UNLEARNING THE LEARNED KNOWLEDGE

UNLEARNING LEARNED ALREADY

 

In childhood we learned

A variety of things unknown

Some about ghosts and phantoms

Some about the worlds laced in mystery

From our parents we hold dearly

And from our dearest grandparents present

In the household

We are born to.

This knowledge is incomplete

Since in childhood

We’re not so mature enough

To weigh what is right and what is wrong

This learning has to be unlearned

When we reach the next stage of our life cycle

And our understanding and intelligence

In which we can comprehend what is out of date

And full of afflictions

Bereft of any comprehension

Is considered to be discarded

And what to be retained.

For living a life of composure

And a life full of sound purpose

It is better to unlearn the lesson learnt

Which creates impediments

Rather than helps in our further march

For a peaceful living with God’s grace.

UNLEARNING THE LEARNED KNOWLEDGE

The need for unlearning of some aspects of habits that we have already imbibed for use in our day to day life, during our childhood or during our interaction with our close relatives and friends. Some savoir-faire that we get is extremely important for projecting our viewpoint but there are some habits or know-how which, sorry to say, need to be weeded out or unlearned due to these being out of date or may be bordering on uncivilized behavior presently.

This aspect was brought home during my recent rail journey. I was really very disappointed at the tone and tenor and the rude language being used by one of the passengers while explaining about a thing. It was later learned that the concerned passenger (father) was hurling abuses to the other passenger (his own son) in front of others and the son too paid him in the same coin! I felt very surprised, firstly by the use of inappropriate language by the father and subsequently reaction of the son was equally bad thus proving the dictum ‘Like son like father’.  Although I could not intervene at that time since it was a matter between father and his son yet what I could expediently do was to pen down the incident so that this sort of unsavory behavior is highlighted and concerted efforts made for unlearn some habits and behavior patterns considered unethical and sometimes immoral.

In another scenario, if son should have remained mute spectator after abusive tirades on the son and should have fumbled for self esteem and self confidence in real life. It goes to show that the language learnt and used or the behavior or habits we imbibe in our childhood and thereafter impact our lifestyle. Or if the son having paid in the same coin, then we must have denigrated son more than his father or equally to both. Foul language or foul behavior has to be unlearnt the unethical thoughts and knowledge and stop becoming ‘kalyug ka Ravan’ or remove demon like afflictions from our midst. Need is to unlearn the thoughts and knowledge which has taken root in us and adopt new avenues for aspiring for fresh knowledge.

Holy  Quran describes Job as a righteous servant of Allah, who was afflicted by suffering for a lengthy period of time. However, it clearly states that Job never lost faith in God and forever called to God in prayer, asking Him to remove his affliction:

Unlearning too is dependent on the pre-conceived notion that the notions we are having is wrong and require unlearning. It could be on small issues or issues which have far reaching consequences.

The knowledge gained and worth retention is the one which is life centred and stands in good stead for keeping in peace not only individual concerned but also people around him/her. This is for the purpose of spreading light on others.

The conditioning that comes into force in our life during childhood remains indelible in our system. These conditioning may be partially right and partially wrong but during childhood everything is taken as a gospel truth because of lack of discernment. This aspect is compounded when children are surrounded by ignorant elders and other vest interests who do not want the innocent minds to have all round development / grow horizontally and vertically.

BIBLE  PROCLAIMS:Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.  Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

In scientific jargon many theories got changed; for example Quantum theory demolished the earlier held notion of the nature of reality, about philosophies of cause and effect thereto etc.

During our childhood, we are fed with different versions about life, about births and deaths, about hell and heaven, about earth and planets, etc. It solely depends on the knowledge of the parents or more so the grandparents who feed us stories about the ghosts and phantoms to create a fear psychosis in the children to get things done from them or make believe world of living creatures in some planets. Then fables about Chanda Mama and the fables related by our grandmother about the kings and queens and other historical heroes of a nation or others who helped to change the thinking about different aspects of life.

We empty a glass of water in order to refill it and if there is anything which has spoilt its purity of the content, the whole water has to be thrown out. Similar is the case with the knowledge which is stale and obsolete and does not serve any purpose. Knowledge is continuous assimilation and in the process Knowledge has a vast connotation rather than mere collection  or computation of information.  When we construe that we have learned everything, then our learning trajectory becomes bleak.

During our childhood, we are fed with different versions about life, about births and deaths, about hell and heaven, about earth and planets, etc. It solely depends on the knowledge of the parents or more so the grandparents who feed us stories about the ghosts and phantoms to create a fear psychosis in the children to get things done from them or make believe world of living creatures in some planets. Then we all must have heard fables about CHANDA MAMA and the fables of grandmothers who relate old stories about the kings and queens and other historical heroes of a nation or others who helped to change the thinking about different aspects of life.

The conditioning that comes into force in our life during childhood remains indelible in our system. These conditioning may be partially right and partially wrong but during childhood everything is taken as a gospel truth because of lack of discernment. This aspect is compounded when children are surrounded by ignorant elders and other vest interests who do not want the innocent minds to have all round development / grow horizontally and vertically.

The main purpose of karma should be to follow a life of idealism with that the desire and fear and to bring in the dawn of pure freedom with unconditioned mind. A sum total of direct and indirect experiences which condition of mind have to be taken care of. Since illuminating part of the life has to be kept which may help to keep us away from any undue attachments and keep us glued with our mind related desires. It should be remembered that past supports only recreativity of the original creativity and original creativity is fresh and of use.

When we attain adulthood, we meet our peer groups, attend formal and informal institutions for our growth and development, we are constrained to unlearn or unburden ourselves of solid conditioning that happens during the childhood – almost everything that we have lean in the childhood.

After having put our foothold into formal educational institutions, we adopt different stream according to our intelligence thereby acquire the knowledge about 3R – reading, writing and arithmetic’s besides scrubbing off the childhood conditioning.

As far as knowledge, there is no end to it and with the onset of internet revolution, we have access to variety of knowledge with a click of our computer, mobile etc. We can clear our doubts just instantaneously, talk to experts in different fields and quench our thirst for knowledge. Besides, having gained knowledge on different subjects and having specialized ourselves in one subject, we choose our profession to which we are suited.

It is also a fact that KNOWLEDGE is seamless and no limitations or limits. It is so vast and varied. How best to attain knowledge depends on our capability and ambition to get and also what to get? It could be renewed or refreshed on daily basis.In other words it is a continuous process and when we say we learn knowledge from ‘cradle to grave yard’ there is no exaggeration in this saying.  .

We should adopt spiritual inclined way of thinking and acting. A life based purely on dharma and eliminate adharma from our thoughts and behavior. This could be done solely by eliminating the stale and useless thought percepts which afflict or those precepts with life-centred approach..

GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI describes that the focus of the Guru is on purifying the heart and becoming more Life-centred/Naam-centred and realising that the self is part of Life and supported by it, so there is no gain by being self-centred, to the exclusion of others.

 

NAVRATRI FESTIVAL – FESTIVAL WHICH PURIFIES BODY AND MIND AND SOUL: MAY THIS NINE DAYS’ WONDER OF NAVRATRI BRING HAPPINESS AND PEACE FOR ALL- NAVRATRI STARTS WEF 28TH MARCH 2017

NAVRATRI FESTIVAL – FESTIVAL WHICH PURIFIES BODY AND MIND AND SOUL: MAY THIS NINE DAYS’ WONDER OF NAVRATRI BRING HAPPINESS AND PEACE FOR ALL.(WEF 28TH MARCH 2017) – MAY THESE DAYS BRING ABOUT PROSPERITY AND PEACE FOR ALL OF US

NAVRATRI / NAVRATRA

NAVRATRI – NAV means NINE and RATRI means NIGHTS. Prayers and fasting is observed by devout during these nine days. A lighter refreshments of milk made products besides fruits, if taken at all, to keep light and pure in body and mind thus helping an individual to keep the body and mind pure. This also provides the devotees freedom from adulteration and contamination both in body and mind besides purifying still more the eternal soul along with keeping it taint-free of any sort.

All these traits enhance the Karmic Credit and credibility of an individual devotee who observes the fasts and also offers sincere prayers during these days with utmost devotion. The fasts provides lightness to our body purifying our mind provides us an opportunity to devotees in our prayers to Goddess Durga Maa – an embodiment of SHAKTI or power.

Besides observing fasts, devotees organize congregations in the form of fairs and also enact programmes and cultural functions in the form of group dances and devotional songs in praise of Goddess Durga – who is having indomitable power which cannot be reached with ease.

Mention of Lordess Durga has been made in Vedas and Puranas. Durg was a ferocious demon and Durga, the invincible warrior who killed Durg. She is the warrior Goddess since she fought evil and forces which spread death and destruction. She works for demolishing peace and tranquility represented by demonic forces who want to establish their writ and establish the reign of prosperity and goodwill of general masses. She defeats mythical buffalo demon. She is Goddess Parvati also termed as Durga Saptashati – the consort of Lord Shiva. With her prowess, she proved herself to be unbeatable with limitless mystical powers.

For example famous ‘garva dance’ is organized in the state of Gujarat and devotional songs and dance competitions are organized in West Bengal besides prayers in the specially erected and decorated pandals is a usual pheno. People visit the famous temples of Vaishno Devi in Katra (in Jammu province) besides all the temples of Goddess Durga in its different forms / manifestations attract devotees in these nine days.

The main driving force of the Navratri is to purify our thoughts and deeds thereof. In these nine days devout observe strict fasts; remain chaste and desist from telling lies. Wish that people always behave like this all the days!

The first three days are celebrated on the name of Durga Mata – Goddess with immense power. For next three days she is worshipped as spiritual wealth – Mata Lakshmi.

Subsequently for next three days, she is Goddess of wisdom – the Goddess Saraswati. It bestows spiritual enlightenment besides showering an individual with all round success.

It is useful for our benefit to know the importance of each day.

1. First Day. On the first day, Mata Durga is termed as Shailputri – the daughter of Himalaya and the consort of Lord Shiva.

2. Second Day. Mata Durga on the second day is called as Brahmacharini which represents worship. She is the embodiment of huge reserve of power – Shakti.

3. Third Day. On the third day, the Goddess is venerated as Chandraghanta. She is the embodiment of power and beauty.

4. Fourth Day. On the fourth day, Maan Durga is worshipped in the form of Kushmanda – the creator of whole universe by the power of her laughter.

5. Fifth Day. Here on this day, Eskandha – the main warrior of Gods’ army.

6. Sixth Day. On the sixth day, Mataji takes the form of Katyayani with three eyes and four hands – all powerful and with immense grace.

7. Seventh Day. On this day, Maan Durga takes the form of Kalratri – she is shown as black as dark night with four hands and makes the evil doers fearless.

8. Eighth Day. On the eighth day, the Mata Durga takes the form of Maha Gauri – with beauty besides having calmness and exhibits immense wisdom.

9. Nineth Day. On the nineth day, Maan Durga is worshipped as Siddidatri – with all the eight sidhis. In this form, she is worshiped by all.

Benefits of Navratri:-

• Fasts keep our digestive system in fine and helps maintain our body healthy.

• It purifies our mind because we pray Goddess continuously for nine days/nights in the way it is done by Muslims in RAMZAN FASTING.

• Purification of body and mind means spiritually directed conscious mind thus a shift from negativity to positivity

• Congregations in melas etc help in people to people contacts thus animosity, if any, gets obliterated and a feeling of fellow feeling and cooperation sprout.

• Group dances and spiritual song competitions enhance competitive spirits in the youth and also help them direct their latent energies to productive use.

• Devotees, in their zeal to show earnest desire to have total connectivity with Goddess Durgaji, offer singular devotion to Her during these auspicious days, reap the harvest of answering their problems faced and get PEACE OF MIND in their lives as a reward of this worship.

NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

Fact stands out India is a land rich in cultural mores
Here the festivals are galore
Commemorated on certain seasons or occasions
Amongst the venerated festivals in Hindu traditions
Navratri attracts all shades of people for celebrations
Celebrated two times in a year
March-April – as Chaitra Navratri,
October-November – as the Shradha Navratri.
Nav-ratri is the created from two Hindi expressions
‘Nav’ meaning nine
And ‘ratri’ meaning night
Related to Goddess Durga – the Warrior
Attired in mesmerizing dress in red colour
Mounted on the lion so ferocious
Navratri too is linked with fertility of land
Folks observe the fitness of earth
By testing seeds germination in pots earthen
Folks also observe fasting rigidly
And keep themselves chaste
In words and in deeds indeed.

Legends abound about Navratri.

Meheshsura the demon king worshipped Lord Shiva
Who grants him the boon of invincibility even from Gods
Starts killing people most innocent
And even acquired the Seven Lokas by force
Including the kingdom of Indira.
To annihilate the powerful Maheshsura
The Trinity & other Gods confabulated after all
For creating a power supreme for defeating the demon
Created Ma Shakti – Mother the most powerful one
Or Durga, the Warrior Goddess, the invincible.
The war between Maheshasur and Durga the Mother Divine
Lasted for days nine
On day tenth She killed the demon
Navratri hence symbolizes the victory of good over evil

On (9th day) Mahanavami nine young girls are worshiped
As Nine Forms of Durga Goddess
And gifted food and new dresses.

Another legend has it
King Daksha the King of Himalayan Kingdom
Was blessed with a daughter
He named her Uma – the most beautiful one
She worshipped Lord Shiva immeasurably
So that He accepts her in marriage easily
Having pleased Lord Shiva
Thus He marries Uma
Against the wishes of King Dhaksha
One day King Dhaksha held a grand Yagna
All Gods except Shiva were invited
Uma wanted to attend
Yagna with Lord Shiva’s reservation even
And against His wishes
King Daksha reprimanded her for coming uninvited
In huge anger she jumps into Agni Kund (Fire-grate) and perished
And was thus termed as Sati
Madev as Virbadhara took King Daksha task for this
On rebirth (as Parbati) she marries Lord Shiva again
She comes to Her parents to stay for Nine Days
And thus we celebrate these Nine Days as Navratri.

Another Legend also has it that Lord Rama
Worshipped Goddess Durga’s
Nine Forms for nine days
On day tenth He was able to kill powerful demon king Ravana
Thus day tenth is celebrated as Vijaydakshmi
First three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga
In the form of child; young girl and mature woman
The three varied stages of womanhood
Symbolizing victory of evil over evil and falsehood
Next three days are dedicated to Goddess of Wealth & Prosperity
Her name is Goddess Lakshmi
She symbolizes wealth; peace and prosperity
Last three days are commemorated in the name of Goddess Saraswati
The Goddess of knowledge
In snowy white dress
Mounted on a white swan, so splendid

Thus Navratri is the symbol of purity

Which makes people to donate thus proving their piety

 

ON ENVY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

ON  ENVY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

While writing this write up, I asked my grand-daughter whether she felt envious of her classmate who stood first in the class. She unwillingly replied in affirmative. Then I further asked her the reason their feeling of enviousness. She very innocently replied that all the teachers adore her, because she not only excels in academics but also in co-curricular activities. She further continued that, surprisingly, ask her opinions about some important matters concerning class; like how to keep the class room neat and clean, choosing the historical places to be visited for getting firsthand knowledge of these places, debates to be or declamation etc. All the classmates want to emulate her; which doubtlessly is an healthy trend. From her, I came to know that there are the ones who feel hateful towards her and would like to harm her. One day, one classmate stole her English Notebook when the same was required for checking and for that this poor girl was reproved from the concerned teacher. This proves that envy could be positive emotion and negative with disastrous emotion.

BIBLE PROCLAIMS: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

When we see somebody outperforming us or excelling us, in business or studies in comparison with us, the emotional tinge that we have is termed as envy. This enviousness towards others becomes a bone of contention between two parties hence impeding forward movement. Envy brings about dissatisfaction and disaffection or hostility between the two individuals or groups of individuals.  It is obviously a negative in nature and need is to nip it in the bud itself.

HOLY  QURAN MENTIONS THAT: Envy is a nasty disease of the heart that leads to bad conduct and behavior, all of which are sins and evils. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Envy could be healthy too. When a student has a feeling of enviousness towards his fellow classmate who is better than him / her in studies. The concerned students too puts in his/her best and consequently improves through hard work. I think this sort of envy, which propels us to work more for a better result is skewed towards positivism / inspirational in nature and is welcome sign. This is benevolent in nature.

On the other hand, if we feel envy towards others and create still more animosity and ill-will thus impacting relationship between the two parties. If something concrete is not done within fixed timeframe, this negative envy could worsen the matters leading to creation of huge gulf between the parties concerned. We know how the envy proved bad for Kauravas and Pandavas. Dharyodhana envied the prosperity of their cousins Kauravas which lead to war between the two in the battlefield of Kurukshetra resulting in bloodbath for both the  armies and final defeat of Kauravas. This envious emotions could be termed as wicked or malicious in nature with negative consequences ultimately.

In another epic, Ramyana too, envy or jealousy played a predominant for exile of Lord Rama. When the news of Rama being crowned the kind of Ayodhya by King Dashratha,  Manthra the dasi (maid servant) poisoned queen Kaikeyi’s ears against this proposal of the king. The queen reminded the king of two promises of the king which he had given him while she saved him from a tragic accident and with this she wanted firstly 14 years’ exile for Rama and secondly to crown her son Bharata as the king. This proves that envy could spell unpredictable consequences in the long run. Here even very close relationships could also snap because of rampant envy for others.

True happiness in our relationship could be ensured if we use enviousness positively to stitch our relationships with positive attitude and do not let this emotion break the thin thread of rapport. The need is perceptional change which is required under the changed condition and situation.

It is now evident that it is best course to control our emotions and prevent our sentiments turning into malignant disease eating into our system from within. It is equivalent to any other negative trait like anger or annoyance, disgust or abhorrence etc. 

How best to rid ourselves of the specter of envy, it is in the fitness of things to control our negative emotions when it is about to overwhelm us and turn our attention to some other positive thought.

Spiritual thinking could transform negativity into positivity by adopting optimistic approach besides try to aspire for God connectivity through focused meditation and prayers.

In Bhagwa Gita, it has rightly been said lack of or absence of envy leads to purity in body and soul, creates discipline in us, enhances honesty, a feeling of truthfulness, creates conditions for peace, modesty, patience and above all an eternal feeling of equanimity in happy and sad occasions.

AFFECTS OF ENVY ON US:-

(a)   ENVY AND ITS AFFECT ON OUR FAMILY FABRIC. The brew of greed with envy can cause havoc in the families. While there goes a saying ‘blood is thicker than water’, but in actual practice, greed and envy have far reaching destabilizing affects. Recently punishment has been awarded to a person in Agra (UP state) in which a man was sentenced to death by the court for murdering his brother’s children aged between 2 to five years  and his sister for a small piece of land.. The reason being that he did not want to share the land with his relatives. There are so many cases like this wherein the families are being broken apart due to envy, anger and greed. These three are also becoming cause of break-ups between couples. The gender bias between male and female child also creates a feeling of envy which eventually impacts growth of the girl child.

(b)  ENVY AT WORK PLACE. We must have observed the workplace envy, bordering on rivalry and maliciousness  between the colleagues in order the usurp each others’ space in this competitive world for garnering more attention and ensuring his/her promotion in the hierarchy. In return, it creates bad blood between the staff members and anybody can guess its implication; inter-personal relations gets affected, internal democracy gets affected, goodwill gets reduced, tangible services and production for the organization gets depleted etc.

(d)   ENVY BETWEEN THE COMPANIES VYING FOR SPACE. There is a cut throat competition between companies so as to make its presence felt in the market. No company wants to be left out in this competitive world. For instance after the launch of JIO by Reliance Company, they have overtaken other players  in the market. Yet their success or otherwise will hinge on the customer’s choice finally after they start payment for amount of satisfaction they will get after they actually start paying for the services given by JIO. Similar is the case with other companies. Here competitive pressure will force the companies to explore various means to give their best services by giving synergies to their respective companies  thus providing the best services

 (e) ENVY BETWEEN RELIGIOUS GROUPS. We all know that religion is a binding force to ensure connectivity with God but unfortunately here too the feeling of ‘holier than thou’ attitude has taken root. The consequences of it all is here to see. The fanatic and extreme feelings have engulfed our societies with disastrous results. Extreme feelings by any community on the name of religion is bad and must be nipped. What is the fault of the people who get maimed by the bombs and bullets of these unscrupulous people.

SIMPLICITY IN OUR LIFE

SIMPLICITY IN OUR LIFE

For eternal joy

So mechanical and showy

Is the creation of our conditioned mind  which wanders wildly

In the of wilderness

Of false identifications

With worldly possessions

In search of elusive happiness

Factually living in an infected reality.

 

Genuine calmness

Mixed with charm

Could be attained

When we adopt

Simplicity as our attitude

In our daily life activities

For establishing a kingdom of peace

Within our being itself.

 

It is the simplicity

Of our unadulterated being within

Simple but pure and plain

Even with all the symptoms of awareness

Which makes a person pure internally

But looks quite simple externally

Also, simpletons are dear to our Creator

Simply because they’re simple characters.

ON SIMPLICITY

Simplicity means; following a way of living which is bereft of any complications, ease with which to conduct our self, to please with your etiquette and not to antagonize others. We assuage others’ frayed feelings with ease and make them live in peace. Everybody comes across people who could make difference in our life with their positive approach and modest attitude. There are ones who transform us and make paradigm change in our life. They not only uplift our present state of  being but also impact our future life too. These people are accessible, compassionate, easy to be dealt with. Simple souls come to the succor of others when others are at the height of upsurge of emotions due to some looming danger. Instead of fleeing from the challenging situation such compassionate lots confront these problems head on with their simple but confident demeanours for others. If they meet success, it is OK for them but if they meet failure, they do not tarry from the path. They are firm conviction, failure does not mean denial for not trying again.

SPIRITUALITY AND SIMPLICITY

True worshiper (Bhakta) is the one who is simple in his attitude, simple in his meditation (Bhakati), simple in his/her Karma (Process of action and reaction thereof with respect to physical, mental and spiritual aspects)  simple in his thought (Vichar), simple in his preaching (Pravachan), and above all being humble (Vinamr) to the core.

GURU NANAK DEV JI stressed a life of simplicity and piety and also declared that if you are wise then be simple.

BEING AT EASE

Being at ease while doing something, not being complicated in order to alleviate somebody pain rather than putting fuel into it, while explaining anything, being simple in manner, being effortless in dealing. Others may like to deal with you for your ease of doing business

IN HOLY  QURAN it has been mentioned: God wishes ease and not hardship for you. God wishes to lighten your difficulties, for humans are created weak.

Simple meditation with simple mantras can make much difference. Simple method in connectivity with god can transcend conscious levtel and makes us possible for self awareness. On the other hand when if we make meditation practice more complex then spiritual journey becomes that more difficult and time consuming exercise. Person can travel from various states from consciousness to sub-consciousness to super-consciousness with ease.

IN BHAGWAD GITA IT HAS BEEN CLEARLY MENTIONED : Worship of the Supreme Lord, the Brahmins, the spiritual master, the wise, and the elders—when this is done with the observance of cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy, and non-violence—is declared as the austerity of the body.

 if our prayers are simple and understandable then everything happens with ease and in peace. Each stage being refined and purposeful. The state of peace, satisfaction, love and silence becomes deeper in each stage. We are then able to differentiate between ourselves and our Creator. This also makes it possible for revolution in our body, mind (Manas), intellect (Budhi) and ego (Ahankar). 

IN THE HOLY BIBLE IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED: For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

SIMPLE LIVING MEANS LIVING WITH HIGH VALUES

Simplification in living hardly means that we drown ourselves to the nadir or stoop to a lowest ebb simply because humans have been bestowed with the power of discrimination.  We should not become so sour that nobody likes us but should not become so sweet that people in general, including those who take undue advantage on us, take us to ride. By simple living with high value thoughts, we can influence others more thus make a mark.  When we become rigid / unbending in our attitude then our expansion gets slowed down or retarded thus we cannot attract others towards us thus becoming narrow in our outlook. In this way we remain confined in our attitude – ostensibly closing all the doors of positive change thus putting a stop on our self awareness.  On the other hand, if we become flexible / bendable in our thoughts and karma, in essence, it gives us opportunity to become  a centre of attention or attraction amongst  the community we are living. This way we can change ourselves positively – evolution being the main plank of our life. Swimming with the current gives us wherewithal to change for better while swimming against the current is fraught with dangers and contradictions. This way our consciousness does not expand.

WE ARE OURSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING OUR LIFE SIMPLE OR COMPLEX

In fact, we are responsible for our own state of condition. It is through knowing others needs, seeking the ways and means for resolution of others’ needs and subsequently partaking and serving the need to end in fulfillment.

The fact stands out that we are responsible for our own life. It should never be forgotten that whatever we transact comes back to us in equal measure. If we harbor animosity, show arrogance, hate others, be jealous or envy, then it would be returned back to us in equal measure. it would be returned back to us. First of all, we have look inward to know our needs, having first known those needs, we can understand others’ needs as well. Just making other person person to assess his/her need.

We can endeavour to make others’ life simple with our personal efforts but for this, we ourselves have to undergo some hardship. It is not attained through wishful thinking. The other day,I had an experience how we can make others’ life from edgy to easy or comfortable by our personal involvement or by suffering some pangs ourselves. Last week, I had gone to my home town Jammu. My wife too accompanied me during this journey. During our journey back to Delhi, we traveled by train from Jammu to Delhi. Our train reached at about 11:15 PM. It was raining cats and dogs when our train reached Delhi Railway Station. I wanted to hire some mode of transport from Railway Station to our residence. One of the cab drivers approached us and en whether we would agree if he took along one lady passenger; we readily agreed.

It took more than one hour more to reach to our residence simply because the said lady was dropped at her residence first. If we had not agreed to take that lady and hired some other cab then that driver must have waited for more time for other passengers, otherwise the lady concerned would have paid full cab fare to reach her destination. Also, she was little skeptical to travel alone because of security of a lone lady passenger – unpredictability of the drivers, owing to the fear psychosis prevailing and that too at night. We can make others life simply easy by putting us in some unease. We can, therefore, make put others at ease by taking their burden on us.

Simplicity could be summarized as:-

• Solving complex problems by adopting simple mundane methods preferably by looking inward for solution.

• Be not get scared stiff and bogged down by the daily challenges, face these with confidence and fortitude and need be do not shy away from taking others’ help.

• Keeping away from ego engulfing us but simply thank God for  whatever is we’ve been graced with.

• Making others’ life easy should be our motto.

• We should undertake simple prayers with simple mantra for optimum results and ensure connectivity with our Bhagwanji.

 

 

HOLI THE HOLY FESTIVAL

HOLI THE HOLY FESTIVAL

 

When body, mind and soul are coloured together

In the hue of our  eternal Creator

Then a warm reaction of love is created

Along with a flood of feelings

Of oneness and togetherness in every beings

Where there is no differences based on odd considerations

Like age, sex, colour, caste or religions

Everything loses its relevance

What actually remains

Are the likings for each others

Mixed with emotions

With varieties of colours

Whosoever meets us on the street corner

Corners us with colours

Reddish, yellowish or bluish in tint

Charming us in the its enchantment

Mesmerizing us with colour’s touch

Having deep meaning

If we care to fathom its import

These colours can transform hostility

Between neighbours with a drop of colour  

O Creators of ours
Imbue us in Thy indelible Colour
Thy colour touches our heart’s chords
Including every atoms of our body
Made of five elements which die
(Ether, earth, water, air & fire)
On the death of our mortal body
Only Thy colour and our Soul last
Manmade colours just fade away and are lost
After a few hours have passed.

A spirit of Spring Festival springs in all,
Scattering joy and hope everywhere,
Nature too is in its finest attire – so colourful,
When Mother Nature is at its best,

All around greenery prevails,
There is fragrance of blooming flowers,
With Full Moon as though it is chipping in, too,

To enhance the charm of colours which thrives,
To share the fun and joy of the people around.

Different people celebrate Holi with different style,
But the common thread of celebration remains alike,
People prepare special sweets to welcome their dear folks,
Shopkeepers & women are busiest lots,
Bestowing magnetism to their living places,
Bonhomie pervades wheresoever’s our eyes could survey,
Abuzz with activity mixed with rainbow of colour rio,.
Scenes at the market places are indeed mesmeric.

Legend has it that a mighty and conceited,
Demon King Hiranyakashyap prided his prowess the most,
He wanted his subjects to worship him in place of God above,
Virtuous Prahlad, his own son agreed not,
Being a staunch devotee of Lord of Preservation – Lord Vishnu,
The King wanted his son to be put to sword – very soon,
For not obeying his dictates,
Different methods were used to kill but in vain.

Hiranyakashyap had a sister named Holika,
Blessed with a boon of not being burnt by blazing fire,
Both were made to enter a bonfire at full fury,
Thinking fire will harm her not due to boon to her,
But just opposite ensued,
Prahlad came unscathed with grace of Lord Vishnu,
Whilst Holika met her end most tragic.

Legend too has it that Lord Krishana played holi with his beloved Gopies,
To shower love and affection with the shower of colours.

Holi celebrated at Vrindavan, Mathura,
And Bursana is so matchless even today,
Showing the thread of that time remains in fact intact,
People light a bonfire on the night before Holi Day,
With devout heart brimming with bliss,
Celebrate triumph of good over evil,
And also remember how devotion to Lord gets rewarded.
People play with variety of colours,
Intoxicated with joy of the day,
Pour coloured water to each other,
Songs, dance and beats on the drums abound everywhere,
People exchange greetings and pray to God for His bounties.

O God, let the humans not shower bullets at each other

Spilling blood of the hapless in the process

Which may distance us from one another

But rather with a blood-red colour of HOLI

Spreading feeling of brotherhood

Which may engender love for each other  

Along with amity and wellbeing, in the humanity as a whole

Our prayers to Thee our Lord – the Love One
Do colour us all in Thy Holy colour
So that peace and harmony spreads amongst all

Let this be the message of this Holy Holi.

 

The festival of Holi has a mention in Vedas and Puranas (Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana). Archeologists have excavated a stone pertaining to 300 BC on  which there is an inscription of word ‘Holikotsav’ which means Holi. Even the ancient paintings there is a mention of Holi festival.

 

While aspiring for material and sensual objects, people become attached to these. Such attachments develop lust and lust generates anger and other baser traits. Anger leads to delusion and delusion leads to mental disorientation. When the mind is bewildered, wisdom is the victim. Loss of wisdom leads  downfall of an individual.
 

Holi is an old cultural festival. It is a festival of colour. Its mention is there in Puranas. Poet Kalidasa, in 4^th century, under the rule of Chandragupta II also mentions about the importance of Holi.

 

Holi festival signifies the victory of good over evil. It also signifies the end of winter and arrival of pleasant spring. It is a festival when people forget their differences and thus mend their ruptured relationships. It is celebrated at the approach of Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon).

 

The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in February end or early March. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of ‘good’ over ‘bad’. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renew sweet relationships. On this day, people hug and wish each other ‘Happy Holi’.

 

There is a symbolic legend attached with this. There was a demon king named Hiranyakashap. This demon king did hard penance due to which he got a boon that no human could kill him at day time or at night time. This made him very haughty and egotistical besides excessively arrogant. So much so was he drunk with pride that he passed an order that henceforth nobody would pray God in his kingdom. People should rather pray him in place of God.

 

He ruled his people with iron hand. Not even the hermits were spared. Those who disobeyed his orders were meted out huge punishments or handed out death penalty. He had a son by the name of Prahlada. He used to worship Lord Vishnu. The demon king felt very furious when he found that his own son was   disobeying his orders hence he gave him the alternative – either he should worship him or face death penalty after giving various severe punishments which did not deter Prahladha.

 

Then Holika the Hiranyakashap’s sister, evil in her intentions offered herself to sit in the bonfire (pyre) with Prahladha; knowing fully well that she would not be harmed because of her special cloak which made her immune to fire. Subsequently, the two entered the roaring fire. Hiranyakashap felt assured that no harm would result to his sister because of protection but his son would meet his end.

 

After the fire subsided, all felt including Hiranyakashap surprised that Holika got perished in the fire that engulfed her despite her protective cloak but due to the protection and grace of Lord Vishnu, he survived!

 

Holi was driven from the name Holika. Holika represents/personifies evil and its burning is the end of evil.  Prbladha personifies goodness.

 

HOLIKA DAHAN

One day before Holi, especially after sunset, the pyre is lit, called as Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People gather around the fire, sing and dance at the beats of drums. It may have different names in different part of the country but the spirit of the festival is the same – a colourful one.

 

Holi dahan also signifies burning of our excessive desires. It is for bringing about a balance in our desires by putting an end to our greed and base internal yearning (Kaama dahan) – our conquest over our evil or carnal instincts which have made residency in our mind and rely more on detachment from our action. 

 

In this context, it is relevant to mention the Bhagwad Gita :
Lord Krishna teaches detachment:  While one gives up all his material desires meant for satisfaction of the senses, one who lives freeing from desires and gives up his false ego attains the state of peace and calm. 

 

Subsequently, at the day time, people celebrate this as a sign of victory of good over evil by sprinkling either the coloured water or dry colour (gulal) of various coul. A real rainbow of colour! In the evening, people, after proper wash, go to their friends and relatives and partake sweets prepared at their homes.  

 

It has also been seen that on Holi festival, people forget and forgive their old enmity and animosity and establish new relationship with each other. It has been seen that people from all religions participate in this festival. It looks as though all have been imbued and coloured with happiness and goodwill for each other. If such an idea fructifies then there would not be any ill-will for anybody in the society in general.

 

Holi has special significance in Braj i.e. in Mathura and Vindraban region, the birth place of Lord Krishna. Women-folks playfully hit their men-folks with sticks. This act of theirs is called lath mar holi. Here men are constrained to save themselves from their blows with the help of a shields.  There is a air of festivities around in the entire Braj region during this festival spanning for days together. It is a spectacle in real sense of term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLI THE HOLY FESTIVAL (WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLI- MAY THIS FESTIVAL COLOUR US ALL IN HIS COLOUR)

HOLI THE HOLY FESTIVAL

(WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLI- MAY THIS FESTIVAL COLOUR US ALL IN HIS COLOUR)

 

When body, mind and soul are coloured together

In the hue of our  eternal Creator

Then a warm reaction of love is created

Along with a flood of feelings

Of oneness and togetherness in every beings

Where there is no differences based on odd considerations

Like age, sex, colour, caste or religions

Everything loses its relevance

What actually remains

Are the likings for each others

Mixed with emotions

With varieties of colours

Whosoever meets us on the street corner

Corners us with colours

Reddish, yellowish or bluish in tint

Charming us in the its enchantment

Mesmerizing us with colour’s touch

Having deep meaning

If we care to fathom its import

These colours can transform hostility

Between neighbours with a drop of colour  

O Creators of ours
Imbue us in Thy indelible Colour
Thy colour touches our heart’s chords
Including every atoms of our body
Made of five elements which die
(Ether, earth, water, air & fire)
On the death of our mortal body
Only Thy colour and our Soul last
Manmade colours just fade away and are lost
After a few hours have passed.

A spirit of Spring Festival springs in all,
Scattering joy and hope everywhere,
Nature too is in its finest attire – so colourful,
When Mother Nature is at its best,

All around greenery prevails,
There is fragrance of blooming flowers,
With Full Moon as though it is chipping in, too,

To enhance the charm of colours which thrives,
To share the fun and joy of the people around.

Different people celebrate Holi with different style,
But the common thread of celebration remains alike,
People prepare special sweets to welcome their dear folks,
Shopkeepers & women are busiest lots,
Bestowing magnetism to their living places,
Bonhomie pervades wheresoever’s our eyes could survey,
Abuzz with activity mixed with rainbow of colour rio,.
Scenes at the market places are indeed mesmeric.

Legend has it that a mighty and conceited,
Demon King Hiranyakashyap prided his prowess the most,
He wanted his subjects to worship him in place of God above,
Virtuous Prahlad, his own son agreed not,
Being a staunch devotee of Lord of Preservation – Lord Vishnu,
The King wanted his son to be put to sword – very soon,
For not obeying his dictates,
Different methods were used to kill but in vain.

Hiranyakashyap had a sister named Holika,
Blessed with a boon of not being burnt by blazing fire,
Both were made to enter a bonfire at full fury,
Thinking fire will harm her not due to boon to her,
But just opposite ensued,
Prahlad came unscathed with grace of Lord Vishnu,
Whilst Holika met her end most tragic.

Legend too has it that Lord Krishana played holi with his beloved Gopies,
To shower love and affection with the shower of colours.

Holi celebrated at Vrindavan, Mathura,
And Bursana is so matchless even today,
Showing the thread of that time remains in fact intact,
People light a bonfire on the night before Holi Day,
With devout heart brimming with bliss,
Celebrate triumph of good over evil,
And also remember how devotion to Lord gets rewarded.
People play with variety of colours,
Intoxicated with joy of the day,
Pour coloured water to each other,
Songs, dance and beats on the drums abound everywhere,
People exchange greetings and pray to God for His bounties.

O God, let the humans not shower bullets at each other

Spilling blood of the hapless in the process

Which may distance us from one another

But rather with a blood-red colour of HOLI

Spreading feeling of brotherhood

Which may engender love for each other  

Along with amity and wellbeing, in the humanity as a whole

Our prayers to Thee our Lord – the Love One
Do colour us all in Thy Holy colour
So that peace and harmony spreads amongst all

Let this be the message of this Holy Holi.

 

The festival of Holi has a mention in Vedas and Puranas (Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana). Archeologists have excavated a stone pertaining to 300 BC on  which there is an inscription of word ‘Holikotsav’ which means Holi. Even the ancient paintings there is a mention of Holi festival.

 

While aspiring for material and sensual objects, people become attached to these. Such attachments develop lust and lust generates anger and other baser traits. Anger leads to delusion and delusion leads to mental disorientation. When the mind is bewildered, wisdom is the victim. Loss of wisdom leads  downfall of an individual.

Holi is an old cultural festival. It is a festival of colour. Its mention is there in Puranas. Poet Kalidasa, in 4^th century, under the rule of Chandragupta II also mentions about the importance of Holi.

Holi festival signifies the victory of good over evil. It also signifies the end of winter and arrival of pleasant spring. It is a festival when people forget their differences and thus mend their ruptured relationships. It is celebrated at the approach of Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon).

The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in February end or early March. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of ‘good’ over ‘bad’. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renew sweet relationships. On this day, people hug and wish each other ‘Happy Holi’.

There is a symbolic legend attached with this. There was a demon king named Hiranyakashap. This demon king did hard penance due to which he got a boon that no human could kill him at day time or at night time. This made him very haughty and egotistical besides excessively arrogant. So much so was he drunk with pride that he passed an order that henceforth nobody would pray God in his kingdom. People should rather pray him in place of God.

He ruled his people with iron hand. Not even the hermits were spared. Those who disobeyed his orders were meted out huge punishments or handed out death penalty. He had a son by the name of Prahlada. He used to worship Lord Vishnu. The demon king felt very furious when he found that his own son was   disobeying his orders hence he gave him the alternative – either he should worship him or face death penalty after giving various severe punishments which did not deter Prahladha.

Then Holika the Hiranyakashap’s sister, evil in her intentions offered herself to sit in the bonfire (pyre) with Prahladha; knowing fully well that she would not be harmed because of her special cloak which made her immune to fire. Subsequently, the two entered the roaring fire. Hiranyakashap felt assured that no harm would result to his sister because of protection but his son would meet his end.

After the fire subsided, all felt including Hiranyakashap surprised that Holika got perished in the fire that engulfed her despite her protective cloak but due to the protection and grace of Lord Vishnu, he survived!

Holi was driven from the name Holika. Holika represents/personifies evil and its burning is the end of evil.  Prbladha personifies goodness.

HOLIKA DAHAN

One day before Holi, especially after sunset, the pyre is lit, called as Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil. People gather around the fire, sing and dance at the beats of drums. It may have different names in different part of the country but the spirit of the festival is the same – a colourful one.

Holi dahan also signifies burning of our excessive desires. It is for bringing about a balance in our desires by putting an end to our greed and base internal yearning (Kaama dahan) – our conquest over our evil or carnal instincts which have made residency in our mind and rely more on detachment from our action.

In this context, it is relevant to mention the Bhagwad Gita :

Lord Krishna teaches detachment:  While one gives up all his material desires meant for satisfaction of the senses, one who lives freeing from desires and gives up his false ego attains the state of peace and calm.

Subsequently, at the day time, people celebrate this as a sign of victory of good over evil by sprinkling either the coloured water or dry colour (gulal) of various coul. A real rainbow of colour! In the evening, people, after proper wash, go to their friends and relatives and partake sweets prepared at their homes.

It has also been seen that on Holi festival, people forget and forgive their old enmity and animosity and establish new relationship with each other. It has been seen that people from all religions participate in this festival. It looks as though all have been imbued and coloured with happiness and goodwill for each other. If such an idea fructifies then there would not be any ill-will for anybody in the society in general.

 

Holi has special significance in Braj i.e. in Mathura and Vindraban region, the birth place of Lord Krishna. Women-folks playfully hit their men-folks with sticks. This act of theirs is called lath mar holi. Here men are constrained to save themselves from their blows with the help of a shields.  There is a air of festivities around in the entire Braj region during this festival spanning for days together. It is a spectacle in real sense of term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOMEN – YOU ARE THE GREATEST

WOMEN – YOU ARE THE GREATEST

(TODAY IS WOMEN DAY)

 

Her day starts in the wee hours in the morn,

Waking herself, preparing herself for home chores,

And for the day’s drudgery in the right earnest,

Prepares milk or feed for the tiny tots,

Followed by morning tea or breakfast for the kin entire,

This over, but her work has just not over,

Then homework for going to work starts,

As she has to add-on the family’s funds,

To meet increased needs due to price hikes,

She rises to the occasion without any concern for herself,

And is all set to increase the kitty of folks,

To eke out extra funds for them,

For needs of shelter, schooling et al,

So that their present is better than days gone by,

The one who was known to run a home as a homemaker,

Is now capable to run an office with flair,

In this process she faces challenges,

Both at the field at home,

And in the workplace, with composure intact,

With insight and with diplomacy at her command,

She excels in many a ways in comparison to her men counterparts,

Moves files and what it takes,

Moves on the ladder of career devoid of crutches,

Catches on the trend in the market and at workplace,

She gets used to everything with ease,

At workplace or in the cockpit of a plane,

She plainly is in the best of her elements,

Even those who used to call her weaker gender,

Are constrained to have a second opinion about her,

Their mindset have gone a sea change for her,

After looking at the tenacity and courage of the woman the next door,

And in their own home and hearth,

This creation of my Creator feels equal to the occasion at home front,

And excels, in many ways, in the office front,

Confronting the animal of intricacy with ease

at her command,

My profuse salute to thee for keeping alive our races,

But also race hard to win the battles at home and out of office.

HARBANS KHAJURIA