Sample case of nature of debates in ancient India - Ashtavakra vs Vandin.

King Janaka of Mithila had hosted the best brains of the day whose words of wisdom have been immortalised in Upanishads and Epics. One among them was Ashtavakra who as a 12 year old lad won over a seasoned debater called Vandin in Janaka’s court. Vandin was notorious for having got the losers in the debate killed by drowning. Ashtavakra’s father, Kahoda was one such loser who was drowned to death. It happened just before Ashtavakra was born. Ashtavakra grew up without knowing what happened to his father. But when he came to know, he could not remain quiet. He was just 12 years then but decided to avenge the death of his father, in the same way that Vandin did. So he reached Janaka’s court accompanied with his uncle, another famous sage, Swetaketu, who was of his same age then.

(19th-century painting of Aṣṭāvakra 

who was born with physical handicap and 

grows up into a celebrated sage of Vedic culture) 

The first argument was with the gate keeper who stopped them for the reason that lads were not old enough to debate with Vandin. This argument is around who is old or what makes one old.

Gate keeper: Only old people are eligible to enter the court (and into argument with Vandin)

Ashtavakra: Who is old? What makes one old?

Old are those who

·       observe sacred vows,

·       are in possession of energy proceeding from the Vedic lore,

·       served the superiors,

·       subdued their passions, and

·       have also won proficiency in knowledge. 

(Ashtavakra fulfilled all these criteria, so old enough)

It is said that even boys are not to be slighted, for a fire, small though it be, burns on being touched.

Gate keeper: Well, I still consider you as a boy. If you are old enough, you must be able to recite the verse demonstrating the existence of the Supreme Being, and adored by the divine sages, and which, although composed of one letter, is yet multifarious.

Ashtavakra: ‘True growth cannot be inferred from the mere development of the body, as the growth of the knots of the Salmali tree cannot signify its age. That tree is called full-grown which although slender and short, beareth fruits. But that which doth not bear fruits, is not considered as grown'

Gate keeper: Boys receive instruction from the old and they also in time grow old. Knowledge certainly is not attainable in a short time. (indirectly hinting that his knowledge was not in-depth but only a case of repeating what he had heard)

Ashtavakra:  ‘One is not old because his head is gray. But the gods regard him as old who, although a child in years, is yet possessed of knowledge’. One’s merit does not depend on his age or gray hair or wealth or friends.

***********

After this Ashtavakra was allowed to meet King Janaka to whom he expressed his wish to trounce Vandin in an argument. Looking at his age, King Janaka wanted to test his knowledge. Some of what they spoke is difficult to understand, and I have given my interpretation along with, in blue colour fonts and in brackets.

Janaka: ‘He alone is a truly learned man who understandeth the significance of the thing that hath thirty divisions, twelve parts twenty four joints, and three hundred and sixty spokes'

(Seems to refer to the scale of Time at macro level, i.e., for a year when the earth completes one revolution. A month of 30 days, 12 months and 24 pakshas (phases of moon) and 360 days in a year. Similar ideas are found in Rig Veda 1.164)

Ashtavakra: ‘May that ever-moving wheel that hath twenty four joints, six naves, twelve peripheries, and sixty spokes protect thee'

(Seems to refer to the scale of Time at micro level, i.e., for a day. The wheel of Time (earth’s rotation) completes one round in a day wherein 24 minutes make one ghati / Nazhigai, 6 ghati make 1 Jaamam, the wheel passes through 12 lagnas and 60 ghatis)

Janaka: ‘Who amongst the gods beareth those two which go together like two mares yoked to a car, and sweep like a hawk, and to what also do they give birth' 

Ashtavakra:  ‘May God, O king, forfend the presence of these two in thy house; aye, even in the house of thine enemies. He who appeareth, having for his charioteer the wind begetteth them, and they also produce him'

(The answer is ‘Wind’ (vayu). The two mares must be Indra (rain) and Agni (fire), as is known from an answer later in the debate with Vandin. The wind bears the two mares, rain and fire, sweeps like a hawk and is a life giver.)

Janaka: ‘What is that doth not close its eyes even while sleeping; what is it that doth not move, even when born; what is it that hath no heart; and what doth increase even in its own speed'

Ashtavakra: ‘It is a fish that doth not close its eye-lids, while sleeping; and it is an a egg that doth not move when produced; it is stone that hath no heart; and it is a river that increase in its own speed'

The king was pleased with these answers and permitted him to debate with Vandin.

**************

The debate with Vandin is interesting as it involves numbers in increasing order. Each of them must compose a verse having relevant ones for a number. When one begins with a number, the other must continue with the succeeding number. It seems that a minimum of 4 ideas have to be given by each debater in a verse- form to continue the debate. It also appears that the debater challenging Vandin would not have any clue on how the debate would be like. Vandin decides how to test the challenger and begins the debate with a verse on number 1.

This particular debate with Ashtavakra, though looks simple at the outset, cannot be continued unless one is widely read. In the end Vandin himself falls into the trap he laid for Ashtavakra as he could not produce 4 ideas relevant to number 13. Ashtavakra completes the verse with ease and wins the debate.

Vandin: One – only one fire blazeth forth in various shapes; only one sun illumineth this whole world; only one hero, Indra, the lord of celestials, destroyeth enemies; and only one Yama is the sole lord of the Pitris

Ashtavakra: Two -  The two friends, Indra and Agni, ever move together; the two celestial sages are Narada and Parvata; twins are the Aswinikumaras; two is the number of the wheels of a car; and it is as a couple that husband and wife live together, as ordained by the deity.

Vandin: Three - Three kinds of born beings are produced by acts; the three Vedas together perform the sacrifice, Vajapeya; at three different times, the Adhwaryus commence sacrificial rites; three is the number of words: and three also are the divine lights.

Ashtavakra: Four - Four are the Asramas of the Brahmanas; the four orders perform sacrifices; four are the cardinal points; four is the number of letters; and four also, as is ever known, are the legs of a cow.

Vandin: Five - Five is the number of fires; five are the feet of the metre called Punki; five are the sacrifices; five locks, it is said in the Vedas, are on the heads of the Apsaras; and five sacred rivers are known in the world 

Ashtavakra: Six -  Six cows, it is asserted by some, and paid as a gratuity on the occasion of establishing the sacred fire; six are the seasons belonging to the wheel of time; six is the number of the senses; six stars constitute the constellation Kirtika; and six, it is found in all the Vedas, is the number of the Sadyaska sacrifice 

Vandin: Seven -  Seven is the number of the domesticated animals; seven are the wild animals; seven metres are used in completing a sacrifice; seven are the Rishis, seven forms of paying homage are extant in the world; and seven, it is known, are the strings of the Vina 

Ashtavakra: Eight -  Eight are the bags containing a hundred fold; eight is the number of the legs of the Sarabha, which preyeth upon lions; eight Vasus, as we hear, are amongst the celestials; and eight are the angles of yupa stake, in all sacrificial rites

Vandin: Nine -  Nine is the number of the mantras used in kindling the fire in sacrifices to the Pitris; nine are the appointed functions in the processes of creation; nine letters compose the foot of the metre, Vrihati; and nine also is ever the number of the figures in calculation

Ashtavakra: Ten - Ten is said to be the number of cardinal points, entering into the cognition of men in this world; ten times hundred make up a thousand; ten is the number of months, during which women bear; and ten are the teachers of true knowledge, and ten, the haters thereof, and ten again are those capable of learning it.

Vandin: Eleven -  Eleven are the objects enjoyable by beings; eleven is the number of the yupas; eleven are the changes of the natural state pertaining to those having life; and eleven are the Rudras among the gods in heaven.

Ashtavakra: Twelve - Twelve months compose the year; twelve letters go to the composition of a foot of the metre called Jagati; twelve are the minor sacrifices; and twelve, according to the learned, is the number of the Adityas.

Vandin: Thirteen - The thirteenth lunar day is considered the most auspicious; thirteen islands exist on earth....... (pause)

Ashtavakra: (continues)  Thirteen sacrifices are presided over by Kesi; and thirteen are devoured by Atichhandas, the longer metres of the Veda. 

{Source:  Mahabharata -3: 132-133}

Einstein’s Theory of Happiness – tested through Veda Vyāsa’s.

Albert Einstein’s philosophical views on life are equally well-known as his scientific theories, but not much is known about what he thought constitutes happiness. A hint at this came to be known recently from a brief note he had written on a paper and handed over to a courier in Japan in 1922, as a token of his appreciation of the service rendered by the courier.

The message he has written is as follows:

“.. a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest”.

He has written in another blank paper “where there is a will, there is a way”, and handed over these two papers to the courier saying that these notes might become valuable to him than any tip he could offer him. Apparently he had referred to the ideas conveyed in these notes to be of guiding lights, but it turns out that the possessor of these notes is going to see a windfall as these papers are getting auctioned today (Tuesday, the 24^th Oct) in Jerusalem.

Click the image to read 

The first message is of interest to us as it reflects what Einstein thought about happiness. Like his scientific theories that were tested with cross-referential tools of science and Cosmos over a period of time, his theory of Happiness also can be tested with the highly logical and cosmic theology of Vedanta, a facet of which known as Pantheism, was followed by Einstein himself.

Happiness (sukha – सुख) is the central theme of Vedic religion as any Yajna or prayer is aimed at Sukha. Even today the daily prayer of many Hindus including me is ‘lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu’ (Let all the beings in all the worlds become happy). So I thought of putting his version into scrutiny of the Vedic thought of Happiness!

Let us first understand what Einstein says in that message.

He says, ““.. a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest”.

We can see two components in this message. One is that, leading a quiet and modest life brings more joy. Perhaps he refers to a modest life style with less wants and aspirations. This pertains to materialism. When one has less wants and is content with basic needs and has no cravings beyond means, life is happy!

The second part of the message talks about the strain that is caused by going after a pursuit of success. In this part, I think he could have been more explicit. Does he mean going after a goal or going after success? All of us have a goal, even Einstein had goals. Going after the goal for reaching it or achieving it does cause some stress. The same process (of going after a goal) also can be termed as going after success. So this part of the message seems to show that he is unclear about what he is coming to say. For, one can go after a goal with all its attendant stress, and still lead a modest and quiet life! And going after the goal need not make one unhappy, for, as long as one is steeped into the goal, there is no need to feel unhappy about the troubles on the way.

If success is your goal, which is interchangeable with the goal itself, then also one can remain immune to unhappiness that comes along the way as one must understand that nothing comes easy without tribulations. Even birth into this world comes with struggles and pains. It is so with all living beings (Cetana – चेतन). Even in the case of non-living beings, say in the formation and existence of cosmic entities like planets, existence became possible only with struggle to reach equilibrium (equated with success) and the struggle continues to retain that equilibrium in relation to each other. Thus we can see that there is no disharmony between the two parts in his message - of leading a modest life and pursuing a goal.

His 2^nd note on will- way relationship (where there is a will there is a way), aligns with pursuing a goal (or success). This note written immediately after the first one seems to reflect a rethink on his part after writing the 1^st note. Einstein seems to recognise the human tendency to pursue a goal (and therefore success of it), though laden with lot of unrest and stress, he seems to think that one must not give up. If one pursues it with a will, somehow one would find a way to achieve it.

Thus these two notes reflect an inner struggle at that moment (of writing) in Einstein’s mind – of craving for a less stressful life (which he thinks gives happiness) and a simultaneous urge to pursue a goal with its attendant problems. And what remains in his mind at the end is that one can achieve the goal (success) by a determined will. If he were to write another note after the 2^nd one, perhaps he would have written that accomplishment after a great struggle gives happiness!

So his recipe for happiness is (1) quiet and modest life style, (2) pursuance of a goal beset with less struggle and (3) accomplishment of a goal (implied from his 2^nd note).

Now let us do the cross-checking:

Quiet and modest living is possible, but not practical or possible for everyone. In a society with inter-dependence on each other for many goods and services, we need people who produce more, who work for others and who create wealth for oneself that go to the benefit others too. In all these, stress is an attendant component that cannot be avoided. A quiet and frugal living is viable only in the ‘vaanaprastha’ (वानप्रस्थ) stage in a person’s life when a person has completed his familial and material responsibilities. In the previous stages of life (as a family man or a societal man having some responsibilities towards society and in money- earning), there is struggle, but one can remain happy following a simple rule. That simple rule is adherence to Dharma (righteousness) in any work one does.

When one adheres to Dharma in his pursuit of regular activities, in acquisition of wealth and in matters of passion and emotions, one does not invite any adverse karma which in effect would not cause unhappiness! At all times we are doing some karma. When it is done within the parameters of Dharma, the resultant karma bestows happiness. This is best explained by Veda Vyasa at the end of Mahabharata.

Vyasa makes 4 specific statements as follows:

1. Thousands of mothers and fathers, and hundreds of sons and wives arise in the world and depart from it. Others will (arise and) similarly depart.

2. There are thousands of occasions for joy and hundreds of occasions for fear. These affect only him that is ignorant but never him that is wise.

3. With uplifted arms I am crying aloud but nobody hears me. From Righteousness is Wealth as also Pleasure. Why should not Righteousness, therefore, be courted?

4. For the sake neither of pleasure, nor of fear, nor of cupidity should any one cast off Righteousness. Indeed, for the sake of even life one should not cast off Righteousness. Righteousness is eternal. Pleasure and Pain are not eternal. Jiva is eternal. The cause, however, of Jiva’s being invested with a body is not so.

Vyasa begins the statement about the continuing life cycles of all people. There is not just one life but many lives that one goes through. This concept is valid on the logic that whatever one experiences in the current birth could not have come without a prior karma (cause) in a previous birth. The law of cause and effect is very much the basis for cyclical births and rebirths.

The second point is that since we have taken countless births, we have experienced pleasure and pain, and fear and happiness for countless number of times. So by now we must have understood why we are experiencing them. If we have understood we would not be feeling the pain and unhappiness. The one who has understood is a wise man. So what is that one has to understand?

This is explained in the 3^rd point. It is Dharma that protects one from all ills and gives happiness. Dharma in any and every action, Dharma in acquisition of wealth and Dharma in matters of desire and craving (kaama) would insulate one from pain and unhappiness. Vyasa says this in a dramatic way by raising his hands and crying aloud. But alas, no one listened to him even at that time (about 5000 years ago when he lived). He shouted that one gets wealth and happiness from Dharma, but why then nobody adheres to it?

This statement can be understood on the basis of views expressed in Bhagavad Gita. A man cannot remain inactive at all times. One cannot avoid doing some work or action. There are regular chores, and works aimed at making money or earning a living and actions and activities connected with emotions, feelings and desires. If one adorns the kind of attitude that does not harm others and that is right in the given situation, one would have the satisfaction and happiness at the end of it. Even if one has failed to achieve success at the end, one would have the satisfaction that one was right in his ways.

An important feature in all these is that one must adopt an attitude of equanimity – being equal in all situations – that is, being equi-distance from success and failure, happiness and sadness, and gains and losses. All these – success, failure, happiness, sadness, gains and losses - are the result of one’s past karma. One does not have a hold on them, despite how well one might have planned and executed an action. Beyond all his actions, there is an element of an unseen karma of the past that comes into play. The one who realises this is not caught up with sorrow when things do not happen in the way he expected. Such a person is wise and is least perturbed with feelings of sorts at success or failure but continues to discharge his actions / karma with an unperturbed mind. Such a person is known as a “Karma yogi”. Such a Karma yogi crosses the boundary of cycle of rebirths, as re-birth is not needed to experience anything, as he is unperturbed by any feelings that could give rise to a fresh karma.  

In the next and last statement Vyasa says that one should never deviate from the path of Dharma at any time, even if one’s life is at risk. For, Dharma is eternal but not the pleasure and pain. We, the Atman are eternal but not the karma that binds us in this body. The realisation of this enables one to keep his cool in any situation so as not to create a fresh karma. Such a person will experience an immense calm in his mind which is nothing but eternal Bliss.

Reaching this state must be the aim of any person, according to Hindu Thought.

One might have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and flooded with immense riches around him. That was the result of his past karma. But he has to keep up his equanimity of mind intact to get lasting happiness, for, his riches may vanish one day. Some other person may be born poor, but even in that state if he is unperturbed by pleasure and pain, he is certainly happy. At every moment of our life, we have to keep our mind not swayed by wants, desires, pleasure, pain, happiness, sorrow and fear. If we do so, we are inching towards cutting off karma. The state when Karma is no longer affecting us, we experience bliss.

Einstein did experience this state of mind when he wrote “I do not need any promise of eternity to be happy. My eternity is now. I have only one interest: to fulfill my purpose here where I am.” This is the dialogue of a Karma Yogi – one who is dedicated to his goal and works relentlessly unperturbed by failure or success.

Einstein goes on to say, “This purpose is not given (to) me by my parents or my surroundings. It is induced by some unknown factors. These factors make me a part of eternity.” (For full text read here)

The unknown factors that he mentions is his karmic path laid by past karma and he being a part of the grand design of the cosmos that keeps on going with its work relentlessly.

All of us are a part of this cosmos and its design which implies that a grand component of this cosmos of which we are a part is also a part of us! That grand component pervading this cosmos is known by various names, but it has one name given in Rig Veda – that is, Sat! In common parlance it is known as GOD. The realisation that we are part of that eternity is Knowledge which gives eternal Happiness.

Einstein was close to that realisation but fell short of expressing it coherently.

********************

UPDATE on 27th October 2017.

From 

https://www.livescience.com/60771-einstein-happiness-letter-auctioned.html?utm_source=ls-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20171026-ls

Einstein’s ‘Hidden formula’ for Happiness sells for $ 1.5 million

By Laura Geggel, Senior Writer | October 25, 2017 01:31pm ET

Gal Wiener, owner and manager of the Winner's auction house in Jerusalem, holds two notes, including one on happiness, written by Albert Einstein in November 1922. Both notes were written in German on stationary from the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

Credit: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty

Two advice-filled notes Albert Einstein wrote to a bellboy in Japan 95 years ago, including one that advocated for "a calm and modest life," fetched more than $1.5 million at an auction on Tuesday (Oct. 24).  

In October 1922, Einstein was traveling to Japan to deliver a series of lectures when he received a telegraph announcing that he had won the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics. The physicist was hardly ever short on groundbreaking theories, but found himself short on cash when he wanted to tip a bellboy who had delivered an item to his room at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

In lieu of a monetary tip, Einstein gave the bellboy two thoughtful notes he had just written on hotel stationary. Einstein told the bellboy to keep the letters, "as their future value may be much higher than a standard tip," according to Winner's Auctions and Exhibitions, in Jerusalem, which auctioned the letters. [8 Ways You Can See Einstein's Theory of Relativity in Real Life]

The longer note, popularly called the "happiness letter," reads: "A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness." (The original German reads, "Stilles bescheidenes Leben gibt mehr Glueck als erfolgreiches Streben, verbunden mit bestaendiger Unruhe.")

A bidding war for the letter lasted 25 minutes, and ended with an anonymous buyer purchasing it for $1,560,000, a price that includes an additional charge known as the buyer's premium.

The other note Einstein gave the bellboy says, "Where there's a will there's a way." (The original German says, "Wo ein Wille ist, da ist auch ein Weg.") Another anonymous buyer purchased that note for $240,000, an amount that also includes the buyer's premium, according to the auction house.

Despite an invitation to the Nobel Prize ceremony, Einstein opted to continue his journey in Japan, which is why he didn't travel to Stockholm that December to receive his award in person, auction officials said.

Original article on Live Science.

The “legendary eve-teaser” was an eternal celibate (Naishtika Brahmachari)!

Prashant Bushan’s Krishna remark is not the first of its kind to come from the stable of the legal fraternity.  Earlier in 2010, while reserving its judgement on the SLP filed by actress Khushboo for her remarks on pre-marital sex, the bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Deepak Verma and Justice B.S Chauhan observed even a more bizarre version of Lord Krishna. In their eagerness to quote a precedence (as legal fraternity used to do) for pre-marital affair from ancient Indian context, they said that even Krishna and Radha had a pre-marital live-in relationship! That was the worst blasphemy for which the judges never expressed any remorse or apology nor were they asked by any to correct their statement.

Sounding on similar lines, Prashant Bhushan’s tweet on Krishna as an eve- teaser shows just one thing - that those in judiciary are ignorant of the stories on the lives of Hindu Gods and have no knowledge of the intricate meanings and symbolisms behind those stories. In their professionally induced urge to quote precedents, they take liberty to blabber something from hearsay and expect people to accept as gospel. Strangely they seem to be ignorant of what constitutes blasphemy when it concerns their own views and words.

Somehow all of them including those who come with a liberal stamp are fond of talking about Krishna and Rama in some ways that are always wrong! Prashant Bhushan claims that he is not religious but has heard the folklores of Krishna’s childhood. That gave him the justification to speak what he thought rather than what that religion implied by those stories. The result is that he not only showcased his poor understanding of the religion professed by his mother but also the failure on the part of his mother to inculcate in him the right idea of the religion she followed.

As a legal person he is bound to spend hours on every page of the law book he reads, but did he spend any time on the truth behind the photo that he has uploaded in his tweet?

If he had looked at the sources of these folklores, he would have known that Krishna was not even 10 years old when he was supposed to have been eve-teasing Gopikas. The above picture in his house shows Krishna in Vrindavana, when he was not even an adolescent.  After his stay in Vrindavana the next event in his life was killing Kamsa. When Krishna killed Kamsa, he had only completed 10 years of age. He never returned to Vrindavana after that nor had any playful time with young girls after that age.

An experienced lawyer that he is, if Prashant Bhushan thinks that Krishna of under-10 indulged in eve –teasing of Gopis, then it is perversion of his mind. But he as a self-proclaimed non believer of a religion (Hinduism), saying not just false, but a derogatory statement about a popular God of that religion exhibiting a concept of revered form of devotion, has only betrayed his brazen hatred and aversion towards that religion. If he is a non- believer of Hinduism (that is what is implied when he said that he is not religious) he should not have dabbled with the characters of that religion. Since he has done it he is fit enough to be called as a communal one.

The basic problem in this kind of reckless talks by the likes of Prashant Bhushan is that the Hindu texts have not been read in detail by them. Atleast they could have a taken a leaf out of the other popular events in Krishna’s life. If devotion is the central theme around the Gopikas getting attracted to Krishna, the fruit of devotion is exhibited in the vastraharan episode of Draupadi in which she was saved by Krishna –Bhakthi. How can an eve-teaser become a saviour of a woman facing an assault on her integrity, that too in a king’ court by her relatives?   

But that same episodes cannot be seen in the right perspective by the so-called intellectuals of India is known from the fact that not long ago actor Kamal Hasaan told in a interview that Indians are respecting a book that highlighted a woman being pawned away in gambling! There is only one name for these persons – perverts!

While it is not worth writing on perverts and their perverted thoughts, I think it needs to be highlighted that the very basic idea in Prashant Bhushan’s version of Krishna is wrong. What Bhushan wanted to emphasis is that Krishna was after carnal pleasures. Contrary to that, Krishna was regarded as a Naishtika Brahmachari which means he was an eternal celibate! Though there are myths that he had 16,000 wives – which is impossible and can only be a myth – he was regarded as a celibate. The proof of this is found in the episode that saw the lifeless baby of Uttra (born to Abhimanyu) swinging back to life by the touch of Krishna.

When all the off-springs of Pandavas were annihilated by the Apandavastra of Ahwatthama, the foetus in the womb of Uttra was also not spared. It was still-born and could be revived only when touched by a Naishtika Brahmachari. And none other than Krishna held it with a pledge that the baby spring back to life if it is true that he is a Naishtika Brahmachari. The baby came to life and came to be called as Parikshit, the first descendant of the Pandavas to come to throne after them.

This is history, more than a religion and religion is another facet of it. Similarly Ashwatthama is also history and not a myth as there are inscriptional evidences to show that Pallavas were descendants of Ashwatthama. Pallavas were great devotees of Vishnu and were known for distribution of water to people over larger tracts of land, perhaps as a mark of atonement for the numerous deaths caused by the Brahmastra shot be their ancestor Ashwatthama. With a little more care to know who these characters of ancient India are and why they behaved in the way they did and what inner meanings were there behind the outwardly perceived ideas, one can easily avoid being looked upon as dumb-headed one or a pervert as Prashant Bhushan has chosen to make himself appear.

Twitter finds new utility as Gate way to Christian God by writing off sins!

The idea of God is indisputable only when the religious Thought that supports that idea stands indisputable from all counts of human probing. That is why there are numerous discourses and debates in Hindu Thought,  the crux of which can be seen in Brahma sutras and Upanishads. These texts have established that such a God is "Satyam, gyanam, anantham Brhama" .  The rishis have established that even words and mind cannot reach Him. That puts God in a pedestal high above everyone. One has to emulate Him (madbhaavam) if he wants to reach Him.

Suppose a God can be reached by the modern tool of Twitter, can he be a God? For Christians it is not an issue. By offering to reduce the time of confinement for the sins, to the Twitter followers of the Pope, Christians have demonstrated how shallow their Faith is and how there is absolutely no theological or even rational basis for their Religion.

Given below is the best of the comments I have come across on this amusing idea. It is given by an Octogenarian, Mr MK Krishnaswamy, who was one among the two who were instrumental in making me take up blogging. He says,

" It was interesting to note that 'time' measured by earth-standard is the universal scale to determine the period of punishment in other regions of the universe. Science may yet escape this by discovering travel-back in time; they can then patent their technique and compete with the pope! 

Or, the well-funded sinners can manage to escape from confinement (purgatory)  by continuing their earthly cunning ways after death from wherever the prison is. 

May be, after failing to prevent/catch sinners, the Pope likes to try in other ways adopting modern techniques like Twitter - minimum effort, maximum result. Tweet and catch - it's so easy. Wonder how they didn't think of it earlier."

 

Another comment from an unknown person,

"I thought Rome had abolished Hell and Purgatory, 

leaving  Heaven as the only option [ without the Seven Virgins, of course ].

Nota bene:     Today is NOT the 1st of April "

 

Details in The Guardian article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/16/vatican-indulgences-pope-francis-tweets

Vatican offers 'time off purgatory' to followers of Pope Francis tweets

Papal court handling pardons for sins says contrite Catholics may win 'indulgences' by following World Youth Day on Twitter

By

Tom Kington in Rome

The Guardian, Tuesday 16 July 2013 18.50 BST

 

In its latest attempt to keep up with the times the Vatican has married one of its oldest traditions to the world of social media by offering "indulgences" to followers of Pope Francis' tweets.

 

The church's granted indulgences reduce the time Catholics believe they will have to spend in purgatory after they have confessed and been absolved of their sins.

 

The remissions got a bad name in the Middle Ages because unscrupulous churchmen sold them for large sums of money. But now indulgences are being applied to the 21st century.

 

But a senior Vatican official warned web-surfing Catholics that indulgences still required a dose of old-fashioned faith, and that paradise was not just a few mouse clicks away.

 

"You can't obtain indulgences like getting a coffee from a vending machine," Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the pontifical council for social communication, told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

 

Indulgences these days are granted to those who carry out certain tasks – such as climbing the Sacred Steps, in Rome (reportedly brought from Pontius Pilate's house after Jesus scaled them before his crucifixion), a feat that earns believers seven years off purgatory.

 

But attendance at events such as the Catholic World Youth Day, in Rio de Janeiro, a week-long event starting on 22 July, can also win an indulgence.

 

Mindful of the faithful who cannot afford to fly to Brazil, the Vatican's sacred apostolic penitentiary, a court which handles the forgiveness of sins, has also extended the privilege to those following the "rites and pious exercises" of the event on television, radio and through social media.

 

"That includes following Twitter," said a source at the penitentiary, referring to Pope Francis' Twitter account, which has gathered seven million followers. "But you must be following the events live. It is not as if you can get an indulgence by chatting on the internet."

 

In its decree, the penitentiary said that getting an indulgence would hinge on the beneficiary having previously confessed and being "truly penitent and contrite".

 

Praying while following events in Rio online would need to be carried out with "requisite devotion", it suggested.

 

Apart from the papal Twitter account, the Vatican has launched an online news portal supported by an app, a Facebook page, and it plans to use the online social networking site Pinterest.

 

"What really counts is that the tweets the Pope sends from Brazil or the photos of the Catholic World Youth Day that go up on Pinterest produce authentic spiritual fruit in the hearts of everyone," said Celli.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karunanidhi's confession of collective involvement in 2G scam. (Pearls of wisdom)

Long ago I started compiling 'pearls of wisdom' by our 'Great' people. That column was not filled up for long. But with telecom scam blowing its heat on Karunanidhi & Co, we start getting some fantastic words from them.

The most visible face of scientific scams is Karunanidhi.

He has no equals in this world in this regard.

He has withered the tsunami of the past in the name of Sarkaria Commission and is still continuing with no holds barred. 

But this time he seems to be a little rattled thanks to the Jayalalithaa bomb-shell.

But in wishing to phoo-phoo it, he has indeed spilled the golden word - not just pearly words - of his culpability in the scam. 

When the issue was raised in the Assembly on 12^th November by O. Panneerselvam of AIADMK who said that the Congress doors will open for the AIADMK,  the Chief Minister Karunanidhi popped up to say

"Only we know if the doors will open or not".

This single liner by Karunanidhi is loaded with lot of meanings.

This conveys that the Congress would not open the doors at all to AIADMK,

because if it opens, there will be skeletons to see, meaning thereby that the Congress also has a share in the loot.

This liner also smacks of a kind of talk that a blackmailer would make to caution his buddy if he seems to part ways with him. 

'Hi, if you harm me, I would also harm you - but more terribly."

That is why Karunanidhi is pretty sure that the Congress would not touch Raja. 

What a confession of his own and Congress' complicity in the Mother of Scams!

A.Raja's confession on 2G. (Pearls of wisdom)

A.Raja does not agree with the CAG figure of 1-77 lakh crore as the money lost in the 2G spectrum auction.

The wise words narrated  by him is that it was

"technically, logically and fatally wrong" to compare 3G with 2G and

assess the value of 2G at the 3G rates.

This is really a same side goal because when he said this,

he hardly seemed to realize that this is what he is being accused of. 

How could he sell 2G in 2007 at 2001 rate which is not applicable in 2007? 

By saying that 2G value should not be assessed on the basis of 3G,

he implies that his 2G rates should not have been fixed on the basis of 2001 rates. 

What a self confession!! 

Related posts:-

 

http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2010/11/sack-raja-and-cut-off-dmk-from.html
http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2010/11/2g-raja-spectrum-scam-who-are.html
http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2010/11/raja-scam-unlawful-meeting-of-counsels.html

Woman’s reservation bill – musings from a woman who once desired to avail this reservation!

Women's Reservation in politics – will it empower women?

On this centenary year of woman's day, my answer to this question is an ironical 'no'.

I say this because I have tested the waters!!

I was one of the early enthusiasts to support such a provision and articulated it in my letters to The Hindu long ago.

I was even close to contesting the reserved constituency in a local body election 7 years ago.

I can say that the Sasa yoga in my horoscope (Saturn in exaltation or own house in Kendra to lagna – and it was Vargotthama in my chart!) tempted me to take a plunge into politics.

I was also encouraged by the confidence reposed on me by the people from across all sections of the place where I lived, thanks to my non-commercially practiced astrological counseling. If I had wished, I could have amassed wealth through astrology which I started practicing from my early twenties. The community around me considered this as the first reason to have me in political administration of them. A person with no- money intentions must be there in political power, they thought. The next reason they said was that they considered me as 'intelligent' and 'smart enough' to extract maximum benefit from the government for the betterment of the constituency. There was yet another section which considered that people like me (!?) must be in politics – in decision making bodies. For sometime even I believed what they all said.

But when you go nearer to politics, the stench is too strong to drive you out!

Money is one thing then but the only thing today in Tamilnadu more than anytime in the past.

Some political parties approached me but I had to pay some amount to get the ticket.

DMK, of all the parties offered me a ticket at that time without wanting me to pay a single rupee (they will pay everything for me, for they were too sure that if I contest in their ticket, one seat is assured beyond doubt).

Interestingly I was saved from this first hurdle – for, the other contestants said that they would withdraw from the race if I am there – so that I will be elected unopposed as an independent. The only expense I had to make was the fee to be paid for contesting. You can imagine how thrilled I would have been then!!

But the real scenario exposed itself upon my face after that.

On hearing my support base, many people approached me guaranteeing their support to me.

Their background, the jobs they were doing, the kind of returns / help they would expect from me once I am elected started dawning on me. The reality is that more than what I can do for the common man, I have to do more for these vested interests. In my interactions with that DMK man (who was the President in previous local body) on what they can do, what they have done and what they are upto, was grasped by me only then. They are all seasoned politicians. They can not allow anything that is different (or detrimental) from the politics they practice. This wisdom started dawning on me.

My family was too worried about my safety in such a place where money rules the roost. The same voices which want me to win a seat for them, would not be the same if I question them why we must do something the way they decide or want. Your life is not guaranteed if you speak in a different tone in that place. Either you have to go along with them or quit. I quit.

It is not man or woman that matters – on who should enter politics or how many of them – percentage wise – must enter politics. It is about how prepared you are to shut your eyes to the filthy dealings. Not many women have entered so far into Indian politics, perhaps because they are not monetarily strong to enter at the entry level. And once they enter they must not 'see' what they see, must not 'hear' what they hear and must not talk what they saw, heard and thought! How many of them can be like this is a question because it is not about a 'male bastion' but about an incorrigibly corrupt bastion.

I thanked my last minute decision of not filing the papers for contest, for within hours of the result of the poll, the winners made more money than what they spent on the election. (There are ways – unimaginable ways of making money once you are elected to power!!!) One can imagine how much they would have made in the next 5 years.

It sounds funny when I hear people opposing reservation putting forth the argument that rotationary reservation will not lead to development of the constituency. Who said that there is no development? Those who entered will find development! Isn't that for what they enter?

It sounds ridiculous when the media and others boast of who is who of the women in politics an power (today's article in DC is given below).

Look at who they are.

Kani mozhi – who concedes that she enjoys visibility because of her birth!

Jaya and Jayapradha – can a Jayasree come anywhere nearer their clout and money?

And the most funniest example of Sonia Gandhi.

They say 'kamaban veettu kattuth thariyum kavi paadum'. Even the Pomeranian in her house will get attention.

That is what the opponents to the Bill (not the yadavs I mean) are saying.

Only the wives (many means more sources – MK tops the list with the highest advantage potential with a wider band from wives to great grand daughters to offer tickets) and daughters of the already existing politicians are going to enter. Money is not a problem to them – their fathers have amassed enough to take care of many more elections. And they know that they are there to replenish it after each election!!

Only eligible women are needed to fill the percentage.

Do you believe that you and I are eligible to fill that?

The existing band of politicians will have their next generation filling the percentage conveniently.

We can not get 'empowered' (for what?) in this way.

Those who believe in 'politics with ethics' can not even test these waters.

The system is too rotten. Male or female is not an issue.

How far you are ready to or capable of compromising on ethics decides your entry into and future in politics.

The best way to express this is already given by Mr Pazha. Karuppaiya in the Thuglak anniversary function (published in the latest issue of Thuglak dated 10-03-2010)

"No unethical person was seen in politics Gandhi's times; no ethical person is seen in politics in Karunanidhi's times"

From his speech:-

"ஒரு காலக் கட்டத்தில் நாட்டில் உள்ள இளைஞர்களை எல்லாம் 'பொது வாழ்க்கைக்கு வாருங்கள்' என்று காந்தீஜி அழைத்தார். அப்போது நாட்டிலுள்ள யோக்கியர்கள் எல்லாம் 'இந்த மனிதர் நம்மைத் தான் அழைக்கிறார்' என்று பொது வாழ்க்கைக்கு வந்தார்கள். நாட்டில் இருந்த அயோக்கியர்கள் எல்லாம் 'இவர் அழைப்பது நம்மை அல்ல' என்று ஒதுங்கிக் கொண்டார்கள். ......

இன்றைக்கு கருணாநிதி போன்ற தலைவர்கள் இளைஞர்களை பொது வாழ்க்கைக்கு அழைக்கிறார்கள்! நாட்டில் உள்ள அயோக்கியர்கள் எல்லாம் 'தலைவர் நம்மைத் தான் அழைக்கிறார்' என்று உள்ளே வந்துவிட்டான். ...

காந்தி காலத்தில் அயோக்கியன் எல்லாம் வெளியே தெரியவில்லை. கருணாநிதி காலத்தில் யோக்கியன் எல்லாம் வெளியே தெரியவில்லை. இதுதான் அரசியல் கெட்டுப் போனதற்குஅடிப்படை" (substitute Karunanidhi with politicians in general)

In this atmosphere of Politics without Ethics, women's reservation only helps in bringing more women who can play this game.

Is this what they call empowerment of women?

-jayasree ********

Updated on 12-03-2010 :-

Sonia's suggestion to Lalu -

Lalu brought Rabri Devi before -amidst lot of criticism. Now he can have no qualms in bringing all his seven daughters. Sonia's logic for the need of the bill is also the same. Is this the great step for Indian women?

********

Up-dated on 15-03-2010

Some related articles:-

“Women's quota or Biwi-Beti-Bahu-Behen-Bhanji quota? Is the Women's Quota Bill motivated by genuine concern for gender equity?”

Mr Kanchan Gupta on Woman’s reservation

http://kanchangupta.blogspot.com/2010/03/assault-on-freedom-of-choice.html

***********

“What a tragedy that our political leaders are so paralysed by political correctness that not one of them has the courage to stand up in public and admit that the Women’s Reservation Bill needs to be tossed into the garbage bin.”

Ms Tavleen Singh in

http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/590500/

*********

From

http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/03/08/ArticleHtmls/08_03_2010_101_036.shtml?Mode=0

As women move ahead, men are left gasping

There has been a wave of rumbling in Parliament lately — mainly from male politicians. They are extremely unhappy with the Women's Reservation Bill that will be tabled in Parliament today. Women don't find this surprising since they know, given an opportunity, they excel and leave their male colleagues way behind.

The men grumble, "This will be an entry route for wives and daughters of politicians." Well, if a son can take his father's seat, what's wrong if the daughter or wife does?

Take a look at women who have fought against the odds and made a mark for themselves.

Why such a hue and cry

By

Kanimozhi, MP

It's ironical that such a hue and cry is being made regarding the women's reservation bill. Would there be such a commotion if the bill had some- thing to do with making life easier for men? Being born into a political family helps in terms of visibility. But that did not make it any easier for me when it came to the every- day challenges involved in a full time political career.

I started my political career from scratch — a woman has to work 10 times as hard compared to her male counter- parts to prove a point to society."

Naidu's snub didn't pin her down

JAYA PRADA, MP

When Jaya Prada became an MP representing the Telugu Desam Party, people sniggered and said she was "Chandrababu Naidu's favourite girl."

But Jaya Prada proved everyone wrong. She did not give up even MP representing the Telugu Desam Party, people sniggered and said she was "Chandrababu Naidu's favourite girl." But Jaya Prada proved everyone wrong. She did not give up even after being snubbed by Naidu. Instead, she joined the Samajwadi Party and won elections twice in Uttar Pradesh, which is not even her hometown.

Jaya Prada says the path of women politicians is a tough one. "Be in arts, entertainment, politics, the road to success for a woman is tough. But when given the opportunity, women have proved they are no less." She is single today, has separated from husband Srikant Nahta, has no family support, yet nothing holds her back.

Guddi is a fighter.

JAYA BACHCHAN,

Politician

Her husband Amitabh H Bachchan, a super hero, could not settle down in political life. He decided to quit after the first signs of criticism and vowed never to go back. Now compare him to wife Jaya. She is a fighter. She has never held back in speaking her mind. Jaya is ever ready to take on the Gandhi family and even the likes of Raj Thackeray. She is no quitter.

A woman's world

Article By

Minal Khona

In India, women rule. Look at our role models - President of the country, Pratibha Patil. Sonia Gandhi, President of the ruling party who can make unruly politicians shiver with just a glance. With her leadership qualities and grace, she controls a largely male-dominated environment with a few words where poor CM Rosaiah has a hard time controlling the local Congressmen.

With the International Women's Day completing 100 years, women in India have made giant strides and it is the triumph of women that they have excelled in every sphere.

India Inc. is changing. Daughters are inheriting their fathers' businesses and being groomed to take charge -Roshni Nadar, daughter of Shiv Nadar taking over as CEO of HCL Corp and Preetha Reddy taking charge of Apollo hospitals once her dad retires. Tanya Godrej Dubash, Sulajja Firodia -- daughters who have donned the mantle.

Wives have moved beyond trophy value too. Mukesh Ambani never fails to credit his wife Neeta -- who runs the Dhirubhai Ambani International School -- for her strategic thinking and unstinted support while Anil's wife Tina has developed a state-of-the-art hospital in Mumbai's suburbs.

And mother Kokila Ambani played fair matriarch to her warring sons and ensured that the Ambani empire was split equally between both brothers, thereby preventing a crisis in the stock market. The finance sector -- a male bastion the world over -- has women like Naina Lal Kidwai, the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School and now CEO of HSBC in India; Chanda Kochchar -- CEO of ICICI, one of India's fastest growing private banks -- our heroes are all around us. While countries such as the uber progressive United States are still to break the glass ceiling, India did it years ago. We had a woma prime minister decades ago and Hillary is still to break that invisible barrier.

Now, everywhere there are signs of men wanting to be like us women. Attention to personal grooming with a spurt of fairness creams and moisturisers for men. Changing nappies, whipping up a meal, looking after the house -- men emulate women in all spheres. But can they remember to feed the baby, not burn the gravy and talk business on the phone -- simultaneously? I doubt it.

While steadily achieving all that we are capable of, women haven't become like men. We still love our saris, our lipsticks and perfumes and yes, we still juggle career, family and motherhood better than ever!

She has triumphed as the SUPERWOMAN! –