Advaita-The crest jewel of Hinduism

 I wished i was dead.It was one of those days in which i found it hard to believe that my heart continued to beat.I found no reason,no right to be alive.But,there i was..hale and healthy.Inspite of the grief and misery that hung heavy inside the hall,i became a bit philosophical.I had read in the puranas that life ends only when yama arrives.Wasn't it time for him to turn up?Or was it because i was so very stone hearted?All those years i had been under the impression that there couldn't be nothing worser than death.But something had changed in those few minutes.There was a change,alright..Whether for good or bad,i didnt know.My mindset had changed.It definitely was something i couldn't understand.Suddenly,Buddhism made sense.The very same Buddhism i had fought hard to avoid,made perfect sense.Something in my DNA had changed..
Buddha says that along with each thought that crosses man's mind,he becomes a new jiva.This philosophy normally sounded absurd to me.If a new jiva is born with each passing thought,there could never be scope for recollection.One should never be able to switch to one's previous school of thought.But common sense and experience always always argued against this philosophy.man through generations had proven that he had the power to rectify,reform and change to the past form..
But,this situation was different.I really felt that i was no longer the same.A new jiva..no longer the same.For the first time in memory,i despised myself for being alive.My eyes fell upon the laughing Buddha on the fridge.He indeed seem to be having the last laugh.I had indeed lost a battle.A battle that had been going on in my mind.What the results would be,i found it frightening to imagine."You are too young,i told myself..You are not a new jiva..You are Ambarish and shall remain so..Such stupid thoughts do cross people's minds when you are in an emotional frame of mind".But that was not enough..
I felt too shy to reveal my thoughts to my parents.I knew perfectly well that my friends didnt know a thing  about all this.Where else could i go?my mind was turbulent.i could not trust it,atleast for the moment.dropping off to sleep would have meant staving off the problem at hand.I decided to place my trust in my own intellect.
Hinduism had been threatened by Buddhism for  ages.It had resulted in the conversion of millions of Hindus into Buddhism.But,even then,Hinduism had survived not only the Buddhist onslaught,but also the challenges posed by the marauding hordes of Ghazni,ghori,mughals,the mongols,and the cunning Christian missionaries.It continued to exist like the undying Sun.There must be a reason,i told myself.I searched for hope,peace and light.I prayed like i had never done before.. तमसोमा  ज्योथिर गमय..Lead me from darkness to light..and,light i did find..in the form of an undying lantern..
It was Adi Shankara..Adi Shankara had been the sage who had protected India from the on-slaught of Buddhism.He had freed many from the dilemna that existed in those dark days..Hinduism or Buddhism..He was the first person to introduce the concept of institutionalism in Hinduism.It was a significant,welcome change.Hinduism needed to adapt.His four mutts still stand tall as pillars of knowledge,enlightenment.Adi shankara had decided to give this small boy some knowledge,i was sure.With this thought,my old scepticism of Buddhism returned.Due to Acharya's grace.And through my common sense.I had gone back to my old thoughts.I had retrieved my old self.I had realized my power to recollect.This was something i had marvelled for so long(I mean,the setting up of four mutts).

Life had come a whole circle in the last 30 minutes..I had heard about Acharya'shilosophy of Advaita.All i knew at that stage was that advaita meant non duality." According to advaita,जीवात्मा and परमात्मा are one and the same",i had read somewhere.I didnt know anything else.Now that i had been freed from my dilemna with his help,i had a sudden urge to know more about advaita.I have been reading more and more about it whenever i have got time..It has been a transformation,if not realization.I now at least comprehend what is to be done to understand one's self,howerver far i may be from realizing it..It is a beginning,never the less.I know i have no worth to write about advaita in my blog,but still,i do feel the need to share what i know..So, i just give you the link to vivekashudamani,one of Acharya's many books on Advaita.http://www.vivekananda.net/PDFBooks/Vivekashudamani.pdf

 Regarding what made me feel that i had better die,i would write about it later..Its getting late..Got to sleep..

Ambarish

A kind request to my followers

First of all,i would like to thank you all for following my blog.It really feels good when i know that people spend their time to know my views!i am quite sure that you would have some reaction to my posts.i request you to post your reactions as comments,so that i know what you think about the way i think.after all,this is a blog,not a classroom.Also,if you are interested in my blog,plz mention it in one of the social networking sites.Of course,only if you are interested in my blog..Suggestions to help me spread my blog would be cheerfully accepted with warmth and gratitude.

Ambarish..

India and Israel-a comparision..

Both India and Israel are nations that were born out of great strife.They share many similarities.India is surrounded by Sri lanka,Pakistan,Bangladesh,Afghanistan,China and Nepal.Out of these nations,India and Nepal have Hinduism as the religion followed by an overwhelming majority of people.Pakistan and Afghanistan are hell bent on de-stabilizing India.Let us analyse these nations,one by one.
There are four pillars of power in Pakistan-The Inter services Intelligence(ISI-the Pakistani equivalent of Research and Analysis wing),the Pakistani army,the Taliban and,of course..the puppet government in Pakistan.The ISI has often been described by critics and observers of being a "state within a state" due to its enormous independence and influence it enjoys.The ISI has always been in the forefront in providing logistical support as far as launching terror attacks in India is concerned.The Pakistan army is known for its notorious role in governance of the country.It has been in the forefront of many state sponsored(yet,"unofficial") attacks against India.it influences an alarming influence over the foreign policy of Pakistan.Who can forget the manner in which Gen Pervez Musharraf usurped power from Nawaz Sheriff in a bloodless coup?

The Taliban was setup with the blessings of the United States to fight against U.S.S.R during the cold war.U.S.A's brainchild has now turned out to be its most feared enemy.The Taliban has become the kingdom of terror in Pakistan(and Afghanistan).The deal the government of Pakistan signed with these rouge elements in th Swat valley is proof of the instability existing in Pakistan.The Government of Pakistan has seldom been able to act independently due to these extremist elements.Rehman Malik's recent flip flops on the 26-11 attacks are a proof in hand of this fact.There is always the persistent danger of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal going into the hands of the Taliban.That would perhaps mean the end of India,the cradle of civilization.As you read this,tens of thousands of young minds are being trained to wage war against India(jihad) in terror training camps spread all over the country.Pakistan's government is eager to whip u[p the war-hysteria at the slightest provocation.
Afghanistan has always suffered due to the lack of a proper democratic system in the country.The government in place at present is weak and is grappling with insecurity and lack of political will.The Al Qaeda is a potent force in the political establishment.Poverty is widespread and illiteracy is widely observed in the country.
Bangladesh is not as unstable as Pakistan is,but there too we see terror outfits(like HUJI)who launch attacks against India,and of course spill the blood of Hindus who remain in Bangladesh.Incidentally,both Pakistan and Bangladesh are "secular",by definition.Bangladesh is just about limping back to democracy,after quite a long emergency period.
Sri Lanka has always been the centre of an ethnic conflict between Lankan Tamils and the Sinhala government.Even after the end of the war,millions of Tamils continue to suffer in relief camps.They have at last found an able leader in Mahinda Rajapakse.
China,despite its phenomenal growth in recent years has been envious of India's I.T boom.It has even gone to the extent of trying to hack the computers in the PMO(Prime Minister's office).It has been fighting for Arunachgal Pradesh for a long,long time.We often hear,read reports about China building bunkers in the Indian territory.A war-like scenario has often been avoided due to the ever-so-submissive nature of India.India has been forced to turn a blind eye towards the plight of Tibetans due to the 'Big Brother'attitude of China.
Nepal,the last Hindu kingdom in the world has now been declared as a secular nation.The Maoists of Nepal have assumed power.India is still unsure whether Prem Kumar Dahal(popularly known as "prachanda"meaning awesome)is a friend or foe.We don't know whether Nepal will become China's pet,given the communist ideology these two nations share.

India has borne the brunt of terror attacks right from 1947(particularly since 1993).Even its parliament has been attacked.Planes have been hijacked(Remember Kandahar?).Trains have been blown,super markets targeted,temples destroyed(Jaipur),courts attacked(Jaipur,2008,a city has been held ransom for 3 days by a group of 10 teenagers(26-11 attacks).Still,India treats terrorism as a law and order problem..Passing the buck from the state to the centre is an oft-repeated story.Political parties look for petty political gains to settle political scores even in the wake of the most gruesome terror attacks.The absence of a tough anti terror law has meant that hardcore terrorists go Scott-free in the absence of "concrete" evidence(This fact has been acknowledged by the former chief justice of India,K.G.Balakrishnan and the judge who sentenced Kasab to death while he had to acquit the Indian suspects).It is indeed astonishing that our Home Minister repeats that existing laws are sufficient as one terror attack after the other unfolds.

(In an interview,he was asked"What will your be response to another Mumbai-like attack?"He answers"Our response will be swift and decisive",but refused to elaborate.Doesn't the nation deserve to know what its policy makers(who are there because of their votes)will do in the wake of another massacre?"Swift and decisive"?What do we get from that?There are so many thing that we can do in a manner he says.What will he do?Flush the toilet?Even that's swift and decisive,isn't it?)The prime minister always insists "We will not allow terror to overwhelm us.We wont bow to terror.We will continue to fight against terror.Lets stay united".That's it .He goes to sleep.What does he actually do?NOTHING.Of course,he waits for the next terror attack,to read out the same speech.

(He went on record saying that he couldn't sleep for two days on watching the visuals of the plight of the parents of two kashmiri terrorists.22% of India's population lives below the poverty line.If the PM had cared for them,he shouldn't have slept once in the last six years.)

The CPI(M) used a convicted terrorist as its star campaigner in Kerala.Sanjay Dutt has given so many speeches in favour of terrorists.Farooq Abdullah demanded a safe passage for terrorists so that they could be released from the jails and be allowed to turn over a new leaf.BSP fielded a terror accused in an election.The central government gave compensation for the families of kashmiri terrorists killed in an encounter.(are they martyrs?Does the govt want to encourage such terrorists?).Kasab is being treated like the Prince Of Pakistan who is on a jolly tour.He travels in 6-crore bullet proof car,attends hearings in special Court(22 crores) and is treated like a petty thief.Even i don't get to eat what he has for lunch(Roti,Dal,Rice and milk-a wholesome diet).Surely,India IS Incredible.Where else can we find such hospitality?
Now,let us consider Israel.It is surrounded by Egypt,Jordan,Syria and Saudi Arabia.All these nations are Islamic in character and functioning.Israel,on the other hand is the nation which has been formed of what is left of 2 millenia of merciless prosecution of Jews.All its neighbours want to destroy Israel.

Somewhat similar to the kind of situation to what India finds itself in.But,how does Israel react?Fights tooth and nail to establish its authority and maintain its sovereignty.In Israel,military training is compulsory,irrespective of a person's gander.people of Israel are trained to fight for their country,till the last drop of their blood.LITERALLY.Not like how it is India.MERE WORDS.We too learnt the same thing in school.But,how do we fight till we die unless we are trained to fight?Israel cares for its citizens just like how a cow does for its calf.It indulges in air strikes,drone attacks,launches rockets and spread terror.In other word,fights terror with terror.Just what was Hammurabi's code of law was so many centuries ago:An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.It doesn't care to strike at hospitals,relief camps as long they are there in the enemies territory.(Compare this with Pranab Mukherjee's"We will wage war if there's another Mumbai-like massacare".)It does all these to strike at the root-to destabilize the enemy camp.It doesn't care as long as the ends satisfy the means.U.S-backing has been crucial for this.India,on the other hand,still sticks to the age-old non-alignment policy of the Nehru era.

Does this saint-like attitude at the face of death help in anyway???You Decide!!

Is India secular?

During our school,we would've read that India is a secular country that has no state religion..In the literal sense,secularism meant separating the state and the Church.Some in India see it as treating all religions equally.In U.S.A,secularism means maintaining equidistance from all religions.let us analyse the Indian perception of secularism..

Treating all religions equally should mean having the same laws for all citizens,irrespective of their faith..But,is this true?Let us consider the following:

1)Article 370
2)Hindu Marriage Act
3)Absence of a uniform civil code
Article 370:

The Article 370 of the Indian constitution confers a special status on the state of Jammu and Kashmir..Any law passed in the Indian parliament must be adopted by th J&K legislative assembly if it is to be enforced in that state..

Why is there such an article?

J&K is the only state in India in which Muslims are a majority..This is a clear indication of the intentions of the men who framed the Indian Constitution to provide the muslims of J&K special powers..Does it agree with the definition of secularism?

NO!there are also provisions in the constitution to ensure that the demography of the state of J&K doesn't change..No other state in India enjoys such a status.Doesn't it infringe the integrity of India?Aren't Kashmiris included when i pledge"All Indians are my brothers and sisters"?But do they think in the same manner?Article 370suggests they are have different ideas..
Hindu Marriage Act:

The Hindu marriage act provides HINDU women the right to divorce.It doesn't include women of other religions.Hindu laws do not provide women with any right to divorce.But the Hindu marriage Act supercedes the Hindu laws..

Islam too doesn't approve of divorce,if the applicant is a woman.But a man can divorce his wife just by repeating the word "talaq" three times.This is indeed a draconian provision which denies muslim women even the right to expression..There is not a single provision in the Indian Constitution against this law.In India,it is ok to ban traditional Hindu practices like sati,child marriage,dowry,etc.Agreed,these are evil customs,but don't other religions have evil customs,too?Why aren't they banned?Where does equality of religions fit into all this?
Absence of uniform civil code:
Polygamy is perfectly OK as far as Hindu law is concerned.The same thing is true with Islam also.The British banned polygamy among Hindus during the time Lord Hastings.India became independent( divided)in 1947.It was declared as a secular country.Inspite of this,this law is still in Vogue.Polygamy is ok as far as muslims are concerned.A muslim can marry as many as five women,without facing any legal action.But,a Hindu can't.He will be imprisoned.Say,he converts into Islam,he escapes all punishment.
Now,tell me,"Is India secular"?

Something about myself

I,Ambarish was born on 31/1/1992 to S.Gopinath and B.Vidya in Chennai,India.I was brought up in Chennai.I did my primary schooling in P.S.B.B(upto 6th std).Rest of my schooling was in D.A.V,Gill Nagar.I believe that my strengths are my self belief and my traditional upbringing..
My greeatest weakness is my shyness..
I am always shy.Find it very difficult to move on.I`ve tried to change this with little success..Nowadays,I can at least look into the eyes of boys when i talk..Matters become worse when the opposite gender comes in..I can barely look into their eyes,let alone talk to them..
My favorite sport is cricket,though i also follow hockey.I support KKR in IPL.Ardent follower of Indian politics,which is of course a dirty game,but thats how it goes..Iam at present pursuing EEE in Sri Sairam Engg College(I Year)....

Hinduism-a way of life...

Hinduism is indeed a unique religion,known for its tolerance and freedom of thought,expression.What is known as Hinduism today is actually a result of millenia of thought,which evolved through free speech..

No other religion in the world can lay claim to giving its practitioners so much opportunity to experiment,infer and evolve..Hinduism is truely composite,varied and dynamic.Many try to portray this as a weakness.I beg to differ.How would you describe a rainbow?Colourful,radiant,composite,catchy,spectacular.The rainbow has seven colours,each so distinct from one another.The same is true with Hinduism ..Hinduism allows you to think,experiment,falter,realize and enlighten,both yourself and others..

As William Blake says,"How can the bird that is born for joy sit in a cage and sing?"Each man has his own tastes,preferences,likes and dislikes.One man's food is another man's poison.With this being the case,it becomes impossible to aplly the same yardstick to everybody.

This is why Hindus worship many Gods.Each God is a way to connect to our inner self.Practice of Hinduism is in fact,a celebration of life.Each and every custom a Hindu follows has its own hidden meaning.Consider the "kolam" which decorates the entrance of evry house.It used to be drawn using rice flour in olden days.Why?

It used to serve two purposes:

1)"Kolams"decorate you entrance in a beautiful way.                     

2)It was drawn in rice flour to feed the ants.

Of course,we use "kolam"flours nowadays,but this is what "kolams" used to be..

In very much the same way,each and every custom Hindus follow has a meaning,a purpose,though it may seem crass and meaningless from the outset.One understands the relevance only if he goes into deep analysis.It is foolish and arrogant to dismiss something just because one is ignorant of it.As Da vinci says"Blinding ignorance does mislead us.Oh wretched mortals..OPEN YOUR EYES".

"OPEN YOUR EYES".This is exactly what one who is interested in understanding Hinduism must do.One doubt might cross your mind.This article portrays Hinduism like the media-just a medium to express ourselves.Then why are there so many customs,rituals and traditions in Hinduism?The answer is simple.True,customs and rituals are an integral part of hinduism.But,what do customs compose of..Oblations to the fire,worship of the sun(suryanamaskaram,sandhyavandhanam),worshipping the Earth,air,etc..In a cruder sense,simply nature worship..but isn't nature worship again a celebration of life?
Hindu festivals like Sankaranthi are meant to worship the sun,the yielder of light to the world.Really,what would our world be without the sun?Ayudha puja is an opportunity to pay homage to the things we use in our day to day life..During Diwlai we celebrate the victory of Ram over Raavan-the victory of Good over Evil..We burst crackers to symbolize the birth of good times and to pray that all our suffering should be reduced to nothing just like the ash that remains after the crackers are burnt..the same is true of all the festivals that Hindus celebrate.Sadly no one realises this..
Hinduism is a way of life,more than a religion..
(to be continued)