kururamma smiled and replied that He would not go to the later’s ILLAM but would go to her ILLAM for BIKSHA. Kururamma after bath went to her ILLAM. She sent a person to invite Vilvamngalam for taking Biksha which he refused saying that he was to go to CHEMMANGAT ILLAM for Biksha.It is said that , VIVAMANGALAM started to go to the illam of Chemmangat Amma. It was customary that one person blew the CONCH before Vilvamangalam goes for ALMS and it so happened that the CONCH did not produce any sound. He then remembered about his refusal to KURURAMMA to take alms from her, to whom Lord Guruvayurappan was extremely partial in favouring, and hence decided to go to her house for Biksha. Immediately, the conch started producing sound. Vilvamangalam thought that it was God’s wish that he goes for almas to Kururamma’s house instead of CHEMMANGAT ILLAM and hence went to her ILLAM to take BIKSHA.

Kururamma’s bhakthi had no bounds although she was an illiterate lady and due to that reason started NAMA JAPA of LORD GORUVAYURAPPAN and RAMA NAMA THARAKAM. Although there are many stories about her and how Lord Krishna became a child to her I shall tell one more story about her before I conclude. As years rolled down, all the family members of Kururamma died and she became alone. She realized that she had no one in the world except LORD KRISHNA. Her NAMA JAPAM elevated her to the highest degree of BHAKTHI YOGA. She started praying to Lord Guruvayurappan who appeared to her in her dreams and asked her as to what boon she wanted. Kururamma replied that she had none in this world and wanted him to be her son and not to abandon her as he did with YASHODA. Lord Smiled and as an orphan boy came to her and started staying with her. She called him UNNI (ഉണ്ണി, உண்ணி).UNNI in Namboorhiri’s Malayalam is “my pet boy”. Although he was very mischievous, he helped her in all household work including in preparation of food etc. Although, He was Guruvayurappan himself due to His creation of illusion Kururamma could see him only as a small boy. Vilvamangalaththu Swamiyar could see all GODS of Hindu faith and hence Kurooramma wanted him to perform POOJA to her beloved GURUVAYURAPPAN in her house. But she had a rival in the form of another Namboothri lady called CHEMMANGATTU AMMA who was very wealthy and who took a promise from Vilvamangalaththu Swamiyar to perform a Pooja in her house on the particular day. Kurooramma sent her request through her servant to the Swamiayar requesting him to go to her house and perform the Pooja. However, the swamiyaar told that he had already promised to CHEMMANGATTU AMMA that he would perform pooja in her house in the first instance and therefore told her to keep it on some other day. Kururamma felt very sad but UNNI consoled her by saying that he woud reach her Illam on the same day and told her that he would prepare everything for pooja including the food (പ്രസാദം, ப்றஸாதம்). He brought flowers for the Pooja etc. In the meanwhile, Vilvamangalaththu Swamiyar prepared to go to CHEMMANGATTUILLAM. The pilot who used to go with the conch, when started blowing it, did not produce any sound. Vilvamangalam thought for a while and then told the Pilot to go to Kururamma’s illam. Lo! the conch started producing sound , and hence told to the Pilot that it was the message from GOD to go to Kururamma’s Illam. He also took his disciples. As customary Brahmin ladies never spoke to others than their husband and hence asked UNNI to welcome the Swamiyar . The disciples and Vilvamangalam were surprised by seeing the arrangements which were carried out by high precision. When Swamiar started Pooja UNNI stood before him and the flowers he put after chanting MANTHRAS fell on the feet of UNNI. The disciples and the Swamiar were infuriated by this act of UNNI who asked him to stand in one corner. Alas! Then also the flowers put by the Swamiar fell on the feet of UNNI. The Swamiyar, then came to know that this UNNI was none other than Lord GURUVAYURAPPAN, but did not say openly since Bhagavan with a gesture told him not to let out the secret. This is how KURURAMMA was blessed by Lord GURUVAYURAPPAN.

I shall tell one more story about her which I remembered now. Being illiterate She did not know when EKADASI FALLS since that was the day she should not take any food. Hence she thought of a device that she used to put from the EKADASI day a stone in a box for 15 days and started putting stones every day. On 15th Day it was EKADASI for her. It so happened that some Brahmins who knew astrology also went to her house for food. She told them that the day was EKADASI and hence she was unable to serve any food to them. The Brahmins took their KAVIDI BAG (കവിടി സഞ്ചി, கவிடி பை) and checked there itself whether it was EKADASI day and found that it was indeed EKADASI DAY. When they went to another ILLAM where the lady was literate she told them to take bath and come for food. When they told her that it was EKADASY DAY she told it was only next day and told them to come for food after bath. The Brahmins took their KAVADI Bag and checked from that ILLAM which was the correct EKADASI DAY and found to their surprise it fell on the next day. Again, they went to KURURAMMA’S ILLAM and checked with their KAVIDI when EKADASI fell, it was showing as on that particular day. Thus Guruvayurappan showered in her all His blessings.

Friends, it will not be out of place for me to tell an incident which happened to me. I went to Guruvayur to have Drarshan of the Great Lord. Since there was heavy rush on that day, I could not get the darshan. Dejected, I sat on one KALYANA MANDAPAM. One person came and asked me as to why I was sitting there in a dejected mood. I told him my plight. He asked me as to what was my name and I told him my name. He also told me that his name was also the same and further told me to stand upon the Kalyana Mandapam and said that I could see from there the Deepaaradhana.I did the same and I could see the Deeparadhana being performed. The person then told me to give way to him so that he could also see it. I gave way to him and to my surprise the person had disappeared. Even I could not thank him. I do not know yet, whether it was LORD Himself or not.

LORD GURUVAURAPPAN’S “MAYA JALA” CANNOT BE COMPLETED BY WORDS DURING THIS BIRTH.
Regard to one and all and Namaskarams