Facts about Plantain

Plantain Medicinal Properties and Herbal Use

Plantain is edible and medicinal, the young leaves are edible raw in salad or cooked as a pot herb, they are very rich in vitamin B1 and riboflavin. The herb has a long history of use as an alternative medicine dating back to ancient times. Being used as a panacea (medicinal for everything) in some cultures, one American Indian name for the plant translates to "life medicine." And recent research indicates that this name may not be far from true!

The chemical analysis of Plantgo Major reveals the remarkable glycoside Aucubin. Acubin has been reported in the Journal Of Toxicology as a powerful anti-toxin. There are many more highly effective constituents in this plant including Ascorbic-acid, Apigenin, Baicalein, Benzoic-acid, Chlorogenic-acid, Citric-acid, Ferulic-acid, Oleanolic-acid, Salicylic-acid, and Ursolic-acid. The leaves and the seed are medicinal used as an antibacterial, antidote, astringent, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic, poultice, refrigerant, and vermifuge. Medical evidence exists to confirm uses as an alternative medicine for asthma, emphysema, bladder problems, bronchitis, fever, hypertension, rheumatism and blood sugar control.

A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, coughs, asthma and hay fever. It also causes a natural aversion to tobacco and is currently being used in stop smoking preparations. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial activity, it is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly stops blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue.

The heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings and swellings and said to promote healing without scars. Poultice of hot leaves is bound onto cuts and wounds to draw out thorns, splinters and inflammation. The root is said to be used as an anti-venom for rattlesnakes bites. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes. The seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms. A distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion.

Source: http://www.altnature.com/gallery/plantain.htm

Importance of Plantain leaf in Hindu traditions

Hindus use plantain leaves to serve food on festival and other special days. Besides traditional value, plantain leaves are good for health. According to Hinduism, the plantain is Holy plant. Now read the other factors of plantain leaves and why they are considered sacred. Hinduism has spared nothing to explain about its customs and traditions. Particularly, the Hindu youths must understand our esteemed value and try to follow at least a few according to their family background.

Umashankar. K

A) Plantain:

Plantains are mostly sterile triploid hybrids between the species Musa acuminata (A genome), and Musa balbisiana (B genome). Musa species are likely native to India and Southern Asia.

Plantain or Banana Tree symbolically represents Goddess Brahmani. In rituals plantain is referred as Rambha.

Sanskrit names of plantain:

Kadali, Vana Lakshmi, Rambha, Mmochaka, Svaduphala, Dirghapatra, Kashthirasa, Amrit, Balak Priya, Urustambha, Tantu, Vigraha.

Most regional languages of the North derive their names for banana from `kadali' while those of the South from `valai'. So its names are kala in Hindi, Marathi, Gujrati; Keli or kala in Bengali; Vazhai in Tamil; vala in Malayalam; bala in Kannada and ariti kadalamu in Telugu.

1. A pair of plantain trees tied at the main entrance of the venue of the function:

வள்ளற் பெருமான் வள்ளலார் வாக்கு:

"வாழையடி வாழை என வந்த திருக்கூட்ட மரபினின் தான் ஒருவன்"

Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal said that he had born in a tribal group whose generation is like that of plantain after plantain in a sequence.

The primary aim of a Hindu marriage is dharma praja (progeny, particularly sons) and rati (pleasure). Plantain represents progeny.

2. For performing "Kalasa Pooja", rice is spread on a plantain leave and the kalasa is installed on it:

Turmeric, Betal leaves and Plantain are associated to Goddess Lakshmi.

3. Plantain curry is a must on Amavaasya days:

During annual srarta day, annam (cooked rice), plantain curry and vada are offered to agni with mantra for taking those to pitru loka. Plantain, tender jackfruit, bitter gourd curries are essential in annual srarta. Amavasya is also Dharpana day and plantain curry is a must.

Since plantain belongs to India our ancestor's could have eaten that positively. For their remembrance plantain curry is the most suitable item in the cooking recipes.

4. Normally the meals/food is served on plantain leaves:

The leaves of jackfruit, mango, coconut, plantain and vilva are suitable for placing meals for eating (from Smirities). Plantain leaves are spacious and available on all 365 days.
Other leaves are to be stitched together for eating.

The following are the advantages in taking food on plantain leaves;

It is believed that by taking food in plantain leaves from early childhood, the head hair will remain black for a long time.

Face becomes bright and beautiful.

Good for Pitha and Slethuma diseases.

B) Plantain Medicinal Properties and Herbal Use:

Plantain is edible and medicinal, the young leaves are edible raw in salad or cooked as a pot herb, they are very rich in vitamin B1 and riboflavin. The herb has a long history of use as an alternative medicine dating back to ancient times.

Being used as a panacea (medicinal for everything) in some cultures, one American Indian name for the plant translates to "life medicine." And recent research indicates that this name may not be far from true!

The chemical analysis of Plantgo Major reveals the remarkable glycoside Aucubin. Acubin has been reported in the Journal Of Toxicology as a powerful anti-toxin.

There are many more highly effective constituents in this plant including Ascorbic-acid, Apigenin, Baicalein, Benzoic-acid, Chlorogenic-acid, Citric-acid, Ferulic-acid, Oleanolic-acid, Salicylic-acid, and Ursolic-acid.

The leaves and the seed are medicinal used as an antibacterial, antidote, astringent, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, laxative, ophthalmic, poultice, refrigerant, and vermifuge.

Medical evidence exists to confirm uses as an alternative medicine for asthma, emphysema, bladder problems, bronchitis, fever, hypertension, rheumatism and blood sugar control.

A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including diarrhoea, dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis, coughs, asthma and hay fever.

It also causes a natural aversion to tobacco and is currently being used in stop smoking preparations. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial activity, it is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding, it quickly stops blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue.

The heated leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, skin inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings and swellings and said to promote healing without scars. Poultice of hot leaves is bound onto cuts and wounds to draw out thorns, splinters and inflammation.

The root is said to be used as an anti-venom for rattlesnakes bites. Plantain seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells in the gut, acting as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes. The seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms. A distilled water made from the plant makes an excellent eye lotion.

Source: http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100603195419AAf7BrZ

Fasting cleanses our souls and stimulates digestive system

Why fasting:

Hindus believe that fasting is a means of showing that one can deny one’s physical needs for the sake of spiritual gains. The scriptures reveal that fasting brings about an attunement with God by bringing about a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. This is therefore absolutely necessary for the individual since it takes care of his physical and spiritual demands. Hindus believe that the world is too full of distractions that keep people away from pursuing the path of spirituality. So, one must strive to put restraints on oneself to focus one’s mind. One way of focusing is fasting.

Self Discipline:

Fasting is also a great vehicle of observing self discipline. It trains the mind and body to endure the hardships of the world and resist all temptations. Hindu philosophy states that gratification of the senses involves eating rich food and to starve the senses means to raise them to contemplation.

Fasting According to Ayurveda:

Diseases develop due to the accumulation of toxins in the digestive system. By cleaning this regularly, we keep good health and we can do this if we fast and cleanse our system. A complete fast is good for health. Our body is made up of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, according to Ayurveda. When the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body, an imbalance is created in the body, making people tense, irritable and violent. For such people, fasting acts as an antidote: it lowers the acid content in the body and brings peace and calm.

A Form of Protest:

Fasting is also a form of protest, first begun by Mahatma Gandhi to register his non-violent form of protest. This is best related through this anecdote: Once the workers at a textile mill in Ahmedabad protested against their low wages. Gandhi told them to go on strike. Two weeks later, they became violent and Gandhi himself decided to go on fast till the matter was resolved.

Fellow Feeling:

When you feel sorry for the poor, and you want to extend some sympathy, fasting is a good way of going about it. It provides an opportunity for the privileged to give food and grain to the lesser privileged and alleviate their distress.

For the Long Life of Husbands:

“Karwa Chauth” is an observance among Hindu women who go on a day-long fast to pray for the long lives of their husbands. Fasting therefore impinges on different aspects of Hindu life. This shows that it is not difficult to achieve, if one wants to.

http://fasting.ygoy.com/significance-of-fasting-among-hinduism/

Visit Hindu Blog

Hi all,

Through this Blog, I have been trying to reach out friends who are interested to understand the uniqueness of Hinduism and as well the importance of voting to BJP. I am not a critic of any political parties but I believe that the BJP is the only party that could defend the rights of every Hindu. Hence, in this blog you can read articles sourced from various other sites. The bottom line is at least I do a little service to Hindus.

I visit sites regularly in order to get useful information that every Hindu must know. Mostly all the sites I visit are filled with ample information and it is very hard to single out one particular site or blog. However, in my opinion that one can understand more about Hinduism when you visit the below blog. The author of this site has done excellent job and sorted out contents under different headings so as to understand the customs and rituals of Hindu festivals and other important days. Please do visit the blog

http://www.hindu-blog.com/p/about-hindu-blog.html

Thanks / best regards,

Umashankar. K

Importance of Amavasya

The new moon day is called Amavasya and is observed as a day of fasting in many Hindu households. Since the Hindu calendar is organized according to the lunar month, Amavasya is the beginning of the new lunar month which last 29 days. Many festivals, the most famous being Diwali (the festival of lights) are observed on this day.

The importance of Amavasya is that it is a day of new beginnings. It is a time to discard the old (habits, thought processes, failures and negative influences) and embrace the promise of new light that the new moon brings to us. The dark side of the moon is revealed on this day as the moon completes its waning cycle of fourteen days the ancients considered this day with a lot of fear and trepidation because they thought that the moon had been swallowed by the sun. The first day of the waning cycle is actually the full moon day, also called Purnima.

Source: http://blog.eaglespace.com/amavasya/

Amavasya, or Amavasi, is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night of the first quarter of the lunar month. Since the moon is invisible on the day, Amavasya is also referred as no moon night. Amavasi holds great importance in Hinduism. Many Hindus choose this day to make offering (tharpanam) to the dead ancestors. There is also an ongoing debate whether Amavasya is auspicious or inauspicious.

The term ‘Amavasya’ is commonly used in all regional languages in India. The fortnight that starts with Amavasya is also referred as the Shukla paksha (bright half of the month). Mauni Amavasya in Hindu Magh month (January – February) and Mahalya Amvasya in Ashwayuja (September – October) are highly auspicious. In some regions people observe partial fast (Upvaas) or a complete fast on the day.

Thanks to mainstream Indian movies, Amavasya is considered the ideal day to perform black magic and evil acts. Since there is no moon, Amavasya night is pitch dark and this provides the ideal setting to invoke evil powers.

Earlier it was advised not to travel on an Amavasya night. The logic being that there is no moonlight and this could invite lot of hardship and danger.

Many astrologers advise against performing any important ceremony on the day as moon and important planet in Hindu astrology is not visible. In some regions, people do perform certain auspicious deeds on the day. But largely no new beginnings or important ceremonies are held on the day.

Symbolically, the period from Amavasya to Purnima (full moon) is considered to be the gradual awakening and transcendence into the fullness. From darkness to the gradual realization of the Supreme Soul.

Source: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/02/significance-of-amavasya.html

Riding on Hindu votes Congress robs all Hindus of jobs and education

By OP Gupta [IFS Retd]

This article reveals the exact picture of Hindus who don't wish to fight for their basic rights. Thanks to the Author who has sorted out all the issues going on under the UPA rule.

I place below seven (A to G) bare facts which show that we Hindu voters have been lacking in parental care and have contributed to reducing our own children and grand children to second class status by being careless and casual at times of voting.

The UPA Government in terms of Ranganath Misra Commission is planning to reserve 15 per cent posts for minorities, and as Dr Manmohan Singh has publicly asserted in December 2006 that the minorities have first claim over government resources so SC Hindus will get 15 per cent of remaining 8,500 posts i.e. 1,270 posts, OBC Hindus (including OBC Muslims and Christians) will get 27 per cent of 8,500 i.e. 2,290 posts and ST Hindus (including ST Christians) will get 7.5 per cent of 8,500 i.e. 630 posts.

The Misra Commission has made a false claim that the Muslims are under-represented in services. Supporters of the Muslim reservation often say that the Muslims are about 13 per cent of population but in IAS, etc, their representation is much less at about 4 per cent so they are under- represented in services and there should be reservation for them to boost their share to 13 per cent. For getting into class one services one has to be a graduate.

In the Indira Sawhney case, the Supreme Court had observed-"It is, therefore, clear that economic criterion by itself will not identify the backward classes under Article 16(4). The economic backwardness of the backward classes under Article 16(4) has to be on account of their social and educational backwardness. Hence, no reservation of posts in services under the State, based exclusively on economic criterion, would be valid under clause (1) of Article 16 of the Constitution."

It is painful to see how Jaichandi Hindu politicians right from the days of the 1916 Congress-Muslim League Lucknow Pact till date in form of the Sachar Committee Report, Ranganath Misra Commission, the 15-Point Programme, etc, have been systematically harming all Hindus by concocting false justifications to reduce, bit by bit, promotional avenues of all the Hindu civil servants and the educational, employment and economic (E3) opportunities of all Hindu boys and girls, including SC, ST, OBC and Leftist Hindu boys and girls, North Indian or South Indian Hindus, all Hindu members of NSUI, ABVP, SFI, etc, pushing them to second and third class status vis-à-vis minority boys and girls.

The Hindustan Times of December 24, 2008 reported that the Parliament was informed by the Manmohan Singh Government that as a result of special efforts made by the UPA Government the share of minorities in Central Sector jobs increased from 6.9 per cent in 2006-07 to 8.7 per cent in 2007-08. It increased from 7.6 per cent in 2006-07 in the Financial Sector [Banks, FIs, RBI] to 10.2 per cent; in the Armed Forces from 5.5 pc to 8.9 pc and in the Railways from 2.7pc to 6.3pc during the same period of one year.

Consequently, the percentage of Hindus in the Central Sector declined.

I place below seven (A to G) bare facts which show that we Hindu voters have been lacking in parental care and have contributed to reducing our own children and grand children to second class status by being careless and casual at times of voting.

When I bring these facts to the notice of educated Hindus most of them express shock on their being ignorant of these facts, and blame media and Jaichandi Hindu politicians for this betrayal. But in my humble opinion Hindu voters are themselves responsible for this plight of their children who either abstain from voting or vote to anti-Hindu parties like the Congress Party, NCP, Communist parties and Janata parivar parties.

[A] First let us look into harm which the Ranganath Misra Commission Report would inflict upon all the Hindu civil servants, Hindu students and all the Hindu job seekers.

On December 18, 2009 the UPA Government tabled the Ranganath Misra Commission Report on the table of the Parliament. It has recommended reducing job opportunities of all Hindu officials and Hindu youth at least by 15 per cent, reducing availability of college seats to all sections of Hindu students by at least 15 per cent and disadvantaging SC and ST Hindus by yoking them within their reservation quotas with Muslims and Christians who enjoy better literacy rate.

Para 16.2.16 of the Misra Commission reads: "Since the minorities-especially the Muslims-are very much under-represented, and sometimes wholly unrepresented, in government employment, we recommend that they should be regarded as backward in this respect within the meaning of that term as used in Article 16 (4) of the Constitution-notably without qualifying the word ‘backward’ with the words "socially and educationally"-and that 15 per cent of posts in all cadres and grades under the Central and State Governments should be earmarked for them."

In the Indira Sawhney case, the Supreme Court had observed- "It is, therefore, clear that economic criterion by itself will not identify the backward classes under Article 16(4). The economic backwardness of the backward classes under Article 16(4) has to be on account of their social and educational backwardness. Hence, no reservation of posts in services under the State, based exclusively on economic criterion, would be valid under clause (1) of Article 16 of the Constitution."

So the Misra Commission recommendation is totally unlawful as it suggests giving reservations to the Muslims by ignoring the requirements of the Constitution and the Indira Sawhney case law.

All the Hindu officers serving under the Central Government or any State Government should take note that the Misra Commission has recommended reservation of 15 per cent of posts for religious minorities in all cadres and grades under the Central and the State Governments. Ten pc will be solely for the Muslim officials/candidates and five pc for other minorities.

It means that from the date of implementation 15 per cent posts in the grade of Secretary to Government of India, and other grades of Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, etc, shall get reserved for minority officers which will block or retard career prospect of many Hindu officers and may result into many Hindu officers serving under their own junior minority religion officers. This would be happening all over India and in all departments, central as well as provincial, whether school teachers, lecturers, Deputy superintendents of Police, engineers, deputy collectors, inspectors of police, customs, income tax, public sector undertakings, etc.

So it is high time that all the Hindu officials and all those Hindus who aspire to join public services should come out of their secular slumber and open their eyes to see that it is Congress Party aided by Communists and various parties (Mulayam Singh, Mayawati, Karunanidhi, Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu, etc.) that is going to harm their career interests permanently and irreversibly.

The Misra Commission has made a false claim that the Muslims are under-represented in services. Supporters of Muslim reservation often say that the Muslims are about 13 per cent of population but in IAS, etc., their representation is much less at about 4 per cent so they are under-represented in services and there should be reservation for them to boost their per cent to 13 per cent. For getting into class one services one has to be a graduate. Vide its table 3.6 Misra Commission reports that graduation percentage of Muslims is only 3.6 pc. As only graduates can aspire for public services percentage of Muslims in services at 4 per cent is fair and already more than commensurate to their graduation percentage.


Further the Muslims are about 4 pc in services but 10 per cent jobs in all cadres and grades are proposed to be reserved for them by the Congress. It means that the Muslim officers will have much faster pace of promotions vis-à-vis Hindu officers and will also occupy senior positions for longer periods than the Hindu officers.

Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, a former Union Minister in the Rajiv Gandhi Government has pointed out that 10 Muslim communities are already part of the Scheduled Tribes and another 83 Muslim communities are included in the OBC list. "Together," he maintains, "they constitute more than 70 per cent of total Muslim population leaving out only the Muslim creamy layer." Similarly, a good chunk of the Christians are already included in the Scheduled Tribes and the OBC category.

The Constitution of India as well as the Supreme Court has laid down that social and educational backwardness are essential to become eligible for getting reservation under Article 16(4). But Muslims as a community enjoy better literacy rate than Hindus in 11 states and better literacy rate than SC Hindus and ST Hindus on national level so they are not entitled for any reservation as they are not educationally backward.

In its para 12.3 the Misra Commission itself states: "Analysis of literacy rate reveals that Muslims were better off than Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes."

According to the 2001 census, the Sachar Committee and the Misra Commission [table 3.5, paras12.3, 18.5, etc.] Christians have higher literacy rate [80 per cent] as compared to other religious minorities as well as the national percentage of 65 per cent. Christians have higher literacy rate than the Hindus. Christians have higher per capita income too. So Christians too cannot claim to be backward in any sense.

In eleven states, Muslim males have higher literacy rate than Hindu males. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

In thirteen states, the Muslim women enjoy higher literacy rate than the Hindu women, these are Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagarhaveli, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. [Statements 8a and 8b, Census Report 2001].

The Sachar Committee [page 53] also admits that in ten states literacy rate among the Muslims are higher than even that of the upper caste Hindus and also higher than SC/ST Hindus.

Let us examine how many jobs the Hindus are going to lose in terms of Misra Report. Till 2009, SC Hindus were entitled to get 1,500 posts out of every 10,000 posts in Government sector, OBC Hindus were entitled to 2,700 posts and ST Hindus were entitled for 750 posts.

The UPA Government in terms of Ranganath Misra Commission is planning to reserve 15 per cent posts for minorities, and as Dr Manmohan Singh has publicly asserted in December 2006 that since minorities have first claim over government resources so SC Hindus will get 15 per cent of remaining 8,500 posts i.e. 1,270 posts, OBC Hindus [including OBC Muslims and Christians] will get 27 per cent of 8,500 i.e. 2,290 posts and ST Hindus [including ST Christians] will get 7.5 per cent of 8,500 i.e. 630 posts.

The upper castes Hindu candidates till 2009 were eligible to compete for 5,050 posts out of every 10,000 posts but now under Manmohan formula they can compete only for 4,310 seats. And wonder of wonder is that this reduction in E3 space of all categories of Hindu applicants will be achieved on strength of those Hindus who gave their notes and votes to the Congress Party or to other Jaichandi parties.

The Misra Report Para 16.2.7 reads:" As by the force of judicial decisions the minority intake in minority educational institutions has, in the interest of national integration, been restricted to about 50 per cent, thus virtually earmarking the remaining 50 per cent or so for the majority community-we strongly recommend that, by the same analogy and for the same purpose, at least 15 per cent seats in all non-minority educational institutions should be earmarked by law for the minorities as follows:

(a) The break-up within the recommended 15 per cent earmarked seats in institutions shall be 10 per cent for the Muslims (commensurate with their 73 per cent share of the former in the total minority population at the national level) and the remaining 5 per cent for the other minorities.

(b) Minor adjustments inter se can be made in the 15 per cent earmarked seats. In the case of non-availability of Muslim candidates to fill 10 per cent earmarked seats, the remaining vacancies may be given to the other minorities if their members are available over and above their share of 5 per cent; but in no case shall any seat within the recommended 15 per cent go to the majority community.

(c) As is the case with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at present, those minority community candidates who can compete with others and secure admission on their own merit shall not be included in these 15 per cent earmarked seats."

As and when it is implemented, Hindu students with marks better than minority candidates may start getting admissions refused even in non-minority institutions managed by Hindu organisations such as Vidya Bharati, DAV Colleges, etc. At present out of every 10,000 engineering seats in non-minority institutions OBC Hindu students get 2,700 seats reserved for them, 1,500 seats for SC Hindus and 750 for ST Hindus. After Misra Report is implemented 1,500 seats would first get reserved for minority students, 27 pc of remaining 8,500 seats i.e. 1,250 for OBCs and 630 for STs. So there shall be reduction of seats for all Hindu students.

Marxist Hindus, NSUI Hindu students shall also suffer forced shrinkage of their E3 space.

[B] Hindu students with better marks are being denied admissions into nurseries, schools, colleges and universities run by minorities, whether aided out of taxes collected from Hindus or unaided. For example, cut-off marks for Christian students for admission into St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University and cut-off marks for Sikh students into the Khalsa College, DU and cut-off marks for Muslims in Jamia Hamdard University is lower than those for the Hindu students. Same is the case all over India in all districts.

Hindus are generally under-represented in the staff of minority institutions, and, posts of principals, etc, are generally reserved for non-Hindus. For example the rule of St. Stephen’s College Delhi stipulates that a Hindu cannot be its principal and Vice principal though it receives annual grant of crores of rupees from the Government out of taxes collected from the Hindus. Hindu candidates with better CVs are generally denied jobs in these institutions. More than 90 pc teaching staff of the Aligarh Muslim University are non-Hindus.

Hindustan Times [July 10, 2008] and The Indian Express [July 18, 2008] reported that St. Stephen’s College, Delhi gives preference to Christian candidates in appointments. MS Frank, the then acting Principal insisted appointing only Christians. The Supreme Council of this college clarified that a Christian candidate who met the minimum qualifications shall be given preference over non-Christian candidates in matters of appointments. Similar ill-treatment is handed down to the Hindus all over India by all other minority institutions. Hindus have invited this ill treatment of their own by giving their votes to the Congress and the Communist parties.

These institutions quote Supreme Court decisions to justify the second class treatment of all Hindus in matters of admission and employment. In nutshell the Supreme Court has ruled that Hindus do not enjoy equality rights guaranteed by the Article 14 of the Constitution in the minority institutions whether aided or unaided. In other words according to the Supreme Court Article 14 of the Constitution is not uniformly applicable everywhere and to everyone. This is a flawed interpretation of the Constitution by Supreme Court.

[C] The Constitution of India [Articles 15 and 16] guarantees 15 per cent reservations for SC Hindus and 7.5 per cent reservations for ST Hindus but they are denied these constitutionally guaranteed rights in admissions as well as in employment in minority institutions with silent support and connivance of Jaichandi Hindu politicians.

The OBC Hindus have been given 27 per cent reservations in academic institutions but the Manmohan Singh Government has framed rules in such a way that OBC Hindus are denied this constitutionally guaranteed reservation all over India in all minority institutions.

The point is that as the Constitution is in force on every square inch of India so these reservations must be available to SC, ST and OBC Hindus in all minority institutions all over India. At present some Articles of Constitution are applicable at one place but not at other places. The selective application of the Constitution is flawed and has to be opposed.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes headed by Congressman Shri Buta Singh also favours giving ‘reserved’ status to Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam but does not want them to be included in the 15 per cent SC quota and wants to further reduce seats available to general class Hindus so as to create a new quota for Dalit converts. [Times of India, July 14, 2007]. So general category Hindus will get size of their cake further reduced if they continue to vote for any Jaichandi party in any election.

Hindu students get student loans at higher interest rate of about 10 per cent to 12 per cent per annum but minority students get student loan at 3 per cent per annum from the National Minority Development & Finance Corporation under the Union Ministry of Finance. For confirmation please visit www.nmdfc.org. This discrimination against Hindu students has been made possible by those Hindus who vote to the Congress Party or to any UPA party.

On August 27, 2009 the Manmohan Singh government decided that any student whose parents’ income is below Rs 4.5 lakh per annum will get full interest subsidy on his student loan for professional course during the course period. But after the course is over a Hindu student has to pay interest at same higher rate of 10 to 12 whereas a minority student will pay at 3 per cent.

[D] Hindu youths get loans from commercial banks to start a new business at 15 per cent to 18 per cent interest and has to arrange ‘margin money’ of 15 per cent to 40 per cent of project cost from his private sources, balance comes from the bank. But a minority youth has to put in only 5 per cent of project cost as margin money from his private source, other 35 per cent is given by the National Minority Development and Finance Corporation at 3 per cent interest, and remaining 60 per cent of finance is given by commercial banks at two percentage points less than general lending rate for Hindus.

On March 13, 2007 the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram had told the Rajya Sabha that of the total priority sector lending, loans to minorities had increased by 33 per cent to Rs 45,490 crore on March 31, 2006 as against Rs 34,654 crore when the UPA Government took office in May 2004.

So, Hindu businessmen will increase their own difficulties in getting bank loans by financing the elections of Congress Party and other UPA parties.

This second class treatment in banking sector has been invited by those Hindus who give their votes to the Congress Party or to any Jaichandi Party.

[E] The Manmohan Singh Government has directed that all minority students admitted to 70 top institutions of India like IIMs, IITs, etc, will get their total fees paid by the Government but Hindu students, whether Leftist or Rightist, whether North Indian or South Indian, whether member of NSUI or SFI have to pay their fees.

If a minority student decides to join any coaching centre to prepare for admission into colleges or Public Service Examinations or jobs in government and private sectors he gets total fees of coaching centre paid by the government but a Hindu student or his parent has to pay the fees of coaching centre. Details may be seen at www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

At pre-matric and at post-matric level a minority student will get scholarship from class I onwards if he has secured not less than 50 per cent marks in the previous year examination but such facility is not there for all Hindu students. The SC, ST and OBC Hindu students have to have more than 60 per cent marks for being eligible for any scholarship though Muslims, Christians etc enjoy higher literacy rates. Further SC, ST and OBC Hindu students get scholarships from class VI onwards.

[F] It may come as total surprise to many Hindus that there are many posts under the Government which are paid out of taxes collected from the Hindus but a Hindu howsoever Liberal or Marxist he may be, he is legally debarred from holding such posts, such as posts of the Chairman of National and Provincial Minority Commissions, Principal of St. Stephen’s Delhi, [and similar minority institutions running into thousands and thousands all over India] etc.

Under Section 3 of the National Minority Commission Act, a Hindu cannot be its Chairman and at least five of its seven members including Chairman shall have to be from amongst the minority communities. This law was enacted by PV Narsimha Rao government.

Section 4 of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act 2004 passed by the Manmohan Singh Government stipulates that only persons from minority communities shall be eligible to be appointed as Chairman and members of this Commission. Hindus have been totally excluded from this Commission.

As representation of Hindus in Sachar Committee, Ranganath Commission, etc, have been below their demographic strength it is obvious that these lack democratic weight.

In pursuance of the 2004 Congress manifesto, on March 10, 2006, the Lok Sabha passed the National Commission for Minority Educational (Amendment) Bill according to which the provincial governments will have to give no objection certificate within 90 days of application for setting-up an institution by religious minorities, or, else the government will have to specify reasons for refusal. The aggrieved party will have right to approach the Commission which, in turn, will take a final decision in consultation with the State. Composition of even this Commission is not representative to the total exclusion of Hindus and the wonder is that Hindus, howsoever Secular or Leftist, are debarred from being made even a member of this Commission by an Act of the Parliament passed in November 2004. However, if no reasons are given by a State government for not giving the NOC within 90 days, it would be deemed as the approval of the State .The Act also provides for the right of minority institutions to seek affiliation to any university of their choice listed in this Act. The Bill was supported by all UPA partners including the Left parties, Samajwadi Party of Shri Mulayam Singh and the Bahujan Samaj Party, etc. It was criticised by the Bhartiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena. So, a Muslim institution in a far off place, say, Jhumri Taliya in Jharkhand can demand affiliation to any named central university of its choice and its students will get degrees of that central university and thus, will enjoy better marketability in the employment market whereas a Hindu student of the same region will have degree of a provincial university having less marketability in the employment market. Thus, with votes of Hindu parents, Shri Arjun Singh the then HRD Minister and the UPA Government placed Muslim and Christian students at higher and better pedestal in the employment market than Hindu students. Those Hindu parents in rural areas who voted for the Congress Party and its Jaichandi allies in the 2004 and 2009 elections have thus actually harmed the future of their own children.

Right from sixties the educational, employment and economic [E3] opportunities for Hindu youngsters were being reduced bit by bit by all the previous Congress Governments and pace of this reduction has been accelerated by the Manmohan Singh Government. And irony is that this harm to Hindus was and is being done on the strength of those Hindu voters who either innocently vote the Congress Party or its UPA partners or abstain from voting.

[G] To reduce the percentage of Hindus and to increase the percentage of minorities in the government sector the UPA government has ordered inclusion of minority members in all Selection Boards and Departmental Promotion Committees [DPCs].

The circular to induct religious minority members in Selection Boards was issued during Prime Ministership of Rajiv Gandhi vide OM No39016/6(s)/87-Estt(B) dated June 10, 1987 and during the Prime Ministership of Vishwanath Pratap Singh, another secular veteran vide OM 39016/6(S)89-Estt(B) dated 16th August 1990

In January 2007 the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, sent a note to all "heads of departments, public sector banks and financial institutions, quasi-Government organisations, autonomous bodies, etc. and all appointing authorities," asking them to "scrupulously observe" guidelines to make selection panels more representative. All selection panels recruiting ten or more vacancies must have one member belonging to a minority community. This circular instructs to give special considerations to minorities in all appointments, so danger bell is ringing loud and clear for all Hindu job seekers whether they are Leftists or Rightists, whether upper caste or lower castes that despite their better profiles they may not be selected.

At present Hindus constitute over 95 per cent in all services and the Manmohan Singh Government with the help of Hindu voters is trying to reduce the Hindu percentage in government and public sector undertakings to less than 85 per cent.

Thus, it is clear that Jaichandi Hindu politicians have treacherously created such a system in which a minority is eligible to apply for each and every post paid by the State but not a Hindu. A minority student gets student loan and commercial loans at rates lower than a Hindu. A minority student with more than 50 per cent marks gets scholarship but not all Hindu students with more than 50 per cent marks. In minority run institutions a Hindu is given step brotherly treatment in matters of admissions and employment but in government run and Hindu run institutions a minority candidate has to be treated at par with Hindus and to ensure that a minority is treated on par there are national and provincial minority commissions headed and dominated by minorities.

Hindu voters who do not want to harm the career prospects of their own or of their children and grandchildren must never cast their votes in favour of any Jaichandi Hindu politician or any Jaichandi party.

(The writer served as Ambassador/High Commissioner to many countries and belongs to the 1971 batch of the Indian Foreign Service. He can be contacted at www.opgupta.org and, opg4444@yahoo.co.in

http://voiceofhindus.blogspot.com/2010/01/riding-on-hindu-votes-congress-robs-all.html

BJP demands edu aid for Hindu pupils

July 8th, 2010

Chennai, July 7: Claiming that the Centre and the state government are dividing students along communal lines by providing educational assistance only to the students belonging to minorities, the BJP on Wednesday demanded that aid be provided to economically backward Hindu students too.

“Differentiating students on the basis of religion while extending educational assistance is unjustifiable,” state party president Pon Radhakrishnan said at a large rally organised here by the saffron party to demand that aid be extended to poor Hindu students. “The late Kamaraj, who introduced free education, had not discriminated on the basis of religion.” Several speakers also urged the government to treat all deserving students equally.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/bjp-demands-edu-aid-hindu-pupils-319

Join hands to oust DMK regime, BJP urges parties

Chennai: The Bharatiya Janata Party has appealed to all political parties in the State to join hands for the Assembly elections to dethrone the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, “in the interests of Tamils.”

At a press conference, BJP State unit president Pon. Radhakrishnan said the DMK must be ousted for safeguarding freedom and democracy as the ruling party workers and police personnel continued to attack Opposition leaders and writers showing dissent.

Accusing the DMK of trying to hide its mistakes by indulging in violence, he appealed for effective co-ordination among political parties in the run-up to the Assembly elections scheduled for May 2011 to throw out the DMK.

“Democracy is at a crossroads because of the ruling party's cash for vote approach in elections.”

Extending the BJP's invitation for an alliance in the Assembly elections, Mr. Radhakrishnan said alliances could not be predicted. But, the present times, which resembled the Emergency period, demanded that parties unite in the interests of people.

Noting that leaders of both the BJP and the Left parties were attacked during the nation-wide bandh on Monday, he alleged that the ruling party was steadfast in stifling the voice of Opposition.

As part of its State-wide struggle for extension of the Centrally-sponsored scheme of pre-matric scholarship for students belonging to minority communities to the Hindus as well, the BJP will organise a protest in front of Memorial Hall here on Wednesday, he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/07/stories/2010070753660400.htm

Religion and Politics

In India, religion plays an quintessential role in the day to day life and is a major influence over the Indian population and culture. Religion covers every aspect of the life of the Indian people. Religion also plays an important role in the politics of India. A political party`s acknowledgment of a particular religion decides the support it gets. The main religions of India are Hinduism and Islam and each religion has parties from whom support is given.

In India, religion plays an quintessential role in the day to day life and is a major influence over the Indian population and culture. Religion covers every aspect of the life of the Indian people. Religion also plays an important role in the politics of India. A political party`s acknowledgment of a particular religion decides the support it gets. The main religions of India are Hinduism and Islam and each religion has parties from whom support is given.

An excellent example of this negative action towards religions is the long standing struggle between Hindus and Muslims. Hindus have an extremely keen hatred for Muslims and vice versa. Many believe this is because the religions are not related in any way. The other religions of India are quite similar to that of Hinduism. However, Islam is completely unto itself.

The eighty- percent of the Indian population that supports Hinduism does so because of the mix of traditions and beliefs. The Hindu religion has no specific books of worship like Bible in the case of Christians. The Hindus have many religious books like the Rig-Veda, Upanishads, and Bhagwad Gita. There are multiple Gods in the Hindu religion ranging from gods, like Shiva and Vishnu, to plants and animals, to rivers, rocks and planets.

In contrast to the Hindu population, India has the second largest population of Muslims in the world. Only Indonesia has more Islamic followers than India. Initiated by Arabian merchants in the beginning of the eighth century the religion only caught on near the twelfth century. Differing from other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, Islam is not based on Hinduism. Islam`s main beliefs are worldwide friendship and absolute belief in Allah, their only god.

Christianity is another prominent religion within the country of India. In 1544 Saint Francis Xavier brought Christianity to India. In the following years Portugal, Denmark, Holland, Germany, and Great Britain followed in Xavier`s footsteps and came to India to preach the benefits of Christianity. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Catholics and Protestants began to preach. The churches and preachers built educational facilities.

Currently there are approximately thirty million Christians in India. The way in which the government of India is set up allows for a large amount of control by the political parties. Religion greatly affects these political parties. Often so much so, that what looks like a religious hate crime can be, in actual fact, a complete political occurrence.

The governmental system of India allows for a lot of control by political parties thus, there is heavy competition for power between parties.The government of India is based on a constitution not unlike that of the United States. India is a group of twenty-five sovereign, secular, democratic states and seven Union Territories. A President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers, and a Prime Minister make up the executive branch. The country of India is in many facets similar to The United States of America.

The political parties that control these positions are split into two categories, National and State parties. State parties are supported in majority in four or less states however, if more than four states are there then the party becomes a National party with more influence and power in the government of India. The confrontations between parties are caused by the excessive power the parties have within the government. Hate-crimes amongst the three religions of India run rampant. However, only recently have any of these crimes been directed at Christians.

The effect of religion on Indian politics is staggering. The hatred that has for so many years put the country in political strife does not seem to be declining. The feelings between all three religions, especially Hinduism and Islam, are just as strong as ever. The structure of the Indian government sets up for the confrontations between the opposing political parties. These confrontations are the basis for power struggle within the Indian government.

http://religion.indianetzone.com/1/religion_politics.htm

Prayers composed by Swami Vivekananda

"Thou art He that beareth the burdens of the universe; help me to bear the little burden of this life."

Extract from a prayer Swami Vivekananda delivered at the Chicago World's Parliament of Religions September 1893.

"At the head of all these laws, in and through every particle of matter and force, stands One through whose command the wind blows, the fire burns, the clouds rain, and death stalks upon the earth. And what is His nature? He is everywhere the pure and formless One, the Almighty and the All Merciful. Thou art our Father. Thou art our beloved Friend."

Extract from a prayer Swami Vivekananda delivered at the Chicago World's Parliament of Religions September 1893.

ON RAMAKRISHNA

"And so to Thou—Ramakrishna… I betake myself. For in Thy Feet alone is the refuge of man." ...

a prayer Vivekananda uttered in Nivedita's presence...

TWO PRAYERS OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

At Ridgely Manor in November, 1899, Sister Nivedita heard Swami Vivekananda say these two prayers.

She was to write of them to Josephine MacLeod.

1

That Mother who is manifest in all beings—Her we salute.
She whom the world declares to be the great Maya. Her we salute.
Thou Giver of all Blessings, Thou the Giver of Strength,
Thou the Giver of Desires, Thou the Merciful One,
To Thee our salutation, Thee we salute Thee we salute,.
Thou terrible black night—Thou the night of Delusion,
Thou the night of Death.
To Thee our salutation—Thee we salute, Thee we salute.

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2

The breeze is making for righteousness. The seas are showering blessings on us— Our Father in Heaven is blissful, The trees in the forest are blissful, so are the cattle. The very dust of the earth is luminous with bliss-It is all bliss,—all bliss—all bliss.

Pray, "Take us by the hand as a father takes his sons and leave us not."
Pray, "I do not want wealth or beauty, this world or another, but Thee, O God! Lord! I have become weary. Oh, take me by the hand, Lord, I take shelter with Thee. Make me Thy servant. Be Thou my refuge."

Pray, "Thou our Father, our Mother, our dearest Friend! Thou who bearest this universe, help us to bear the little burden of this our life. Leave us not. Let us never be separated from Thee. Let us always dwell in Thee."

Thou art Our Father, our Mother, our dear Friend. Thou bearest the burden of the world. Help us to bear the burden of our lives. Thou art our Friend, our Lover, our Husband, Thou art ourselves!

Constantly tell yourself, 'I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am not the thought, I am not even consciousness; I am the Atman.’ When you can throw away all, only true Self will remain."

Blessed be Thy name, O Lord! And Thy will be done. Lord, we know that we are to submit; Lord, we know that it is the Mother's hand that is striking, and "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." There is. Father of Love, an agony at the heart which is fighting against that calm resignation which Thou teaches". Give us strength, O Thou who sawest Thy whole family destroyed before Thine eyes, with Thine hands crossed on Thy breast. Come, Lord, Thou Great Teacher, who has taught us that the soldier is only to obey and speak not. Come, Lord, come Arjuna's Charioteer, and teach me as Thou once taughtest him, that resignation in Thyself is the highest end and aim of this life, so that with those great ones of old, I may also firmly and resignedly cry, Om Shri Krishnârpanamastu.

The Great Benediction After Mourning

(The Swami rendered this fragment of the Hindu sacrament on June 12, 1898)

The blissful winds are sweet to us.

The seas are showering bliss on us.

May the corn in our fields bring bliss to us

May the plants and herbs bring bliss to us

May the cattle give us bliss.

O Father in Heaven be Thou Bliss­ful unto us!

The very dust of the earth is full of bliss,

(And then, the voice dying down into meditation)It is all bliss—all bliss—all bliss.

http://www.vivekananda.net/Biographical/SVPrayers.html

Spiritual (inner) Teachings of the Ramayana

The Ramayana is one of the greatest literary epics that has emerged out of the Indian ethos. There are two major versions (Valmiki's original and Tulsidas's sweet poetical retelling) and many many interpretations ranging from the literal, to poetical and inspired, to allegorical (adhyatma) or spiritual.

Although the literature is capable of moving mountains even in translation without understanding the symbolic connotations intellectually, never-the-less I have found it helpful to understand the story in the light of a symbolic wisdom tale as a valuable adjunct.

To start off, this is from Sri Swami Premanandaji from the Divine Life Society

The Esotericism of Ramayana

There is a spiritual interpretation of the story of Rama which would be found beneficial to the entire mankind. According to the esoteric explanation of the Ramayana, man himself is the battlefield where a constant war is going on between the good and evil propensities. Information about the external world is collected through the five sense organs. These perceptions are turned into impressions with the help of mental background, different in different individuals. On the basis of these impressions the individual acts through the five organs of action. It is by controlling the sense organs and disciplining the mind with the help of the intellect that man can take proper action and lead a happy life. After continuous disciplining of the mind and the senses, ignorance is dispelled and one is able to discriminate between good and evil.

A person who is able to command his ten senses is called Dasaratha. Among his wives, Kausalya can be said to be an embodiment of Devotion, Kaikeyi of Attachment and Sumitra of Detachment. Similarly, Rama represents Wisdom, Bharata Discrimination, Lakshmana Renunciation and Shatrughna Thought. The knowledge contained in the Vedas is personified in sage Vashishtha who first teaches and trains the four princesRama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. It is only when wisdom, discrimination, renunciation and asceticism are combined that universal brotherhood or Vishwamitra emerges who imparts further training and help to Rama and Lakshmana to conquer evil forces like Tataka (Anger-lust combined), Maricha and Subahu (Temptation). After that sage Vishwamitra takes them to Mithila, the kingdom of Raja Janaka, to participate in Swayamvara, the, marriage function of his daughter Sita. On their way to Mithila, Rama revives Ahalya who had turned into stone i.e. without feeling and sensation, due to a curse which fell on her, and is again brought back to her full sensibilities.

There the contest was that whosoever lifts the bow of Siva, Sita will be married to him. Many princes and kings competed for the hand of Sita but they were not able even to move the great bow and were therefore disappointed. This bow, according to our allegory stands for pride and Sita is an embodiment of Devotion. Now unless a man is able to rise above pride, he cannot attain devotion. Parasurama is a devotee of the Lord and stands for Ego. He was enraged not only as the great bow was lifted but broken into two. Whereas Rama tried to assuage the feelings of Parasurama with sweet words, Lakshmana, his brother almost challenged the great sage for unnecessarily interfering in the internal affairs of king Janaka.

As an embodiment of wisdom and being the eldest amongst the princes, Rama is rightly chosen by his father to be crowned as king, but on account of the intervention of Kaikeyi, he is compelled to banish Rama from the kingdom for 14 years. Thus Rama, Sita and Lakshmana left for the forest and minister Sumanta (i.e. Sukarmagood actions) accompanied them but wisdom (Rama) compelled him to go back to Ayodhya.

The trio (Wisdomdevotionrenunciation) proceeded further. The meeting of wisdom (Rama) with skillful Nishada helped the trio to cross the Tamsa river (river of Brahma-Vidya) on the boat of pure sankalpa and then accompanied with Nishad, the trio reached Triveni the conjunction of three rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati) which symbolically represent Ida, Pingla and Sushumana. On the bank of Triveni they had the darshan of Pranav (i.e. Bharadwaja) and afterwards of Valmiki Rishi (Discipline) who advised them (wisdom-devotionrenunciation) to stay at Chitrakut, the place of reasoning and understanding, for sometime.

When Bharata returned to Ayodhya from his maternal uncles place, he is able to discriminate and see the injustice of the whole episode. But he fails to dissuade Rama from following the orders of his father as well as of Kaikeyi. Rama does not leave the kingdom alone and is accompanied by Renunciation (Lakshmana) and Devotion (Sita). Then the trio left Chitrakut also. On the way they met the great sages Atri (Truth), and Anasuya, wife of Atri, an embodiment of loyalty and faithfulness.

The trio of Wisdom, Devotion and Renunciation occupy Panchavatiliterally an abode standing for an embodiment of the five sense organs. There Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana and an embodiment of Desire, approaches Rama and Lakshmana for the satisfaction of her lust. But neither Wisdom nor Renunciation are attracted or lured by Desire who is not only turned away but also disfigured by Lakshmana. Surpanakha approached her brothers Khara and Dushana, who stand for Pride and Evil. But in a battle royal they are not able to measure swords with Wisdom and Renunciation. Whosoever makes use of wisdom before taking any actionand if that wisdom is tempered with renunciationpride and evil cannot stand before the combination, and automatically disappears.

Then we reach the climax of the story where Ravana or Dasanana, literally a person with ten heads, decides to avenge the dishonour done to his sister. Having analysed that the ascetic princes are no ordinary individuals and have withstood not only Pride and Evil but also Desire, Dasanana decides to organise an attack with the help of Deceit, in the form of Maricha. Maricha or Deceit could assume a variety of forms and hence he was used by Ravana as a ploy to appear before Sita as a golden deer so that she might be attracted towards him.

It is said that at this juncture, in order to save Sitaa Princess who had been brought up in luxuryShe was concealed by Rama with the help of Fire and in her place an illusion of Sita was created by him. It was this illusory Sita who fell for the golden deer and asked her husband to bring it for her. Rama, through his wisdom saw the game but on account of Sitas persistence and to play his part in the cosmic drama gave the deer a chase.

The deer enticed him away from Panchavati and as he was dying, he cried Lakshmana as if it was Rama himself crying for his help. The illusory Sita heard the cry and asked Lakshmana to rush to Ramas help. Lakshmana tried to assure Sita that no calamity could befall the wise and brave Rama but she insisted and even insinuated motives to Lakshmana who had to leave to find out facts. When Sita was alone, Ravana approached Panchavati as a hermit, begging for alms and took her away forcibly. He was intercepted by Jatayu, an embodiment of peace, who lives for others, but who was fatally wounded.

Since Rama is depicted in the Ramayana as an ordinary but an ideal man, finding Sita missing, he begins to lament and cry for help as any husband would do. Finally he runs into Jatayu who tells him the truth. Several efforts are made to dissuade Ravana from evil path and to make him return Sita, but nothing avails of. Finally, Rama strikes friendship with Sugreeva, who is personified action, which has lost power and strength on account of the defeat inflicted upon him by his brother Bali, literally a very brave man. Sugreeva introduces Rama to Hanuman who stands for absolute renunciation, who is sent to find out the exact whereabouts of Sita. On the way, the water-spiritsSurasa, Simhika and Lankini standing for three attributes of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, which pervade the universe and try to hinder the progress of Hanuman. He rises above all the three attributes and it is only after he masters all of them that he reaches Lanka and finds out Sita in the forest of Ashoka trees. After delivering the message of Rama to her, he creates havoc in the city and lets himself be caught by Meghanatha so that he is produced in the court of Ravana.

There he speaks of the valour and virtues of Rama and tries to dissuade Ravana from evil ways. Ravanas brother Vibhishana also tries to give good advice to the king and asks him to return Sita so that bloodshed may be avoided. But the king strikes at Vibhishana and turns him out of the court, who then joins the forces of Rama. Even the entreaties of Mandodari, his queen, do not prevail upon the king. Wisdom (Rama) also sends another emissary, Angada, to persuade Ravana to give up his evil ways. But Attachment and Desire, as personified in Ravana are determined to have their way and finally a battle royal ensues.

Ravana had all the evil forces like Greed, Deceit and others on his side but they were all destroyed by Rama, causing consternation in Ravana. But his Desire in the form of his son Meghanatha, consoled him and succeeded in striking at Renunciation (Lakshmana) sending him to sleep for a short while, but Good Actions in the form of the medicine-man Sukhena came to the help of Renunciation and revived him with the help of the Sanjivini herb, i.e. determined good action. Even Kumbhakarana standing for pride, could not stand before wisdom and was killed. Finally Desire and Attachment (Ravana) were completely annihilated by Wisdom and when illusory Sita came to Rama, Wisdom declared that he had no place for Maya and sent her back to fire.

Bharata had been ruling Ayodhya with great discrimination and once the period of 14 years was over, Wisdom, Renunciation along with Devotion, Absolute Renunciation, Bravery and other attributes returned to Ayodhya, to establish the reign of righteousness Ramaraj.

http://movingintostillness.yuku.com/topic/3170/t/Spiritual-inner-Teachings-of-the-Ramayana.html

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Q & A from Hinduism

Questions And Answers

Swami Premanandaji Saraswati.

Q. I have tried several times to get out of this illusory world, but am getting deeper into it and ever new difficulties arise. Why it is so?

Ans. God’s plans are always for the good. His munificence flows fast. Get into the current and establish identity with His Will. That will save you from drowning. Pleasure and pain are the two sides of the coin of life. Do not be undone in sorrow and do not forget Him in happiness. Those who go against His Will, have to suffer. But unless you destroy the ego, it is difficult to understand His Will. So far as ego persists, He cannot reveal Himself. '

Q. I find it impossible to follow the path of Truth and sadhana in spite of my earnest desire. What is the way out?

Ans. You would not have raised this question, if it were not possible for you to do sadhana. Analyse your thoughts. Avoid duplicity and deceit. Be simple, be content, and have faith in God. Work without attachment and pray to God with a child’s heart. You are sure to succeed. In the path of God-realisation there are three obstacles—wealth, sex and name and fame. Avoid them.

Q. Many People believe—eat, drink and be merry, Comment.

Ans. On the other hand I believe that the aim of human life is to renounce desire, serve others, worship God, and consider everybody as equal. The contact of senses with their objects does appear to give happiness, but it is not real happiness as it does not last. It only gives a fleeting sense of pleasure.

Q. I am very sad; how to get rid of it?

Ans. It is a serious question, but you have not come out openly. The root of all sorrow in this world is attachment—mamata, expressed in a variety of ways. If a person to whom we are attached, does not listen to us, we are annoyed; or if another person opposes, we consider that man our enemy. Also, if we are attached to a person, place or event, and it is taken away or destroyed, we feel very sad. To get rid of such sorrows, one should try to understand the real nature of persons, places and events. And that is; everything in this world is subject to change and destruction, which is beyond our control. Our own body is constantly undergoing change, and we have no control over it. If this situation is well understood you will have less attachment with the body and concentrate more on performing your duty. It will strengthen renunciation and faith in God’s will. Whenever the presence of God is felt, there is no sorrow. There are two ways of feeling the presence of God; through one’s efforts, and through faith in God’s Mercy. The former path is hard to tread. Therefore, have faith in God and be happy in whatever condition. Pray to Him with your entire being. Very soon you will see Light, and wherever light, darkness is is dissolved and man rises above the duality of pleasure and pain.

Q. I do good to others and they return good with evil. Is this the way of the world?

Ans. To begin with, root out pride of doing good, rather thank God. He has enabled you to help, and never expect that they should be grateful to you. You should be humble to those whom you serve. Moreover, it may be only suspicion that people return good with evil, therefore banish this idea.

Nobody can harm you. The cause of your present troubles may be the result of your past actions. The present is the fruit of the past. Remember, you will not suffer without sufficient cause. Laws of Nature dictate that effect cannot precede the cause. Whatever misfortune is, this is the result of one’s actions. It is only to relieve you of past actions that God in His Mercy has devised the present chain of events. A spiritual person and devotee of God should only think that the person causing pain is only an agent, and therefore to be pitied, not hated. To be annoyed with him, to wish ill of him is not the right approach—Pray like Jesus Christ for his good. A person who returns good with evil is despicable, who returns evil with evil belongs to a low category, who returns good with good is of average category, and the one who returns evil with good deserves God-realisation.

Q. What are the impediments in God-realisation?

Ans. The biggest obstacle is ego which involves him in the worldly pains of opposites. View each person, place or event in an unattached way—that will lead to salvation. A devotee always tries to cleanse his consciousness by strengthening living faith in God. It is only non-attachment that can annihilate duality and hate, and manifest love for God. An intense urge for God, removes all impediments. I have no faith in artificial means. Fill your heart with love, worship of God will follow.

Q. How to improve the falling standards of society, of government, of the world?

Ans. The whole plan of the world is being worked out according to God’s will. We view certain events as favourable or unfavourable due to our own limited egoistic approach. We do not want to understand the real nature of things, nor do we meditate on this reality. Think deeply, the world does not belong to anybody. As to the shortcomings or the attainments of the society in which we live, that is also due to our own approach because each one of us constitutes a unit of that society. It is not material attainments, cars, skyscrapers, aero planes, wealth and weapons that count in society. A society is to be judged on the basis of noble actions of individuals. We are fond of talking of an ideal society but we do not care to become ideal individuals. If all of us behave well, the society will automatically take care of itself; the government will become better. Finding fault in others doesn’t help a society or a government. A disease can be uprooted only when we diagnose its cause. A religious person should be a man of character. A society or a government composed of such persons will only do good to the people, the country, and world. It is wrong to think that the progress of one country lies in the fall of another. We should not neglect any part or any person of this world. Our scriptures always speak of the good and welfare of the entire universe.

Q. Which is the greatest illusion of the world?

Ans. The greatest illusion is to believe in what I am not and not to believe in what I am. I am not this body and this body is not mine: to realise this reality is the way to get rid of the illusion. You are wearing a shirt and a watch but you are NOT the shirt or the watch. So also you say my hand, my feet, my body, and so on. The ‘I’ is different than all these. By change in appearances, the reality does not change. It is so obvious but we are unable to appreciate it. Our entire behaviour centres round the body. To realise the reality requires prolonged sadhana. Now the strange thing is that you have no control or authority over the body which you call your own. In the case of your shirt, your watch, you can give those to somebody, sell them, throw them, and destroy them. Please think, whether you have the same authority on your body? You do not want your head to ache, your body to grow old, or die. But you can’t stop it. Even the wealthiest man cannot put off death. The body therefore is not yours. But not only you call your body as your own; you regard other bodies and things as your own. There can be no greater illusion than this.

Q. How to realise God?

Ans. You can meet God if just you want to, but you should pine for Him. It does not require hard work; it requires Grace-A God who manifests Himself on account of devotee’s sadhana, hard work, may also disappear instantaneously. It may be mere mental perception. God is said to be Omnipresent Omniconscience, Omnipotent, Attributeless, Sat-Chidanand.

Q. If God cannot be realised through sadhana, then why waste time in sadhana? (Why not just wait for his Grace?)

Ans. Sadhana should concentrate on purification of heart. Its objective should be God-realisation. The Grace of God shall reveal itself according to the devotee’s conception. Since God is not a distant goal He is Omnipresent. Therefore He is not to be seen through making efforts. The more desires you have the more distant is He. The moment you are without desire and just pine for Him, He will be there in front of you and the entire world of desire shall run after you. With our back to the Sun we see the shadow cast before us, and the faster we run after it, equally fast it moves away. Face the Sun and the shadow shall tamely follow you. Turn your face towards God, that will lead to chitta-shuddhi. We have to do sadhana to realise what IS, by understanding the reality of what IS NOT.

Q. There is a lot of hullabaloo in the name of religion, why?

Ans. Wherever there are fights in the name of religion there is no religion, no dharma, there is adharma. Differences are created due to our short-sightedness and lack of understanding. Religion and politics are declared poles apart by selfish people. Secularism doesn’t mean being irreligious, but to have faith and respect for all religions. Being fanatic is not the same as being religious; it is a strange type of blind faith, an illusion. A handful of persons indulge in such behaviour due to their own selfish motives by dragging politics into religion. They couldn’t care less for the welfare of the society of the world, and then the honest and simple suffer the most. The greatest religion is universal brotherhood. By neglecting humanity you make demons of men who serve only themselves in the name of God. Every religion preaches service, love, renunciation and salvation. By being religious, a man’s life, his emotions and actions, are purified. That is the way to the progress of mankind. In the United States every coin and note carries the legend, ‘In God We Trust’. But do they practise it in daily life? I am not sure. The motto of our constitution is, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ or ‘Truth Triumphs’, but we and our Government do not believe in practising it.

Q. Is democracy good and appropriate for India?

Ans. I am not a politician, and your question has a political ring. In my opinion all rules and regulations are framed for the solution of certain problems. If these are followed firmly and faithfully then these should result in good of the community. The cornerstone of democracy is the principle that it is ‘of the people, for the people, by the people’. In practice, ‘of’ is substituted by ‘off’, ‘for’ by ‘far’ and ‘by’ by ‘buy’. The line therefore reads, ‘off the people, far the people, buy the people.’ The principle is right, but the practice is wrong. We had been under foreign domination for long; that has brought about a change in our religion, culture and way of life. Actually we were not really fit for freedom; it is due to the patriotism and sacrifice of some great souls that we got freedom. Power went to the head of some people and they went astray. We will have to make more sacrifices to make democracy real and establish Ramrajya. In my view democracy is better suited to this country than other forms of government. But whatever the form, it can only succeed when precept and practice are the same.

Q. I try my best to understand the nature of mind, intellect, consciousness and ego, I philosophically analyze the real nature of my body and the world on the strength of scriptures and the words of great saints. But neither physical attachment nor the futility of the world is really understood; how to get rid of this attachment?

Ans. Most revered Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj laid great emphasis on “Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise.” The quintessences of his teachings are summed up in “Be Good, Do Good”. Most revered Swami Sharnanandaji Maharaj with whom I had long contacts and am greatly influenced by his teachings—also emphasised service, love and renunciation. In my view it is extremely necessary to serve the community, to perform our duty to them. Service and performance of duty are genuine only when done unattached. To expect returns from the family or the community is to get involved in the world. To be a sadhaka means not to give up action, or to become lazy, or not to perform one’s duties. To be a sadhaka means to serve, to get rid of attachment. The ties of attachment are never snapped with japa and worship alone, nor Asana. Pranayama can remove body-attachment. Service helps in purifying the heart, so does pure love. Affection, attachment, desire, or lust is not love. In love also—love everybody alike—all selfish motives have to be given up. Give unselfishly unto others with a feeling that whatever you have is not yours. It is given to you to serve others. Selfless Dhaan has a high place in our culture. It is improper to keep more than what you need; it is also called aparigraha. But Dhaan often breeds pride, therefore it should be practised anonymously. So if you practise service, love, charity, honesty, and leave the rest to God, you will automatically rise higher, and higher.

Q. We have always seen you laughing, never angry. Don’t you get angry?

Ans. I also get annoyed but it is being automatically controlled. Sometimes I deign fake anger; but when at times I am really angry, I punish myself later, Passion, whatever its form, is harmful. Iron discipline is required. Anger only betrays your ignorance. It smacks of your desire for your pound of flesh.

Q. Is it improper to pull up children when they commit mistakes so as to train them properly?

Ans. In my opinion anger never helps anybody; it only harms you and others. Anger causes tension, aggressiveness and other evils—which adversely affect the body and mind. Instead of getting angry, or punishing the children, divert their attention from something wrong to something right and more attractive. Anger is the sign of Dvesh, of duality, of attachment. It is by unselfish love, above attachment, that children are properly trained. By sacrificing your rights and upholding those of others you can conquer anger.

Q. It is said in Sri Ramcharitmanas that the only real thing is the worship of God, the world is a dream. What is its implication?

Ans. The world is in a state of continuous flux. A discriminating analysis shall reveal it is a long dream. We do not see dreams when in deep sleep or awake, these are seen in a state of half sleep. As far as worship (bhajan) is concerned, it manifests itself with satsang, to keep the consciousness of God alive, and awake in the midst of discharging your worldly duties in real worship. This should be practised regularly, morning, evening, by strengthening association with God and dissociation with the temporary self. Instead, we are all the time involved in asserting the ego, having no occasion to examine that there is anything beyond. We can only rise above the little self if we give prominence to satsang. The same idea is expressed by emphasising unattached action and surrendering the fruits thereof to God. Then we do not ‘do’ things as they happen. The feelings of ‘I’ and ego are eliminated, and the God’s presence is always felt. That is the reality, all the rest is unreal, a dream.

Some people oppose idol-worship, what do you say?

Ans. Worship is a means to an end. The body comprises five elements and in worshipping we have to take the help of one element or the other. Some people block other senses and concentrate on hearing sabd which is an attribute of akasa that is these sadhakas take the help of air-element. Others perform yajna with the help of another element—fire; and again some perform various rituals connected with water element. Similarly, some sadhakas take the help of idols of gods and goddesses where the earth-element dominates. It is not the idol that is worshipped but the symbol to God that is worshipped after—according to scriptural injunction. Life is infused (prana-pratishtha) in all the eight limbs of that representation. Therefore, the devotee worships the God Himself who removes his difficulties and lifts him up to a higher plane of God-realisation. If that does not happen then we only worship a piece of stone indeed. The symbol is treated like God Himself and serves as such. In modern times in the life of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa there is a chapter, Ram Lala. Please read it with devotion, it will set your doubts at rest. In the Age of Kali idol worship as explained here yields quicker spiritual results; but then the devotee should have the feel of it.

Q. You had once said that sadhana-bhajan should be done secretly. How will then a devotee achieve progress?

Ans. Sadhana-bhajan should be done secretly until all the shortcomings of a devotee are completely eliminated. I had read somewhere or heard from some great men that, worship should be kept as a guarded secret, as the love of a noble lady with the Czar. If a devotee proclaims his devotion having all the human faults, then that only strengthens his ego, his pride; and ego is the greatest stumbling block in sadhana. If the world comes to know of a person as a great devotee—and he has no real devotion within—that should create a lot of problems for him. Conversely, if a person is over-brimming with the love of God, and people know nothing about it, that is wonderful, Devotees should always examine two things: (a) Whether his shortcomings are being reduced; (b) If his fame is on the increase. Name and fame cause the downfall and if it does come, the sadhaka should try to save him with humility. The sweet poison of fame has brought about the downfall of even great sadhakas. One should always regard his sadhana as incomplete; that is how he progresses—quietly, secretly. It is only after the consciousness is purified that real wisdom dawns and Guru’s and God’s grace is felt.

Q. Some people speak ill of you and levy charges against you. Why don’t you talk it over with them? What is your attitude towards these people?

Ans. The entire world is full of evil and good. It helps me if some people discover bad qualities in me. But I shall be obliged if these gentlemen tell me about them as that would help me to look at myself. If what they think about me is incorrect, I shall have an opportunity to explain the position to them. By the time their charges reach me through a third party the original version is garbled and I am unable to get at the real opinion. Even then the criticism that reaches me serves as a soap to clean a dirty sheet, and it helps. Whenever wrong motives are imputed, I do feel sorry, which I should not, and try not to have bad feelings for such people. I am wide awake not to think ill of anybody and I daily pray to God and Gurudeva that I should never become a vehicle of thinking ill of any person, that I should not harbour a feeling of hate, prejudice, jealousy and tit-for-tat. If by abusing me some people try to tarnish the image of Gurudev or his institution then I am often unable to put up with it. Gurudev Shri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, even served those who abused him. I try to do my humble bit—as an infant tries to trot. Those who talk good of me are generous, others who talk ill are more generous—and I am grateful to them.

Q. How do you feel when people praise you?

Ans. I am a sanyasi sadhaka, not a siddha. A liberated soul would be above abuse and praise, my weakness is that sometimes I am delighted when people shower praise; this is poison to a sadhaka. I try my best not to hear my praise, to adopt an indifferent attitude, but I do not always succeed. Sometimes people flatter hoping I wouldn’t see through it—and that makes me laugh. They may do so to serve selfish ends but by the God’s grace I am seldom fooled. My constant effort is that my heart should brim over with the love of God. The river of life is the pilgrimage of Discipline, Truth is its water, Mercy constitutes its waves, and sobriety is its banks. I try to take dips in this river by annihilating ego; that is real life.

Q. What are the signs of a liberated soul?

Ans. Liberated souls are those who have drunk at the fount of Godhead. Those who are involved in minor miracles like anima, garima and so on are not siddhas. Those who have destroyed their self and realised the Universal Self, are great souls. They do not even accept or bother about bhakti and mukti. It is said in Narada Pancharatra; Siddhis, like salvation and Bhakti are always at the service of Mahadevi Hari Bhakti.

Q. The other day you had mentioned three ways of devotion; kindly repeat.

Ans. I do not now remember all that. The first thing is; there is God, have faith in Him. Then the following three beliefs must be strengthened; Tasya Vahiye—I am His Tavey Vahiye—I am Thine Twamey Vahiye—I am Thou

Q. Those sadhakas who adopt a posture of helplessness, do they not suffer from inferiority complex.

Ans. There is a difference between helplessness (deen) and insignificance (heen). A worldly man sacrifices his self-respect and begs of favours that generates inferiority complex. When a person is assured of his helplessness and surrenders himself to All Powerful, then he gains strength. All persons can do sadhana. If a person conducts his sadhana on wrong lines under the plea he cannot follow the right path, then he is not honest to himself. Most revered Sri Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj used to put it bluntly; A person who does nothing and who does everything will both reach the same goal. Rather, a person who does nothing attains siddhi earlier that the other one. A person who cannot do things rightly is capable. Both attain similar siddhis. But a person who treads the wrong path, only gets sorrow.

Q. Doing everything and doing nothing—how can both mean the same?

Ans. When a helpless man knows his incapability, he calls to God. God answers to his entreaties. But when a man thinks himself capable, he becomes unaware of his helplessness. That is the illusion. He becomes proud of his capabilities that brings about his downfall and he drifts farther and farther away from the Almighty God. But if he is convinced of his helplessness he gets everything. At the time, while Gajendra and Draupadi realised their utter helplessness, God rushed to their rescue.

Q. How man can rise above the world?

Ans. My experience so far is that it is very difficult to rise above the world. But in the light of the assurance given in Gita by the Lord Himself, it should not be considered impossible. Once a person surrenders to God, even the most difficult tasks become easy. Your questions have been answered by the Lord in the 14th verse in the seventh chapter of Gita.

Q. What is most precious in the world?

Ans. Time in my view is the most precious commodity because even a second lost cannot be reclaimed at any cost. Someone has said that a person who respects time can win over death.

Q. Some Hindus are against sleeping with the head towards North. Is it a blind faith?

Ans. I do not think so; there is a scientific explanation for this. While sleeping with head towards North, that is, in the direction of Pole Star, the person loses his vital powers and there is danger of his falling sick. If he persists, his life span is shortened.

Q. If that is so then why at the time of death his head is kept pointing to North?

Ans. It is done so that he is attracted toward Oordha Loka and goes to the higher plane
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Q. Once you talked about five muktis, what are those?

Ans. Salokya, Sarishti, Sameepya, Sarupya and Sayujya, respectively They are for achieving worldly powers like God, name and fame like God, status like God, image like God and oneness with God. A question was put about a quartet of Sri Ramacharitmanas and replied by Swamiji Maharaj purporting to point out that according to Sant Tulsidas, devotion to God is as easy and enjoyable as taking a morsel to the mouth and eating it. Food gives satisfaction and strength and removes hunger. So devotion to God gives contentment and confidence and removes attachment to the world. In the path of jnana, one has to renounce everything. In bhakti, a devotee can progress on the spiritual path without giving up attachment—but the attachment should be to God alone. Once you completely surrender to God, He looks after all your needs.

Q. What is the central point of a man’s approach to life?

Ans. Everybody wants his own good which on account of ignorance turns into his ill. The centre of man’s objectives should be good of others. A person who does not have good of others at heart and his conduct is not according to the precepts of Dharma, he does not deserve to be called a man. Only a man of good conduct will work for the good of others. It is said in Uttar Kand of Manas: parhit saris dharmanahim bhain.

Q. How dharma is turned into adharma?

Ans. It is only due to attachment and jealousy. On account of ignorance man is all along busy in strengthening his ego, and associates that ego with the body. But self, the soul, is different from the body. Becoming egoistic he is involved in the cycle of mine, thine, giving rise to attachment and jealousy, and he is unable to distinguish between dharma and adharma. (Another question involving the correct interpretation of a quartet from Sri Ramcharitmanas)

Q. A dream should be considered real or unreal?

Ans. Dreams do have an interpretation and persons, places and events appear to be real in dream-state. Once a gentleman presented me a beautiful watch,in my dream. On waking up, the watch wasn’t there. Now you tell me whether a dream is real or unreal.

Q. What is purity?

Ans. Purity is getting away from all that is extraneous to your real nature. And for a devotee which takes him away from God.

Q. What are the functions of consciousness?

Ans. Like fire: It illumines objects at a distance. BUT It destroys them on contact.

Q. How to stimulate higher reason?

Ans. If the out-going tendency of the intellect is curbed and the inward-going tendency is encouraged, the lower reason itself is transformed into the Higher Reason.

Source: http://www.dlshq.org/download/spotlights#_VPID_11