Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Combat terrorism – remove the moles – lecture by Dr Subramanian Swamy


A wonderful explanation of how and why terrorism strikes India and how terrorists have their moles planted in the Establishment was given by Dr Subramanian Swamy in his lecture yesterday at Thiruvananthapuram . The news item can be read at http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/20/stories/2010012055720400.htm


The main part of his lecture on these issues is posted here. My sincere thanks to Dr S. Kalyanaraman for sending the lecture contents. The complete lecture can be read at  http://sites.google.com/site/hindunew/human-rights?pli=1


Reading his views, I wish to bring to the notice of whoever is concerned with terror- handling to note a certain time this year.

Between July 24th and November 1st of 2010, the country's and people's safety are going to be grim. Jupiter will be retrograde in its own house which also happens to be the 9th from natal moon of India's Independence chart.


The two distinct factors in addition to the regular calamitous factors for terror strikes in India are Jupiter going retrograde in its own and exalted houses and the antiscion of the Sun getting afflicted with malefics. In addition the Vimshotthari dasa bhukthi must be malefic.


All these are happening at that time in addition to the malefic combination 4 malefics in quandrants around July- August. Some terror strikes can be expected before Independence day and on days when moon transits Pisces and Virgo in July- August and when sun transits Cancer and Virgo. In general the Sun- Mars period between 28-06-2010 and 04-11-2010 will be terror prone.


I will do a detailed astrological analysis of this time period later.


But the establishment must be vigilant and serious.


Importantly, Dr Swamy's analysis of terror roots can not be ignored.

 

-         jayasree



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



Lecture on

COMBATING OF TERRORISM AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS



by

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY, Ph.D (Harvard)

Fmr. Union Minister For Law & Justice

Delivered on

19th  JANUARY 2010 AT 6.00 PM

at

SAMSKRITHI BHAVAN

G.P.O.LANE, STATUE, THIRVANANTHAPURAM



(Excerpts)



Objectives

Hindustan originally comprised the present day India, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan.  It may be recalled that Kaikeyi was from Iran, while Gandhari was from Afghanistan.  It was a 100% Hindu land till Muhammad bin Qasim's Arab army attacked Sindh in 711. But that attack was repulsed by the Chalukyas of Gujarat. The Turks then arrived in force 275 years later and then began the Islamic onslaught of Hindustan.



Despite fighting valiantly to defend their dharma and motherland during repeated Muslim invasions for over seven centuries thereafter, Hindus lost Afghanistan in 987, Iran in 1011;  and present day Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1947 to Muslims  After 1947, truncated India i.e. Bharat has seen genocide and eviction of Hindus from Muslim majority Kashmir, not to mention Pakistan and Bangladesh.


Alert Hindus today apprehend that because of higher Muslim population growth rate and infiltration from Bangladesh, they will be outnumbered soon by Muslims (in a few decades) and face the same fate of Hindus in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, which also was once a land of Hindu.


It is ironic that despite repeated waves of foreign invaders for over 1,200 years, Hindus resisted converting to Islam and Christianity.  But now we are acquiescing in a demographic invasion.   


Hindu civilisation today is a demographically challenged civilisation. Many districts in India bordering Bangladesh have seen abnormal increase in Muslim population because of infiltration. The nature of Islam as a religious theology is such that wherever Muslims are in majority they behave most intolerantly and violently towards Hindus and other minorities. Within India, we see this not only in Kashmir but even in pockets like Mau in UP and in 40 nagarpanchayats in Tamil Nadu where Muslims are in majority. Hence, one aspect of terrorism we face is the Islamic demographic invasion from Bangladesh which is compounded by a higher population growth of all Muslims in India. By 2061, at this differential rate of population growth, India would become a Hindu-minority and Muslim majority nation. So the first anti-terrorist objective is to check this infiltration and impose uniform family planning on all communities including Muslims.


By its judgment dated July 12, 2005, Supreme Court had struck down the Illegal Migrants (D.T.) Act, 1983 as unconstitutional; and termed Bangladeshi infiltration as "external aggression" and directed that "Bangladeshi nationals who have trespassed into Assam or are living in other parts of the country have no legal right of any kind to remain in India and they are liable to be deported."


But, instead of deporting the infiltrators, on Februaty 10, 2006, UPA government brought in the Foreigners (Tribunals for Assam) Order to nullify the apex Court's judgment. On December 5, 2006, Supreme Court quashed this Order also as unconstitutional, and called for implementation of its earlier judgment dated July 12, 2005 for deporting illegal immigrants.


Despite this judgments, hardly any no infiltrator has been deported by the government those that were, just cranked back Instead of being deported, infiltrators are being quietly acquiring voting rights, since, the government is busy with terrorist and infiltrator-friendly `confidence building measures' like soft borders, peace talks, Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh bus and rail links, which are bringing more and more Pak-Bangla nationals into India every day.


          What did the despicable terror and mayhem in Mumbai on November 26th signify for India? Shorn of the human tragedy, wanton destruction, and obnoxious audacity of the terrorists, it fundamentally signifies a challenge to the true identity of India from radical Islam securely based in Pakistan. Pakistan is a Muslim majority country and therefore by definition cannot be a secular peace loving country.  It is to be regarded instead as Darul Islam where minorities have no place.  Islam commands Muslims of Darul Islam to wage jihad, and hence India will continue to be attacked by terrorists from Pakistan.  To end this patriotic Indians must force them to sign a Al Taqqiya contract.


For this any patriotic Indian government, as a second anti-terrorist objective,  must not permit any area of India, from State to District to Town panchayat, to be a Muslim majority area because then it will become a breeding ground for Jihad based terror.


The third anti-terrorist objective is straight forward—prevent terrorists attacks.



Priorities

First priority is the third objective.  We need a strategy of deterrence.  Second priority is the first objective; and third priority is the second objective.


As regards the first priority, i.e., third objective, what to do, for examples, against terrorist attacks against Hindus of Kashmir who have been driven out?  They number 5 lakhs, mostly in 'refugee' camps since 1989.


A nationalist government must as a strategy ensure a population re-settlement to restore the Hindu-Muslim balance in J & K.  The Indian government must thus resettle 10 lakh ex-service personnel of the armed forces to reconstruct the population ratio of Hindus in Kashmir.


Secular intellectuals may wax eloquent about the "true Islam" being humane and peaceful on TV programmes, but it is clear that they have not read any authoritative translations of the Koran, Sira and Hadith which three holy books together constitute the theology of Islam. Together these are a complete menu of intolerance of peoples who are not Muslim, derisively labeled as kafirs and dhimmis.


Hence instead of talking about the "correct interpretation" of Islam, those who call themselves as 'moderates' in the Islamic community, ought instead to urge for a new reformed Islamic theology that is consistent with democratic principles.  Of course, then like Salman Rushdie and Taslima, they will have to run for over to escape fanatic murderous Muslims.


         In 2003, two years after the 9/11 perfidious Islamic assault on USA, resulting in killing of more than 3000 persons within two hours, and which crime of terror was perpetrated by leveraging the democratic freedoms in USA, the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the website of its Islamic Affairs Department [www.iad.org] laid down what a "good" Muslim is expected to do.  In that site it is stated:


"The Muslims are required to raise the banner of Jihad in order to make the Word of Allah supreme in this world, to remove all forms of injustice and oppression, and to defend the Muslims. If Muslims do not take up the sword, the evil tyrants of this earth will be able to continue oppressing the weak and helpless"


The above quote is what in substance is being taught in every madrassa in India, and can be traced back to the sayings of Prophet Mohammed. I can quote a plethora of verses from a Saudi Arabian translated Koran[e.g., verses 8:12, 8:60, and 33:26] which verses justify brutal violence against non-believers. If I delved into Sira and Hadith for more quotes, then I could risk generating unbearable shock, so it will suffice to say that Islam is not only a theology, but it spans a brutal political ideology which we have to combat in realm of ideas sooner or later.


          Some may quote back at me verses from Manusmriti about brutality to women and scheduled castes. But as a Hindu I have the liberty to disown these verses if such verses exist [since it is a Smriti] and even to seek to re-write a new smriti as many, for example, Yajnavalkya have done to date.


Reform and renaissance is thus inbuilt into Hinduism. But in Islam, the word of the Prophet is final. No true Muslim can disown these verses, or say that they would re-write the offensive verses of the Koran. If they do, then they would have to run for their lives. Leave alone re-writing, if anyone draws a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed, there will follow world-wide violent rioting. But if Hussein draws Durga in the most pornographic posture, the Hindus will only groan but not violently rampage.


We Hindus have a long recognized tradition of being religious liberals by nature. We have already proved it enough by welcoming to our country and nurturing Parsis, Jews, Syrian Christians, and Moplah Muslim Arabs who were persecuted elsewhere, when we were 100% Hindu country.  But today's systematic infiltration of Muslims from Bangla Desh and Pakistan is not because of persecution of Muslims in these two countries, but for Jihad in India.


Despite a 1000 years of most savage brutalization of Hindus by Islamic invaders and self demeaning brain washing by the Christians, even then, Hindus as a majority in 1947 had adopted secularism as a creed. We have not asked for an apology and compensation for these past atrocities. But the position of Hindus in this land of Bharatmata, where Muslims and Christians locally are in majority, in pockets---such as in Kashmir and Nagaland, or in small enclaves such as town panchayats of Tamil Nadu, is terrible and despicable. Even in Kerala where Hindus are 52% of the population, they have only 25% of all the prime jobs in the state, and are silently suffering their plight at the hands of 48% who vote as a vote bank. Recently, out of 37 new engineering colleges given state clearance, 19 or more than 50 percent were given to Muslims. Hindus got only 6%! If the proposed Islamic Bank comes through and $50 billion in funds West Asia Arab nations are capitalized in this bank, it will be made available as loans more easily to Muslim youth.  Those Hindus who want  a loan will be quietly told to convert.


If we do not stand up now to this Islamic explicit and implicit terrorism, then India will end up like Beirut, a permanent battlefield of international terrorists, buccaneers, pirates and missionaries, or in the end a Darul Islam of Muslim majority.



Strategy


This means we have to deal squarely with the incubator of Islamic terror namely Pakistan. Today Pakistan's civil and democratic society is impotent. They are paying the price of Benazir Bhutto who as Prime Minister helped Taliban to strike roots and infected Kashmir with the call for "azadi". Time has come for us to stand up against all this.


          What does it mean in the 21st century for Hindus to stand up? I mean by that a mental clarity of the Hindus to defend themselves by effective deterrent retaliation, and also an intelligent co-option of other religious groups into the Hindu cultural continuum.


          Mental clarity can only come if we are clear about the identity of the nation. What is India? An ancient but continuing civilization or is it a geographical entity incorporated in 1947 by the Indian Independence Act of the British Parliament? What then does it means to say "I am an Indian"? A mere passport holder of the Republic of India or a descendent of the great seers and visionaries of more than 10,000 years? Obviously our identity should be of a nation of an ancient and continuing Hindu civilization, legatees of great rishis and munis, and a highly sophisticated sanatana philosophy.


If Hindu culture is our defining identity then how can we co-opt non-Hindus, especially Muslims and Christians? By persuading them by saam, dhaam, bheda and dand that they acknowledge with pride the truth:  that their ancestors are Hindus. If they do, then it means that they accept Hindu culture and its liberal enlightened mores. That is, change of religion to Islam does not mean change from Hindu culture. Then we should treat such Muslims and Christians as part of our Brihad Hindu family, and even welcome them to re-convert.


For a clear strategy we need to learn lessons from our own history.


The first lesson to be learnt from recent history, for tackling terrorism in India is that the Hindu is the target and that Muslims of India are being programmed to slide into suicide against Hindus. It is to undermine the Hindu psyche and create fear of civil war that terror attacks are organized. And hence since the Hindu is the target, Hindus must collectively respond as Hindus against the terrorist and not feel individually isolated or worse, be complacent because he or she is not personally affected. If one Hindu dies merely because he or she was a Hindu, then a bit of every Hindu also dies. This is an essential mental attitude, a necessary part of a virat Hindu[ for fuller discussion of the concept of virat Hindu, see my Hindutva and National Renaissance [Haranand, March 2010]. 


Therefore we have to have a collective mindset as Hindus to stand against the terrorist. In this response, Muslims and Christians of India can join us if they genuinely feel for the Hindu. That they do, I will not believe, unless they acknowledge with pride that though they may be Muslims or Christians, their ancestors are Hindus. It is not easy for them to acknowledge this ancestry because the Muslim Mullah and Christian Missionary would consider it as unacceptable since that realisation would dilute the religious fervour in their faith and also create an option for their possible re-conversion to the Hinduism. Hence, these religious leaders preach hatred and violence against the kafir and the pagan i.e., the Hindu [for example read Chapter 8 verse 12 of the Koran] to keep the faith of their followers. The Islamic terrorist outfits, e.g., the SIMI being the latest has already resolved that India is Darul Harab, and they are committed to make it Darul Islam. That makes them free of any moral compunction whatsoever in dealing with Hindus.


But still, if any Muslim or Christian does so acknowledge his or her Hindu legacy, then we Hindus can accept him or her as a part of the Brihad Hindu Samaj, which is Hindustan. India that is Bharat that is Hindustan is a nation of Hindus and those others whose ancestors are Hindus. Even Parsi and Jews in India have Hindu ancestors. Others, those who refuse to so acknowledge or those foreigners who become Indian citizens by registration can remain in India, but should not have voting rights[which means they cannot be elected representatives].


The second lesson for combating the terrorism we face today that we need to learn is: since demoralising the Hindu and undermining the Hindu foundation of India in order to destroy the Hindu civilization, is the goal of all terrorists in India we must never capitulate and never concede any demand of the terrorists. Terrorists are encouraged by appeasement but never satisfied by it.


In fact, the earliest terror tactics in India were deployed in Bengal 1946 by Suhrawady and Jinnah to terrorise Hindus to give in on the demand for Pakistan. The Congress Party claiming to represent the Hindus capitulated, and handed 25 percent of India on a platter to Mohammed Ali Jinnah.


Therefore, no matter how many Hindus have to die for it, the basic policy has to be: never yield to any demand of the terrorists. That ne cessary resolve has not been shown in our recent history. Instead ever since we conceded Pakistan in 1947 under duress, we have been mostly yielding time and time again.


In 1989, to obtain the release of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's daughter, Rubaiyya who had been kidnapped by terrorists, five terrorists in Indian jails were set free by the V.P. Singh's government. This made these criminals in the eyes of Kashmiri separatists and fence sitters as heroes, as those who had brought India's Hindu establishment on it's knees. To save Rubaiyya it was not necessary to surrender to terrorist demands.


In 1991, when Chandrashekhar was PM, and I was his senior Minister handling the Law & Justice portfolio, Saifuddin Soz's daughter was kidnapped by the JKLF. They too made the same demand[release of four terrorists in jail], but we refused. We also took some secret retaliatory action which made the JKLF frightened and hence Soz's daughter was put on a autorickshaw and sent home unharmed. This toughness was shown at a time when our government was tottering and about to fall! The difference with the V.P.Singh's government was in our mindset: it had become clear from day one to the JKLF that we meant business as also that two can play the game of terror.


We also showed similar grit and guts when we received information that LTTE had established a parallel establishment in Tamil Nadu, with Karunanidhi's connivance. Most of the senior bureaucrats of our government had warned that we risked bloodshed and rise of separatist Dravidian movement. But we dismissed the DMK government, sacked the Governor for inaction, and smashed the terror infrastructure in the state. Had we not done that then, Tamil Nadu would have been worse today than Kashmir. Thus toughness on both occasion was rewarded.


The third lesson to be learnt is that whatever and however small the terrorist incident, the nation must retaliate—not by measured and "sober" responses but by massive retaliation. For example, when Ayodhya Temple was sought to be attacked, or the Institute of Science in Bangalore was targeted, these were not big terrorist incidents but we should have massively retaliated. Our Intelligence agencies keep telling me in private that we have clinching proof of terrorist training camps in PoK and Bangladesh, and if that is so, we should bomb them by despatching our airforce. There is some evidence that the US agency, the FBI, has presented to a district court in California satellite photos that do establish that terror training camps exist in near Balakot in northeast Pakistan. Indian government claims proof which has not been made public that there are 57 camps in Pakistani held territory and 36 camps in Bangladesh.


If instead of being supportive, Pakistan and Bangladesh protest or retaliate if India bombs these camps, then it means that they are sponsors and not unwilling hosts to free lancing terrorists, and hence we should be ready for war. We could retaliate then by fulfilling our pre-1947 commitment to NWFP, and openly help the Baluchis and the Sindhi to meet their legitimate aspirations. We could demand territory from Bangladesh for all those illegal Bangladeshis settled in India. After all, Partition was for those Muslims who could not bear to live with Hindus. Hence, the territory of Bangladesh should be reduced in proportion to millions of Bangladesis that have come to India and the Hindus pushed out since 1947. Strategically, northern one-third of Bangladesh could then be annexed if Bangladesh goes to war with us. 


Otherwise what is the alternative? Walk meekly to death expecting that our "sober" responses will be rewarded by our neighbours and their patrons? We will be back to 1100 AD fooled into suicidal credulity. We should not be ghouls for punishment from terrorists and their patrons. This is Kaliyug, and hence there is no room for sattvic responses to evil people. Hindu religion has a concept of apat dharma and we should invoke it.


What then should be our measured retaliatory response to terrorist attacks, viz., our strategy to deter terrorists? It is argued by secular 'liberals' that no retaliation against terrorists can be effective because of the motivation of terrorists.

What motivates the Islamic terrorists in India? Many are advising us Hindus to deal with the root "cause" of terrorism rather than concentrating on eradicating terrorists by retaliation. And pray what is the root "cause"?


According bleeding heart liberals, terrorists are born or bred because of illiteracy, poverty, oppression, and discrimination. They argue that instead of eliminating them, the root cause of these four disabilities in society should be removed. Only then terrorism will disappear. Moreover they argue, terrorists cannot be deterred by force since they are irrational, willing to commit suicide, and have no 'return address'. Before replying to this, let us understand that I have serious doubts about the integrity of these liberals, or more appropriately, these promiscuous Supari. They seek to deaden the emotive power of the individual and render him passive. A nation state cannot survive for long with such a capitulationist mentality.


The fourth lesson to learn is that more than the overt threat of the terrorists in India, the more sinister corrosion of our nation state occurs from within. This corrosion provides 'a force multiplier' to the terrorists. That is, the terrorists are able to leverage the influence of highly placed individuals in the government, media and academia, who have been compromised by the terrorists and blackmailed on sex, drug money and illegitimate favours, into collaborating with them.


The widow of Rajiv Gandhi, Ms.Sonia Gandhi for example finds nothing wrong with having political alliance with parties like book which praise the killers of her husband, the LTTE. Furthermore, Ms.Gandhi wrote to the President that the four LTTE/DK criminals to be hanged on the orders of the Supreme Court [May 12, 1999], should be given a lesser sentence of life imprisonment even though the four criminals did not ask for mercy!! Is this her concept of zero tolerance for terrorism, or is there some mysterious reason why Ms.Gandhi wrote this letter? And why is it that ever since the assassination Ms.Gandhi did not written a single letter to the President or raised in Lok Sabha demanding the immediate extradition of the LTTE supremo and Accused No.1 in the Rajiv murder case, V.Prabhakaran, or even ask for carpet bombing of his hideout in Mullaitheevu or wherever in Sri Lanka?  Why does not the media raise this question with her of alliance of Congress with pro-LTTE parties? What is behind this conspiracy of silence? One thing is for sure—terrorists in India of all hues and background have their compromised moles in the India's Establishment, and hence no anti-terrorist policy can succeed unless these fifth column elements are weeded out. The IB/RAW/MI/CRPF all have files on them and so identifying them is no problem. The political support these traitors have to withdrawn and some have to be made examples of.



It is rubbish to say that terrorists who master-mind the attacks are poor. Osama Bin laden for example is a billionaire. Islamic terrorists are patronized by those states that have grown rich from oil revenues. In Britain, the terrorists arrested so far for the bombings are all well to do persons. Nor are terrorists uneducated. Most of terrorist leaders are doctors, chartered accountants, and teachers. Islamic terrorists certainly do not face discrimination and oppression in their own countries. In fact in these countries it is the non-Islamic religious minority which is discriminated and oppressed. In Kashmir valley, where Muslims are in majority, not only Article 370 of the Constitution provides privileges to the majority but it is the minority Hindus who have been slaughtered, or raped, and dispossessed. They have become refuges in squalid conditions in their own country. The gang of 9 persons which hijacked four planes on September 11, 2001 and flew them into the World Trade Towers in New York and other targets were certainly not discriminated or oppressed in the United States. Hence it utter rubbish to say that terror is the outcome of the poverty of terrorists.


It is also a ridiculous idea that terrorists cannot be deterred because they are irrational, willing to die, and have no 'return address'. Terrorist master-minds have political goals and a method in their madness. An effective strategy to deter terrorism is therefore to defeat those political goals and to rubbish them by counter-terrorist action. How is that strategy to be structured? In a brilliant research paper published by Robert Trager and Dessislava Zagorcheva this year["Deterring Terrorism" International Security, vol. 30, No.3, Winter 2005/06, pp. 87-123] has provided the general principles to structure such a strategy.


Applying these principles, I advocate the following strategy to negate the political goals of Islamic terrorism in India, provided  the Muslim community fail to condemn these goals and call them un-Islamic:


Political Goal 1: Overawe India on Kashmir.

Strategy: Remove Article 370, and re-settle ex-servicemen in the Valley. Create Panun Kashmir for Hindu pandit community. Look or create opportunity to take over PoK. If Pakistan continues to back terrorists, assist the Baluchis and Sindhis to struggle for independence.


Political Goal 2: Blast our temples and kill Hindu devotees.

Strategy: Remove the masjid in Kashi Vishwanath temple complex, and sequentially 300 others in other sites as a tit-for-tat retaliation.


Political Goal 3: Make India into Darul Islam.

Strategy: Implement Uniform Civil Code, make Sanskrit learning compulsory & singing of Vande Mataram mandatory, and declare India as Hindu Rashtra in which only those non-Hindus can vote if they proudly acknowledge that their ancestors are Hindus. Re-name India as Hindustan as a nation of Hindus and those whose ancestors are Hindus.


Political Goal 4: Change India's demography by illegal immigration, conversion, and refusal to adopt family planning.

Strategy: Enact a national law prohibiting conversion from Hindu religion to any other religion. Re-conversion will not be banned. Declare caste is not birth based but code of discipline based. Welcome non Hindus to re-convert to the caste of their choice provided they adhere to the code of discipline. Annex Bangla Desh territory in proportion to the illegal migrants from that country. At present, northern one-third from Sylhet to Khulna can be annexed to re-settle the illegal migrants.


Political goal 5: Denigrate Hinduism through vulgar writings and preaching in Mosques, Madrassas, and Churches to create loss of self-respect amongst Hindus and fit for capitulation.

Strategy: Propagate the development of a Hindu mindset.


India can solve it's terrorist problem within five years by such a deterrent strategy, but for that we have to learn the four lessons outlined above, and have a Hindu mindset to take bold, risky, and hard decisions to defend the nation. If the Jews can be transformed from lambs walking meekly to the gas chambers to fiery lions in just ten years, it is not difficult for Hindus in much better circumstances[after all we are 83% of India], to do so in five years. Guru Gobind Singh has shown us the way already, how just five fearless persons under spiritual guidance can transform society. The Vijayanagaram empire was founded by two re-converted[from Islam] persons Bukka and Hakka under the spititual guidance of Shankaracharya of Sringeri. So did Krishnadevaraya, Rana Pratap, Shivaji, Rani Jhansi, Kattaboman, and Netaji Subhash Bose inspire the nation to greatness. But since 1947 and so far we Hindus have meekly followed Jawaharlal Nehru and his cheap imitations in other parties. 


Today the Hindu dharamacharyas have to play a similar role to forge an instrument to implement the above strategy to deter terrorism in India. Swami Dayananda Sarasvati has already taken a big step in forming the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha of Shankaracharyas, Muttadeeshs, Mahamandaleshwars and Akhadas, and adopting the Tirupati Declaration calling on Hindus not to vote for those who work as against the Hindu religion. Even if half the Hindu voters are persuaded to collectively vote as Hindus and for a party sincerely committed to a Hindu agenda, we can forge an instrument for change. And that ultimately is the bottom line in the strategy to deter terrorism in a democratic Hindustan: to develop a Hindu vote on the basic of a Virat Hindu identity.  


Noted author and editor M.J.Akbar calls this identity as of "Blood Brothers". It is an undeniable fact that Muslims and Christians in India are descendents of Hindus. In a recent article in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, an analysis of genetic samples [DNA] show that Muslims in north India are overwhelmingly of the same DNA as Hindus proving that Muslims here are descendents of Hindus who had been converted to Islam, rather repositories of foreign DNA deposited by waves of invaders. Of course for Southern India Muslims, we do not need a DNA test to learn this.   It is obvious.


Akbar thus asks rhetorically: "When have the Muslims of India gone wrong?" and answers: "When they have forgotten their Indian roots". How apt! Enlightened Muslims like Akbar therefore must rise to the occasion and challenge the reactionary religious fundamentalists. That is, India is not Darul Harab to be trifled with.  It is in the interest of the Muslims of India to accept this reality. Hindus must persuade by the time-honoured methods, the Muslims and Christians to accept this and its logical consequences.


This identity was not understood by us earlier because of the distorted outlook of Jawarharlal Nehru who occupied the Prime Minister's chair for seventeen formative years after 1947 and for narrow political ends, had fanned a separatist outlook in Muslims and Christians. 


Without a resolution of the identity crisis today, which requires an explicit clear answer to this question of who we are, the majority will never understand how to relate to the legacy of the nation and in turn to the minorities. Minorities would not understand how to adjust with the majority if this identity crisis is not resolved. In other words, the present dysfunctional perceptional mismatch in understanding who we are as a people, is behind most of the communal tension and inter-community distrust in the country and our failure to deal with Pakistan.


To deal with Islamic terrorism and infiltration and culturally assimilate Muslims of India has to be our strategy.  India thus needs a Hindu renaissance that incorporates modern principles, e.g., of the irrelevance of birth antecedents, fostering gender equality, ensuring equality before law, and accountability for all. It is also essential to integrate the entire Indian society on those principles, irrespective of religion. Uniform civil code for example, is something that the vast majority of Muslim women want. But the Muslims think that this is the first step in several to subjugate them or wipe out their identity. But Muslims have quietly accepted Uniform Criminal Code[the IPC] even though it contradicts the Sharia.


In other words, Hindutva has two components---one that Hindus can accept[such as caste abolition, eradication of dowry etc.] without any other religion's interests to consider. The other is the embracing by minorities of the core secular Indian values which have Hindu roots. This would require, particularly Muslims and Christians, to acknowledge that their ancestry is Hindu, and thus own the entire Hindu past as their own legacy, and to thus tailor their outlook on that basis. This would integrate Indian society and make the concept of an inclusive[Brihad] Hindutva and rooted in India's continuing civilization. 


Once Indianness means Virat Brihad Hindutva, we can tackle terrorism of Pakistan by an effective strategy of defence. The components of that strategy has to be formed by taking Pakistan as a failed state, a sponsor of terrorism, and hence, we need to dismember it unless there is evidence that Pakistan's civil society is ready to reform Islam in keeping with modern principles of civilisational values and age old dharma of Akhand Hindustan.


We can manage infiltration from Bangla Desh by either assimilation into the Hindu cultural mainstream or by asking Bangla Desh to part with territory in proportion to the Bangla Deshis in India (which is about one-third of that country), since Partition of Indian territory was on the basis of population ratio of Hindus and Muslims. If we draw a line from Khulna to Sylhet and annex all territory above it, it will be just compensation as also a great boon for our military to go from Bengal to Assam. Of course, Bangla Desh can avoid this by taking back their infiltrators without our having to deport them


Resources

Terrorism can be fought only with generous allocation of resources that need to be closely monitored in its uses.   The recent disastrous corruption in the purchase of bullet proof fests for Mumbai police that sent brave officers to their death on 26/11 terrorist attack is a case in point.


Hence, it is important that the Supreme Court direction {in (1998) 1 SCC 226} on Police Reforms be carried out so that the present trends in the Police towards corruption will not only waste resources but actually enable terrorists to infiltrate it…… a dangerous development indeed.


Conclusion

The conflict resolution between the sufficiency of response to terrorism and the protection of human rights has to be worked out in India in Indian context, which is that the main terrorists confronting us today are Islamic by religion and swear by it.


          The Jihad that terrorists have launched against India is stated to be "complete the Islamization of India" and to make India "part of the Caliphate".  That Islamic terrorism is for "unfinished business" to make India a Darul Islam from the present Darul Harab.

 



 

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Why do we write Sri Rama Jayam in the beginning?



Most people have the habit of starting a letter
with some writing at the top.
Particularly school students have this habit
of writing in their answer sheets
hoping to get some extra luck from the deity that is supposed to be
indicated by this writing.

In most cases it is Tamil letter 'vu'.
I think this is the mutated form of pranava
or AUM in sanskrit.

Some write the name of their beloved deity followed by a term in Tamil, "thuNai",
seeking protection from that deity.

But the most common word is SriRamaJayam,
which is written by people from all parts of
India.

Another speciality of this name is
that many people take a vow to write
SriRamaJayam for some lakh times
and do so religiously and sincerely
hoping to get blessings of Lord Rama.

The question I wish to address here is
what actually SriRama Jayam means or stands for.


With my very little knowledge of Sanskrit,
I somehow dare to venture into the meaning of this
and I invite corrections / additions
from readers,
so that we can understand better why this practice
of writing SriRamaJAyam has been encouraged.

My first thought is that SriRamaJayam stands for
Sri Ramo jayathe, which is like declaring
that Rama is victorious.
It is like satyam (eva) jayathe –Truth (only) triumphs.
But I am not convinced of this.

Who are we declare that Rama is always victorious?
He is victorious always.
It is unlikely that such a declaration can be a kind of japa,
written or uttered for countless times.

Next,
if we say "Sri rama jayathe bhava",
it is to say "you become Rama's victory."
This reminds me of
Krishna, not Rama
who wanted Arjuna to be His "instrument" (Gita - nimittha maathram bhava),
or any jIva as His instrument, in this world of puppetry.

But Rama's victory is His.
He is victorious always
and we the jivas (souls)
are not His victory,
but His protected subjects.

But in my opinion Rama jayam is not used as verb.
(In the above derivations, we used jayam in verb form)
It is a noun such
as
Krishna- vijayam (6th case)
That is, Jayam of Rama.
If jayathe is to be brought in, it would be `Rama: jayathi',
not Ramajayam.

As a noun, Rama jayam
conveys `Ramasya jayam' (Tamil equivalent is "vettri vudaiya Raman")

Here again I think the stress is not on Jayam or victory or vettri,
but on Rama.

I can quote some verses from Ramanuja's Vedartha sangraha,
to substantiate this.

In verses 214 and 215, he gives the derivation and meaning and
implication of terms satyakama and satyasankalpa.
These words are nouns.
Even though the characterisation expressed in these names are
about
kama (desires) and
sankalpa (will),
the stress is on the Supreme Brahman.

Similarly even though the characterization expressed in
Sri Ramajayam is about triumph of Rama,
the stress must be on Rama.
Because
the object of worship here is Rama, not jayam.
By meditating on
the "victorious Rama",
the worshipper seeks victory in his own endeavours.

In Tamil too, it is appropriate to think of this as
`vettri udaiya Raman' than
`Ramanukku vettri' or `Ramanudaiya vettri'.
In the former, the stress is on Raman and in the latter,
the stress is on jayam.
The first one is acceptable in that the meditation is on Rama
and not on his vettri.


I think there is another appropriate derivation for Rama jayam.
'RamENa jayathE' is RAma jayam.
This means 'victory by Rama.(3rd case)
In Tamil this is 'Raamanaal vettri.'

By writing Sri Rama jayam at the beginning of any write-up
and writing it many times with specific goals of accomplishing something,
one seeks victory or success by Rama's grace.
By another interpretation,
it is Rama who brings out such accomplishments and success.

Therefore,
my conclusion is
Sri Rama Jayam means or stands for
"victory by Rama"
or
"Ramanaal vettri"


Related posts:-

When was Rama born?

Thoughts on Sri Rama Navami. (open letter to Sri Rama)


Pandava’s palace at Purana Quila?


Will any historians and archeologists look into the Kunti Devi temple at Purana Quila?

Seems this was the place where the Pandavas resided.

Read on this article from

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article81226.ece

 

Delhi's Mahabharata connection

by

R. V. Smith

 

Not many know about the history behind the Kunti Devi temple in Purana Quila, said to be built by the mother of the Pandavas.

 

The Purana Quila has many secrets hidden in it, among them the Talaqi Darwaza and the Kunti Devi temple. The latter is said to have been built by the mother of the five Pandavas and is dedicated to Shiva and Durga. Hence, it is also known as Shiv-Durga Mandir. History books are mainly silent on this little temple, which was renovated in 1915 by Pandit Ghasiram Bhardwaj, the 108th Mahant of his sect. Even now the mandir is being looked after by his heirs, under whose possession also come the adjoining dharamshala, platform, garden and surrounding land, as stated in the inscription displayed outside the temple.

 

Few visitors to the old fort are attracted to this place, which should originally date back to 1000 B.C., more than 1,500 years older than the fort built as Dinpanah by Humayun and later built upon by Sher Shah Suri, who ousted the second Moghul emperor barely 10 years after his reign. Sher Shah ruled for only five years and then his son Salim Shah came to the throne, after which Humayun, who had taken refuge in Persia, came back and recaptured his kingdom. But he ruled for less than a year before falling to his death from the Sher Mandal inside the fort.

 

A group of people, including students and their parents, who were taken for a walk in the fort last week by heritage activist Surekha Narain, stumbled upon the Kunti Devi Mandir by chance and were fascinated by it. Excavations in the Purana Quila have unearthed black polished ware and painted gray ware, the former dating back to 300 B.C., which strengthens the belief that the site now occupied by the fort was probably part of the Indraprastha built by Yudhistar, with its 'fairy gates'. Coins dating back to the Gupta and pre-Gupta periods have also been unearthed.

 

The Imperial Guptas reigned from 319 to 495 A.D. and the fact that they had control over this area long before the Delhi Sultanate came into existence is proof that their kingdom included Delhi and the areas north of it – Punjab, Kashmir and perhaps parts of Afghanistan too. As a matter of fact, it is believed that Maharani Kunti's sister-in-law Gandhari, wife of the head of the Kauravas, Dhritrashtra, got her name from her native place Ghanadar, as Kandahar was once known. So Kunti Devi's temple is of some significance.

 

As intriguing as this temple is the Talaqi Darwaza or Forbidden Gate, which has a mural of a man fighting a lion. Why this gate was considered forbidden is not known but there were probably some secrets lying locked beyond it as it happened to be the northern gate of the fort and perhaps full of telltale ruins of the Mahabharata days and women in bondage, of which orthodox Sultans did not want their subjects to know about.

 

The Bhairon Mandir, outside the northern wall of the Purana Quila, is also said to date back to the Pandava times and is closely associated with the strongest of them, Bhimsen. Incidentally, the Purana Qila had 1,900 people living in it in village-type huts.

 

They were evicted in 1913 when proper maintenance of the fort began. During the partition days of 1947 refugees from the Walled City of Delhi were camped there by Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (Union Minister for Health) and after their departure the ones from Punjab and Sindh found refuge in it. Sounds amazing that a medieval fort became a sanctuary for 20th century refugees.

 

Surekha Narain, who has led walks to Ghalib's haveli, the First War of Independence monuments on the Ridge and other places, made the students accompanying her visit the fort museum and attempt a quiz on the objects it contained. The Kunti temple and Talaqi Darwaza, with which Lutyens aligned the Central Vista of New Delhi, were also part of the questionnaire. Heritage walks are proving to be a novel way of rediscovering the history of the Capital.

 

Monday, January 18, 2010

How to predict earthquakes.

The first of the 3-part article on astrological analysis of how to predict earthquakes has been published in the Astrological Magazine.

 In the words of the editor Sri Niranjan Babu, son of Dr B.V. Raman,
"Prediction of earth quakes is a formidable task in both science and astrology. Ms. Jayasree Saranathan tells us certain patterns are observed with the study of earlier earthquakes that highlight the role of Mars and Rahu and the martian signs of Aries and Scorpio and Saturn's association with these planets and signs..."

The complete article can be read at
http://www.astrologicalmagazine.com/predicting_earthquakes.php

The magazine is also available in print.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Tamil New Year starts in Chitthirai only.

My article justifying Tamil new Year starting from Chitthirai is published in www.tamilhindu.com
The outrageous change of the New Year to Thai by the Dravidian leaders who do mouth service to Tamil without any substantive understanding of ancient Tamil scriptures is questioned and their arguments demolished in the 2- part write-up.

They can be read at

http://www.tamilhindu.com/2010/01/tamil-new-year-starts-in-chithirai-1/

சித்திரையில் தொடங்கும் புது வருடம் - 1

"தொல்குடி என்றும், செம்மொழி என்றும் நம் பழமையைப் பற்றி நாம் பேசும் அளவுக்கு அந்தப் பழமையின் மீதும், தொன்று தொட்டு வரும் பழக்க வழக்கங்களின் மீதும் நமக்கே மரியாதையும், நம்பிக்கையும் இருக்கவில்லை என்பதைப் பறைசாற்றும் ஒரு சான்றுதான், தையில் வருடப் பிறப்பு என்று பிரகடனம் செய்தது.........."

and
http://www.tamilhindu.com/2010/01/tamil-new-year-starts-in-chithirai-2/

சித்திரையில் தொடங்கும் புது வருடம் - 2

"60 வருடங்களும், நிலம், தட்பவெப்பம் குறித்து, சுழற்சி முறையில் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் வந்துள்ளன. இவற்றைக் குறித்தும் வைத்துள்ளனர். அதன் அடிப்படையில், வருடப் பலன்கள் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. தமிழ்நாட்டில் இன்று நாம் பின்பற்றும் வருடக் கணக்கு, நம் பகுதியில் உள்ள வெப்பம், பருவ மழை இவற்றைப் பொருத்ததே.

வருடப் பலன்களை அறிந்து கொள்ள, அவற்றின் பெயர்களே போதும். அப்படி என்றால், இப்பெயர்களைத் தமிழ்ப் படுத்தி இருக்கலாமே என்று கேட்கத் தோன்றும். அது எளிதல்ல. பல பெயர்களுக்கும் சரியான மொழிபெயர்ப்பு தமிழில் மட்டுல்ல, பிற மொழிகளிலும் கிடையாது. தமிழ்விரும்பிகள் கோபப்படாமல் இதைப் படிக்க வேண்டும்.........."


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Hindu acharya sabha summit, Hyderabad: resolutions



1. The fourth Conference of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha (Acharya Sabha) was held at Hyderabad during January 9 -11, 2010. The members heard a report from the National Coordinator listing the conferences in the country and overseas in which the Acharya Sabha was represented either through the National Coordinator or through one of the Acharya members. The highlights of the same are below:


a) Participation in a Conference in Jerusalem in February 2008 centering on scholarly exchanges with Jewish scholars for a better understanding of Hindu religious philosophy and practice. This interaction was greatly appreciated by the Jewish scholars.


b) Participation in an international conference of government and
religious leaders in May 2008, called by the President of Israel.


c) Participation in an UN Conference in December 2008 at the Hague where the UN Declaration on Human Rights was re-visited; on behalf of the Acharya Sabha. Some important changes were made in the final document to describe "Religious Freedom"; this was to reflect the concerns of the Acharya Sabha and Hindu Society on the "right to religious conversion" by Abrahamic religions.


d) Participation in February 2009 in a Hindu-Buddhist dialog in
Cambodia organized under the auspices of Global Peace Initiative of Women.


e) Attendance in the World Parliament of Religions held in December 2009 at Melbourne in Australia.


f) Attendance in a preliminary meeting in December 2009 with the
Russian Orthodox religious leaders in Moscow to explore future
clarificatory dialog with a view to substituting spiritual collectives
for international political bodies like the UN, in matters of cultural
and religious importance.


2. Besides the foregoing, activities on behalf of the Acharya Sabha since the last conference, comprised


a) creating further public awareness about the arbitrary and
technically unsound Rama Setu Project which also seriously hurts the religious sentiments of Hindu Society, to supplement the legal steps in the Supreme Court;


b) stimulating public awareness of and opposition to the series of
hydro-dams on the upper Ganga and Bhagirathi by the Govt. of India and by the State Govt. of Uttarakhand, by site visits and submission of Memoranda to the political leadership and the Central and State governments ;


c) participating in the inaugural meeting of a Dharma Rakshana Manch which drafted a "Hindu agenda" to be given to political parties fighting elections for inclusion of elements of it in their
manifestos;


d) publication of a News Letter for the Acharya Sabha;


e) publication of the first edition of an Acharya Sabha Directory; and


f) helping in the country-wide organization of and participation in
the Vishva Mangal Go Yatra under the leadership of a respected member of the Acharya Sabha and stimulating public awareness of the importance of the cow to the economy and its sacred place in Hindu tradition.


3. In the ensuing deliberations, the Acharya Sabha heard detailed
accounts from individual Acharya members about a variety of important socio-economic projects undertaken by them in the field among the Hindu rural poor and underprivileged, with a view to not only enhancing their empowerment but their self esteem and pride in their culture. In this connection, the Acharya Sabha noted that a large number of Hindu organizations participated in the Fair held recently in Chennai and that the wide variety and volume of socio-economic projects undertaken under Hindu organizations surprised the general public and the Media. The Sabha was of the view that usual picture presented particularly by Missionaries, namely that Hindu society does not engage much in charitable or in socio-economic work among the poor and underprivileged, was unfounded or motivated.


4. The Acharya Sabha was apprised of the importance of legal steps to protect the legitimate interests of Hindu society through well researched legal action in the High courts and in the Supreme Court. Some of the successes achieved were heard and appreciated by the Acharya Sabha. The Acharya Sabha was informed further that


a) it was very unlikely that the Govt. will be able to convince the Supreme Court about the suitability of the Rama Setu Bridge as it is conceived now;


b) there is a Supreme Court decision that masjid buildings are not an inalienable part of Islamic worship;


c) the Kerala High Court has admitted a Writ questioning the proposed Islamic Investment Bank in Kerala which was slated to work as per Islamic Sharia with share participation from budget funds; and


d) in Melvisharam village dispute in TamilNadu, thanks to the
intervention and fighting up to the Supreme Court on behalf of the
Hindu families oppressed and terrorized by the local Muslim
population, the State government has been directed to separate the two parts of the village so that Hindus may run the religious and cultural aspects of their lives as they deem fit.


e) in many matters legal action would require and will be benefited
by well-timed public awareness campaigns and protests. Leadership of individual Acharyas in different parts of the country will be beneficial in this regard.


5. It was brought to the notice of the Acharya Sabha, based on interactions with agencies inside and outside the country, that the Sabha has come to be looked upon as a welcome apex voice on behalf of Hindus all over the world. It was therefore necessary for the Sabha to plan its policies and activities accordingly. Ageing leadership of the Heads of Mathas and Peethas should ensure continuity and smooth succession by young disciples well- rooted in our culture and heritage and also well educated and trained to face the modern world, engage in scholarly debates and to participate in international conferences. Another need in this regard is for members of the Sabha to improve communication among themselves and with the Secretariat and the National Coordinator's office, and the setting up of a modern office with computer and other equipment. Skilled persons should run the offices of the Acharya members. Improved and up-to-date documentation is also necessary.



6. The Sabha heard a useful presentation on the resources available in the SASTRA University in connection with the proposal to establish a Hindu Heritage Institute to carry on academic research and teaching.


7. The Acharya Sabha noted with appreciation the extensive padayatra public awareness campaign carried out in Andhra Pradesh in the recent past by the AP Devalaya Parirakshana Samiti, with the active support of Hindu activists overseas. These village to village yatras in several districts of Andhra Pradesh, carried out with arduous efforts highlighted to the masses at large, several issues relating to the actual ground situation of government control of temples in the State.


8. The Acharya Sabha noted with great concern the slow growth of Hindu population in the country and the rapidly increasing Muslim and Christian population in a number of States. In several pockets these religious minorities have acquired controlling influence in the cultural and religious life of society besides the voting patterns in elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures. It has also been reported that recruitment of Hindu youth to the Defence forces and the Law enforcement agencies has started flagging in some states. This indeed is not a good development particularly in view of the extraordinary financial and other types of support being shown to the religious minorities by Governments both at the Center and in many States.


9. In the foregoing context, the following Resolutions were passed
by the Acharya Sabha:


a. Individual Mathas and Peethas must undertake, pro-actively, a well thought out program of projects supported by or on behalf of the Acharya Sabha. Some examples of such projects are:


i. Supporting the teaching of spoken Samskritam in a large number of locations (schools run by Mathas and Peethas, temples, new private entities). The effort must be to develop some proficiency in spoken Samskritam, the grammar coming a little later. Youth as well as grown ups should be brought within the scheme.


ii. Improving the management of public temples out side the Endowment Act. Such temples tend to be very small, neglected for want of archakas and regular temple rituals. These temples should be saved from dereliction and disappearance. Some of them should be identified by the Acharyas concerned, for rejuvenation so that the nearby population will be attracted to the temples and help in restoring our ancient temple culture. In doing so, rural and semi-rural temples could be given priority. Temple-going will also greatly help in our resistance to conversion.


iii. The archakas in such rejuvenated temples should be trained not only in worship procedures and samskara rituals in the concerned Samparadayas but in teaching our Dharma to the simple people visiting the temples and in encouraging Seva work. Regular singing of bhajans, namasankirtanam, and satsangs should be systematically organized.


iv. Better management of festivals and pilgrimages, by steps to
prevent accidents, improving environmental hygiene around the temples and provision of emergency medical aid etc. Acharyas may identify some of their committed and competent devotees and put them to work in this regard.


v. In the selected temples speeches by learned persons on Dharmic and contemporary issues of concern to Hindu society, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam and the like should be arranged. They may be largely by local residents but when possible, persons from outside the area may also be invited.


vi. Vigorous exhortation by Acharyas of their devotee masses in their pravachans in the field, to abandon out-dated and harmful practices such as (i) lack of respect for women, (i) dowry demand and ill treatment of brides and young married women for reasons such as dowry etc; (ii) child marriage, child labor denying education to them; (iii) mass killing of animals as a religious ritual and (iv) casteist approach in family and social contexts. Lack of respect to women in general and teasing of young women should be deprecated strongly in their pravachans.


vii. Systematic tree plantation in villages and municipalities under the aegis of individual Acharyas.


b. The establishment of an Institute of Hindu Heritage Studies and Research should be investigated with the assistance and collaboration of the SASTRA University. With suggestions from Acharyas a Panel of scholars could be formed to decide the nature of the academic courses in such an Institute and to design the appropriate curriculum. The Institute must produce research work and publications of high academic
standard to stand rigorous scrutiny.


c. Under the guidance of a core group of Acharyas a carefully
considered 'road map' for the Acharya Sabha, thought through by think tanks should be produced. Such a road map should deal with ideas, on a prioritized program for execution, the structure of the Acharya Sabha at different levels, funds required for pursuing the program, strengthening the Central Secretariat and associated offices servicing the Acharya Sabha.


d. Efforts must be set in motion to create legal cells at the national
and regional levels. Names of competent and committed lawyers may be suggested to the Central Secretariat by the Acharyas for this purpose. With the help of such Cells possibilities to take legal recourse in the interests of Hindu Dharma and society, should be systematically explored.


e. A Rashtiya Jyotish Goshti may be planned at a suitable time to
thoroughly consider Panchangams with the help of the best available experts in astronomy, mathematics and astrology. Acharyas may suggest to the National Coordinator suitable experts for such a Goshti.


f. Cow slaughter and export of cows for slaughter in neighbouring
countries are still taking place on a wide scale due to the inaction
of State governments. This must be resolutely opposed by Acharyas in their pravachans and they should give leadership and practical assistance in rescuing the cows and for keeping them in Goshalas.


g. Hindu families should contribute consciously to the Defence forces and the various police organizations, increasing, if necessary, the number of children in the families.


h. Suitable efforts may be made to create a Forum of Parliamentarians to project Hindu concerns and interests inside the Parliament and in government.


i. At the time of the oncoming Haridwar Kumbha Mela a group of
Acharyas may be convened to give further consideration to
implementation of some of the foregoing Resolutions.


j. Legal action may be considered to force the Encyclopedia of Brittanica to withdraw the Article on Hindusim by Professor Wendy Doniger of the University of Chicago, which contains several comments and explanations hurtful to Hindu religious sentiments.


k. In the context of the needless controversy rekindled by some Islamic elements in the country on the settled subject of singing Vande Mataram, Acharya members should actively promote the voluntary singing of this National song in all public places including schools and colleges. In their Pravachans the beauty and meaning of this great song should be explained to the people at large by the Acharya members.


l. The Acharya Sabha offered condolences on hearing the demise of the following members of the Sabha, all from Tamil Nadu: the Head of the Ethiraja Matham in Sriperumbudur, of Perarulala Ramanuja Jeer Matham in Tirukurangudi and the Head of Emberumanar Jeer Matham in Alwartirunagari.


January 12, 2010



Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The twin eclipse- effect.


 

The twin eclipse of the current times has not attracted much attention as the Triple eclipses of last year.

The Triple eclipse was not a triple from astrological point of view as they were not seen continuously in the same place.

Only when they are seen in succession in a place, they attract astrological attention. As such the upcoming solar eclipse on 15th January immediately after the Lunar eclipse on 31st December, 2009 merit our attention as Twin eclipse.

 

The sequence of solar eclipse following a lunar eclipse is not that good, compared to lunar eclipse following a solar eclipse. In the present one of solar eclipse succeeding a lunar eclipse, the predictions point to dissensions among men and an increase in discord within families or in divorce rates.

 

In contrast we had a lunar eclipse following a solar eclipse in October 2005. It was followed by good rains and Chennai received a record rainfall after that. That was the highest ever received in Chennai and there were no flooding of houses and streets which are a norm nowadays even with half an hour of rainfall. The prediction for such a twin eclipse is that mankind will be happy and the religious rites will be properly done. A good rainfall ensured a satisfactory period of water supply and crop production in the following year. Jayalalithaa was at the helm at that time and needless to say that temple austerities were done in earnest spirit and crime rate was well under control.

 

The present Twin eclipse foretells increasing conflicts and war of words between people and sections of people in the country. There will be an increase in the number of divorces, domestic quarrels and domestic violence.

 

Thinking of domestic quarrels, somehow the First Family of Tamilnadu comes in my mind. It is because both the eclipses occurred in mid heaven, stretching to the 5th part of the day showing that not all is well with the 'princes'. Today we think we have no monarchy, but in Tamilnadu we do have sons of the leaders as princes.

 

 

Predictions:-


The day or night is divided into 7 equal parts to locate the movement of an eclipse, solar or lunar.

The lunar eclipse of last fortnight occurred for most part in the 4th division and there is not much of a worry.  In such timing, only central regions will suffer and by and large people will be happy with fall in price level. But that was a short eclipse.

 

The solar eclipse of Friday is long and spans completely through the 4th and 5th part of the day.

While the 4th part ensures some fall in price level, the 5th part when the eclipse is at its maximum foretells some trouble in the households of ministers!!

Milk production will come down and traders will suffer losses.

 

The commencement of the solar eclipse from south west also confirms losses and sufferings to traders and business men.

The occurrence at Capricorn further confirms that political-sons and the womenfolk in their houses will have bad times.

We may also hear of the demise of or some sufferings to skilled magicians, physicians and old soldiers.

 

The lunar eclipse of last fortnight also foretells bad times for 'princes', powerful chiefs and learned men.

 

Both the eclipses foretell some sufferings to the people living in the Middle province – in the stretch between Delhi and Allahabad and from Himalayas and vindhyas in the north-south directions.

 

The month- based prediction of the twin eclipse is hardship to people by way of famine and scanty rainfall.

 

 

Annular eclipse:-

 

The Madhyatama grasna (annular eclipse) again reiterates some sufferings to the people of Middle province as stated above.

Mankind will suffer from stomach pain and fear will grip the people.

 

Outbreak of an epidemic or a disease is noted form the Jag lagna of India as the solar eclipse happens in the lagna of India at Capricorn.

The lunar eclipse occurred at the 6th house from this lagna and the solar eclipse at the lagna itself.

Some health issue is foretold from these.

 

Another corroboratory connection also is found in these twin eclipses.

If snowfall or heavy fog occurs within 7 days of an eclipse, diseases are foretold.

Following the lunar eclipse of last fortnight, unusual and untimely fog and snow fall was experienced in India.

India must keep a watch on health issues in the coming months.

 

In a nutshell,

Dissensions among people and between partners,

A low for the traders,

A low for ministers and their sons and the womenfolk in their families,

And an outbreak of a disease can be expected.


 

For the individuals:-

 

Lot of people are worried about the eclipse effect on them.

Going by traditional wisdom of the Greats like Varahamihira, there is no need to worry about eclipses for individuals.

Eclipses are related to huge landscape, climate and natural occurrences that have a bearing on people's life.

When it is said that people of the Madhya desa or central provinces will suffer, it means they will have to face the wrath of Nature in terms of the signs signified – Capricorn for earth and Gemini (lunar eclipse) for Wind. Saturn, the airy planet aspecting the lunar eclipse and Mars, the firry planet aspecting the solar eclipse from a watery sign must be taken into consideration for deciding the source of suffering.

The result could probably be an excessive melting of Himalayan glaciers flooding the Central provinces, preceded by a dry windy spell. Both these are enough causes for widespread health problems in that region.

 

The sufferings to individuals depend on their individual fate.

Those in whose star the eclipse occurs need to do propitiation.

According to Varahamihira, the 19th star from this star also is afflicted by the eclipse. They also must propitiate.

If the lagna or moon sign is the sign in which the eclipse occurs, those people also have to propitiate.

Those born in the stars of the sign in which the eclipse occurs also must do the same.

 

If the solar eclipse occurs in the sign in which one has sun in natal chart, the father's side will have some setback. They must also do propitiations.

Similarly, if lunar eclipse happens in the sign in which moon is placed in one's natal horoscope, one's mother's side relatives will have trying times.

 

If the eclipse happens in 3, 6, 10 or 11th house from the moon sign, it is generally good. If in other places, the result will be in tune with the nature of the house.

 

All those coming under any of the above categories have to fast before and during the eclipse.

There is no restriction on seeing eclipse as per astrology.

The one desirous of learning mantras can learn at the time of rising eclipse.

For propitiation, one must take bath and start meditation or japa once the eclipse starts declining.

Those afflicted by eclipse by way of birth star, 19th star and sign stars can do Mruthyunjaya japa at the time eclipse starts declining.

Ancient seers have recommended donation of cow and gold at that time.

Any righteous act such as donation, giving succor to people, meditation and worship will give manifold results when done during the time of eclipse.

 

 

This was misconstrued by the Nizam of Hyderabad who released life prisoners on the day of Total Solar eclipse of 1898.

Such a mis-placed sympathy is found in the Dravidian leaders of today. Fortunately they don't consider eclipses and the Hindu practices connected with them as a time for exhibiting their benevolence. So any malevolency predicted by eclipses is not of the politicians' making. Isn't that a small solace??

 

 

Related posts:-

The astrology behind eclipses.

Astronomer supports eclipse fasting

Triple Eclipse - facts and real worries!

Are eclipses to be dreaded?

 

 

 

Monday, January 11, 2010

Article on Paavai Nonbu

My 2-part article on the purpose of Paavai nonbu and how it was done can be read in the following links.

http://www.tamilhindu.com/2010/01/paavai-nonbu-and-thai-neeraadal/
http://www.tamilhindu.com/2010/01/paavai-nonbu-and-thai-neeraadal-2/

The articles are in Tamil and those who can not read Tamil, can however browse this blog for my earlier articles on this topic.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Predicting Cold waves.

A severe cold wave is sweeping through the countries of the North, including the places where such an impact is rare. India is also experiencing the blanket of fog in most of North while the south reels under cold weather.


Astrologically the first impression I get in my mind is that the fog is early as far as India is concerned. Early morning fog stretched well after day break - if it happens in the lunar month of Maaga and the solar month of Aquarius is a good indicator for a normal rainy season in the next year. But the fog has descended 2 months in advance!


The current days are the crucial days for India as the GarbOttam days are in progress now. This period started on 28th December and will last till 10th January.

This is the period of Rain-conception days – similar to El Nino. The indicators at the terrestrial, atmospheric and celestial spheres during this time determine the onset and nature of rainy season that will start after 6 and a half months from now.

Of these 3 levels, the early fog spoils the positive atmospheric indicators of GarbOttam.

The twin eclipses and the debilitated Mars in the watery sign spoil the celestial indicators of GarbOttam.

These foretell a below average rainfall and an erratic rainfall next season. This concurs well with the yearly prediction for the upcoming year, Vikruthi that there will be less rains and famine conditions in the country in the year of Vikruthi.


Astrological pointers for cold wave

It will be a useful exercise if we can pin point the combinations for severe cold waves and heavy snow fall. I have gone through some literature on this on the net, but none of them were convincing. So I decided to go by my own way of deducing the factors from the basic principles of astrology and applying them in the worst periods of cold waves. Needless to say that these factors tally well with all those periods.


Let me give them here and apply them to the worst cold periods of the past and use that knowledge to predict future periods of worst cold waves.


The characteristic of the cold wave is that it comes along with heavy snowfall, blizzards and fog. The basic factors in these are water content, winds and low temperatures.

Fog and snowfall have an additional factor namely, the land. They settle on land.

So we have to look for airy planets and airy signs getting connected with earthy signs. The cold component comes from watery signs – but not with moon. If moon gets connected, that will be about cyclones and rainfall. Here we have condensed water. As lord of a watery sign, I take up Mars. Mars also stands for smokiness. The smoke like fog goes well with Mars.


I don’t consider Jupiter (lord of another watery sign) for, when Jupiter comes into the picture; there will be some positives, some growth. Only a malefic like Mars can be expected to do a damaging role. The related hazards such as accidents and death have relevance to Mars only. So among planets, Saturn (airy planet) and Mars must have a presence.


The 3 watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) must get associated with them.

When earthy signs such as Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn also get connected with them, heavy fog can be expected. Among the three earthy signs, I assign importance to Virgo.
In all earthquake charts of high magnitude (above 8.5) since the year 1900, Virgo had been afflicted by malefics. Virgo is an earthy sign which also happens to be an unstable sign with first half of it sthira (fixed) and the 2nd half of it chara (moving). In the earthquake charts, the 2nd half of chara nature is afflicted. I consider the first half as a vulnerable area for heavy fog and snow fall.


Using these parameters, let us look at the current sky map.

All the 3 watery signs are afflicted by Saturn and Mars. Scorpio and Pisces are aspected by Saturn while Mars is transiting Cancer.
All the 3 airy signs also are afflicted by them.
In addition, the earthy sign of Capricorn is aspected by Mars while another earthy sign Virgo is occupied by Saturn. Saturn is in the fixed part of Virgo.
This gives a perfect picture of heavy fog / snowy conditions, over a large area of the globe.








Applying these parameters to the historic cold waves of the past, the frigid winter of 1917 in the US had this sky map at that time.

A retro Saturn in the watery sign is in mutual aspect with Mars from the earthy sign. Saturn aspects the first half of Virgo. I am giving the position of the nodes also to see how they too play a secondary role in all the charts of tough winter. The impact was limited only to the US. Perhaps the affliction happening to 2nd and 4th houses for US sign of Gemini explains this. In contrast, the 2009-2010 chart given earlier shows widespread cold wave.




Similar conditions prevailed in the US the next winter too.


Look at the similar affliction – this time caused to 2 watery signs. Mars has shifted to Virgo, receiving the 3rd aspect of Saturn. Looking at this, we can say that domestic vehicular system was badly affected at that time.









The next severe cold wave was experienced in 1936 in North America and Midwest US.


The 2 watery signs cancer and Scorpio receive the aspects from Mars and Saturn respectively. Ketu is settled in the airy sign while Saturn is in its own sign of airiness. Mars in earthy sign.










1978 was a memorable cold year.


Debilitated Mars and Ketu are in watery signs while Saturn afflicts 2 airy signs.













1982 cold air outbreak – in January 1982 was terrible. The 1981 AFC Championship Game, held in Cincinnati was nicknamed the "Freezer Bowl" due to the -9 °F temperature and -59 °F wind chill.


Look at the affliction to the 2 watery signs + nodal positions + Virgo factor.









In 1989, the central and eastern USA saw one of the coldest Decembers on record. A white Christmas occurred.


Mars is in Scorpio and Ketu in Cancer. Gemini, the airy sign (mundane sign of the US) gets afflicted by sat-mars duo. This makes us say that it was a time of blizzards and severe cold waves.








1994 Northern US/Southern Canada cold outbreak :-


January 1994 was the coldest month recorded over many parts of the northeast and north-central United States, as well as Southern Canada, or coldest since the late 1970s in some locations. Let us look at the sky map then.


Here all the 3 watery signs are afflicted.






1997 Northern Plains cold air Outbreak:-

Mid January across the Northern U.S. was one of the windiest on record. With a low of around -40 °F in some places, wind caused bitterly cold wind chills sometimes nearing -80 °F. Northern parts of North Dakota saw up to 90 inches of snow.


This was one of the most severe cold air outbreaks of the 1990s. We can explain this with the earthy- watery connection of the mutually aspecting malefics at that time.


From these charts, we can see that the current sky map is worse than ever before. That is why we are finding the impact at all places in the north of the globe.


Applying these parameters for future, we can say that the next winter also will be severe but not as severe as the current one. Look at the map of Jan 2011.


All the 3 watery signs are afflicted by the 2 malefic planets. Pisces is doubly afflicted. Europe also will bear the brunt.

When we check every year from now on, we find that the cold wave repeats until winter-2014. However the intensity will decrease year after year from next year onwards. From 2015-16 onwards there will be mild winter until 2018.




2019 Jan will be colder. Look at this chart.
















The succeeding year, 2022 will be more colder.
It will be comparable to the current year. The impact will be widespread as it is now.

Look at the affliction to all the 3 watery signs and the 3 airy signs.












Again 2025 will see severe cold conditions.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Article on PaRai in Thiruppavai.

My recent article "ஆண்டாள் கொட்டிய பறையும், கேட்ட பறையும்" can be read at

http://www.tamilhindu.com/2009/12/sri-andal-and-the-parai-drum/



PaRai (drum) is the most often used term in Thiuppavai. This article analyses the purport of it in literal and philosophical sense as well. An additional input is given on Vaikuntha Ekadasi as the day when the earth reaches the farthest point away form the center of our Milky Way galaxy.


This dot com has recently published a book on important issues of Hinduism. The details are as follows:

ந்து மத சாத்திரங்கள் சாதிப் பாகுபாடுகளையும், பெண்ணடிமைத் தனத்தையும் வளர்க்கின்றனவா?


ந்துத்துவம் சாதிய ஆதரவு சித்தாந்தமா?


லக கிறிஸ்தவ நிறுவனங்கள் உண்மையிலேயே இந்தியாவைக் குறிவைத்து மதமாற்றத் திட்டங்கள் தீட்டுகின்றனவா?


ரங்கசீப்பின் கோயில் இடிப்புகள், திப்பு சுல்தானின் செயல்கள், தீவிரவாதிகளின் குண்டுவெடிப்புகள் - இவற்றிற்கிடையே தொடர்பு இருக்கிறதா?


ந்தியாவிலிருந்து பௌத்தம் மறைந்ததற்கு யார் காரணம்?


சைவம் சமணர்களைக் கழுவேற்றி வளர்ந்த மதமா?


ராமனும், கண்ணனும் தமிழ்க் கடவுள்களா?


டார்வின், காந்தி, ஐன்ஸ்டின், விவேகானந்தர் – இவர்களுக்கிடையே என்ன தொடர்பு?


மேற்கத்திய கலாசாரம் கச்சிதமானது, இந்துக் கலாசாரம் குழப்படியானது – சரியா?


முட்டாள் புராணக் கதைகளால் சமுதாயத்திற்கு ஏதாவது பயன் உண்டா?


ந்தியாவில் கலை சுதந்திரம் உள்ளதா?


திரைப் படம் கலாசாரத்தைச் சீரழிக்கிறதா?


மூகம், வரலாறு, இலக்கியம், சமயம், கலாசாரம் தொடர்பான இத்தகைய கேள்விகளுக்கு விடைதேடிக் கொண்டிருப்பவரா நீங்கள்?



நீங்கள் கட்டாயம் படிக்க வேண்டிய நூல் இது.

panpattai_pesuthal_front_cover
பண்பாட்டைப் பேசுதல்
இந்து அறிவியக்கக் கட்டுரைகள்


வெளியீடு:

தமிழ்ஹிந்து
441,கவிமணி நகர்,
நாகர்கோவில் - 629002.

பக்கங்கள் : 256

விலை: ரூ. 120

சென்னை புத்தகக் கண்காட்சியில் (2010 ஜனவரி-1 முதல் ஜனவரி-10 வரை) விஜயபாரதம் கடையில் (ஸ்டால் எண்: 278 & 279) கிடைக்கும்.



சென்னையில் கிடைக்குமிடம்:

விவேகானந்த கேந்திரம்
5, சிங்காராசாரி தெரு,
திருவல்லிக்கேணி,
சென்னை - 600 005.
(தொலைபேசி: 91763-68789)



தபால் மூலம் பெற விரும்புபவர்கள், புத்தகத்தின் விலையுடன் தபால் செலவும் சேர்த்து ஆர்.எஸ்.நாராயணன் என்ற பெயரில் டிமாண்ட் டிராஃப்ட் (சென்னை) எடுத்து, தங்கள் முகவரியைக் குறிப்பிட்டு மேற்கண்ட விவேகானந்த கேந்திர முகவரிக்கு அனுப்ப வேண்டுகிறோம். (தபால் செலவு - தமிழ்நாடு: ரூ. 25, வெளிமாநிலங்கள்: ரூ. 30, வெளிநாடுகள்: ரூ. 140)


இணையம் மூலம் புத்தகத்தை வாங்குவது குறித்த தகவல்கள் விரைவில் அறிவிக்கப் படும்.


மேலும் விவரங்களுக்கு தமிழ்ஹிந்து ஆசிரியர் குழுவை tamizh.hindu@gmail.com என்ற முகவரியில் தொடர்பு கொள்ளலாம்.



இந்து அறிவியக்க சிந்தனைகள் இணைய வெளியைத் தாண்டி பலதரப்பட்ட தமிழ் மக்களையும் சென்றடைய இத்தகைய வெளியீடுகள் கண்டிப்பாக உதவும் என்பதனால், தமிழ்ஹிந்து இதில் முனைந்துள்ளது.



நமது தளத்தின் வாசகர்கள் காத்திரமான, சுவாரஸ்யமான, சிந்தனையைத் தூண்டும் கட்டுரைகள் அடங்கிய இந்தப் புத்தகத்தை வாங்கி ஆதரிக்குமாறு கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறோம். அத்துடன் தங்கள் உறவினர்கள், நண்பர்கள், வாசகர் வட்டங்கள் மற்றும் நூலகங்களுக்கும் இந்தப் புத்தகத்தை வாங்கி அளிக்கலாம்.




BB Lal's book on deep roots of Indian civilization.


From

http://www.dailypioneer.com/225282/Discovery-of-India.html


Discovery of India: A different era

Pioneer, AGENDA | Sunday, December 27, 2009

[This book by Prof BB Lal has traced the vast spread and efflorescence of a civilisation going back more than five thousand years, writes Sandhya Jain]

How Deep are the Roots of Indian Civilization? Archaeology Answers

Author: BB Lal

Publisher: Aryan Books International,

Price: Rs 390

Barely seven years after Prof BB Lal penned The Sarasvati Flows On: The Continuity of Indian Culture (2002), the defiantly-in-denial UPA has been forced to admit the existence of the Vedic Saraswati. In response to a parliamentary question, the Government revealed that a study by scientists of ISRO, Jodhpur, and the Rajasthan Government's Ground Water Department has found irrefutable evidence of palaeo-channels and archaeological sites of pre-Harappan, Harappan and post-Harappan ages, indicating the existence of a mighty river matching descriptions of the Saraswati in Vedic literature.


Now, once again taking the bull by the horns, Prof Lal thunders that the Harappan or Indus-Saraswati civilisation is not only archaeologically the oldest civilisation of India, but that it is the material counterpart of the Vedic texts! Supporting this bold hypothesis is powerful evidence from hydrology, geology, literature, archaeology and radiocarbon dating. A picture clearly emerges of a vibrant material civilisation with profound metaphysical insights in the north-western region, which bequeathed us the unity and continuity that are the hallmarks of Indian tradition.


Amazingly, every little aspect of our civilisation can be traced back to the dawn of our religion and culture in the Saraswati basin. At Nausharo in pre-Partition India (now Pakistan), French excavator Jean-Francois Jarrige found a small terracotta figurine of a woman, hair painted black, and red paint in the medial parting indicating the sindoor worn by Hindu married women to this day. Carbon dating traces the levels where the image was found to be of circa 2800-2600 BCE. Similarly, the famous bronze statuette of the dancing girl, found at mature Harappan levels of Mohenjo-daro, reveals the continuity of the practice of wearing serial bangles on the upper arms in parts of Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, the very regions where Harappan culture most thrived.


The Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, an unknown mariner's account of the sea trade between India and the Red Sea in the early centuries AD, and the seventh century Chinese pilgrim Hieun-Tsang, both mention the export of beads from India. Chanhu-daro in Sindh and Lothal in Gujarat have yielded a rich bead-making industry.


Far more startling is the continuity in agriculture, which sustained this rich civilisation and the arts and crafts that in turn created a flourishing overseas trade, and wealth that made India a coveted prize for adventurers in the centuries that unfolded. Excavations at Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan, from the early Harappan circa 2800 BCE, show fields ploughed wide apart from north to south (for tall mustard plants) and shorter east-west furrows (for gram), so that the multiple crops share the winter sunshine and do not cast shadows upon each other. This pattern endures in Indian fields to this day. This era also created the ploughshare and spoked wheel, the tandoor and roti, chulha and chapatti, and pots and pans and other vessels of daily use!


If these seem like small drops in a civilisation as vast as the ocean, the finding of terracotta figurines in various Yogic asanas, which take the Astanga yoga of Panini (2nd century BCE) back to Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, must make us pause. It is staggering material evidence of spiritual quest accompanying great wealth, unmatched in any ancient civilisation. It is convincing proof, if proof be needed, that the material wealth desired in Vedic mantras refers simultaneously to a deeper metaphysical quest.


This is augmented by the famous limestone statuette of the Mohenjo-daro priest-king, with his eyes introvert and eyelids half-closed, a meditative form later associated with Buddhist tradition, especially in Tibet and China. Yet this form of dhyana is mentioned in the Bhagvadgita (Ch 6, verse 13) which states that the gaze should be fixed on the tip of the nose!


The famous seals of the Saraswati civilisation reflect later developments in Hindu religion and culture — the worship of Siva as a linga; Pasupati seated in yogic posture surrounded by animals; buffalo sacrifice; worship of the sacred pipal; the crucial role of agni in the havana or yajna; the fire altars for individual and communal worship; the kamandalus of the sadhu; the sacred swastika… I could go on.


Town planning, especially given the chaos in our cities today, will remain ancient India's greatest contribution to civilisation. Be it Kalibangan, or Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, the grid pattern with streets running north-south and east-west was the rage. This, it is pertinent, was an era in which Egypt or Mesopotamia (the West's favourite 'cradle' of civilisation) had no notion of such town planning. The idea, it must be conceded, was original to India. To cap it all, there were covered drains and manholes for discharge of sullage.


Bricks were kiln-fired, and there was bonding, with bricks laid out in alternate courses — length-wise and breadth-wise — for strong walls, way back in the third millennium BCE. And clay floors were soled with fragments of terracotta nodules and large pieces of charcoal — to absorb moisture, prevent dampness travelling up the walls, and inhibiting termites!


Describing in detail the major Harappan settlements — Kalibangan in Rajasthan; Banawali and Rakhigarhi in Hissar, Haryana; Harappa in Sahiwal, Pakistani Punjab; Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan; Surkotada and Dholavira in Kachchh, Gujarat (which yielded terracotta horse figurines); and Lothal in Ahmedabad, Gujarat — Prof Lal has traced the vast spread and efflorescence of a civilisation going back more than five thousand years. It is rich in agriculture and familiar with many types of grains and cereals and fruits; animal husbandry is known and many animals are domesticated — cow, sheep, goat, pig, camel and elephant; the spotted deer, blackbuck and sambar are hunted for food; fish and turtle are known. Above all, there is irrefutable evidence about knowledge of the horse and its usage, with bones found at numerous sites, including Lothal, Kalibangan and Surkotada.


Vedic Harappan civilisation used its long coastline from Gujarat to Sindh and Baluchistan for a thriving sea trade with the Gulf and Africa, selling marine, mineral and forest resources to distant markets. A coffin with the deodar lid suggests that the Himalayas were sourced for wood, with logs being pushed downstream as is the practice today. There was a rich industry in bead-making, shell, ivory-working, not to mention metal, mainly copper and bronze, though gold and silver ornaments had also arrived.


Truly a Golden Age. The only thing missing is the inscrutable script, surely a precursor to Brahmi, the language that developed later. But who were these Vedic people — were they Aryan invaders as we were taught in school, or indigenous ancestors whose achievements were 'stolen' by ascribing them to so-called Aryans, a people who have left no traces of like achievements in any of the lands from where they supposedly descended upon the Indian plains.

It is now conclusively established that there was no Aryan invasion, or even migration (the current theory). What does remain, however, is a West-led mental resistance to accepting the indigenous origins of the Vedic (Hindu) religion, culture, and civilisation. But the time for intellectual arguments is over; it will take a further economic and military decline of the West to eclipse this denial.