Dreams in astrology.

Dream interpretation is part of astrology. The Hindu astrology is broadly classified into 5, of which samhita is one and sakuna is another.


Dreams come under both these.

Swapna sastra (science of dream) as it is called, is a samhita dealing with meaning of dreams.


It is also part of sakuna (that depends on instant recognition of an ensuing event based on common sense knowledge of happenings in Nature) because it is possible for even a layman to understand what a dream conveys.


Charaka, Susruta, Varahamihira, Bruhaspathi, Parashara, Markandeya etc have written on dreams. ( I will do a separate post on their theories.)

Some reference to dreams is found in puranas also.

Generally all these texts deal with dream interpretation.

A link to an article on dream interpretation can be read here:-


http://www.journalofastrology.com/article.php?category_id=1&page=9&article_id=151




However, according to Sanatana dharma, dreams too are part and parcel of Karma theory. What we do by thought, word and action do have a resultant, coming back to us some time later. Some of those results (phala) are experienced in dreams!


The mental impressions happening at waking state are known as thoughts.


The mental impressions happening at sleep state are known as dreams.

As such they are also something which we experience.

The emotions that dreams evoke are intended to be experienced by us due to some previous karma.

It is therefore deduced that not all dreams are predictive. That means, not all dreams have some scope for interpretation. They are dreamt because the experience had to be felt through them.




Acharya Ramanuja held this opinion based on sruti texts.


An article on this was already posted in this blog :-


http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-hinduism-says-about-dreams.html





In the current post, I am writing on Varahamihira's opinion on how dream experience is part of undergoing a karmic result.


In verse 22 of chapter 8 of Brihad Jathaka, Varahamihira says,


"During the time of an auspicious planet, the mind of the person will be good. It enables the man to get wealth and secure happiness or misery, the man is subjected to. The results produced by powerless planets will be enjoyed in dreams and thoughts".


Moon is the planet that controls one's thoughts. It signifies mind. Varahamihira does not pin point moon or any particular planet for vivid dreams. He only says about powerful planets and powerless planets.


In the period of powerless planets, one gets to enjoy the weaker yogas (rendered weak due to association of powerless planets) in his thoughts and dreams.


This has been interpreted by Bhattothpala, the commentator of Brihad Jataka and Sri B.Surya Narain Rao (grandfather of Dr BV Raman) who has translated Brihad Jataka in the following way:-


In a natal chart a yoga may exist in some degree of powerfulness. For instance, the vaahana yoga ( for enjoyment of conveyance) may exist in some degree of powerfulness. Not all those having this yoga do have a vaahana in reality.


Some may own a chauffeur driven vehicle.

Some may not own a vehicle but will be regularly accompanying their boss in their vehicle.

Some may enjoy a vehicle as drivers.

Yet another person may temporarily enjoy a vehicle by getting a lift while going on some chore.


If we examine the horoscopes of these persons, all of them may be having the vaahana yoga to some extent. But fructification of it happens differently in accordance with the power of the yoga, the planets involved and the running dasa- antra dasa.


Again some may have the vaahana yoga to an extent that they will enjoy the riding pleasure only in thoughts!!


There may be some who will have dreams of riding or owning a vehicle.


Astrology tells that it is possible to enjoy in different ways and different degrees, the causes of which can be traced to the power of the planet!


The power of the planet is linked to the karmic result that a person is destined to enjoy. In this way dreams themselves are a 'vehicle' for experiencing some karma-phalan.



Identifying a specific planet as a causative (kaarak) for dreams is not there in Vedic astrology. The houses, signs, aspects and moon's power must be inter related to arrive at a judgment.



However western astrology does assign an important role to Neptune in giving vivid dreams to the native. The power of Neptune, the aspects it receives and its own aspects on moon, on Leo and on the 5^th house do matter.



In Palmistry, those with psychic hands often get dreams that seem to convey something to them.


But not all dreams can not be interpreted, nor can be said to be indicative of some impending event. For a person to be able to get such dream that conveys a message in advance, he / she must have a semi- circular curve on the side of the palm starting from the mount of moon and ending in the mount of Mercury.


This is known as 'aruL rEgai' in Tamil or the line of intuition.

This is very rare to come across.



Even where it is seen, it does not go in full sweep. It exists as a line from moon to mercury mount – looking short, or medium or curved, lying on the outer side of Line of Health. Such persons have clairvoyance and foretelling abilities.



In practice, we see those persons with the line of Intuition, doing well as effective astrologers. This line is seen in the hands of astrologers, yogis and spiritually inclined ones. Dream interpretation and getting dreams as a fore-warning can happen to these persons.



Tail piece:-


What is Vaahana yoga?


A powerful planet must be between the lord of the ascendant and the sun and /or the moon. The 9^th house from that planet must be occupied by an auspicious planet.

This confers vaahana yoga.


Other versions of vaahana yoga are that the lord of the lagna must join the 4^th or 9^th or 11^th lord.


Or else the 4^th lord must be exalted and the lord of the exaltation sign must occupy a Kendra or trokona.


All these confer enjoyment of vehicles.

Kamal Hassan's bungling about 'The wonder that is Meenakshi temple".

ஊத்திட்டாருயா கமலு!

மழைக்கு கூட ஸ்கூல் பக்கம் ஒதுங்கினதுல்லனு
சில பேரு சொல்லுவாங்க.
நம்ம கமலு
சினிமா ஷூட்டிங்-கு கூட கோவில் பக்கம், அதுவும்,
மதுரை மீனாக்ஷி கோவில் பக்கம் ஒதுங்கினதுல்லனு
சொல்லாம சொல்லிட்டாரு!!


ஏதாவது கோவில் ஷூடிங்குனா ஸ்டுடிஒவிலேயே
கோவில் செட் போட்டுடுவாருங்க.


எதுக்கு கோவிலுக்கெல்லாம் போகணும்.
அப்புறம் பகுத்தறிவு என்ன ஆகும்?


This facet of Kamal hassan was witnessed
when he was called to declare the 5th wonder of India.
It was Meenakshi temple of Madurai.





It seems that he was the only dignitary from Tamilnadu
who was invited specifically to represent Tamilnadu and
was honoured to declare one of the wonders that happened to belong to Tamil nadu.


After making the annoucement, Kamal was asked to say something about the wonder.
While everyone was waiting to hear him say something on this temple,
there he was saying that he had not gone there.
He had nothing to say about this temple -
or even about any temple in general,
to impress the fact how temples are homes of architectural marvels.

He bungled well and exited in a sorry state.


Contarst this to what Aishwarya and Abhishek Bhacchan had said.
They said something good about
how our country has so many wonders worth seeing and taking pride at.


Couldn't Kamal mouth some good thing about a temple or even the place (Madurai)
which is used as an euphimism for female dominance?

Didn't he know how this temple had been a seat of Tamil cuture for thousands of years?

Should his love for a non-existant Dravidan culture
eclipse any understanding of Tamil culture that is very much rooted in Hinduism and temples?

Or couldn't he come prepared by knowing something about
all the wonders - not just Meenakshi temple - nominated from Tamilnadu?




Anyway, it gave a sickening feeling to see this man do a poor show.

It was a waste to have a Kamal being called to make the annoucement about the temple.


Thinking of wonders, the reality however is that
any temple, like Meenaskhi temple,
is the most wonderful site
helping one to transform from material to etheral relams.


No other structure, however well built
can compare with a temple in its metaphysical characteristics.


-jayasree


***********

http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/31/stories/2009033159671300.htm

NDTV declares ‘Seven Wonders’

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: News channel NDTV, in collaboration with the Union Tourism Ministry’s ‘Incredible India’ campaign, announced the final Seven Wonders of India at a function here on Monday.

The “Seven Wonders” are: the Red Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Nalanda University, Sun Temple of Konark, Meenakshi Temple, Dholavira site and Khajuraho, Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Speaking on the occasion, NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy said: “One has to travel abroad to realise how beautiful India is. It is sad that this was the genesis of starting this campaign. Each State had seven wonders. Viewers voted in lakhs and the whole exercise was the culmination of one year’s effort. Our country has 5,000 years of culture. We have to take care of our monuments that are in neglect. Respecting our heritage will go a long way in preserving them for the future generation.”

Mr. Roy said the campaign rediscovered some majestic monuments, places of worship, a mausoleum, a university – all representing the country’s rich and varied heritage.

While actor Aishwarya Rai, supported by Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe, performed to Bollywood numbers, among the audience sat her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, mother-in-law Jaya, husband Abhishek, sister-in-law Shweta Nanda, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and actor Kamal Hassan.

The initiative was taken up in September 2008 to unravel new landmarks and ancient monuments. The campaign celebrates India’s incredibly rich heritage by acknowledging the natural and man-made marvels. After the launch of nationwide campaign “Seven Wonders of India,” seven top wonders in each State cluster were declared. A top wonder was then chosen as a nominee from each State for the final list.

Secularism - the most mis-used concept in India.

From

 

http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/Secularism-In-India-Will-Hindus-Wake-up-Now/blog-261.htm

 

Secularism In India: Will Hindus Wake up Now?

Mar-22-2009

 

By: Mahalinga Srinivasan

 

(Since 2000, the author is taking part in several social service activities supporting education of the underprivileged people, veda patasalas, etc. Presently, he is actively working toward the revival of Hindu consciousness among the Hindus in India. Unlike in the past, he does not feel guilty of being a Hindu.)
 

It has become fashionable to use the word "Secularism" these days. But the reality is that it is the most abused word. Several people mean and interpret this word differently causing confusion.

India has been a pluralistic society. We used to be proud of being unified as one country with different cultures and religions coexisting peacefully with harmony. In other words, India used to be one of the most secular countries where every religion offered mutual respect for each other.

This situation prevailed till the recent past. In recent times religion began to be used as a tool by politicians to divide people. Political interference in religious matters is usual, if not frequent. But, of late, the Indian Government intervenes in religious matters mostly in favour of minority religions and in many other cases against the Hindu Religion. It is worth considering a few such cases:

1. Monority Appeasement:

Many Muslims in India travel to Mecca (Haj) on an annual yatra. The Government subsidises the travel expenses of those tourists through a program called Haj subsidy, even though the Supreme Court has disapproved this subsidy. The Christian Church recently claimed a similar subsidy for travel to Jerusalem and the Government agreed and sanctioned it. Both subsidies are spent from the exchequer. At the same time, the money donated by Hindus in temples goes straight to the exchequer. Recent reports show that only 20% of those funds are used for temple support and the rest siphoned off.

One case that can convincingly establish Islam"s winch like hold on the government is that of the blast of the Parliament House in New Delhi. Here, the militant(s) were captured, accused, prosecuted, and proved guilty by the Supreme Court. The punishment of hanging was handed out even after an appeal by the convicted Afzal Guru was denied by the Supreme Court. Then a mercy petition was filed with the President of India by the accused, which was to be settled in six months. It has now been years and the Supreme Court"s order for execution has yet to see the light of day. By not tackling the issue firmly, the Government has not only demonstrated an extreme case of minority appeasement, but also has surrendered the country"s sovereignty to terrorists!

2. Opening of Educational Institutions:

Minority groups do not require any special permission from the Government when they want to open educational institutions, with or without government grants. They are allowed to reserve 50% of the seats for their religious group, without any quota restrictions. On the contrary, Hindus are not allowed to open educational institutions (with or without grant) without specific approval from the Government. No autonomous reservation is allowed. The entire admission process is subject to the Government quota system! Many Hindu citizens do not know this undemocratic system.

3. Exemptions to Educational Trusts:

Whenever any educational Trusts of Minority Religions applied for Income Tax exemptions under section 80 G of the I.T. Act, the Government freely obliged their request. On the contrary such requests by Hindu institutions like Veda Pathasalas are denied on grounds that it is communal! Requests are approved, only if they are devoid of "objectionable" words like "Hindu", "Vedas", etc. So, such applications are filled with sugar-coated words such as Indian Heritage Studies, Ancient Indian Culture Studies, etc. It is needless to say that "Contacts" with "Higher-ups" is always sought for to avoid undue delays in approval of such requests from Hindu aspirants.

4. Demolition of Religious Places, or seizing land belonging to religious institutions:

Illegal construction of property is quite common in India. Normally, illegal constructions are those erected in lands belonging to the Government or those carried out without proper authorization, or those that are not conducive to public law and order. Minority religions consider it a sacrilege if mosques or churches are demolished, even if done on legal or technical grounds. So such illegal construction remains untouched. In some instances, many pending court cases are permanently delayed or stopped. On the other hand, the Government demolishes Hindu Temples without consulting management and even before the courts intervene!

For instance, the Delhi Metro Rail Project was taken up about 10 years back. The original project was opposed by Muslims on the grounds that the frequent vibrations would affect the structure of Jumma Masjid. Hence the project had to be modified involving a delay of over three years besides increased expenses of hundreds of crores of rupees. Similarly, the new Calcutta International Airport has been awaiting inauguration for five years on the grounds that a mosque obstructing its runway is not allowed to be demolished by the Islamic clergy.

But the Government does not consider Hindu sentiments as equally sacred. For instance, recently (October 2008) in Hyderabad, a temple was demolished for widening a road. Only after the people went to the streets did the ruling party promise reconstruction.

In another instance, the Andhra Pradesh Government took over the lands belonging to Tirupathi Devasthanam under the pretext of acquiring the land for construction of houses, a project headed by a Christist Chief Minister and widely supported by Christian organizations. It took a nationwide protest and public litigation before the AP High Court questioned why Church or Mosque lands could not be used for this purpose. Needless to say, the AP Government put the project in cold storage.

5. Political interference in Temples and places of religious importance:

While Christian & Islamic places of worship are out of the bounds of the Indian Government, Hindu Temples continue to be under the management of HRCE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, a state department in many states). Furthermore, efforts continue by the government to gain control of autonomous Hindu temples and mutts. For example, the Kerala Communist Government brought out a law to take over the Guruvayur temple. Even though this attempt was unsuccessful, the government is manipulating to amend the rules in Devaswom (Board of the Guruvayur temple) to try to induct politicians in the Board. The eventual goal is to loot the temples that are flush with funds, like Guruvayurappan Temple, Ayyappan Temple at Sabari Malai, and Ananta Padmanatha Swamy Temple in Tiruvanantapuram.

The Tamil Nadu Government has made a concerted effort to take over the Chidambaram Nataraja temple affairs under the pretext of smoothing out "differences" between Vaishnavite and Saivite traditions. The government has since taken control of the temple. The Hindus have filed a case in the High Court. The case is pending. Needless to say the government control will continue till the judgement from the High Court is delivered.

The demolition of Rama-Setu (bridge) is too recent to forget. In this case, the Government went to the extent of giving two false affidavits and got roughed up by the Supreme Court for its callousness. The Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha has supported a nationwide agitation by the Hindus to protest the demolition.

6. Hindu Terror!

As per reports, during the past 4.5 years of UPA rule, there had been 78 terrorist attacks. Almost all of them were by Islamic organizations. Not even once did the Government use the word Islamic Terror. Yet, recently, after the attacks at Melagaon in Maharashtra, the congress Government tried to fabricate a motive by a Hindu monk and military officer. Accusations abounded but there were no prosecutions. The government hastily coined the phrase "Hindu Terror" and the media were only too happy to borrow this phrase. Clearly this means Hindus can be taken for granted and their sentiments are worth nothing.

7. Proselytization:

While the Indian Constitution provides for freedom of practicing one"s religion, minority religions continue to consider this as a license to proselytize the poor people through monetary and other inducements.

This practice was going on for a long time in Orissa. One Hindu saint, Swamy Lakshmanananda was rendering yeoman service to tribal villagers in Orissa by providing them free education, food and clothing. His service attracted people so much that even those recently converted to Christianity chose to convert back to Hinduism. This angered Christian missionaries who are known to have hired killers and had Swamiji and four other ashram inmates including a woman monk assassinated. Missionaries claimed that Maoists carried out the murders. All culprits have since been identified but they roam free in the streets of Orissa. No marks for guessing the reason!

To sum it all up, the Indian Government, starting from secularism has steadily gone towards Minority appeasement. Finally, it appears to have settled in an anti-Hindu drive. The future of 85% of the population of India (Hindus) is bleak unless the present Government is replaced by a truly secular government. Will the majority wake up now at least?

Message of Ramayana!

-->

Today is Sri Rama navami - Rama’s birth day!

I used to think that it is not by chance

that the two most avoided-thithis, namely Ashtami and Navami

happen to be the birth days of the two most loved avatars of Vishnu.

These two days are special in the moon’s monthly sojourn

in that the earth will be the least tormented

by the pulls of the two luminaries, the sun and the moon, on these days, every fortnight.

We all know what a combined pull of the sun and the moon can do the fluids of the earth.

They influence even our thoughts, mind and fluids in our body.

But their combined effect will be the least on ashtami and navami

when they come at right angles to our earth.

These days are like zero-disturbance days.

It is even said in astrological texts that starting medication or doing a surgery

on ashtami is good.

It is because whatever medication is done to the body on that day

will start acting effectively without any disturbance from the luminaries!

It is for this reason any kind of mind- work or thought-work done on these days

can go on un-hampered.

The spiritual abhyaas or meditation or worship done on these days

can happen undisturbed.

The birth of the two gods in these two thithis,

had given a focus to meditate on them on these days.

Ramayana has been read, heard, discussed and debated for ages.

Lot has been written about Ramayana and there is nothing new that I can write.

However this day propels me to write something on Ramayana.

And I choose to search for the messaeg of Ramayana in an encapsulated form!

The inspiration is from Bhagavad Gita.

The very first verse of Gita indicates the message of entire Gita.

The first verse starts with “Dharma” (dharma kshethre kuru kshethre..)

and ends with “jaya” (kima kurvatha San-jaya).

This is interpreted to mean that dharma always wins. (dharma – jaya)

This is the essence of Gita.

With this thinking if we analyze the very first verse of Ramayana,

we do get wonderful insight about the message of Ramayana.

Ramayana begins with the verse

“tapaH svaadhyaaya nirataam tapasvii vaagvidaam varam |
naaradam paripapracCha vaalmiikiH muni pu.mgavam || “

This means, “A thoughtful-meditator, an eternally studious sage in scriptures about the Truth and Untruth, a sagacious thinker, and a sublime enunciator among all expert enunciators is Narada, and with such a Divine Sage Narada, the Sage-Poet Valmiki is inquisitively enquiring about a man who is a composite for all merited endowments in his form and caliber:.

The very opening word is ‘tapaH’ and the verse ends with ‘pungavam’.

Tapah means meditating, gyaana, thinking etc.

Thinking about what or about whom?

It is 'thinking on the Absolute’, that Narada does always.

The verse indicates that Narada is a constant thinker of the Absolute.

And the word tapaH in this verse is about thinking on the Absolute.

The verse ends with pungavam

Pungavam means ‘the best’ or the ‘most eminent’.

It ends as muni pungavam – referring to Narada.

(The verse must be read like this to derive the meaning :-

tapasvii vaalmiikiH tapaH svaadhyaaya niratam vaagvidaam varam muni pumgavam naaradam pari papracCha).

The meaning of the verse is that Valmiki asks Narada, who is always bent on thoughts of the Absolute, who he thinks is the best man endowed with all meritorious qualities.

The essence of Ramayana seems to lie in the first and last words of this verse!

Thinking of that ‘meritorious man’ one becomes pungava –

the most eminent person like Narada

who lives for ever and moves in all the three worlds.

The one who is immersed in the glory of Sri Rama and

is always thinking (tapaH) about Him

will rise to be in the company of the eminent beings or Immortals

who enjoy special place of eminence in all the three worlds.

This is the message of Ramayana.

Rama has embraced all those (Guha, Hanuman, Sugreeva, Vibheeshana)

who were engrossed in his thoughts.

He will take us also in His fold if we think of Him always!

This seems to be the message.

In his concluding verse of Ramayana,

Valimiki says that just by listening to Ramayana,

one gets wisdom, longevity, health, fame, fraternity, intelligence, welfare and brilliance.

The phala-sruti (results) of Ramayana is this:-

“In this world, whoever person reads and listens to this foremost lyric derived from the speech of a sage, which is endowed with righteousness, conferring fame and longevity, fetching victory to kings and as written at first by Valmiki, that person is delivered from all misfortune.

On hearing the narrative of his coronation in this world, a person seeking for sons gets sons.

A person looking for wealth, gets the riches.

A king conquers the earth and overcomes his enemies.

Even as Kausalya, the mother has Rama as her living son, or as Sumitra has Lakshmana or as Kaikeyi has Bharata, the women likewise can become mothers of living sons, endowed with children as well as grand children and thus become happy forever.

On hearing this epic of Ramayana and all the episode of victory of Rama, who was unweary in his actions, a person gets longevity to life.

He or she, who hears with attention and with a subdued anger, this poetic composition done by Valmiki long ago, that person overcomes the difficulties.

Whoever hears this poetical composition written by Valmiki long ago, they at the conclusion of their absence from home, meet their relatives and get rejoiced.

They get all the boons, entreated from Rama.

All the gods get pleased with those who carefully listen to it.

Whoever carefully listens to the epic in his house, all obstacles come to an end.

A king conquers the earth.

A person staying away from home, fares well.

On hearing the epic, the menstruating women give birth to excellent sons.

The adorer and the reader of this ancient epic gets relieved of all sins and obtains longer life.

The epic is to be listened by warrior-class, after offering their salutation with their heads bent low, from brahmins every day regularly.

There is no doubt that the listener and the reader of this entire Ramayana will get lordship and the birth of a son.

Rama gets forever pleased with him who listens to or reads Ramayana daily.

He is indeed the eternal Vishnu, the Lord of preservation. Rama is the primordial Lord, clearly placed before the eyes the powerful Lord removing the sins and the great-armed; who has abode on waters (of the ocean of milk) Sesha (the serpent-god forming his couch is said to be Lakshmana.

Tell this epic which occurred long ago in this manner, to those who ask for it, fearlessly.

Let there be happiness to you! Let the strength of Vishnu increase!

By studying and listening to this epic, all the gods get appeased.

By listening to this Ramayana, the forefathers forever get pleased.

To those persons who transcribe with devotion this collection of poems depicting the story of Rama residence in heaven is assured.

By listening to this highly meaningful and auspicious poetical composition, a person gets family-prosperity, augmentation in money and grain, superior women, exquisite happiness and all the acquisition of wealth on this earth.

This narrative is to be listened invariably by good people, seeking for wisdom, longevity, health, fame, fraternity, intelligence, welfare and brilliance.”

(Thus ends Ramayana)

If just by listening to Ramayana, one can get so many goodies,

what will happen to the one who is engaged in the thoughts of Rama, the Absolute?

He will become a ‘pungava’!

That is the message of Ramayana!

Issues of concern to Hindus.

Here is a thought provoking Article by a concerned citizen:

 

Excerpts:

 

"The important issue for Hindus is not development but the discriminatory treatment meted out to them in a country where they are in a majority.  The Hindus only want to be secure in their homeland and to be treated equally with all other Indians. They are looking for a party which can be depended upon to champion their cause.  IF the BJP is unable to speak for them, why should the Hindus vote for it? .... If the BJP fights the election on the issue of development, the voters will have to choose between two parties promising to deliver the same product? ....

 

=============

Some Frank Advice to BJP   


By Jai Prakash Sharma, on 21-03-2009 19:03
Voice of Inida : 
voi.org
http://voi.org/2009032192/jai-prakash-sharma/some-frank-advice-to-bjp.html

 

From BJP's election preparations it appears that the party has already mentally accepted defeat in the forthcoming elections. It seems that it has been cowed down by the propaganda of anti-Hindu forces and conceded that Hindutva is communal and that it must compete for votes on a purely "secular" (as defined by the UPA constituents) agenda and give no room for being seen as a "communal" party. By doing so it is only inviting contempt from its original constituency who were already disgusted by the BJP led NDA government's evident spinelessness in addressing issues of core concern to the vast majority of Hindus. If  the BJP leadership thinks that it will have a better chance of winning allies by watering down its commitment to the Hindu cause  it will end up only as a pale shadow of the Congress.

 

 Here are some points which the BJP leadership will do well to ponder over:-

 
 

What are the sections of the citizenry that the BJP can reasonably  expect to support it. The Muslims are clearly out. So also would be the followers of the rabidly Tamil Parties in TN and the reds in WB and other Naxal infested regions as well as the Christists in Orissa ,Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere . It is only the Hindus on whose support the BJP can hope to come to power. But will they support it? The experience of the recently held elections in Delhi should have been an eye opener. If the BJP fights the election on the issue of development, the voters will have to choose between two parties promising to deliver the same product. The BJP will be unable to match the powerful propaganda of the Congress (howsoever false or exaggerated its claims may be) and there is no way it can convince the electorate (except in Modi's Gujarat) of delivering a superior performance. Its traditional constituency –the Hindus will then have no option other than supporting good candidates of other parties or to refrain from voting altogether.

 

The important issue for Hindus is not development but the discriminatory treatment meted out to them in a country where they are in a majority. They are looking for a party which can be depended upon to champion their cause. If the BJP is unable to speak for them, why should the Hindus vote for it? The Hindus only want to be secure in their homeland and to be treated equally with all other Indians. What objection can there be to this demand? The BJP leadership must understand that policies promoting the division of Indians on the basis of religion, caste, region, language etc. are extremely harmful to national interest and it should be bold enough to say so.

 

ISSUES OF CONCERN TO HINDUS

Rampant  Islamic Jihad  

            Only those oblivious of Indian history and ignorant of the true nature of Islam (and they form an overwhelming majority of Indians and particularly Hindus) are unable to see the looming Islamic Jihad threatening to engulf India. Several dimensions of the Jihad problem are:--Terrorist attacks which have been continuing for the last 20 years---attackers including foreigners and Indian Jihadis. Alarming increase in Muslim population through illegal immigration and faster breeding coupled with increasing stridency of Muslim demands. No Muslim is prepared to subordinate his identity as a Muslim to his Indian identity. Assam, West Bengal, many pockets in UP, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh are already having areas of Muslim predominance.

Vicious and ceaseless campaign to demoralize the security forces, by direct attacks, demands for enquiry against defenders of the nation against terrorist attacks, street violence  on allegations of insult to Islam or injustice to Muslims-( reaction to Danish Cartoons, Bush visit, hounding out of Taslima Nasreen , Batla House encounter where hostile mobs attacked police vehicles and shouted slogans like Pakistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad etc. right in New Delhi  , Indian flags being held upside down by the Ulemas demonstrating at Jantar Mantar;  bullying of Statesman by Jihadis in Kolkata for the offence of reproducing an article published by Independent of UK etc.etc.) all illustrate the aggressive attitude of Indian Muslims. 

Virulent anti state propaganda promoting feelings of victimhood among Muslims by media (particularly the Urdu press), NGOs, some Muslim Political parties and collaborators. Vast Islamist funds flowing into India from Pakistan, Middle East, and  from Islamists elsewhere.

The response of the GOI has been denial, cover-up and token action. It is well known that Muslims can not peacefully coexist with others. India lost a third of its territory in 1947.The way things are going it looks certain that (1) there will be another partition within a few years or (2) if the Muslims decide to wait a little longer the whole country will become an Islamic republic. Knowing what happens to Hindus in Muslim majority countries the Hindus are naturally apprehensive. BJP must boldly announce what steps it will take to counter the Jihadi menace.

ASSAULT BY EVAGELISTS

Next to the jihadis the evangelists constitute the most serious threat to India. Most of North –East India has already been Christianised. Orissa, Andhra Pradesh are under serious threat. Backed by vast funds from the west and their powerful Indian politicians  the evangelists are relentlessly pursuing their programme of converting Hindus and planting churches in all parts of India.

The Christian population has increased much faster during Sonia Gandhi's rule than ever before. While the unconverted Hindus do not expect to be slaughtered if the Christians come to wield power, the threat of secession of Christian majority parts gets more serious and the foreign and domestic policies of India  are liable to come increasingly under the influence of Christian west . The threat of humiliation of Hindu religion and culture will increase many fold. There is urgent need for stopping conversions brought about by offering incentives of various kinds.

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HINDUS 

In independent India, inheritor of the Gandhi-Nehru ideology, Hindus have been suffering severe  discrimination in several respects. UPA Prime minister declared in blatant disregard of all Constitutional promises of equality and definitions of Secularism that the minorities and particularly the Muslims have the first claim on the nation's resources!!!

This discrimination has become all pervasive. SCs, STs,OBCs, Minorities have been receiving favours  in the matter of educational facilities and employment opportunities while children of equally poor families are denied all benefits just for the crime of being Hindus.

Government grants to Muslims and Christians for religious purposes e.g. for Haj for Muslims and journey to Bethlehem for Christians are a blot on secularism. Figures of direct govt grants to churches and Muslim institutions by the government of Andhra Pradesh reveal this misuse of the taxpayers money. Most galling is the fact of huge sums of money donated by Hindu devotees to their temples being used by the governments for grants to Muslims and Christians. Hindus demand that  their places of worship be freed of Government control and administered solely by representatives of the community and temple funds used only for such purposes as are approved by Hindu Acharya Sabha or similar  such respected body.

Religious and cultural issues agitating Hindus

• Reconstruction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Preservation of Ram Setu, Restoration/reconstruction  of the temples at Varanasi and Mathura .
• Removal of distortions from history being taught in schools and colleges; impetus for scholars, scientists, archaeologists etc to promote research for gaining better knowledge about our past.
• Impetus needs to be given for the promotion of Sanskrit and Hindi.; improving career prospects of students taking higher courses in Sanskrit and Hindi
• Improving Hindutva representation in electronic and print media to mitigate  the stranglehold of the Islamists, Evangelists, Marxists, Macaulayites and Nehruites

ISSUES OF  GENERAL NATIONAL CONCERN

Apart from the matter of discrimination there are several other issues which should be of equal interest to all citizens. These are

• Governance---all matters of government activity need to be rid of corruption, favoritism, inefficiency and delays. The two most important matters which must be given top priority are corruption and defects in the system of administration of justice, particularly criminal justice. Investigation and prosecution of criminal cases must be absolutely impartial and efficient and delivery of justice must be made fair and fast.
• Money in illegal foreign bank accounts
• Common Civil Code
• Abolition of Art 370
• Barring of criminals from contesting elections
• Curbing use of black money in elections—Suggestions of Shri N Vittal need to be acted upon

 
 

ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES FOR THE PARTY

 

The BJP seems to be facing severe organizational problems. Many of its senior leaders not only seem to have fickle loyalties but are so madly power hungry that if power is denied to them or to their nominees they have no compunction in openly swearing to seek destruction of the party (as evidenced by the conduct of some top leaders e.g. Bhairon Singh Shekhavat, Jaswant Singh, Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharati etc).  Narendra Modi is of course universally admired. Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Raman Singh are reputed to be clean but a large number of ministers/ex-ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka are widely believed to be thoroughly corrupt. The UP BJP leadership has the poorest image.

 

Why can the BJP not find honest persons to take up leadership positions? And why are honest and competent people like Jag Mohan ignored? The party has to ponder how these problems can be addressed. There seems to be impressions that even if talented people join the party they will only remain at the fringe. Perhaps the party can benefit by prescribing strict limits for tenure of important leadership positions. It must consider discouraging heredity as stepping stone to leadership positions as also rewarding turncoats. Another suggestion could be to have think tanks composed of independent experts for formulating policy and independent impartial advisory groups to warn the party whenever it is found making wrong decisions

A Roman revenge on a Gandhi

A Roman revenge on a Gandhi

By Tarun Vijay

From

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=284&page=5

In utter disregard to the principles of natural justice, the Election Commission has in haste and unusually censorious language, passed an opinion without:

a. Providing me a personal hearing (to which I am entitled even as per the principles of natural justice).

b. Providing me a copy of the report dated 17.3.09 and any materials on which that report is based.

c. Showing me or even seeking out for itself the original recording (if at all it exists).

d. Examining the authenticity or source of the tape that was sent to it which on a cursory glance shows that there has been splicing, repetition and interpolation during the so called editing process as evident from the media logo seen in the footage. The short jumpy sequences also establish that the tape has been edited.

e. Independently applying its mind and conducting a thorough examination of the material (for it cannot be called evidence).

(Excerpts from Varun Feroze Gandhi’s letter to election commission.)

Those who opposed Ayodhya, were silence on Kashmiri Hindus, damaged Ramsethu and denied Ram ever existed, denied Godhra and embraced butchers of 1984 are collectively gunning at Varun Gandhi’s political life. Column after column by a Padmashri, media created an atmosphere where supporting Varun became a sin. Why? Simple reason is that the farmhouse of Gandhi-Nehru politics has broken and a scion of the family chose to speak out as his conscience directed.

More than what Varun said or didn’t say, it’s the hurt and bewilderment of a loss of a Gandhi to the saffron that has made the media and anti-Hindutva politicos shout with such a venom and acid. He was not heard, not given a chance to present his case, neither the forensic experts examined the so-called proof in the form of the CD. Yet the badshah declared his judgement. Some justice in our age is this.

Yet, Varun has suddenly dwarfed the high-media supported Rahul. Phew!

No body has ever heard any dynasty-member to say with an understandable assertion that he or she is a Hindu. Rather they always tried to look differently. They banned Hindu organisations, imposed Emergency, deleted basic human rights, abused and caricatured learned judges, never willingly facilitated Sikh massacre probe, rewarded the hardest ever accused criminals, made alliances with those who were convicted for murder or were facing scandalous charges, had the ‘India-divider’ Muslim league join the government first time after Partition. Yet they are nice, decent, peace-loving, patriotic democrats who love to suggest others—‘go and read Gita’.

When Indian soldiers were fighting Pakistani marauders in 1947, they didn’t have enough jeeps. So orders were placed with its British company and supply demanded immediately. Our High Commissioner Krishna Menon, a blue eyed boy of Pt. Nehru messed it up. Jeeps reached a year late and with a taint of hot money exchanging hands. That was the first scandal of the Independent India.

We lost Gilgit, Baltistan and Skardu. We lost Aksai Chin, because government at Delhi didn’t know the exact boundaries and no patrolling was taking place.

In total we have lost one lakh twenty-five thousand square kms to the Pakistanis and Chinese during Congress rule. And we had a bad dream called 1962.

At that time our ordnance factories were making coffee machines as Pt.. Nehru has openly opined against having well equipped large army for defence. Who is going to attack us? He asked.

And people still remember mysterious ‘murder’ of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Srinagar, who simply wanted Kashmir to be a part of India like Bihar or Bengal and permit system to enter valley be abolished. There were two rulers in Kashmir, the Chief Minister was called Sadre Riyasat or ‘head of the state’. Two flags and two laws for the valley. Mookerjee’s martyrdom compelled the Nehru government to remove the permit system and two heads for the state. Then we had Mundhra scandal, Nagarwala case, L.N. Mishra murder. Janasangh’s fast emerging leader Deendayal Upadhyaya was murdered. A Congress leader canvassed openly against the official presidential candidate and supported her own choice as an independent nominee. The original Congress symbol was a pair of oxen. After the official Congress was broke into two, they got hand as a temporary symbol till the case is decided. It would never be.

Opposing Sonia’s sudden rise in the politics only on the grounds of her foreign origin were leaders like Sharad Pawar and Sangma. Old Congressmen still feel sad that they lost dynamic and promising leaders of real substance like Rajesh pilot, Madhav Rao Scindia and Jitendra Prasad, who could have steered the Congress to take an entirely different and strong nationalist course. And a senior Congressmen Sitaram Kesari was humiliated to no end. The only Prime Minister they had running government for full five years successfully was insulted even in his death and his body-in-state was not allowed to enter the Congress headquarters in New Delhi and an airport in his home state was opposed to be named after him by Congress men though the proposal was put forth by an opposition leader. This is how they treat their party leaders not belonging to their family.

They amended, abused and twisted the Constitution, put the entire opposition behind bars for an undisclosed period and revenged harshly on the unyielding masses.

Yet, they are the democrats and secular lighthouses of freedom of expression and liberty to choose.

They kept India backward in such a planned manner that even after sixty-two years of Independence we are yet to have a spacious functional airport in the national capital, seventy thousand farmers committed suicides in one year, brave decorated soldiers returned their medals in protest and a movie on our poverty stricken ‘Slum Dog Millionaire’ fetches a British Oscar in 2009. And loved the illegal Muslim infiltrators just for the sake of their votes- and still they say they are the inheritors of a freedom struggle that demanded ouster of the aliens.

No electoral reforms, no police reforms and strengthening their morale and weapons, administration is still run the way it functioned during the Sahebs and having won a well applauded war in 1971, we couldn’t settle Kashmir issue or control an unleashed Jehadi tail wager in the neighborhood.

Minorities (read Muslims) were so well supported in the Congress regimes that in the sixth decade they felt a need to provide special crutches for them. Bring the ‘M’ card and get a privilege became the new secular psalm further shrinking space and opportunities for the condemned majority.

More than anything else they tried to wreck the morale of the assertive Hindus who have been facing the onslaughts of the invaders for the last twelve centuries with unparalleled brevity showing an invincible spirit to protect their culture and the fragrance of the land. They deserved to be comforted most after a fractured Independence and a massacre that was thrust upon them by a weak Congress leadership. Yet a large section of the Hindus today feel cheated and anguished. They form governments in twelve states, prove they can run the country beautifully with a coalition of twenty-five parties having diametrically opposed ideologies. And one of their swayamsewaks unfurled tricolour six times from the ramparts of the Red Fort, as the Prime Minister of the nation, impressed the world leaders and international media with a record of infrastructure building, communication revolution and women empowerment, chose a Muslim to be the President of the state and had the Pokaran-II failing the CIA ‘eyes’, resisted extraordinary world pressure and sanctions. Yet they are called ‘anti-development, anti-women, even anti-social. In not a single so-called mainstream media their views are published but every news item is scanned to hurl stones on them editorialising the front-page news items.

Still they are very objective face of independent media.

The choicest abuses, used by ‘decent, guaranteers of the freedom of expression’ columnists and editorial writers can be collected as bouquet of India’s uncivilised lexicon, yet their films against the very spirit of Hindu nature get widely supported by a regime that survives on Hindu money and votes.

Their love for development and secularism is so deep that they can send dredgers to destroy a million years of faith and marine life because that was Ram Sethu but wont ever dare to touch a six feet by six feet fake dargah built in the middle of the road blocking the highway and causing accidents, for fear of annoying a vote bank.

And then they say, they are the future of India.

(The writer is former editor, Panchjanya and presently director of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.)