Planetary connection to El Nino – some tips from rainfall astrology.

The fear of a failed monsoon is looming large on India this season (2^nd half of 2012) while the world seems to be bracing itself for a season of El Nino which was absent in the last three years. The El Nino phenomenon which takes into account the heat and wind factors over the ocean surface seems to be the cause for the dry spell over India, according to specialists in meteorology, though its reflection over the Indian Ocean is yet to manifest. Reading these information, I thought that it is right time to bring to the attention of the people the much advanced ancient Indian system of weather forecast which prepared the people almost 6 months before the onset of Indian monsoon season. The components of this forecast system are drawn from a wide range of variables to which the meteorological scientists of today must pay attention, for the purpose of improving their techniques.

At the outset I want to point out that present day weather- forecast technology looks at the results of a phenomenon and not at the causes. For example they are observing the temperature –rise over the Pacific and have not paid attention to or not known what could have caused this increase in temperature.  That is where the ancient Indian forecast techniques look far advanced. If a vast body of water such as the Pacific Ocean should become warmer, it can be only due to the heat radiation falling on the globe or the kind of trapping of the heat by the clouds or some changes in the upper layers of the atmosphere.  The causative factor for this is undoubtedly the Sun. But with Sun being there at all times, we have to look at other causes for this heat trapping mechanism or decimating mechanism. The heating up of a vast ocean can happen only from outside factors and these factors have been identified as the two terrestrial planets that always tow along with the Sun. They are Mercury and Venus.

Venus

These two inner planets cross one another regularly and cross the Sun too, forward and backward thereby becoming the potential factors in influencing the solar radiation that reach the earth. The ancient Indian wisdom is that when these two planets are seen one behind the other (as seen from the earth) with the sun either before or after them, it causes wind and cloud formations on the earth in such a way that there will be very good rains. Suppose the sun is behind this formation initially – during which time plentiful rains will be experienced – and moves ahead and comes in-between these two planets, the rains fail and one can see the disappearance of the supportive -to -rain factors during that time. If in this formation, Mercury happens to be in front of the sun, the intensity of wind will increase. One can see the gathered clouds getting shattered due to intense wind circulation near the surface and in upper regions of the atmosphere.

Mercury.

 

This 3-some combination of the celestial entities must be studied by scientists to know and measure its correlation to the increase in the heat of Pacific Ocean – the foremost El Nino factor. This observation would not only help in forecasting rainfall but also in forecasting intense cold spells in the winter. The forecast of hurricanes can be done years in advance merely by observing the movement of these three entities in space.

To justify this, let me point out to the wet spell experienced not only in India but at many places around the world in the last few days. Presently Mercury and Venus are close to each other with the sun having moved out and gone in front of them. This condition is called as "Budha –Shukra saameebhyam" (closeness of Mercury and Venus) and it is said to cause 'Bahu varsham' (plentiful rain). Earlier such closeness minus Sun in between them happened in May - June when the Indian monsoon arrived. (Between May 28^th to June 5^th only). But thereafter their closeness was marred by Jupiter and Ketu. A continuous realignment of other planets coming in between or in the front happened and marred the combined effect of Mercury and Venus.

After that the un interrupted closeness started only on 29^th  July and is continuing until 10^th September. Presently we are experiencing rainfall which is raising the hope of a revival of the Indian monsoon. The revival of rains has confused the weather analysts who think that the El Nino is not advancing. But they are wrong as there is going to be a dry spell after 10^th September for 2 months! The days of Durga Puja  (navarathri) which will normally see rainfall on all days, are going to see dry times because of the shattering of Mercury- Venus closeness by the Sun. At that time Mercury will be moving in front of the Sun. In that position, a spurt in windiness will be experienced. I have not studied the hurricane links to these ancient forecast factors, but with Mercury racing ahead of Sun for some time along with other combinations during the hurricane season of America, I am sure heavy disturbances in wind patterns can be predicted. Saturn – Mars conjunction is also a factor that causes violent storms, fire and lightening. Mercury coming closer to these two in September (next month) must be watched for development of hurricanes.

For India, the brief spell until 10^th September would be followed by a disappointing 2-month long dry spell. This is of crucial importance in making decisions on agricultural operations. However sufficient rain will be received late in the season as Mercury and Venus are coming together again on November 18^th. This means the last leg of south west monsoon will yield some relief while northeast monsoon will be substantial. Tamilnadu and Indian east coast will be benefited. The closeness lasts until January 19^th.

When the closeness happens in winter season, we interpret it as intense winter. In this context I wish to point out how in the past, the Mercury- Venus closeness in December – January has resulted in fierce winters in the Northern latitudes. In the upcoming season with Mercury- Venus closeness extending to January 19^th, a very cold winter and heavy snow fall can be experienced around Christmas. After that Mercury overtakes Sun thereby resulting in blizzards.

In the past, the 1981 AFC Championship Game held in Cincinnati was nicknamed the "Freezer Bowl" due to the -9 °F temperature and -59 °F wind chill.  The 1982 cold air outbreak – that happened in January 1982 was terrible. Mercury and Venus were very close to each other at that time.

In 1989, the central and eastern USA saw one of the coldest Decembers on record. A 'white Christmas' occurred. One can see the same closeness of these two planets at that time also.  Another feature that intensifies the cold spell / snowfall or heavy rains was that these two planets must be in the western sky. They were in the western sky in these two occasions.

White Christmas of 1989

After that, January 1994 was the coldest month recorded over many parts of the northeast and north-central United States, as well as Southern Canada. That time also saw the two planets in very close conjunction in the western evening sky. The next occasion of the closeness happened in January 1997 which saw a very cold winter in northern US. Northern parts of North Dakota saw up to 90 inches of snow on that occasion.

This basic factor – of closeness of Mercury – Venus must be studied and correlated with El Nino. When they have remained away from each other for long, oceans have heated up and El Nino had set in.

When they are close to each other,

(1) there should not be any planet in between them (as seen from the earth),

(2) they must be sighted in the evening sky or to the west of sun

(3) they must be in fixed sign or watery sign to give heavy rainfall. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are watery signs. Scorpio is the only sign which is both watery and fixed.

This year the last phase of Mercury- Venus closeness occurs in Scorpio – in the month of Kathigai – thereby giving us the hope of heavy rainfall only in Karthigai. The monsoon which started well will end well but would play truant in between. 

This (Mercury - Venus sameebhyam) is not the only feature that our ancients took into consideration. They observed the skies throughout the year and had given us tips on how to predict rainfall on a day to day basis and also predict the amount of rainfall.  They also had given tips on what crops to grow so that they can give results without much loss. This knowledge was widely taught as part of astronomy –astrology in schools throughout India. From the colonial records of India in the 19^th century, we come to know that the enrolment in this subject was high. This is the basic knowledge that can bring prosperity to the people and the country. But this knowledge was lost once the traditional schools were replaced by the educational system of the British. This must be revived and made known to the world. Modern day research on this ancient knowledge would not only help the world community in weather forecasting, but also would help in reviving the glory of scientific past of our land.

Before going into the techniques of comprehensive forecast, let me narrate the planet based combinations that can cause or mar rainfall. Rainfall causing combinations are known as "Varsha yogas" or "Ativrishti yogas", while those that cause lack of rainfall are known as "Anavrishti yogas". They can be detected well in advance in this age of computer softwares on planetary positions. People can be forewarned and nations can be well prepared in advance to tackle the situation. Our ancients were well prepared in olden days of an impending famine or a flood based on these yogas. In this context  I wish to point out that a set of "eminent historians" wrote an article in The Hindu in 2009 on 'famines' in India caused by Anavrishti and Ativrishti. (Refer :- India was indeed Shining!)

These are nothing but a set of combinations of planets having a bearing on weather patterns on the globe. The knowledge of them helped people in predicting famines well in advance and make arrangements to ensure that people did not starve. Temples were the centers that came to the rescue of the people then, as the grains stored in temple treasury were distributed to people – not for free because eating one's meals for free hurts the self respect of one – but by giving them the job of renovation works in around the temple and in temple owned lands. The said article by the 'eminent historians' is only demonstrative of the intellectual bankruptcy of the ancient Indian wisdom of the current crop of people who are writing history of India. 

Now coming to these yogas, Varahamihira's Brihad Samhita and Neelakanta's Prasna Marga are good sources to know of these combinations.

Varsha yogas:- (good rainfall can be experienced on the days when the following combinations are seen)

·         Mercury and Venus close to each other.

·         Mercury and Venus close to each other in the western sky (evening) or to the west of Sun or in a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio) or in watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces)

·         Setting of Mercury and rising of Venus.

·         Mercury under retrogression and Venus coming to direct motion after retrogression.

·         With this closeness, sun also joins them before or after in the same sign and in the same navamsa.

·         If the navamsa in the above combination (or for Mercury and Venus alone) falls in watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces).

·         In the above combination (Mercury and Venus close to each other with sun in the front or behind) these two planets (or one) are in combustion. When Mercury is within 14 degrees on either side of the Sun, it is said to be combust. It is 10 degrees for combustion of Venus.

·         In the above combination (of the three) Venus in front of Sun.  That is, in the order from east to west - Mercury, Venus and Sun.

·         Mercury -Jupiter closeness or Venus – Jupiter closeness with no planets in between.

·         In the rainy season, Mars coming in between Sun and Venus in Leo, Virgo and Libra.

·         Mars in Leo with Venus behind it.

·         Mars behind the sun.

·         All planets behind the sun

·         All planets in front of the sun (note that sun coming in between planets spoil cloud (rainfall) formation. When the above two happen in rainy season, heavy floods occur, when they happen in winter, heavy snowfall occurs.)

·         Sun, Mars and Saturn must be transiting alternate signs. When moon is transiting at 150 or 180 or 270 degrees from them there will be heavy rains for 2 days before and after those degrees.

·         Every new moon and Full moon must be observed. If it rains on a new moon day and the next day, there will be no rains in the dark half. I wish to recall the 11^th poem from the sangam text called Paripaadal where the poet describes the planetary position of the day. Moon was nearing Full moon position (180 degrees from the sun) with an impending eclipse. Mercury and Venus were close to each other. It started raining heavily at that time which made the poet say that these combinations were perfectly present  as per rules of rainfall. The planetary position as told in Paripaadal is shown below.

·         If it rains when the moon is within 8 to 15 degrees from the sun after conjunction (New Moon) or opposition (Full moon), then it will rain for a month till moon reaches the same position again. (In other words if it rains starting form the last 15 ghats of Pratipat / Pradhamai / first thithi untilk the first 15 ghatis of Dwitheeya / 2^nd thithi, there will be rains for the 2 pakshas or the full lunar month.) If there is scarce rain within these degrees, same weather condition will be experienced for a month. If it does not rain during this period, there is no rain for the rest of the month.

·         In the rainy season, when the Sun is in earthy sign (Virgo / Purattaasi) and Mercury, Venus and Moon are in watery signs (cancer or Scorpio), it will rain heavily if a rainbow is seen in the west.

·         Sighting of rainbow is another indicator of the rainy season to be plentiful. In the rainy season the rainbow must be seen in the west. Only then there will be heavy downpour. This means morning air is ridden with high precipitation. In other seasons sighting rainbow in the east ensures good rainfall.

·         Similarly on any day of the rainy season, if the sun rises with a halo around it and the midday experiences intense heat, there will be rains later on that day.

 

Anavrishti yogas:- (Combinations that show lack of rainfall)

·         Mutual opposition of planets (180 degrees apart) spoils rains. This can be explained rationally on the premise that planetary rays do cause some changes in the atmosphere of earth leading to changes in weather patterns. Earlier we saw how grouping of planets behind the sun or in front of the sun help in causing more rainfall. There seems to be a combined beneficial effect on the atmosphere of earth when the planets are close to each other on one side. But when the planets are apart by 180 degrees, that effect is reduced. The ancient wisdom of our sages is that when the planets are exactly at equal distance from each other, they result in reduced rainfall.

·         For example any planet in opposition to the Sun reduces rainfall in the rainy season. Similarly Venus- Jupiter opposition, Mars – Jupiter opposition and Sun -Jupiter opposition have a tendency to mar the rain forming conditions.

·         In the current rainy season, there is going to be one such opposition of planets  during the dry spell we predicted between Sep 10^th and November 18^th,   Mars comes in opposition to Jupiter around November 1^st.  This is in addition to the damaging presence of Sun in between Mercury and Venus. Thus we have more than one factor that is related to a dry spell which is going to last till the middle of November.

·         Presence of Mars in Leo during the rainy season reduces rain-cloud formation. It must be noted that Mars was in Leo for quite some time - right from the time of the expected date of arrival of Monsoon. This is also a single strong contributory factor for dry conditions and perhaps a contributory factor for the rise in temperature over the Pacific.

·         Mars in front of any planet including the Sun scorches the earth (in astrological terminology we call it as Mars winning a planetary war.)

·         Since Mercury and Venus are the sensitive planets helping in rainfall, outer planets namely Jupiter or Mars or Saturn moving in front of them in rainy season causes famine like situations.

·         Location of Venus is more crucial for causing rains, while Mercury aids in favorable winds. When Jupiter moves in front of Venus, famine-like conditions prevail. When Saturn is in front of Venus, there will be less rainfall. When Mars is in front of Venus, hot conditions will prevail.

·         In the season of dry-spell in October – November, we are going to see Saturn and Mars in front of Venus. This reduces the formation of rain clouds. Thus we have 3 crucial combinations for lack of rainfall coming up in the peak of rainy season. (Mercury – Venus closeness disturbed, Mars – Jupiter opposition, Mars and Saturn in front of Venus). It must be seen if El Nino intensifies at that time. If so it must be because of the planetary influence only.

 

The Nine types of clouds.

Coming to other notions in ancient Indian observation of weather, cloud patterns are developed in 9 ways over nine years cyclically. According to this notion, a specific cloud pattern (having potential of causing or not causing plentiful rainfall accompanied with or without winds) prevails in a year – relevant to the rainy season in India.

The cloud pattern with its rainfall potential, changes in 9 different ways in nine successive years. In the 10^th year the cycle is repeated once again.  Specific names have been given these 9 cloud formations in such a way even a lay person in olden days was able to know the kind of rainfall that is going to occur in any year. Since it is said that these patterns are fixed and repetitive, it is assumed that radiation effect from our neighbor planets repeats in a sequence once in 9 years. This offers scope for scientific probe as El Nino is said to have a 9 to 10 year interval in its manifestation in various degrees.

The nine clouds are

1.      Tamo megha  (தமோ மேகம்) – brings plentiful rains.

2.      Vaayu megha  (வாயு மேகம்) –less rains. Famine conditions prevail.

3.      VaaruNa megha (வாருண மேகம்) – widespread and very heavy rains.

4.      Neela megha  (நீல மேகம்) – mixed trend. Rains heavily at one place but fails in another place.

5.      KaaLa megha  (காள மேகம்) –Rains accompanied with storms.

6.      DroNa megha  (துரோண மேகம்) – Torrential rains causing floods.

7.      Pushkala megha  (புஷ்கல மேகம்) – Heavy rains.

8.      Sangavartha megha (சங்க வர்த்த மேகம்)- Less rains – more winds.

9.      Avarttha megha  (ஆவர்த்த மேகம்)- scanty rainfall enough to wet the ground.

The current year starting from the solar ingress in Aries in Chithrai is the year of 8^th cloud.  Less rains and more windiness can be expected.

There are mathematical calculations to arrive at the kind of cloud in any year. These calculations have the beginning of Kali yuga as the base year. The base year had planetary conjunction at Pisces. Based on the movement of planets calculated from that year onwards, they have arrived at this repetitive cycle of 9 clouds. Presently we are in the 5114^th year of that base year. Skeptics would like to ignore the concept of Kali yuga. But in the light of havoc caused by weather anomaly to billions of people around the world, it makes good sense to analyze these notions scientifically, starting from the base year or for the years for which we have weather records.

For the ancient Indian sages, weather- forecasting was a continuous process of monitoring and modifying the data regularly. The first observation for the breaking of the Southwest monsoon in May – June starts in the previous December – January itself.  The star Arudra (Betelgeuse) is the focus of attention when Moon transits that star in opposition to the Sun (in December – January / Sagittarius) and when the Sun transits that star in June-July.

 

 

When Moon transits Arudra in opposition to Sun, that day is celebrated as "Arudra darshan" in our temple nowadays. In olden days worship of Shiva was done with Homa on this day, on the banks of a river.

 Paavai nonbu was commenced on that day. This will be the 13^th day of Maargazhi (Sagittarius) in a normal year (in the first year after adhik maas is expunged – it happens in the upcoming month of Maargazhi this year) and Sun will enter Poorvashada star on this day.  Our ancients called this day as the commencement of conception of rainfall!! It was called as GarbhOttam.

The 14 days that Sun will be transiting Poorvashada are called as GarbhOttam days.  From that day onwards a 3- way observation would be commenced on hourly basis. This will go on for 4 months. The 3-way observations cover terrestrial features, atmospheric features and celestial features. For more details refer my old article:-

The connection between Paavai nOnbu and rainfall!

 

The terrestrial features include the way the animals and birds behave and make noises. The cool mornings and cold waters of the rivers and tanks must be disturbed to give out some evaporation during this time. Children were encouraged to dive in these waters during this time. The screams and shouts they make are considered as a man-made features necessary to augment the terrestrial features, It must be noted that the famous song of Andal on Paavai nonbu calling the young girls to bath in the cold waters of the river is found in the 13^th song (புள்ளின் வாய் கீண்டானை).

 

Assuming that the 30 songs of Thiruppavai are meant for each day of the month of Maargazhi, the 13^th song coincides with the 13^th day of Maargazhi (13^th degree of Sagittarius) when the Sun would have just entered Poorvashada and GarbhOttam had just begun. Andal calling the young girls to dive into cold waters and play for long while bathing is a terrestrial feature.  (குள்ளக் குளிரக் குடைந்து நீராடாதே பள்ளிக் கிட்த்தியோ பாவாய்?)

The mention of rising of Venus and setting of Jupiter at that time is a celestial feature worthy of noting. (வெள்ளி எழுந்து வியாழன் உறங்கிற்று.) The wind, clouds etc are noted as atmospheric features. A long list of these features has been noted down by our ancient sages as indicative of the kind of rainfall or lack of rainfall that occur 195 days after the day they were noted. This information has a vital clue on why clouds or rainfall occur.

It says that the features present on a day will leave an impact on the day coming in the opposite point in space (180 degree apart) when the earth transits that point. This can be depicted as follows.

In the above illustration, the earth in orbit around the sun is shown. Some colored features are shown as features of any or all of the 3 levels on day 1. Some of these are shown on the day side and some on the night side. The imprints of these features continue to hang on that location even after the earth has left that point in place. But when the earth finishes a half round and comes exactly on the opposite side of the day one, it appears that the earth rams into those imprints left on day 1. This is similar the debris of the invisible tail of comet that earth often rams into, long after the comets have left that location.

The features noted on day-1 are experienced in the same direction – but since that happens at the other end of the orbit, they will be observed in the reverse. For example, a wind was experienced as an atmospheric feature on day 1in the night time from the western direction. This feature resulting in rain will manifest on the 195^th day with a wind in the day time and blowing from the eastern direction. The features as seen from the location of 195^th day are seen form the opposite direction and hence the reversal.

Starting from Maargazhi (on the day Moon enters Arudra / Betelgeuse) the features are noted for 4 months and based on that rainfall is predicted for the 4 months starting the time Sun is in Gemini when the Indian monsoon sets in.

Here again further monitoring happens. When Sun enters Arudra in Gemini, the time, day and  the 5 features of the Panchanga are noted to judge the nature of rainfall from then onwards. There are several other observations done from then onwards on specific days of the solar month and moon's position. Wind direction is an important factor noted on those occasions.

The full moon day of Ashada month is another important day to make further corrections in rainfall prediction. On that day the seeds of all crops will be weighed and weighed again the next day to identify which types of crops would grow well in the ensuing season based on the expected rainfall. The ancients even estimated the amount of rainfall that would fall on oceans, tanks and well. The story of Vaivasvatha Manu helping in the transfer of the fish from pot to tank, and from tank to ocean has a meaning in rainfall prediction. Manu predicted an impending flood (due to heavy rainfall) after a long dry spell. That incident related to Manu shows the antiquity of this knowledge of rainfall prediction.

What I have mentioned here is only an introduction to forecast techniques of ancient sages. These techniques were helpful in choosing the ideal crop for a season based on the amount of rainfall and its arrival time. They also helped in preparing the people well in advance for an extreme season. These techniques on Varsha yogas can be prepared years in advance.

What was observed through varsha yogas were continuously monitored and modified from the time of Solar ingress in Aries. The weather forecast based on Solar ingress in Aries for this year for South India is sufficient rain fall. The Solar ingress in Arudra also indicates sufficient rainfall. But the yearly forecast for the current Nandana year is deficient rainfall. There is prevalence of Anavrishti yogas for most part of the rainy season. The relief comes only after solar ingress in Scorpio. That is the time north east monsoon will be active. So the overall observation is that Tamilnadu would receive late rains while rest of India dependent on South west monsoon will get occasional rain that will last until the middle of September and thereafter a drought for 2 months.

You call it El Nino or not, but the fact is that there are more factors to be studied for rainfall prediction that what today's scientists have been doing. Particularly Indian meteorologists must take up these olden methods of forecast and make more reliable weather predictions and give them well in advance so that an efficient system of planning crops and agricultural operations can be done – as was done until a few centuries ago.

 

 

Buffoon Katju’s antics at Corruptionisthan

 

I had once been an admirer of Mr Markandeya Katju, particularly in those days when he was a judge in the Supreme Court. I have even written a couple of articles on him when he spoke about the utility of Mimamsa principles in interpreting penal codes and in declaring that it is a myth that today's scheduled castes were always treated with indignity. (Use Mimamsa principles – SC tells  and The 'caste' shadow 'cast' in our country! )

Perhaps those were the only views that deserved commendation because on the other occasions he had only demonstrated how much less he knows. Towards the end of his tenure he exposed his utter lack of knowledge of our country's past history by his misinterpretation of  Ekalavya's story. (For Kapil and Katju, Hinduism is not a religion!)

Though he has been periodically mouthing rubbish even since he became the Chairman of Press Council of India, by living up to the adage, 'Be a Roman while in Rome',  his recent comment on the anti-corruption efforts by Baba Ramdev reached its pinnacle of absurdity which no other writer from the print media had ever attempted to reach.  Fittingly enough, The Hindu gave the platform to publish that article. 

It really intrigues me how none of these people from the media including the PTI chairman Katju, raises a whimper against the stubborn nature of the Congress for shielding the corrupt and not showing any sign of action to check corruption and bring back black money, but pounce on anyone who questions the government and its attitude. Katju does just that against Baba Ramdev – in a despicable way that derides the very culture of this nation and its people.

The very culture of this nation and the way of life - for which he referred to Yajnavalkya Smruthi and Mimamsa in his judgements  -were handed down to us by Swamis and Sanyasis only. They lived in remote places but did not hesitate to question the rulers (kings) when the rulers abdicated their responsibility or resorted to mis-rule. He may say that their goal is to reach Moksha and also help people to reach Moksha only and that they have no business in mundane affairs. But the goal of Moksha cannot be practiced in an atmosphere of Adharma. There should be rule of Dharma in the land for its people to become elevated selves so that they go in the path of Moksha. In today's condition, an elementary type of Moksha is needed – in other words, this country needs Moksha or release from the corrupt government so that rule of Dharma is allowed to prevail. By speaking in the tongue of the media, Katju reminds us that we need Moksha from the media too that protects the corrupt govt by criticising every effort against corruption.

The situation has come to such a state, that people would support anyone who speaks against the Government at the Centre in its approach to check corruption. If not many people participated in the fasts for Lok pal or Black money issue, that does not mean that people are not bothered about those issues. Lok pal and Black money are in fact euphemisms for fight against corruption. Not many might have understood them, but the fact is that people are angry against the attitude of this government, its attitude towards the corrupt and its arm twisting ways to silence the people who question this attitude.

The congress think -tank may be of the opinion that corruption is a non issue (electorally) with the people,  as is the issue of price rise. Price rise is an issue but when it hurts common man, it comes with a supplementary anger that they have to bear the heat of price rise because their money has looted by the Congress in particular or that they need not have to bear the heat of price rise if only black money has been brought back to the country.  People are also watching the methods of the Congress govt in trying to silence those who raise these issues.  The Babas and Annas are helping in creating awareness among the masses, as the scenes of their fasts are reaching every nook and corner of the country through television channels. Go anywhere in India, the only question you hear is when this corrupt Government is going to go. As an astrologer, this is one question I am hearing from all the persons who meet me to discuss their personal problems. Once their personal problem is discussed, they ask me this question before leaving. This reminds me of the days of DMK Govt before the last State elections in Tamilnadu when people were very much fed up with Karunanidhi. A sense of similar anger and frustration is seen now.

The pulse of the people is that they are disillusioned with this govt. But that doesn't mean they will come out of their houses to participate in the fasts and the meetings to express their solidarity. The monumental looting of this govt and its ministers have sunk so well with the public that any diversionary tactic employed by the writers including Katju to belittle the anti corruption efforts would not go well with the Public. Behind every such writing we see many Nira Radias and the power of money. The anti – corruption fastings may have failed but the most urgent thing needed to be done before the next election is to get the EVMs removed and reverting back to paper ballot. If that is not done, people would lose hope in future and might even express their anger through violence.

Coming to Katju's article, after acceding to the power of penance and Shiva's boon in the first part of his narration, he goes on to discredit in the latter part and the one who did penance and got the boon. This makes me suggest that he would better remove 'Markandeya' from his name as it no longer fits into his way of thinking. Let him replace it with the term 'Mleccha'. Only a Mleccha Katju would not understand the glory of the tradition of penance for which Markandeya is a finest example and the glory of Lord Shiva in making his boon work despite odds.

 

By this narration, his name Markandeya will be remembered with a short lived glory and fame. Katju as a judge will be totally forgotten for whatever finest judgements he had given but will only be remembered as a C-class person – C for Corruption –cum - Congress.  The diminishing state of his mind is also exhibited in the concluding part of his narration where he refers to the act of headstand (sheersasana) done by the Yogi and his followers (read Baba Ramdev and his followers at Ram lila maidhan fast) as a final attempt to bring about a revolution against corruption etc.  He indirectly refers this as an act of buffoons, whereas the reality picture in India against corruption is that– even if we stand upside down on our head, the Congress government is not listening and is not going to listen.  If by so doing, we are called buffoons, by what name the Congress government must be called?

 

 

-Jayasree

 

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Given below is the obnoxious article written by Mr Markandeya Katju , followed by a response from Mr Bala Gauthaman, Director, Centre for Research in Vedic Science.

 

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From

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-openpage/article3756114.ece

The Swami and the Amogh Astra

By

Markandeya Katju.

Once upon a time in a country called Buffoonistan there was a Swami (and there were hordes of them) called Mokshaprapta (one who has attained salvation). One day he decided to pray to Lord Shiva for a boon. So he stood on one leg for 1,000 years with both hands raised and eyes closed (which is the classic method of obtaining nirvana in India), praying for Lord Shiva's darshan (revelation).

Pleased with his indefatigable devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him. He then told the Swami to ask for a boon.

The Swami said, "Mahadev, I am deeply dejected because while all countries in the world have invented wonderful weapons, my country Buffoonistan has invented none. The Chinese have invented gunpowder, the British warships, the Germans tanks, the Japanese kamimaze pilots, and the Americans atom bombs, my country has produced nothing."

At this Lord Shiva said, "Do not be dejected. Your country will produce an Amogh Astra [invincible weapon] which none can match."

"What is that?" enquired the Swami.

"It is anshan [fasting]" replied Lord Shiva. "No weapon can match this."

The Swami became very happy, and asked for details of this wonderful weapon.

Lord Shiva said: "This weapon has no match because none can equal its spiritual power. However, there is a secret key for using this weapon. And that is this: whether you fast for 3 days or 10 or 20, at the end of it your weight must be more than what it was before you started fasting."

The Swami felt a bit disturbed. "How is that possible?" he asked. "That is possible only by cheating and eating on the quiet."

"Chee, chee, chee" said the Lord. "Can I advise you to cheat? No, I will tell you a miraculous method by which you can gain weight while fasting. You should close your eyes, open the third one, which, as Yogis have explained, is on everyone's forehead, and while doing transcendental meditation, imagine seeing a lot of delicious dishes there. Then you must in your imagination eat that. That will really fill your stomach, and increase your weight."

The Swami was delighted and he fell at the feet of Lord Shiva, who then disappeared.

The next day the Swami began his fast for abolition of corruption in Buffoonistan. Buffoons from all over the country had assembled in the shamshanghat (cremation ground) where the Swami always held his meetings. He chose this place rather than Jantar Mantar or the Ramlila ground because he wanted his followers to develop a spirit of detachment, forgetting about this world and thinking about the next.

The Swami stood up on an elevated platform before the huge crowd of buffoons and declared that if a law for abolition of corruption was not passed in 3 days his peaceful protest would turn into a revolution.

Now this word 'revolution' is dicey. It can mean different things to different people.

In the audience a rakshas (demon) called Charvak was sitting, and he was known to be a mischievous fellow. He had the nasty habit of asking uncomfortable questions. He got up and said, "As far as I know, a revolution seeks to totally transform the entire society, like the French Revolution. You have never mentioned what kind of revolution you want. I think you are a fraud."

Now saying such a thing, particularly in a crowd of Buffoons, is extremely dangerous. The crowd has a mob mentality, like the Roman mob in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar . When Mark Antony incited the mob against Caesar's murderers, the mob went around seeking them. They caught hold of a poet called Cinna, who was different from Cinna the conspirator, and although he kept protesting that he was Cinna the poet, and not Cinna the conspirator, they lynched him saying, "Hang him for his bad verses."

Something equally sinister may have happened to our rakshas friend, but the Swami, who is a benevolent person and above petty feelings, beckoned Charvak to the dais, embraced him, and whispered smilingly in his ears, "One more word and I will hang you here upside down." But no one heard him say this, and people thought that out of magnanimity the Swami had forgiven Charvak.

The Swami then said loudly, "Our brother has raised a valid point and we must consider it seriously," and having said so he let him back into the crowd, from where he disappeared post haste before the Swami or his followers could change their minds.

The Swami said, "Our brother has raised an important point. How do we make revolution? Can any of you answer? After a revolution Buffoonistan will become a land of milk and honey, there will be no more corruption, or poverty, unemployment, price rise, sickness, etc.

"To achieve all this we must realise that this world is Maya, that is, illusion, as our Vedanta philosophy teaches. So we must realise that corruption, poverty, unemployment, etc., are all illusions. Once we realise this, the revolution will have been achieved.

"So I request all of you to stand on your heads and contemplate the world as Maya."

Everyone in the crowd then performed the yogic headstand (sheershasana), and that is the last they were seen doing by this observer.

The moral of this story is that everyone in Buffoonistan must have implicit faith in Babas and Swamis to achieve salvation and total revolution.

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

 

Mr Bala Gauthaman's response to the above article :-

 

The Diwan and the Divine khanoon

There was a country called Buffoonistan, which was invaded by  barbarians for more than 1000 years. The country was raided,looted and disfigured by these barbarians and after a prolonged freedom struggle the country was freed from foreign invaders and a secular government was installed . In that country, there lived a responsible Sarpanch by the name Prafull. The Sarpanch decided to renovate a dilapidated temple in his village and approached the local Diwan HH.Market Kaju  to release funds from the royal treasury. The diwan refused to do that citing the constitution of the country that states

 

No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination.

 

A visibly upset Prafull left the Diwan's mansion and headed towards his village . On his way, he heard drum beats with the royal announcement that people belonging to the 'musmam' community can avail concessions for their pilgrimage to the desert land. On hearing this announcement in the Diwan's land, Prafull headed towards the mansion of the Divan.

 

Diwan HH.Martket Kaju was cosily sitting with another Peshkar in his court room.Praful entered the room and asked the diwan "My Lord, On what basis you are giving money to Musmams for pilgrimage? Is it not a violation of the constitution you cited to me earlier?"

 

Diwan HH.Market Kaju become furious and shouted "who are you to ask this question?"

 

A trembling Prafull with folded hands replied, "My Lord, I am a sarpanch of a village and all my forefathers hail from this Baffoonistan. We fought for the country's freedom and ...."

 

Unwilling to listen to Prafull's words the, angry Diwan Market Kaju shoted "You are a descendent of an immigrant!92 per cent of the people living in the sub continent are descendants of immigrants!"

 

On hearing this Prafull was taken aback for a moment and he continued, "My Lord!, if you say that 92% of the people are from outside, where is the evidence that some other part has held a proportional amount of population of this huge size in the past? and My Lord! when they have migrated? My Lord.."

 

"Behold you......"shouted Market Kaju and continued "I am not here to give explanations to you. "Baffoonistan is broadly a country of immigrants (like North America).It is due to the wisdom of our founding fathers that we have a Constitution which is secular in character, and which caters to the tremendous diversity in our country."

 

At this point of time Prafull thought that Diwan HH Market Kaju has come back to his senses and conceded "Diwan saab now I understood that constitution is supreme. I withdraw my request for temple donations."

 

Divan HH Market Kaju was elated by the response and started his usual sermon

 

"It may be mentioned that when Baffoonistan became independent there were partition riots in many parts of the sub-continent, and a large number of people were killed, injured and displaced. Religious passions were inflamed at that time, and when passions are inflamed it is difficult to keep a cool head. It is the greatness of our founding fathers that under the leadership of Chamcha Chacha they kept a cool head and decided to declare Baffoonistan a secular country . This was a very difficult decision at that time because Musmastan had declared itself an musman State and hence there must have been tremendous pressure on Chamcha Chacha and our other leaders to declare a buffoon State. It is their greatness that they resisted this pressure and kept a cool head and rightly declared Buffoonistan to be a secular state."

 

After hearing this long bashan, Prafull thought that something went amiss there and looked at the HH Diwan, with folded hands and started with a trembling voice

 

"HH Diwan, I am indeed enlightened by your baashan. Even in your baashan, you said it is a secular state then it should not patronise any religion. Then why this Government is patronising Musmams' to undertake a pilgrimage to the desert land". On seeing the angry face of Divan Market Kaju, the sarpanch bowed and continued without lifting his head "My Lord will the constitutional clause that states No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination applicable here?"

 

HH Market Kaju realised that he was trapped by the ordinary village man and doesnt want to concede his defeat as it is the usual practice of the rulers and Nobles in Baffoonistan.

 

As the normal practice of this land, HH Market Kaju asked the sarpanch to come for his judgement after a week's time.

 

The D-day came and the court hall was filled to its brim.On that day 4 more cases were slated to be heard by the Divan. Three of them were very high profile. One involving a noble who cheated 1.75 lakh crore gold coins, another Noble amassed 66 crore gold coins without proper accounting, another Noble looted 1000 crore gold coins allotted to the royal stable.

 

On seeing Royals and Nobles, Prafull decided to leave the court room. While he is about to leave the room ,the Diwan thundered "Prafull!". A frightened Praful turned towards the Diwan with folded hands.

 

"There is no king or commoner here.All are same before me and the constitution. I will pronounce your judgement and then proceed to the other cases." said the Diwan with a grim face

 

The Nobles in the court room were trembling as to what is going to happen to their case, since the Diwan appeared to be so strict and neutral.They all started thinking of buying time till the next Diwan takes over.

 

The statement of the Diwan and a dead silent court room infused fresh confidence in Prafull and he asked HH Market Kaju with folded hands, "My Lord ! Do you agree with me that subsidy to desert pilgrimage is unconstitutional!"

 

Market Kaju starred at Prafull and replied "No, you are mistaken".

 

"In our opinion constitution would be violated if a substantial part of the entire income tax collected in Baffoonistan, or a substantial part of the entire central excise or the customs duties or sales tax, or a substantial part of any other tax collected in Baffoonistan, were to be utilized for promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination. In other words, suppose 25 per cent of the entire income tax collected in Baffoonistan was utilized for promoting or maintaining any particular religion or religious denomination, that, in our opinion, would be violative of the Constitution.

 

In our opinion, we must not be too rigid in these matters, and must give some free play to the joints of the State machinery. A balanced view has to be taken here, and we cannot say that even if one paisa of Government money is spent for a particular religion there will be violation of constitution"

On pronouncement of this verdict, the Noble who faced a 66 crore graft case shouted in joy! I am acquitted! I am acquitted!

 

A curious onlooker asked the Noble "but your case has not come up"

The Noble replied, "You buffoon, Don't you hear what the Divan HH Market Kaju said?"

 

"I have looted only 66 crores, there are big looters inside this room and many more outside. Considering the amount of loot, 66 crore is not considerable It is not even 0.25% of the total loot....hahaha.I now understand that HH.Market Kaju is not too rigid, he gives freeplay and always takes a balanced view."

 

A deflated Prafull stared at the proud Diwan and said" Yes, Indeed it is a Baffoonistan"

The moral of this story is that everyone in Buffoonistan must have implicit faith in its constitution and its implementers to protect its Secular fabric.

 

Disclaimer: The bolded and underlined portions may have the ressemblence of judgements or observations of our Hon.Supreme court It is not intentional on my part to reproduce the same.