Dr. Y.J. Rao had this fascinating experience, which he narrated to Howard Murphet. The incident also illustrates the very profound truth that God is immanent in every object in the universe, animate or inanimate:

Dr. Y.J. Rao, Head of the Geology Department, Osmania University, Hyderabad, was the appropriate person to witness the transmutation of solid rock to another substance - with a valuable spiritual lesson thrown in for good measure.

One day at Puttaparthi Sathya Sai Baba picked up a rough piece of broken granite and, handing it to Dr. Rao, asked him what it contained. The geologist mentioned a few of the minerals in the rock.

Baba: "I don't mean those - something deeper."

Dr. Rao: "Well, molecules, atoms, electrons, protons."

Baba: "No, no - deeper still!"

Dr. Rao: "I don't know, Swami."

Baba took the lump of granite from the geologist, and holding it up with his fingers, blew on it. It was never out of Dr. Rao's sight, yet when Baba gave it back to him its shape had completely changed!

Instead of being an irregular chunk it was a statue of Lord Krishna playing His flute! The geologist noted also a difference in colour and a slight change in the structure of the substance.

Baba: "You see? Beyond your molecules and atoms, God is in the rock. And God is sweetness and joy. Break off the foot and taste it."

Dr. Rao, found no difficulty in breaking off the "granite" foot of the little statue. Putting it in his mouth as directed, he found that it was sugar candy. The whole of the idol, created instantly out of the piece of granite, was now made of candy.

From this Dr. Rao learned, he said, something beyond words and far beyond modern science, in fact, beyond the limits of the rational mind of men today. He is a great enough scientist and man to realise that science gives but the first word: the last word is known only to the Spiritual Scientist.

Reference: “Sai Baba: Man of Miracles” by Mr. Howard Murphet. Page: 156 (Paperback Edition, 1972). Published by Macmillan India Ltd.

"One of the top male Bharatanatyam dancers in the country today" proclaims the mighty  "The Hindu"

"Shijith  Nambiar - the small prince of bharathanatyam", "Dance like a man" rave other reviews.

The profile in their website reads....

"Shijith Nambiar & Parvathy Menon, Partners in Dance as well as in Life, are one of the prominent Dance Duos in the discipline of Bharatanatyam.

Shijith Nambiar, an ex-faculty member of “Kalakshetra”, Chennai, the world renowned institution founded by Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, is a brilliant Bharatanatyam performer with an unerring grasp of rhythmic intricacies.

A versatile Dancer, an exceptional Nattuvanar and a unique choreographer, Shijith Nambiar has already made his presence felt in India and abroad in the discipline of Bharatanatyam.

He has travelled around the globe with the repertory company of “Kalakshetra” and worked in Guadeloupe, U.S.A, Canada, U.K. and France as a choreographer and performer. Apart from his skill as a choreographer, teacher and performer, Shijith Nambiar is also a trained percussionist.

Shijith’s production "Krishna" was premiered in Kuwait last year. "Krishna" has already completed many stage in and outside India within a short span of one year. He was conferred with the "Yuvakalabharathi Title" in 2007 by Bharat Kalachar for all rounder in Bharatanatyam, Nattuvangam and Choreography.
 
Parvathy Menon born and brought up in Kuwait has completed her post diploma in Bharatanatyam from Kalakshetra and she is an exemplary example of the Kalakshetra baani (tradition). The excellent stage presence and exceptional bhavabhinaya demonstrated by Parvathy makes her distinct and exemplary. Parvathy has travelled widely around the globe as one of the lead performers of the Kalakshetra repertory Company.

Her most demanding role has been that of Christine in Masquerade of Kalakshetra which was widely acclaimed by eminent exponents of the discipline.

Shijith and Parvathy, together they explore the intricacies of Bharatanatyam, together they worship the spirituality of Bharatanatyam, together they pursue the dialogue of cultures in Bharatanatyam and finally together they take you to experience “Bharatanatyam”. "

Here are a few of their upcoming recitals...

October 18th An evening of Bharathanatyam by Smt: Parvathy Shijith at Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall, Chennai, 7.30pm. 

November 5th KRISHNA ( our group production) for Dharani festival at the Fine arts hall Cochin.

 November  7th  KRISHNA  at Pallikoodam , Kottauyam, Kerala

November 23rd  KRISHNA for ABHAI at Naradagana Sabha, Chennai.

(Pl chk the local newspapers for timings if absent)

To Know more about this dancing couple visit their flash website at http://www.shijithnambiar.co.in/. You are in for some great music treat there...

For an indepth review of their performance and choreography featured in The Hindu, visit http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150620300.htm

They are also performing during the season, those schedules will be listed in the Post titled Madras Music and Dance Season that is being compiled currently.

Viagem Astral é uma experiência de saída do corpo, em espírito, conscientemente durante o sono. Várias vezes fiz tentativas de sair com a alma do corpo, mas nunca obtive sucesso. Estudei algumas técnicas de relaxamento, para facilitar o processo, fiz algumas saídas, mas as visões que eu tinha eram todas pouco claras, obscuras.

Um belo dia, depois do almoço, resolvi tirar um cochilo sem a menor pretensão. Quando relaxei senti meu corpo estremecer, um arrepio me percorreu a espinha e vi claramente minha'lma subindo até o teto. Girei e me vi deitada na cama, com total consciência de que estava acontecendo. Fiquei um pouco nervosa nesta hora, mas me concentrei e relaxei anda mais. Fiquei ereta e comecei a caminhar pela casa, não tinha ninguém, mas fui até a sala e estava tudo como eu havia deixado.

Me lembrei de um texto que li na internet sobre viagens astrais. No texto falava que era possível chamar seu guia espiritual para auxílio nestas incursões. Clamei pelo guia, escutei um barulho e em seguida uma voz bondosa e meiga disse: - Olá, meu nome é Ash.

Me virei, com bastante calma e vi aquele garoto que devia ter algo mais que 13 anos, com um boné vermelho, roupas coloridas e luvas na mão.

- Olá, meu nome é Márcia. Quem é você ? - Respondi.

Ele me explicou que era um guia espiritual, e que iria me ajudar a entender o mundo astral.  Me pediu para ajudá-lo em sua busca. Aparentemente o mundo astral também tinha problemas, no momento não entendi.

Ele fez a revelação. Era um caçador de pequenos monstros, com uma bola vermelha ele os capturava. O nome destas criaturas era Pokémon.

Ash me pegou pela mão e saímos para a rua de casa, ali avistamos uma criatura amarela que se parecia com um rato, ele emitia cargas elétricas em pleno ar. Ash então me disse para encantuar o pequeno ser, e ele iria arremessar sua bola de captura. Com minha ajuda, capturamos facilmente o animal. Ele me agradeceu, e me disse, que todas as noites quando eu dormisse, iria me buscar.

E depois deste dia, todas as noites, participo de grandes aventuras com o objetivo de pegar todos os pokémons!

"hare krsna hare krsna

krsna  krsna  hare hare

hare rama hare rama

rama rama hare hare"

chant this mantra and be happy

Besides old growth trees and forests, clouds are my favorite display of Krishna’s energy. I am referring to those huge white, fluffy cotton like clouds with contrasting shades of gray, and the deep blue sky. I believe they are called “cumulus” clouds, as if naming them means we can really understand the mystery of their beautiful existence.

Before I discovered the gorgeous glow of nature, architecture was my favorite thing to gaze and wonder at. In my late teens I came to prefer the beauty of God’s creation. I spent days in towering redwood forests, verdant with lush growth. I breathed in not only the wind, but also the sun, moon, stars, blue sky, and clouds. Yet it would take years and a move to the East coast of America for me to discover my favorite part of natural phenomenon, thunder storms.

Before we moved to North Carolina we lived in a suburb of Baltimore called Catonsville, a few blocks from the Temple. During the hot humid summer, we would have regular storms which were exciting to experience, and welcome in bringing a cooling relief to the heat. When I caught the first clue that a storm was coming I would sit out on the deck and watch the gradual development.

Being rather dull myself, such storms would inspire and excite me with the power and majesty of Krishna. How mighty his energies are, and how esthetically he displays them.

First he announces the coming storm with the distant sound of thunder, then the approaching storm clouds with flashes of lightening. The skies begin to darken, and the wind arrives pushing the trees back and forth.

In a summer storm in Baltimore, when it has been hot and humid all day, the former bright day darkens, and the temperature drops refreshingly aided by the rushing wind.

The sound of the wind blowing through the trees is like the most powerful, yet relaxing symphony. I don’t have the vocabulary to express how exhilarating a feeling it is. To me it is a reminder of how insignificant I am, and how great is the Lord of Creation.

And then the Master of all Mysticism, Suspense, and Esthetics, after wonderfully preparing the scene, brings what the plants, trees, animals, frogs, and me are waiting for-the rain, which comes down in torrential downpours in a deafening roar, bringing everything to a stop. Wow! I love watching such a powerful, drenching rain which can soak you in a few minutes, or flood the roads in twenty to thirty minutes.

Fortunately around here, this type of rain only lasts about ten or fifteen minutes. If it is more than that, which it can be sometimes, it can create havoc, and all our technology is useless to check it.

Still, I marvel at the beauty and power of the Lord’s energy. Though my love for Krishna is covered and pervertedly displayed in fleshy illusions, at times like these storms, he gets my attention. He reminds me that he is in control, and that my controlling ability is puny.

I am always dependent on his mercy. Someday I will know this by realization and act accordingly. To be truly conscious of and love Krishna is the goal of my life. Only time is separating me. In the mean time I endeavor to remember him, and am glad to live amidst the beauty of nature, and to see him as the cause of all causes, and my dear most friend and well wisher. And boy his thunder showers are awesome!

Just then Lalita Sakhi was coming to see Radhika.  "Mother, what is the matter?" asked Lalita. Jatila told her everything. Lalita was delighted at the wonderful opportunity presenting itself. "Yes," said Lalita, "I know someone who knows the proper mantras to counteract the spell and your cow will soon give milk again." Jatila asked, "Who is that?"  "Nanda Baba's son, Krishna," replied Lalita.  

Jatila's eyes rolled and she cried, "Alas!  If this boy Krishna comes to our house, the family will be ruined."

"Don't you remember?" asked Lalita, "Krishna saved us by holding Govardhan parvat on his little finger, and by killing the demoness Putana and others.  The boy is a wonder.  He can surely cure your cow." 

"I don't think so.  Everyone agrees Narayana manifested himself in Krishna, and that's how he did all those things."

"No, that's not the truth. He did all those things on his own."

Jatila became quiet.  "Well... if we don't call him, then the spell will not be lifted, and the cow will not give milk.  Ok then, let us call him.  Where is he?"

"One may search day and night without finding him.  Instead, you should call his name.  If you call his name again and again he will surely come."

"Not possible!  If I call the name of Krishna aloud our whole dynasty will be shamed.  How can I do this?"

"No need, you can say it softly."

With an uneasy heart Jatila began to repeat softly, "Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna...", but Krishna didn't appear.  Then she said, "Oh, how will Krishna hear if I speak so softly.  What the heck? Let me speak it aloud... KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA..." after a minute Jatila's feet began to move.  Her body swayed to and fro, and her arms rose into the air.  "What is this, Lalita!  I am an old lady, but Krishna's name is making me dance like anything!  KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA!!"  

Just then Krishna arrived, dressed in his enchanting cowherding outfit, adorned with sandal paste and mineral pigments, with a turban on his head fitted with a peacock's tailfeather and a flute in his belt.  When the hard-hearted old lady Jatila saw him, her hard old heart melted.  She thought, "What is this?  I am an old lady, but this Krishna is enchanting my heart.  If he is this attractive, then how can I blame my Radha for being enchanted by him as well?"

"Old lady, what is the trouble?  Why did you call me here?" asked Krishna.  Lalita explained everything.  Krishna caressed the cow and looked into her eyes.  "No spell has been placed on this cow.  Just bring the calf here and let it drink.  Then pull the calf away and milk the cow as usual.  There will be no problem."  Lalita brought the calf and let it drink.  Jatila tried to pull the calf away, but the calf was too strong and she slipped.  Jatila fell down, and the calf fell on her chest. (Which signifies that if one tries to obstruct someones bhakti they will get punished). Lalita and Krishna helped her to stand up.  

"You call Radha here," Jatila said to Lalita.  "Together you three youngsters can handle the calf."  Radha came and the three of them pulled away the calf and tied it.  Then Krishna began to milk the cow.  After one bucket was filled, Lalita suggested that Jatila take the bucket inside (so that Radha and Krishna could talk to each other).  Jatila said, "No, my back aches.  Radha you take the bucket inside.  While you are there, bring some sugar crystals in a pot to mix with fresh milk.  Then, you take Krishna to your room and feed him the milk, sweets, and whatever he likes.  Make him happy.  I am going now to see Kutila.  I will get her to massage my aching back with oil."

Then Jatila left, and Lalita took Radha and Krishna into Jatila's house. That day, Radha served Krishna in her own room to her heart's content.  The sakhis chided Radha from outside the latticed windows.  "O Radhey! Every night you meet Krishna in some kunja or another, but today you are so audacious that you are enjoying with Krishna in your own room at midday, and by Jatila's orders on top of it!  How amazing!"

(From lila-kirtan that was performed the other day at Radha-Binod Mandir in Radha Kund)

Religion is something divine for many of the people living on the planet earth and that is why Marx called it the opium of the masses. India is no exception where most of us are more or less religious whether we work as scientists or pull a rickshaw (though in recent years there has been a spurt in religious fundamentalism all over the world). India being the cradle of various religions has been a bastion and source of Hinduism since times immemorial. Like all other religions whether old or new, places inhabit significant place in Hindu belief system. I remember my grandmother telling me of my great grandmother last wishes to cross the bridge to the other world in Kashi (modern day Varanasi) or Mathura. Probably Kashi and Mathura are sacred places every devout Hindu person would like to visit once in life. My great grandmother did her part and lived in Kashi for more than 6 months before she died on the banks of river Ganga. My mother tells me that this was just few months before I arrived into this world.

I never had the calling or the chance to visit any of these places till I made that train journey from Delhi. It was a wintery morning of 2007 in Taj express train from Delhi going back to Agra where I had my first tete-a-tete with some unusual Krishna devotees. These devotees clad in white Sarees and Dhotis together with sacred mark of sandalwood paste on their foreheads were going to Mathura and were mostly from outside India (mostly from Europe, Latin America and Australia). One of them offered me a book on Krishna for which I contributed some money. In the meanwhile I told them that professionally I am a linguist learning to specialize in teaching Hindi as a second or foreign language. We exchanged emails addresses and soon they left for their destination with the arrival of vendors of Brijvaasi PeRaa (a famous brand of sweets made from milk) at Mathura railway junction. Mathura being the land of lord Krishna is a corner occupying a mystical place among Krishna devotees from around the world. Moreover Mathura district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is home to various places associated with lord Krishna like Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana, Gokul, Mahaban,Nandgaon etc.

Months passed and I almost forgot about that encounter and visiting Mathura appeared least in my thoughts. But on one good day of January 2008, I received an email from one of the devotees asking me to come to Vrindavan to teach Hindi to some of the Krishna devotees from abroad staying there. I accepted the offer. In February we arranged for the first class of Hindi at Vrindavan. I had never been to Vrindavan before, therefore my anxiety was evident. I took the UP roadways bus to Mathura from Agra and embarked on a very different sort of pilgrimage.

After a ride of around 45 minutes, our bus reached the gates of India’s one of the oldest and biggest oil refineries i.e. Mathura Oil Refinery. The huge flame burning at the top of the chimney of the refinery welcomed us to the birth place of Krishna. Nearby I could spot a gigantic drive-in McDonald outlet for our Burger hungry Indian denizens. Another 15 minutes ride and we had reached Mathura new bus stand. What I saw was the usual hustle-bustle of any North Indian old town. The meaningless but beautiful chaos in order.

Legend tells us that how over 3000 years ago, the throne of Mathura was usurped by Krishana’s despotic uncle (Mama), Kansa. When Kansa came to know that he will be killed by the son of his sister Devaki, he sent Devaki and her husband Vasudev behind bars. Then he ordered the killing of every newborn baby in the city. However under the cover of darkness and a stormy night, Vasudev managed to smuggle the infant Krishna across the river Yamuna. And here I was standing at the same place where this legend was born.

I was told that by one of my fellow traveler in the bus that I could get shared auto-rickshaws going to Vrindavan from nearby. I managed to find one and started the destined journey to the Krishana’s legendry pastoral playground of Braj with 12 smaller forests together with Vrindavan described in eloquence by 16^th Century Bhakti saints such as Chaitanya and Vallabha. On the way I saw the over barricaded Shri Krishna Jnamsthana (Krishna birthplace complex) standing cheek by jowl to Shahi Masjid (a mosque built by Great Muslim ruler Aurangzeb).

Our overstuffed auto-rickshaw soon galloped outside Mathura city. I could see signs of a new and planned Mathura developing on the fringes with boldly displayed signboards of residential colonies like Radhapuram and Krishnapuram. I was relieved when I finally witnessed the vast but sparse expanse of forested land over the sides of the road where the mythical 12 forests once stood.

On the way I saw the huge red sandstone temple built by the industrialist Birla family, the Pagla Baba temple, the Vatslya gram complex and numerous shelters built for old, sick and abandoned cows.

We crossed a huge complex of Gayatri temple complex adorned by bold slogans written all over the boundary walls. The one which intrigued me the most was ‘sau hathon se kamao, hazar hathao se baanto’ (meaning ‘earn using 100 hands but distribute by using 1000 hands’). What a paradox! If one is earning by 100 means then it is certain that one is depriving many of their right share at the first place. A completely elitist statement.

Next in sight was Ramkrishana Mission complex standing tall with its hospital and temples. Our auto rickshaw soon came to halt at the autorickshaw stand of Vrindavan. I was left standing in the dusty little town of Vrindavan. I asked for the way to Sewakunj Street where I was summoned. After walking another 10 minutes I entered the real old and charming Vrindavan where bicycle rickshaws plied in narrow and shadowy by-lanes. This is the place where I heard people shouting Radhe-Radhe (the name of Krishna’s consort) to make way for their vehicles. I could hear chattering in Bengali and Brajbhasha all around with old and infirm old people walking slowly with their clay smeared foreheads with numerous monkeys overcrowding the rooftops.

The Bengal connection was evident. Founder of gauRiya Vaishnavism, Caitanaya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) and his followers first advocated Bhakati-Yoga (Krishna consciousness) in Bengal (gauRa desh = present day West Bengal + Bangladesh) in 16^th century and later ‘rediscovered’ the geographical features and boundaries of the holy area and identified it with “Braj”, Krishana’s legendry pastoral playground. They mapped out the sites of Krishna’s youthful adventures in Mathura,Vrindavan, Gokul, Mahaban etc, pinpointing 12 smaller forests, various woods and assorted lakes and ponds that he might have played in. Though nothing much remained of the ‘sacred sites’ in 16^th Century, knowing well that the area lay in between two great Mughal capitals of Delhi and Agra, they rejuvenated the mythical Braj area.

I was now walking in the street going to Sewa Kunj Gali, somehow feeling nostalgic about the place where my Great Grandfather Shri Ramdas Tiwari (1900-1991) built our ancestral house in Lohanipur of great town of Patliputra (modern day Patna) and lived till he left for his heavenly abode in 1991. I remember the street was narrow, shadowy, paved in stones and smelt the same. I kind of liked the smell of the drainage mixed with dingy-spicy air going in my nostrils cause it sent me to the memory lanes of my childhood summer vacations. The Sewa kunj Street was lined with small shops selling all sorts of things from paan leaves (betel leaves) to samosas (a popular Indian fried snack made with wheat flour and spiced boiled potatos).

A point of diversion: samosa is the word used for the above mentioned Indian snack in Northern India (i.e. Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand etc) but as you go eastwards it will be better known as singhaRa. There is no doubt that eastern variety is better one especially cooked by expert cooks of Bengal. In fact I believe most of the popular Indian snacks (whether sweet or salted) have either originated in Bengal or Maarwar (Rajasthan). Of course snacks (Banana wafers, Muruku,papadam etc) from Southern India also rules over a large corner of our gastronomical desires. Indian food history is another area which is rather quite neglected.

To be continued

The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas. All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of Om. The conch therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands.
It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas) of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil. Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.
Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas and on sacred occasions, the conch used to
be blown. Since villages were generally small, the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds, and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.
The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a symbol of Naada Brahma (Truth), the Vedas, Om, dharma, victory and auspiciousness. It is often used to offer devotees thirtha (sanctified water) to raise their minds to the highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.

Twam puraa saagarot pannaha Vishnunaa vidhrutahakare Devaischa
poojitha sarvahi Panchjanya namostu te
Salutations to Panchajanya the conch born of the ocean Held in the hand of Lord Vishnu and worshipped by all devaas
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hare Krishna
Venkat

9-10-08

Jai Sri Ram,

Priya Sadhaks,

As always, I request you all to recite all the Dhyana slokas and the slokas studied so far. Krishna be with you during your Gita Dhyana!

Gita Chapter 1, Sloka 15

p==Jc=j=ny=] Å{=Ike:x==e, dev=dT=] Q=n=]j=y=/ +

p==E[#M] dQm==E m=h=x=V<K]=, B=Im=k:m==* v=&k:=edr/ ++â.âç++

Sloka Transliteration- Sanskrit to English

pAnchajanyam hrisheekeso devadattam dhananjaya: |
poundram dadhmou mahAshankham bheemakarmA vrukodhara: ||---- 1/15

Sloka word to word meaning- Sanskrit to English:

Å{=Ike:x=/ (hrisheekesa:) - Sri Krishna, the dweller in everyone's hearts;
p==Jc=j=ny=] (pAnchajanyam) - (blew his conch ) Panchanjanyam; Q=n=]j=y=/ (dhananjaya:) - Arjuna; dev=dT=] (devadattam)- (blew his conch) devadattam; v=&k:=edr/ (vrukodhara:)- (and) Bheema; B=Im=k:m==* (bheemakarmA)- (of) mighty deeds; dQm==E (dadhmou) - blew; m=h=x=V<K]= (mahashankham)- the great conch of; p==E[#M] (poundram) - Poundram

Sloka Meaning:

Sri Krishna, the dweller in everyone's hearts blew his conch Panchajanyam; Arjuna blew his conch Devadattam and Bheema, of mighty deeds, blew his great conch of Poundram.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You all would have seen my recent post 'conches' where the history of Bhagavan's Panchajanyam was given.

Dhananjaya- The man who lives among wealth; Arjuna himself says in Mahabharata ," Since I beat all kings and bring their wealth and live among them, I am called Dhananjaya"

sarvanjanapatanjitva vittamadaya kevalam |
madhye dhadasya tishtthami tenahurmam dhananjayam ||

Also when Arjuna fought with Daityas(asuras) like Nivatakavacha , Lord Indra gave him the conch named Devadattam, a conch capable of producing huge sound which would demoralise any enemy.

Bheema, the slayer of many mighty Asuras, got the name Bheemakarma. Vrukodara:- means one who has a stomach like a wolf. vrukodara: also would mean one who has an Agni(fire) named 'vruka' inside the stomach
in addition to the 'Jataragni' by which he could digest huge quantities of food.

The order of blowing is significant. First Sree Krishna, thecharioteer, next Arjuna and third Bheema. Krishna , is the obvious first person and these two are there in terms of their valour and importance among the Pandava brothers , and not necessarily by measure of age.

Hare Krishna
Venkat

9-10-08

Please download the Sanskrit font here

Please download the Gita Audio here

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Krishna: O Cristo do Oriente

Por Paramahansa Yogananda

Muitas são as histórias maravilhosas contadas sobre Jadava Krishna, o grande avatar e divino rei, que governou sobre Gujarat na antiga Índia.

Krishna veio à terra muito mais cedo que Jesus Cristo - mais ou menos três mil anos antes, conforme afirmam alguns eruditos - mas eles eram uno em espírito, ambos tendo atingido a Consciência Crística ou unidade com a onipresença de Deus imanente de cada átomo da criação.

Deste modo, eles podiam projetar suas consciências em cada ponto do cosmos, estando conscientes para ajudarem todos que estavam fisicamente longe deles. Mas além da grande concomitância espiritual demonstrada em suas vidas, havia entre eles também muitas similaridades pessoais.

Ambos nasceram de pais fervorosos à Deus. A mãe de Krishna e seu pai foram perseguidos por seu perverso tio, o rei Kansa, assim como o rei Herodes atormentou os pais de Jesus.

Jesus foi comparado a um bom pastor de Deus; Krishna durante sua infância, escondendo-se de Kansa, cuidou de novilhas.

Jesus venceu Satanás; Krishna venceu o demônio Kaliya. Satanás e Kaliya representam o mal, ou a ignorância de Deus.

Jesus parou uma tempestade no oceano e salvou o barco de seus discípulos; Krishna impediu seus devotos e seus respectivos rebanhos de afogarem-se numa terrível inundação, levantando o monte Gowardhan sobre eles, como um guarda-chuva.

Jesus era chamado "Rei dos Judeus", embora seu reino não fosse deste mundo;

Krishna era tanto rei terreno como divino.

O destino de ambos foi profetizado nas escrituras, e ambos foram mortos por grupos desorientados: Krishna foi ferido mortalmente por uma flecha de um caçador, e Jesus foi crucificado por aqueles que ignoravam sua divindade.

Estes dois avatares - ambos orientais - são comumente reconhecidos no oriente e ocidente como supremas encarnações de Deus.

It's already 2008, which makes it the 4th Govinden festival away from home. I wonder how many more there shall be. It's sad. Because I do not want to write one day 'I forgot all about Govinden this year. Anyway, this was my 20th Govinden away from home'. That would be so heartbreaking.

Anyway, this post is for those peeps who today are not going to be able to join in the festivities. Whether it's because they do not care, or they are too lazy to go to the temple on a saturday night, or because they are not home.

Ask anyone to sing a Govinden song, and there is a high chance this is what's gonna come out:

[audio http://h1.ripway.com/bansuri/3.%20Govindame%20Hari%20Govindame.mp3]
sung by Renganaigee P.Naidu & Kumari A.Sugandha.

=)

I am gonna introduce two budding kiddo-bloggers, the kids of my colleagues. They are actually very young, but their blog contents could put us in a dilemma regarding their ages. These are stars in their own cute ways! :D

"Big things, come in small packages" - and err..."as the packages grow, things get bigger" ;) Here I go...

Ladies first...

Shreya Sanjay

She's an 8 year old (who celebrated her 8th birthday on the 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year of this century...phew) millenium baby who started blogging @ "Shreya's journal" about 4 months ago and there has been no looking back since then. Her posts cover up topics ranging from social issues (Water, Fights in the world) to belief's in God and one-self...and I believe with time for her, there are many more grounds to be covered and in the process, more hearts to be won! :D
Motivated by her parents (they just moderate the comments that she receives), she carries the "Youngest Blogger" tag in the most responsible and mature manner possible.
Recently she even featured in one of the leading business newspaper - 'The Hindu Business Line' - articles where she reveals as to how and why she took up blogging, her inspirations and motivations. Kudos little lady, kudos!! :D
Shreya, its been wonderful reading your thoughts in the form of your write-ups...Continue to 'follow your dreams' dear! :D

Naughty next...

Om Shreshti

He's a 4 year old (celebrated his birthday just 2 days back on 2nd Oct...Happy Birthday buddy! :)) kiddo who loves to shoot, with a camera ofcourse. And so, his Nana (dad) decided to showcase his talent to the virtual world through his personal photo-blog "Om's window to the world"!! :D
In his Nana's own words, "He takes a picture & then immediately has to see if it was what he wanted to capture. I get a feeling that this is how he wants to cross check the way he sees his world & freeze it."
As of now it is his parents who fill in for him when it comes to drafting and posting his photos, but that day is not far when this little master will take the lead...all he needs is that motivation (which his parents are unconditionally providing) and that push (which we as readers/visitors are known to give :P) to carry on with his passion of showing us the world, his way!
Om, its been a pleasure to see the freezed moments you shot...Continue to 'click, capture and convey' buddy!! :D

UPDATE: Also check out 8 year old Sai Krishna's blogging over HERE...these kids just amaze me with the content they post...Kudos Krishna, you are doing very well!! :D

Lord Krishna (I'll see his birthplace tomorrow in Mathura) was predominate in Southern India around the 7th-9th centuries.  He is mostly depicted in artwork as "blue"....he was considered a god-child, prankster, lover, hero, and supreme being.  (Pretty much everything).

Shiva (the destroyer) is said to be the founder of yoga.  He represents supreme consciousness whereas Shakti is his counterpart and represents energy (cosmic force in all beings).  Basically, the belief is you can't have one without the other....

My guide was so knowledgeable, so, of course, the day was "information overload"!  I did end the day with the purchase of a sarees (not the one I wanted, but I got a cheaper version)....they are works of art! 

Tomorrow I travel to Agra for the highlight of my visit to the Delhi region.......

Until then, Namaste!

Oh yes - I got to see the wild monkeys roaming the city today!  How bizarre - a pack of monkeys just roaming around....

In a small town, a person decided to open up a liquor shop, which was right opposite to a church.

The church and its congregation started a campaign to block the liquor shop from opening with petitions and prayed daily against his business.

Work progressed. However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning struck the liquor shop and it was burnt to the ground.

The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the liquor owner sued the church authorities on the grounds that the church through its congregation and prayers was ultimately responsible for the destruction of his liquor shop, either through direct or indirect actions or means.

In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection that their prayers were reasons for the act of God. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented:

'I don't know how I'm going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, we have a liquor shop owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire church that doesn't.'

The above story compelled me to explore contextual messages in our faith, wherein I found Lord Krishna saying in Bhagawad Gita:

“If any worshipper do reverence with faith

to any god whatever,

I make his faith firm,

and in that faith he reverences his god,

and gains his desires,

for it is I who bestow them.”

But then am I the only one who should be stupefied! I understand that the parallel between the Hindu faith and that of Christianity impresses even Western students. This probably was the reason why Emerson got inspired by the fine hymns of Kalidasa in which the latter devised the holy trinity of Hinduism, the Trimurthi or Triple Form of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. The well-known poem of Emerson thus reads:

one before creation,

afterwards divided

in your three qualities!…

You, the one cause

of death and life and birth,

in your three forms

proclaim your own glory …

In the cycle of your day and night

all things live and all things die.

When you wake we live,

when you sleep we perish …

Hard and soft, large and small,

heavy and light, you are all things.

You are both substance and form,

ineffable in power …

You are the knower and the known,

you are the eater and the food,

you are the priest and the oblation,

you are the worshipper and the prayer."

Interestingly, and most contextually, I have some knowledge of the religion of the early Aryans from the 1028 hymns of the Rg Veda, which is the oldest religious text in the world still looked on as sacred, and which was probably composed between 1500 and 900 B.C. From the point of view of the Aryans, the greatest god was Indra, who fulfilled the dual function of war-god and weather-god. Indra was associated with storm and thunder and his hand bore the vajra (thunderbolt), with which he destroyed his enemies.

But was Indra also a rowdy amoral deity, fond of feasting and drinking? I am tempted to mention here one hymn, which, according to the usual interpretation, shows the drunken Indra bragging in his cups, though it may well represent the feelings of a worshipper who has drunk liberally of the sacred drink soma:

"Like wild winds

the draughts have raised me up. Have I been drinking soma?

The draughts have borne me up,

as swift steeds a chariot. Have I ...?"

Frenzy has come upon me,

as a cow to her dear calf. Have I ...?

As a carpenter bends the seat of a chariot

I bend this frenzy round my heart. Have I ...?

Not even as a mote in my eye

do the five tribes count with me. Have I ...?

The heavens above

do not equal one half of me. Have I ...?

In my glory I have passed beyond the sky

and the great earth. Have I ...?

I will pick up the earth,

and put it here or put it there. Have I ...?

♣ ♣ ♣

Copyright © 2008  Neeraj Bhushan.  All Rights Reserved. 

Please feel free to post your comments. Alternatively, you may also send emails at neerajbhushansingh@gmail.com and share your concerns or ideas with me. I always take the opportunity to read all and reply to everything. Did you like this blog? You may send me your comments / suggestions.

I've been living... and it's been more than 26 years - more than one third of an average human being's life.

I sometimes find time in moments of calm to thank God for the beautiful life I've seen, for the dream-like family and friends I've been blessed with, for the way things have just fallen in place and how, enwrapped and over-ruled by this all pervasive world of man-made rules, mannerisms, pretentiousness and 'perspectives of others of the same kind as me', I've behaved and interpreted things in a "humanly perceived" proper way. I find it strange...

I have experienced life from childhood to youth, have experienced moments of happiness, pain, success, failure, respect, responsibility, love, hatred and myriad other emotions like the trillions of people who have taken birth and died. In the same moment of calm, I elaborate my thoughts and think how millions of them would've lived honest lives, some would've cheated others of their contemporary times, made more money or wealth (whatever wealth meant at that time). And how, in spite of those occupying lives and all activities that made their busy lives, there is no trace of those people. Probably trillions will keep taking birth and die the same way.

I don't think about all this to give up living life the "normal social" human way, but these 'once a decade' thoughts inspire me... When sometimes I go and see my face in the mirror, I'm unable to believe that this is me. I keep staring at the image for a minute and then something inside me isolates itself from the face, hands and the body, I realise the concept of "aatma" (soul) being different from the "shareer" (body). I repeat my name Arjun and realise how others associate this word with the image that is in front of me and this question pops up... "Main kaun hoon?" (Who am I?). I move my hands and realise how I have been given access to these wonderful organs, how my body is automatically breathing in and out and how this time is so limited and within this time, I have to use this body to achieve something. WHAT IS THIS SOMETHING? WHY HAVE I BEEN GIVEN ACCESS TO THIS BODY? WHAT IS MY AIM OF MY TAKING BIRTH? Is this just me who's mad at this time or is it everyone around me, so involved with petty day to day issues unable to see the truth? If this is the truth, which 99.99999% people can't see, then maybe it is not meant to be seen. I feel an immense sense of responsibility to make the most of this body. This inspires me to believe that in the 2/3rds of the life left, I have this precious opportunity of finding out who I am and to live every moment to the fullest.

Progressing a bit further on the same philosophy of trying to make out my role as a human being, my mom's words come in my mind. She, being born a Hindu and having undying faith in the teachings of Gita, says that we are here to do good to others and accumulate good deeds, after which we will exhaust our karma and become one with Krishna, the God. I feel a great sense of satisfaction in thinking that way, but the feeling of not existing in any form and becoming one with God is also scaring. What will I be if I won't be anything? Plus, if it is true, why is the population of the world just increasing and increasing? Where are the new people coming from? To this, my mom has an answer - all these human beings that you see, you and me, were existing in different forms of life earlier and have now got the birth of a human and this is the testing time, as only humans are sane enough to realise what is wrong and what is right. Agreed, but why on earth have suddenly all creatures become lucky enough to be given human forms when it is so great? Well, I can tell you she has answers to all my questions, but after a point I feel kinda unsatiated with the answers, so try to explore other reasons myself.

My theory - What if I made a toy?

If I were an accomplished scientist (capable of creating whatever I want to) and I wished to make a toy for my entertainment, what would I create? Lets do this together.

I may have created a world, where independent objects would be able to interact with each other and have senses through which they would identify their surroundings, then I would give them enough intelligence to engage in certain activities themselves which would result in exciting interaction so that I would be able to just watch what they do amongst themselves which would be great entertainment for me. But if I gave them limited intelligence, they would do just the same thing again and again. So I would give them evolving intelligence, where they become more and more intelligent as they keep learning from their experiences. Oh, but if I were to give them evolving intelligence, they would, at a stage evolve to my level and overtake or equal my intelligence and become a threat to me. What then? No, I would limit that by giving them very less time, so that they wouldn't evolve enough to equal my intelligence and perish before reaching any close to my intelligence. I would want interaction, making them 100% dependable on each other would result in that. A would need B to survive, and C would need A to live. But why would they want to live? Because the process of not living or dying would inflict an undesirable feeling called pain. Avoiding pain and having love for the ones of their own kind would force them to avoid death and inflicting the same pain on someone else would be their only solution to avoid it. It would be such an entertaining game.. wouldn't it?

What if God was that scientist and all of us his toys? What if we were here just to entertain him? Well, then Hitler would have attained the most brownie points!! :D I know it sounds silly, but just for once, think of it that way. Or else tell me the reason for your existence.

I am a believer in God and try to imbibe in myself, aspects of every religion which my heart prefers to believe and which my brain is able to justify. So, you can't call me an atheist trying to play around, I'm just writing what I feel, afterall blogs are meant to write what you feel, I've tried to discuss some things that I haven't been able to justfy.

I am making a very very delayed post on a religious trip that I made,  in the month of June. Incidentally, the gaps between successive posts happens to be in the order of eight months in this blog. I hope to bring to the order of few weeks or even few days.

       This post is on a religious trip to some of most famous religious places in Karnataka. Myself and my parents visited Sringeri, Kollur, Udupi and Kateel, apart from Mangalore. These palces among the most visited by any religious Hindu.

Sringeri is the palce where the first Sankara Math came up, established by H.H(His Holiness) Sri Adi Sankara, and left under the care of Sri Sureshvaracharya. This is where the famed shrine of Sri Saradhamba is located. This place is a small town located on the banks of river Tunga, and is atop the "Sringa" hill(or mountain rather). The place and the hill got the name for the reason that the great rishi Sri Rishya Shringa lived here and did penance. Itself being a large hill, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides. And the fact that we were there at the rainy season would be enough to tell the great scenic beauty that the nature bestowed us with. We had actually hired a cab for the entire trip and on those deserted and unmaintained raods to Sringeri, visibility was hardly > 10 meters.

    At Sringeri, we were able to get good dharshan of the goddess and the the blessings of the current seer of the Saradha peetam, H.H Sri Bharathi theerthar. The actual temple is of south indian temple. But the adjoining temple for "Vidyaranya" is of Hoysala type.

   Our next stop was at Kollur. Kollur is actually at the valley of Kudajadri mountains(western ghats). It is covered by quite high peaks on all sides. The templae is located on teh banks of river Sauparnika, which never dries up. The temple itself is of kerala type and pulls devotees from all over India ,esp. from Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, of course apart from Karnataka. The shrine is for Godess Mookambika. 

  Due to time constraints, we missed out on going to the kudajadri peak this time. This is place of religiou and spiritual importance. Even otherwise, being the highest point of that region, it offers a breathtaking view that anybody(irrespective of his/her religion, or even an athiest) will enjoy.

The next place we visited was Udupi. The very name brings religiousness into a person. Udupi is a very famous shrine of lord Shri Krishna, called the "Paramatma" (Krishna Paramatma). It is a large town on the sea shore, close to Mangalore(about 50 km). Udupi is always full of religious tourists and is always in festive mood. Almost every body there is religious and very pious. The evening pooja is very grand with the seer of the muut(I forgot tehname of the mutt and FYI there are about 40+ mutt around the temple.

The next place was Kateel, the place of a famous temple for Goddess Durga. The temple is actually a island surrounded on all sides by river Nadhini. But again due to the delay in the post, I forgot the major significance of the place.

Then a word on the place of start. Mangalore is a large city and one the major ports on the west coast of India. The city got its name from the main deity of the city, Goddess Mangaladevi. The temple is normally crowded and is located right in the middle of the city.

Enroute to these places, we did stop at a few places of scenic importance like the sun set/sun rise point in the Kollur Sringeri section. It is close to Agumbe. One other place was a small falls while going through the Kudremukh region. And other palce was while going to Udupi where we have see on one side and the back waters on the otherside.

On the whole it was a very happy and enjoyable family trip that I will never forget.

For just 25 cents, you too can win $200 thousand! What a deal! And for $1 you can get $1.5 million! Solve all your problems - cash and credit card accepted!

But before you get excited look at the faces of those who play. Better yet, stand back and watch them go through $50, $100 as they wait for their plane. Whatever they win, they just spend back! Imagine, you're going for the jackpot, you want the big prize, who cares about $10 or $20! You just use that incentive to keep playing, so you never even see that money - those credits just become more spins of those little devilish wheels that never quite seem to line up properly!

What I noticed is that you basically have two kinds of players. One is the joking touristy type, who just puts in US$5 or US$10, in a "what the heck, let's do it for fun" mood. They play, lose it all in 3 minutes and laugh aloud. The other kind is much, much more depressing. For one, they look really bored (it's boring pressing the stupid "Spin" button hundreds of times in row!). They also look miserable and anxious.

I need this money to validate my life. I want this money. All my problems will go away if I get his money. SPIN. Oh, almost. SPIN. Come on! SPIN. No. SPIN. SPIN. SPIN.

In the end, this second type is almost longing for his credits to run out so he can end the suffering. When it does, he slumps out of the seat and shuffles away, drained, annoyed, cheated by his greed.

If only life was so easy, where you could spend a few bucks, press a few buttons and be happy. It's not. We have to work hard to be happy! Because we're now so degraded it takes a lot of work to climb our way back to sanity.

But it is easier to be happy than it is to be miserable! You just have to know how. Srila Prabhupada brilliantly wrote:

"Therefore there is no difficulty in coming in contact with the Supreme Lord (ko 'ti-prayasah). On the other hand, going to hell requires great endeavor. If one wants to go to hell by illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication, he must acquire so many things. For illicit sex he must arrange for money for brothels, for meat-eating he must arrange for many slaughterhouses, for gambling he must arrange for casinos and hotels, and for intoxication he must open many breweries. Clearly, therefore, if one wants to go to hell he must endeavor very much, but if he wants to return home, back to Godhead, there is no difficult endeavor. To go back to Godhead, one may live alone anywhere, in any condition, and simply sit down, meditate upon the Supersoul and chant and hear about the Lord. Thus there is no difficulty in approaching the Lord... Because of inability to control the senses, one must go through great endeavor to go to hell, but if one is sensible he can very easily obtain the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because the Lord is always with him." (SB 7.7.38 Purport)

But, of course, to overcome our faults and madness (such as thinking you can get happiness from a machine you KNOW was designed to cheat the public out of their money), we must be serious about perfecting ourselves. We must work at it every day, very nicely, for the rest of our lives. Those who are serious receive the help of the Lord in the form of Srila Prabhupada's perfect guidance.  And this guidance comes through his sincere servants. Practicing Krishna consciousness under such shelter, we can finally be freed from suffering.

Now that you can bet your life on!

Teniendo en cuenta la variada información que existe, la primera aclaración que habría que hacer es que Krishna es una persona que existió. Es decir, fue un hombre de carne y hueso. A su vez, es considerado por el Hinduismo como un avatar, es decir una encarnación de Dios en la tierra.

El paralelismo es fácil y evidente con lo que para el Cristianismo representa la figura de Jesucristo. La diferencia radica en que para el Hinduismo estas encarnaciones no suceden sólo una vez, sino que las ha habido muchas y continúa habiéndolas, en la medida que la humanidad cae en la ignorancia y el mundo vive períodos de oscuridad.

Es una forma que tiene la Divinidad de guiar a la humanidad por el camino correcto.

En el caso de Krishna, se cree que vivió hace aproximadamente cinco mil años en la India. Se dice también que fue la octava reencarnación del Vishnu, la deidad que representa el aspecto de la conservación en la elemental y cíclica Trinidad hindú (Brahma =Creación, Vishnu = Conservación y Shiva = Destrucción / Reconstrucción).

Vishnu, al cumplir la función de mantenimiento del universo ha sido siempre relacionado con el amor y la devoción. Los seguidores de este aspecto de la Divinidad son llamados Vaishnavas, y justamente Krishna es parte fundamental de esta adoración.

El movimiento Hare Krishna, que a este respecto es muy probablemente lo que más familiar le suena a todos, es una rama de esa adoración Vaishnava. Desde su punto de vista, Krishna no es sólo un avatar, sino la forma suprema de Dios.

Facetas

Por otro lado, la vida de Krishna tiene varias facetas que son todas adoradas y no son excluyentes.

En su infancia se lo representa como un bebé muy travieso, que entre otras picardías le robaba la cuajada a su madre. Una conocida historia cuenta que en una ocasión, viendo que el niño estaba comiendo tierra, la madre le abrió forzosamente la boca al bebé Krishna con la intención de sacársela, y entonces vio dentro de la boca de su hijo todo el universo. Difícil de imaginar para mí, por supuesto, pero seguramente maravilloso; después de eso, la madre se convenció de la naturaleza divina del niño.

En su adolescencia Krishna se convirtió en vaquero, pero no del lejano oeste, sino en un cuidador de vacas. En esta faceta de pastor Krishna fue puro amor, y mientras realizaba sus tareas en los bosques tocaba su flauta. Este instrumento tan típico de la iconografía de Krishna representa la música celestial que cautivaba todos los oídos a los que llegaba. Justamente, en esa época Krishna vivía rodeado por las Gopis, unas pastoras que le adoraban y servían, siguiéndole a todas partes. De ellas la más destacada es Rada, que se considera la consorte de Krishna.

En todo caso, es válido aclarar que esta adoración y este amor se plantean en un plano siempre espiritual, no físico; no se trata de un solo hombre con su harén de mujeres, ni de una precuela de las bacanales griegas, sino que Krishna era la representación del puro amor divino y las gopis eran la representación de la pura devoción hacia la divinidad.

Ya en la adultez, Krishna se convirtió en un guerrero y en un príncipe que enseñaba y defendía los valores correctos que son  siempre eternos (Sanatana Dharma). Es en esta faceta que se lo puede conocer en el Bhagavad Gita, que como alguna vez he dicho, es la escritura sagrada del Hinduismo que compendia los deberes de toda persona en esta vida, los diferentes caminos espirituales y la esencia de la filosofía antigua de la India.

En el Bhagavad Gita, Krishna aparece como el conductor del carro en el que va Arjuna, su discípulo, rumbo a una guerra contra su propia familia. Una de las enseñanzas principales es que uno debe actuar siempre y no debe caer en la inacción, pero que uno debe actuar no por el fruto de esos actos sino porque es lo correcto.

Se trata justamente de actuar de manera correcta cumpliendo con el propio deber antes que nada (“Es preferible cumplir de mala forma el propio deber, que realizar con perfección el deber ajeno”).

Por otro lado, en este concepto está incluida la idea de aprovechar y disfrutar del presente sin estar siempre expectante de lo que va a suceder o de lo que uno puede ganar.

“No esperar los frutos” también se refiere a esa idea de que lo que va a venir es siempre mejor (“ojalá llegue el fin de semana”, “que suene el timbre para ir al recreo”, “que venga el veranito”) No porque el hecho de desear esas cosas sea malo en sí mismo, sino porque arruina el momento presente al estar uno siempre esperando lo que sigue.

Finalmente, sea cual sea la faceta de la vida de Krishna siempre se lo representa como de color azul, ya que de tan negro que era, se había convertido en azul.

Mathura

En mi viaje por el norte de la India llegué hasta Mathura, la ciudad donde nació el Señor Krishna.

En la pequeña ciudad se encuentra un templo a Krishna, por supuesto, en el que hay un cuarto especial que es donde él nació.

Este cuarto era originariamente una celda, pues el por entonces rey del lugar supo por una predicción que nacería un niño que le quitaría el poder y decidió encarcelar a la madre embarazada, llamada Devaki.

Al igual que con Jesucristo este rey ambicioso temía por su poder terrenal y por ende pretendía matar al niño, pero finalmente Krishna fue salvado por su padre y escondido en otro pueblo bajo la protección de padres adoptivos (es decir, aquella buena señora que le abrió la boca al bebé y vio el universo).

Mi maratón por el norte de la India continuaba y mi estadía en Mathura fue breve, pero me hizo feliz sentir de cerca el lugar donde nació Krishna, una presencia (en palabra, imágenes y energía) que he tenido siempre en mi vida.

Nueva Delhi

La capital de la India (desde 1911 cuando la colonia inglesa la trasladó de Calcuta) es la segunda metrópolis del país con una aglomeración urbana de 17.000.000 de personas.

Así como suena de grande y populoso, pues, así es exactamente.

La ciudad tiene básicamente dos partes: la parte vieja (Old Delhi) y la parte nueva (New Delhi). La parte nueva fue construida por la colonia inglesa y tiene grandes espacios abiertos y anchas calles; es donde se encuentran los edificios gubernamentales y donde se encuentran los negocios de prestigiosas marcas internacionales.

De a ratos puede ser un pequeño alivio de la ruidosa y sofocante ciudad pero, según mi criterio, es un paisaje muy artificial, una visión de la India que no se corresponde con el resto del país.

Entrar a un McDonald’s en el centro de Delhi, por ejemplo, puede darnos la sensación de estar un poquito más cerca de casa, por esa dudosa virtud que tienen este tipo de locales de parecerse en todas partes; sin embargo, en mi caso, esta occidentalización de la India no me convence (más allá de lo caro que esto cuesta en comparación a los otros precios de la India).

Un dato quizás obvio: las hamburguesas no son de carne de vaca.

La parte vieja de Delhi, en cambio, es mucho más “real”. Es más antigua y tiene gran influencia islámica ya que la ciudad estuvo muchos años bajo el dominio del imperio Mogol. La parte antigua está llena de pequeñas callejuelas, bazares, templos y fuertes. También allí se encuentra la mezquita más grande de la India, a la que no se puede ingresar con las piernas descubiertas, por ejemplo con pantalones cortos; pero no hay que preocuparse, por un módico precio los siempre listos indios tienen a mano un pantalón que alquilar. Eso sí, no hay que excederse en el paseo porque ya están atrás tuyo pidiendo la devolución de las ropas para un próximo cliente.

Es que es así, Delhi es un lugar caótico y con mucha vida comercial, sobre todo si uno es un turista. En mi caso, me alojé en la “calle del bazar principal”, y no creo que haga falta dar muchos detalles de lo que era aquello. Se trata del lugar típico donde se hospeda la mayoría de los viajeros, ya que está al lado de la estación de trenes.

En cuanto al tráfico, es muy caótico en la zona vieja pero mucho más ordenado de lo usual en las zonas nuevas, merced a las anchas avenidas, a los semáforos y las rotondas.

Además, hace poco se ha inaugurado la línea de metro de la ciudad, la segunda luego de Calcuta.

Sri Satpal Ji Maharaji

Si todo era tan feo, ¿por qué?, entonces, se preguntará el sagaz lector, me decidí a pasar  por Delhi.

Por un lado, mi visita a Delhi era un poco inevitable porque quedaba de paso para mi recorrido, aunque es verdad que podría haberme quedado menos tiempo.

Por otro lado, la razón principal que tuve para permanecer tres días allí fue conocer a un santo llamado Sri Satpal Ji Maharji. Este maestro es muy popular en el norte y se trata del primer maestro espiritual de mi tío Murali, allá por los años 70’.

Durante mi estadía había unas celebraciones por el cumpleaños del ya fallecido padre de Sri Satpal, otro eminente santo.

Tuve la oportunidad de asistir por dos noches a esos festejos que se llevaron a cabo en un amplio terreno y bajo una gran carpa. La cantidad de gente que había era mucha y yo tuve suerte de que me acomodaran muy cerca del estrado donde estaba Sri Satpal y su familia.

Las actividades principales de esos días festivos fueron los discursos y los cantos devocionales. Debido a la cantidad de personas yo no pude tener una entrevista personal con Sri Satpal, pero me conforme con verlo y escucharlo desde la primera fila. De todos modos, pude también leer sus enseñanzas en revistas que me cedieron gentilmente algunos de sus devotos, y me gustaron mucho. A este respecto, Sri Satpal hace hincapié en repetir lo más posible el nombre de Dios, ya sea mental u oralmente, pues esto ayuda a acercarse a la Divinidad.

Punto de luz

Antes de saber nada de las celebraciones, me presenté sin más en el ashram principal de Sri Satpal y fui recibido por uno de sus delgados. Me presenté como sobrino de mi tío Murali y fui muy bien recibido. Allí fui informado de los eventos y me ofrecieron un almuerzo. El gentil delegado me mostró las instalaciones del sitio y el templo.

Luego de darme algunas publicaciones, nos sentamos en una habitación y el hombre me explicó cosas de la vida de Sri Satpal y me habló de meditación. La verdad, me hablaba como si yo fuera un experto, al menos de la teoría.

En un punto nombró el “punto de luz” que uno ve en el entrecejo, primer paso de este sendero de meditación y claro signo de evolución espiritual. Entonces, el hombre detuvo su discurso y mitad afirmando, mitad preguntando, casi de manera casual, dijo “Tú, ya has llegado a ver la luz?...”.

Yo hubiera querido mentir, un poco porque el señor estaba muy entusiasmado y yo no quería defraudarlo, y sobre todo porque cuánto me gustaría ver esa luz por mí mismo!

A pesar de mi sincera respuesta y mi aparente falta de progreso en la meditación el señor siguió siendo amable y me dio consejos que eran palabras de Sri Satpal.

Cuando partí de Delhi, me fui descontento con la ciudad que luego la vida me llevó a pisar más de una vez, incluso contra mi voluntad. Sin embargo, me fui satisfecho por haber estado en presencia de otro santo que seguía dando sentido a mi recorrido espiritual, un recorrido que continuaba todavía más hacia el norte.

I flew American Airlines and I was shocked by how awful the flight was. I'm quite sure it was the oldest, most decrepit airplane I have flown in this century. They actually had cathode ray tube screens! Of course, one with greenish hue, one with purple and the other blue. The seat was probably the worst seat I have ever used in an international flight.

Just 20 years ago, Brazil was still considered a 3rd world country whereas America was the leader of the 1st world. We only had old planes while America had the best of the best. But now, Brazil has the new planes, with very well trained and nice (young) personnel, and AA has this crummy old, stained, depressing plane with a tired old staff (the plane took off 20 minutes late because they didn't get to the airport in time!).

America has taken a serious nose dive in these last 20 years, with the last 8 (thanks to George W), being especially dramatic. Mahavira Prabhu, a dear friend of mine, a Canadian, married to a Brazilian, living in America, told me last year, "America is a 3rd world country now". He was right.

Their international prestige and diplomatic pull was destroyed by the Iraq invasion, their military might bled dry by the Islamic guerrillas, their position as defenders of civil rights imploded by their post 9/11 policies of torture and human rights violations, and now their financial might pulverized by the crazed unsupervised greed of Wall Street.

If Prabhupada were to start his mission today, I doubt it he would choose to move to New York! He'd probably just keep his base in India and travel the world from there.

Incidentally, I also highly doubt, therefore, that he'd show much interest in the Capitol Building. It's kind of depressing to know that our main temple, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, in Mayapur, will be built in the likeness of the Legislative House of what is clearly a country in decline.

But I'll say this: they still have great natural food stores here! And Lake Tahoe is very beautiful (took this picture this morning)!

Todos já se perguntaram o porquê de existir tantas religiões no mundo, distintas umas das outras, se Deus é um só. Tantas quantas já se questionaram a esse respeito, foram as pessoas que não encontraram uma resposta satisfatória, e essa é uma das razões que pelas quais fizeram muita gente negligenciar suas necessidades espirituais, inerentes à natureza humana. Mas tudo tem uma explicação compreensível, e nada acontece ao acaso. Reconhecer a figura de Deus implica em aceitar também seus atributos de Onisciência e Onipotência, e nada acontece sem que seja de Sua própria Vontade. Portanto, se existe tantas religiões no mundo, existe uma razão plausível que pode até ser óbvia. E se, até então, as pessoas ainda não atingiram a compreensão desta razão, também existe um porquê para isso.

A origem de tudo que conhecemos e sabemos é duvidosa porque, desde tempos imemoriais, ter propriedade de informações conferia poder, e aqueles que difundiam estas informações, o faziam por interesse próprio, para tirar proveito dessa vantagem ou por interesse e beneficio de um grupo. Esse fato é verossímil em todas as áreas de conhecimento, mas vamos nos ater a Religião em si. Desde os primórdios, quem se dizia representante de Deus, enviado de Deus, ou dizia conhecer a verdade e os mistérios de Deus gozavam de privilégios, como não participar de caças ou no cultivo de alimentos e participavam das decisões da coletividade de forma efetiva. Essa conduta se perpetuou com o passar dos tempos já que podemos perceber os altos postos que o clero religioso sempre ocupou na estratificação social, além da participação política efetiva nos destinos da humanidade. Agora, vamos ser diretos. Se as informações que recebemos foram, de certo modo, manipuladas para atender interesses específicos, tudo que sabemos tradicionalmente, e que formaram nossa cultura, devem ser reavaliadas conscientemente, já que temos a capacidade de discernir melhor e pesar as coisas na balança da sensatez.

Desde que fomos descobertos, o ocidente tratou de nos colonizar culturalmente, e o modelo de cultura era o europeu. No contexto da época, a religião passava por um momento delicado, de cisão, e o protestantismo ganhava cada vez mais adeptos por estarem em consonância com os princípios de uma classe em ascensão, a burguesia. Vendo seus crentes migrarem sua fé para outras religiões, e temendo perder seu poder de influência no mundo conhecido, a Igreja Católica, através do Concílio de Trento, determinou a catequização de novos adeptos, e mandaram os jesuítas para as terras recém descobertas. Tal catequização tinha objetivos claros e interessados, e não tinha a ver com purificação espiritual, mas sim com motivações políticas. Essa foi a primeira experiência de sistema de ensino e aprendizagem que tivemos, e os modelos e estruturas educacionais que foram estabelecidos desde então sempre foram movidos por interesses políticos, mas vamos abordar essa questão em outra oportunidade. O que é importante ressaltar é que, desde a colonização, fomos induzidos a aceitar uma única vertente da verdade religiosa, sem termos referências das outras religiões existentes.

Podemos reconhecer grandes matrizes religiosas, e elas são quase equivalentes no número de crentes: entre um bilhão, um bilhão e duzentas pessoas. Ou seja, existem tantos cristãos quanto existem muçulmanos, judeus, hinduístas, budistas... e as questões que surgem são: porque existem tantas matrizes (considerem matriz como a essência religiosa. Exemplo: cristianismo é a matriz religiosa do catolicismo, ortodoxismo cristão, protestantismo... e estas se subdividem aos milhares) religiosas? Se você é cristão, o que faz você acreditar na grandiosidade de sua crença em detrimento das demais? Se você é conhecedor da verdade, como pode haver tanta gente (4/5 da população mundial) enganada quanto às suas crenças? Porque se observa tanta intolerância em relação às demais crenças religiosas, se as pessoas desconhecem as demais religiões? Eis o conceito que deve ser concebido às pessoas: Deus é um só, e a religião é uma só, e todas elas fazem parte de um mesmo processo de educação espiritual da humanidade. Este é o princípio da revelação progressiva de Deus, e existem provas cabais da veracidade das evidências deste processo.

Este processo acontece devido a uma aliança feita entre Deus e a humanidade, registrada nas escrituras sagradas, de que seria enviado um educador, um profeta, de tempos em tempos, que revelaria verdades e leis espirituais a toda humanidade. Esse fato pode ser compreendido com a parábola da vinha, através da Bíblia, que diz assim, em linhas gerais: Deus tinha uma vinha, e conferiu a responsabilidade dessa vinha a algumas pessoas, mas de tempos em tempos, mandaria seus representes (seus profetas) ver como essas pessoas estavam cuidando dessa vinha (entenda vinha por humanidade)... e assim procedeu: mandou um representante, mas essas pessoas (o clero religioso) não acreditaram nela e a mataram. Tempos depois, Deus mandou outro, e descrentes, também o mataram. E Deus prosseguiu mandando outro, e mais outro, mais outro, mas todos foram mortos. Insatisfeito pela audácia dessas pessoas, Deus mandou seu próprio filho para que reclamasse os maus tratos destas para com a vinha e seus representantes, mas eles também mataram seu filho! Diante do ocorrido, Deus prometeu vir Ele, pessoalmente, retiraria a vinha dessas pessoas e a entregaria àqueles que a merecessem.

Outro indício, também observável na Bíblia, está na história de Abraão. Como prova de submissão e obediência, Deus ordenou que Abraão sacrificasse seu filho. Sem questionar, Abraão amarrou e vendou os seus olhos, mas antes de sacrificá-lo, Deus interveio dizendo ter tido provas suficientes de sua obediência incondicional, pediu que sacrificasse um animal, e prometeu abençoar sua linhagem como recompensa. Como sabemos, Abraão teve três casamentos: de seu primeiro matrimônio, descenderam Moisés e Jesus, arautos do Judaísmo e do Cristianismo, respectivamente; de seu segundo matrimônio, descenderam Maomé, profeta do Islã, e `Ali Muhammad, que recebeu o título de O Báb (a porta, em árabe), e iniciou o Babísmo, religião precursora da Fé Bahá´í; de seu terceiro matrimônio, descendeu Bahá´u´lláh (título que significa Glória de Deus, em árabe), que deu início à uma nova religião, em meados do século XIX. O que a história de Abraão nos evidencia é que sua descendência, abençoada, originou as grandes matrizes religiosas que conhecemos, e por algum motivo, fomos induzidos a não reconhecê-los como os expoentes da religião de Deus. Outra evidencia clara, a meu ver, é o fato de existir um grande plano divino, já que Deus havia prometido o surgimento desses seres abençoados, e como diz a parábola da vinha, viriam de tempos em tempos, para educar a humanidade e renovar sua mensagem, de acordo com o desenvolvimento e capacidade de compreensão das pessoas.

Para visualizar a sensatez desse plano, imagine o sistema educacional que conhecemos, apenas como exemplo: quando estamos aptos a receber instrução escolar, devido o desenvolvimento de nossa capacidade cognitiva, ingressamos na escola. Como nossa capacidade é ainda limitada, aquilo que temos capacidade de aprender também é limitado e, portanto, na primeira série, aprendemos o be-a-bá, o básico para começarmos nossa alfabetização, além de algumas noções de matemática, como somas e subtrações simples, etc. O que o professor nos ensina é tudo aquilo que somos capazes de aprender, a princípio, e não significa que o conhecimento do professor se limita àquilo. Com o nosso desenvolvimento cognitivo durante a primeira série nos tornamos aptos a aprender mais e adquirir novos conhecimentos dentro de um plano pedagógico, e as