For the past many days ISKON people are selling Translation of Geeta by Srila Prabhupada in train stations of Mumbai. They are shouting as though they are selling some ware. The speaker blare loudly offering fifty percent discount on the Geeta.
It leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.
Firstly what they are selling is a translation with commentary (with the original verses) by somebody, how so ever he may be respectful, but they shout on top of their voice,"Geeta, fifty percent discount, discounted rate, buy now!"
What people of other religious affiliation may be thinking?
Is this the way we treat the Song of lord Krishna to Arjun, recorded by Lord Ganesh, dictated by Veda vyasa, described by Sanjay to Drithrastra and then commented upon by so many illustrious people starting from the Adi Shankara himself?
Can one sell the Geeta and that to at a discounted price?
It happens only in India.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Your seal on life or God's seal on you?
Indian palmistry – Samudrika shastra as it is called. There are very few books published on this in the English language.
Indian palmistry has many systems.
The major one is the Samudrik (purported to come from Samudra- Ocean) it may also mean Sa + Mudra i.e. with mudra. Mudras are special gestures made with the palm in Indian classical dances, during Pooja, mantra and Tantra sadhana and also in Yog sadhana. Mudra also means a seal.
So in a way your fate is sealed or you may leave your seal on life.
Like that song in Karma (Hindi movie).
The second is popular in Southern India called the Kartikeya system, named after the warrior son of Lord Shiva.
Then there is the third system followed by Nadi system.
Few of the books published on these different systems that I have come across dealing with the above systems are
1) Bhat’s treatise on Indian school of palmistry.
2) Samudrika Shastra by K.C.Sen (Taraporewala publications)
3) Sariraka shastra by Iyer (Taraporewala publication)
4) Shri R.G.Rao’s books on Nadi system.
The first book was published in 1938. It is a small book and I believe is out of print.
It was written by B. R. Bhat an advocate from Mumbai who was also an editor of the Coimbatore Times.
Samudrik Shastra gives much importance to the various auspicious figures found on the palm; Let me list a few of them.
Trident, wheel, elephant goad, Flag, Swastika, bow, umbrella, Sun, moon, houses, horse, elephant, mountains, lotus, chariot, sword, rosary, conch, fish, pot, arrow, serpent, scorpion, eye, ear ring, creeper, grain of barley, hand held mirror and many more.
People who study this for the first time are at a loss as to how to locate these in the palm, especially those who have studied the western palmistry books. Many are turned off by these description and hence do not take seriously these symbols (it doesn’t look scientific enough - whatever that means).
But there is a new type of palmistry introduced in the west by Judith Hipskind (google it) which is reading of the lines on the knuckles of fingers at the back of the hand (the nail side). She also talks of many such figures found therein and believe me this is latest type of Palmistry. So obviously our ancestors knew what they were talking and it is just that we don’t understand properly.
Indian palmistry has many systems.
The major one is the Samudrik (purported to come from Samudra- Ocean) it may also mean Sa + Mudra i.e. with mudra. Mudras are special gestures made with the palm in Indian classical dances, during Pooja, mantra and Tantra sadhana and also in Yog sadhana. Mudra also means a seal.
So in a way your fate is sealed or you may leave your seal on life.
Like that song in Karma (Hindi movie).
The second is popular in Southern India called the Kartikeya system, named after the warrior son of Lord Shiva.
Then there is the third system followed by Nadi system.
Few of the books published on these different systems that I have come across dealing with the above systems are
1) Bhat’s treatise on Indian school of palmistry.
2) Samudrika Shastra by K.C.Sen (Taraporewala publications)
3) Sariraka shastra by Iyer (Taraporewala publication)
4) Shri R.G.Rao’s books on Nadi system.
The first book was published in 1938. It is a small book and I believe is out of print.
It was written by B. R. Bhat an advocate from Mumbai who was also an editor of the Coimbatore Times.
Samudrik Shastra gives much importance to the various auspicious figures found on the palm; Let me list a few of them.
Trident, wheel, elephant goad, Flag, Swastika, bow, umbrella, Sun, moon, houses, horse, elephant, mountains, lotus, chariot, sword, rosary, conch, fish, pot, arrow, serpent, scorpion, eye, ear ring, creeper, grain of barley, hand held mirror and many more.
People who study this for the first time are at a loss as to how to locate these in the palm, especially those who have studied the western palmistry books. Many are turned off by these description and hence do not take seriously these symbols (it doesn’t look scientific enough - whatever that means).
But there is a new type of palmistry introduced in the west by Judith Hipskind (google it) which is reading of the lines on the knuckles of fingers at the back of the hand (the nail side). She also talks of many such figures found therein and believe me this is latest type of Palmistry. So obviously our ancestors knew what they were talking and it is just that we don’t understand properly.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Submerged in Air.
I wonder if the fishes and other aquatic creatures are aware of the water they are submerged in.
For them it will be very much like air is for us.
Even we don't give a second thought to the fact that we are submerged in air.
This air that we breath in and out and on which our life is dependent is shared by all air breathing animals plants and sundry.
In fact it connect us to everybody else not only from the present but also from the future.
When I inhale air iam infact inhaling the world and when i exhale i spread out into the world.
For them it will be very much like air is for us.
Even we don't give a second thought to the fact that we are submerged in air.
This air that we breath in and out and on which our life is dependent is shared by all air breathing animals plants and sundry.
In fact it connect us to everybody else not only from the present but also from the future.
When I inhale air iam infact inhaling the world and when i exhale i spread out into the world.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Many dimensions.
Astrology can be seen or useful in many dimensional ways.
Let me try to make it clearer
One dimensional: this is your popular sun sign astrology, wherein all the population of this world is herded into twelve categories or zodiac signs. This is the most popular form and also the reason for criticisms directed towards Astrology by the so called informed elite.
Two dimensional: the form of astrology that casts a birth chart for the place time and date of birth for a person and tries to predict about the persons life. This is more personal and useful form of Astrology.
Three dimensional: This form is also like the two dimensional one but details of the person’s relatives and friend are also predicted. Predictions about parents, siblings, spouse?s , children( number and sex and there future) business partners etc.
Four dimensional: in addition to all that details of past generations (forefathers), past lives of the person himself is also dealt.
Multidimensional: prediction regarding the world, events which effect large body of people and nations, weather, earthquakes, market fluctuations etc.
During my study of Astrology i graduated form the first (Remember Linda Goodman's Sun sign) and now i am studying the third. In between i was studying a system of astrology developed by Manubhai Shah called the Shah's system of prediction which I will callas two dimensional.
Not many people are aware of this system. It is fairly simplistic and very easy to learn.
I will try to give more info on this system on future posts, I feel it needs to be more widely known and learnt as i believe it has almost disappeared after the demise of its progenitor.
Let me try to make it clearer
One dimensional: this is your popular sun sign astrology, wherein all the population of this world is herded into twelve categories or zodiac signs. This is the most popular form and also the reason for criticisms directed towards Astrology by the so called informed elite.
Two dimensional: the form of astrology that casts a birth chart for the place time and date of birth for a person and tries to predict about the persons life. This is more personal and useful form of Astrology.
Three dimensional: This form is also like the two dimensional one but details of the person’s relatives and friend are also predicted. Predictions about parents, siblings, spouse?s , children( number and sex and there future) business partners etc.
Four dimensional: in addition to all that details of past generations (forefathers), past lives of the person himself is also dealt.
Multidimensional: prediction regarding the world, events which effect large body of people and nations, weather, earthquakes, market fluctuations etc.
During my study of Astrology i graduated form the first (Remember Linda Goodman's Sun sign) and now i am studying the third. In between i was studying a system of astrology developed by Manubhai Shah called the Shah's system of prediction which I will callas two dimensional.
Not many people are aware of this system. It is fairly simplistic and very easy to learn.
I will try to give more info on this system on future posts, I feel it needs to be more widely known and learnt as i believe it has almost disappeared after the demise of its progenitor.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Issue of Issues
There are many couples out there who have problems having children.
There are many ways to overcome this - medically, through blessings of someone, through remedial measures of Mantras and Tantra.
Now don’t throw up (your hands) in despair hearing this, maybe for some - superstitious thing. Things some people feel is foolish to believe, in this scientific age. Please bear with me.
There is a specific remedy which was advised to two childless couples. And both the Ladies are today proud mothers of healthy babies.
It is a combination of two techniques Tantra and the Gayatri mantra with samputa of varun beeja.
The technique of Tantra is given in Pundit Rajmani Tigunait's book - "Tantra Unveiled". You will be able to get it from any bookstore or order from here.
Since it is copyright material I won’t be giving it here. Buy the book it is surely more worth than the money you spend on it.
In that book there is a technique given for doing Sadhana of the Gayatri linked to Sri Vidya tradition and Soundarya Lahari sloka 24. It is a sadhana for forty odd days and all the rules have to be strictly followed.
The only change or addition to this is to put the samputa of Vam beeja three times as given in Pundit Sanjay Raths book "Vedic remedies in Astrology".
Either the Husband or the wife can perform this or both.
There are many ways to overcome this - medically, through blessings of someone, through remedial measures of Mantras and Tantra.
Now don’t throw up (your hands) in despair hearing this, maybe for some - superstitious thing. Things some people feel is foolish to believe, in this scientific age. Please bear with me.
There is a specific remedy which was advised to two childless couples. And both the Ladies are today proud mothers of healthy babies.
It is a combination of two techniques Tantra and the Gayatri mantra with samputa of varun beeja.
The technique of Tantra is given in Pundit Rajmani Tigunait's book - "Tantra Unveiled". You will be able to get it from any bookstore or order from here.
Since it is copyright material I won’t be giving it here. Buy the book it is surely more worth than the money you spend on it.
In that book there is a technique given for doing Sadhana of the Gayatri linked to Sri Vidya tradition and Soundarya Lahari sloka 24. It is a sadhana for forty odd days and all the rules have to be strictly followed.
The only change or addition to this is to put the samputa of Vam beeja three times as given in Pundit Sanjay Raths book "Vedic remedies in Astrology".
Either the Husband or the wife can perform this or both.
Friday, November 24, 2006
A fly in my brain soup
Please help me in solving my predicament; actually it may be quiet simple for some but for a dunce head like me it is a very difficult problem
you see one day while boarding in a local train (like the subway system) a house fly also got in, not that I noticed him (or was it her?). Flies tend to be very inconspicuous till they find something that interests them. As the train started moving the fly started buzzing around as is their wont. The train gathered speed and soon it was speeding about 80 Kph. the fly was buzzing around casually.
I wondered what speed the fly was traveling.
Was it 80 km Per Hour plus the speed it was flying when it was in the direction the train was traveling, why it did not crash into the bogie when it was traveling in the opposite direction?
Basically it was not touching any part of the train when it flew about.
And when it landed on some part of the bogie did it have to adjust its speed to compensate for the speed of the train?
Did it have to make extra effort to stay afloat? if so then it must be using tremendous amount of energy and it should have tired easily. But it was doing it very calmly and didn’t look fazed out or disoriented and was merrily buzzing.
It looked like for the fly the train was stationary.
I wracked my brains this way and that but just could not come up with a convincing explanation
Please help me as I am not able to sleep in the night, there seems to be a Fly in my brain mocking my ignorance.
Thanks in advance.
you see one day while boarding in a local train (like the subway system) a house fly also got in, not that I noticed him (or was it her?). Flies tend to be very inconspicuous till they find something that interests them. As the train started moving the fly started buzzing around as is their wont. The train gathered speed and soon it was speeding about 80 Kph. the fly was buzzing around casually.
I wondered what speed the fly was traveling.
Was it 80 km Per Hour plus the speed it was flying when it was in the direction the train was traveling, why it did not crash into the bogie when it was traveling in the opposite direction?
Basically it was not touching any part of the train when it flew about.
And when it landed on some part of the bogie did it have to adjust its speed to compensate for the speed of the train?
Did it have to make extra effort to stay afloat? if so then it must be using tremendous amount of energy and it should have tired easily. But it was doing it very calmly and didn’t look fazed out or disoriented and was merrily buzzing.
It looked like for the fly the train was stationary.
I wracked my brains this way and that but just could not come up with a convincing explanation
Please help me as I am not able to sleep in the night, there seems to be a Fly in my brain mocking my ignorance.
Thanks in advance.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Little death
"It's not that I'm afraid to die.
I just don't want to be there when it happens."-Woody Allen
Many traditions (specially Tibetan) talk of little death - a sort of precursor to total enlightenment.
we also have accounts of Masters who underwent this experience
Nisargadatta referred to it in his talks
Maharishi Raman's account is very famous
And the least expected UG (Krishnamurhty) also talks of it
we have accounts of Shirdi Sai also in such a state.
many more can be added to this list.
Ofcourse trust the French to use the phrase to describe this.
I just don't want to be there when it happens."-Woody Allen
Many traditions (specially Tibetan) talk of little death - a sort of precursor to total enlightenment.
we also have accounts of Masters who underwent this experience
Nisargadatta referred to it in his talks
Maharishi Raman's account is very famous
And the least expected UG (Krishnamurhty) also talks of it
we have accounts of Shirdi Sai also in such a state.
many more can be added to this list.
Ofcourse trust the French to use the phrase to describe this.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
The ocean of becoming.
The Bhav saagar as this world is called in scriptures, what does it mean?
Bhav is to become and sagar means ocean so literally it means the ocean of becoming.
Bhav may also mean to happen, as in blessings e.g. Ayushmaan bhav (may you be blessed
with long life)
This world of mine is constantly becoming something all the time.
what creats this constant change?
It is Bhaavana (may be translated as emotions) and therefore she is called Bhavaani.
She tosses us as she wishes through bhaavana and she is also the one to makes us cross this
ocean of constantly becoming (bhav saagar) hence she is called Bhavtaarini.
Bhav is to become and sagar means ocean so literally it means the ocean of becoming.
Bhav may also mean to happen, as in blessings e.g. Ayushmaan bhav (may you be blessed
with long life)
This world of mine is constantly becoming something all the time.
what creats this constant change?
It is Bhaavana (may be translated as emotions) and therefore she is called Bhavaani.
She tosses us as she wishes through bhaavana and she is also the one to makes us cross this
ocean of constantly becoming (bhav saagar) hence she is called Bhavtaarini.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Yoyo, world on a string.
Long ago men believed that matter was the end all and most obvious thing and that there is nothing more to it.
Then along came few men and showed that matter was really made up of Atoms (very very minute things), which in turn was made up of protons, neutrons and what not! (Phew!).
Many scoffed at what they understood these few men as claiming that matter = discontinuous space.
Long ago men believed that space was measurable and unchangeable.
Then came along a few men (me thinks these few men had no other work than coming along) and showed that space was a relative (not uncle, aunt, bro, sis or any such relatives) idea or notion based on the observer. They showed that a straight line is actually a curve and that it is possible for parallel lines to meet (a married mans best kept secret).
These few men (yea them again) termed these as quantum mechanics (these for studying the atoms, Microcosm) and the other one (the one that describes vast space and time, in fact daring to go to the beginning itself) as general theory of relativity. They found light to be a peculiar fellow, one whose speed remained constant whether you go towards it or move away from it. This they took as constant (this is equivalent to our feeling of being present here and now, which never varies and is always constant).
These few men now wanted to marry the two so that the progeny would be able to reconcile the micro and the macro.
But alas! This was not to be.
So these few men now tried to come along and show their G-strings, oops sorry what I meant was their new theory that ultimately everything was made up of strings. Now time for some poetry or else you may go scurrying to the next blog.
In this new millennium superstring theory or simply string theory resolves the tension between general relativity and quantum mechanics. According to string theory, the marriage of the laws of the large and the small is not only happy but also inevitable. String theory has the inherent capability to show that all of the astonishing happenings in the universe-from the frenzied dance of subatomic quarks (components of protons or neutrons) to the stately dance of orbiting binary stars, from the primordial fireball of the big bang to the majestic whirl of celestial galaxies-- are reflections of one grand physical principle, one master equation.
A time arose when there were five different string theories and it could no longer be called G string theory (typo- it should be the string theory).
After much head wracking these few men came up with the eleventh dimension (did I tell you that they already had ten dimensions? While we poo’ folks still are wallowing in three).
Don’t believe me? Then see this from the same inspiring source (link) above.
EXTRA DIMENSIONS:
It is taken for granted that our universe has three spatial (length, width and height) dimensions. In formulating the general theory of relativity Einstein showed time is another dimension. According to general relativity space and time communicate the gravitational force through their curvature. Special theory of relativity is Einstein's laws of space and time in the absence of gravity. In 1919 Theodor Kaluza, a Polish mathematician suggested that the universe might have more than the three spatial dimensions. For example, a garden hose viewed from a long distance looks like a one-dimensional object. When magnified (when looked closely), a second dimension-one that is in the shape of a circle and is curled around the house-becomes visible. The direction along the length of the hose is long, extended, and easily visible. The direction circling around the thickness of the hose is short, "curled up," and harder to see. Hence spatial dimensions are of two types. They can be large, extended, and therefore directly evident, or they can be small, curled up, and much more difficult to detect. In the case of the garden hose, the "curled-up" dimension encircling the thickness of the hose is detected either going closer the hose or using a pair of binoculars from a distance. If the garden hose is as thin as a hair or a capillary, then its curled-up dimension is more difficult to detect.
Kaluza proposed that the spatial fabric of the universe might possess more than three dimensions of everyday experience. He showed by having four spatial dimensions, Einstein's general relativity and Maxwell's electromagnetic theory can be unified into a single theory. In 1926 Oskar Klein, a Swedish mathematician showed that the spatial fabric of our universe may have both extended (the three spatial dimensions of everyday experience) and curled-up dimensions. The additional dimensions in the universe are tightly curled up into a tiny space- a space so tiny that it has so far eluded detection by even our most advanced experimental equipment.
The equations of string theory show that the universe has nine space dimensions and one time dimension. Why is it that three space and one time dimensions are large and extended while all of the others are tiny and curled up? At present there is no answer to this question.
1 dimension of time + 9 dimensions (6 hidden and 3 known) of space = 10 dimensions
The few men were praying very hard to their God of strings and finally He/She answered the prayers with M theory (No not the money theory- which we all know as the Theory of everything).
What else can "M" stands for?
According to its creator, Ed Witten(one of those few men), as quoted in the PBS documentary based on Brian Greene's book "The Elegant Universe", the "M" in M-theory "stands for magic, mystery, or matrix, according to taste." He also added, "Some cynics have occasionally suggested that M also stands for 'murky,' because our level of understanding of the theory is in fact so primitive." Then, jokingly, he said, "Maybe I shouldn't have told you that!"
Skeptics of M-theory have joked that the "M" means "Moronic" or "Moron!"
Yes yes I know you could add a few more.
So in the end these few men quietly added another dimension when no one else was looking (see my first post) to make it eleven dimensions in all.
This theory showed that they were all part of the same theory M theory, which described the cosmos made of string all weaved in a fabric in eleven dimensions.
M-theory: theory emerging from the second superstring revolution that unites the previous five superstring theories within a single overarching framework. M-theory appears to be a theory involving eleven space time dimensions, although many of its detailed properties have yet to be understood.
See how close they are to the definition of Tantra?
Tantra: Weaving.
Tantra (Sanskrit: "weave" denoting continuity
Tantra. A system of spiritual beliefs and practices said to be derived from Sanskrit Roots signifying: "body" because of its emphasis on bodily activities; "stretch" because it extends the faculties of humans; "Rope" because it secures the devotee to deity; "Harp" for the music and beauty of its philosophy; "Interior ness" for the secrecy of its doctrine; "Loom" suggesting the 2 cosmic principles, male and female, that make up the warp and woof of the woven fabric of the universe.
Remember “yat brahmaanda tat pindaanda” , eleven Rudras?
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-theory_(simplified)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_theory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory
http://www-c.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/glossary.html
Then along came few men and showed that matter was really made up of Atoms (very very minute things), which in turn was made up of protons, neutrons and what not! (Phew!).
Many scoffed at what they understood these few men as claiming that matter = discontinuous space.
Long ago men believed that space was measurable and unchangeable.
Then came along a few men (me thinks these few men had no other work than coming along) and showed that space was a relative (not uncle, aunt, bro, sis or any such relatives) idea or notion based on the observer. They showed that a straight line is actually a curve and that it is possible for parallel lines to meet (a married mans best kept secret).
These few men (yea them again) termed these as quantum mechanics (these for studying the atoms, Microcosm) and the other one (the one that describes vast space and time, in fact daring to go to the beginning itself) as general theory of relativity. They found light to be a peculiar fellow, one whose speed remained constant whether you go towards it or move away from it. This they took as constant (this is equivalent to our feeling of being present here and now, which never varies and is always constant).
These few men now wanted to marry the two so that the progeny would be able to reconcile the micro and the macro.
But alas! This was not to be.
So these few men now tried to come along and show their G-strings, oops sorry what I meant was their new theory that ultimately everything was made up of strings. Now time for some poetry or else you may go scurrying to the next blog.
In this new millennium superstring theory or simply string theory resolves the tension between general relativity and quantum mechanics. According to string theory, the marriage of the laws of the large and the small is not only happy but also inevitable. String theory has the inherent capability to show that all of the astonishing happenings in the universe-from the frenzied dance of subatomic quarks (components of protons or neutrons) to the stately dance of orbiting binary stars, from the primordial fireball of the big bang to the majestic whirl of celestial galaxies-- are reflections of one grand physical principle, one master equation.
Wow!! I never knew that I had talent for poetry also, even if it is inspired from some web site: http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_1_50/understanding_string_theory.htm
A time arose when there were five different string theories and it could no longer be called G string theory (typo- it should be the string theory).
After much head wracking these few men came up with the eleventh dimension (did I tell you that they already had ten dimensions? While we poo’ folks still are wallowing in three).
Don’t believe me? Then see this from the same inspiring source (link) above.
EXTRA DIMENSIONS:
It is taken for granted that our universe has three spatial (length, width and height) dimensions. In formulating the general theory of relativity Einstein showed time is another dimension. According to general relativity space and time communicate the gravitational force through their curvature. Special theory of relativity is Einstein's laws of space and time in the absence of gravity. In 1919 Theodor Kaluza, a Polish mathematician suggested that the universe might have more than the three spatial dimensions. For example, a garden hose viewed from a long distance looks like a one-dimensional object. When magnified (when looked closely), a second dimension-one that is in the shape of a circle and is curled around the house-becomes visible. The direction along the length of the hose is long, extended, and easily visible. The direction circling around the thickness of the hose is short, "curled up," and harder to see. Hence spatial dimensions are of two types. They can be large, extended, and therefore directly evident, or they can be small, curled up, and much more difficult to detect. In the case of the garden hose, the "curled-up" dimension encircling the thickness of the hose is detected either going closer the hose or using a pair of binoculars from a distance. If the garden hose is as thin as a hair or a capillary, then its curled-up dimension is more difficult to detect.
Kaluza proposed that the spatial fabric of the universe might possess more than three dimensions of everyday experience. He showed by having four spatial dimensions, Einstein's general relativity and Maxwell's electromagnetic theory can be unified into a single theory. In 1926 Oskar Klein, a Swedish mathematician showed that the spatial fabric of our universe may have both extended (the three spatial dimensions of everyday experience) and curled-up dimensions. The additional dimensions in the universe are tightly curled up into a tiny space- a space so tiny that it has so far eluded detection by even our most advanced experimental equipment.
The equations of string theory show that the universe has nine space dimensions and one time dimension. Why is it that three space and one time dimensions are large and extended while all of the others are tiny and curled up? At present there is no answer to this question.
1 dimension of time + 9 dimensions (6 hidden and 3 known) of space = 10 dimensions
The few men were praying very hard to their God of strings and finally He/She answered the prayers with M theory (No not the money theory- which we all know as the Theory of everything).
What else can "M" stands for?
According to its creator, Ed Witten(one of those few men), as quoted in the PBS documentary based on Brian Greene's book "The Elegant Universe", the "M" in M-theory "stands for magic, mystery, or matrix, according to taste." He also added, "Some cynics have occasionally suggested that M also stands for 'murky,' because our level of understanding of the theory is in fact so primitive." Then, jokingly, he said, "Maybe I shouldn't have told you that!"
Skeptics of M-theory have joked that the "M" means "Moronic" or "Moron!"
Yes yes I know you could add a few more.
So in the end these few men quietly added another dimension when no one else was looking (see my first post) to make it eleven dimensions in all.
This theory showed that they were all part of the same theory M theory, which described the cosmos made of string all weaved in a fabric in eleven dimensions.
M-theory: theory emerging from the second superstring revolution that unites the previous five superstring theories within a single overarching framework. M-theory appears to be a theory involving eleven space time dimensions, although many of its detailed properties have yet to be understood.
See how close they are to the definition of Tantra?
Tantra: Weaving.
Tantra (Sanskrit: "weave" denoting continuity
Tantra. A system of spiritual beliefs and practices said to be derived from Sanskrit Roots signifying: "body" because of its emphasis on bodily activities; "stretch" because it extends the faculties of humans; "Rope" because it secures the devotee to deity; "Harp" for the music and beauty of its philosophy; "Interior ness" for the secrecy of its doctrine; "Loom" suggesting the 2 cosmic principles, male and female, that make up the warp and woof of the woven fabric of the universe.
Remember “yat brahmaanda tat pindaanda” , eleven Rudras?
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-theory_(simplified)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_theory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory
http://www-c.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/glossary.html
Friday, October 13, 2006
Peanuts.
India is a store house of deep practical and utilitarian knowledge as far as simple remedies to keep good health goes. One such remedy is of the Peanuts or groundnuts. Peanut or groundnut or our humble Sheng, the poor mans Badam (Almond) as colloquially referred to in India is a panacea for people who suffer from regular cough and cold related problems.
Actually it is a very simple remedy, it works like this-
Have a handful of roasted peanuts, chew thoroughly and then don’t drink or have any liquid or solid food (especially water) for at least an hour and half. You may feel thirsty but remember not to have any water. After this stipulated time may have normal diet. This is simple remedy help to keep you immune from cold and cough related problems and boosts your immune system to fight against them.
Warning:
Those who are allergic to peanuts should not do this remedy.
For the others please don’t drink anything for the stipulated time otherwise you will get a very bad attack of cough when you catch cold. This cough will refuse to go away easily.
From wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut
The peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is a species in the legume family Fabaceae native to South America. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing to 30 to 50 cm (1 to 1 1/2 feet) tall. The leaves are alternate, pinnate with four leaflets (two opposite pairs; no terminal leaflet), each leaflet 1 to 7 cm (1/3 to 2.75 inches) long and 1 to 3 cm (1/3 to 1 inch) broad. The flowers are a typical peaflower in shape, 2 to 4 cm (3/4 to one and a half inches) across, yellow with reddish veining. After pollination, the fruit develops into a legume 3 to 7 cm (1 to 2 inches) long containing 2 to 3 (rarely 1 or 4) seeds, which forces its way underground to mature.
Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the fruit of the peanut is a woody, indehiscent legume or pod and not technically a nut.
Peanuts are also known as earthnuts, goobers, goober peas, pindas, jack nuts, pinders, manila nuts and monkey nuts (the last of these is often used to mean the entire pod, not just the seeds).
* Allergies from peanuts
Although many people enjoy foods made with peanuts, some people have severe allergic reactions. For people with peanut allergy, exposure can cause fatal anaphylactic shock. For these individuals, eating a single peanut or just breathing the dust from peanuts can cause a fatal reaction. An allergic reaction also can be triggered by eating foods that have been processed with machines that have previously processed peanuts, making avoiding such foods difficult.
A theory of the development of peanut allergy has to do with the way that peanuts are processed in North America versus other countries like China and India. Peanuts are widely eaten in China and India but the prevalence of peanut allergies is almost unheard of there. According to a 2003 study, roasting peanuts, as more commonly done in North America, causes the major peanut allergen Ara h2 to become a stronger inhibitor of the digestive enzyme trypsin, making it more resistant to digestion.[1] Additionally, this allergen has also been shown to protect Ara h1, another major peanut allergen, from digestion- a characteristic further enhanced by roasting.[1]
Though the allergy can last a lifetime, another 2003 study indicates that 23.3% of children will outgrow a peanut allergy.[2]
Peanut allergy has been associated with the use of skin preparations containing peanut oil among children, but the evidence is not regarded as conclusive.[3] Peanut allergies have also been associated with family history and intake of soy products.[4]
Some school districts have banned peanuts, and there is now an experimental drug being tested to combat this allergy, called TNX-901.
As the peanut is a member of the legume family unrelated to other nuts, individuals with peanut allergies may not be allergic to the other types of nuts, and vice-versa.
Many such remedies have been lost, while we run after ever rising medical cost in our modern lifestyle.
Actually it is a very simple remedy, it works like this-
Have a handful of roasted peanuts, chew thoroughly and then don’t drink or have any liquid or solid food (especially water) for at least an hour and half. You may feel thirsty but remember not to have any water. After this stipulated time may have normal diet. This is simple remedy help to keep you immune from cold and cough related problems and boosts your immune system to fight against them.
Warning:
Those who are allergic to peanuts should not do this remedy.
For the others please don’t drink anything for the stipulated time otherwise you will get a very bad attack of cough when you catch cold. This cough will refuse to go away easily.
From wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut
The peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is a species in the legume family Fabaceae native to South America. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing to 30 to 50 cm (1 to 1 1/2 feet) tall. The leaves are alternate, pinnate with four leaflets (two opposite pairs; no terminal leaflet), each leaflet 1 to 7 cm (1/3 to 2.75 inches) long and 1 to 3 cm (1/3 to 1 inch) broad. The flowers are a typical peaflower in shape, 2 to 4 cm (3/4 to one and a half inches) across, yellow with reddish veining. After pollination, the fruit develops into a legume 3 to 7 cm (1 to 2 inches) long containing 2 to 3 (rarely 1 or 4) seeds, which forces its way underground to mature.
Although a nut in the culinary sense, in the botanical sense the fruit of the peanut is a woody, indehiscent legume or pod and not technically a nut.
Peanuts are also known as earthnuts, goobers, goober peas, pindas, jack nuts, pinders, manila nuts and monkey nuts (the last of these is often used to mean the entire pod, not just the seeds).
* Allergies from peanuts
Although many people enjoy foods made with peanuts, some people have severe allergic reactions. For people with peanut allergy, exposure can cause fatal anaphylactic shock. For these individuals, eating a single peanut or just breathing the dust from peanuts can cause a fatal reaction. An allergic reaction also can be triggered by eating foods that have been processed with machines that have previously processed peanuts, making avoiding such foods difficult.
A theory of the development of peanut allergy has to do with the way that peanuts are processed in North America versus other countries like China and India. Peanuts are widely eaten in China and India but the prevalence of peanut allergies is almost unheard of there. According to a 2003 study, roasting peanuts, as more commonly done in North America, causes the major peanut allergen Ara h2 to become a stronger inhibitor of the digestive enzyme trypsin, making it more resistant to digestion.[1] Additionally, this allergen has also been shown to protect Ara h1, another major peanut allergen, from digestion- a characteristic further enhanced by roasting.[1]
Though the allergy can last a lifetime, another 2003 study indicates that 23.3% of children will outgrow a peanut allergy.[2]
Peanut allergy has been associated with the use of skin preparations containing peanut oil among children, but the evidence is not regarded as conclusive.[3] Peanut allergies have also been associated with family history and intake of soy products.[4]
Some school districts have banned peanuts, and there is now an experimental drug being tested to combat this allergy, called TNX-901.
As the peanut is a member of the legume family unrelated to other nuts, individuals with peanut allergies may not be allergic to the other types of nuts, and vice-versa.
Many such remedies have been lost, while we run after ever rising medical cost in our modern lifestyle.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Mind the content of consciousness.
The first thing that confronts a Spiritual aspirant on the path is his own mind.
So it is very important to understand what this mind is.
We know the mind to be a space somewhere inside our skull which is always buzzing with thoughts. When we try to come to grip with it we are bewildered by the complexities of this most intimate functioning and we thought it was only a mind- My mind at that. one on which I have total control, and we soon realize we were mistaken.
So it bides us well if we could come to an understanding of the "MIND".
Nisargadutt Maharaja terms mind as the content of consciousness (Pragnya).
Consciousness has many levels or layers. We will here deal with only two levels -
Normal conscious (that which a person is aware of)
Sub-conscious (that which the person is not normally aware)
The sub conscious is said to be more powerful in that it is ninety percent of our mental faculty.
the conscious is only ten percent.
This can be demonstrated by ice in a container of water.
(This is not a good image of the phenomenon of ice floating on water but the only good one i could find on the web)
The ice and water are both made of the same stuff but ice being less dense floats on water.
The Part of ice which sticks out of water is one-tenth the total volume of the ice and the rest nine-tenth is submerged below water.
This is very much like our mind. The part that peeks above water is the conscious, the submerged part is the sub-conscious and the water is of course the world mind. Our mind is derived or made up from the world mind only but because of our denseness (here we differ from ice) we feel we are different from the world mind.
One more thing that is noticed (not iced?) is that while the so called conscious part is not at all in touch with the world mind. Where as the sub-conscious is surrounded and in touch with the world mind from all sides.
cont.........
So it is very important to understand what this mind is.
We know the mind to be a space somewhere inside our skull which is always buzzing with thoughts. When we try to come to grip with it we are bewildered by the complexities of this most intimate functioning and we thought it was only a mind- My mind at that. one on which I have total control, and we soon realize we were mistaken.
So it bides us well if we could come to an understanding of the "MIND".
Nisargadutt Maharaja terms mind as the content of consciousness (Pragnya).
Consciousness has many levels or layers. We will here deal with only two levels -
Normal conscious (that which a person is aware of)
Sub-conscious (that which the person is not normally aware)
The sub conscious is said to be more powerful in that it is ninety percent of our mental faculty.
the conscious is only ten percent.
This can be demonstrated by ice in a container of water.
(This is not a good image of the phenomenon of ice floating on water but the only good one i could find on the web)
The ice and water are both made of the same stuff but ice being less dense floats on water.
The Part of ice which sticks out of water is one-tenth the total volume of the ice and the rest nine-tenth is submerged below water.
This is very much like our mind. The part that peeks above water is the conscious, the submerged part is the sub-conscious and the water is of course the world mind. Our mind is derived or made up from the world mind only but because of our denseness (here we differ from ice) we feel we are different from the world mind.
One more thing that is noticed (not iced?) is that while the so called conscious part is not at all in touch with the world mind. Where as the sub-conscious is surrounded and in touch with the world mind from all sides.
cont.........
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Satguru's words and its effects.
Sant Gadge maharj .
Article from here:http://www.mahawssd.gov.in/sgb/StudyofSgb.htm
About Sant Gadge Baba
Who was this man -- Gadge Maharaj -- who can motivate from his grave the simple folk of India, in a manner money could not?
Full name Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar later known as Sant Gadge baba. He was born on 13 February 1876 in Shedgaon a village in Amaravati Dt of Maharashtra. His father was a dhobi and a small time farmer but a hopeless drunkard. The bewildered young boy went to grow up in his uncle's care. When he was a young man - married with a child- misery continued to chase him. His farm was possessed by a money lender who drove him and his family away. He then began to labour for a wage.
"One day as he ran around busily chasing birds raiding grain, a sadhu happened to pass by. He saw the panting young man and began to laugh loudly. "Do you think you own the grain?" asked the mendicant. That was the young man's aha moment. He walked out and into the world. And thus began a life that lives on in the collective memory of our humble people.
"Till his death in 1956 Gadge Maharaj traveled everywhere in the then Bombay Presidency. Packed to the hilt it would arrive in a village. Every morning began with 2 hours of sweeping and cleaning. Not a drop of water passed his lips till he had done that. He affected people everywhere. Money poured in for his projects. He built inns, schools, animal shelters and medical centres that thrive till this day. Yet the Maharaj stayed rarely for more a couple of days at any place. He was forever in a hurry and on a mission."
The Do-It-Yourself Preacher:
"For many of us, Gadge Maharaj was Gandhi's equal or greater.
He was a big man who dressed to attract attention. He wore his eating pan on his head and always carried a broom in in his hands.
On arrival in a village he would lead his entourage in briskly sweeping the streets clean.
His meetings --satsangs-- would begin with a token nod to God and quicky arrive at his pet themes.
"Give" was his keyword.
"Give food to the hungry, shelter to the needy, clothes to the naked, protection to animals and trees, aid for girls' marriages," he would say.
"Live clean and simple.
Shun intoxicants.
Care for the environment."
During 51 years of his active life. Sant ji set up a net work of public works
31 educational institutions,
17 Dharma-Shalas,
several Goshalas, Ghats, Charitable Dispensaries,
11-Hostals,
5-Girls Schools, one Mahila Ashram and one High-school in Maharasthra.
His most important activities were physical achievements for cease-less and uncompromising efforts to eradicate superstitions, belief in super- natural powers, boon seeking habits etc.
He complained for the removal of drinking, wasteful expenditure, dowry, child marriage etc.
He denounced casteism, untouchability, exploitation of man by man, exploitation of agricultural labour by peasant ant that of the peasants by traders, money lenders and shopkeepers.
He also opposed the exploitation and ill-treatment of the devotees at the religious places.
He used to say that the education is must to all.
India has been blessed with many realized souls, Baba is unique because he rose from a poor and debtridden farmer to becoming a lighthouse to many a beliwered people stepped in superstition
and illitracy. He showed them the value of cleanliness, education and many of their erroneous flawed thinking. This he did in their own language and imagery they understood.
Such is the effect of the word of the Sadguru for a ripe disciple.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Maayaa: Not the animation software but the real thing(so to speak)
Continuing from previous post
Maya or Maayaa as I like to write is defined in Wikipedia as:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(illusion)
Maya (Sanskrit māyā, from mā "not" and yā "this"), in Hinduism, is a term describing many things. Maya is the illusion that the phenomenal world of separate objects and people is the only reality. For the mystics this manifestation is real, but it is a fleeting reality; it is a mistake, although a natural one, to believe that maya represents a fundamental reality. Each person, each physical object, from the perspective of eternity is like a brief, disturbed drop of water from an unbounded ocean. The goal of enlightenment is to understand this—more precisely, to experience this: to see intuitively that the distinction between the self and the universe is a false dichotomy. The distinction between consciousness and physical matter, between mind and body, is the result of an unenlightened perspective.
That was wikipedia definition -am not in total agreement.
According to Nisargadutt Maharaj the phenomenal world (that which we experience as the outside world) is not an illusion but an integral part of ourself in that our sense of presence (that fact that we know we exist) and the phenomenal world can never be separated because it is one and the same - both are interlinked and both arise simultaneously.
This is the Samarasa that Gorakshnath spoke about in his definition of Truth.
What is Maayaa (or Maya) is the sense of differentiation between the phenomenal world and "I". This sense of differentiation arises because we take this "I” to be a person and the world to be the perceived.
Realization is the understanding of this belief to be a fallacy. The realization that this person is a product of the world in which "i" had and still have no role to play. The name was given to "i" by the world. It was told that it was born and it accepts this blatant lie and it is this acceptance which is Maayaa (or Maya).
Astrologically 1st house is this sense of presence and the 7th house is the doorway to the phenomenal world and we have seen above that both are same, we cannot separate the two. This I feel is the reason why the Arudha cannot fall in the 1st and 7th from it.
Also 7th is the house of your conception and your final destination at the end of this life.
Maya or Maayaa as I like to write is defined in Wikipedia as:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(illusion)
Maya (Sanskrit māyā, from mā "not" and yā "this"), in Hinduism, is a term describing many things. Maya is the illusion that the phenomenal world of separate objects and people is the only reality. For the mystics this manifestation is real, but it is a fleeting reality; it is a mistake, although a natural one, to believe that maya represents a fundamental reality. Each person, each physical object, from the perspective of eternity is like a brief, disturbed drop of water from an unbounded ocean. The goal of enlightenment is to understand this—more precisely, to experience this: to see intuitively that the distinction between the self and the universe is a false dichotomy. The distinction between consciousness and physical matter, between mind and body, is the result of an unenlightened perspective.
That was wikipedia definition -am not in total agreement.
According to Nisargadutt Maharaj the phenomenal world (that which we experience as the outside world) is not an illusion but an integral part of ourself in that our sense of presence (that fact that we know we exist) and the phenomenal world can never be separated because it is one and the same - both are interlinked and both arise simultaneously.
This is the Samarasa that Gorakshnath spoke about in his definition of Truth.
What is Maayaa (or Maya) is the sense of differentiation between the phenomenal world and "I". This sense of differentiation arises because we take this "I” to be a person and the world to be the perceived.
Realization is the understanding of this belief to be a fallacy. The realization that this person is a product of the world in which "i" had and still have no role to play. The name was given to "i" by the world. It was told that it was born and it accepts this blatant lie and it is this acceptance which is Maayaa (or Maya).
Astrologically 1st house is this sense of presence and the 7th house is the doorway to the phenomenal world and we have seen above that both are same, we cannot separate the two. This I feel is the reason why the Arudha cannot fall in the 1st and 7th from it.
Also 7th is the house of your conception and your final destination at the end of this life.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
TRUTH : Redefined
The Natha Siddha Gorakshanath defines the Ultimate Truth, the Supreme Reality and its understanding as:
"The Absolute Truth is the nameless, formless, and Subject-Objectless Perfect Unity of Existence and Experience, free from all contradictions and relativity, qualifications, limitations and negations. The Absolute Truth, by virtue of its infinite, eternal, dynamic aspect, eternally and freely manifests Itself in all kinds of names and forms, all orders of phenomenal existences and experiences, all sorts of dualities and negativities, and harmonizes and unifies them in the all comprehending calm and tranquility of Itself.”
"The Absolute Truth is the nameless, formless, and Subject-Objectless Perfect Unity of Existence and Experience, free from all contradictions and relativity, qualifications, limitations and negations. The Absolute Truth, by virtue of its infinite, eternal, dynamic aspect, eternally and freely manifests Itself in all kinds of names and forms, all orders of phenomenal existences and experiences, all sorts of dualities and negativities, and harmonizes and unifies them in the all comprehending calm and tranquility of Itself.”
Thus Gorakshanath expresses the Absolute as the Universe, the Macrocosm as one with the Microcosm, and the concept of Samarasa.
Samarasa — the perfect assimilation; Undifferentiated oneness in which the yogi sees himself as the world, and the world as being in himself. It is the real stage of unity and equipoise in which microcosm becomes one with macrocosm: it is true Moksha.
Samarasa — the perfect assimilation; Undifferentiated oneness in which the yogi sees himself as the world, and the world as being in himself. It is the real stage of unity and equipoise in which microcosm becomes one with macrocosm: it is true Moksha.
Astrologically Pournima tithi is said to be best for Satyanarayana (personification of truth) worship. Even here Sun and Moon are placed samasaptaka to each other.
What is it about 1st & 7th houses that Maya doesn’t affect them.
This brings us to the definition of Maya.
What is it about 1st & 7th houses that Maya doesn’t affect them.
This brings us to the definition of Maya.
Satya- truth
May Ganesh clear our path of all obstacles.
May the Satguru be always seated on our crown.
Welcome and Namaskaar.
We spiritual aspirants should be very particular about using words when describing spiritual terminology. Simple words which are used by people like - God, truth should not be used vaguely.
As they say words are the thing.
Paramhamsa Yogananda said that Ever new joy is God.
God is the ultimate and absolute Truth, ever auspicious and beautiful.
Dr. Paul Brunton in his book `Hidden teachings beyond yoga' gives the following definition of Truth.
"Truth is that which is beyond all contradictions, Free from all doubt; which is beyond the very
possibility of both.
Beyond the changes and alterations of time and vicissitude, Forever one and the same,
Unalterable and unaltering, Universal and therefore independent of all human ideation."
A beautiful way of expressing the inexpressable.
Related to the abve defination are two stories that have affected me deeply.
The first one I read when I was a kid. The story was from Chandamama (a popular monthly story magazine for children in India). It tells the anecdote of a teacher of a Gurukul, who one day called his students and asked for Gurudakshina.Which was unique in that he asked each pupil to bring to him a stolen article which they have to steal when no one was watching
-Next day all students except one brought a stolen article and deposited it at their Guru's feet. When the only student who was unable to offer the Guru Dakshina was asked and ridiculed why he could not offer even this simple Guru Dakshina he answered, "My apologies for not fulfilling my dharma and offering my Guru Dakshina to you Gurudeva,but try as much as I could, there was no place that was not watched by anyone. When no one else was there watching ,`I' was there to watch.
The Second story is from Ramesh S.Balsekar's book,"Explorations into the eternal" forays into the teachings of Nisargdutt Maharaj Pg.17.
It is a Sufi story-
A Banquet is being given in honour of the king; all assembled Guests are seated according to rank, and only one chair remains vacant awaiting the arrival of the king. At this point a ragged Sufi fakir walks in and sits in the chair reserved for the king. The chief minister is very upset, angrily approaches the fakir and the following dialogue takes place.
C.M-How dare you sit in that chair? Are you an important minister even senior to me?
Fakir-No, I am more than that.
C.M- Are you the king?
Fakir- No,I am more than that.
C.M-Are you the prophet?
Fakir- No,I am more than that.
C.M- Then are you God?
Fakir- No, I am more than that.
C.M-(Horrified)-How can you say that? more than God, there is nothing.
Fakir-Yes, and I am that nothing.
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