\SAMVAD श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN
Kartik Shukla 8, Vik. Samvat 2075 Yugabda 5120: 16 November 2018
1. FESTIVALS: Diwali , the festival of lights was celebrated with all the fervor and gaiety not only across Bharat but across the globe wherever Bharatiyas reside. Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi reached Harsil near the Bharat-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel on November 7. Greeting the jawans on the occasion, Pradhan Mantri ji said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Bharatiyas. In the morning, Pradhan Mantriji offered prayers at Kedarnath temple before closure of its portal.
Swarna Mandir at Amritsar celebrated Diwali with fireworks and an LED light show as Bandi Chhor Diwas or prisoner liberation day. On this day, the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, returned to Amritsar after being released along with 52 princes from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir from the Gwalior prison in 1619. The Ayodhya Deepotsav 2018 made its way into the Guinness Book of World Record after 301,152 diyas, or earthen lamps, were lit on November 6, the eve of Diwali, at ‘Ram Ki Paidi’ on the banks of River Sarayu. A massive 30-feet statue of Bhagwan Ram was also installed on the banks of Saryu on the occasion. South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook, who was the chief guest at the event, began her tour by offering tribute at the Queen Heo Memorial. Kim visited the site, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, and attended a ground-breaking ceremony for upgrade and beautification of the memorial dedicated to the legendary princess of Ayodhya who went to Korea. Later, Kim garlanded ‘Sita’ and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Adityanath welcomed Bhagwan Ram and Laxman by garlanding them as they descended from the helicopter at the banks of Saryu. Dressed in a pastle green saree, the First Lady said that the light gave the power to fight injustice in the society. “There is slogan in South Korea that light leads to prosperity and on the eve of the festival of light your faces are aglow with happiness which is a sign of a prosperous nation,” she added.
US President Donald Trump lit a traditional Diwali lamp in the Roosevelt Room at White House on November 13, calling Bharatiays ‘very, very special people’. In Victoria province of Canada, Premier John Horgan lit a diya at the legislature hall. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator John Cornyn, who is co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, also wished Bharatiyas a happy Diwali. Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris wished Bharatiyas a ‘Happy Diwali’.
The 1,250 ft high iconic Empire State Building in New York City, one of the tallest in the world was lit orange in celebration of Diwali. The United Nations Postal System issued stamps in the $1.15 denomination with 'Diyas' to mark the celebration of Diwali.
Diwali was celebrated in a joyful fashion at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in New Zealand by Bharatiya students and staff, including several international students. Thousands of revelers poured into Artesia Park on November 3 to attend the annual ‘Diwali Festival,’ hosted by the Federation of Indian American Associations and the City of Artesia in California. Congressman Luis Correa, who was among the dignitaries present at the event, wished everyone present a “Happy Diwali,” adding that he was looking forward to working with the Bharatiya American community. Thousands celebrated it at Balboa Park, San Diego, California and Sugarland Texas. -GoTop
2. The Princess from Ayodhya who became the Queen of Korea: The legend of Princess Suriratna continues to connect Bharat and Korea after two millennia; cultural unity transcends the geographical distance. According to the legend, Princess Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok, went to Korea in 48 AD, some 2000 years ago, and started the Karak dynasty by marrying a local king. A popular South Korean book comprising fables and historical stories, Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), mentions that Queen Hwang ok was the princess of "Ayuta" kingdom. The royal couple prospered. They had 10 sons. An anthropologist named Kim Byung-mo Ayuta appeared to confirm the widely held belief that Ayuta was actually Ayodhya, as the two names are phonetically similar. Every year people who claim to be from the queen's lineage come to Ayodhya to pay tribute to the princess at her motherland. In 2016, a Korean delegation sent a proposal to the Uttar Pradesh government to further develop the memorial. Queen Suriratna's story has been and can be the "foundation for building better relations" between South Korea and Bharat. -GoTop
3. Giant ‘Diya’ ushers in Diwali in guyana: Diwali, was ushered in on November 4 night at Rahaman’s Park, Greater Georgetown, with the illumination of a giant diya created by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS).The diya is touted as the country’s National Diya and this is the fourth National Diya created by the HSS. Along with the creation of the diya, there was a cultural evening of dances, skits and music to portray the significance of the national holiday. There is an ‘Om’ at the top of the structure, which represents Hinduism. Youths of the HSS spent about three weeks, sometimes working until 1 0’clock in the mornings to get the design perfected. Bharat’s High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam said, “The most important significance of Diwali is the spirit of togetherness.” -GoTop
4. Citizen groups must hold netas accountable – DR mohan BHAGWAT: RSS Sarasanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that people's organizations have a role to play in holding accountable those in power and should not become subservient to authority. Speaking at an event in New Delhi on November 10, organized to commemorate veteran RSS pracharak Dattopant Thengadi, founder of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bhagwat said the governing system has to work as per the Constitution and vigilant citizens led by "Lok Sangathan" (people's organizations) will have to ensure it. Bhagwat said there could be individuals in power who want to bring about change but were bogged down by flaws in the system. "Changing the system will come from awakening people and strengthening people's organization and from such people who shun power...this is what Dattopant Thengadi believed in," he said. Speaking about the life of Thengadi, Bhagwat said that everyone should follow his life. "We have to see his (Thengadi) life as per his ideology. We also have to see what emotions he filled in the organizations. -GoTop
5. HSS VIJAYADASHMI UTSAV IN KENYA: A march past consisting of 125 participants including the band commenced at Ram Mandir in Parklands and en route Jamhuri High School on October 28 and passed various important religious landmarks like East Africa Satsang Temple, Jain Shwetamber Munisuvratswami Temple, Shree Vishwakarma Mandir, Mangal Mandir and Shri Digamber Jain Mumukshu Temple etc. Demonstrations of Yoga, Martial Arts & Dumbells (Women’s Wing – mixed age groups), Yoga by BalGokulam (3 – 6 year old children) and Surya Namaskar by all were the highlights at the Vijayadashmi Utsav organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh – Kenya at Jamhuri High School, Nairobi. Chief Guest, Shri Sathyamoorthy Rajagopalan addressed the gathering with appreciation and touched on the importance and meaning of Vijaya Dashmi. -GoTop
6. You are Bharat's cultural ambassadors: VENKaIAH NAIDU: Upa-rashtrapati M. Venkaiah Naidu interacted with the Bharatiya community in Botswana's Gaborone town on 1st November and called them "Bharat's cultural ambassadors.""You have ventured out into the global arena and made a mark. I would suggest that you should also look at how you can contribute to the exciting growth story unfolding in India today," Upa-rashtrapati ji said."You are India's cultural ambassadors and the world sees you as the representatives of Indian values and way of life," he added. -GoTop
7. HSS Balagokulam, Japan: Balagokulam supported by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Japan organized its 3rd annual marathon in Tokyo on November 3. 90 runners participated in it, beginning from the age group of 4. Winners of all age categories were given gold, silver and bronze medals. Participatory medals and Balagokulam certificates were given to all children who took part in the marathon. There was around 20 percent increase in the number of participants this year compare to last year’s event. -GoTop
8. SANTS DEMAND ORDINANCE FOR MANDIR: The Ram temple movement gathered further momentum with 3,000 seers, including Baba Ramdev, Jaggi Vasudev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, passing a resolution asking the Government to either bring an Ordinance or enact a law for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya. The resolution also said that five lakh Ram Bhakts will gather at a ‘Dharma Sabha’ in Delhi on December 9 to put pressure on the Government for building the Ram temple.
Several top BJP leaders, including Yogi Adityanath, Uma Bharti and Giriraj Singh, also called for construction of the temple without any waste of time. The demand for a law for construction of the Ram temple has intensified after the Supreme Court refused to entertain plea for speedy hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.
The resolution was passed at two-day seers’ sammelan ‘Dharmadesh’ organized by the Hindu seers and sants at the Talkatora Stadium on 3-4 November. Seers and sants who spoke on the occasion also criticized the Supreme Court for deferring the hearing on Ayodhya issue for January 2019. As per resolution, a large number of seers and sants will gather in Ayodhya, Nagpur and Bengaluru on November 25 to press their demand of Ram temple. After that, similar gathering by seers will be held in at least 500 districts across the country.
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar denounced the Supreme Court’s intervention as an option in order to build the Ram temple at the dispute site in Ayodhya, citing continued talks between the primary players should be of prime importance. In his valedictory speech, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Hansacharya narrated the “Dharmadesh” to the Government. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also advised people to “light a diya in the name of Bhgwan Shree Ram. -GoTop
9. RSS WILL FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND WATER CONSERVATION: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has decided to focus on environment protection and water conservation in near future. The Sangh’s Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meeting was held from October 31 – November 2 began at Keshav Srushti at Uttan near Mumbai. Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryawah Suresh ‘Bhaiyaji’ Joshi garlanded the images of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Bharat Mata at the beginning of the meeting.
RSS Sah Sarkaryawah Manmohan Vaidya briefed the reporters after the meeting started. He said that the Sangh has undertaken several initiatives since 2010 to expand its horizon. Today, there are around 55,000 shakhas from Ladakh to Andaman and Tripura. Sangh work is spread across 850 districts and 6,000 talukas. Sangh shakhas are running regularly at 90 percent blocks. In last three years, there is 5 percent increase in the work in number of mandals and 3 percent in the shakhas. In all, around 31,000 villages have shakhas.
At present, Sangh is running 1.5 lakh social projects. Sangh has started an activity for protection of Bharatiya cows, cow oriented farming and health care on the basis of cow products. Vaidya informed that rural development activities are going on since 1998. Their effect is visible in 600 villages. -GoTop
10. Ram temple is a matter of sentiments of crores of Hindus - Bhaiyaji Joshi: “The issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya is connected with the sentiments of crores of Hindus. The Supreme Court (SC) should realize this and expedite the proceedings of the matter,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Suresh ‘Bhaiyaji’ Joshi addressing a press conference after three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meet in Mumbai on Nov. 2.The society expects that a grand Ram temple should be built and all hurdles associated with it should be removed. However, the wait has been inordinately delayed. The three-member SC bench, which was hearing the case, has delayed the hearing for a long period. When the court was asked when the hearing would take place, they said that they have other priorities. It is their right to decide when to hear a case, but the court’s reply has left the Hindu society feeling humiliated and pained. SC should rethink on this matter. It is for the government to enact a law or promulgate an ordinance on the issue of Ram temple. -GoTop
11. "Idea of Bharat is our age-old legacy” - J Nandakumar: The valedictory of the 2-day Mangaluru Lit Fest was attended by J Nandakumar, National Convener of Prajna Pravaha, Dr Gopal Obiraya, Educationist and was moderated by Dr BM Hegde, noted cardiac surgeon. “It is mentioned in the Vedas that this Rashtra was formed with Lakshya by those saints who performed Tapasya for the welfare of whole Universe,” said J Nandkumar at the event. Dr BM Hegde said that we should be proud of our heritage and we are a nation with culture and tradition of thousands of years. Editor of Organizer weekly, Prafulla Ketkar said in the keynote address in the inaugural session that we are a spiritual democracy, and we have been such a nation for long. -GoTop
12. Hindu temple with capacity of 7,800 people opens in Massachusetts: A magnificent two-story Hindu temple covering 40,000 square feet on a 28-acres plot, which claims to accommodate 7,800 devotees opened in Groton (Massachusetts) with 12-days of ceremonies ending on October 20. New England Shirdi Sai Temple is designed in traditional style following Vastu Shastra and whose main worship hall can hold 500 devotees and will cater to about 5,000 families of the area. Ground floor of this temple, whose groundbreaking was held in 2015 and which contains three golden spires, will be used for community activities/functions. There are plans of fountain pools in the landscaping. It is operated by non-profit New England Shirdi Sai Parivaar formed in 2006; whose vision includes “spread the message of love, kindness, and unity and make a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the mankind” and beliefs include “Faith and Patience”.-GoTop
13. At 41m, Sikkim unveils tallest statue of Buddhist deity Chenrezig: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on November 1 unveiled the tallest statue of Chenrezig - a manifestation of the Buddha, in the world. Nestled in the snow-capped mountains, the 135-feet (40m) statue of Chenrezig is located at an elevation of 7,200 meters at Sangha Choeling, 1.7 km away from Pelling, a tourist destination in West Sikkim.“This is the world’s tallest statue of Chenrezig, for which the state government has spent about 70 crore. “The foundation stone was laid in 2009 and the Dalai Lama consecrated the statue,” said Pawan Kumar Chamling, the longest serving Chief Minister in the country who has been in power since 1994. -GoTop
14. Statue to recognise Sikhs’ contribution in WW I unveiled in UK: A 10-foot bronze statue of a turbaned Sikh soldier has been installed outside the largest gurdwara in Europe to recognize the contributions made by Sikhs in World War I. The monument, Lions of the Great War, was unveiled on public land outside Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick near Birmingham on November 4, just days ahead of the centenary of the end of the war. It was funded by the gurdwara’s congregation. Thousands of British Sikhs, as well as local leaders and British soldiers, attended the ceremony. -GoTop
15. With Arihant, BHARAT joins N-missile club: With Bharat’s first indigenously developed nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completing its first deterrence patrol, the country has joined the elite club of nations which possess a minimum deterrent ‘nuclear triad’ — the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea. The Army’s Agni ballistic missiles and the Air Force’s fighter jets are already capable of carrying nuclear warheads. And now INS Arihant provides the Navy with the maritime nuclear strike capability.
Announcing this in New Delhi on November 5, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi told the crew of Arihant the development is a “warning to the enemies of the country and peace” that they should not resort to any adventurism against Bharat.-GoTop
16. ISRO’s mission accomplished by successfully launching GSAT-29 communication satellite: Marking its fifth launch for the current year, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV Mark III rocket carrying the GSAT-29 communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on November 14.The satellite carries high throughput communication transponders in the Ka and Ku bands which can expand high-speed data transfer in the remote areas of Bharat. The satellite launch is the second test flight for the GSLV Mark III rocket, which is also ISRO’s heaviest rocket. -GoTop
17. Swadeshi “RuPay” Taking its own market: The American financial services corporation Mastercard has complained to the US President Donald Trump against Bharat PM Narendra Modi for ignoring Mastercard and promoting domestic payment network “RuPay” by invoking nationalism. Mastercard said that they are finding it difficult to maintain their market share in Bharat due to increasing use of domestic RuPay, BHIM and SBI app. Modi launched these apps and card at the ‘Business, Innovation and Community Event’ in Singapore in May this year. The rise in the use of the RuPay network due to Pradhan Mantri Modi’s support in the recent years have broken the dominance of US payment giants such as Mastercard and Visa. More than half of Bharat’s 1 billion debit and credit cards are reportedly using the RuPay payment system, making it a difficult for companies like MasterCard to maintain its foothold in Bharat. -GoTop
18. Bharat surges 23 places in ease of doing business rankings: Bharat has leapfrogged 23 places to 77th rank in the World Bank’s global Ease of Doing Business rankings, a feat which is likely to boost the government’s reform credentials and raise the country’s attractiveness for investors.
The report lists Bharat and China as the two large economies which are among the 10 biggest reformers among 190 countries. New Zealand, Singapore and Denmark were on top of the list. Among the BRICS countries, Russia and Bharat have leapfrogged 23 places to 77th rank in the World Bank’s global Ease of Doing Business rankings. Bharat improved its ranking on six of the 10 parameters and has jumped 53 places in two years. “We are unwavering in our commitment towards economic reforms, which will ensure an environment that fosters industry, investment and opportunities,” Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi tweeted. -GoTop
19. ANZAC JAWAN Cenotaph Memorial dedicated to bharatiya Soldiers: Dedicating the memorial to the Bharatiya Soldiers who fought for Australia in the First AIF in World war one at Greenway Park, Cherrybrook, NSW, Australia on November 10, Julian Lesser, Federal MP for Berowra said that the memorial is the first of its kind in New South Wales.
“It will remind Australians that the Indian community is not a new community but one that has been in Australia for a long time and always makes a contribution to our country in times of war and times of peace.Second, it will be a permanent reminder of the way in which the Indian community has embraced the ANZAC Spirit – that that spirit lives on even for those who have no direct family connection to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
And third it will be a reminder that Australia and India have marched together in the past to defend freedoms in time of war and we will always march together in the future to defend our freedoms,” she said. -GoTop
20. Bhindi Family’s $12 Million Philanthropic Effort Gives 300 Fijian Squatter Families a Fresh Start: New philanthropic efforts that will forever change the trajectory of the lives of 300 squatter families in Fiji are now underway by the Bhindi family, owners of the Southern California-based Bhindi Jewellers.
Poor sanitation and unhygienic living conditions are the main problems that plague the current squatter settlements. The prospect of a real home that will cost the squatters zero money is an indescribable one. The squatter resettlement program, the first of its kind, will cost the Bhindi family $12 million. -GoTop
21. 4 BHARATIYA-AMERICANS RE-ELECTED TO US HOUSE: Four Bharatiya-American Congressmen from the Democratic party were re-elected to the US House of Representatives and more than a dozen others won various other races across the country in the highly polarized midterm elections held on 6th November. In the eighth Congressional District of Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi was re-elected for the second term. Three-term lawmaker Dr Ami Bera was re-elected for a record fourth consecutive time from the seventh Congressional District of California. In the Silicon Valley, Bharatiya-American Ro Khanna defeated Ron Cohen of the Republican Party with a massive 44 percentage point difference in the 17th Congressional District of California. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the only Bharatiya - American woman lawmaker in the House of Representatives, defeated Craig Keller by a massive 66 percentage points. -GoTop
22. OBITUARY: Veteran Swayamsevak and one from the first batch of pracharaks in Karnataka, Shri Champaknath passed away at Bengaluru on 7th November. Union Minister and former ABVP activist Ananth kumar breathed his last at Bengaluru on 12th November after prolonged illness. -GoTop
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr Manmohan Vaidya, sahsarkaryavaha RSS and Saumitra Gokhale Vishwa Vibhag samyojak are on a tour to Australia and New Zealand. Visitors: Deoraj Sooken and family - Mauritius
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Gandhiji visited Wardha District Camp of RSS on 25th December 1934. While seeing various activities of the Camp, he visited the sick ward and the tents of the Swayamsevaks. He saw people of all castes and classes harmoniously engaged in work without any reservations. In order to confirm his observation, he interrogated the Swayamsevaks themselves. Their response was uniform: “There are no differences like Brahmin, Maratha, Asprishyas, etc., in the Sangh. We are in fact not even aware of what castes many of our Swayamsevaks brethren belong to; nor are we interested in knowing it. It is enough for us that we are all Hindus.” – from the pages Dr. Hedgewar the Epoch-Maker edited by H V Sheshadri. -GoTop
JAI SHREE RAM
HINDUISM IS A RELIGION, BUT IT IS SOMETHING MORE: DAVID FRAWLEY
When you understand these cosmic forces, you see that they exist everywhere.
The crowd that gathered at David Frawley's Why I Became A Hindu, braving the afternoon heat, seemed almost geared for battle. In the end, they simply listened, spellbound. There were others too, seeking comfort and hope, who found their eyes well with tears as Frawley, one of the most acclaimed Vedic scholars of the day, described "the religion not of one God, but innumerable Gods. Hindu dharma recognises the unity of the universe but accepts the diversity of everything within it." Later, his wife, Shambhavi, gracefully draped in a red saree, unwrapped a set of bangles with some ceremony, remarking, "It is Karva Chauth," almost daring her audience to defy her. Their journey has had its share of challenges, as different narratives of history compete for dominance, heavily influenced by political sway. Frawley's attempt to debunk the Aryan invasion, for instance, fetched him a great deal of flak, although the validity of his claims are being acknowledged today, by scholars and Indologists. Then again, as controversy keeps up its relentless courtship of David Frawley and his yogini wife but they shrug off the criticism with great elan - the wisdom of the Vedas is simply too precious to relinquish over petty political struggles. David Frawley, the author of several books on Hindu dharma, astrology and Vedic History, tells Darshana Ramdev about a journey which began with the young boy who liked to look up at the stars...
How did it all begin?
When I was nine years old, I taught myself all the constellations in the sky (no, it's not too difficult!). I can take a telescope with a laser point and even now, show you about two or three hundred objects in the sky. What I really enjoyed, though, was meditating under the stars, which led eventually to an interest in astrology and Jyotish. I began to read works by Swami Yogananda and B.V. Raman but to me, astrology has always been integrated with sadhana and understanding planetary deities. The seven planets in astrology are cosmic forces, each planet is a relay station. When you understand these cosmic forces, you see that they exist everywhere.
The symbology and metaphor of Hinduism has been reduced to a limited, literal interpretation. Would you agree?
There is a story from the Upanishads, about the Ashwins, the healers of the Universe. They approach the son of Atharva, seeking the knowledge of immortality, the only thing that had been kept from them. The seer said he couldn't, for fear of being beheaded by Lord Indra. The Ashwins told him then, that they would give him a horse's head, learn the secret to immortality and when Indra appeared to behead the seer, the Ashwins could give him back the original. All of this is deeply metaphorical - even the concept of agni, or fire, is highly nuanced. The sages refer to the agni of the mind, the agni of the body - agni was a concept, a way of correlating everything to cosmic unity. We say today, that something is here or there. The ancient seers said, "It's here, it's there and it's also everywhere.
Carl Jung was perhaps the first thinker in the West to bring Eastern wisdom into mainstream Western thought. You have had a lot to say on Jung and Psychology, for that matter...
Jung borrowed a great deal from Eastern wisdom but that never got the point of paramatma or transcendence. He borrowed a great deal from our wisdom and in the end, turned against it. He was invited to see Ramana Maharishi, which he declined, saying his wisdom would suffice. His vision of evolution was merely to be a better person. He did great work, yes and brought in the concept of the collective unconsciousness, that is true. What they didn't have, however, was the concept of samadhi and collective transcendence. Freud was limited too, he never got beyond the first two chakras - everything begins and ends with sex. Yes, Jung thought beyond that but even then, their psychology is very primitive, is limited to one's personal life and tied to the physical.
Developments in Science, especially Physics, seem to be in keeping with ancient Vedic ideas...
The Western civilisation is caught up in the idea of the physical but science seems to be saying something else. Physics has reduced the world from matter to energy and information.
Is there a universal principle that holds religions together?
Would you say all art is the same? Or that all people are the same?
Religion is as varied as any other aspect of life - you can't say all laws are good or that all political leaders are bad. Religion has good and bad too, just like everything else. It is as fallible as the human beings who practice it. The idea of a 'religion' in itself is a very Western concept.
What is religion, then?
A Western term that at a general level, signifies Christianity. Monotheism is seen as the ultimate route to salvation, while Hinduism has been classified as polytheistic.
The word religion means to unite, although people don't use it that way! About 20 years ago, we were in London, having been asked to do a book on Hinduism. We were given a template, a blueprint of how to define religion. It said: Book, founder, prophet and God. We sent it back, saying this template didn't work for us, we had to create our own.
How is the Hindu philosophy different from the typical notion of religion?
Both Christian and Islamic traditions place monotheism at the very top and emphasise the idea of salvation by belief. If you believe in Jesus, you will be saved. Hinduism isn't like this, we have various concepts like dharma, moksha, ishwara and brahman but we don't adhere to the idea of salvation by belief. Hinduism is a religion but something more - religions have monastic orders, places of worship and rituals. Yes, Hinduism has all these but it also has sadhana, art forms - it is based on santana dharma, to use all that is relevant.
Technology, leaps in communication - mankind has become fixated on the journey without. What about looking within?
The senses only look at the outside. We have lost the ability to look within. Only those who look within can find the truth, that knowledge exists and needs to be brought out. This idea of looking within the self doesn't exist outside of Hinduism and a few mystics, like the Sufis. Also, today, you can google an answer to everything, this is the age of instant information. It reminds me of a tale in the Upanishads, where the guru tells his disciple: Meditate in the forest for a year and I will answer your question. The other argument to that, however, is that if everything you see is outside of you then you are inside everything
What is enlightenment or moksha? How does one attain samadhi?
The idea is to reach the paramatma, which is something that cannot be known directly. If we try to understand it through the mind, which is embodied consciousness, we can only do so through an idea or a word. The yoga sutra, for instance, outlines the journey to the direct understanding of the paraatma, you have to understand the mind, the sadhana, the tapas - all these things are part of the journey. As long as you operate through the mind, you cannot attain a direct awareness, or samadhi. (By Darshana Namdev, Deccan Chronicle, November 4, 2018) -GoTop
Shri Vishwa Niketan www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com vishwav@bol.net.in
\SAMVAD श्री विश्व निकेतन SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN
Kartik Shukla 8, Vik. Samvat 2075 Yugabda 5120: 16 November 2018
1. FESTIVALS: Diwali , the festival of lights was celebrated with all the fervor and gaiety not only across Bharat but across the globe wherever Bharatiyas reside. Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi reached Harsil near the Bharat-China border in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with Army and ITBP personnel on November 7. Greeting the jawans on the occasion, Pradhan Mantri ji said their devotion to duty in the remote icy heights, is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Bharatiyas. In the morning, Pradhan Mantriji offered prayers at Kedarnath temple before closure of its portal.
Swarna Mandir at Amritsar celebrated Diwali with fireworks and an LED light show as Bandi Chhor Diwas or prisoner liberation day. On this day, the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, returned to Amritsar after being released along with 52 princes from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir from the Gwalior prison in 1619. The Ayodhya Deepotsav 2018 made its way into the Guinness Book of World Record after 301,152 diyas, or earthen lamps, were lit on November 6, the eve of Diwali, at ‘Ram Ki Paidi’ on the banks of River Sarayu. A massive 30-feet statue of Bhagwan Ram was also installed on the banks of Saryu on the occasion. South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook, who was the chief guest at the event, began her tour by offering tribute at the Queen Heo Memorial. Kim visited the site, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, and attended a ground-breaking ceremony for upgrade and beautification of the memorial dedicated to the legendary princess of Ayodhya who went to Korea. Later, Kim garlanded ‘Sita’ and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Adityanath welcomed Bhagwan Ram and Laxman by garlanding them as they descended from the helicopter at the banks of Saryu. Dressed in a pastle green saree, the First Lady said that the light gave the power to fight injustice in the society. “There is slogan in South Korea that light leads to prosperity and on the eve of the festival of light your faces are aglow with happiness which is a sign of a prosperous nation,” she added.
US President Donald Trump lit a traditional Diwali lamp in the Roosevelt Room at White House on November 13, calling Bharatiays ‘very, very special people’. In Victoria province of Canada, Premier John Horgan lit a diya at the legislature hall. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator John Cornyn, who is co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, also wished Bharatiyas a happy Diwali. Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris wished Bharatiyas a ‘Happy Diwali’.
The 1,250 ft high iconic Empire State Building in New York City, one of the tallest in the world was lit orange in celebration of Diwali. The United Nations Postal System issued stamps in the $1.15 denomination with 'Diyas' to mark the celebration of Diwali.
Diwali was celebrated in a joyful fashion at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in New Zealand by Bharatiya students and staff, including several international students. Thousands of revelers poured into Artesia Park on November 3 to attend the annual ‘Diwali Festival,’ hosted by the Federation of Indian American Associations and the City of Artesia in California. Congressman Luis Correa, who was among the dignitaries present at the event, wished everyone present a “Happy Diwali,” adding that he was looking forward to working with the Bharatiya American community. Thousands celebrated it at Balboa Park, San Diego, California and Sugarland Texas. -GoTop
2. The Princess from Ayodhya who became the Queen of Korea: The legend of Princess Suriratna continues to connect Bharat and Korea after two millennia; cultural unity transcends the geographical distance. According to the legend, Princess Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok, went to Korea in 48 AD, some 2000 years ago, and started the Karak dynasty by marrying a local king. A popular South Korean book comprising fables and historical stories, Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), mentions that Queen Hwang ok was the princess of "Ayuta" kingdom. The royal couple prospered. They had 10 sons. An anthropologist named Kim Byung-mo Ayuta appeared to confirm the widely held belief that Ayuta was actually Ayodhya, as the two names are phonetically similar. Every year people who claim to be from the queen's lineage come to Ayodhya to pay tribute to the princess at her motherland. In 2016, a Korean delegation sent a proposal to the Uttar Pradesh government to further develop the memorial. Queen Suriratna's story has been and can be the "foundation for building better relations" between South Korea and Bharat. -GoTop
3. Giant ‘Diya’ ushers in Diwali in guyana: Diwali, was ushered in on November 4 night at Rahaman’s Park, Greater Georgetown, with the illumination of a giant diya created by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS).The diya is touted as the country’s National Diya and this is the fourth National Diya created by the HSS. Along with the creation of the diya, there was a cultural evening of dances, skits and music to portray the significance of the national holiday. There is an ‘Om’ at the top of the structure, which represents Hinduism. Youths of the HSS spent about three weeks, sometimes working until 1 0’clock in the mornings to get the design perfected. Bharat’s High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam said, “The most important significance of Diwali is the spirit of togetherness.” -GoTop
4. Citizen groups must hold netas accountable – DR mohan BHAGWAT: RSS Sarasanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that people's organizations have a role to play in holding accountable those in power and should not become subservient to authority. Speaking at an event in New Delhi on November 10, organized to commemorate veteran RSS pracharak Dattopant Thengadi, founder of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bhagwat said the governing system has to work as per the Constitution and vigilant citizens led by "Lok Sangathan" (people's organizations) will have to ensure it. Bhagwat said there could be individuals in power who want to bring about change but were bogged down by flaws in the system. "Changing the system will come from awakening people and strengthening people's organization and from such people who shun power...this is what Dattopant Thengadi believed in," he said. Speaking about the life of Thengadi, Bhagwat said that everyone should follow his life. "We have to see his (Thengadi) life as per his ideology. We also have to see what emotions he filled in the organizations. -GoTop
5. HSS VIJAYADASHMI UTSAV IN KENYA: A march past consisting of 125 participants including the band commenced at Ram Mandir in Parklands and en route Jamhuri High School on October 28 and passed various important religious landmarks like East Africa Satsang Temple, Jain Shwetamber Munisuvratswami Temple, Shree Vishwakarma Mandir, Mangal Mandir and Shri Digamber Jain Mumukshu Temple etc. Demonstrations of Yoga, Martial Arts & Dumbells (Women’s Wing – mixed age groups), Yoga by BalGokulam (3 – 6 year old children) and Surya Namaskar by all were the highlights at the Vijayadashmi Utsav organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh – Kenya at Jamhuri High School, Nairobi. Chief Guest, Shri Sathyamoorthy Rajagopalan addressed the gathering with appreciation and touched on the importance and meaning of Vijaya Dashmi. -GoTop
6. You are Bharat's cultural ambassadors: VENKaIAH NAIDU: Upa-rashtrapati M. Venkaiah Naidu interacted with the Bharatiya community in Botswana's Gaborone town on 1st November and called them "Bharat's cultural ambassadors.""You have ventured out into the global arena and made a mark. I would suggest that you should also look at how you can contribute to the exciting growth story unfolding in India today," Upa-rashtrapati ji said."You are India's cultural ambassadors and the world sees you as the representatives of Indian values and way of life," he added. -GoTop
7. HSS Balagokulam, Japan: Balagokulam supported by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Japan organized its 3rd annual marathon in Tokyo on November 3. 90 runners participated in it, beginning from the age group of 4. Winners of all age categories were given gold, silver and bronze medals. Participatory medals and Balagokulam certificates were given to all children who took part in the marathon. There was around 20 percent increase in the number of participants this year compare to last year’s event. -GoTop
8. SANTS DEMAND ORDINANCE FOR MANDIR: The Ram temple movement gathered further momentum with 3,000 seers, including Baba Ramdev, Jaggi Vasudev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, passing a resolution asking the Government to either bring an Ordinance or enact a law for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya. The resolution also said that five lakh Ram Bhakts will gather at a ‘Dharma Sabha’ in Delhi on December 9 to put pressure on the Government for building the Ram temple.
Several top BJP leaders, including Yogi Adityanath, Uma Bharti and Giriraj Singh, also called for construction of the temple without any waste of time. The demand for a law for construction of the Ram temple has intensified after the Supreme Court refused to entertain plea for speedy hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.
The resolution was passed at two-day seers’ sammelan ‘Dharmadesh’ organized by the Hindu seers and sants at the Talkatora Stadium on 3-4 November. Seers and sants who spoke on the occasion also criticized the Supreme Court for deferring the hearing on Ayodhya issue for January 2019. As per resolution, a large number of seers and sants will gather in Ayodhya, Nagpur and Bengaluru on November 25 to press their demand of Ram temple. After that, similar gathering by seers will be held in at least 500 districts across the country.
Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar denounced the Supreme Court’s intervention as an option in order to build the Ram temple at the dispute site in Ayodhya, citing continued talks between the primary players should be of prime importance. In his valedictory speech, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Hansacharya narrated the “Dharmadesh” to the Government. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also advised people to “light a diya in the name of Bhgwan Shree Ram. -GoTop
9. RSS WILL FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND WATER CONSERVATION: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has decided to focus on environment protection and water conservation in near future. The Sangh’s Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meeting was held from October 31 – November 2 began at Keshav Srushti at Uttan near Mumbai. Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryawah Suresh ‘Bhaiyaji’ Joshi garlanded the images of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Bharat Mata at the beginning of the meeting.
RSS Sah Sarkaryawah Manmohan Vaidya briefed the reporters after the meeting started. He said that the Sangh has undertaken several initiatives since 2010 to expand its horizon. Today, there are around 55,000 shakhas from Ladakh to Andaman and Tripura. Sangh work is spread across 850 districts and 6,000 talukas. Sangh shakhas are running regularly at 90 percent blocks. In last three years, there is 5 percent increase in the work in number of mandals and 3 percent in the shakhas. In all, around 31,000 villages have shakhas.
At present, Sangh is running 1.5 lakh social projects. Sangh has started an activity for protection of Bharatiya cows, cow oriented farming and health care on the basis of cow products. Vaidya informed that rural development activities are going on since 1998. Their effect is visible in 600 villages. -GoTop
10. Ram temple is a matter of sentiments of crores of Hindus - Bhaiyaji Joshi: “The issue of Ram temple in Ayodhya is connected with the sentiments of crores of Hindus. The Supreme Court (SC) should realize this and expedite the proceedings of the matter,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Suresh ‘Bhaiyaji’ Joshi addressing a press conference after three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal meet in Mumbai on Nov. 2.The society expects that a grand Ram temple should be built and all hurdles associated with it should be removed. However, the wait has been inordinately delayed. The three-member SC bench, which was hearing the case, has delayed the hearing for a long period. When the court was asked when the hearing would take place, they said that they have other priorities. It is their right to decide when to hear a case, but the court’s reply has left the Hindu society feeling humiliated and pained. SC should rethink on this matter. It is for the government to enact a law or promulgate an ordinance on the issue of Ram temple. -GoTop
11. "Idea of Bharat is our age-old legacy” - J Nandakumar: The valedictory of the 2-day Mangaluru Lit Fest was attended by J Nandakumar, National Convener of Prajna Pravaha, Dr Gopal Obiraya, Educationist and was moderated by Dr BM Hegde, noted cardiac surgeon. “It is mentioned in the Vedas that this Rashtra was formed with Lakshya by those saints who performed Tapasya for the welfare of whole Universe,” said J Nandkumar at the event. Dr BM Hegde said that we should be proud of our heritage and we are a nation with culture and tradition of thousands of years. Editor of Organizer weekly, Prafulla Ketkar said in the keynote address in the inaugural session that we are a spiritual democracy, and we have been such a nation for long. -GoTop
12. Hindu temple with capacity of 7,800 people opens in Massachusetts: A magnificent two-story Hindu temple covering 40,000 square feet on a 28-acres plot, which claims to accommodate 7,800 devotees opened in Groton (Massachusetts) with 12-days of ceremonies ending on October 20. New England Shirdi Sai Temple is designed in traditional style following Vastu Shastra and whose main worship hall can hold 500 devotees and will cater to about 5,000 families of the area. Ground floor of this temple, whose groundbreaking was held in 2015 and which contains three golden spires, will be used for community activities/functions. There are plans of fountain pools in the landscaping. It is operated by non-profit New England Shirdi Sai Parivaar formed in 2006; whose vision includes “spread the message of love, kindness, and unity and make a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the mankind” and beliefs include “Faith and Patience”.-GoTop
13. At 41m, Sikkim unveils tallest statue of Buddhist deity Chenrezig: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on November 1 unveiled the tallest statue of Chenrezig - a manifestation of the Buddha, in the world. Nestled in the snow-capped mountains, the 135-feet (40m) statue of Chenrezig is located at an elevation of 7,200 meters at Sangha Choeling, 1.7 km away from Pelling, a tourist destination in West Sikkim.“This is the world’s tallest statue of Chenrezig, for which the state government has spent about 70 crore. “The foundation stone was laid in 2009 and the Dalai Lama consecrated the statue,” said Pawan Kumar Chamling, the longest serving Chief Minister in the country who has been in power since 1994. -GoTop
14. Statue to recognise Sikhs’ contribution in WW I unveiled in UK: A 10-foot bronze statue of a turbaned Sikh soldier has been installed outside the largest gurdwara in Europe to recognize the contributions made by Sikhs in World War I. The monument, Lions of the Great War, was unveiled on public land outside Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick near Birmingham on November 4, just days ahead of the centenary of the end of the war. It was funded by the gurdwara’s congregation. Thousands of British Sikhs, as well as local leaders and British soldiers, attended the ceremony. -GoTop
15. With Arihant, BHARAT joins N-missile club: With Bharat’s first indigenously developed nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completing its first deterrence patrol, the country has joined the elite club of nations which possess a minimum deterrent ‘nuclear triad’ — the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea. The Army’s Agni ballistic missiles and the Air Force’s fighter jets are already capable of carrying nuclear warheads. And now INS Arihant provides the Navy with the maritime nuclear strike capability.
Announcing this in New Delhi on November 5, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi told the crew of Arihant the development is a “warning to the enemies of the country and peace” that they should not resort to any adventurism against Bharat.-GoTop
16. ISRO’s mission accomplished by successfully launching GSAT-29 communication satellite: Marking its fifth launch for the current year, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV Mark III rocket carrying the GSAT-29 communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on November 14.The satellite carries high throughput communication transponders in the Ka and Ku bands which can expand high-speed data transfer in the remote areas of Bharat. The satellite launch is the second test flight for the GSLV Mark III rocket, which is also ISRO’s heaviest rocket. -GoTop
17. Swadeshi “RuPay” Taking its own market: The American financial services corporation Mastercard has complained to the US President Donald Trump against Bharat PM Narendra Modi for ignoring Mastercard and promoting domestic payment network “RuPay” by invoking nationalism. Mastercard said that they are finding it difficult to maintain their market share in Bharat due to increasing use of domestic RuPay, BHIM and SBI app. Modi launched these apps and card at the ‘Business, Innovation and Community Event’ in Singapore in May this year. The rise in the use of the RuPay network due to Pradhan Mantri Modi’s support in the recent years have broken the dominance of US payment giants such as Mastercard and Visa. More than half of Bharat’s 1 billion debit and credit cards are reportedly using the RuPay payment system, making it a difficult for companies like MasterCard to maintain its foothold in Bharat. -GoTop
18. Bharat surges 23 places in ease of doing business rankings: Bharat has leapfrogged 23 places to 77th rank in the World Bank’s global Ease of Doing Business rankings, a feat which is likely to boost the government’s reform credentials and raise the country’s attractiveness for investors.
The report lists Bharat and China as the two large economies which are among the 10 biggest reformers among 190 countries. New Zealand, Singapore and Denmark were on top of the list. Among the BRICS countries, Russia and Bharat have leapfrogged 23 places to 77th rank in the World Bank’s global Ease of Doing Business rankings. Bharat improved its ranking on six of the 10 parameters and has jumped 53 places in two years. “We are unwavering in our commitment towards economic reforms, which will ensure an environment that fosters industry, investment and opportunities,” Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi tweeted. -GoTop
19. ANZAC JAWAN Cenotaph Memorial dedicated to bharatiya Soldiers: Dedicating the memorial to the Bharatiya Soldiers who fought for Australia in the First AIF in World war one at Greenway Park, Cherrybrook, NSW, Australia on November 10, Julian Lesser, Federal MP for Berowra said that the memorial is the first of its kind in New South Wales.
“It will remind Australians that the Indian community is not a new community but one that has been in Australia for a long time and always makes a contribution to our country in times of war and times of peace.Second, it will be a permanent reminder of the way in which the Indian community has embraced the ANZAC Spirit – that that spirit lives on even for those who have no direct family connection to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
And third it will be a reminder that Australia and India have marched together in the past to defend freedoms in time of war and we will always march together in the future to defend our freedoms,” she said. -GoTop
20. Bhindi Family’s $12 Million Philanthropic Effort Gives 300 Fijian Squatter Families a Fresh Start: New philanthropic efforts that will forever change the trajectory of the lives of 300 squatter families in Fiji are now underway by the Bhindi family, owners of the Southern California-based Bhindi Jewellers.
Poor sanitation and unhygienic living conditions are the main problems that plague the current squatter settlements. The prospect of a real home that will cost the squatters zero money is an indescribable one. The squatter resettlement program, the first of its kind, will cost the Bhindi family $12 million. -GoTop
21. 4 BHARATIYA-AMERICANS RE-ELECTED TO US HOUSE: Four Bharatiya-American Congressmen from the Democratic party were re-elected to the US House of Representatives and more than a dozen others won various other races across the country in the highly polarized midterm elections held on 6th November. In the eighth Congressional District of Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi was re-elected for the second term. Three-term lawmaker Dr Ami Bera was re-elected for a record fourth consecutive time from the seventh Congressional District of California. In the Silicon Valley, Bharatiya-American Ro Khanna defeated Ron Cohen of the Republican Party with a massive 44 percentage point difference in the 17th Congressional District of California. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the only Bharatiya - American woman lawmaker in the House of Representatives, defeated Craig Keller by a massive 66 percentage points. -GoTop
22. OBITUARY: Veteran Swayamsevak and one from the first batch of pracharaks in Karnataka, Shri Champaknath passed away at Bengaluru on 7th November. Union Minister and former ABVP activist Ananth kumar breathed his last at Bengaluru on 12th November after prolonged illness. -GoTop
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr Manmohan Vaidya, sahsarkaryavaha RSS and Saumitra Gokhale Vishwa Vibhag samyojak are on a tour to Australia and New Zealand. Visitors: Deoraj Sooken and family - Mauritius
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Gandhiji visited Wardha District Camp of RSS on 25th December 1934. While seeing various activities of the Camp, he visited the sick ward and the tents of the Swayamsevaks. He saw people of all castes and classes harmoniously engaged in work without any reservations. In order to confirm his observation, he interrogated the Swayamsevaks themselves. Their response was uniform: “There are no differences like Brahmin, Maratha, Asprishyas, etc., in the Sangh. We are in fact not even aware of what castes many of our Swayamsevaks brethren belong to; nor are we interested in knowing it. It is enough for us that we are all Hindus.” – from the pages Dr. Hedgewar the Epoch-Maker edited by H V Sheshadri. -GoTop
JAI SHREE RAM
HINDUISM IS A RELIGION, BUT IT IS SOMETHING MORE: DAVID FRAWLEY
When you understand these cosmic forces, you see that they exist everywhere.
The crowd that gathered at David Frawley's Why I Became A Hindu, braving the afternoon heat, seemed almost geared for battle. In the end, they simply listened, spellbound. There were others too, seeking comfort and hope, who found their eyes well with tears as Frawley, one of the most acclaimed Vedic scholars of the day, described "the religion not of one God, but innumerable Gods. Hindu dharma recognises the unity of the universe but accepts the diversity of everything within it." Later, his wife, Shambhavi, gracefully draped in a red saree, unwrapped a set of bangles with some ceremony, remarking, "It is Karva Chauth," almost daring her audience to defy her. Their journey has had its share of challenges, as different narratives of history compete for dominance, heavily influenced by political sway. Frawley's attempt to debunk the Aryan invasion, for instance, fetched him a great deal of flak, although the validity of his claims are being acknowledged today, by scholars and Indologists. Then again, as controversy keeps up its relentless courtship of David Frawley and his yogini wife but they shrug off the criticism with great elan - the wisdom of the Vedas is simply too precious to relinquish over petty political struggles. David Frawley, the author of several books on Hindu dharma, astrology and Vedic History, tells Darshana Ramdev about a journey which began with the young boy who liked to look up at the stars...
How did it all begin?
When I was nine years old, I taught myself all the constellations in the sky (no, it's not too difficult!). I can take a telescope with a laser point and even now, show you about two or three hundred objects in the sky. What I really enjoyed, though, was meditating under the stars, which led eventually to an interest in astrology and Jyotish. I began to read works by Swami Yogananda and B.V. Raman but to me, astrology has always been integrated with sadhana and understanding planetary deities. The seven planets in astrology are cosmic forces, each planet is a relay station. When you understand these cosmic forces, you see that they exist everywhere.
The symbology and metaphor of Hinduism has been reduced to a limited, literal interpretation. Would you agree?
There is a story from the Upanishads, about the Ashwins, the healers of the Universe. They approach the son of Atharva, seeking the knowledge of immortality, the only thing that had been kept from them. The seer said he couldn't, for fear of being beheaded by Lord Indra. The Ashwins told him then, that they would give him a horse's head, learn the secret to immortality and when Indra appeared to behead the seer, the Ashwins could give him back the original. All of this is deeply metaphorical - even the concept of agni, or fire, is highly nuanced. The sages refer to the agni of the mind, the agni of the body - agni was a concept, a way of correlating everything to cosmic unity. We say today, that something is here or there. The ancient seers said, "It's here, it's there and it's also everywhere.
Carl Jung was perhaps the first thinker in the West to bring Eastern wisdom into mainstream Western thought. You have had a lot to say on Jung and Psychology, for that matter...
Jung borrowed a great deal from Eastern wisdom but that never got the point of paramatma or transcendence. He borrowed a great deal from our wisdom and in the end, turned against it. He was invited to see Ramana Maharishi, which he declined, saying his wisdom would suffice. His vision of evolution was merely to be a better person. He did great work, yes and brought in the concept of the collective unconsciousness, that is true. What they didn't have, however, was the concept of samadhi and collective transcendence. Freud was limited too, he never got beyond the first two chakras - everything begins and ends with sex. Yes, Jung thought beyond that but even then, their psychology is very primitive, is limited to one's personal life and tied to the physical.
Developments in Science, especially Physics, seem to be in keeping with ancient Vedic ideas...
The Western civilisation is caught up in the idea of the physical but science seems to be saying something else. Physics has reduced the world from matter to energy and information.
Is there a universal principle that holds religions together?
Would you say all art is the same? Or that all people are the same?
Religion is as varied as any other aspect of life - you can't say all laws are good or that all political leaders are bad. Religion has good and bad too, just like everything else. It is as fallible as the human beings who practice it. The idea of a 'religion' in itself is a very Western concept.
What is religion, then?
A Western term that at a general level, signifies Christianity. Monotheism is seen as the ultimate route to salvation, while Hinduism has been classified as polytheistic.
The word religion means to unite, although people don't use it that way! About 20 years ago, we were in London, having been asked to do a book on Hinduism. We were given a template, a blueprint of how to define religion. It said: Book, founder, prophet and God. We sent it back, saying this template didn't work for us, we had to create our own.
How is the Hindu philosophy different from the typical notion of religion?
Both Christian and Islamic traditions place monotheism at the very top and emphasise the idea of salvation by belief. If you believe in Jesus, you will be saved. Hinduism isn't like this, we have various concepts like dharma, moksha, ishwara and brahman but we don't adhere to the idea of salvation by belief. Hinduism is a religion but something more - religions have monastic orders, places of worship and rituals. Yes, Hinduism has all these but it also has sadhana, art forms - it is based on santana dharma, to use all that is relevant.
Technology, leaps in communication - mankind has become fixated on the journey without. What about looking within?
The senses only look at the outside. We have lost the ability to look within. Only those who look within can find the truth, that knowledge exists and needs to be brought out. This idea of looking within the self doesn't exist outside of Hinduism and a few mystics, like the Sufis. Also, today, you can google an answer to everything, this is the age of instant information. It reminds me of a tale in the Upanishads, where the guru tells his disciple: Meditate in the forest for a year and I will answer your question. The other argument to that, however, is that if everything you see is outside of you then you are inside everything
What is enlightenment or moksha? How does one attain samadhi?
The idea is to reach the paramatma, which is something that cannot be known directly. If we try to understand it through the mind, which is embodied consciousness, we can only do so through an idea or a word. The yoga sutra, for instance, outlines the journey to the direct understanding of the paraatma, you have to understand the mind, the sadhana, the tapas - all these things are part of the journey. As long as you operate through the mind, you cannot attain a direct awareness, or samadhi. (By Darshana Namdev, Deccan Chronicle, November 4, 2018) -GoTop
Shri Vishwa Niketan www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com vishwav@bol.net.in
